<span class="screen-reader-text">Category: </span>Book Related

HoHoHo Readathon

ondbookshelfNovember 7, 2017November 16, 2017Leave a comment

It's my favorite time of year, and one (if not the only) readathon I've faithfully participated in each year since I've been blogging. I don't know about you, but I love holiday stories!

Hosted by Kimba over at Caffeinated Reviewer (click this link to read all about it), we spend a week reading holiday or winter themed books. There are contests and prizes associated, and I've truly enjoyed myself each year. I will set out my potential books I'm thinking of reading, and keep everyone posted along the way. At the end of the week, let's see how much holiday cheer I've packed in!

Here are the initial (always subject to change) books that I have selected.

Click the links for each book to be taken to the Goodreads description. I will update throughout the week once a book is completed, and give a wrap-up total at the end of the week.

Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan (link)
Read 11/14 - 11/15 150/295 pages
I didn't finish this one, but got halfway through before the end of the readathon. I've read the first two Little Beach Street Bakery books in this series, and even though I haven't finished, I can say that this one is right on par with the others. Will likely be a 3 to 3.5 star read.

Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb (link)
Read 11/8 - 11/10 400 pages 4 stars
Loved that this one was all in letter format. A great new way to look at history with the correspondence between two soldiers, a war nurse, and the friends and family back home in London. This one takes place during the war years of World War I, which is not a war that is written about as often in historical fiction.

Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand (link)
Read (audio) 11/9 - 11/10 262 pages 4 stars
I teared up at the end of this fourth volume in the Quinn family saga. I'm going to miss my yearly dose of this family with all of their trials, tribulations, but enduring love for family. Loved it, but definitely suggest that you read the series in order.

Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak (link)
Read 11/11 - 11/13 368 pages 4 stars
A highly entertaining story of a family forced to spend 7 days under quarantine in their home over Christmas week. Of course all sorts of issues come to light. There was humor, serious issues, family drama, secrets revealed and pretty much anything related to being house bound. Some parts were a little far fetched, but my overall enjoyment caused me to disregard them.

Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire (link)
Read 11/10 - 11/11 304 pages 2 stars
Firstly, go look for a copy of this to feast your eyes on the cover, because it is spectacular! Then read it for the great writing, and the parts toward the end that you will glean information about the Nutcracker story. These were all pluses for me. Being that I do not like magical realism, you can then understand why my rating is as low as it is. Once the knife started talking to the boy, a high rating was pretty much not going to happen. If you like a well done magical realism story, you will love this, and I can highly recommend. If like me, it's not your thing, there are still the parts above that make me glad I still read it until the end.

Total books read = 4 1/2
Total pages = 1484

Can't wait until next year! Happy Holiday reading!!

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: The Secret to Southern Charm

ondbookshelfSeptember 15, 2017September 15, 2017Leave a comment

Today I am happy to give you a sneak peek of the next novel (coming April 3, 2018) by Kristy Woodson Harvey. This is the second novel in the Peachtree Bluff trilogy. You can find my review of the first, Slightly South of Simple here, as well as Kristy's two previous novels Dear Carolina and Lies and Other Acts of Love.

To celebrate the cover reveal, Kristy is giving away a $100 Amazon gift card. Visit her website at www.kristywoodsonharvey.com (under cover reveal in her blog section), for a chance to win!

Here is what the back blurb looks like:

Leaving fans “practically [begging] for a sequel” (Bookpage), critically-acclaimed author Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with the second novel in her beloved Peachtree Bluff series, featuring a trio of sisters and their mother who discover a truth that will change not only the way they see themselves, but also how they fit together as a family.

After finding out her military husband is missing in action, middle sister Sloane’s world crumbles as her worst nightmare comes true. She can barely climb out of bed, much less summon the strength to be the parent her children deserve.

Her mother, Ansley, provides a much-needed respite as she puts her personal life on hold to help Sloane and her grandchildren wade through their new grief-stricken lives. But between caring for her own aging mother, her daughters, and her grandchildren, Ansley’s private worry is that secrets from her past will come to light.

But when Sloane’s sisters, Caroline and Emerson, remind Sloane that no matter what, she promised her husband she would carry on for their young sons, Sloane finds the support and courage she needs to chase her biggest dreams—and face her deepest fears. Taking a cue from her middle daughter, Ansley takes her own leap of faith and realizes that, after all this time, she might finally be able to have it all.

Harvey’s signature warmth and wit make this is a charming and poignant story of first loves, missed opportunities, and second chances that proves why she is the next major voice in Southern fiction” (Elin Hilderbrand, New York Times bestselling author).

And here is the cover! It's gorgeous, just as ALL of her covers have been!

Head over to your favorite bookseller and pre-order this one! And if you haven't read the first book of the trilogy, I highly recommend it, or any of her previous works!