Chick Lit

So I actually read Samantha Young's debut contemporary romance On Dublin Street quite awhile ago. And then I just never reviewed it. It may have simply gotten lost in the shuffle or I got distracted by some shiny object or what have you. The thing is, I enjoyed it fine. It lingered around the edges of my consciousness enough that I was looking forward to the sequel and immediately purchased a copy upon its release earlier this month. Down London Road takes place not long after the events of On Dublin Street and focuses on Joss' friend and co-worker Johanna. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, given that Johanna was not the most sympathetic of characters in the first book. But I'm coming to learn that those somewhat acerbic, occasionally deceptively simple side characters often come into their own with a vengeance when it's their turn in the spotlight. And I so love it when that happens. I was also awfully eager to return to the setting itself. I didn't get to spend as long as I'd have liked when I was in Edinburgh and I've longed to go back ever since. Happily, reading these books sent me straight back to wandering those same streets, ducking in and out of cafés, and generally soaking it all up.Jo Walker has perfected the art of keeping all her balls in the air. From a young age, she's been the responsible one in her family (and I use the term "family" very loosely). Having bid good riddance to her deadbeat dad, Jo supports her alcoholic mum, her teenage brother Cole, and herself secretarying by day, bartending by night, and professionally girlfriending both day and night. Ever since the day she realized she could attract rich older men, she's taken that role seriously. And she's never been without a sugar daddy for long. The lives of three people depend upon it, in fact. And so while she never stays in a dead end relationship and she always chooses her partners with the utmost care, she's also never really been in love. Money always trumps emotions when it comes to keeping food on the table, taking care of Cole, and ensuring that the blackness that touched her own life growing up never stretches out to mar his. And she's learned to be all right with it. Really, she has. But when she attends an art exhibition on the arm of her current boyfriend Malcolm and makes the acquaintance of one Cameron MacCabe, the sparks (both good and bad) that fly threaten to throw off her delicate juggling act. And when she winds up helping Cam out by putting in a good word for him at the bar where she works, Jo unwittingly sets in motion a series of events sure to get in the way of the safe, structured course she has all mapped out.I fell in love with Jo before I knew what had happened to me. Ms. Young proved to be exceedingly clever when it comes to her characterization of this steely young woman. Because I really did not care for her in the first book. But it turns out that I, like every other character present, was seeing her but not really seeing her. We all of us were only grasping the barest slice of what made up Johanna. Then all of a sudden, in this installment, I became privy to what was really going on behind the curtain. As Cameron later observes, this is one complex lady. And I loved her so very much. My heart broke over Jo (and Cole) over and over again as I watched them shoot for normal and miss by a mile. The demons in their past are dark and the ones in their present are little better. But, page after page, it was as though I could feel the strength in her spine, immutable and unwavering. I didn't wonder at Cameron falling in love with her. I only wondered that out of her long string of sophisticated, urbane boyfriends not one realized just exactly what he had. Though Jo does have self-preservation down pat, and that includes a rather alarmingly efficient smoothing away of anything that could be perceived as a flaw to potential providers. Which is why Cameron presents such a problem. Essentially the polar opposite of a potential

Reviewed by Alysia George There is a sad, shameful chapter of American history that I knew nothing about until reading Christine Baker Kline’s novel, Orphan Train. Less than 100 years ago, orphaned children were herded onto trains and taken as far west as it took to get them adopted. At each stop they were treated as commodities, and handed over to just about anyone who was willing to take them. Adoption was not necessary, just a roof, food, and schooling. Since no one was closely monitored, even these basic essentials were more theoretical than anything. Unless they were cute little babies, the children were typically chosen by their new guardians for their strength and abilities. Essentially, they were free labor and household help. It was a time of great widespread hardship in this country, so poverty was a normal state for many. Therefore, the children were often given over to despicable living conditions, with the attitude that it had to be better than living in an orphanage or on the streets. Orphan Train chronicles two parallel stories, one of a modern day teenager in the year 2011, and another of a Depression era young girl beginning in the year 1929. One is experiencing the trials and tribulations of the foster care system, and the other is a rider of an orphan train. When 17-year old Molly meets a rich old lady, Vivian, she cannot imagine that they will have anything in common. Before long it becomes clear that they are kindred spirits and an unlikely friendship is formed. Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, Orphan Train is the story of a lonesome way of life, not just for Molly and Vivian, but for thousands of other children who have endured (and continue to endure) similar hardships. Some children are lucky and find themselves in loving homes, treated as family. Others are not so lucky, and although they may (or may not) be safe and cared for on the surface, they may not feel loved or feel truly a part of a family. They may feel that they have been chosen for a home based on what they can bring to that home (today, payment for foster parents), and sadly, in many cases that is the ugly truth. While conditions may have improved, and safeguards are in place that were not there in the days of the orphan trains, the experiences of the children are not so different. Rating: ★★★★★ Alysia lives in Metro Detroit with her husband and four children. She writes about family life, parenting issues, and other things of interest to her on her blog, Michigal. Review copy was provided free of any obligation by William Morrow Paperbacks. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received. Pin It

Rating: 4/5 Publisher: CreateSpace Publish Date: October 29, 2012 Origins: From Blog Tour for Review Format: Trade Paperback Order Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kindle / Nook / iTunes Synopsis: Archaeologist Dr. Angela Hunter discovers an ancient codex at a Mississippian Indian dig site in the St. Louis area. Knowing the Mississippians, or Mound Builders, had no written language, she is determined to solve the mystery of the 700-year-old, perfectly preserved codex.In the early 1300’s, an Aztec family is torn apart. A judge rebelling against the Aztec tradition of human sacrifice is cursed and escapes his enemies with his 12-year-old son. They travel from the Gulf of Mexico up the Mississippi River to settle in the thriving community of Migaduha, modern-day Cahokia Mounds, Illinois.Angela recognizes the symbols as Aztec pictograms and begins to translate the story. However, other forces also want the codex and will do anything to get it. Can she learn the secrets of the chronicle before the tragic events of the past are repeated today? Review: Angela Hunter is an archaeologist working on a dig in the Cahokia Mounds. When a beautiful jar with a birdman etched on it is found, Angela is given the jar to date and open. When she and her father, fellow archaeologist Peter Hunter, open the jar they find a codex. The codex, as Angela learns when she is translating it, is the story of an Aztec family who had to endure much to stop an evil so great it decimated an entire civilization. Yet, there are forces at work which strive to stop Angela as she gets ever closer to the truth… ‘Chronicle of the Mound Builders’ was a fascinating story told fully in two times – the present, with Angela and Joseph, and the past, with Tototl and Chipahua. I felt the details we learned through Tototl and Chipahua’s struggle against an evil nahualli (or priest), Ichtaca, gave enormous depth and realism to the story. I think if we only had the story as told through the codex as Angela translated it, we wouldn’t have as rich an understanding of the evil which threatens the present day. As the past and present collide, the action picks up and you’re waiting breathlessly to see what happens next! I was instantly caught up in the story which is a testament to the astounding amount of research the author did. ‘Chronicle of the Mound Builders’ is a spellbinding tale! Author Website

Hello Internet! As some of you are aware this year I've been exploring more books that were self-published and along the way I discovered the new adult contemporary romance books of Alyssa Rose Ivy. I've already had Alyssa here on the blog to talk about the setting for her Clayton Falls novels and now she's back to talk about the setting of her newest book, The Hazards of Skinny Dipping. You can find my review and a contest for a copy of the book here. I always love hearing an author talk about their inspiration for a books setting and I hope that you do as well. I tend to set my books in one of two places: fictional worlds/towns that I create, or cities that I know and love. With Hazards I did both. I set it in Charleston, SC and on a fictional college campus. My first visit to Charleston was after my sophomore year of college. My boyfriend (now husband) was working in the city for the summer. I flew down to visit a few times that summer and fell in love with the beautiful and historical city. I loved the architecture, the foliage, and the unique feel. It had similarities to New Orleans (where we were attending college), but it was also completely different. I loved the combination of southern charm and coastal living. Even years later, I still get excited about visiting Charleston, and we make multiple trips there a year. Hazards is actually the second book/series I set there. My YA Fantasy series, The Afterglow Trilogy, is also set in Charleston. I decided to create a fictional college, because I already set a book series on my own college campus (Tulane in the Crescent Chronicles), and I wanted the flexibility to create exactly what I envisioned. I briefly considered using the College of Charleston, but I dismissed that idea early on. In the end, I created Harrison University, a fairly typical private southern university located in downtown Charleston. I needed this school to have a substantial Greek community (as in fraternities and sororities), and for it to attract students from both the south and north. The entire book takes place in Charleston (or at a beach house just outside of the city), except for a trip to Savannah. I didn’t get to delve into Savannah too much, but I have a feeling I’ll be using it as a setting for another book in the future. And don't forget there is a contest for a Hazards beach bag prize pack which can be found here. =)

Many thanks to Melinda of West Metro Mommy, who has agreed to be the new host of Saturday Snapshot!© 2013, At Home With Books. All rights reserved.

"She arrives glowing from the effort of running, strands of red hair coming loose from her kerchief (she tucks them in, marks on her neck like bruises on fruit. A few minutes late but not enough for anyone to mention it. Is almost surprised to find herself in the wards once more amid illness and suffering (on an evening such as this). Her mind is elsewhere."Girl Reading ~ by Katie Ward, 2011, fictionHaving posted information about this book when I got it from the library, I know the seven chapters are peopled by girls and women caught in the act of reading, and the book celebrates women in culture over the last seven centuries.This first chapter is about "Simone Martini, Annunciation, 1333," and now I'm curious about why she's late, why she has bruises on her neck, what she's doing amid illness and suffering in the wards, and what on her mind that is "elsewhere." Like Tracy Chevalier's Girl With a Pearl Earring, this novel revolves around art. I've already discovered the cover is a close-up of the artwork above. Each woman in each chapter is, as it were, caught reading. Who are these women, and will we be told what they're reading?Gilion at Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Fridays. Click here for today's Mister Linky.

My Writing Playlist I’m delighted to be here on Chick Loves Lit with Shanyn, talking about one of my favorite topics – MUSIC! You know, there are so many different elements that you need to keep in balance while writing a series. Plot, dialogue, character development, overall story arc, individual character arc… and all of those elements must be seeped in the TONE of your series, if it’s going to work. What’s the key to tone? For me, it’s music. I have a station on Pandora and an ITunes playlist that I’ve used every day while writing this series. As soon as I hear one of these songs, my brain switches over to Dean or Alex or Josie (the three narrators of the series). Here are some of the songs I most identify with the kids from Monument, CO in the year 2024. Miss Her When I’m Gone – Sean Hayes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_POc5QhT58) The scattershot lyrics of this soulful tune really catch in my ear. If Dean grew up and became a rock star – this is the song his adult self would write. There’s so much love running through this song, even whenr the lyrics stray. I put this on when I need to give myself a jump start. There’s somethng about the Wah-waah that the horns croon (I think those are horns – maybe it’s an accordion!) that both soothes me and gives my characters the strength to perservere. Remembering – Avishai Cohen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4kc0Aby2vA) Listen to how conversational the melody line of this song is. I can almost envision a scene within this song – I hear Dean telling a story, retelling the story of something that has happened. And as the scene unfolds, he shares something that’s painful to him. Some secret outs itself right around 2:05, doesn’t it? Something urgent, that must be shared. Oh, I just love it! Avishai Cohen is an Israeli Jazz bassist. His work is both rhythmic and addictively melodic. Try it, you’ll see what I mean. Modul 46 from Nik Bartsch’s Ronin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qSeYCj8PP8) Here’s the song I think of when I’m writing a long, tense scene. A scene with lots of action, where your heart’s in your mouth. This song is taut and has a high vibrating frequency to it that makes me feel, ell… tense and anxious. Just as Alex might feel when he’s describing the dark march that he and the other kids must take in the second half of Sky On Fire. (Is that a spoiler? Maybe just a wee titch of a spoiler – I’m hoping it will function more as an apertif, whetting your appetite to find out what happens to those dear, lost kids…) Talk Show Host – Christopher O’Riley Plays Radiohead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy2uSLy5K_g) This is the aftermath song – the song I’d play when I wrote a scene where the characters look around and see what they’ve done. After the shooting scene in Monument 14. Or the moment with Dean and the chainsaw in SKY ON FIRE – this song expresses heaviness, shock and horror, to me. Try putting this song on and writing to it. Just see what feeling it brings up for you… Film theme from Road To Perdition – Thomas Newman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN3ogbTuDSE) Soundtracks are wonderful for setting a mood. Why? Because they’re written to set a mood! This theme from Road To Perdition summons in me a feeling of hopefullness – I used it to key into the light of optimism that Dean sees shining through the darkness at the end of SKY ON FIRE. Everything In Its Right Place – Radiohead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjRjwwXhPzE) Oh, this song slices right through the heart. There’s a threat of violence in this song. Rising tension and a scary build – this song feels like it’s about to careen out of control. More than any other song, this is the song I think of when I think of Dean, the narrator (and co-narrator) of the MONUMENT 14 Series. It’s a paradox of a song – the melody line builds towards a joyful emotional crecendo, but is shot through with this cree

WELCOME TO BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S" ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY" I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE TODAY'S AUDIO BOOK CHOICE.... INFERNORead by Paul Michael BY DAN BROWNABOUT THE BOOK:In his international blockbusters The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown masterfully fused history, art, codes, and symbols. In this riveting new thriller, Brown returns to his element and has crafted his highest-stakes novel to date.In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno.Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered.ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Dan Brown is the author of numerous #1 bestselling novels, including the recent record-breaking The Lost Symbol, which had the biggest one-week sale in Random House history for a single title. His previous title, The Da Vinci Code, has sold more than 80 million copies worldwide, making it one of the bestselling novels of all time. In addition to numerous appearances on The Today Show, Mr. Brown was named one of the World's 100 Most Influential People by Time Magazine. He has appeared in the pages of Newsweek, Forbes, People, GQ, The New Yorker, and others. His novels are published in over 50 languages around the world. To read more about this fascinating author, visit his website "Bio" HERE. HAVE YOU READ ANY OTHER DAN BROWN BOOKS? PRAISE FOR INFERNO:"Jampacked with tricks...A BOOK-LENGTH SCAVENGER HUNT that Mr. Brown creates so energetically."--Janet Maslin, The New York Times"AS CLOSE AS A BOOK CAN COME TO A SUMMERTIME CINEMATIC BLOCKBUSTER…Brown builds up Langdon's supporting cast, which is the strongest yet."--USA Today"FAST, CLEVER, WELL-INFORMED…DAN BROWN IS THE MASTER OF THE INTELLECTUAL CLIFFHANGER."--The Wall Street Journal"BROWN IS AT HIS BEST when he makes readers believe that dusty books and musty passageways are just covers for ancient global conspiracies."--The Washington Post"A DIVERTING THRILLER…Brown stocks his latest book with all the familiar elements: puzzles, a beautiful female companion, and hints of secret conspiratorial agendas."--EW.com"HARROWING FUN threaded with coded messages, art history, science, and imminent doom."--Daily News (New York) MY THOUGHTS/REVIEW:Like so many of you, I have waited for Dan Brown's latest book, INFERNO, for so long. In that this book is kept under lock and key until the release date on May 21, I only received my book and audio book after that date. I am taking my time reading it so that I can enjoy it to the fullest. It is so amazing and I am very wrapped up in it. I save my INFERNO reading time for the quiet part of my day, late when all my other work is done so I can just enjoy it to the fullest. With that, I want you to know that I will be posting my review soon and you will be able to get BONUS ENTRIES when you comment on it there as well. Yes, you need to comment here but you also should watch for the review and comment there as well as it increases your chances so much. Many followers forget to do this second part so I will try and have it posted at least two days before the deadline. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I am and watch for my review!GIVEAWAYTHANKS TO RICHARD AND THE GOOD PEOPLE AT RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO BOOKS, I HAVE ONE COPY OF DAN BROWN'S AUDIO BOOK INFERNO, TO GIVE AWAY TO ONE VERY LUCKY FOLLOWER! --U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY --NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE --INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT --ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY HOW TO ENTER:+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING A

"A religion is as much a progressive unlearning of false ideas concerning God as it is the learning of the true ideas concerning God."— Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan (1881-1983), founder of the Reconstructionist movement of Judaism

First off my apologies for taking so long to pick the winners of the Spring Blog Carnival. Life cane be distracting sometimes! Anywho you don't care about that you just want to know who won....so without further ado the winners are as follows: First Place (5 books): Vivien Second Place (3 books): FakeSteph Third Place (2 books): Clarissa To recap the books up for grabs are: Clarity by Kim Harrington* Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout* Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor* Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell Devils Kiss by Sarwat Chadda* Unnatural Creatures by Neil Gaiman Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey * Transparent by Natalie Whipple Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers (Can substitute this for a pre-order of What Goes Around which is Some Girls Are and Cracked up to Be in one volume.) Hourglass by Myra McEntire* *Can substitute out for another book in series if you already have this book Congratulations to all the winners and thanks everyone else for entering. I'll be contacting the winners shortly. Vivien will get first pick of the books on the list followed by FakeSteph and Clarissa will get the remainder.