Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Synopsis:

"Bono met his wife in high school," Park says.

"So did Jerry Lee Lewis," Eleanor answers.

"I’m not kidding," he says.

"You should be," she says, "we’re sixteen."

"What about Romeo and Juliet?"

"Shallow, confused, then dead."

''I love you," Park says.

"Wherefore art thou," Eleanor answers.

"I’m not kidding," he says.

"You should be."

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

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Meeting on the school bus where Park offers Eleanor his seat when no one else will give up theirs. They soon bond over comic books and music and start hanging out with each other.

Eleanor and Park come from two different backgrounds.

Park for the most part is okay with who he is, he does not want a lot of attention, but he does want to be accepted.

Eleanor’s fiery red hair matches her feisty personality. She comes from a poor family, never having enough or the things that she really needs. Her father is horrible, her mom just accepts things for the way they are and does not try to protect Eleanor and her siblings or try to make their lives better. No matter what she goes through, she hangs in there. She is a tough cookie.

The story is told from alternating points of view, which helped to get to know Park and Eleanor better. I love stories told this way.

What I liked:

These two could not have been more different. I liked that even though they were; they took a chance with each other, found things in common, and shared a connection. They were friends who fell in love with each other. It was a sweet, yet emotional ride.

Final thoughts:

Reading Eleanor and Park brought back memories of what it was like to fall in love at a young age; the warm fuzzy feelings and the bittersweet moments as well. It is a super cute coming of age story that I instantly fell in love with.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

** I received this book from St. Martin’s Press in exchange for nothing, but my honest review. Thank you!** 

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors I'd Auto-Buy

For this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, my list is about the top ten Authors that I’d put on my auto-buy list without question. As a reminder, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish blog.

   1. Libba Bray – I fell in love with her writing with the Gemma Doyle Series. All I need to know is that she is coming out with a new book and I am on my way to pre-order it in an instant.

       2. Kristen Ashley – I first fell in love with Kristen’s writing when I read “The Gamble.”  I loved Nina and Max!

   3. Tiffany Snow – The Kathleen Turner Series…the best romantic suspense books out there! Enough said J

  4. Lisa Renee Jones – “If I Were You” introduced me to this this author. I think her writing is awesome.

   5. Tessa Dare – No one make historical romance as fun and entertaining as Tess Dare in my opinion. I absolutely loved “AWeek to be Wicked.”

     6. Sophie Kinsella – I love to shop, so it is pretty understandable that I could relate a little bit to Becky Bloomwood in“Confessions of a Shopaholic.”  This series is a lot of fun.

   7. Sara Shepard – The Pretty Little Liars series is a lot better than I expected it to be. Once I started with book one, I did not want to stop.

   8.  Elizabeth Reyes – For romances that are real and male characters that are drool worthy, Elizabeth Reyes knows how to write them. “Making You Mine” was the first book of hers to hook me.

    9.  Agatha Christie – There are not any new books of course, but I still adore her mystery novels. No one writes a mystery like Agatha Christie. “And Then There Were None” is my absolute favorite.

     10. Jane Austen - I think Jane Austen is the Queen of true romance stories that can make a girl swoon. I can read “Pride & Prejudice” numerous times and never tire of it.

So which Authors made your list? Show me your links below! J

HFV Blog Tour & Giveaway: Romancing Olive by Holly Bush

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Synopsis:

In 1891, spinster librarian, Olive Wilkins, is shocked to learn of her brother’s violent death at a saloon gaming table and her sister-in-law’s subsequent murder, traveling far from her staid life to rescue her niece and nephew, now orphans. She arrives to find the circumstances of her brother’s life deplorable and her long held beliefs of family and tradition, shaken.

Accustomed to the sophistication of Philadelphia, Olive arrives in Spencer, Ohio, a rough and tumble world she is not familiar with, facing two traumatized children. Her niece and nephew, Mary and John, have been living with a neighboring farmer, widower Jacob Butler, the father of three young children of his own and a man still in pain from the recent loss of his wife.

Real danger threatens Olive and Mary and John while Jacob and his own broods battle the day-to-day struggles for survival. Will Olive and Jacob find the strength to fight their battles alone or together? Will love conquer the bitterness of loss and broken dreams?

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My thoughts:

Romancing Olive was an easy weekend story. There were some pats that reminded me of Sarah, Plain, and Tall, and Little House on the Prairie.

 In her 30’s and unmarried, Olive Wilkins spends her days working as a librarian in Philadelphia. Upon hearing of her brother’s death, she travels to Ohio in order to take custody of his two children, Mary and John, and then return back to the city.

Things do not go as smoothly has Olive would have liked or planned however. Mary and John do not really know Olive and so they are scared to be in her company.  Jacob, the widowed neighbor who has been keeping the children since their father’s death suggests that Olive stay with them so that John and Mary can become acquainted with her.

As the three of them try to build a new relationship as a family while living with Jacob, Olive begins to develop feelings for him. In this particular story, Olive is older than Jacob. And because of the difference in ages, she questions if he could really have feelings for her.

All in all I liked the story. It was a bit predictable, but that did not take away from my enjoyment.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

** I received this book as a part of the Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tour in exchange for nothing, but my honest review. Thank you.** 

Make sure to enter below for a chance to win a copy of Romancing Olive!!

About the Author 

Holly Bush was born in western Pennsylvania to two avid readers. There was not a room in her home that did not hold a full bookcase. She worked in the hospitality industry, owning a restaurant for twenty years and recently worked as the sales and marketing director in the hospitality/tourism industry and is credited with building traffic to capacity for a local farm tour, bringing guests from twenty-two states, booked two years out.  Holly has been a marketing consultant to start-up businesses and has done public speaking on the subject.

Holly has been writing all of her life and is a voracious reader of a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction, particularly political and historical works. She has written four romance novels, all set in the U.S. West in the mid 1800’s. She frequently attends writing conferences, and has always been a member of a writer’s group.

Holly is a gardener, a news junkie, has been an active member of her local library board and loves to spend time near the ocean. She is the proud mother of two daughters and the wife of a man more than a few years her junior.

Holly’s website: www.hollybushbooks.com

**GIVEAWAY**

The giveaway is for one eBook of either book (winner's choice, ePub, mobi or PDF) and open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keeping Secrets in Seattle by Brooke Moss

Synopsis:

Seattle hairstylist Violet Murphy always knew the day would come when her best friend Gabe Parker would want to settle down. She’d secretly wished it would be with her, but now that he’s chosen someone else—the prim, perfect Alicia—he wants Vi to be his best man.

Healing her broken heart isn’t easy, but when Violet meets Landon Harlow, a man who isn’t fazed by her funky style and less-than-delicate attitude, she takes a step in the right direction. Until Gabe’s fiancé’s gorgeous façade begins to crack, and Violet’s disturbing past comes back to haunt her, that is. Vi now finds herself armed with a series of lies that would break Gabe’s heart—and his engagement—if he knew their truth, and a secret from their childhood that could change everything.

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Violet and Gabe have been best friends since they were six years old. As they got older, Violet’s feelings for Gabe started to grow. Unfortunately for Violet, they are not together. One day Violet decides to make her intentions known to Gabe; however Gabe has other things planned for that evening. Like announcing to his family that he is engaged to Alicia, the woman he has been seeing for the past four months.

Heartbroken and inconsolable, her friends/roommates Betsy and Kim convince her that she needs to move on with her life and forget about Gabe. Enter Landon Harlow. A gorgeous guy with a killer smile who just happens to be her type.

Landon turns out to be a great guy and Vi is practically swept off her feet. But as they begin a relationship, Vi needs to figure out if Landon can really help her get over her childhood crush for good or if she should risk it all and tell Gabe her true feelings.

What I liked:

Each chapter begins with a part of Vi’s past journals from when she was in high school. That added more to the story and helped to understand Violet’s character better as well as the big secret she was keeping.

I loved Violet. She is a feisty and strong character. She is stronger than she believes she is. And her fashion style is as cool and funky as her personality.

Even though Violet is in a relationship with Landon and not with Gabe, I sort of felt like she was leading Landon on. She isn’t being completely honest and is still harboring feelings for Gabe. And at times her and Gabe’s relationship was a little inappropriate for them being just friends.

Final thoughts:

Before I began reading this book, I was expecting a light-hearted read with a similar plot/ storyline as the movie “Made of Honor” with Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan. Instead what I got was something with more depth and a lot more entertainment than I was expecting. Keeping Secrets in Seattle is a cute, funny, and a bit of an emotional read. There was a moment or two when I cried a little. I liked it more than I thought I would. 

Rating: 3 ½ - 4 out of 5.

** I received this book from Entangled Publishing in exchange for nothing, but my honest review. Thank you!** 

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Special Deal: The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan

A gripping novel set in Belle Époque Paris and inspired by the real-life model for Degas’s Little Dancer Aged Fourteen and a notorious criminal trial of the era.

Paris. 1878. Following their father’s sudden death, the van Goethem sisters find their lives upended. Without his wages, and with the small amount their laundress mother earns disappearing into the absinthe bottle, eviction from their lodgings seems imminent. With few options for work, Marie is dispatched to the Paris Opéra, where for a scant seventy francs a month, she will be trained to enter the famous ballet. Her older sister, Antoinette, finds work—and the love of a dangerous
young man—as an extra in a stage adaptation of Émile Zola’s naturalist masterpiece L’Assommoir.

Marie throws herself into dance and is soon modelling in the studio of Edgar Degas, where her
image will forever be immortalized as Little Dancer
Aged Fourteen. Antoinette, meanwhile, descends
lower and lower in society, and must make the choice between a life of honest labor and the more profitable avenues open to a young woman of the Parisian demimonde—that is, unless her love affair derails her completely.
Set at a moment of profound artistic, cultural,
and societal change, The Painted Girls is a tale of two remarkable sisters rendered uniquely vulnerable to the darker impulses of “civilized society.”

For today only, there is an awesome deal for readers who like historical fiction. Cathy Marie Buchanan's historical fiction novel,"The Painted Girls is on sale for the special price of $2.99!!

If you have been thinking about trying this novel, then get it before the price goes back to normal on Monday. Happy Reading! J

BUY:

      Kobo | B&N | Amazon | iBookstore

Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell

Synopsis:

A rich tale of power and forbidden love revolving around a young medieval queen

In 1002, fifteen­-year-old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.

Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.

Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Shadow on the Crown introduces readers to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern readers.

***********************************************

Shadow on the Crown is a rich story chronicling the life of Emma of Normandy.

Imagine being taken away from the only home you have ever known at the age of fifteen to marry a King who is a complete stranger. Especially when that King mistrusts her from the very start and there is the Kings mistress who would do just about anything she could in order to be Queen herself. Talk about frightening.  Trying to forge good relationships with the royal court and win over the people of England is anything but easy. All too quickly Emma is thrust into a new place where people are plotting her demise and trusting the wrong person could be a costly mistake.

What I liked:

The fact that this novel is based on real events made it much more enjoyable to read. For me the story did not drag. It kept a nice steady pace with unpredictable events unfolding along the way. I loved Emma. She could have played the victim with everything that was happening around her, but she did not cower, she stood firm, and wanted to do what was best for England.

Final thoughts:

I was a bit surprised to find that this is the first book for author Patricia Bracewell. Shadow on the Crown was an engaging read that satisfied my fix for a good historical fiction book. Emma’s story does not end here; this is just the first book in a trilogy.  I would recommend this book to readers who like historical fiction with a solid story line, a good dose of history, and character.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

** I received this book from Penguin Publishing/Viking Adult in exchange for nothing, but my honest review. Thank you!** 

Buy:

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Turning Point by Tiffany Snow

Snyopsis:

After her promotion from law firm Runner to Investigator, Kathleen Turner is learning the ropes of her new job from none other than assassin-for-hire Kade Dennon, a situation her boyfriend Blane Kirk is none too happy about. But the lessons with Kathleen take a back seat when Kade becomes a target. Previously untouchable, his enemies now know of the chink in his armor – his brother’s girlfriend.

And Kade’s not the only thing coming between Kathleen and Blane. From Blane's inexplicable defense of a man guilty of a horrible crime, to a mysterious stranger from Kathleen's past, to Kathleen' risky investigation into human traffickers, the obstacles mount against a relationship that's just begun to find trust again. 

While Blane considers a job offer that would take him back to the front lines in the war on terror, Kathleen is determined to pursue her new career, with or without his approval. Unfortunately, her current case is far more dangerous than anyone knows. Someone close to Blane will go to extreme lengths to split them up, lengths that may prove worse than death for Kathleen. 

Kathleen, Blane and Kade must atone for the sins of the past and the present. The fallout will force Kathleen to a turning point...in her career, and her life.

*******************************************

Turning Point, the third book in the Kathleen Turner series, finds Kat still trying to adjust to her private investigator position at the law firm, with Mr. Swoon worthy himself…Kade as her boss/trainer. Much to Blane’s dismay.

Kathleen’s investigation into a case for the law firm she works at puts her in an unexpected and risky situation. As she gets closer to finding the answers she is seeking, the danger gets closer to her. Her job as well as her relationship with both Blane and Kade reaches a turning point and when everything is said and done, things may never be the same for anyone again.  

What I liked:

Kathleen is a woman who stands by her decisions. No matter how many times Kade tries to tempt her…and he tries a lot, she is firm with her answer. Though it is obvious she is conflicted in her feelings for him. They go beyond the feelings of just friendship. This is one love triangle, I do not mind enduring.

What I did not:

Even though I am rooting for Kade, I always give Blane the benefit of a doubt. His and Kat’s relationship seem to work and for the moment they seem good for each other. But Blane’s inability to confide in Kathleen and tell her things, especially things that actually involve her and are important annoys the heck out of me. It seems like he always feels like she does not need to know, or it won’t help anything if he tells her. Seeing as how they are in a relationship with each, trusting the other person, even a little bit is important. I know he has trust issues, but it still bugs me.

Final thoughts:

I feel like each book in this series, is better than last and I love that. The Kathleen Turner Series is one of my favorite romantic suspense books. It’s not perfect, but it is a lot of fun to read, there is real suspense, real characters, and something is always happening. The biggest downside is that I have to wait until December 17, 2013 for the fourth book, Out of Turn to be released. Ugh!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

** I received this book from Montlake Romance via Netgalley in exchange for nothing, but my honest review. Thank you!** 

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Bloomsbury Triple Threat Blog Tour: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Thanks for making a stop at my blog during the Bloomsbury Triple Threat Blog Tour. Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black is the subject for today’s book tour! Happy Reading J

Synopsis:

Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts . . .

Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . . 

Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Justin, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed…

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First off, I have to say that the cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous.  That combined with the rundown of the book, it was a story I was dying to read.  

In an effort to find out what happened to her sister while at the dancing academy, Vanessa begins attending the same school. Even though she does not care for it, she has a real talent for dancing and when she dances the world seems to fade away and the dancing consumes her.

More people start disappearing and soon Vanessa realizes that her very life, like her sister could be in danger.  

What I liked:

I liked the world of the ballet mixed together with nice elements of the supernatural.  The mystery in the story kept me wondering. It was definitely not predictable.  

What I did not like:

No one else seemed to really be concerned with the fact that people were disappearing. If people began disappearing from a well-known Ballet school without even a little trace, wouldn’t someone before now become suspicious? Wouldn't the parents of the ballet dancers come looking for their kids after not hearing from them? Or at the very least contact the police?

Final thoughts:

Dance of Shadows is an intriguing story that kept me reading to find out the way behind what was happening.  It was not as great as I thought it would be, but overall I did like the story and had fun reading it. The story does not end here though; this is the first book of a trilogy. Fans of magic/supernatural, ballet, and insta-love might want to check this one out.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

** I received this book from Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books in exchange for nothing, but my honest review. Thank you!** 

Buy:

Amazon | B & N | Book Depository | B-A-M | IndieBound | Powells | Sony

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