Shadows of the Past by Carmen Stefanescu

Goodreads

Shadows of The Past
by Carmen Stefanescu
Historical Fiction / Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Pub. Date: December 4, 2012
My Rating: ♥♥♥♥




Summary ~from goodreads~

When Anne and Neil leave on a one-week holiday hoping to reconcile after a two-year separation, little do they know that destiny has other plans for them. Their discovery of human bones and a bejeweled cross in the hollow of a tree open the door to the supernatural realm and the anguished life of Genevieve, a nun from medieval England.

Can Anne save her relationship and help Genevieve her eternal rest?

The twists and turns in this paranormal tale keep the reader guessing up to the end and weave themselves together into a quest to rekindle love.

My Review:

I would like to thank Carmen Stefanescu for giving me a copy of her wonderful book.

I like to read  historical fiction that is set in the Middle Ages to the Victorian Era. I also love to read Paranormal Romance. So when I read the summary I became intrigued and I definitely wanted to read this book.

Shadows of the Past started out strong and it continued at a wonderful pace through out the book. The main characters Anne in the present and Genevieve from the past were written well. Anne is a strong woman who has decided to reconcile with her boyfriend, During their trip she experiences dreams and visions of a lady from the past, which is Genevieve, whose story needs to be told to give her peace. Genevieve is from a time that being a woman is difficult and on top of that, faces many tragedies in her life. She struggles to survive with evil that keeps crossing her path. They both meet friends along their travels.

This is a story with suspense, mystery and romance. It made me cry and it put me on edge. Genevive's story became difficult to read at times. At the last chapter everything becomes full circle and seems to be heading towards a happy ending, then as I finished the last page, it left me with questions and eager to read the next book.

Check out her website:
http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/

HARKEN - by Kaleb Nation

On 1-13-13, Harken will be available to everyone! I am so excited to read this! Right now, Kaleb Nation has a preview of his book.
You can download the first 3 chapters and read for free!!

Go to Goodreads and put HARKEN on your WANT TO READ list.

Get ready...Don't Trust Anyone.

Funny Friday! Prince Charming?

Here is picture a friend of mine posted on Facebook. I don't know why but it made me laugh.

So this picture made up my mind to go with the prince charming theme :P

And What is a Hobbit?

I'm so excited to see The Hobbit movie this weekend. Here is a picture of the first page of my copy of The Hobbit titled,  "And What is a Hobbit?"

Mellow Monday..... and Movie News ~ "The Hobbit"

There are a few Movies I would like to talk about today, but I will only post one since it is being released this Friday the 14th.

Being a huge fan of  the books and "The Lord of the Rings" movies, I am definitely excited to see
 "The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey"

Check out their official website, it has a lot of awesome content.
http://www.thehobbit.com/

I loved the trailer here it is:

Bohemia by Veronika Carnaby

Goodreads

Bohemia 
by Veronika Carnaby
Historical Fiction
Pub Date: September 13, 2012
My Rating: ♥♥♥






Summary ~ from goodreads~

In her debut novel, Veonika Carnaby picks up where the Beat Generation left off.  Set in 1960, Bohemia chronicles a group of twenty-somethings who defy the "ideals" of a mid-twentieth century society to seek creative fulfillment.  In the process, they spotlight the creative path that artists of all mediums tread, all the while depicting the challenges faced by youth in the decade that changed the world.

My Review:

I loved the summary of this book. I would like to first say I was on the fence on what rating to give. The first half was just okay and the second half I grew to like.

The story begins in England, January, 1960. Four friends Jimmy, Lester, Emm and Valarie, embark on their journey where they face many challenges. Free spirited and an eagerness to experience life, this story takes you through many different situations 20 year old's faced in the 60's.  At first I did have a difficult time getting into the story. The first half of the book, I felt like there was a rush to get to know the characters. I wish it was more of a gradual pace to get to know them so I would of had more time to absorb and experience their journey. I did eventually feel transported into the story and felt more of a connection, I  kept reading. I 'm glad I did.  This is a book for those who want to take a trip back to the 60's and see it through the eyes of  someone trying to find there way in life and achieving their dreams.


Here are some links to find out more about Veronika Carnaby:

 http://veronikacarnaby.blogspot.com/


http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6524094.Veronika_Carnaby
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16000829-bohemia

The Soul's Mark: HUNTED by Ashley Stoyanoff

Goodreads

The Soul's Mark: HUNTED 
(The Soul's Mark #2)

by Ashley Stoyanoff

YA Paranormal Romance

Published by: Ashley Stoyanoff Books

Pub. Date: Nov. 22, 2012

eBook

My Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Summary ~ from goodreads~

When Amelia Caldwell learned that she was marked by a vampire's soul, she did what any smart, self-preserving person would have done: tried to run. But thanks to the soulmate bond that tethered her mentally and emotionally to her vampire soulmate,, Mitchell Lang, running was not an option and finding out she was a witch didn't make her life any easier.

Now, Amelia has made peace with her new supernatural life and accepted her destiny with Mitchell, one of the most powerful vampires in the world.  They are finally getting along but Amelia is sure he is hiding something - something big.

Little does she know that this is just the calm before the storm. When Mitchell's former flame resurfaces and Eric's dreams become distorted visions of his soulmate, hostility and tension threatens to tear their world apart.

Just when Amelia thinks life couldn't get any crazier, vampires and human start turning up dead. The killer--something more sinister and haunting than your run of the mill psychopath - is heading straight for their front door.

My Review:

Ashley Stoyanoff is a very talented writer. I love the world she has created. Willowberg is a town with vampires, soulmates, humans and witches.Even though the most of the characters are supernatural, they are relate able because of the emotional ties and relationships they have.  I'm glad that the story is not told in the first person. I can feel right along with all the characters. I developed a connection and understanding with the struggles they all faced.. I laughed, cried, felt the love and even anger. I love a story that takes my emotions for a ride.

The murders of humans and vampires shakes up Willowberg. The mystery, the suspense and the action did not just affect the main characters, it affected the entire town. This is a community that bans together when faced with danger. I enjoyed experiencing the loyalty the entire community has with each other. The trust and respect that the humans of Willowberg have, shows that Mitchell has earned it. Mitchell obviously has an emotional tie and wants to do the right thing for everyone.

Amelia and Mitchell's relationship  constantly faces struggles.  I know Mitchell can seem very mean but Amelia is very stubborn, They both have reasons to be acting the way they do ( they both have good intentions) and they both have the desire to make their relationship work. They are awesome when they learn to work together. I do not want to give any spoilers, but I do want to make one comment. In this story we see two relationships that should not be compared.

The last chapter pulled everything together and all seems to be ending well.......then bang!! Cliffhanger!!
I really did not see that coming! I feel like I am on the edge, desperately hanging on to read the continuation of this wonderful world.

If you have not read her first book here are a few links and a link to Ashley's website.

Goodreads,         Amazon      My Review

                                                                               

#HARKEN: By Kaleb Nation

Sounds interesting......I  look forward to reading Kaleb Nation's book, HARKEN.

Giveaway!! The Soul's Mark: HUNTED by Ashley Stoyanoff,

This Giveaway is open Internationally. 
November 23rd - November 30th ~  eastern time (US & Canada)  

I am very honored that Ashley asked me if I wanted to have a giveaway of her book. After I was finished jumping up and down, I replied back...YES! I would love to!

I'm very excited to tell you it'll be a signed paperback copy of The Soul's Mark: HUNTED, book #2 of the Soul's Mark Series.
The Soul's Mark FOUND, book #1 is great!!
I highly recommend it. You can read my review, of book #1,  just click on the link.  The Soul's Mark: FOUND .
Click HERE to get your copy!!

Now for the Giveaway!!!

Goodreads

The Soul's Mark: HUNTED is a wonderful sequel to FOUND. I will have my review up on Sunday Nov. 25th.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday Thoughts....

Today  in America we celebrate Thanksgiving. I am grateful and feel very blessed for my family and friends.
I am thankful all the people in my life everyday!!
If you ask my grandson who is 2 1/2 years old what is Thanksgiving, he will tell you "you eat turkey and get fat". Well, he is partially right.
It got me thinking, I wonder how many family's take the time at the dinner table and to give thanks for more than just food.

I am thankful for life and all that comes my way. For the wonderful and not so wonderful. I am grateful for the many obstacles thrown my way.  Without the many bumps in the road I may not have met the many wonderful people who have touched my life and continue to be in my life.

I will end with the definition of "thanksgiving" from Dictionary.com

thanks·giv·ing

 [thangks-giv-ing] 

noun

1.

the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God.

2.

an expression of thanks, especially to God.

3.

a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness.

4.

a day set apart for giving thanks to God.

5.

( initial capital letter ) Thanksgiving Day.

♥Thankful for Terrific Authors♥

Today I'd like to recognize all the terrific authors, that took me on many journeys and gave me the opportunity to live so many lives. Here is a list of  authors I have read since last Thanksgiving.

In alphabet order:

• Alexandra Adornetto  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/696372.Alexandra_Adornetto
• Alivia Anders  http://aliviaanders.blogspot.com/p/author-bio.html
• Jennifer L.Armentrout  http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/
• Julianna Baggott  http://www.juliannabaggott.com/
• Lisa Tawn Bergren  http://lisatawnbergren.com/books/
• Kristin Cashore  http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-books.html
• Nicky Charles  https://sites.google.com/site/nickycharlesbooks/home/about
• Cassandra Clare http://www.cassandraclare.com/ 
• Kate Evangelista  http://www.kateevangelista.com/
• Amanda Hocking  http://amandahocking.blogspot.com/
• Michelle Hodkin  http://www.michellehodkin.com/p/books.html
• Julie Kagawa  http://www.juliekagawa.com/
• Alma Katsu  http://www.almakatsu.com/books.php
• Heather Killough-Walden  http://www.killough-walden.com/
• Mary Lindsey  http://www.marylindsey.com/books.php
• Marie Lu  http://www.marielu.org/index.html
• Sandra Madera  http://www.sandramadera.com/AboutMe.html
• H.P. Mallory  http://hpmallory.com/
• D.M. McDaniel  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6032881.DM_McDaniel
• Erin Morgenstern  http://erinmorgenstern.com/
• Jackson Pearce  http://jackson-pearce.com/books/
• Rose Pressey  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1188608.Rose_Pressey
• J.R. Rain  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5753883.J_R_Rain
• Veronica Roth  http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/p/books.html
• Angie Sage  http://www.angiesage.com/
• Kira Saito  http://kirasaito.blogspot.com/
• Thomas E. Sniegoski  http://www.sniegoski.com/
• Maggie Stiefvater    http://maggiestiefvater.com/
• Ashley Stoyanoff   http://www.ashleystoyanoff.com/p/the-souls-mark-series.html
• Nicholas Taylor   http://nicholastaylor.co/books/
• CyndiTefft   http://ctefft.blogspot.com/
• Carole Wood   http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5830488.Carole_Wood

'The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones'

I saw this video. and screamed OH MY!!!!!!
I hardly could contain myself! I literally jumped out of my seat and ran to my son, who was playing  DAY Z, and tried to get him to stop playing to see it. Well needless to say, being a young man, he was not wanting to stop playing to see it. I was very disappointed that he would not stop playing his game, to see the trailer right away.

The trailer caught me by surprise. I was not expecting it to be so polished and so good so soon.  They just finished filming, not too long ago. Jaime Bower definitely plays Jace well. Honestly I had my reservations about him playing Jace.
The trailer is amazing!!!

Here is the link!! ENJOY!!!
'The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones': Trailer 1

Funny Friday!!!

I haven't posted on Friday for awhile. So here you go...some pics I found.......

Thursday Thougths

There are so many Wonderful Authors out there!

I get so excited to get a new book delivered to my door. Opening up the box, eagerly awaiting to see, hold and yes smell. Getting a book for the first time is like opening a Christmas present I have been wishing for. 

I can't find the words to express how I feel when I actually flip through the pages of a wonderful book. 

Only other people with the love of reading can understand. 

With that said, I do have to give thanks to owning an e-reader. I know it's just not the same as holding a book, but with out it, I would have never found so many amazing Independent Authors. Finding a book that impacts me emotionally is an amazing feeling. Finding an author that is just beginning their journey as a published author and writes a wonderful story, is like finding buried treasure. 

Next Tuesday, November 20th, I will post a list of Authors I am thankful for giving me an escape to many lives. I will supply links to their Author Pages.

♥Everyone Have a wonderful weekend!!!!!      

Haunted Week - Beware of Book Review ~ Day 8 ~ WARD 3 by Carole Wood

Happy Halloween!!!!! For the first time in many years, I live in a neighborhood that I will actually have children knocking on my door. I am so excited to pass out candy to the kiddos and see their costumes.
I will begin my last post for Haunted week with 'This is Halloween' from "The Nightmare Before Christmas"...press play and enjoy ;)



Day 8 of Haunted week, Beware of Book Review:

Goodreads - Amazon

WARD 3

by Carole Wood
Horror Novella
Published by: Carole Wood Books
Pub. Date July 8, 2012
eBook -Kindle
My Rating: ♥♥♥♥½





Summary:  ~ from goodreads~

After suffering a recent loss Matt Lindsey, a psychology student takes a placement in Fortraven Psychiatric Hospital.  Over the following nine weeks he discovers all is not as it seems.  He becomes concerned for the welfare of a patient named Abby after a string of violent, strange incidents occurs. Everyone in the hospital is in danger.  Can he help them before it's too late?

My Review:

I literally want to, SCREAM, YELL, SHOUT, AND SHAKE PEOPLE!!! READ CAROLE WOOD'S BOOKS!!!! She is an amazing Independent Author that is very talented.

I am having a hard time thinking how to write this review without spoilers. I normally do not read any books labeled horror, and I feel that anything I say may spoil the joy and ride you will have when you read WARD 3. 
I am instantly drawn into the first chapter and transported to a tragic beginning.  The main character Matt is later introduced.  Matt is a serious student and has set goal to achieve. A tragic event happens and he is forever changed. The path he is now on, leads him to meet Abby. Abby has her own tragic event that has affected her. She is trying to live a normal life and keep her sanity. Abby and Matt meet and together they learn to trust in others and themselves. This is a wonderful story! It is a supernatural,  horror, suspense, mystery, romance novella. It has it all. And if you read Aventurine Heart, Carole wood has a surprise for you in this book.

Haunted Week - Written in the Tombstone ~ Day 7

Day 7 of Haunted Week and one more day to go.
The epitaph is the inscription on a tombstone - you could say it's a person's last words.
Today, I quote the last lines of five books.

#1 - "Not filling in all the cracks, not replacing ones that lingered back in the Catskills, but filling enough that I felt a little better, a little saner".  Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

#2 - "We lie there together, watching the lightning and listening, to the thunder, and waiting for the beginning of a rainy dawn."  LEGEND by Marie Lu

#3 - "I lingered round them, under that benign sky, watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine uniquie slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth." Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

#4 - "For the first time in years, she felt as if she was finally exactly where she was meant to be."
The Souls mark: FOUND (The Soul's Mark #1) by Ashley Stoyanoff

#5 -  "He felt the steady beat of Abby's heart under his palm and the softness of her skin and he was sure that for once, he was in exactly the right place." WARD 3 by Carole Wood


This was a little difficult to do. I had to make sure there were no spoilers. I hope I did okay. :)

Haunted Week - Trick or Treated ~ Day 6

Day 6 of Haunted Week!!! Tricked or Treated?
Five books I've read that pleasantly surprised me, or was a nasty surprise.

The first two books on my list I felt tricked me.

#1 - My Blood Approves by Amanda Hocking,  I enjoyed Amanda Hocking's Trylle Trilogy. So I was disappointed with My Blood Approves, because I was expecting more from it. The first several chapters had too many similarities to a well known book. I am not one to give up on a book so I read on. It did improve as the story went on and it became a book I liked. I did finish the series and liked it.

#2 - The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson.  This book was recommended to me by my son in law. I had trouble getting into the story. At times it seemed to have way too much detail. I did like the mystery and suspense in the story.  Overall it was a good story, it just seemed to drag on and on for me.

The next three, pleasantly surprised  me and were definitely  treats.

#3 - City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. In January 2009, I stumbled upon a blog that had a link to Cassandra Clare's, City of Bones. Cassandra Clare had her book free to read online(for a limited time). I decided to give it a try. I found myself instantly sucked into the shadow hunter world. I couldn't stop reading it, and my back was getting sore reading it at my desktop computer. I made the decision to go to my local 24 hour grocery store and find a copy to buy. I found it, bought it and took it home to read and finished it that night. I became a huge fan and I have loved everything she has written.

#4 - Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen This book was an impulse buy. I needed something to read on the plane. I new the movie was coming out and decided it may be interesting. This book is amazing!! I love that this is a historical fiction story. It was wonderfully written. Sara Gruen obviously did a lot of research to create this world. I felt transported back in time.

#5 - The Host by Stephenie Meyer I would first like to say I do like Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga. I know there are some readers who do not like the books because they feel she is not a good writer. In her book The Host, she shows she has grown and improved as a writer. I loved this book. This story takes on the human complexity of relationships and the human psyche. This was a wonderful surprise and treat.

Haunted Week - It Came From the Web ~ Day 5

Five Amazing Book Blogs I have recently discovered

There are so many book blogs out there that I find amazing. Here are my 5 most recent discoveries in random order:

Chocolate Coated Reviews

♥Lace Vintage Book Reviews♥

The World of Ashley Stoyanoff

{ This Girl Reads }

Walking on Bookshelves

Haunted Week - Back from the Grave ~ Day 4

(I am a day late with this post, I am still going through the unpacking stage and I am overwhelmed)

Here are several books I dug up from my past.

Caution : I was born in 1967 :P

Looking back to what I have read...I have to admit, I was not much of a reader as I am now.
I decided I want to share the books that I can remember as far back as First grade.
These books sparked my interest and stayed in my memories.



#1 - Richard Scarry's - What Do People Do All Day? 




#2 - Richard Scarry's - Best Word Book Ever!

“I'm not interested in creating a book that is read once and then placed on the shelf and forgotten. I am very happy when people have worn out my books, or that they're held together by Scotch tape.”

― Richard Scarry

Richard Scarry's books are the earliest books I remember and love. I still read them to my preschool class today.

#3 - Nancy Drew Series by Carolyn Keene, Mildred A. Wirt Benson

Love a good mystery! I enjoyed reading these books when I was in 5th and 6th grade.

#4 - A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'Engle

A book  I absolutely loves and it introduced me to Madeleine L'Engle's other books, such as her well known book A Wrinkle in Time.   This book also became my daughters favorite.

#5 The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

On of the most memorable books I read in school.  I now have discussions at school with my older children in our after-school care program, who have read it.