Booking Through Thursday - #4

{ ++ } Booking Through Thursday gives us a chance to forget about the fact that pay day isn't here yet, and the weekend still feels oh-so-far away by answering a reading-themed question of the week.  It's a quick and fun way to interact with fellow bloggers through fun and/or thought-provoking questions!

What’s the largest your personal library has ever been? What’s the greatest number of books you’ve ever owned at one time? (Estimates are fine.)   Is your collection NOW the biggest it’s ever been? Or have you down-sized? What’s the fewest number of books you’ve ever owned (not counting your pre-reading years)?

{ ++ } Wow.  I actually do not have an accurate count of my book collection at this point, but I will go ahead and say, I own more books now than I ever have.  I collected ALL the Sweet Valley High and RL Stine and Babysitter's Club books back in the day but gave all those away when I started high school (donated to different school libraries) and then I started collecting again. That was probably when I had my fewest books, only about 50 or so the first couple high school years.  I've been adding books for a good ten-twelve years now and I probably have somewhere around 400-500 books.  I'll have to count one of these days...  

Review: Secrets of the Morning

Secrets of the Morning / V.C. Andrews

Published: 1991 (Pocket Books)

Pages:405

Originally read: 2000

Re-read: June 26 2011 - June 28 2011

Shadowed by her tortured past, Dawn has a bright new life of glimmering hopes...

Dawn can hardly believe she's a student at one of New York City's best music schools. Now her most precious wish, to become a singer, can come true. But Dawn still dreams about Jimmy, her strong, intense boyfriend, and the love and anguished secrets they share.

Then Michael Sutton arrives, a new teacher at the school, a singing star and the most wonderful looking man Dawn has ever seen. Together they create a world of feeling Dawn has never known. In his embrace Dawn awakens to disturbing, unfamiliar desires, and Michael's promises offer a vision of music and romance forever...until he disappears.

Dazed by his cruelty, alone with the bitter fruit of his betrayal, Dawn becomes, once again, a victim of her grandmothers twisted schemes. Desolate, she clings to the tender hope that Jimmy will return and renew with her their deepest hearts' dream...

_______

The long story short:  The long story short: Reading this book was both painful and hopeful - painful because Dawn's naivete shone through clearly as debonair Michael Sutton seduces her, among the bright city lights.  And hopeful, because through her own mistakes, Dawn learns to believe in herself.  And some of her mistakes are huge.  But some comes out of it more determined than ever to live her own life.  I could identify with her heartache and I cheered for her in the end.  The book was not without its flaws but overall I enjoyed it.

Final Rating: 3 of 5 stars

_______

Attending a prestigous school for the performing arts in New York, Dawn Cutler finally has a chance to realize her dreams.  Her family members - all of whom are either distant or spiteful - no longer have the chance to bring her down, as her natural talent flourishes, and she grows more confident and comfortable in her life training to be a singer.  Then seductive and debonair Michael Sutton builds her up only to destroy her, leaving her once again a pawn in her Grandmother's machinations.  

I had a lot of issues with this book.  Although I have had my heart broken - and badly - when I was a little younger and in a relationship where I was blind to the other person's flaws (and to mine!) and I can sympathize with Dawn, I found it difficult to believe that she so readily believed Michael Sutton's lies.  He was one of the slimiest, greasiest characters I've ever read about, and with every false promise he made to Dawn, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do more - shake her, or slap him.  Starved for love, she never questioned his intentions, and I wished, as I turned the pages, that somehow the story I remembered would turn out differently.  But Michael's abandonment of Dawn hurt just as much this time, perhaps because (for some crazy reason) I actually adore her.

Watching Dawn flounder as Grandmother Cutler once again steps in to arrange the solution she has deemed best, my heart hurt for Dawn.  Her family, we find out later, knows of her situation, and does nothing to help her.  Dawn is sent to stay with her great-aunts, one of whom is simple, the other who is a religious fanatic, and cruel.  Dawn definitely pays for her misplaced faith under great aunt Emily, who works her to the bone and endlessly lectures her about what a sinner she is.  When Dawn finally gets to leave, I practically clapped.

I'm a little torn on this book.  I loved some parts.  I loved that despite everything she puts him through, Jimmy is still there for Dawn.  She makes some HUGE mistakes, and he never wavers in his love for and his devotion to her.  Some would call that blind, but I always saw him as choosing to rise above it all and move on from the past and the bad decisions.  I didn't like that Dawn, at times, tended to depend on Jimmy too much, and I feel like she took for granted that he would always be there for her.  She had to grow up a lot in this book, and when I get to my re-read of the next book, I hope to see that she realizes how amazing Jimmy is to love her like he does.

I was not fond of the twist at the end of the book.  I thought it was a little too easy, and while it explained a lot from the current and previous book, I guess I will always wish Andrew Neiderman (writing as V.C. Andrews) had taken a different route.  But overall this book was emotional and enjoyable, though somewhat bittersweet, as Dawn's rags-to-riches story takes on several new levels, and new turns in the road.  The book ends on an extremely hopeful note though, with Dawn and Jimmy - quite literally - headed toward their future, together.

Waiting on Wednesday - #7 (The Winters in Bloom)

{++ }  This weekly event/feature is graciously hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine.  She's way too awesome, and put this event together in order to bring us bloggers together.  Some of us like me are relatively new; others have been here longer, but the gist of it is,  we all need an opportunity to reveal our can't-wait-to-read-'em, omg-gotta-have-'em-books, (and maybe make a few new friends along the way.)  Here is my pick this week!

Together for over a decade, Kyra and David Winter are happier than they ever thought they could be.  They have a comfortable home, stable careers, and a young son, Michael, who they love more than anything.  Yet because of their complicated histories, Kyra and David have always feared that this domestic bliss couldn’t last - that the life they created was destined to be disrupted.  And on one perfectly average summer day, it is: Michael disappears from his own backyard.


The only question is whose past has finally caught up with them: David feels sure that Michael was taken by his troubled ex-wife, while Kyra believes the kidnapper must be someone from her estranged family, someone she betrayed years ago.


As the Winters embark on a journey of time and memory to find Michael, they will be forced to admit these suspicions, revealing secrets about themselves they’ve always kept hidden.  But they will also have a chance to discover that it’s not too late to have the family they’ve dreamed of; that even if the world is full of risks, as long as they have hope, the future can bloom.  

+ Summary from Amazon.com - book page
+ Expected publication: 09/13/2011

Why this book?

{ ++ } Something about this book just spoke to me when I first saw it featured in another blogger's WoW.  I've never read anything by this author before, but the premise seems very solid and like a story that will draw me in and hold me rapt from start to finish.  I'm a big fan of stories that examine human nature, and push characters to the breaking point, but put them back together again.

{ ++ } What are ya'll's WoW picks this week?

Teaser Tuesday - #5 + Top Ten Tuesday - #2

{ ++ } Miz B over at Should Be Reading hosts this weekly meme, where us book lovers get a chance to spotlight our currently-reading and basically...do a little teasing.  : ) The rules are simple:

• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.  (Full disclosure: I actually go hunting for a good teaser.  heehee.)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.  (Um.  Sometimes I post more than 2 sentences.  hee.)
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other participants can add the book to their to-reads if they like your teaser.

 

Here were Jimmy and I, two orphans who had been brought up a step past utter poverty, getting ready to go to a fancy New York restaurant.  How strange and confusing time and events had been.  It was hard to determine what was real and what was a dream.  Maybe for the moment, I thought, it was better not to try.  - Secrets of the Morning; page 88

 

Shadowed by her tortured past, Dawn has a bright new life of glimmering hopes...

Dawn can hardly believe she's a student at one of New York City's best music schools. Now her most precious wish, to become a singer, can come true. But Dawn still dreams about Jimmy, her strong, intense boyfriend, and the love and anguished secrets they share.

Then Michael Sutton arrives, a new teacher at the school, a singing star and the most wonderful looking man Dawn has ever seen. Together they create a world of feeling Dawn has never known. In his embrace Dawn awakens to disturbing, unfamiliar desires, and Michael's promises offer a vision of music and romance forever...until he disappears.

Dazed by his cruelty, alone with the bitter fruit of his betrayal, Dawn becomes, once again, a victim of her grandmothers twisted schemes. Desolate, she clings to the tender hope that Jimmy will return and renew with her their deepest hearts' dream...

{ ++ } Hosted by the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish, this meme features a different theme every week, and hey, it's Tuesday - we've got the rest of the week ahead of us.  We all need a little fun, and who doesn't love the challenge of ranking their top 10 anything...especially when it comes to books?!

{ ++ } This week's Top 10 is: Top Ten Bookish Websites, Organizations, Apps. Etc.




{ 1 } Goodreads!  I use this site to make new book-ish friends, as well as rank my favorite books, and keep up with my (virtual) to-be-read list!

{ 2 } Amazon.com.  I live in a small town with no real book store (sorry Hastings but you don't count) so I do a LOT of my book shopping here, when I can't get to a B&N.

{ 3 } NetGalley.  I'm just starting to learn my way around this site, but it seems like an awesome place to get sneak (digital) peeks at up-and-coming books. 

{ 4 } FictFact.  A neat site to help you track which series you want to read and make sure you get to read them in order. 

{ 5 } Patrick Rothfuss's official website.  (Oh...wait...you weren't looking for author websites?)

{ 6 } Blogger!  (Duh!)

{ 7 } What Should I Read Next.  A cool site I just discovered that recs books similar to the names of authors or favorite books you input into its search engine. 

{ 8 } BarnesandNoble.com.  I don't really think this needs an explanation, BUT.  Another awesome place to shop around for books.  : )

{ 9 } Jodi Picoult's official site.  What?  She's my girl.  I gotta show her some love.

{ 10 } And finally, JR Ward's official site.  The WARDen is just too cool.  She interacts with her fans on her message boards and posts regularly on her Facebook page.  I just want to hug her.  : D


{ ++ } That's it for this week.  Look for a new review from me tomorrow! 

My Book Review Policy

Review Policy

As of February 2013, I am closing review requests.  Please see further in this post for more explanation. 

 What is Once Upon a Prologue all about?

•  As of March 2011 Once Upon a Prologue was founded as a review outlet.  (I needed a place to squee over books, and my family was starting to think I was insane.)  I immediately felt at home in this wonderful community, and it still astounds me that there are so many AMAZING people here to talk about books with and connect with over our shared love of reading. 

What genres do I review, and NOT review?

• I currently review: young adult and paranormal romance.  Occasionally, I review romance, urban fantasy, or sci-fi/fantasy.   I will review all the following young adult sub-genres:

1. Contemporary
2. Paranormal romance / Mythology
3. Urban fantasy
4. Sci-fi (preferably with a sub-plot romance)
5. Dystopian
6. Romance
7. Timeslip /Time travel 
8. Gay/Lesbian Romances (preferably contemporary YA)

• I do NOT review: 

1. Non-fiction
2. Inspirational fiction
3. Mystery
4. Poetry
5. Erotica 
6. Self-help

How do I review?

• Typically, every review from me will include: the title, publisher, links to purchase the book, my rating, and links to where you can connect online with the author.  I always talk about what I liked about the book as well as what I didn't like, including characters, relationships, romance, plot lines, etc.  Generally, the more the book made me feel, in terms of emotions or tugging at my heart, the more that will feature into my review. 

Every review at Once Upon a Prologue is 100% honest,  and my unbiased opinion. 

• Books received for review will be posted on my own timeline unless a publisher/author specifically requests a certain timeline be followed.  Review requests will usually be read and reviewed within two months of acceptance.
• Reviews of advance reader copies (ARCS) are usually posted within 1-2 weeks before or after the release date.  ARC reviews and review requests will be given top priority in my reading schedule.  

As of February 2013, I am closing review requests.  I will be participating in blog tours by INVITE ONLY.  I will not be requesting as many galleys from publishers, so that I can concentrate on my own "to-be-read" stack.  I will only accept review requests from authors I have previously worked with.  Publishers, I will do my absolute best to review any unsolicited galleys or finished copies.  This year I want to read the books - I - want to read.  Authors - I can't say how much I appreciate your queries but I do not have time to fulfill review requests anymore.  There are other bloggers who would LOVE to, so please, consider them, and thank you for thinking of me.  

 

Author/Publisher relationships

• I love building relationships with authors and publishers.  I take these relationships very seriously, and consider it an honor to work closely with authors and/or publishers.  
• Please feel free to contact me anytime with opportunities including swag and book giveaways, guest posts, etc.
• I will also participate in blog tours as time allows.  I enjoy the chance to be a part of a huge group of bloggers, all excited about the same book!  Please send me an email if you would like me to participate in a blog tour.

About Me

The Girl - Molli

I was born and raised in a small town in Tennessee.  Sometimes I love it; others, I dream of the TARDIS landing in my back yard and the Doctor stepping out to offer to take me away.  I hope to travel one day but for now I work as an installed sales coordinator at my local Lowes store.  I love hanging out with my friends and family, reading (obviously), writing, singing, and shopping.  I'm somewhat of an eternal optimist, and a hopeless romantic.  I tend to tear up during romantic comedies at especially swooon-worthy moments and I have a tendency to squee loudly and inappropriately over a new book, TV show casting news, and other, geeky/awesome occurrences.

I'm big into music - I love Rascal Flatts, Adele, Chris Young, Lady Antebellum, The Fray, Sara Bareilles, Nickel Creek, City & Colour, and Ray Lamontagne among others.  Downloading a new album is a high; so is discovering and falling for a new artist.  I am gravitating away from watching as many television shows as I used to, but I do love Supernatural, Doctor Who, Fringe, Bones, and The Vampire Diaries.  (Others that I like I tend to wait to marathon on DVD, like Castle, Criminal Minds, and Chuck.)

The Inspirations

When I was younger I had many obsessions: Sweet Valley High (University, and Senior Year as well), the Babysitter's club books, R.L. Stine's Fear Street series, Christopher Pike, and others that came and went.  I was an avid reader but when I started high school I discovered the words of one V.C. Andrews, and my world was never the same.  My copy of Flowers in the Attic was used (and falling apart) when it came to my possession, and I remember gingerly turning the pages to read, then re-read the captivating (and tragic) story of the Dresden Dolls.

V.C. Andrews's books got me reading more and more.  I went on to discover my "home away from home" category, sci-fi/fantasy, and devoured everything I could get my hands on by Terry Brooks, David Eddings, and Barbara Hambly.  But I always came back to V.C. Andrews (until I stopped reading the ghost-writer written books in about 2003.)
 

I started roleplaying in 2001 and eventually joined what was then the most "elite" VCA roleplay on the web.  It was there I met my real life best friend and made several other awesome "online" friends.  My writing matured and improved even after I left the roleplay.  For a few years now, a friend and I have dabbled in two groups (or 'verses) we created together, where we write YA contemporary fiction.  I have too many original characters to count and with that many, I can't possibly get to all of them as often as I would like, but, well, I am a writer.  I love what I do far too much to ever stop.

The Blog

Once Upon a Prologue was created in April 2011.  A good friend of mine (Suz at A Soul Unsung) had recently started up her fabulous book blog and I thought, "hmm, why not?" Sadly, the norm seems to be that I run into people who (for some reason!) do not enjoy reading, and don't seem to understand why a particularly poignant passage makes me tear up, or squee like crazy.  I wanted a place to belong, a community who would understand.  As I'm learning the ropes, I think I am finding that place here.  And I am loving every minute.

{ The Authors }

Today, my favorite authors include (with respect to that the list is always growing): Patrick Rothfuss, Libba Bray, Suzanne Collins, J.K. Rowling, Jodi Picoult, Myra McEntire, JR Ward, Gena Showalter, Victoria Schwab, Diana Gabaldon, Andrea Cremer, Saundra Mitchell, Amy Lichtenhan, Christine Nolfi, Jessica Andersen, Anne Bishop, etc.

{ The End }

I am always open to new friends and building strong relationships with fellow book bloggers and authors.  I may not be published, but I do and have for some time now considered myself an author.  Please e-mail me at courageousgrace [at] gmail.com for review requests or just getting-to-know-you type questions.  I will always respond as quickly as possible.

In My Mailbox - #5

{ ++ } Kristi at The Story Siren hosts this weekly meme which gives bloggers a chance to highlight the books we bought, checked out, or won over the last week or so.  And whether I've came into money (brb, laughing forever) or only had the goods to splurge on a book or two, they all deserve some love.

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

No One You Know by Michelle Richmond

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

The Passage by Justin Cronin

The Beach Trees by Karen White

{ ++ } What did you guys get this week?  What of your haul are you most excited to read?  And do you guys like this format of my IMM better, or the book covers with the summaries?  Everyone have a great night!

Review: Dawn

Dawn

Pages: 415

Published: Pocket Books

The author: V.C. Andrews

Originally read: 2000

Re-Read: 2011

Momma once told me that she and Daddy named me Dawn because I was born at the break of day.  That was the first of a thousand lies Momma and Daddy would tell me and my brother, Jimmy.  Of course we wouldn't know they were lies, not for a long time, not until the day they came to take us away... - Prologue.

In her fine new Virginia school Dawn Longchamp feels happy and safe.  But nothing is what it seems.  Now Dawn and her older brother Jimmy have a chance for a decent, respectable life, and Dawn's secret, precious hope to study singing can come true.  Philip Cutler, the handsomest boy in school, sets Dawn's heart on fire.  She is deeply devoted to her brooding brother, but with Philip, she imagines a lovely dream of romance.

Then Dawn's mother suddenly dies, and her entire world begins to crumble.  After a terrible new shock, she is thrust into a different family and an evil web of unspoken sins.  Her sweet innocence lost, humiliated and scorned, Dawn is desperate to find Jimmy again...and strip away the wicked lies that will change all their lives forever.

The long story short:  This story broke my heart the first time I read it, and that was no less true, over ten years later.  Dawn is a strong heroine, if somewhat naive, who weathers everything life throws at her with remarkable strength and courage.  Knowing what comes next provided some perspective on the tragedies of this book, but nevertheless I shed a few tears when I closed the book.

Final rating: 3 of 5 stars

______________

Okay, here we go.  Full disclosure:  I was fifteen years old when I first read this book.  I have written (roleplayed) for Dawn Cutler, and I have always had a soft spot for the character.  That said, I was utterly terrified to read this book.  It harkens back to my teenage days.  What if I hated it?  What if I didn't like Dawn anymore?  What if the book was trashy?  This book began the Cutler family series, and with it, the "V.C. Andrews formula" (tentatively began in her Casteel series) continued: the protagonist, usually a talented and pretty girl, finds out the family she believes to be hers really isn't, and her entire world crumbles.  In latter books, the formula grew tired and the ghost-writer for V.C. Andrews lost the earlier flair he had for staying true to her writing style and story-telling prowress.  (I eventually stopped reading her books about 5 or 6 years ago.)  But with Dawn, even this time around, I felt there was a little something special there.

Forced to work as a chamber maid in the Cutler's Cove hotel and live apart from her family, Dawn struggles to find even a single ally in the hotel and in her family.  Everywhere she turns, someone, it seems, is pushing her away, or denying their relationship to her, for their own reasons.  Each of them has a reason for resenting her return to them: her sister, Clara Sue feels she has always lived in the shadows of the sister who was kidnapped, the sister she was born to replace.  Philip cannot accept that he and Dawn are related and cannot be together.  Dawn reminds Laura Sue of her past transgressions.  Grandmother Cutler sees Dawn as a wild, untamed threat.   Dawn feels alone and betrayed without her brother and her sister.  She cannot understand why her Longchamp parents took her, and as she reaches out to unravel the mystery of her kidnapping, her relatives push her away lest she come too close to the truth several of them have spent years trying to hide.

I liked a lot about this book.  I liked that Dawn stuck to her beliefs and refused to let her grandmother make her change her name (to the one the Cutler's had originally given her.)  I liked that she was not afraid to believe in something good.  Yes, she was (and is even into later books) too sheltered and naive but she was a very interesting foil to her cruel sister.  I liked several of the supporting characters, especially Jimmy.  I loved his temper and his strength, and the he exhibited a wisdom a little beyond his years.

What I didn't like: Dawn's Cutler family was far too eager to ignore anything unpleasant.  Laura Sue, who claims to be too nervous and fragile to deal with life, is really hiding.  Randolph buries himself in his "work" in the hotel so as not to take on a parental role.  Philip tries to pretend nothing has changed between himself and Dawn.  (Various family members who should be aware of this are not, allowing the problem to continue.)  Only Lillian (Grandmother Cutler) has backbone.  At one point a supporting character remarks that it's strange that Lillian isn't more fond of Dawn, since "you're the grandchild she would want the most."  The reason why is revealed in the end, and explains the reactions of the various family members to Dawn, as well as setting the stage for the sequel.  

I was also not fond of the lack of transition from Dawn and Philip as a couple, to Dawn and Philip as siblings.  As I mentioned above, it is clear immediately that Philip is having trouble making the leap so to speak, while Dawn very quickly adjusts.  She makes several attempts to convince Philip to let go of his romantic interest in her, but is unable to persuade him.  This was the point I felt she should have sought out advice or help from someone in the family, her grandmother even.  And her transition from thinking of Jimmy as a brother, to beginning to think of him as a love interest is hurried, and I felt, not properly developed.  

All in all I did like this book, and tried to read it without letting my fifteen year old self color my thoughts.  I am going to continue my series re-read (my memory is spotty of the rest of the books) but I will admit that this series is somewhat dated, and at times, teeters on a little ridiculous.  But it is also good fun. 

Follow Me Friday - #8 + Book Blogger Hop - #6 + TGIF - #3

{ ++ } Follow Me Friday, aka "Follow My Book Blog" is probably the coolest meme I've come across in awhile.  It's hosted over at Parajunkee's View and us amazing book-a-holics get the chance to answer a reading-related question, as well as make new friends over the weekend.  It's a great way to kick off said weekend, and a really fun and easy way of stealing our way into the hearts of fellow book blogger's.

{ ++ } Each week, Rachel features one lucky blogger and this week's feature is Mickey at I'm A Book Shark.  Everyone please head on over to her blog and join up!

Q. In light of the Summer Solstice. Also known as Midsummer...let's talk about fairies. What is your favorite fairy tale or story that revolves around the fae?

{ ++ } I read a lot of supernatural themed books but not that many of them really deal with the fae.  Probably the most stand-out series I ever read that could be considered a fairy tale was Richard Baker's The Last Mythal trilogy.  It's been ages since I read the trilogy but I pretty much became obsessed with it for awhile.  I really loved the story being told and the characters as well as the whole mythos.

Half-demon, half-elf monsters infest the glades of the High Forest, the mountains around Evereska, and the very halls of Evermeet itself. They claim a birthright that was taken from them so long ago even the elves who imprisoned them forgot they existed. For millennia the daemonfey army planned, grew, and waited.

Until now...

{ ++ } Hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books, what better way to allow us book bloggers to mix and mingle than a bit of a reading-related social?  Every week she hosts this event, where we can throw our names in the hat so to speak, and hopefully end up with a few new friends who share our interests and our love (and in my case, obsession) of books.  It's also a party and it's all in fun!

Q: When did you realize reading was your passion and a truly important part of your life?

{ ++ } Um.  Wow!  What an awesome question.  However I am not really sure there was any one "aha!" moment where I realized what an avid reader I was, and was always going to be.  My mom taught me to read when I was in kindergarten and I took a book in to read to the class.  My best friend and I used to get the same book from the library and have reading contests to see who could read the book faster.  But I guess in the last ten years or so when my book collection started growing and growing...and growing, and my writing started flourishing, I realized I was a huge book dork and proud of it.  I am always going to be a reader.  People give me strange looks sometimes or wonder why I get so into this book or that one, but, this is me.  The geeky, book girl.  : )

   { ++ } TFIG is a nifty little meme hosted by Ginger of GReads, which basically kick-starts the weekend by throwing out a fun little book-related question, and also giving bloggers a chance to recap what we've posted this week for anyone who may have missed one of our events.

Summer Love: Where is your ideal place to take a summer vacation & get lost in a book?

{ ++ } Oh.  Oh.  If only I could afford it, I'd love to be at a beach right now kicked back, toes in the sand, just chilling and reading some really good book.  I so rarely can afford to take vacations that anything is special.  :D  

 

 

This week at Once Upon a Prologue

Reviews

Treasure Me by Christine Nolfi

Memes

Teaser Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday

Waiting on Wednesday

Booking Through Thursday

{ ++ } That's it for this week, guys.  Everyone have a fun weekend, and I'll be doing some hoppin' tomorrow! 

Booking Through Thursday - #3

{ ++ } Booking Through Thursday gives us a chance to forget about the fact that pay day isn't here yet, and the weekend still feels oh-so-far away by answering a reading-themed question of the week.  It's a quick and fun way to interact with fellow bloggers through fun and/or thought-provoking questions!

What, if any, kind of music do you listen to when you’re reading? (Given a choice, of course!)

{ ++ } I am not big on listening to music while I read.  I will pop in earbuds and turn on my iPod when I am reading at work on break so that I can actually read and not answer questions ("what book is that?"  "it looks good" "what's it about" etc) but normally when I read, I prefer peace and quiet.  I get really involved in the book I am reading so noise can sometimes be a distraction.  I have been known, however, to tune out my family, the television, etc while I am reading.  While I'm writing is a whole other story - I could go on and on about my character playlists.  : ) 

{ ++ } Everyone have a nice night!

Review: Tresure Me

Treasure Me

Pages: 415

Published: Christine Nolfi - sold by Amazon digital services

The Author: Christine Nolfi (links to the author's Goodreads page)

Petty thief Birdie Kaminsky has arrived in Liberty, Ohio to steal a treasure hidden since the Civil War. She’s in possession of a charming clue passed down in her family for generations: Liberty safeguards the cherished heart.

The beautiful thief wants to go straight. She secretly admires the clue’s author, freedwoman Justice Postell, who rose above the horrors of slavery to build a new life in Ohio. According to family lore, Justice left South Carolina at the dawn of the Civil War. Heavy with child, she carried untold riches on her journey north. As Birdie searches for the treasure, she begins to believe a questionable part of the story: a tale of love between Justice and Lucas Postell, the French plantation owner who was Birdie’s ancestor.

If the stories are true, Justice bore a child with Lucas. Some of those black relatives might still live in town. Birdie can’t help but wonder if she’s found one—Liberty’s feisty matriarch, Theodora Hendricks, who packs a pistol and heartwarming stories about Justice. Birdie doesn’t know that an investigative reporter who has arrived in town will trip her up—as will her conscience when she begins to wonder if it’s possible to start a new life with stolen riches. Yet with each new clue she unearths, Birdie begins to discover a family history more precious than gems, a tradition of love richer than she could imagine.  (summary from Amazon.com - book page)

The long story short: Birdie Kaminsky is a petty thief who wistfully dreams of going straight.  A treasure hunt - hopefully her last heist - sends her to Liberty, Ohio, where while sifting through the clues to this treasure, Birdie meets a colorful and vivacious cast of characters - the townspeople of Liberty.  She also meets Hugh, a reporter who may be onto her - and onto her shady past. Overall I found this book to be engaging and lively, a fast-paced thriller and a leisurely stroll through the sleepy town of Liberty all in one. 

Final rating: 4 of 5 stars

 ______________

When author Christine Nolfi approached me requesting that I consider reading and reviewing her debut novel Treasure Me, I jumped on the chance after reading the summary.  I had a feeling the book (provided to me in exchange for an honest review) was right up my alley; however, it took a few chapters to meet the characters and settle in to the canvas Nolfi was painting. At first I was a little unsure if I had made the right choice - but around page 50 or so I fell heart and soul for the story.

Birdie's struggles between the aching wish to strike it big so that she can start - not just over, but a new life - felt poignant and real.  As she reluctantly waits tables while she waits out her time in Liberty, stealing money when she can from the patrons of the Second Chance Grill, they begin to weave themselves into her life so seamlessly that it was easy for me to tell Birdie had found where she belonged...even if she didn't.  Reporter Hugh Schaeffer (down on his luck and potentially unemployed) who comes to Liberty to write an expose on the family he profiled only a short time ago, throws her even further off her game. 

Hugh and Birdie's interaction crackled with unleashed sexual tension, which was humorous and a little tense!  What I liked best was what we saw in unexpected moments from both of them - the desire to comfort and care for one another.  Despite repeated jabs about their possible liaison being only a fling, it was clear early on that both Birdie and Hugh were starting to care deeply for one another, despite, or maybe because of, their own individual issues.

As the hunt for the treasure intensifies, so does Birdie's relationship with Hugh.  She wavers between opening her heart to him, and to the townspeople of Liberty (vivacious Delia, who waits tables at the Grill, bossy but lovable cook Finney, and crabby but utterly endearing Theodora, among others) and leaving as soon as she finds what she came for.  The end results were unexpected and pleasantly surprising and heart-warming on several levels, and by the time I finished the book, I can honestly say that I felt like - I - had just spent awhile in Liberty, meeting everyone, learning the local history and lore, and like they would all invite me - and Birdie - back any time. 

Waiting On Wednesday - #6

{++ }  This weekly event/feature is graciously hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine.  She's way too awesome, and put this event together in order to bring us bloggers together.  Some of us like me are relatively new; others have been here longer, but the gist of it is,  we all need an opportunity to reveal our can't-wait-to-read-'em, omg-gotta-have-'em-books, (and maybe make a few new friends along the way.)  Here are my picks this week!

It's the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia's world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she's not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.  

Publication date: 03.07.2011 (I have ordered this one and it should be arriving soon!)
Summary from Amazon.com - book page

{ ++ } Okay seriously how awesome does this book sound?  (I have a slight fetish for the name Amelia...full disclosure.)  The summary, the gothic potential, the gorgeous cover...all of it makes me want to start reading this one the moment it hits my mailbox (soon!)

Possessed by the demon of Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge without suffering unimaginable pain. For him, nothing stands in the way of victory. Until Kaia, an enchanting Harpy, tempts him to the razor’s edge of surrender.

Known among her people as The Disappointment, Kaia must bring home the gold in the Harpy Games or die. Strider is a distraction she can’t afford because he has an agenda of his own – steal first prize, an ancient godly artifact, before the winner can be named. But as the competition heats up, only one prize will matter – the love neither had thought possible…

Publication date: 09.27.2011
Summary from Goodreads.com - book page


{ ++ } Ummm Gena Showalter + The Lords = YES PLEASE.  Gena is one of my absolute favorite paranormal romance authors and each book in her Lords of the Underworld series just gets better, bringing the plot and characters to a new level of awesome. 

Free-spirit Skyla Plinka has found the love and stability she always wanted in her reliable husband Thomas. Settling into her new family and roles as wife and mother, life in rural Wisconsin is satisfying, but can’t seem to quell Skyla’s growing sense of restlessness. Her only reprieve is her growing friendship with neighbor Roxanne, who has five kids (and counting) and a life in constant disarray – but also a life filled with laughter and love.

Much to the dismay of her intrusive mother-in-law, Audrey, Skyla takes a part-time job at the local bookstore and slowly begins to rediscover her voice, independence and confidence. Throughout one pivotal year in the life of Skyla, Audrey and Roxanne, all three very different women will learn what it means to love unconditionally. 

Publication Date: 08.10.2010
Summary from Amazon.com - book page

{ ++ } This one struck me as...interesting.  I loved the cover, and I generally thoroughly enjoy stories about people finding themselves, when those stories are well written.  I know this one has already been published, and I bought it recently, but I felt like it deserved to be spotlighted.  : )

{ ++ } What are your WoW picks this week?

Teaser Tuesday - #4 + Top Ten Tuesday - #1

{ ++ } Miz B over at Should Be Reading hosts this weekly meme, where us book lovers get a chance to spotlight our currently-reading and basically...do a little teasing.  : ) The rules are simple:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page  (Well to be fair, I never said I would actually follow all the rules!)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other participants can add the book to their to-reads if they like your teaser

Ethel Lynn hurried forward to pass more secrets across enemy lines.

Staring her into silence, Theodora said, “Birdie’s moved on. Last I heard she’s in Miami.”

To accent her words, she withdrew her pistol and cocked the hammer.  Aiming for his nose, she added, “Now, why don’t you skedaddle before I send you a sight farther than Florida?”

- page 297

Petty thief Birdie Kaminsky has arrived in Liberty, Ohio to steal a treasure hidden since the Civil War. She’s in possession of a charming clue passed down in her family for generations: Liberty safeguards the cherished heart.

The beautiful thief wants to go straight. She secretly admires the clue’s author, freedwoman Justice Postell, who rose above the horrors of slavery to build a new life in Ohio. According to family lore, Justice left South Carolina at the dawn of the Civil War. If the stories are true, Justice bore a child with Lucas. Some of those black relatives might still live in town. Birdie can’t help but wonder if she’s found one—Liberty’s feisty matriarch, Theodora Hendricks, who packs a pistol and heartwarming stories about Justice. Birdie doesn’t know that an investigative reporter who has arrived in town will trip her up—as will her conscience when she begins to wonder if it’s possible to start a new life with stolen riches. Yet with each new clue she unearths, Birdie begins to discover a family history more precious than gems, a tradition of love richer than she could imagine.

{ ++ } Hosted by the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish, this meme features a different theme every week, and hey, it's Tuesday - we've got the rest of the week ahead of us.  We all need a little fun, and who doesn't love the challenge of ranking their top 10? 

{ ++ } This week's is a little different, because it's their blog's 1 year anniversary!  *throws confetti*  This week's top 10 is: Top Ten reasons why I love book blogging!

  { 1 } I get to be a total book geek and you wonderful people get it.  

{ 2 } I'm never without book recommendations!  Someone here is always reading/reviewing something new and great that I know I just have to read.

{ 3 } I'm making new connections, and hopefully, friends.  And c'mon, like anyone can ever have too many friends?!

{ 4 } I'm a writer, so composing my reviews is a really good exercise for me.  It makes me stop and think about my audience, and about what I want to carry across to my readers.

{ 5 } A lot of the books I see reviewed by my fellow bloggers are ones I might not have given a chance (ie a not so great cover, or a YA book I might have passed over, or a romance novel that is actually really really good, etc.)  Ya'll are teaching me to step outside my comfort zones, in some ways.

{ 6 } This is kinda like #1 but a little different... I get to bond with people over books.  I only have a few friends who actually want to read, so for me, seeing so many people here coming together, over books, is truly truly heart-warming.

{ 7 } Hiiiii, I get to find out all sorts of book-to-movie casting news, author announcements, and basically finally stay updated on the world of book news.

{ 8 } Blogger is a great place, I've discovered, to find out all about new authors!  

{ 9 } I simply love doing something that is both fun and productive, and writing up a review or a meme here gives me a few minutes to kinda disconnect from stress and work and life, and just be this girl who loves books.  : )

{ 10 } The joy I get from seeing new comments on a blog post of mine, knowing that I am interacting with people, seeing a good review of a book I have enjoyed or recommended!

 { ++ } Ok that's it for this week.  Look for my review of Treasure Me tomorrow!

Follow Me Friday - #7 + Book Blog Hop - #5 + TGIF - #2

{ ++ } It's been a crazy week for me work-wise and life-wise so a kind of slow week here at my blog BUT nevertheless, a little bit late but better than not at all hopefully, it's time for the weekend and with it, the weekend memes!

{ ++ } Follow Me Friday, aka "Follow My Book Blog" is probably the coolest meme I've come across in awhile.  It's hosted over at Parajunkee's View and us amazing book-a-holics get the chance to answer a reading-related question, as well as make new friends over the weekend.  It's a great way to kick off said weekend, and a really fun and easy way of stealing our way into the hearts of fellow book blogger's.

{ ++ } Each week, Rachel features one lucky blogger and this week's feature is Rhiannon Paille.  Everyone please head on over to her blog and join up!

Q. Genre Wars! What's your favorite genre and which book in that genre made it your favorite?

Oh wow, oh wow.  My favorite genre?  Ummm fantasy.  I like urban fantasy but my hands-down favorite genre is swords-and-magic-quest-evil-vs-the-good-guys-dragons-and-other-stuff fantasy.  I haven't reviewed many fantasy books on this blog because my reading has been all over the place in the last few years but my first love would have to be Terry Brooks.  I believe First King of Shannara was the first fantasy book I ever read, and from there, I proceeded to devour all of his novels.  I'm about two trilogies behind but I have VERY good memories of reading the Landover books, the Shannara books, and the Word and Void trilogy.  I'm hoping to at least re-read some of his works next year so that I can move on to the newer ones I have, but haven't read.  I have a lot of love for this author, and visit his web site regularly to catch up on his news.

{ ++ } Hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books, what better way to allow us book bloggers to mix and mingle than a bit of a reading-related social?  Every week she hosts this event, where we can throw our names in the hat so to speak, and hopefully end up with a few new friends who share our interests and our love (and in my case, obsession) of books.  It's also a party and it's all in fun!

Q: How many books are currently in your To-Be-Read (TBR) Pile?

My Goodreads TBR list as of today says 275 but I know there are more that I haven't listed.  Still, that's enough to keep me busy reading for...a long time!  At the rate I'm going it's probably enough for the rest of my life.  LOL.  Problem is of course that I keep finding - and buying - new and interesting books!  Every time I tell myself I need to stop...then I start all over again.  Is that an addiction?  LOL

   { ++ } TFIG is a nifty little meme hosted by Ginger of GReads, which basically kick-starts the weekend by throwing out a fun little book-related question, and also giving bloggers a chance to recap what we've posted this week for anyone who may have missed one of our events.

This week at Once Upon a Prologue

Review: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Q: And I Quote: What are some of your favorite book quotes?

 "There is only one page left to write on. I will fill it with words of only one syllable. I love. I have loved. I will love."  Henry de Tamble - The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenneger

"Love who you love while you have them. That's all you can do. Let them go when you must. If you know how to love, you'll never run out." My Name is Memory by Anne Brashares

 

"There's always going to be bad stuff out there. But here's the amazing thing -- light trumps darkness, every time. You stick a candle into the dark, but you can't stick the dark into the light."   Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

{ ++ } That's it for this week, guys.  I am headed out to a bonfire/shindig here in a little bit but will do some hoppin' when I get back!  Everyone have a fantastic evening and weekend!

Review: Moon Called

Moon Called

Pages:  304 pages

Published: Ace; 2006

The author: Patricia Briggs

Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.

The long story short: Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson is a mechanic - and a "walker," able to shift at will into a coyote.  Though she has connections to the supernatural world she doesn't get overly actively involved - until the supernatural world comes looking for her.  Overall a fairly fast paced and enjoyable read, I really found myself drawn to several of the characters, and cheering for others, as well as wishing I had bought the second book when I bought the first one. 

Final rating: 3 1/2 of 5 stars 

______________

I've read several Briggs books so far, and after reading this one, I think urban fantasy is her strong suit.  I've really enjoyed every book of hers I've read (and have several more I plan to read, including the rest of this series, or rather, what has been published to date), but there was something about how strongly and fiercely her voice, as a writer, came across in this book.  I was a little unsure at first if I was going to like this cast of characters - the alpha male, Adam, the vibrant and headstrong Mercy, and the other various supporting characters: her once-love, Samuel, his father, pack leader Bran, gremlin Zee, and vampire Stefan.

But there is more than meets the eye to each character - and Briggs reveals just enough of that "more" to have left me wanting to get to know the characters further.  I liked Mercy a great deal after I started getting to know her.  And Briggs doesn't leave the reader bored.  The action zips along nicely with just enough back story to bring you up to speed, without bogging you down with said back story.

The story really takes off when a brand-new werewolf comes to Mercy's shop looking for work - and then turns up dead a few pages later.  The next thing Mercy knows, she's spiriting the local Alpha, Adam Hauptman, off to Bran's territory, to recover from an attack no one is sure who to blame for.  It's there and after that the plot continues to thicken delightfully, and we get a taste of werewolf life and politics, as well as a few secrets from Mercy's past.  Oh, and  I can't forget the witches.  :)

I will admit am not sure how to feel about the love triangle between Samuel, Mercy, and Adam that seems to be forming, but maybe that's because Mercy and Samuel stole my heart right away.  (I feel that love triangles are too over done.)  I don't quite buy Adam and Mercy as a couple, though there is definitely sexual tension.  I just hope there is more to it than that for them in the coming books if I am going to cheer for them.  :)

The arc of this story is executed fairly well; by the end, most of the loose ends of Moon Called are tied up neatly, but the end easily sets the stage for possible sequels (of which there are 6 thus far with at least one more planned.) 

Music Monday - #1

Music Monday ;

aka a justified reason for me to geek out over music and book pairings

{ ++ } Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Jess at Gone With the Words where she tells us all about a pairing and a song that reminds her of them.  Bloggers are invited to join in the fun and I thought, music + pairings?  I am SO there!  It's no secret that when I get attached to a ship, I get all flail-y and grabby hands over the shiny couple so here goes. 

The girl: Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson.  Mechanic.  Skin-walker.  Mouthy.  Really quite awesome.

The guy: Samuel "Sam" Cornick.  Werewolf.  Healer.  Longing for a mate.

The relationship:  I have been struggling to find time to read this book for a long time now,  and I am finally getting into it.  I  was immediately captivated by the relationship between Mercy and Sam, the son of the Alpha who rules over all the werewolves.  Sam wanted to marry Mercy when she lived with his father's pack, but while Mercy was in love with Samuel, it was his intense desire for a mate that led him to develop a relationship with her.  In this first book it is clear that they have a deep history and a bond, and while I don't get the "endgame" feeling from them, I want to shake Sam, and hug Mercy.  It's clear that she still has some feelings for him, and that their relationship has shaken both of them up, when events bring her back into his life.  I heard thing song the other day and immediately thought of them.  I see so many missed opportunities with them, and this song is so so bittersweet.

Right under my feet there's air made of bricks
Pulls me down turns me weak for you
I find myself repeating like a broken tune
And I'm forever excusing your intentions
And I give in to my pretendings
Which forgive you each time
Without me knowing
They melt my heart to stone

And I hear your words that I made up
You say my name like there could be an us
I best tidy up my head I'm the only one in love
I'm the only one in love

Each and every time I turn around to leave
I feel my heart begin to burst and bleed
So desperately I try to link it with my head
But instead I fall back to my knees
As you tear your way right through me
I forgive you once again
Without me knowing
You've burnt my heart to stone

And I hear your words that I made up
You say my name like there could be an us
I best tidy up my head I'm the only one in love
I'm the only one in love

Why do you steal my hand
Whenever I'm standing my own ground
You build me up, then leave me dead

Well I hear your words you made up
I say your name like there should be an us
I best tidy up my head I'm the only one in love
I'm the only one in love

Waiting on Wednesday - #6

{++ }  This weekly event/feature is graciously hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine.  She's way too awesome, and put this event together in order to bring us bloggers together.  Some of us like me are relatively new; others have been here longer, but the gist of it is,  we all need an opportunity to reveal our can't-wait-to-read-'em, omg-gotta-have-'em-books, (and maybe make a few new friends along the way.)  Here are my picks of this week!

Abby accepted that she can’t measure up to her beautiful, magnetic sister Tess a long time ago, and knows exactly what she is: Second best. Invisible.

Until the accident.

Now Tess is in a coma, and Abby’s life is on hold. It may have been hard living with Tess, but it's nothing compared to living without her.

She's got a plan to bring Tess back though, involving the gorgeous and mysterious Eli, but then Abby learns something about Tess, something that was always there, but that she’d never seen.

Abby is about to find out that truth isn't always what you think it is, and that life holds more than she ever thought it could...

Expected publication: May 24, 2011  (just haven't picked up a copy yet!)

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.


It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

Expected publication: September 27th, 2011

{ ++ } What did ya'll choose this week?

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