New Release ~~Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski

I was searching around to see what recently came out, and came upon Sarah Mlynowski's new book Gimme a Call, it seems like it's going to be a good one. 

Release date: April 27th 2010

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Pages: 320

From Goodreads:

Devi's life isn't turning out at all like she wanted. She wasted the past three years going out with Bryan—cute, adorable, break-your-heart Bryan. Devi let her friendships fade, blew off studying, didn't join any clubs . . . and now that Bryan has broken up with her, she has nothing left.

Not even her stupid cell phone—she dropped it in the mall fountain. Now it only calls one number . . . hers. At age fourteen, three years ago!

Once Devi gets over the shock—and convinces her younger self that she isn't some wacko—she realizes that she's been given an awesome gift. She can tell herself all the right things to do . . . because she's already done all the wrong ones! Who better to take advice from than your future self?

Except . . .what if getting what you think you want changes everything?

Fans of Sarah Mlynowski's Magic in Manhattan series will love this hilarious new novel with a high-concept premise .

~~

Can't wait to read this one.

Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee

  224 pages

From Goodreads:

Rosemary Goode is smart and funny and loyal and the best eyebrow waxer in Spring Hill, Tennessee. But only one thing seems to matter to anyone, including Rosemary: her weight. And when your mom runs the most successful (and gossipy) beauty shop in town, it can be hard to keep a low profile. Rosemary resolves to lose the weight, but her journey turns out to be about everything but the scale. Her life-changing, waist-shrinking year is captured with brutal honesty and humor, topped with an extralarge helping of Southern charm. A truly uncommon novel about an increasingly common problem.

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Rosemary Goode has always struggled with her weight, she's tired of the constant teasing at school, and the nagging about eating right, and exercising from her mom, and pushy aunt. 

I enjoyed Artichoke's Heart so much.  The characters were excellent especially the main character Rosemary Goode.  I really felt for Rosemary, her frustrations concerning her weight were emotional, and sad.  So much is made in today's world about the perfect body, and the expectations the young girls have are outrageous. The pressure of being thin, and pleasing her family has Rosemary going about the wrong way to lose the pounds.  I could understand the "healthy" aspect of exercising and eating right, so I understand her mom trying to encourage Rosemary to be more active, and watch what she put in her body.  As a parent though it is a fine line you have to walk when discussing weight, and being healthy. The story takes a turn for the real serious when Rosemary's mother is diagnosed with cancer.  

Artichoke's Heart had it's light moments when readers are introduced to Rosemary's crush, Kyle.  I love the character of Kyle.  He's a nice, handsome football player that can see underneath Rosemary's exterior.  I really enjoyed the progression of their romance. 

Artichoke's Heart touched on a subject that many of our young adults are going through right now, and author Suzanne Supplee did it in a pleasing way.  I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely be reading more from Suzanne Supplee. 


Rating: 4

Sunday Salon

This week was a great reading week for me because i've been layed up for the past couple of days due to a knee injury.  I've been on a workout frenzy for the past month or so, and really kicked up my workouts by adding some running, and now I have runner's knee.  HA..who would of thought.  Not moving around so much just meant more time to read, which was nice. 

What I read this week

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

and

Oblivion Road by Alex McAulay

Both were new authors to me, and I will definitely be reading more of them.  My reviews of both should be up soon.  I'm also thinking of doing a giveaway for my paperback copy of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane.  

I also got a bunch of books in the mail this week, and I can't wait to read them.

Right now I have a contest going for Mommywood by Tori Spelling.  Just leave a comment to enter.  The contest ends May 5.

Next  Saturday I'll be in San Antonio for the George Strait/Reba concert..YEAH!  I'll be back Sunday afternoon, and I'll be posting some pictures. 

Hope everyone has wonderful week ahead.

The Spellmans Strike Again by Lisa Lutz

The Spellmans Strike Again by Lisa Lutz

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

388 pages

Hardback

From Lisa Lutz's Website-

At the ripe old age of 32, former wild child Isabel "Izzy" Spellman has finally agreed to take over the family business. Let's just say the transition won't be a smooth one.

Her first priorities as head of Spellman Investigations are to dig up some dirt on the competition—slippery ex-cop Rick Harkey—and to track down a stolen screenplay called The Snowball Effect. Next, faced with a baffling missing-persons case at the home of an aging millionaire, Izzy hires an actor friend to infiltrate the mansion as an undercover butler. Only he enjoys the role a little too much.

Meanwhile, Izzy is being blackmailed by her mother, who threatens to distribute photographic evidence of Prom Night 1994 unless Izzy commits to regular blind dates with promising professionals—an arrangement that doesn't thrill Connor, an Irish bartender on the brink of becoming ex-boyfriend #12.

At Spellman headquarters, it's business as unusual. Doorknobs and light fixtures are disappearing every day, Mom's been spotted crying in the pantry, and a series of increasingly demanding Spellman Rules (Rule #27: No Speaking Today) can't quite hold the family together. Izzy also has to decipher weekly "phone calls from the edge" from her octogenarian lawyer Morty, as well as Henry Stone's mysterious interest in rekindling their relationsh ... well, whatever it was.

Just when it looks like things can't go more haywire, little sister Rae's internship, researching pro bono legal cases leads the youngest Spellman to launch a grass-roots campaign that could get an innocent man out of jail—or land her in it.

This installment in the bestselling, award-nominated series is hands-down the most hilarious, thrilling, and moving one yet. And it proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Isabel Spellman, no matter how much she matures, will never be able to follow Rule #1: Act Normal.

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I loved the first book in this series, The Spellman Files, books two and three were good, but not great by any means.  I wasn't expecting too much from The Spellmans Strike Again, I was just hoping to like it enough to finish it.  Surprisingly I love it as much as the first.  I spent many moments laughing out loud while reading about Izzy and her unorthodox family. 

The Spellmans are up to there usual blackmailing, and shenanigans in the 4th installment of the Spellmans Series. I don't read the series for the mysteries obviously, since I think they are secondary to the characters. The mysteries are usually not so mysterious, and not quite page turning. The lengths the Spellmans take when trying to solve these mysteries is what make this series so successful. Izzy trying to take down competitor Rick Harvey has been happening since book 1, if I remember correctly, and it is a big part of this book as well. Also, the family start implementing family rules that had me laughing. Some of these rules are quite odd, but of course for the Spellmans they are very much needed.

All the original characters are back for this book, and they are kookier than ever. Izzy is now 32 but is still lacking the maturity her mother and countless others think she should have.  She is still having man problems, and her mom thinks she knows what Izzy needs, and she will do whatever it takes to get Izzy going in the direction she thinks she should, even if it takes blackmailing.   Rae is on mission to save a wrongfully imprisoned man, and is going through whatever lengths to get people to help with her new cause. 

The Spellmans Strike Again is a really fun, entertaining pure fluff read.  If you want to escape for a afternoon, and laugh this is a great one to pick up.

Rating: 5/5


Lisa Lutz's Website

Review and Giveaway of Mommywood by Tori Spelling

Mommywood- Tori Spelling

Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment

Pages:  237

From Goodreads:

Tori Spelling might have grown up with everything a girl could wish for, but these days she's just another suburban working mom...whose toddler regularly recognizes her in the pages of Us Weekly. Welcome to Mommywood, where the stars are two feet tall and your neighbors know who you are before you move in.

Like most parents, Tori wants her children to have the one thing she didn't have as a kid -- a normal family. On their hit Oxygen reality show, Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, the starlet and her husband Dean McDermott regularly wrestle dirty diapers, host the neighborhood block party, and tackle temper tantrums on the red carpet. But when the cameras aren't rolling, Tori's still having awkward run-ins with a former 90210 costar at a laser tag birthday party, scooping rogue poo out of the kiddie pool on a resort vacation, and racing to win back her pre-baby body before the media starts calling her fat. For all her suburban fantasies, Tori Spelling is no June Cleaver.

With the same down-to-earth wit that made her entertaining memoir sTORI telling a #1 New York Times bestseller, Tori tells the hilarious and humbling stories of life as a mom in the limelight. From learning to be the kind of parent her own mother never was to revealing what it's like to raise a family while everyone is watching, Mommywood is an irresistible snapshot of celebrity parenthood that you won't get from the paparazzi.

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Mommywood was one of the books I chose to read during the Readathon, because it was a short book, plus I knew it would be entertaining.  I was correct in both fronts.  Books like this make me feel like I'm peering through the window of the rich and famous. 

Mommywood is the look into what it is like raising kids in front of the limelight.  Tori Spelling grew up in front of the camera , I was a huge fan of 90210, and I watch Tori and Dean, so naturally I find her life very interesting.  Tori Spelling is quite funny, many of the stories she tell put a smile on your face.  There are also some seriousness.  For instance, she talks a little about what it's like being a stepmom to her stepson Jack.  I am a stepmom and I could relate to her on that aspect. 

If you watch Tori and Dean then you know that Tori is one hell of a party planner.  She gives a behind the scenes of the parties she through for her son Liam.  There were definitely some laugh at loud moments reading about that.

If you like Tori Spelling or her show Tori and Dean, than you will surely like Mommywood.    It is a quick, enjoyable read, plus I have a crush on Dean. LOL!

Rating:  3.5

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This is my own gently used copy.

To enter please leave a comment with your email

No email means no entry

You don't have to be a follower to enter

EXTRA ENTRIES

Follower -2 Entries

Blog about it - 3 entries (provide link)

Put it on sidebar - 1 entry (provide link)

Deadline to enter

May 5

Reunion by J.L. Penn

Reunion by J.L Penn

From Goodreads:

Jessica Stratford is a thirty-four year old budget analyst living in the suburbs of Maryland.  She has an established career, the love of her husband Kyle, and the friendship of five fascinating women she calls best friends.  She has it all....then she joins Facebook.  It seems innocent enough, but what happens when you find your old high school crush online after twenty years?  When an innocent internet correspondence turns into a face-to-face reunion, lines of fidelity begin to blur.  Fortunately, Jessica has the advice, and experiences of her closest friends to help her navigate her conflicting emotions.  Will Jessica remain faithful to her steadfast husband, or will she succumb to nostalgic desire for the one that got away?

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I'm so grateful for my kindle, it has exposed me to indie authors, and I'm loving what I've been reading.  Reunion by  J.L. Penn was a great book about rekindling a old crush using the ever popular social site,

Facebook. 

First, who doesn't love Facebook, and it was genius to for Ms. Penn to use this as the way Jessica and David  reconnect.  It was very modern, and I'm sure it's happening all across the world. Who doesn't like reconnecting with old friends, and yes..crushes.

It was interesting to see Jessica start as this women with a good husband and friends, to her former high school self, thinking about and crushing on David.  Seeing how her little white lies was getting her deeper and deeper to the cheating realm made for a good button pushing time (kindle).

I also loved the dynamic between her and her friends.  I love reading books that focus a bit on the bond between women.  Who doesn't love getting together with the girls, and gossiping over cocktails.  I love comparing these moments with my real life ones with my girlfriends. 

Reunion is such a great book, and a quick one at that.  Be warned though once you start, you won't put it down until you finish.  Looking forward to reading more from J.L

Penn.

Rating: 4.5

You can find Reunion on Amazon kindle for 2.99.

Readathon Wrap Up Post

This readathon round I didnt get as much read as I would have liked, but I still read 2 great books.

Books read: 2

Mommywood- Tori Spelling
Artichoke's Heart- Suzanne Supplee

Minutes spent reading: I have no idea!

Snacks consumed: A LOT!

Blogs visited: Quite a bit

Husbands books read: 1

A non-fiction book about Buddha.

He's a lightweight, crashed around 1 am. 

Looking forward to the next readathon.

Read A Thon Update Posts

First Udate:  12:42 pm

I officially started at 9:00 and  I've had many distractions this morning so  I'm still trucking through Mommywood by Tori Spelling.

Taking a break right now to read blog updates, and eat.

I went out last night so I started off kinda sloppy.  I havent really been checking minutes read and all that, but after I get some food in me, I'm going to get all proper...lol!

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Second Update: 3:56 pm

Finished my first book--Mommywood- Tori Spelling

Minutes reading-237 minutes

Going to take a 15 minute break to catch up on updates, and then back again.  I mentioned in an earlier post that my husband was going to participate with me...well, he got called into work today unexpectedly, but he should be home soon, WITH SNACKS to boot.  So he won't be starting until about 5pm. 

Hope everyone is having fun and reading great books!

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Third Update: 11:15 pm

Just finished 2nd book- Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee

Didn't really calculate minutes this time around.  Took a couple of breaks, and ate dinner.  Having a great time so far.  Last readathon, I was a lot more strict, this time around I seem to be more laid back.  I'm really enjoying myself more.  Relax is way more, well relaxing. lol.

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April Read A Thon

I had so much fun doing October's Readathon, that of course I had to join again.  Last year I was able to complete 4 books, and I'm hoping to read at least one more....we'll see.  Last year I went at it by myself, but this year my husband will be joining me.  He's already talking snacks.  lol! 

Here are the books I've put aside for the readathon.

Kindle-

Reunion by J.L. Penn

Books for Review-

Book of Fires- Jane Borodale

One Amazing Thing- Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Non-Fiction-

Mommywood- Tori Spelling

I Only Roast the Ones I Love- Jeffrey Ross

Fiction-

Artichoke's Heart- Suzanne Supplee

Chloe Leiberman (Sometimes Wong)- Carrie Rosten

The Angel's Game- Carlos Ruiz Zafon (about 50 pages in already on this one)

 I know I won't get to them all, but I wanted to make sure I chose a variety.

Looking forward to it!

"Waiting on" Wednesday

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

From Goodreads:

 Jill is a single mother who’s a master of cultural etiquette with a flair for exotic cuisine. She has a beautiful 10-year old daughter and steady career as an advisor at Great Girlfriend Getaways, a fabulous no-boys-allowed travel agency, perfect for a woman now leading a no-boys-allowed lifestyle. She thinks she finally has her life together, and there’s even a cute, free-spirited bicycle entrepreneur in the picture. For once, the dust in Jill’s life is starting to settle. But when Seth, the deadbeat husband who abandoned Jill and her then three-year old daughter Anastasia for the Peace Corps, comes back into her life, Jill finds herself utterly furious – and flabbergasted. He’s interested in getting to know his daughter, who’s dreamt of having a father, and Jill is powerless to say no. A spunky, worldly Jill of All Trades who has mastered the art of communication can’t seem to hold herself together in front of him. And on top of that, Great Girlfriend Getaways might be up for sale. Jill must make a choice – not necessarily between the two men in her life, but between the woman she is and the woman she wants to be.

Hardcover: 256 pages

Publisher: Voice (June 1, 2010)

ISBN-10: 1401341160

Visit Claire Cook's website Clairecook.com to read a excerpt of Seven Year Switch.

She is also having a Seven Year Switch Giveaway on her website!

New batch of free Kindle Books on Amazon

I was browsing Amazon kindle books, and found a couple of good books free.  Just wanted to share.

The Boyfriend League- Rachel Hawthorne
Miss Match (Lauren Halbrook series, BK 1)- Erynn Mangum
Robin and Ruby- K.M Soehnlein
several of the Lemony Snicket books
The Luxe- Anna Godbersen

Those are just a few that I found.  If you spot any let me know, I love free books!

Friday Date Night

Tonight Jesse and I have tickets to go see the Spazmatics at a local bar and grill.  Tagging along with us will be my sister and her husband, and some friends.  The Spazmatics are a 80's cover band that are huge.  They always sell out, and have a huge following.  This will be our first Spazmatic show, and I'm looking forward to hearing some 80's music, with some cold beverages. 

Friday Date Night is something DH and I have been doing for a couple of months now.  We've been married for 13 yrs, and together for 14, and as people say all the time it gets harder as the years go by not easier. 

Here's alittle taste of what we will be hearing tonight.

Crossing the Wire by Bob Kornhiser

Reviewed by my husband, Jesse.

Crossing the Wire- Bob Kornhiser

    From Goodreads:  Crossing the Wire - G.I. slang for leaving base - is set in the current war in Iraq. An American 1st Lt. has an illicit romance with an Iraqi professor of English, defying military regulations, as well as the professor's aristocratic, religious family. Thrown into combat, the lieutenant does his best to survive, while trying to make sense of the complex Arab/Islamic culture of his lover.

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I really enjoyed reading this book, at first when my very beautiful wife asked me to read it I asked her what it was about she told me it was about a soldier in Iraq. Being a U.S Army veteran, as soon as she said that it peaked my interest but when she said it also had a love story I said 'oh crap'.  I knew it was too good to be true, a book without a love story in it.  With football season just over and basketball season just getting under way I decided to go ahead and read it and  I'm glad I did.  I was totally wrong about the sappy love story, it wasn't the lovey dovey story I expected, and Mr. Kornhiser gave a real good insight to what it's like being an American soilder deployed in Iraq.

Mr. Kornhiser really hit the nail on the head with a lot of the challenges our military personal face from death of fellow soldiers to the 'Dear John' letters many  men recieve over there.  Thats one thing I never understood, why rip a man's heart out and hand it to him in a letter, when the enemy is trying to do the same thing, one battle at a time please. 

The connection between the American soldier, James Robert, and the Iraqi woman, Laila Amari, was done very well.  First it shows how love doesn't discriminate against cultural differences, religious backgrounds, or political views.  Bringing these two characters together also was a great way of showing how religion plays apart in the war.   The story of love, war, and religion was very well intertwined through these characters.  I also liked how the author included the rise and fall of Saddam Hussein throughout the book.

I felt it was a very unbias look at the war in Iraq.  Very good book, in the words of my two favorite reviewers, Siskel and Ebert, "Two thumb up".


eta:  not bad for his first review...