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Saturday, March 31, 2018

#GrabonReadaton




Details from Goodreads:
Hi and welcome to the Grab On Readathon - a quarterly, week-long readathon open to all book lovers! The readathons will take place at the start of each season and will come with one title that will be read as a group (optional) and six other reading challenges to motivate you (also optional).

We hope that each readathon will help you to tackle your TBR, discover some new reads and meet some new fellow book lovers!

2018 DATES:

Spring edition: Sunday April 1st - Saturday April 7th

 
Happy Reading!

Friday, March 30, 2018

Happy Friday!



 
Happy Reading!

Thursday, March 29, 2018

What Are You Reading?

This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn @ The Book Date. I learned about this meme from Lori at Palmer's Page Turners. Thank you for sharing this fun meme! 

*Usually I post on Monday, but had another post that day! Making it up today :)

What I Just Finished Reading






What I'm Currently Reading

TBD!



What I am Reading Next

TBD!



Happy Reading!

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Waiting on Wednesday

 Hi Everyone!

Stopping by to let you know about a book that I am waiting on! :)


Release Date: August 28, 2018
Author: Gale Galligan

 
Summary from Amazon:
Kristy's mom is getting married, and Kristy is going to be a bridesmaid! The only trouble is, fourteen kids are coming in town for the wedding. Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, Stacey, Dawn, and Mallory think they can handle it, but that's before they spend a week changing diapers, stopping arguments, solving mix-ups, and planning activities. It's the biggest job the BSC has ever had, but they'll work together to make sure Kristy's big day is a success!

Are you as excited as I am?
 
Happy Reading!

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: Books set in another country

Hi Everyone!

Stopping by with another TTT. This week's topic is: Books That Take Place In Another Country.

Trying to go based off memory...here are few that I recall:









Have you read any of these? What did you think?

Happy Reading!

Monday, March 26, 2018

Book Review: The Shield

 Hi Everyone!

Happy Spring! I am glad to be participating in the Spring Reads event with Clink Street this year. I am bringing you a review of 'The Shield.'



Author: C.J. Bentley
   
Personal Review:Do you enjoy a book about Medieval times? Do you picture yourself in the English countryside? Then this may be the book for you. This book was just what I needed for a spring break vacation! :)

I enjoyed the book, the characters, and the ways in which they interacted with one another. The book was a pretty quick read, so I appreciated that as well.

The good news? This book is part of a series, so more to come! Thanks for the opportunity to read.


Disclaimer: While I was awarded this book from Clink Street, all opinions are my own.

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The Shield
People lose their belongings. That is a fact of life. It can happen by accident, but sometimes it can happen when you put them in a very safe place and forget where that safe place is. Not many people are good at finding them again.

A young, gutsy girl with a kind heart, who’s searching for her own identity growing up in the 1960s, just happens to be very good at finding things. Can she be the one to help return whatever is lost – anywhere and at any time - to its original owner? 

With the help of a beautiful yet mysterious wise woman and a chivalrous knight she does just that. She finds and returns his shield, lost in battle, which unbeknown to her holds a secret that is important to his King, the safety of the Kingdom and the life of the daughter of his best friend.
The Shield is the first story in The Finder Series, taking our heroine on extraordinary journeys back in time. Her first adventure takes place in Medieval England in 1340 where she meets King Edward III, his wife Philippa and their son, who will later become the Black Prince.

About the author: Originally heralding from the North of England, C.J Bentley has travelled extensively and enjoyed living in a variety of countries across the world from Dubai to Doha, Qatar and now the countryside in the South of France. A background in teaching and childcare she has always enjoyed creating adventure short stories. However, it was when she became a grandma and with her grandchildren growing up  that she discovered that books seemed to contain only stories of vampires, zombies and farts that she decided seriously to take matters into her own hands and put pen to paper which today she calls The Finder Series.



Happy Reading!

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Guest Post with Anna Bradley



Hi Everyone!

I am excited to be here today to bring you a post from Anna Bradley. Please help me give her a warm welcome to the blog.

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This is one of those times when I wish being a writer were more glamorous than it actually is. I’d love to tell a captivating story about how I saw my characters in a vivid dream and after that my book wrote itself, but my latest historical romance, More or Less a Marchioness, started with a pretty simple concept.

I wanted to write a story about the girl who has everything.

My heroine, Iris Somerset, is Regency England’s version of the “it” girl. She’s well read, well-spoken, well-dressed, and possessed of a smile that makes gentlemen rush across crowded ballrooms to reach her side. She speaks French, German and Italian with perfect fluency, her fair coloring is fashionable, and her quadrille is without compare. She’s the belle of the ball, and she’s caught the eye of London’s most eligible gentleman. What more could a lady ask for?
Plenty, as it turns out, but Iris doesn’t realize it until it’s nearly too late. Why would she? After all, she’s followed all of society’s rules. She’s worn the gowns and danced the quadrilles and practiced the pianoforte until her fingers bled, and now it’s time to reap the rewards of all that tedious obedience.

And she gets her reward (or so it seems), in the form of Phineas Knight, the Marquess of Huntington, who is, as you might imagine, the quintessential English gentleman. Honorable, handsome, intelligent, fashionable without being a fop, and skilled with the sword and pistol. Lord Huntington is what every other gentleman in London aspires to be, and by the end of her season, Iris is betrothed to him.

It all sounds perfect, doesn’t it? We may as well slap the words “The End” on the first page of the book, and be done with it.

Except there’s a catch. There’s always a catch.

The thing is, Iris’s betrothed doesn’t love her. He doesn’t even know her. You see, Phineas Knight wants a proper, docile, quiet wife. He chose Iris because she fits the sample size. She’s precisely what a marchioness should be, and that’s all Finn requires.
Now, everyone would have Iris believe it makes no difference at all whether Lord Huntington cares for her or not. She’ll become a marchioness, and according to the rules of London society, that’s more than adequate compensation for any lack of affection.

But it isn’t, and so the story of the “It” girl becomes the story of a young lady who gets everything she ever wanted, only to discover she doesn’t want it anymore. Even worse, she discovers that all the things she’s been taught to cherish aren’t even worth wanting.
Regency-era social mores play a significant role in all of my books. Society becomes like another character, and that’s one of the reasons I love writing Regency romance. Women in particular were bound by society’s rules, and so I often find myself writing subversive heroines who are struggling to seize some kind of personal power, just as Iris does in this latest book. Romance sometimes gets a bad rap for being anti-feminist, but for me a great part of the satisfaction in writing Regency romance comes from finding ways to create historically plausible heroines who challenge a repressive society.
Regency-era men, of course, were generally permitted to behave as badly as they chose, a circumstance that leads to some pretty wicked heroes. I do love to write the occasional unconscionable rake into my books, but unfettered freedom is nearly as damaging as no freedom at all, and so my heroes tend to have some interesting character flaws they need to overcome before they get their happily-ever-after.

And Iris and Finn do get their happily-ever-after, because this is a romance novel, and some things are sacrosanct. But that doesn’t mean I can’t take my characters on a bumpy ride before I deliver them into each other’s arms. After all, the ride is the heart of the story, and the bumpier it is, the better.


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Bio: Anna Bradley is an award-winning author of Regency Historical Romances A WICKED WAY TO WIN AN EARL. A SEASON OF RUIN, LADY ELEANOR'S SEVENTH SUITOR, LADY CHARLOTTE'S FIRST LOVE, and TWELFTH NIGHT WITH THE EARL, and MORE OR LESS A MARCHIONESS. Anna lives with her husband and two children in Portland, OR, where people are delightfully weird and love to read. Readers can get in touch with Anna via her webpage at http://www.annabradley.net, or, for all things romance (and an occasional "hot hero" pic!) please visit Anna on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/annabradley472.



Happy Reading!

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Reading Recap

Hi Everyone!

Just stopping by with a couple of mini reviews on books I have been reading.

Illusion of Justice
This is by the lawyer that was involved in the Steven Avery case (Making a Murderer on Netflix). I really enjoyed this story because not only did it touch on that show, but it talked about his career overall and how got to do what he is doing. I enjoyed the inside stories, the details about other cases, and just her perspective on the legal system. A very interesting read.

One of Us is Lying
If you enjoyed the Breakfast Club, but like a murder twist, this may be the book for you. In this book, we have to work to solve the mystery of Simon's death. It was a quick read and I found it to be entertaining.

Little Big Love
This was one I was awarded through the First to Read program. That said, I enjoyed the book. The author has a great way of capturing each individual person, even thought you are going back and forth through the perspectives.

How to Walk Away
How do you cope when the unexpected happens? This book is about Margaret and her dealing with the situation that changes her life. It was an interesting and a quick read.


Happy Reading!

Friday, March 23, 2018

Book Review: The Healing Power of Essential Oils



Author:
 
Summary from Book:
Eric Zielinski, D.C., host of the Essential Oils Revolution summits, offers a soup-to-nuts guide to mastering essential oils for vibrant health and well-being, featuring dozens of recipes and formulations for restful sleep, reduced inflammation, balanced hormones, and more.

Achieving true health is not an easy task. For many people, it might be easier to pop a pill or push aside lingering discomfort in favor of finishing everything on your to-do list. In The Healing Power of Essential Oils, Eric Zielinski, D.C. shows readers how to make their health a priority with the life-changing benefits of essential oils. Essential oils are the natural solution to everything from anxiety and depression to deep-seated inflammation. For beginners, Dr. Z teaches everything you need to know to get started, including the top seven oils you should stock from Day 1 and the commonly used techniques and tools. He illustrates daily practices you can follow to enjoy the properties of essential oils, including a five-minute devotional using frankincense and neroli to set you up for a productive and stress-free day, and a simple bedtime routine harnessing the soporific effects of lavender.

Backed by extensive research, Dr. Z also supplies essential oil blends that promote hormone balance, reduced inflammation, improved digestion, increased immunity, and so much more. You’ll be armed with over 150 recipes for every health need, and a special section on women’s health includes dozens of formulations for PMS, fertility, pregnancy, candida, and menopause. Even those well-versed in essential oils will benefit from this thorough approach. With your newfound knowledge, you can begin tailoring an essential oils practice to your unique pain points and lifestyle right away – and start experiencing amazing results.

Personal Review:

I will be honest, I don't know anything about this topic, but I know several people who swear by their oils, so I thought I would check it out to learn something new. It appears that there are ideas for no matter what is going on in your life. This book discusses several recipes for oils that you can use to help you deal with whatever you are going through.

I picked up this book because I am interested in the oils that they use to make bath bombs. I have found that a nice relaxing soak can really help the sore muscles.

This was an interesting book. Thanks for the opportunity.

 Disclaimer: I was awarded this book as part of the Blogging for Books program. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own. I am sad to report that this program has ended, so this will be my last review for them.

Happy Reading!

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Giveaway: The Beauty of Dirty Skin



Hi Everyone!

Excited to be here today with a giveaway-ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COMMENT TO ENTER! :) 


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Dr. Bowe is one of the most in-demand dermatologists in America and has lent her expertise to programs like Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, The Doctors, and Dr. Oz

In recent years, science has shed new light on the connection between the gut and the brain. Now, for the first time, The Beauty of Dirty Skin spells out the connection between the microbiome—the balance of healthy microorganisms that inhabit your body inside and out—and skin health. 

Dr. Bowe provides data-driven knowledge and life-changing, actionable advice, and dispels the myths behind what it takes to have—and maintain—great skin. Topics include:

An explanation of the gut-brain-skin axis, the hidden factor of skin health

How you can turn your diet into a solution to myriad skin problems, including 5 fundamental dietary rules about what to eat and what to avoid for glowing skin

How oral probiotics are the new emerging antibiotics, and can work wonders on skin health

Why we have an epidemic of adult acne, rosacea, eczema, and premature aging today (including skin cancer!)

Why some of today’s skincare products, including organics and antibacterials/antimicrobials, can inflict lasting damage

How to send signals of beauty to your skin through 3 lifestyle interventions: the power of sleep, exercise, and meditation.

With simple explanations of the science behind Dr. Bowe’s findings, do-it-yourself practical skincare strategies, and a life-changing 3-week program, The Beauty of Dirty Skin will forever change the way you look at loofahs, Diet Cokes, fat-free milk, energy bars, and antibiotics.





About the Author:
Dr. Whitney Bowe is Medical Director of Integrative Dermatology, Aesthetics & Wellness at Advanced Dermatology, P.C., in addition to being a distinguished research scientist and a thought leader in her field. She is one of the most in-demand dermatologists in America and has lent her expertise to programs like Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, The Doctors, and Dr. Oz. She and her work have been featured in publications including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Allure, InStyle, Vogue, Elle, Reader's Digest, and O, The Oprah Magazine.

Praise for The Beauty of Dirty Skin
“I always look forward to Whitney joining us on Good Morning America and even more so now after reading her insightful book. She’s passionate about her work and treats her patients with incredible compassion. The Beauty of Dirty Skin gives you access to cutting-edge information and the tools you’ll need so you, too, can experience the ‘Bowe Glow.’”—Robin Roberts, co-anchor of Good Morning America

“As Dr. Bowe eloquently reveals in The Beauty of Dirty Skin, healthy skin is a manifestation of a healthy gut. Leading scientific research now confirms that the multitude of microbes living within our digestive systems plays a pivotal role in determining the health of our largest organ, the skin. And while consumers expend hundreds of millions of dollars on topical approaches for better skin, The Beauty of Dirty Skin directly challenges this approach with a straightforward plan to create beauty and radiance from the inside out.”—David Perlmutter, MD, author of Grain Brain and Brain Maker
“Your path to the Bowe Glow passes through your intestines, where supporting the right bacteria can rejuvenate and resuscitate your skin. Dr. Bowe takes you past simple nutrients to the front lines of the battle for your skin health.”—Mehmet Oz, MD

“A must-read for anyone who is struggling with skin issues and wants to address the root cause of the problem. In her book, Dr. Bowe compiles the latest medical science and then gives a step-by-step guide to overcome any skin condition with diet, supplements, and natural skin remedies. If you want to heal your skin quickly and get lasting results, this is the book for you.”—Dr. Josh Axe, author of Eat Dirt

“The Beauty of Dirty Skin shows us once and for all that there’s more to healthy skin than expensive creams and clinical treatments. Dr. Bowe’s revolutionary 3-week program takes advantage of the gut-brain-skin connection to resolve the underlying health issues responsible for stubborn skin. If you struggle with skin issues, this book is a must-read.”—Amy Myers, MD, author of The Thyroid Connection
“Dr. Bowe, one of the nation’s top dermatologists, is a pioneer of the gut-brain-skin connection. In The Beauty of Dirty Skin, she combines her clinical expertise, insights into the latest scientific developments, and profound discoveries in natural medicine into a powerful prescription for skin health. An eye-opening read for both patients and physicians.”—Anthony Youn, MD, America’s Holistic Plastic Surgeon® and author of The Age Fix


Happy Reading!