tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35003889188626812522024-03-13T13:10:36.100-07:00Sassy Gal ReadsA blog about all things Sassy. Currently working to integrate my two sites into one. Please be patient, as this may take some time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-41223121921344758222015-04-08T10:57:00.000-07:002015-04-08T10:57:08.628-07:00Wreckage: A Book of Survival, Love & the Secrets In Between<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Please Note: This Post Contains Affiliate and / or Referral Links</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NAJZDIM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00NAJZDIM&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=ZX7QNQQRCDO6FZCJ"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00NAJZDIM&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00NAJZDIM" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NAJZDIM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00NAJZDIM&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=ZX7QNQQRCDO6FZCJ">Wreckage: By Emily Bleeker</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00NAJZDIM" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b>$4.99</b></div>
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<b>KINDLE UNLIMITED</b></div>
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<b><i>(Free with a Kindle Unlimited Subscription</i>)</b></div>
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Wreckage: </h3>
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For Lillian, a normal everyday housewife, this trip to Fiji is an unusual escape for her everyday, mundane life. One that if she were to be completely honest with herself, she wasn't completely looking forward to. Margaret, Lillian's mother in law, won a trip of a lifetime and having never taken a vacation just herself and her daughter-in-law, felt this would be a great way for the two to bond.</div>
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Never in a million years could the passengers aboard that small little private jet imagine the chaos that lies before them. Strangers when they board the plane, they will find themselves intimate over the next several months in a way that only people who are trapped together with a common trauma can be.</div>
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What begins as a peaceful flight, ends so very violently. What's left are just fragments of what used to be. The survivors must now cling to their lives and fight for their survival.</div>
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<br />The story is told jumping from the present day to the past. The story is told while Lillian is giving what she hopes to be the final interview so that she can finally put the 2 1/2 years she fought for survival and her life behind her and focus on her family. We also hear Dave's side of the story as he recounts his part of the story for the reporter. </div>
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Their story that they are telling to the world, while not fully the truth, is a truth that they have fabricated to help their loved ones to deal with the lost years. </div>
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The reporter thinks that she knows the real truth. That their story is a story of a "Love Triagle", she believes that Lillian and Kent were in love and that Dave was overcome with jealousy over the love shared by Lillian and Kent. However, that is so far from the truth it's almost laughable. In a way, hearing this, Dave is overcome with peace that the "Real Truth" is safely tucked away in he confines of their minds.</div>
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With a plane ride that started out with five passengers, only two people will survive long enough to see their final rescue after two and a half years stranded on a deserted island. The scars that are with them are not visible and cannot be easily healed.</div>
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This really was a gripping story. I stayed up most of the night trying to devour each and every word. I couldn't wait to read what happened to Lillian and Dave next. Although there were a good few bits that I was able to correctly predict, there were a few surprises and twists and turns as well.</div>
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One of the nicest surprises came towards the end. To see a husband so accepting of his wife and the life she made when survival was the only option, was incredibly beautiful and touching. To see that when the truth comes to light, it frees not only you, but everyone involved.</div>
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I really urge those of you who love psychological thrillers, mysteries, those types of books to give this book a chance!! It really is attention grabbing. There wasn't one dull moment.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-53709069393785689872015-04-03T22:56:00.000-07:002015-04-03T22:56:13.953-07:00Review: A Stolen Child by Laura Elliot<div style="text-align: center;">
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Please Note: This Post Contains Affiliate Links</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TA2SBY6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00TA2SBY6&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=MFPLEDKN24PRYW5U"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00TA2SBY6&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00TA2SBY6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TA2SBY6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00TA2SBY6&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=MFPLEDKN24PRYW5U">Stolen Child: A psychological novel of drama and suspense</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00TA2SBY6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
By: Laura Elliot<br />
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One of the most emotionally charged, captivating books I've read in ages. There were moments when it was so emotionally charged that I actually had to put it down for a bit. It's a brilliantly written book, and the lives of three women are weaved together so expertly and seamlessly.<br /><br />The story is centered around two women. Suzanne and Carla. Suzanne, it's clear from the beginning is suffering emotionally from the loss of multiple miscarriages. I hadn't really read the description of the book so, I wasn't really sure what to expect. So, it was rather alarming when as the story continued to open up and the idea was formed and born of Suzanne going through the pretense of her pregnancy despite having miscarried. It was kinda like watching a train wreck. Not wanting to look, but being so mesmerized and with a longing to see what was going to unfold.<br /><br />Suzanne, who has lost her baby and yet decided in a maddening, emotionally charged moment to just bury the truth because she's unable to at that moment deal with the truth of the situation. Yet, as time passes, in order to hide the truth, she must create a new story for herself. And she realizes that the story she's telling will require a child.<br /><br />Enter Carla. Carla, is a model and has been plastered all over the media during her pregnancy. Carla is married to a undercover detective, who is extremely uncomfortable with all of the publicity and intrusion into their private lives. However, neither could have predicted that a woman unable to face the truth of her own loss, would in a moment see Carla and see with clarity that Carla's child would be her own.<br /><br />I have to say, I kept thinking HOW.... There were some wonderful pieces throughout the story that in the end makes everything come full circle. The author did an excellent job of breaking this story into wonderful pieces of a puzzle...<br /><br />The author did such a wonderful job at making you connect with the characters and the story. It really was extremely well done. I cannot convey adequately how wonderful this book is, and how well written it is, and what a wonderful storyteller Ms. Elliot is. While admittedly, there were times it was too emotionally draining for me, and I had to put it down, it still was able to hold my attention.<br /><br />You know, there are so many times in our own personal lives when sometimes our truth is hard to deal with and so we put it in a box and lock it away to deal with it another day, so in that sense, I could understand Suzanne's character and her motivation, and also why she was at a constant battle with herself. She definitely knew what she was doing was wrong, and because of being Unable to free herself with the truth, she became a prisoner of her own making.<br /><br />I definitely recommend this book to those who love a good psychological thriller.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-16109544085693051662014-11-14T12:47:00.000-08:002014-11-14T12:47:41.503-08:00The Duck Commander: Faith and Family Bible<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>Please Note: This post contains Affiliate links.</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdffpjvJWyU/VGZWJYNoQ9I/AAAAAAAAMy8/zL-KQqXiE4w/s1600/DSCF3076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Thomas Nelson: The Duck Commander Bible" border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdffpjvJWyU/VGZWJYNoQ9I/AAAAAAAAMy8/zL-KQqXiE4w/s320/DSCF3076.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0718016408/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0718016408&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=6KXLHFLWZ74MGWPL">Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible (Signature)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0718016408" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<b><i>on Amazon</i></b></div>
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<b><i>$21.95 (At time of Review)</i></b></div>
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Duck Dynasty: Faith And Family</h2>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Cmiytmx5MQ/VGZWmm-MBuI/AAAAAAAAMz4/Ww_C9NjbW-8/s1600/DSCF3084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beautiful Gifting Page: Duck Commander Bible" border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Cmiytmx5MQ/VGZWmm-MBuI/AAAAAAAAMz4/Ww_C9NjbW-8/s320/DSCF3084.JPG" title="" width="240" /></a>So, I'm sure most people are pretty familiar with the "Redneck" family from the hit TV show "Duck Dynasty", that catipulted a little redneck family to super stardom. Most people, if they are even a teensy bit familiar with the media and pays attention also are well aware that this "redneck" family who has made their gold from "Duck Callers" are also a family of faith.</div>
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Their outspokeness about their faith is truly inspirational. Most people who find fame and fortune lose their faith. They forget their roots and who it is that truly they should be thanking for the good fortune that they find. Not true with the Robertson clan. These TV favs have truly used their fame for the "Good". </div>
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<br />As a Christian myself, I truly have mad respect for this family and how they have used their fame to speak about the Word and try to show the world that "Christians" are just normal folk but with a heart dedicated to God. Christians aren't some weird mythological creature, nor are we born of perfection. We are just sinner's who are trying to make it in this world with our eyes on the prize.</div>
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The Duck Commander Faith and Family NKJV Bible</h3>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhtBwvR-Kbo/VGZWtEjljRI/AAAAAAAAM0E/_ervA-t4hWs/s1600/DSCF3085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Hardbound Cover: The Duck Commander Bible" border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhtBwvR-Kbo/VGZWtEjljRI/AAAAAAAAM0E/_ervA-t4hWs/s320/DSCF3085.JPG" title="" width="240" /></a>It's not too far a stretch of the imagination to think of the Robertson's now having their own Bible. Afterall, when you put your focus on Christ then I think it's only a natural move to have a Bible after your namesake show that has brought such a success.</div>
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I was THRILLED when I received the opportunity to review this item. While I am not a big TV junkie anymore, I do enjoy the "Duck Dynasty" show and love what this show and this family represent. My husband and kids all are huge fans of the show and I knew I would score serious COOL points in their book with this score!</div>
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Duck Commander: On The Hunt</h3>
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SO, in addition to being a standard New King James Version Bible (you know, the version that is more relatable and readable...) this Bible also has some really nice features that make it more "Duck Dynasty" worthy.</div>
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<li>125 Articles by Phil and Al Robertson</li>
<li>Personal Welcome note from Phil and Al</li>
<li>A Topical Index</li>
<li>Reading Plans</li>
<li>Supplementary Scripture References</li>
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I've never reviewed a Bible before, so I'm not like an expert or anything. I've read plenty enough Bibles though... So, I guess that gives me some knowledge of the subject.</div>
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I love that there are little articles that relate to the scripture in question. It personalizes it. I wish they had a bit more devotional type material, but it truly is a really nice Bible.</div>
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I love how they broke it down....</div>
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<b><i>Set Your Sights: </i></b></h3>
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<b><i>These are then broken into five topics: Faith, Family, Fellowship, Forgiveness or Freedom.</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wOwF6ms90wk/VGZWYfdaZVI/AAAAAAAAMzg/3MHKzU79PMc/s1600/DSCF3081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Set Your Sights: The Duck Commander Bible" border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wOwF6ms90wk/VGZWYfdaZVI/AAAAAAAAMzg/3MHKzU79PMc/s320/DSCF3081.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a><i>I love that they have those categorized and so if you are having an issue with forgiveness you can go to the back and look in the "Set Your Sights" Index and find all the related scriptures or "Devotions" that have to do with Forgiveness. That's super handy. </i></div>
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<i>I've always had a strong faith, but I'll be honest I cannot quote scripture for the life of me... Hopefully that doesn't make me not the best Christian, but I've just not been good at memorizing a lot of scripture. So, for someone like me, having it broken down like that does TRULY come in handy!</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2r_YD0P2EEk/VGZWXzWGNtI/AAAAAAAAMzc/2a2J2huX0oA/s1600/DSCF3080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="On the Hunt: The Duck Ccommander Bible " border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2r_YD0P2EEk/VGZWXzWGNtI/AAAAAAAAMzc/2a2J2huX0oA/s320/DSCF3080.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a><i>On The Hunt: </i></h3>
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<i>On the Hunt is part of the Set Your Sights and gives you other scriptures related to the topic at hand!</i></div>
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<i>The ABC's of Salvation:</i></h3>
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<i>They even have an awesome guide in the back that breaks down Salvation. It includes some of the great salvation scriptures... From <b>A </b>Romans 3:23 " For all have sinned and fallen short..." to <b>Y </b>1<b> </b>John 3:1 "God loves YOU so much...."</i></div>
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Overall:</h3>
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I absolutely loved this Bible. It will be a gift for my husband for Christmas. He will think I'm the most awesome ever when he sees this Bible. </div>
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Gift Idea:</h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBw0YtTLe-M/VGZWvUzAwCI/AAAAAAAAM0M/r_Wb0k2mFSo/s1600/DSCF3086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBw0YtTLe-M/VGZWvUzAwCI/AAAAAAAAM0M/r_Wb0k2mFSo/s320/DSCF3086.JPG" width="240" /></a><i>This makes an awesome gift idea for the man or woman or teen in your life who LOVES watching Duck Dynasty. I can't think of a better gift than the gift of eternal life and not that by giving a Bible means your gifting eternal life, but it definitely is a necessary tool for those who believe.</i></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-92143152041954187882014-10-13T13:05:00.000-07:002014-10-13T13:44:12.380-07:00The Glass Kitchen by Linda Francis Lee: Book Review<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HTJ77IS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HTJ77IS&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=R42MBRCQQE2DV543"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00HTJ77IS&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00HTJ77IS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HTJ77IS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HTJ77IS&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=R42MBRCQQE2DV543">The Glass Kitchen: A Novel of Sisters</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00HTJ77IS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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On Amazon: $10.99</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Linda Francis Lee</h2>
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I first read Linda Francis Lee about four years ago I guess, when I had first discovered the wonder and awe that is Chick-Lit. I honestly can't remember if it was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013TX6GM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013TX6GM&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=RXLX3IDJ2D2TN2EN">The Ex-Debutante</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0013TX6GM" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TD4MQ6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000TD4MQ6&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=OYP62HR7VXVKQ27D">The Devil in the Junior League</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000TD4MQ6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> that I read first. But, it was one of those two books that was my first foray into Linda Francis Lee's wonderful mind.<br />
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What I fell in love with when reading Linda Francis Lee's books was how she was so eloquently able to bring the south alive in a tasteful and respectful way. Although, in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013TX6GM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013TX6GM&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=RXLX3IDJ2D2TN2EN" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ex-Debutante</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TD4MQ6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000TD4MQ6&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=OYP62HR7VXVKQ27D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Devil in the Junior League</a> she takes us to a part of the south, I'm personally not familiar with, the HIGH SOCIETY of the south... She still was able to bring her characters down to earth and make them approachable to any woman. I just fell in love with her books.<br />
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However, I wasn't quite able to get into <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00486UB88/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00486UB88&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=SNGUK3TVSKMPGEM2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Emily & Einstein</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00486UB88" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. I don't know what it was, but I felt a disconnect with the book. However, there are many times I've struggled to read a book only to pick it up later and then be able to fully immerse myself inside the pages... So, perhaps one day I'll give it another go....<br />
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Being from the south, it's hard to find good books that portray southerner's in a flattering light. That's why I will forever be fans of <a href="https://twitter.com/LindaFrancisLee" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Linda Francis Lee</a> and Mary Kay Andrew's books. These two women know how to bring the best out of us southern ladies!<br />
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The Glass Kitchen</h2>
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I'm so thankful for my mother who purchased this book for me, after I had tried contacting whomever I could to try to get a review copy and found myself without much luck. This was a book, I knew I needed to read though, and so THANK YOU mom for this gift!!! Of course, I also have to give it to her so she can now read it.... It's nice when your mom is your biggest fan :) Without my mom this review would not have been possible!<br />
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OK OK So onto the book.....<br />
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This is one of those reviews where it's going to be hard for me to use my filter. I so desperately want to just sit here with my glass of iced tea and go on and on about everything inside the pages of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HTJ77IS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HTJ77IS&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=IJMFPSZQB3FYJBX5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Glass Kitchen</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00HTJ77IS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
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In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HTJ77IS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HTJ77IS&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=IJMFPSZQB3FYJBX5">The Glass Kitchen</a> we meet Portia Cutcart whom has just relocated to New York, following her recent divorce. Portia and her sister's were each left an apartment by their aunt. Portia's sister's have each sold their apartments, luckily Portia had been hesitant to do so...<br />
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Portia grew up helping her grandmother in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HTJ77IS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HTJ77IS&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=IJMFPSZQB3FYJBX5">The Glass Kitchen</a>, a little cafe her grandmother ran. Portia fell in love with cooking and baking and loved how she saw it heal people. Portia wasn't very old when she and her grandmother soon discovered she had inherited the family "gift"... I suppose you could call it in a sense a HEAVY dose of discernment.... Like her mother and her mother before her, Portia bakes things without knowing why... She just gets these urges to bake and later on, someone will happen along the way who needed just what she had been baking or cooking.<br />
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In Portia's life, food was a way to heal folks... Quite literally. Her grandmother had given the reigns over to her long ago, but instead of teaching Portia how to use her gift, she just taught her to cook. Yet, years ago something happened that caused Portia to turn her back on her gift and never want to cook again.<br />
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Now in New York, where her sistser's live, Portia finds that she's finding it impossible to turn her back on her gift. Add to her sisters, a handsome single father whom has purchased the apartments her sister's had sold, and his two children Portia finds that she's once again healing folks with her food.<br />
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Secrets. There are secrets everywhere, and as we all know secrets can destroy lives. Gabriel's little family are all in so much pain and Portia needs to find a way to bring this broken family together. Her sister's as well are each going through their own situations.. Can Portia with the gift she's turned her back on, make it all work... It seems everything is on her shoulders...<br />
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My Thoughts:</h3>
There are so many more layers to this story and I'm not even doing this book justice right now. This was a beautiful novel filled with so many delicious layers. There were so many loveable characters in this book. You have Portia and her sisters... You have Gabriel, and his two daughter's who have lost their mom and are all struggling with the pain of that loss... Gabriel's brother who comes in like and out of their lives like a breeze sweeping through... There are so many secrets in the pages of this book... <br />
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I love when a book can surprise me and this book literally had me huddled in my bed awaiting each surprise that awaited on the next page. One of the main character's in the book was Gabriel's daughter, Ariel, who feels like it's up to her to make things right for her family. When she meets Portia, something tells her that this is a woman who can make all right for her and her sister and father... Yet, along the way Ariel, who has such an inquisitive mind, will discover some things about her past, her mom that truly almost break her spirit.<br />
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Gosh, I just can't convey to you how beautiful this story is. I literally was thirsty for more and couldn't put it down. I love when a book is so able to grab me and draw me into the character's lives that I feel as if I'm inside the pages a fly on the wall watching it all transpire.<br />
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This was definitely a FIVE star book. Linda Francis Lee really told a beautiful story and I loved everything about this book. As a southerner, we really are all about the food. And we think food is the answer to everything, yet I loved the way she was able to turn it into a "gift". <br />
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You don't have to be from the south to appreciate this book. Yes, it has some southern notes to it, but it's a story that can break through mainstream for sure! If you've never picked up a Linda Francis Lee novel, and you love chick lit or women's contemporary fiction, then you will love this book!<br />
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Connect to Linda Francis Lee:</h2>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/LindaFrancisLee" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">on Twitter</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LindaFrancisLee" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">on Facebook</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/mn/landing/B001I9U84U/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=2KNWI2FXMKQ264FI" target="_blank">Linda Francis Lee on Amazon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Thanks for reading! Have you read any of Linda Francis Lee's books?? I'd love to know if you read this book what you thought about it!!</div>
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Visit SassyGalBeauty's Holiday Gift Guide</h2>
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Be sure to follow SassyGalBeauty for the latest on ALL the giveaways!!</h3>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-89660067867454736962014-10-08T14:35:00.002-07:002014-10-08T14:35:48.184-07:00Mary Kay Andrews: Save the Date/ Book Review<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H6EOMU2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H6EOMU2&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=CHDEQPDJRKD5PO6O"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00H6EOMU2&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00H6EOMU2" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H6EOMU2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H6EOMU2&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=CHDEQPDJRKD5PO6O">Save the Date: By Mary Kay Andrews (Kindle)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00H6EOMU2" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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$10.99 (At time of Review)</div>
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Save the Date: Mary Kay Andrews</h2>
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For starters, anyone whom has read my blog knows that while I prefer UK chick-lit, there are a few American authors whom I adore.... Mary Kay Andrews leads the pack for me in American chick lit authors!! I have so enjoyed her past books, like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NLKZI2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001NLKZI2&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=CWUHEUSXO7Z6BVPF">The Fixer Upper</a>,<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001NLKZI2" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC281W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FC281W&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=UFQET67XO6K4GGGT">Hissy Fit</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000FC281W" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and of course <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC1PRA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FC1PRA&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=HLND2ALIMDUOBE2W">Savannah Blues </a> &<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000FC1PRA" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GCFBV0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000GCFBV0&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=ICZR2YFZI5ENAZCD">Savannah Breeze</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000GCFBV0" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> with the lovable characters of Wheezie and Bebe Loudermilk. <br />
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Ms. Andrews is a southern born and breed author who is so eloquently able to capture the true spirit of the south I was born and rasied in. She is able to capture the true "sassy" southern girl spirit and fiestiness that many of us are born with and makes us not seem as "backwoods" as some of these movies and other books like to make Southerner's appear to be "D. U. M. B." I really enjoy authors who have southern roots and put a nice spotlight on us and show our more endearing qualities...<br />
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OK so enough of my southern rant.... LOL Sorry, I'm a little touchy when it comes to how we southerners are portrayed... <br />
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Moving ON.... </h3>
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What's the Book About???</h4>
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Ok, so one thing about Mary Kay Andrew's books that you can bet your bottom dollar she's gonna have, is a fun and sassy, STRONG willed lead female character. In Save the Date, that sassy lead is Cara Kryzick. The story is set in Savannah, Georgia and center's around Cara and her flower shop. </div>
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Everything seems to be falling apart.... One morning, after having received yet another irrate call from her father, "The Colonel", who is demanding repayment of her $20,000 loan she took to fund her new business, she is horrified when her dog is dognapped by a handsome stranger. The stranger, Jack Finnerty, claims it's his dog.... One sleepless night and Jack realizes that he's mistaken and soon brings Cara's dog back... However, this is just the first of many meetings that Cara and Jack will have... He seems to be popping up everywhere Cara goes...</div>
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Strange things start to happen in Cara's hectic filled life... A highly valuable piece of heirloom silver has disappeared, the piece valued at over $100,000 happens to be belong to one of Savannah's most distinguished and well connected families and make certain to let everyone know how unreliable Cara is..... There's also a new florist in town and he seems hell bent on making Cara's life as miserable as humanly possible...</div>
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While some think that Cara is being paranoid, Cara is convinced that this new guy is out to destroy her life in everyway possible after she receives a lucrative contract to do one of the elite wedding's in Savannah... However, as things continue to happen, including a suspcious new owner of the building where Cara is leasing her storefront.... Cara becomes even more convinced that things are all at the hands of Cullen Kane, the new florist Extraordinnaire... </div>
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My Thoughts...</h3>
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Ok, so clearly I could go on and on with details on this delish book. However, this is a book that you should read and fall in love with for yourselves! While, it's not my absolute favorite by Mary Kay Andrews (There's quite a tie between the Savannah series, as well as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC281W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FC281W&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=UFQET67XO6K4GGGT">Hissy Fit</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NLKZI2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001NLKZI2&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=CWUHEUSXO7Z6BVPF">he Fixer Upper</a>) it is definitely a 5 STAR book! She knows exactly how to draw her reader into the story and keep you thirsting for more... That's the mark of a good book, when it's so good that even though your eyelids are drooping, you just got to find out what's going to happen next! </div>
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Mary Kay Andrews is QUEEN of southern Chick lit! She truly is, she's so brilliant at story-telling. Even if you aren't from the south, I think that anyone would enjoy the brilliant stories that she conjures up in her mind... There's always an element of mystery to her books... An element of "whodunit"... Yet, she's able to mix some mystery and some sassy characters that usually are on the verge of being "high-society" or knocking on the door to High Society. Yet, she doesn't make her character's seem "TOO good", if you know what I mean, they are all very approachable. You feel like you could walk in Cara's florist shop and have a cup of joe while discussing all the latest town gossip and admirng some gorgeous blooms...</div>
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If you love a good chick-lit story, then you will fall in love with Mary Kay Andrew's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H6EOMU2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H6EOMU2&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=DNM6MURDNFMSO7BT">Save the Date</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00H6EOMU2" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> !<br />
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Connect with Mary Kay Andrews: </h3>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/marykayandrewsauthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">On Facebook</a></h3>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-46820097091408989342014-10-07T17:43:00.000-07:002014-10-07T17:43:40.000-07:00The Perfect Girl by Michele Gorman: Book Review<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N5UANHM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00N5UANHM&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=A3I3UDI4FXXW5VLG"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00N5UANHM&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00N5UANHM" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N5UANHM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00N5UANHM&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=A3I3UDI4FXXW5VLG">Perfect Girl: Michele Gorman</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00N5UANHM" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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$4.99</div>
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Perfect Girl: A Review</h2>
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A Perfect Girl, is about Carol who is overly perfect. The story shows us all the ways she is absolutely everyone's go to person. Whether it's her fussy sister or her parents or her boyfriend OR work. Carol is always putting everyone's needs before her own. </div>
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The Supporting Cast:</h3>
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Of course we have Carol, our "Perfect girl". We also meet Ben, the boyfriend... Zoe the exchange student turned kinda sister... and Marley, the sister... Jez, Marley's soon to be husband... There's Carol's parents... </div>
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Storyline:</h3>
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When we meet Carol, she's just learned that Marley, her sister is getting married and has asked her to be Chief bridesmaid... Which, Carol is of course ecstatic about... What she should have realized was Marley's expectations for Carol will be more like Sister/ bridesmaid/ wedding planner. She has Carol doing all the legwork, which Carol does without a word of protest...</div>
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Things with Ben are somewhat rocky as well... Things like him forgetting their anniversary, and just all around not showing up for things...</div>
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Then there's Harriet, Carol's unlucky in love best friend... Harriet is so utterly attrocious at meeting men that Carol has decided to go on all of Harriet's first dates for her so that she can suss out the bad news guys since Harriet is dreadful at doing things like that herself....</div>
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Then there's work.... Carol designed a program that analyzes stocks and bonds and stuff and things aren't quite going right... Then there's Ryan, Carol's co-worker.. There might be more there than meets the eye...</div>
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OK.... So, you get the picture.... Carol does EVERYTHING.. She just somehow can't manage to say no... Until she does....</div>
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<b><i>My Thoughts...</i></b></div>
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While it was a good story and it held my interest, I have to say that Carol was SO over the top annoyingly perfect... I guess if I were watching it as a movie you would need the "over the top" to be funny... However, sometimes it was just plain aggrevating and verged on going overboard. </div>
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Yet, Michele Gorman manages to capture your attention from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the very end. It was a well written book, I just wanted to shake Carol... I love Michele Gorman's writing, she's fun and quirky and has a unique style that's all her own. I just felt a bit of a disconnect with this particular book.</div>
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For me, I have to give this a 4 stars... While it held my interest, I just felt that it was a little over the top at times.. I am so extremely ADD, that it's so hard for a book to hold my interest at all and so I appreciate a writer who can grab my attention and keep it!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-2510888809175789002014-10-02T08:11:00.002-07:002014-10-02T08:11:54.869-07:00Pictures of Lily: by Paige Toon / Book Review<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007YLTDRE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007YLTDRE&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=ZD2RUHZIIBXXQYDM"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B007YLTDRE&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007YLTDRE" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007YLTDRE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007YLTDRE&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=Y5TMVBSHHU6UAFTO">Pictures of Lily: </a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007YLTDRE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007YLTDRE&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=Y5TMVBSHHU6UAFTO">$1.99 on Kindle</a><img a="" alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007YLTDRE" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Pictures of Lily: Paige Toon</h2>
<div>
First, let me say that I absolutely adore Paige Toon. This is probably my third or fourth book I've read from her. </div>
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<div>
While, I am writing this and hope to not give any spoilers, </div>
<div>
I have to say that this was a good book, yet there was a huge disconnect for me. I didn't like at all where the story landed. To me, it was very well written, but I was extremely uncomfortable with the storyline. It just seemed really inappropriate and I had hoped that she would take it in a different direction. That didn't happen.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Pictures of Lily centers around a girl, named Lily, who at the tender age of 15 going on 16 is uprooted from her "comfort zone" of London and moved miles away to a different continent. Lily's mum has being having an internet liason with an Australian, Michael and so she uproots Lily and takes her all the way to Australia to live with Michael and his son.</div>
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<div>
Lily, who is at that age when hormones are going crazy anyway, is decidedly unhappy. Lily's mom is seems is a serial "dater", she's the loves them and leaves them type. It appears that Lily's mom has left a trail of men in her past. So, it's no wonder why Lily is a little more than agitated at having her whole life turned upside down for what she feels is just a fleeting romance in her mom's eyes. She just waits until the moment her mom decides to leave again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The whole first part of the book is about Lily's time as a 15/16 year old girl just having moved to Australia. Michael is a caretaker of a "wild life conservatory" and Lily finds that she's fallen in love with the wild life and animals at Michael's job. So, Lily spends her whole summer working at the conservatory with Michael.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Lily's time at the conservatory is precious to her, and she falls in love with not only the animals, but she also finds that she has some talent as an amateur photographer. However, the summer that will be the best summer of her life, will also be the summer filled with painful memories. You know how there's always "the one that got away", well during this summer Lily will meet and lose that "special someone"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Fast Forward: 10 years or so....</h3>
<div>
That 15 year old girl who moved to Australia is long gone. Now we meet the grown-up Lily. Lily, whno had once found a passion and love for the animal wildlife of Australia and a love of photography finds that she's now working as a receptionist for a Magazine company, but still is in Australia, never left to head back to England.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When we reconnect with Lily, she's living with Richard who soon proposes marriage. Richard's proposal throws Lily back into the past that she tries all at once to forget, but can't seem to let go of. She can't get past her first love, the "one who got away". While, she accepts Richard's proposal, her heart can't seem to fully commit. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Then a blast from her past comes back and everything is turned upside down and the lingering questions that Lily has been struggling with now engulf her even more. Lily must decide what it is she truly wants out of life, the life she's created for herself or the life she left years ago...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I have to say, that while this was an excellently written book, it just was disturbing in some ways and I felt that had Ms. Toon taken it somewhere else, it would have made more sense to me.... That being said that's just my opinion. I have to rate it a 4 Stars, because like I said it is a good story, it's just that I felt that it was carried in a totally wrong direction, but WHO AM I... LOL I mean, that's just me. I don't have 1/10 of Paige Toon's talent, I'm merely a reader. </div>
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<div>
Please do not let this deter you from picking this book up, becaue it truly is a good book, it's just have you ever read a book and the ending just made you MAD? Like WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT? NO, it's not supposed to end like that! That's what I felt when I read this! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I hope that if Ms. Toon reads this she won't put me on some black list of reviewers, because I truly do have the utmost respect for her as an author, and I hope she can forgive me for wishing it would have gone a different way..... </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Have you ever read a book that just made you so mad and you just felt as if an injustice had been done to the characters? I felt that Lily needed to learn a lesson, not indulge in whimsy.... But, that's me.... Ok.... I'm going to stop talking now and publish this...</div>
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<h3>
Connect to the Author:</h3>
<div>
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<div>
<a href="http://twitter.com/paigetoonAuthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paige Toon on Twitter</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PaigeToonAuthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paige Toon on Facebook</a></div>
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<div>
<i><b>** I was in no way compensated for this review. I read this on Scrib'd, but it's also available for $1.99 currently (10/2/2014) on Amazon Kindle! I'm sure that price won't last long!!</b></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-29690677683891018952014-09-24T17:25:00.004-07:002014-09-24T17:25:59.624-07:00Scrib'd vs. Amazon Unlimited: A comparison ( Based on the iPad Version)<h2>
Scrib'd vs Amazon Unlimited:</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxveoGg4HYwZsS10wWu4Z7RSxn75I63bBBgk3HXj7-SZ_tVz0G8K8uiHmHvAQ9I1oc0DHnh02V9tXaLO1EqDEQwFot098xjD8KnqDvSptgbcrVvJcer-VUkOxmVyuv1rIgJq_aGUDC_TC4/s1600/blogger-image-636411779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scrib'd versus Amazon Kindle Unlimited" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxveoGg4HYwZsS10wWu4Z7RSxn75I63bBBgk3HXj7-SZ_tVz0G8K8uiHmHvAQ9I1oc0DHnh02V9tXaLO1EqDEQwFot098xjD8KnqDvSptgbcrVvJcer-VUkOxmVyuv1rIgJq_aGUDC_TC4/s1600/blogger-image-636411779.jpg" height="320" title="" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle of The BOOKS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i>Who Wins the Battle of the Books...</i></b><div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
I have long been waiting for good services to come out that offer serious readers the chance to do what Netflix did for movie watchers. I was surprised when it wasn't Amazon who lead the pack. I suppose in their own way they thought that offering "Prime" members ONE whole book a month from their "Prime" Selection was the Reader's answer to Netflix, umm... nope... Wrong Amazon. </div>
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<div>
If you truly are a "serious" reader, one who reads at least a book a week, the Prime version where you could only choose ONE book from a meager amount of titles, truly wasn't going to satisfy your reading needs. Yet, when Scrib'd first came on the scene, I did look into it, and tried to search for a few of my favorite authors and none of the ones that I automatically look for were in the selection.</div>
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<div>
Ok... So, let's disect it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJvCXD8bq5L5sGgN4mnKOjz8ywbOoyQLkuXHn3YjereBX_uq7wRs0cV5vybMKcjMQEfLA7z_E7maTkqzJVAu50uYM92A1MPM4EZeAV-8-jeBGBGmUSEDvhNscq5EA0O96nEvvZBVrnLcQ/s1600/blogger-image-1276192361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Scrib'd Monthly Service, $8.99" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJvCXD8bq5L5sGgN4mnKOjz8ywbOoyQLkuXHn3YjereBX_uq7wRs0cV5vybMKcjMQEfLA7z_E7maTkqzJVAu50uYM92A1MPM4EZeAV-8-jeBGBGmUSEDvhNscq5EA0O96nEvvZBVrnLcQ/s1600/blogger-image-1276192361.jpg" height="320" title="" width="272" /></a></div>
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<h3>
PRICE:</h3>
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Ok. So this is quite easy. </div>
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Scrib'd: $8.99/ monthly</div>
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Kindle Unlimited: $9.99/ monthly</div>
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So, just looking at the two side by side looking at PRICE, Scrib'd is the winner. Ok, but there's more to the services than just "money". What reader's want to know is is it worth it? No one wants to subscribe to a service and then there not be any of the book they are interested in be available...</div>
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<h3>
Content:</h3>
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Ok. So, if you aren't a chick lit lover, I may honestly not be able to help you here. I've primarily researched what I like and what I've found.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOiGa4wOxNCMlrFPOQswODIND5H_UCclmsqmzk7vf2ABjc2W3WPu2r3nahdvkj_IzBsUi-f-5WIsIRiVfnENZNFLVylvp_YuuTiTmPnrSLq7fUKkjvHiH734zQDoXuzRRq5ebcfHZX9Ge/s1600/blogger-image-2035548039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOiGa4wOxNCMlrFPOQswODIND5H_UCclmsqmzk7vf2ABjc2W3WPu2r3nahdvkj_IzBsUi-f-5WIsIRiVfnENZNFLVylvp_YuuTiTmPnrSLq7fUKkjvHiH734zQDoXuzRRq5ebcfHZX9Ge/s1600/blogger-image-2035548039.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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When Kindle Unlimited began, I immediately signed up for the "free trial", because heck it's free, right?? I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that Carole Matthews had quite a few books available on Kindle Unlimited... Jill Mansell had one or two... Milly Johnson: zilch... </div>
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I can't really tell you exactly what books are party of Kindle Unlimited. As of right now there truly is no way to find the books that meet MY criteria when I search through Amazon. They need to create a database for their Unlimited users and perhaps even it's own app. Because the only reason I found that Ruth Saberton and Carole Matthews were a part of Unlimited, was because I was searching for them anyway.</div>
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Now, when I first looked into Scrib'd I mentioned that I had not found any content that really blew my socks off. Last night I signed up through my "Swagbucks bar" (It's a really neat way to earn points that turn into Amazon Gift Cards or Visa Gift Cards, etc. I have since beginning - I haven't been too active, I've cashed in for two $5 gift cards! Not too bad)... Anyway... I signed up for the free trial of Scrib'd because I would be able to receive 900 points (equal to $10 in Amazon Gift Cards), plus I really had been wanting to try the service.</div>
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Once I was on the site and answered a few questions about my book preferences, it lead me to suggestions. Let me say, the suggestions were RIGHT on par! They pointed me to Milly Johnson, Paige Toon, Sue Welfare (I've not yet read her, but now I will!) and Hester Brown. Plus some other books that truly looked to be MY kind of book!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jSFhiZUngZctO05_doQb4PAlD7rQ5-Bgc0aMBOp__wAwglANnq3M0v_x6sSV5CPRkyKkNbPYhyphenhyphenx1XX-u1arYbee6JGbPdbXLv-hU0g0tgW28xOZo4ihWzukRbXt8rSGcs23Tbtnu4moy/s1600/blogger-image--101557517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My Scrib'd Library: Featuring Paige Toon, Sheila O'Flangan & Milly Johnson" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jSFhiZUngZctO05_doQb4PAlD7rQ5-Bgc0aMBOp__wAwglANnq3M0v_x6sSV5CPRkyKkNbPYhyphenhyphenx1XX-u1arYbee6JGbPdbXLv-hU0g0tgW28xOZo4ihWzukRbXt8rSGcs23Tbtnu4moy/s1600/blogger-image--101557517.jpg" height="320" title="" width="249" /></a>UI / Plus the Algorithms</h3>
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The UI of Scrib'd truly far surpasses the Kindle App. When I first received my iPad 1, I had both Kobo and Amazon Kindle apps on it. However, the Kobo app was so pretty and I loved the way you moved around it. The Kindle app, just seem so basic and generic when compared to other Reading apps.</div>
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You also can "shop" on the Scrib'd app, where the Amazon app, I guess because iTunes wanted to make it harder for Amazon to compete with the iBooks store, made it really difficult and users have to shop in the browser then go back and my Amazon is still trying to send stuff to a device I never have.</div>
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The Scrib'd UI is so similar in style to that of Kobo, and the ease in which you move around is really nice. I think that Amazon really focused their money on their "kindle Fire" UI and those of us "hardcord apple" users have been kinda left in the dust. It doesn't feel as if Amazon is putting money into making a nice system for us apple folks to use. Where the Scrib'd app really feels really well made.</div>
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I love the books that Scrib'd has selected based on my preferences. Amazon, just isn't fairing well, because their recommendations aren't just Kindle Unlimited, and I have to dig around to find the good ones.</div>
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<h2>
MY VERDICT:</h2>
<div>
Scrib'd right now wins HANDS down! I will probably stick with Scrib'd at least until I've read all that it has to offer. I may end up cancelling my Kindle Unlimtied. For the most part, the books available on Unlimited are usually the lower priced books anyway, the ones I can easily afford. Plus, there really aren't many of the books that I want to read that are at this time being offered. Since, I likely can't see myself paying $20 for two reading apps I will have to make a cut somewhere.</div>
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I'm sorry Kindle Unlimited, unless you change your ways and maybe dress yourself up nicer and show me more of what I want and like, then I think it's time we take a break.... </div>
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<b><i>ON another NOTE:</i></b></div>
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<b><i>I'd love to know how these apps affect my favorite author's pockets... Afterall, I don't want them to be unable to feed their families because I'm using a book service. I want to be able to have a discount, but not at the expense of authors who work hard to give me these delicious stories to escape from my own mundane life....</i></b></div>
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<b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU???</i></b></div>
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<i>Have you subscribed yet to either service?? If you have, which one and why do you love it or hate it? If you are an author, PLEASE tell me you aren't going to starve if I continue this dirty little habit?? I think maybe this is a great vehicle to catch up on a backlog of older stories, but I promise I will continue to purchase your new titles :) Please don't hate me because I'm poor and cheap :)</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-63068235139324475612014-09-24T09:44:00.000-07:002014-09-24T09:44:13.708-07:00Review: First We Take Manhattan by: Colette Caddle<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1849838968/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1849838968&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=3DFJ2HMFSLOSY3IQ"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1849838968&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1849838968" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1849838968/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1849838968&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=3DFJ2HMFSLOSY3IQ">First We Take Manhattan: Colette Caddle</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1849838968" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
First We Take Manhattan:</h2>
<h3>
Synoposis:</h3>
<div>
In First We Take Manhattan, we meet Sinead and her family who are still mourning the loss of her sister Sheila almost a year ago. Sheila, whose body was never found, vanishes into thin air. Leaving behind Philip, her adoring husband; Sinead her identical twin, and Max their brother as well as their dad. </div>
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Sinead, Sheila's twin of course is probably taking the news harder than anyone. A hat designer, who had been in business with Sheila, is finding it hard to find inspiration and struggles with just living. She's shocked into reality when her brother Max (who prepares their finances), informs her that she's going to have to shut down the shop so that she can focus on the "design" aspect of the business or she will lose it all.</div>
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On the otherside of the world Krystie, a talented would-be designer, has just lost her job. With no prospects she knows that there's only one answer: Go home to Ireland with her tail between her legs. Little does Krystie know that this is the answer to her prayers. While she's wasted away years in the "Big City Lights" of New York working as a seamstress, it isn't until she heads back to Ireland that she might just find her true calling.</div>
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<h3>
My Thoughts:</h3>
<div>
I had never had the pleasure of reading any of <a href="http://twitter.com/colettecaddle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Colette Caddle</a>'s work prior to receiving this book. I am so glad that I won this on Facebook and was able to immerse myself inside the fascinating world that Colette Caddle created.</div>
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This book was a lovely story about a family who has been ripped apart by the sudden loss of Sheila. With no body and no hard concrete evidence it makes it hard for this family to move oThe family is stuck between mourning the loss of Sheila to hanging onto the thread of hope that she's still out there. The question is, if Sheila is alive, what could possibly make her want to leave her old life behind.</div>
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Colette Caddle so masterfully told this story. You know, it's hard for me to know exactly what it is that makes me enjoy a particular book so much. This time though, it occured to me what it was that had me so hooked. Ms. Caddle was able to leave an air of mystery throughout the entire book, when you found one piece of the puzzle you discoverd another piece missing. This kept you unable to put it down, wanting to discover the answers to the every unfolding mysteries that were uncovered.</div>
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That's when you know it's a good book, when an author can give you JUST enough information to where you're not feeling exasperated, but you are working out the answers in your own head and SOMETIMES you might be right, but are thrilled when you discover you just THOUGHT you knew. That's how it was for me with this book. There were some elements that it didn't take me long to figure out, or well that I had at some point figured out prior to the answer being displayed.</div>
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Yet, there were other times when I was just DEAD wrong. It happens OCCASSIONALLY that I'm wrong :) I LOVED this book. I loved the characters that Ms. Caddle created and the way she integrated them into the plot. It was a story that felt seamless. It was a relief after some of the books I've read (none that have been reviewed here) where the characters' weren't fully developed and the plots just seemed rushed or there was no "climax". </div>
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In "First We Take Manhattan", you have a lovely story of a family broken, long kept secrets that are uncovered, newfound loves, friendship and self-empowerment and discovering what it is that makes you happy is something we all need to find and hold onto if and when we find it.</div>
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This is a DEFINITE 5 star book! I cannot reitterate how much I loved this lovely, lovely story! It doesn't appear to yet be available on Kindle, however it doesn't take that long to order and receive it from the UK or Ireland! I got this book within a week of winning it! If you haven't ever read Irish or UK literature / chick lit, I'm telling you that there's something so thrilling about the way these women tell stories! I have found myself searching for new Irish and UK authors when my favs have all been read!</div>
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<h3>
To purchase this on Amazon:</h3>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1849838968/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1849838968&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=3DFJ2HMFSLOSY3IQ"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1849838968&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1849838968" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1849838968/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1849838968&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=3DFJ2HMFSLOSY3IQ">First We Take Manhattan: Colette Caddle</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1849838968" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>To Connect to Colette Caddle:</b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ColetteCaddleBooks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">On Facebook</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><a href="http://twitter.com/colettecaddle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/203854.Colette_Caddle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GoodReads</a></div>
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Thanks</h3>
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Thanks again for tuning into my little ol' site! I hope that you've enjoyed this review! If you have, I would love to hear your thoughts on this book or if you plan to purchase it!</div>
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<i><b>*** This book was won in a giveaway on Facebook!</b></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-79579039447077566442014-09-19T09:11:00.002-07:002014-09-19T09:26:28.057-07:00The Stolen Girl by Renita DSilva: Book Review<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MUKRH9U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MUKRH9U&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=XV6ZLLJJ3V6N6WEB"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00MUKRH9U&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00MUKRH9U" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MUKRH9U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MUKRH9U&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=XV6ZLLJJ3V6N6WEB">The Stolen Girl: Renita D'Silva</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00MUKRH9U" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><i>BEHIND:</i></b></div>
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To those who follow me, let me please apologize to you for falling behind on my Book Reviews. There are so many new and exciting things taken place and I'm struggling trying to find balance to it all. I truly appreciate those of you who take the time to read my posts.</div>
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I am trying desperately to find a balance to everything! So, I appreciate your patience with me. I promise to try to be more consistent with SassyGalReads. It is my first love.</div>
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The Stolen Girl: Renita D'Silva</h3>
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I actually came across this book, almost by pure chance. I had seen the cover and liked it and commented about how much I liked it and was given the opportunity to review it! Sometimes, being a book reviewer can really be one of the coolest things! </div>
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This book is a little different than most of my "happy go lucky" chick-lit. In "The Stolen Girl", we meet Diya, a 13 year old girl who shortly after the book begins, discovers that her "mother" has been arrested for kidnapping her. She is "The Stolen Girl". Diya, who has always had an extremely close relationship and attachment to her mother, is devestated. The life that she's known is no more.</div>
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Of course, questions flood through her mind. She's stuck between protecting the mother she's known her whole life, and questioning the foundation of all she's ever known.</div>
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Aarti, the mom who has spent the past nearly 13 years searching for a lost child, is all at once filled with relief as well as hurt when Diya doesn't form the instant bond she always imagined they would have. </div>
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Then there's Vani, the one who has raised Diya her whole life, the one now facing kidnapping charges and deportation from England (where she fled) back to India where the crime was committed.</div>
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But things aren't always as they seem. "The Stolen Girl" bounces back from present day to the past some twenty or so years to present day. </div>
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This is a story about friendship, love, forsaking yourself. It's also a story about some bigger topics, topics that are so serious and make you realize and appreciate the freedom we all enjoy. It's a story about our possessions, the people that we hold dear and how we treat them. How sometimes those we love are the ones that we hurt the most, how we try to possess those and hold on too tight, and how sometimes that's the very thing that pushes them away. The author handled these subjects so gorgeously. Her work is beautiful and touching.</div>
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When I first opened the pages, the way that it was written took some getting used to. Like a lot of books, I read it and then put it down because I didn't think I was going to be able to "get into it". However, I'm glad I picked it back up, because this TRULY was an awe inspring book. The story was captivating. I found myself unable to pull away from the story. It's part mystery, part love, and part betrayl.</div>
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The lives of these three women will never be the same. It's a story about forgiveness, and learning how to love. This is a book I would love to just gab about and share all the delicious bits, but I can't find a way to do so, without giving the essential parts away. It's a story that has some twists and turns that you don't expect.</div>
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Renita D'Silva, this is the first time I've experienced her writing, but she truly has been blessed with the gift of story telling. She knows how to draw the reader in and keep them interested. For someone like me, who has a very hard time finding new authors and new books that can captivate my attention, I appreciate when I can find an author that is able to draw me into the story and make me forget where I am, and lose myself inside the pages of story.</div>
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I literally bawled my eyes out while reading this book. While it's different than most stories, it was a nice change of pace and sometimes I find that I need to break the monotany of what I'm used to. If you love a good and truly touching story that has some mysterious elements this would be a good book for you! I truly hope that if your reading this, you will consider giving this book a chance.</div>
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It really is a book that needs to be read. If you have read this book, I would love to hear your thoughts on it! What books are you usually drawn to, do you ever go beyond your normal "genre"? I find that I have a hard time wanting to leave my happy chick lit genre, but I realize if I confine myself within one genre, I can truly miss out on some exceptional writing, story telling.</div>
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This is TRULY a 5 star book. </div>
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NOTE:</h3>
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<i>I'll be extremely honest, I have struggled to post reviews on books that I don't find truly exceptional. It's so hard for me to publish 3 stars and below, because I feel so bad and dont' want to hurt those author's feelings. However, I realize that as a book reviewer it is my duty if I want to be taken seriously to commit myself to sharing the good, the bad and the ugly with my readers.</i></div>
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<i>So, I am going to promise you from this day forward, even if I don't like a book all that much, I will begin to publish the reviews of ALL my findings. </i></div>
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<i>If you are a blogger, was it hard for you to publish reviews that were sometimes "less than stellar" performances by the author? How do you handle those situations?</i></div>
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** I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my OWN, in no way does it effect my critique or rating.</div>
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Connect:</h3>
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<i><b>Follow Renita D'Silva: </b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RenitaDSilvaBooks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">On Facebook</a></b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="https://twitter.com/RenitaDSilva" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">On Twitter</a></b></i></div>
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To Purchase: $2.99 ON KINDLE!</h4>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MUKRH9U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MUKRH9U&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=XV6ZLLJJ3V6N6WEB"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00MUKRH9U&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00MUKRH9U" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MUKRH9U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MUKRH9U&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=XV6ZLLJJ3V6N6WEB">The Stolen Girl: Renita D'Silva</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00MUKRH9U" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-91624512923382214152014-09-08T15:54:00.002-07:002014-09-08T15:54:26.729-07:00Birchbox Bloggers Book Club: Mindy Kaling (AUGUST)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bh2crj0wKrU/VA4gONQ2iuI/AAAAAAAAK_8/1VDMftz3Yis/s1600/blogger-image--1898754448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Mindy Kaling Birchbox August Book Club Review" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bh2crj0wKrU/VA4gONQ2iuI/AAAAAAAAK_8/1VDMftz3Yis/s1600/blogger-image--1898754448.jpg" height="320" title="" width="262" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://birchbox.com/refer/sassygal" target="_blank">BIRCHBOX:</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><i>Birchbox is a beauty subscription service that costs just $10/ monthly and subscribers receive 5 deluxe sized samples ranging from Haircare to Skincare to Cosmetics. They also have a wonderful point system, in which subscribers can earn "birchbox points" to spend in their HUGE store, that has all kinds of fun stuff!</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i><b>Birchbox Book Club:</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i><i>Just recently, I believe in June, they started having a monthly book club. This month's selection was Mindy Kaling's book, "</i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JN1D3M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004JN1D3M&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=LTSNC77HK3J6TGH2">Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004JN1D3M" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
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<b><i>BETTER LATE THAN NEVER:</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>So, for those of you who read my blog often, may have noticed that I have added a ton to my plate. I've also been doing a ton of product reviews. So, it's really taking some getting organized to learn to balance everything from my Book Blog to my Beauty Blog as well as my money maker "Selling jewelry". It's really a hit or miss thing for me to try to figure out how to get everything accomplished. I see other folks posting maybe 3 or 4 blog posts a day and am amazed at how wonderfully organized they must be!!<br />
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OK SO ON TO THE BOOK!<br />
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This book is a bit of a departure for my normal style of reading. I tend to read mainly chick-lit fiction. However, I truly did love this book.<br />
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It's a perfect book, for times when you don't have a lot of time to invest in a "story". As it's mainly a book filled with lots of little stories. The book was filled with lots of tid bits about Mindy Kaling's life! Told through the mouth of Mindy, she can make even the most ordinary event sound hilarious.<br />
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The opening page, had me dying with laughter. She definitely has a unqiue voice and a different perspective than a lot. She doesn't seem to take herself too seriously and is able to "poke fun" at herself, which is always good for a laugh.<br />
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*** Excerpt taken from: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JN1D3M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004JN1D3M&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=LTSNC77HK3J6TGH2">Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns</a><br />
<i>Thank you for buying this book. Or, if my publisher's research analytics are correct, thank you, Aunts of America, for buying this for your niece you don't know that well but really want to connect with more. There are many teenage vampire books you could have purchased instead. I'm grateful you made this choice.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>With an opening like that, how could it be anything BUT fun! She also responds to the question: <i>"Is this one of those guide books celebrities write for girls?, with: Oh, Hell no. I'm only marginally qualified to be giving advice at all. My BMI is certainly not idea, I frequently use my debit card to buy things that cost less than three dollars because I never have cash on me, and my bedroom is so untidy it looks like vandals ransacked the Antrhopologie Sale section. I'm kind of a mess.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>She definitely was able to push back the "celebrity Mindy" and make us feel as if she's just one of the girls. I mean, sure she's been on several sit-com's and movies, but she's just like us... Only not.<br />
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If you like light hearted books, that are fun with several little stories within, this is a book you would definitely enjoy. I really enjoyed her writing style and her humor. Anyone who can so eloquently laugh at themselves, is alright in my book.<br />
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There's a Best Friend's Right and Responsbilities Section for the important things Best Friend's should do for one anohter. Things like, borrowing ALL your clothes (That's a given), be honest about how you look (GENTLY), trying to like ones' boyfriend, being there when your depressed.<br />
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She goes on to tell about her time on The Office, and how she got the role of Kelly Kapoor. She basically gives us an inside look inside the mind of Mindy Kaling, along with some of the background on how she became the successful actress, but how she maintains to be just a "normal" girl who happens to be a Hollywood star.<br />
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I'm so not a nonfiction person, for the most part. So, for a book that's nonfiction to hold my interest, it really takes an interesting and unique approach, and Mindy Kaling, certainly had that in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JN1D3M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004JN1D3M&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=LTSNC77HK3J6TGH2">Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns</a>. It's a book, I would definitely recommend to other folks! It's a great GIFT book, as she so jokingly put it, it really is. It's a book you could keep in your ahem "bathroom" for those times that you might be there for a little longer than usual.<br />
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I totally give this a Sassy Gal FIVE star rating! It was so much fun, yet infomrative, it didn't have me nodding off as some books have been known to do! It's a book that I think I could read, and reRead and get something a bit different each time.<br />
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TO follow Mindy on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/mindykaling" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mindy on Twitter</a><br />
To learn more about Birchbox or to subscribe: <a href="https://www.birchbox.com/shop/referral/share/?raf=sassygal" target="_blank">Birchbox.com</a><br />
Follow Birchbox: <a href="http://twitter.com/birchbox" target="_blank">Birchbox on Twitter</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>To purchase this book:</i></b></span><br />
<b><i>Just $4.99 on Kindle!</i></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JN1D3M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004JN1D3M&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=LTSNC77HK3J6TGH2"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B004JN1D3M&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004JN1D3M" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JN1D3M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004JN1D3M&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=LTSNC77HK3J6TGH2">Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004JN1D3M" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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Did you read the August Birchbox book club selection? If so, what did you think of Mindy Kaling's book and how would you rate it against other Non-Fiction works?<br />
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Thanks for once again tuning into another post! I hope that you weren't bored to tears and maybe even learned something! I would love to hear from you! I like to know I'm not talking to myself!! So maybe just a comment that says: Yup, I was here, would be nice :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-80766195730520315352014-08-31T14:11:00.000-07:002014-08-31T14:11:50.346-07:00My Top Ten Favorite Books<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Challenge Accepted:</b></span><br />
<b><i>A fellow blogger challenged me to list my top ten favorite books. It's a hard list to make, but I'm going to try with all my heart to put together some of my top favorite books! I'm going to try to be a tad versatile and really dig deep with this one!</i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">The American Favs...</span></i></b><br />
<i>I am probably best known for my love of all things Irish / Uk chick lit. However, I DO have some favorites that are American as well!</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013TX6GM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013TX6GM&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=KWB6GDNZWKHYEDGR" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0013TX6GM&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><b></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013TX6GM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013TX6GM&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=KWB6GDNZWKHYEDGR" style="font-weight: normal;">The Ex-Debutante</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0013TX6GM" height="1" style="border: none !important; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></b><br />
<b>LINDA FRANCIS LEE </b><br />
Linda Francis Lee writes quintessential southern royalty type chick-lit. Her characters are so fun, yet are in a totally different income bracket as myself and I personally haven't experienced the same southern life as her characters, but it's fun to delve into the "Southern High-Society" and escape my own existence for a period!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NLKZI2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001NLKZI2&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=RPR6ZOO4I65PGLZA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B001NLKZI2&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001NLKZI2" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NLKZI2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001NLKZI2&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=RPR6ZOO4I65PGLZA">The Fixer Upper</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001NLKZI2" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b>Mary Kay Andrews</b><br />
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Mary Kay Andrews is one of my all time favorite authors, it doesn't hurt that she's a southern girl. But her books are truly, truly delightful. She has such a fun sense of humor and her characters are always flawed in some way, which I always love!<br />
The Fixer Upper was one of the first books I read and I loved the whole "restoration" aspect to the storyline. Mary Kay Andrews is always a go-to author for me!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F1W0DF4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00F1W0DF4&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=BNZSG7L7R7XXNNPO" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00F1W0DF4&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00F1W0DF4" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F1W0DF4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00F1W0DF4&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=BNZSG7L7R7XXNNPO">The One & Only: A Novel</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00F1W0DF4" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<br />
<b>EMILY GIFFIN</b><br />
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I LOVE Emily Giffin, she's definitely an all time favorite "Chick-Lit" author for me. I first read "Something Borrowed", long before it became a movie. Most of her books have been around big cities, but I liked the southern "small-town" setting and of course the predominance that SEC football played in her newest book, "The One & Only", being from the south College Football is our life. It's in our blood. I'm from Alabama, where you must declare a side at birth: University of Alabama aka. Roll TIDE or Auburn aka War Eagle. I am on the ROLL TIDE side, the WINNERS side....<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ENBLOK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002ENBLOK&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=IPHITTGORUKL3I7U" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B002ENBLOK&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002ENBLOK" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ENBLOK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002ENBLOK&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=GOYLR6SSGJY3GJFG">Best Friends Forever: A Novel</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002ENBLOK" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b>Jennifer Weiner</b><br />
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Jennifer Weiner is another American author I discovered shortly after my love affair with all things chick lit started. All of her books are so different, and yet all told with a wonderful sense of humor. In " Best Friends Forever", we have two friends who have been seperated by time and distance suddenly reunited when once friend suddenly has a HUGE favor to ask. It's a story about how old wounds sometimes take a long time to heal, and how we can unknowingly be hurtful to those who we are supposed to be closest to. Jennifer Weiner is a truly talented author. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Notable Mentions:</b></span><br />
These are some authors that are not quite as well known, but that I've recently read and discovered to be little hidden gems. Their work truly is on par with the big boy's and I truly have high hopes that other's will discover these fabulous authors!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MBM40G0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MBM40G0&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=QLBNYL3GY5IRFF4M" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00MBM40G0&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MBM40G0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MBM40G0&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=QLBNYL3GY5IRFF4M">The Dating Mr Darcy Trilogy: Prada and Prejudice / Love and Liability / Mansfield Lark</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00MBM40G0" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<b>Katie Oliver</b><br />
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So, I haven't read this particular book, but chose it because had it been available when I purchased "Prada and Prejudice", I definitely would have picked this. It contains three of Ms. Oliver's books. I have only had the chance to read "Prada and Prejudice", but I can tell you that she definitely has a fun and witty rapport. I have the other two on my "must read" list. I'll probably end up buying the triology when I go to buy another book! When I first read Katie Oliver, I have to admit, I thought she was another of my new fav UK authors, I was DELIGHTED to discover that nope, she's an US girl too! I get really excited to find new American authors who are up an coming and Katie Oliver definitely is one to watch!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MGX53RY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MGX53RY&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=FBLUSZ37VLSZYE5L" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00MGX53RY&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00MGX53RY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MGX53RY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MGX53RY&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=FBLUSZ37VLSZYE5L">Pie Girls</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00MGX53RY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b>Lauren Clark</b><br />
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I recently did a <a href="http://sassygalreads.blogspot.com/2014/08/lauren-clark-pie-girls-book-review.html" target="_blank">review</a> on Pie Girls. I luckily stumbled across another blogger who was highlighting Miss Clark, and when I discovered that she was a Bama/ Dixie girl like me, I had to give her a go! This was a really fun book! A book about a small town girl turned BIG city girl turned small town girl again. LOL It was a really fun southern chick-lit read. I also have her other book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0082205JY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0082205JY&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=GO52CWIL4X3WRYQI">Dancing Naked in Dixie</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0082205JY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and was working on reading it, when I had some other books come in that I had promised to review. I do have it still beside me waiting and calling for me to open it back up..... I also purchased another one of her books,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0062AHODI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0062AHODI&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=IR2K7ZCWMWFPVGD3">Stay Tuned</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0062AHODI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> that is currently awaiting me on my Kindle! Lauren Clark is a mixture of Mary Kay Andrews mixed in with a little bit of Linda Francis Lee. I really hope that she can find some mainstream success in the world of Chick-Lit! One of the benefits to us readers for these unfound treasures, is we can find these books at a STEAL of a price! I believe, the most expensive book is only $2.99!!!! NOT BAD AT ALL, even a poor girl from Bama like me can afford them prices.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Over the Seas Favs....</b></span><br />
<b><i>So, anyone whom has read any of my posts, I'm certain is aware of my fascination bordering on obsession with all things UK and Irish chick lit. I love the style writing of these delightful authors! </i></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QGYWC6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004QGYWC6&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=AWHMFKG3F5DBP2Q5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B004QGYWC6&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QGYWC6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004QGYWC6&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=AWHMFKG3F5DBP2Q5">Practically Perfect: A Novel</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004QGYWC6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<b>Katie Fforde</b><br />
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If I'm being honest, Katie Fforde all of Katie Fforde books are my favorites, so choosing just one is a hard task. However, I decided to choose Practically Perfect, as it's one I haven't really talked much about. All of Katie Fforde books have a theme of friendship, and starting over and restoration. <br />
In Practically Perfect, we meet Anna an interior designer, whom has just purchased a ramshackle of a home and is in the process of restoring it on her own. It's got Katie Fforde's signature style and warmth that fills each and every of her books! You could play the enimanyminimo game with your eyes closed picking one of her books, and it's still going to be a great selection! She's definitely on my top five list of ALL TIME favorite authors!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00348UN34/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00348UN34&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=WQDKV25736EGCIAH" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00348UN34&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004QGYWC6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00348UN34/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00348UN34&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=WQDKV25736EGCIAH">Miranda's Big Mistake</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00348UN34" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b>Jill Mansell</b><br />
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Another of my all time favorites, there were many books I could have chosen. I would have chosen Solo, the book I just read by Jill Mansell, but as it's not available on Kindle at present, I thought I'd give my readers a quick option! Miranda's Big Mistake is about Miranda a girl who works in a salon and is always giving stuff away. Unbeknownst to Miranda she unwittingly finds that her generosity has garnered the attention of a local documentary. The story is filled with Jill Mansell's humor and her lovely characters she always seems to be able to create. She's brilliant at creating worlds in which we would all love to submerse ourselves in.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006CJNIVQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006CJNIVQ&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=JNWCAOEASIHW7GKQ" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B006CJNIVQ&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006CJNIVQ" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006CJNIVQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006CJNIVQ&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=JNWCAOEASIHW7GKQ">White Wedding</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006CJNIVQ" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b>Milly Johnson</b><br />
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I could have chosen any of Milly Johnson's wonderful stories, however I chose White Wedding, because it truly is one of my favorites. All of Milly Johnson's books have beautiful friendship based themes in idyllic type surroundings. White Wedding is about three strangers who meet and bond at a local wedding shop. Each with their own stories and their own drama filled lives, we get to experience and learn of each one of these women lives. I love Milly Johnson's style of writing. All of her books, I'm barely able to pull myself away and find myself immersed inside the world she creates.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IJA0UUI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IJA0UUI&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=3YXD22WKHRZLS65E" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00IJA0UUI&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00IJA0UUI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IJA0UUI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IJA0UUI&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=3YXD22WKHRZLS65E">A Place to Call Home</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00IJA0UUI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b>Carole Matthews</b><br />
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Recently, I <a href="http://sassygalreads.blogspot.com/search?q=Carole+matthews" target="_blank">reviewed </a>this book, and it truly is a fantastic read. A bit on the heavier side than most chick-lit. Carole Matthews still was able to mix a heavy subject with some lighthearted fun. She so expertly created a wonderful balance with no minimizing the seriousness of the subject at hand, but also maintaining the light air feel that we find ourselves drawn to the world of chick-lit. In A Place to Call Home, we are met with issues of domestic violence and starting over. While it's a fictional tale, it's one that unfortunately rings true for far too many women. Carole Matthews did an excellent job of mixing the two worlds together.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Notable Mentions:</b></span><br />
These are a couple of other favorites, that I wanted to definitely include!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DFNI5XS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DFNI5XS&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=KJYEEQMVUVAZJIAC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00DFNI5XS&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00DFNI5XS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DFNI5XS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DFNI5XS&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=KJYEEQMVUVAZJIAC">Moody not Broody: to breed or not to breed? THAT is the question.</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00DFNI5XS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b>Kathryn Player</b><br />
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This is another independent author, that I recently discovered through Twitter. This is Kathryn Player's debut novel and it was definitely a HILARIOUS one! In Moody not Broody we meet a wonderful cast of characters who are all mostly teachers. Emma, our heroine of the story, has been married for a year and suddenly feels suffocated by the realization that her husband expects babies. The story is all about her NOT wanting a baby and delivers us some hilarious scenes! It's such a fun book and I really recommend it to those who love a good humorous book! This book had me doubling over laughing!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0755378431/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0755378431&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=TMB5CTX7LTHRAAD4" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0755378431&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0755378431" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0755378431/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0755378431&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=TMB5CTX7LTHRAAD4">Things We Never Say</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0755378431" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b>Sheila O'Flanagan</b><br />
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This was truly a wonderful story. I've read a few of Sheila O'Flanagan's books and they always manage to capture my attention and keep me unable to do anything until I've devoured every word. <br />
Ms. O'Flanagan is an Irish Best Selling author, so she's not an independent author, but she's not quite as well known in the states, although she truly needs to be! If you ever have a chance to pick up on of her books, I strongly urge you to do so!!<br />
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<i>Most of these books are available for download on Kindle. However, there may be a couple that have to be ordered and shipped from overseas. I hope that you've enjoyed my TOP TEN list, I would love to hear back from you and find out what you love to read!! There are so many talented authors and this list in no way encompasses all of the authors I truly love and admire!</i><br />
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<i>Let me know your favorites!</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-87741507346483975702014-08-25T11:53:00.002-07:002014-08-25T11:53:45.063-07:00Book Review: Lynda Renham's "The Dog's Bollock's"<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EUIFF6W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00EUIFF6W&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=KT6UAR6NWNKC7GRN"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00EUIFF6W&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00EUIFF6W" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EUIFF6W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00EUIFF6W&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=KT6UAR6NWNKC7GRN">The Dog's BoIIocks (A Romantic Comedy)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00EUIFF6W" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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By: <a href="http://twitter.com/lyndarenham" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lynda Renham</a></div>
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<b>The Dog's Bollocks (Formerly Titled: The Valentine Present & Other Diabolical Liberties)</b></div>
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I have seen Lynda Renham's books before on Amazon in my quest for ALL things UK ! I have even purchased a book previously ( <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BD2PSRE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BD2PSRE&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=TLCXXGI7M3LJSQF4">Pink Wellies and Flat Caps - A Romantic Comedy</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00BD2PSRE" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> ), and am sad to say that I never had taken the time to read it. I had read the sample portion, but as anyone whom has read this blog previously knows, I have a really serious ADD issue that honestly hinders my ability to focus at times. I get so easily sidetracked, which has made being a consistent blogger a bit of a challenge for me. Honestly, consistency in anything is a tad bit of a problem for me. ANYWAY.......<br />
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The fact that I didn't read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BD2PSRE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BD2PSRE&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=TLCXXGI7M3LJSQF4">Pink Wellies and Flat Caps - A Romantic Comedy</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00BD2PSRE" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> has nothing at all to do with my Lynda Renham's talent as a writer, just my own failure as a reader. OK, so onto the book I HAVE read to completion.<br />
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I won an original copy (The Valentine Present & Other Diabolical Liberties- hereinafter called The Dog's Bollocks.) through her launch of her newest book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M58UV40/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00M58UV40&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=NVUEQRWDDRKKIOV3">Rory's Proposal (A Romantic Comedy)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00M58UV40" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> event that she recently held on Facebook. I was so excited to win, and even more excited to read this book. I sometimes do better with physical books, versus Kindle editions for some reason.<br />
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In The Dog's Bollocks, we have a truly fun cast of characters. Even the villains (The "Jacks') are deliciously fun! Our heroine of the story is Harriet, currently employed at the local laundrette, but with ambitions of being a certified nurse. In the opening of the story we meet Julian and the "Valentine's (the Jacks'). Right away we see that Julian is in a spot of trouble with the notorious "Jacks". It seems that Julian took out a loan and was also paying for "protection" for his French restaurant.<br />
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Harriet, who is completely oblivious to Julian's troubles, is waiting for Julian at a wedding. Of course, he never appears, because he has fled as far as possible now fearing for his life. At this wedding Harriet encounters two tall dark and handsome men. Brice, whom Harriet feels an instant attraction to; as well as Hamilton whom Harriet feels an instant disliking. Harriet seems to have made an impression on both young men.<br />
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Harriet, and her best friend Fiona and Fiona's boyfriend (with a terrible stuttering problem), Alistair find Harriet's apartment ransacked and no sign of Harriet's boyfriend Julian. When Harriet, finally does reach Julian she finds that all of her money as well as her van she signed for have been taken by the Jacks' and finds that she's now in massive debt and must find a sum of nearly 50,000 pounds to get herself out of debt and to pay of Julian's debts to keep all of his limbs intact.<br />
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<b>An Indecent Proposal of Sorts:</b><br />
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Meanwhile Hamilton, one of the tall dark and handsome men from the wedding, is having his own crisis. It seems his grandmother is dying and is about to cut he and his family out of her will. Margarita (Hamilton's grandmother) seems to not be so fond of Hamilton's current choice of future bride. Out of desperation to save his inheritance he tells an outrageous lie that he has met and is soon to be married to another woman. Desperate times and all that he finds himself remembering that girl from the wedding. He then goes to make her an offer she cannot refuse.<br />
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This offer begins a week full of hijinks, drama and fun. This literally was a non-stop comedic ride! <br />
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<b>The Characters:</b><br />
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This book was told with such fun humor and in such a way that I honestly could envision the whole thing as a movie. It was one thing after another.<br />
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You have Harriet and Julian who are currently in "it" deep, Hamilton and his snobbery of a family, Fiona and Alistair (the bumbbbbling mess at times), and The Jacks'. Ms. Renham truly created a wonderful group of characters who were fun to get to know and to go on their crazy wild week with them. <br />
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Ms. Renham was so perfectly adept at creating such vivid imagery in the reader's minds it was easy to imagine it all in my head and seeing it come to life. It's not often in any book I read where I envision the whole plot as a movie, but I truly did with this book!<br />
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This was a definite winner! A big huge 5 STARS!! ***** I honestly can't wait to read my next Lynda Renham book!<br />
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<b>Buy the Book:</b><br />
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This book, as well as all of Lynda Renham's book are available for a low price on Amazon Kindle! Starting at $1.59 - $4.99, her books are definitely affordable whatever your budget! I urge my readers to give this comedic author a shot and just try one of her books! If you like comedy, I promise you will love her books!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EUIFF6W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00EUIFF6W&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=KT6UAR6NWNKC7GRN" style="text-align: center;">The Dog's BoIIocks (A Romantic Comedy)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00EUIFF6W" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; text-align: center;" width="1" /> $3.49 on Kindle<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M58UV40/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00M58UV40&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=NVUEQRWDDRKKIOV3">Rory's Proposal (A Romantic Comedy)</a> $4.99 on Kindle (This is her most recently published book!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BD2PSRE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BD2PSRE&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=TLCXXGI7M3LJSQF4">Pink Wellies and Flat Caps - A Romantic Comedy</a> $1.49 on Kindle<br />
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<b>To Connect to Author Lynda Renham:</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/581071718681918/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming" target="_blank">Lynda Renham's Event" Fun Page"</a></b><br />
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<a href="http://twitter.com/lyndarenham" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">On Twitter</a><br />
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Have you read any of Ms. Renham's book? Do you enjoy humorous fiction, if so which is your favorite??<br />
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Thanks so much for taking time to read my review of "The Dog's Bollocks". I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you will consider giving it a try! Thanks again! Until next time!!!<br />
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<b><i>Don't forget to enter my giveaway!</i></b><br />
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<b><i><a href="http://sassygalreads.blogspot.com/2014/08/lavender-english-rose-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Link to: Lavender/ English Rose Giveaway</a></i></b><br />
<b>(I also have a giveaway on my Sassy Gal Beauty site!)</b><br />
<b><a href="http://sassygalbeauty.blogspot.com/2014/08/instagram-sassygalbeauty-500-follower.html" target="_blank">Sassy Gal Beauty: IG 500 Follower GA</a></b><br />
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<i>** Please note: All of the winner's entries will be validated. So please, if you do not wish to participate in a task, just skip it! Not all tasks are mandatory!! Only liking my FB page is mandatory, all other entries are completely optional.</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-37303801242747908722014-08-23T18:20:00.000-07:002014-08-23T18:20:08.139-07:00Lavender / English Rose Giveaway<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lavender / English Rose Giveaway</h4>
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I enjoyed my last giveaway so much, I decided maybe to do another one!! This contest IS open to international. However, if the winner is not in US, they will receive a $10 GC to either Amazon or Book Depository (My Choice). This is not a sponsored giveaway, but a giveaway that I, myself am paying for. I love my international friends and fellow bloggers, however, due to the expenses of last international giveaway, I cannot afford to ship internationally. In the event the winner is international, I will then choose another winner for the physical prize. </div>
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US PRIZE: (1) Gift Basket containing Lavender Sachet's PLUS (1) Book by Donna Kauffman: The Black Sheep & The English Rose</div>
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Thanks for entering! AND GOOD LUCK!</div>
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<b>Giveaway: 8/24 - 8/31</b></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1457f50e4/" id="rc-1457f50e4" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-84464277983162729792014-08-20T23:41:00.001-07:002014-08-20T23:41:23.110-07:00REVIEW: The Unpredictable Consequences of Love by: Jill Mansell<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz_GfV6Toh6NItZKLTPSSL7Ti1lpS8JCe1EpnOxQrM1TR9NG1TfWouZW249HMrvGdJD3oKSENDyHy4B5n_dAovhbhDNRzOp9IzDHWmTi4bLZCbSJS9bcE8ThQmWoil8WeYpvTxfVU28RO/s1600/jillmanselllove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Unpredictable Consequences of Love" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz_GfV6Toh6NItZKLTPSSL7Ti1lpS8JCe1EpnOxQrM1TR9NG1TfWouZW249HMrvGdJD3oKSENDyHy4B5n_dAovhbhDNRzOp9IzDHWmTi4bLZCbSJS9bcE8ThQmWoil8WeYpvTxfVU28RO/s1600/jillmanselllove.jpg" height="320" title="" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0755355911/?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&condition=new&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&qid=1408601378&sr=1-1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=YU2XQRKSKR6REYCH" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">The Unpredictable Consequences of Love</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">: </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> By Jill Mansell</span></div>
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Jill Mansell is among my all time favorite authors. She is at the top of the league in what she does. I absolutely adore her quirky characters, she has a way of making them each come to life. I love how the women in her books tend to be strong characters, while not perfect, they usually have a very good sense of self. When reading a Jill Mansell book I become transfixed, I feel as if I'm part of the book. Another character on the sidelines watching the drama unfolw.</div>
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When I read books by Miss Mansell, I envision these quaint little villages nestled among beautiful rolling green hills (maybe I have England confused with like Ireland or something, please forgive me as I've never traveled abroad and only have my imagination or films to give me my imagery). I even created a Pinterest board to make these places come to life even more for myself.</div>
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Unpredictable Consequences of Love is Jill Mansell's newest novel. It felt like ages waiting for it to arrive from the UK! I so desperately wanted to sink my teeth in!!</div>
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In "Consequences", the story is set in the beautiful seaside town of St.Cary's. Like most of Jill Mansell's books there are a wonderful array of characters within the pages. The story mainly seems to be surrounding a family hotel. The hotel run by Josh and his grandmothe (Dot), is the backdrop for a lot of the drama that unfolds within the book.</div>
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Josh has just recently returned to St. Cary's leaving the exciting world as "Rockstar Manager". Being fired by the up and coming band he had helped to nourish and help them to rise their star, he's a bit on the tense side and doesn't seem all that happy to be back in St. Cary's.</div>
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Josh is immediately taken with Sophie Wells, a local and independent photographer, and is completely taken back by Sophie's seemingly indifference to his pursuits. Josh, whom isn't quite used to women turning him down, becomes a tad obsessed with Sophie and feels that there is more than meets the eye.</div>
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Sophie Wells who is determined to remain single for the rest of her remaining days,is at first able to resist Josh's persistence. However, after awhile, she finds her resistence starting to slip. However, Sophie's past keeps her from giving in and continues to shoot Josh down at every turn. </div>
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Tula, Sophie's closest friend, finds herself without a job and comes to St. Cary's to find work. She soon finds employment at Josh's family hotel. While Sophie is adamant to resist Josh's advances, Tula finds herself captivated by the young hotel owner. She has a desperate crush, that is unfortunately not reciprocated. Instead Tula has meanwhile caught the eye of local "playboy" Riley. Tula fines Riley, however handsome, not a boy to be taken seriously. She wants a man with ambition and Riley is seriously lacking.<br />
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I know, I could just keep going about these wonderfully delicious characters and their plots. Jill Mansell knows how to juggle multiple characters simultaneously and how to weave their stories together so they fit like a perfectly made quilted blanket. <br />
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This story has a perfect love triangle. Riley who wants Tula, Tula who wants Josh, Josh who wants Sophie and Sophie who wants... Well Sophie wants no one. There's something in Sophie's past that has paralyzed Sophie emotionally. <br />
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It's been a little over a week since I read this book. Yet, the details and all the drama just keeps flooding back and I can still feel the excitement I felt when I read and page by page was immersed inside the lives of Sophie, Josh, Tula, Riley, Dot, Marguerite (Riley's aunt who is also a famous best selling author), and Josh's grandfather. <br />
There are so many layers to this story, it's like peeling back an onion only to discover yet another added layer. Jill Mansell created such a wonderful cast of characters with a deliciously juicy storyline. This is what keeps her among my favorites. I laughed, I cried, I got mad. This book will make you feel every emotion possible. This is a definite read for ANY chick-lit fan!!! <br />
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DEFINITE FIVE STARS!!! ***** 5 STARS LOL! This book was definitely worth the wait!!<br />
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To Connect with Jill Mansell: <a href="http://twitter.com/jillmansell" target="_blank">Jill Mansell on Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialJillMansell?ref=br_tf" target="_blank">Jill Mansell on FB</a><br />
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To Purchase: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0755355911/?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&condition=new&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&qid=1408601378&sr=1-1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=YU2XQRKSKR6REYCH" style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;" target="_blank">The Unpredictable Consequences of Love</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-75651566738285233962014-08-19T21:43:00.000-07:002014-08-19T21:43:16.966-07:00Book Review: Katie Fforde The Perfect Match<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/184605656X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=184605656X&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=N6T5BWYLUYQ3G55Y"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=184605656X&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=184605656X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/184605656X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=184605656X&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=N6T5BWYLUYQ3G55Y">The Perfect Match by: Katie Fforde</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=184605656X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Katie Fforde: The Perfect Match</i></b></span></div>
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<b><i>Another fabulous read, from one of UK's premier authors!</i></b></div>
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Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm addicted. TO UK Chick lit! I know I must sound like a broken record on repeat, going on and on about the fabulousness that is UK Literature. As most of my readers know, I am a recovering addict. I spent eight years fighting for custody of my children and to be honest finding authors such as Katie Fforde, truly helped me to escape the pain I was dealing with on a personal level. </div>
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The unique sense of humor, the cozy warm feeling I get opening one of Ms. Ffforde's books, is so unlike anything I've read from the US. I always describe Katie Fforde's books like a warm, cozy blanket you can snuggle up with. It makes me feel safe. Like the world is a good place and everyone can have their happy ending, if they choose to.</div>
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<b>THE BOOK:</b></div>
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I am proud to say, I have now read EVERY book to date written by Ms. Ffforde. Most of her books I've read twice and some even three times. And believe me, I usually am not a person who can re-read a book. There are times, no matter how brilliant the book I just can't seem to "get into it" and yet I'm dying to read to be taken to another time and place and that's when I turn to Katie Fforde. No matter how many times I've read Restoring Grace or Flora's Lot, I can always count on them to take me to a whole other world filled with possibility and hope.</div>
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In "The Perfect Match" we fall in love with our heroine, "Bella Castle", an estate agent who has escaped a heartache and moved in with her godmother. Bella has now been with her boyfriend, Nevil (also her boss) for I believe two years (I'm crap at remembering details). Bella is pretty satisfied with her life, she loves her job, she adores sharing house with her godmother, and she loves her friends.</div>
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However, things turn upside down. One day while visiting a friend / client, Bella encounters the past she thought she had fleed so long ago. Now the past is standing right in front of her. Dominic, while not exactly an ex, is definitely an old flame. With Dominique back on the scene, and Nevil acting quite strange lately Bella's world is turned upside down and she doesn't know which way to go.</div>
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Nevil, Bella's boyfriend, has been more than a little preoccupied lately. He's started having secretive phone calls, and spending weekend's "working" and being altogether unavailable. Bella, who is quite an independent woman and doesn't really seem to be up for all that "neediness" that sometimes plagues us women, at first doesn't seem to notice anything amiss. However, after a losing a potential sale and discovering a video that shows Nevil doing something mysterious and seemingly dodgy, Bella's interest and curiosities start to pique. </div>
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Dominic, the man from Bella's mysterious past, seems to hold some sort of grudge against Bella. Bella is baffled by his angry demeanor when they are reunited. However, Bella can't help but be a tad bit of excitement at this unexpected reunion. A little suspicious of Dominic's motives for moving in with his aunt, Mrs. Langley (One of Bella's customer's and dearest friends), Bella seems to have a range of conflicting emotions regarding Dominic. It doesn't take us long to discover the past that has hung like a cloud over Bella for the last couple of years.</div>
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One of the things I love about Katie Fforde's book are her wonderfully delightful (sometimes undelightful) cast of characters. She makes you feel as if you've stepped into another world and the pages come to life with her imagery and characters full of personality and sometimes charm, sometimes mischief. The Perfect Match has some wonderful supporting characters.</div>
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With Alice, the godmother; Michael, the mysterious gentleman caller and his LOVELY and suspicious daughter's; Mrs. Langley the customer who DOESN'T want to move; customer's who want their dream house on a cottage budget; the boyfriend up to no good; Dominic the man from Bella's mysterious past; and Bella the glue that holds it all together, Ms. Fforde has delivered us a juicy plot with lots of twists and turns and unexpected detours. </div>
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This was one of those books that I had a hard time putting down, but I wanted to string it along as long as I could. After all, when you've read all of your favorite authors' books you want to get every single drip out. I have to say that Katie Fforde's book are always filled with hope. There's always a morale that we can all be restored and no matter the age, there's always a chance at true love.</div>
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The Perfect Match was a perfect story. I loved it all. It was Katie Fforde excellence on every last page, every word. I love the heroines in her stories, they always have you rooting for them. Yet, she always has those parts that make you want to scream at them to WAKE UP! I enjoyed the mystery twist to this rom com! It was part who dun it, part dramedy, part romance ALL perfectly delicious. </div>
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This was a definite 5 Star book. Katie Fforde is just a 5 Star author. If you haven't ever read a Katie Fforde novel, I would urge you to do so. When I first started reading Katie Fforde, it was a tad harder to get a copy of one of her book. Now, though, with the magic and wonder that is Kindle, owning a Katie Fforde book is as easy as a couple clicks!</div>
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It was my love of Katie Fforde novels as well as a couple of other fantastic UK authors that was my inspiration to start blogging. I want more readers in the US to discover the joy of reading a Katie Fforde novel. While The Perfect Match isn't currently available on Kindle, there are a whole bunch of other Katie Fforde books available for usually around $7.59! </div>
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Thanks so much for taking the time to read ! I hope that I can encourage at least one person to try a new author!! She's absolutely fantastic!!</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/184605656X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=184605656X&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=N6T5BWYLUYQ3G55Y"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=184605656X&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=184605656X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/184605656X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=184605656X&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=N6T5BWYLUYQ3G55Y">The Perfect Match by: Katie Fforde</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=184605656X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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To Purchase Katie Fforde on Kindle:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=Katie%20Fforde&linkCode=ur2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&linkId=F42JD25R56ZQSXGS" target="_blank">Katie Fforde on Kindle</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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CONNECT TO KATIE FFORDE:</div>
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<a href="http://twitter.com/katiefforde" target="_blank">Katie Fforde on Twitter</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-56234355894862057532014-08-18T22:10:00.001-07:002014-08-18T22:10:22.025-07:00Milly Johnson GIVEAWAY Winner!Thanks so much for participating in this giveaway! I was so thrilled and so deeply honored that Milly Johnson offered the winner a book! I added my own goodies to the prize package and will be shipping it out very soon!! <br />
<br />
The Winner: Amber Kollmar!<br />
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Thanks again to all who participated! Be on the lookout for the next giveaway!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-1036793446516619692014-08-13T00:34:00.000-07:002014-08-13T00:50:01.719-07:00Kindle Deals Under $7!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The American Authors...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><b>
Jennifer Weiner:</b><br />
<i>Author of 11 bestselling books. Including In Her Shoes which was turned into a motion picture movie. Her books have heart and speak to real issues. Her characters are wonderfully flawed. She is definitely one of my generation's best authors.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>ALL $5.99 ! To purchase or find out more, please click on the pic.</i>
<i><br /></i>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC0PBW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FC0PBW&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000FC0PBW&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000FC0PBW" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L786QO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003L786QO&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B003L786QO&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003L786QO" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ENBLOK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002ENBLOK&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B002ENBLOK&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002ENBLOK" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UZPIFC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000UZPIFC&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000UZPIFC&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000UZPIFC" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<br />
<b>EMILY GIFFIN:</b><br />
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<i>A lawyer turned author, Emily Giffin burst on the scene and captured the hearts of millions of fans. Her book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002F081N6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002F081N6&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Something Borrowed</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002F081N6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
, was eventually turned into a Major Motion Picture Film. She's definitely at the top of the ladder!</i><br />
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<i>Priced from: $3.99 - $5.99 All affordable reads!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SCHBHU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SCHBHU&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000SCHBHU&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000SCHBHU" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0071NMK66/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0071NMK66&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0071NMK66&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0071NMK66" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Q1YDLI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002Q1YDLI&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B002Q1YDLI&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002Q1YDLI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b>Miscellaneous Authors:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014H32E4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0014H32E4&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0014H32E4&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><i><br /></i>
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<i>$2.99</i><br />
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<i>Liane Moriarty is an Australian Author NOT American. She's quite sensational. Recently read this book and LOVED it. Need to do a review ASAP (I don't believe I've done one yet...)</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>$1.99</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i><b>Southern Charm: Southern Authors...</b></i><br />
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<i><b>Mary Kay Andrews:</b></i><br />
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<b><i>Lauren Clark:</i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0062AHODI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0062AHODI&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0062AHODI&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>.99</i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MGX53RY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MGX53RY&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><i><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00MGX53RY&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></i></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>$2.99</i></b></td></tr>
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<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0062AHODI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00MGX53RY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0082205JY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>$2.99</i></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BFZVW1K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BFZVW1K&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><i><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00BFZVW1K&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></i></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>$2.51</i></b></td></tr>
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<b><i><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00BFZVW1K" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></i></b>
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<b><i>These are just a few of the fabulous American reads you can currently find at a low cost! I will be working on a UK list soon! I love finding great reads, at affordable prices!!</i></b><br />
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<i><b>***</b>Please note that this post includes affiliate links. These links go to help</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-21304187131693019092014-08-12T21:41:00.000-07:002014-08-13T01:05:04.113-07:00Lauren Clark: Pie Girls Book Review<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MGX53RY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MGX53RY&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00MGX53RY&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00MGX53RY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MGX53RY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MGX53RY&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Pie Girls</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00MGX53RY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> By: Lauren Clark</div>
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$2.99 on Amazon Kindle</div>
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<i>*** I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own. I was in no way compensated for my review.</i></div>
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<b>A fellow Southern Gal!</b></div>
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I am so glad that I stumbled across a post by fellow blogger: Samantha from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MarchingInk" target="_blank">Marching Ink</a> about a southern writer I had never heard of. Lauren Clark is a Alabama born and breed girl. Being from Alabama, this makes me feel an automatic kindred spirit with her. While a majority of the books I read do tend to be UK literature, I do appreciate a GOOD southern chick lit book.</div>
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Good honest to goodness southern chick lit is a genre that is extremely hard to find. Mary Kay Andrews is what I would call the QUEEN of Southern Chick Lit. She has a unique voice in the genre of women's fiction. In most American Chick-lit, you have Rich girl problems, and the characters tend to be more on the higher income side of things. Which is GREAT, it's also a way for those of us poor folks to escape to a different type of world. <br />
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However, Mary Kay Andrews is one of the few American authors who seems to be able to create such wonderfully fallible characters. After all, we are all fallible in our own ways. I, myself, like to immerse myself in the drama of other's lives to escape my own drama filled life. I love characters who are flawed. It makes them more real to me. I can't empathize very well with women who are in "social circles".<br />
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So, it was a breath of fresh air to discover another southern born and breed author. I have to admit, it was the fact that she's from the south that drew me to her books. I can't tell you how thrilled I am that I lucked up to see the post about "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MGX53RY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MGX53RY&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="text-align: center;">Pie Girls</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00MGX53RY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; text-align: center;" width="1" />". <br />
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<b>PIE GIRLS: </b>Chick-Lit served southern style...<br />
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In Pie Girls we meet Searcy, who is admittedly a little like a character as described above. She's currently living the "high falutin' life" up in Atlanta, GA (considered the LA or New York of the south). When we meet Searcy, she's anxiously awaiting the arrival of her husband, Alton, as well as her much sought after Tiffany anniversary gift.<br />
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Things don't quite go as planned to say the very least. Instead of the nice anniversary evening she had planned, she gets met with news that her husband is considered: MISSING. Now, I don't want to give away too many details...<br />
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Due to ahem... "complications", Searcy finds herself headed back to Fairhope, Alabama. She kinda comes back with her "tail between her legs". Searcy comes home to her mama's house and finds things amiss. She is upset to realize that her mama's been hiding some things. <br />
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With her mama hiding a secret, Searcy finds herself trying to save her mama's pie shop, "Pie Girls". Hilarity and drama ensue when Searcy steps behind the counter. After living a life of luxury in Atlanta, she's having to quickly adapt herself to the ways of the "simpler life" in "Sweet Home Alabama". <br />
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With a wayward husband, a mama hiding a secret, a landlord with an unhealthy fixation on Searcy's mama, and a hunky mechanic next door, there's plenty of fun and drama to be had in Pie Girls.<br />
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With a wonderful cast of supporting characters, Searcy's story and the beloved Pie Girls was a riot. I honestly couldn't put it down last night, finding myself reading the final words at around, OH 7 AM.... I honestly think that Ms. Lauren Clark, could find herself becoming the next Mary Kay Andrews. She definitely is off to a good start. Of course, those are big shoes to fill, but I think she could do it! At least, I'm hanging my hopes on her that she will. After all, we can't expect our beloved authors to be book machines, continuously putting out books non-stop. Unfortunately, they are HUMAN after all. And I definitely prefer quality work, to quantity. <br />
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I think that Ms. Clark has a bright career in the world of fiction. I can only hope and pray that she is able to make all the right connections, when the publishing world is so fierce and competitive. Another fabulous southern author comes to my mind. I can't believe I didn't think of her earlier, Linda Francis Lee. You take the debutante from Linda Francis Lee's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013TX6GM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013TX6GM&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">The Ex-Debutante</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0013TX6GM" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> mix in a little Wheezie from Mary Kay Andrews' <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GCFBV0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000GCFBV0&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Savannah Breeze</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000GCFBV0" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and you have yourself Searcy.<br />
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I definitely would give this a 5 star review. The characters were well developed, as was the storyline. It had a nice flow to the whole story. It felt as if I was reading a best seller.<br />
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If you like to mix it up a bit, I beg you to PLEASE give a sweet, southern girl a chance! I definitely want to see big things for Lauren Clark and hope that you guys will at least give her a try! With a price tag of $2.99, what have you got to lose???<br />
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Thanks for taking the time to read my lil' blog! I truly hope that you guys will consider purchasing Pie Girls!<br />
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BUY THE BOOK:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MGX53RY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MGX53RY&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00MGX53RY&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a> To connect with Lauren Clark:<br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/laurenclark_Bks" target="_blank">Lauren Clark on Twitter</a><br />
<a href="http://laurenclarkbooks.com/" target="_blank">Lauren Clark's Site</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MGX53RY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00MGX53RY&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="text-align: center;">Pie Girls</a><br />
$2.99</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-27453904609623796862014-08-11T20:24:00.000-07:002014-08-11T20:24:17.650-07:00R.I.P. In Memory of Robin Williams: An Icon & Legend<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">*** </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Please note: I am taking a bit of a deaprture from my regular posts, to honor a great man! It was with a very heavy heart that I wrote this. I hope that no one takes offense to anything written. There are some topics that might be controversial, but I felt needed to be discussed. This was a cleansing of sorts for me. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Celebration of A LIFE</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Robin Williams: Comedic ICON</span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">ROBIN WILLIAMS: COMEDIC ICON / GENIUS 1951 - 2014<br />
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America lost a great man today. A icon, a legend. My heart is extremely heavy as I write this post. How many generations have grown up with Robin Williams somewhere around. Whether you are the Mork & Mindy generation, The Aladdin or Mrs. Doubtfire generation or whether you are Nights of the Museum generation; Millions of children, teenagers and adults grew up watching Robin Williams as he transformed into whatever character the part called for.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8TBvqQXMV8/U-loGzY-baI/AAAAAAAAKp4/u-WfM2ba8Oo/s1600/carpetride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8TBvqQXMV8/U-loGzY-baI/AAAAAAAAKp4/u-WfM2ba8Oo/s1600/carpetride.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUMaNpG-S7o/U-loGgN8xlI/AAAAAAAAKpM/RE8tldDRNXE/s1600/aladdingenie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUMaNpG-S7o/U-loGgN8xlI/AAAAAAAAKpM/RE8tldDRNXE/s1600/aladdingenie.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001I561E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0001I561E&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0001I561E&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a>No one does comedy like he does. He was the master of voices. His role as Genie on Disney's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001I561E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0001I561E&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Aladdin </a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0001I561E" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> will forever be one of my all time favorite roles he's done. He so expertly captured the persona of Genie. That movie would not have been the same without the wonderful job he did at personafying the role of Genie. I hope many future generations will be able to enjoy Genie and that Robin Williams spirit will live on for generations to come as they experience the greatness of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001I561E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0001I561E&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Aladdin </a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YFJ_pOdo-j8/U-loI4SR1PI/AAAAAAAAKp8/vT9lL6xPpAM/s1600/youngrobin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YFJ_pOdo-j8/U-loI4SR1PI/AAAAAAAAKp8/vT9lL6xPpAM/s1600/youngrobin.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SciKckn8HU0/U-loHDPXXiI/AAAAAAAAKp0/3f2VSQ1O63M/s1600/mork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SciKckn8HU0/U-loHDPXXiI/AAAAAAAAKp0/3f2VSQ1O63M/s1600/mork.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002I837M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002I837M&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0002I837M&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002I837M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002I837M&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Mork & Mindy </a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0002I837M" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> . Who can forget the quirky character of Mork. The quirky alien we all fell in love with. Be it reruns or whether you were there to experience the shows first air, anyone who watched that show was instantly mesmerized by this young man who was able to morph into whatever character a script called for.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N6suk1yfJck/U-loG8-kUqI/AAAAAAAAKqA/4Al-G_uQC74/s1600/doubtfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N6suk1yfJck/U-loG8-kUqI/AAAAAAAAKqA/4Al-G_uQC74/s1600/doubtfire.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QQLVPQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000QQLVPQ&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000QQLVPQ&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0001I561E" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000QQLVPQ" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QQLVPQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000QQLVPQ&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Mrs. Doubtfire (Behind-the-Seams Edition)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000QQLVPQ" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Robin Williams role as the father wanting to spend more time with his kids is stuff of legend. It's our generations answer to Dustin Hoffman's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000T433KQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000T433KQ&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Tootsie</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000T433KQ" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. He was able to seamlessly transform into Dad / Mrs. Doubtfire mode. This was definitely a role of a lifetime for the late actor. It is a timeless movie, able to be enjoyed mo matter the year or current trend. This movie will always be relevant.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QF61VA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006QF61VA&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B006QF61VA&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006QF61VA" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QF61VA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006QF61VA&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Good Morning, Vietnam</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006QF61VA" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Who can forget his role in Good Morning, Vietnam. A perfect mix of serious and goofy, this was a role a little bit of a departure for his usual funny and upbeat roles. He totally captured the role Adrian Cronauer an unorthodoxed DJ who was assigned to the US Armed Services Radio station in Vietnam during the much controversial Vietnam War. Such an important role in a very important movie about a controversial topic, makes this a definite Classic for all times.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9depYh0oe4/U-loIo0ckqI/AAAAAAAAKpo/x_yhXxQcpWE/s1600/toys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L9depYh0oe4/U-loIo0ckqI/AAAAAAAAKpo/x_yhXxQcpWE/s1600/toys.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Robin Williams in the 1992 Dark Film: Toys</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FfZ4sFGQPNRjLoADiJf6T7fQgTDNFeg33ULY69WTpiVSxMBGQqXr_YjnieEigDFTqQPbdSl0no7eZ62oq9_awZoymQCg3X1r16DcZ3bhOEJ4RmXQPLpWDPltxDIeI3EX0ZGNAzEM-yNJ/s1600/museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FfZ4sFGQPNRjLoADiJf6T7fQgTDNFeg33ULY69WTpiVSxMBGQqXr_YjnieEigDFTqQPbdSl0no7eZ62oq9_awZoymQCg3X1r16DcZ3bhOEJ4RmXQPLpWDPltxDIeI3EX0ZGNAzEM-yNJ/s1600/museum.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian</td></tr>
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With 102 credits to his name, the list is endless. The roles far reaching and varied. From the loveable and fun Mork on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002I837M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002I837M&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Mork & Mindy</a> to the animated Genie from Disney's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001I561E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0001I561E&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Aladdin </a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0001I561E" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. He played some extremely loveable characters that will live in infamy.<br />
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There was also a dark side to Robin Williams. Later in life he took on some much more dark characters. I wonder if perhaps this wasn't because of his own struggles and inner demons that he needed to exorcise and found these roles a way to show the side that we rarely saw in him. To the world he was this happy, loveable character. Always up for a laugh. But like many comedians, there was clearly some dark and painful issues deep inside.<br />
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Roles in movies like: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ELMR9E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003ELMR9E&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Insomnia </a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003ELMR9E" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> where he played a killer and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BN3EE28/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BN3EE28&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">One Hour Photo </a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00BN3EE28" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> where he plays a man obsessed with a young suburban family, he showed a darker side that we maybe weren't prepared to see from our lovable Robin Williams. But it shows the true talent that he had to personify any role given.<br />
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His life is one that should be celebrated. He had such a wonderful career. With his recent show: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESB27EO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ESB27EO&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">The Crazy Ones </a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00ESB27EO" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and upcoming movies: Absolutely Anything ( 2015 release in Post Production), a reprise of his beloved character Teddy Roosevelt in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. He also will be in three other movies: Merry Friggin' Christmas, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JPFTQLA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00JPFTQLA&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">Angriest Man in Brooklyn</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00JPFTQLA" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (available now) and Boulevard.<br />
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While he found much success in his professional life. His life was one that saw it's share of ups and downs. An admitted alcoholic, he battled the disease that is addiction for quite some time. For those on the outside looking in, it is hard to comprehend how a chemical can totally wreak havoc over your life and how as addicts we are truly powerless over our addiction. He had recently sought treatment for his addiction to alcohol and time can only tell if this was any part to his demise.<br />
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Those who are afflicted with the disease of addiction usually suffer from all types of mental conditions. Sadly, it's still somewhat of a taboo condition that people feel ashamed to admit to. Yet, there are millions that are in someway affected by mental illness. People who don't struggle themselves, think that we can "just snap out of it". Sadly, it's not quite that easy.<br />
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It is my hope that this tragic death can shed some light on mental illness and help bring to light the truths about the illness. It IS an illness, just like cancer. It spreads and sometimes it reaches points where it's simply uncontrollable. Some people try countless medications and can never find relief for their suffering. Those who suffer with mental illness need to not feel ashamed and be able to seek help without judgement from others. It's only through the power of EDUCATION that this can change.<br />
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There is a stigma attached with words like: Bi-Polar, ADDICT, Schizophrenia, Depression, Autism, and so many more. Yet, these are serious diseases / illness' that people TRULY need to be able to be open about. A huge part of the person plagued will mental illness is the shame and guilt and being afraid to be vocal for fear of condemnation and the social stigmas attached to those admitting to such "character flaws". <br />
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In 2014 you would think that we would be more enlightened, but sadly there is still a problem. It's hard for low income people to find good mental help and so they suffer without getting the help that they need.<br />
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I really hope that his death will come to stand for something. That his death can be a voice for those who have suffered along with him, with this terrible illness called Depression. It isn't an issue that needs to be swept under the rug, but one that needs to have a podium, a platform and someone who can bring awareness to the subject.<br />
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I apologize, I know that this is not a subject that normally would be discussed on my blog. However, I felt that I needed to get some things off my chest and to give honor to the Late and GREAT Robin Williams. He truly is a legend!<br />
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Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post! I hope that I can do Robin Williams justice. He is much loved by all, including myself!!<br />
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#RIPRobinWilliams #Legend #Icon #ComedicGenius<br />
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Until We Meet Again...<br />
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Sassy Gal.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-30191304205475045292014-08-10T13:02:00.000-07:002014-08-10T13:02:27.335-07:00Book Review: "Cottage By the Sea" by Carole Matthews<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IO0GK2U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IO0GK2U&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00IO0GK2U&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IO0GK2U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IO0GK2U&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20">A Cottage By The Sea</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00IO0GK2U" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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By: Carole Matthews</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Review:</b></span></div>
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I almost contemplated NOT reviewing this book. Only because it wasn't that long ago that I wrote another review on Carole Matthew's books. You see, I don't know if I'm the ONLY reader who reads this way, but I tend to read one book by an author and get stuck on wanting to read EVERYTHING they've written. I know, possibly not the best strategy for a "would-be" blogger. But, it's the truth.</div>
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Ok. For those who know nothing about me and just glanced through the books I've reviewed, would probably think I'm from the UK as my books I review tend to almot all be UK written books. I cannot describe in words the magic that these UK authors have. I tend to harp on a few often, but there are quite literally a ton of incredibly fascinating and truly amazing UK authors. </div>
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<a href="http://www.carolematthews.com/" target="_blank">Carole Matthews</a> is definitely one of them! With the recent release (In UK) "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0751552178/?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&condition=used&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" target="_blank">The Christmas Party on Amazon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />", Carole Matthews now has 25 books to date. Clearly, she's doing something right. Unlike some of her contemporaries, she tends to be a bit more well known in the states. I can't count the number of times I've found her books in local book stores.<br />
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Most authors have a formula and their books can feel a tad similar. But, I have to say that the books that I have read of Ms. Matthews honestly tend to only have her as the common thread. Each book feels totally new and different. Yet, each is wonderful in their own way. I think it really is incredible to write such a wide array of books with each one feeling different than the last. I do hope you know what I mean. Sometimes I feel as if I'm not getting my point across very well.<br />
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<b>Ok Ok, NOW THE BOOK....</b><br />
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UK authors tend to write the best books with friendship as a theme. The Brits truly get how important female bonds are, or at least their books seem to suggest they do... <br />
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In "Cottage By the Sea", we meet Grace, Ella and Flick. They all met at uni and have been friends ever since. They decide to reunite at Ella's parent's holiday cottage for a fun-filled holiday. I don't think things are going to go anywhere near what any of them expect...<br />
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First we meet Grace who is married to Harry. She and Harry have been married now for I believe seven years. As such they appear to be going through and I quote " seven-year" slump. They seem to rarely speak and just don't seem to be on the same page anymore. Grace is hoping that this "holiday" will help them to rekindle their passion / flame that seems to be mellowing out or is non-existent. What she doesn't know is there is much more to their relationship than meets the eye..<br />
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Ella, whom is playing hostess during this holiday, is herself going through some things. She's been with Art now for quite some time, but she too is feeling that they are at different ends of the spectrum. Excited with being reuinted with her two closest friends, she tries to put her own troubles to bed while maintaining a happy facade. However, life is funny and sometimes reality is too overpowering to ignore. Ella will have to face a lot during this holiday and make some choicecs and decide what it is exactly that she wants out of life.<br />
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Flick. Flick is a character alright. With a past that still haunts her, she's been trying to numb her pain with an endless parade of conquests. She's played the "party girl" part to a tee. However, lately she's started taking an inventory of her life and has found shes' lacking the essential things in life, like a soulmate, and family. She's somewhat at a war with herself. She is definitely a tad haphazard. With a dreadful past and a secret, it's no wonder that she finds herself turning to drink quite often. How many of us find ways to numb the pain when our reality is too overwhelming to face head on?<br />
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<b>THE MEN</b><br />
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Oh men.... They are sometimes the bain of our existence. We love to love and to hate them. Carole Matthews definitely delivers us some juicy characters we would love to choke.<br />
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Harry, Grace's husband, is more than a tad moody. He at times seems like an overgrown spoiled child who has to have their way. Although, they don't speak about it, it's clear that Harry is a little too fond of a recreational drink or two or three or.... It's clear that Harry is unhappy, but what is it that he wants? Things may just come to a boiling point on this what's supposed to be a relaxing "Vacay"<br />
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Art. Art is a fun character, he is in the music industry and has lead a definitely fun filled life of adventure. He loves his wife, but he also loves the wild life that the entertainment industry provides. He seems to act as a buffer a lot for Harry, who can at times be irkish. He is a man though, and as such is completely blind to the changes in Ella recently. He knows that she's falling in love with the "Cottage by the Sea", but he has no clue just how many changes are currently going on with Ella. They will find themselves at a turning point during this holiday.<br />
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Noah Reeves. Kinda a last minute addition to the group and clearly unsuspecting. What he believes is just a nice little getaway with Flick, someone he's known for a brief period of time, turns into a very wild and crazy holiday. He's the stranger amongst them all, yet finds himself thrown in the mix of all of the chaos that ensues during this holiday. Yet, even Noah will be forever changed after his visit to the "Cottage by the Sea".<br />
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I absolutely devoured this book. I enjoyed all of the characters and the crazy plots they each had. Each of their storylines were cleverly developed. This was a book about friendship, true love, and change and letting go. I truly enjoyed each and every bit of this book. There aren't many times that a book can shock me, but even this book had a few twists and turns that I didn't see coming Which, I ALWAYS appreciate it!<br />
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Carole Matthews really outdid herself with this book. I love the way she was able to layer the women's unique stories together and build on them, it had you breathless and hungry for more. You wanted to know where each woman was going to end up. I laughed, I got mad and I cried. With multi-storylined books, you get to really know each of the character's more intimately than when you just have supporting characters. Each of these were main character's in their own right. I loved the way she ended each of their storylines!<br />
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I cannot wait to read my next Carole Matthew's book. I know as a blogger, I should be more diversified perhaps in the reviews I publish, but I tend to gravitate to the genre's that I love. It's really hard for me to "get into" a book that isn't in a genre that I already love.<br />
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If you've never read any of <a href="http://twitter.com/carolematthews" target="_blank">Carole Matthew'</a>s books, I urge you to do so! You can find many of her books, including this one, for under $5!! With Kindle Unlimited ($9.99 a month / FREE Trial) many of her books are free! So, I really urge you to give her a try today!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=carole%20matthews%20books&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=Carole%20Matthews%2Cstripbooks%2C1082&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks" target="_blank">Carole Matthew's Books</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IO0GK2U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IO0GK2U&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00IO0GK2U&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IO0GK2U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IO0GK2U&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" style="text-align: center;">A Cottage By The Sea</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00IO0GK2U" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; text-align: center;" width="1" /><br />
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<b>Don't Forget to Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a Milly Johnson book!!</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://sassygalreads.blogspot.com/2014/08/milly-johnson-rafflecopter-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Enter Here for the Rafflecopter Giveaway!</a></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-38891485939368105542014-08-08T11:32:00.001-07:002014-08-10T17:50:34.344-07:00Milly Johnson Rafflecopter Giveaway!<b><span style="font-size: large;">Milly Johnson Giveaway!</span></b><br />
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I have been obsessed now for about three years with UK books. UK authors, as well as Irish authors (which I at first thought Milly Johnson was, after discovering her through a fellow Twitter book lover) have such a unique gift of integrating humor with serious topics and creating such real and flawed and LOVABLE characters.<br />
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There are so many brilliant authors from the UK, but there are a few authors that I don't think get enough advertising and so a ton of US folks miss out on these fabulous authors. Currently, we cannot walk into a store and grab a <a href="http://twitter.com/millyjohnson" target="_blank">Milly Johnson</a> book. I know for myself, I was reluctant to want to spend big bucks and wait forever for a book in the HOPE that I MIGHT enjoy her.<br />
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Luckily, now there are so many of these fabulous books available for those who read on Kindle! However, there's still nothing like holding a book in your hands and smelling the newness of it. The crisp pages. It's exciting! I have about half of Milly Johnson's books on Kindle and the other half hard copies!<br />
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I was super thrilled with Ms. Johnson offered to give the winner of the giveaway a book!! She even allowed me to choose which book to giveaway.<br />
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As I'm sure there will hopefully be a ton of entries, some may not be familiar with Ms. Johnson's work and so I wanted to choose what I believe to be a great starter book. However, in the event that perhaps a reader had already read one book, I wanted to have at least a choice.<br />
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<b>SOOOOOO.... Drumroll please....</b><br />
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<b>The two books which I have decided to offer as a CHOICE for the winner of the giveaway are:</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uf0yTO3LI7_vqmXP1EikDJLVY9pqJTSgsS12RWaIUl_me8znOuvZQkqfurOqlPEcaCYw6q9zU49QgYxFK2_0Hwhm6QigpJzvsYyBeFDaT9nE-MkbXeny4S8RM_222ai3obc0cOSU0YK4/s1600/blogger-image-1273265053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uf0yTO3LI7_vqmXP1EikDJLVY9pqJTSgsS12RWaIUl_me8znOuvZQkqfurOqlPEcaCYw6q9zU49QgYxFK2_0Hwhm6QigpJzvsYyBeFDaT9nE-MkbXeny4S8RM_222ai3obc0cOSU0YK4/s1600/blogger-image-1273265053.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0kqokutc8XJKtAyc-Gi3mwBJDjN0VcdcChh9ApRgWfY4tMXwpDcgbILALT_4BM_Y73nhYQWZmS-NzOYYFTqtc_i_Zw7IKQBVoy8g1DZVRhNJ13hmROCnmk1Lz2aACf6MRomVorGvvItK/s1600/blogger-image--464012071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0kqokutc8XJKtAyc-Gi3mwBJDjN0VcdcChh9ApRgWfY4tMXwpDcgbILALT_4BM_Y73nhYQWZmS-NzOYYFTqtc_i_Zw7IKQBVoy8g1DZVRhNJ13hmROCnmk1Lz2aACf6MRomVorGvvItK/s1600/blogger-image--464012071.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>The winner will CHOOSE one of the above books: White Wedding OR The Yorkshire Pudding Club.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>All of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=Milly%20Johnson&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=Milly%2Caps&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=WWDB33Z6Z23RTCPJ" target="_blank">Milly Johnson's books</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> are spectacular. But, I chose these because they are really good examples of what to expect in a Milly Johnson book. They are romance novels, with a ton of humor, as well as some drama mixed in with strong bonds of friendship. <br />
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I truly believe ANYONE who stumbles across a Milly Johnson book and gives it a chance will fall head over heels as I did! Within months of reading the first book I had ordered and read her whole backlog of books!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhFJ1XT4ozvSDeVVrWUi_WQLnUo7ZWfPggNMls99pEhE-GYpYeMK1TAS_8BYu6ft9DpdZnv9qX7-F0EOYHO7-7mnDyOFkIT64Aq4aJ2VaiW-YHD0G6vI08_OldV71gHwJj1n1S0ftPAyh/s1600/blogger-image--1962486084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhFJ1XT4ozvSDeVVrWUi_WQLnUo7ZWfPggNMls99pEhE-GYpYeMK1TAS_8BYu6ft9DpdZnv9qX7-F0EOYHO7-7mnDyOFkIT64Aq4aJ2VaiW-YHD0G6vI08_OldV71gHwJj1n1S0ftPAyh/s1600/blogger-image--1962486084.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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In ADDITION to winning one of these fabulous books, I am also sending the winner a "Cat's Eye Teapot Necklace" in honor of Milly Johnson's newest book, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DX0F2WU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DX0F2WU&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=BVE6SMVDTP2K6FKX">The Teashop on the Corner</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00DX0F2WU" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />". Which is currently available on Amazon Kindle! So, you don't have to wait to win the giveaway to start reading Milly Johnson's fabulous books! Checkout all of her books that are available now on Kindle:<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=Milly%20Johnson&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=Milly%2Caps&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=ROSMXL53POHM5XTP" target="_blank">Milly Johnson's books</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> !<br />
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<b>The Rafflecopter!</b><br />
<i>Open to US Residents Only!</i><br />
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<i>One winner will be selected by random draw through the Rafflecopter widget! You can enter multiple times by tweeting once a day! Good Luck! And please, share on Facebook & Twitter!! Good luck to all!!</i><br />
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So, a few new tasks have been added to give folks more chances to win! <br />
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<b><i>** PLEASE NOTE: The winning entry WILL be validated! Anyone who did not complete the tasks, will be disqualified and another winner WILL be chosen!</i></b><br />
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<b><i>Thanks for Entering! Good Luck to you ALL</i></b><br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1457f50e3/" id="rc-1457f50e3" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script><br />
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To read more about Milly Johnson: <a href="http://sassygalreads.blogspot.com/2014/08/author-spotlight-milly-johnson.html" target="_blank">All about Milly</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-88324748764474273682014-08-06T16:23:00.002-07:002014-08-06T16:23:36.650-07:00Author Spotlight: Milly Johnson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.millyjohnson.co.uk/" target="_blank"><img alt=" Milly Johnson" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvI_bWT0cgQBX_UVse9UNjQGBSOLiExVSd6wDGD72RJROAHgDyQtfgq2w0g9rq5_XMMYoT6tLP25aOqONVl6BRKo3AU0QF7f65GTvvrOtutO8qUsKkSZ7rNk8mwuRfKGY0_TaGIHuyvPM/s1600/milly-johnson-logo.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My love of all things Milly!</b></span><br />
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In honor of the giveaway coming up on THIS very blog, I thought it would be a great idea to do a post all About Milly!<br />
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It seems unlikely that its' been such a short period of time since I first opened up my very first Milly Johnson book. In the early days of being on Twitter, when I still had absolutely no clue what purpose it was used for, I had been reading a ton of Jill Mansell and Katie Fforde books. I struck up a friendship with a fellow book lover and she suggested that I find a copy of Milly Johnson's books. It honestly took about a year before I finally risked the purchase. <br />
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Since they aren't readily available in the United States, YET, I didn't know if I wanted to shell out the bucks and wait for forever and NOT like it. However, that fear was soon squashed when I finally opened the pages to my first Milly Johnson book!<br />
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<b>THE BOOKS</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007EDOJH6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007EDOJH6&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=63D3EFDEDFO6WIL3" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B007EDOJH6&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007EDOJH6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007EDOJH6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007EDOJH6&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=63D3EFDEDFO6WIL3">A Winter Flame</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007EDOJH6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> ( My First Milly Johnson Book!)<br />
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Eve is surprised by an unexpected windfall / inheritance. When her aunt passes, she's shocked by a huge secret her Aunt had been holding! Somewhat of a Scrooge, Eve, is not particularly thrilled with the idea of Christmas in general, much less an inheritance that seems to be ALL about Christmas. A theme park. A theme park all about Christmas. Even more troublesome for Eve, is the discovery that she's not the sole owner of the theme park, and therefore has to share in the decision making process. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007D58PJS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007D58PJS&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=ZGO2H2FLXJQ5UJBR" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B007D58PJS&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007D58PJS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007D58PJS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007D58PJS&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=ZGO2H2FLXJQ5UJBR">A Spring Affair</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007D58PJS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Lou, 35 yet lives the life of a much older person, is about to have a Spring Clean. Her husband Lou, a VERY overly jerkish kind of husband, has had Lou right where he wants her. Dependent upon him and without a life of her own. However, things are soon going to change. Lou finds herself getting rid of the clutter in her life (in more ways than one) and in the process finds her passion and starts to create a whole new life for herself!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RPFTB0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008RPFTB0&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=6LCQ5DOR3T52GEAD" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B008RPFTB0&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008RPFTB0" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RPFTB0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008RPFTB0&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=6LCQ5DOR3T52GEAD">The Yorkshire Pudding Club</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008RPFTB0" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (Milly Johnson's debut novel!)<br />
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Three friends take a trip of a lifetime to visit an ancient fertility symbol. Helen, who has been hoping to become pregnant for ages, so it was a must-see destination for her! However, her two friends Janey and Elizabeth are a little shocked when they discover their destination.<br />
Then fate or perhaps an ancient fertility symbol throws them all a curve ball. Each return from their respective trips and soon after find they've brought more than your average souvenir. Each take the news in their own way. This is a story that shows how we all handle situations in different ways. A very fun read!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006CJNIVQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006CJNIVQ&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=L2ERVFCCDKLQ6WL4" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B006CJNIVQ&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006CJNIVQ" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006CJNIVQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006CJNIVQ&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=L2ERVFCCDKLQ6WL4">White Wedding</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006CJNIVQ" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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This was a super fun story! Three women who meet while admiring dresses in a local wedding shop, form a fast and easy friendship. <br />
Max a very independent woman finds herself being more in love with the concept of a wedding and starts going overboard, despite thinking of the perspective groom's desire.<br />
Bel is in the middle of planning her perfect wedding when disaster strikes. Although, she seems to be holding it together, Bel has other things on her mind. She's determined to create the "Perfect" wedding.... Then we have Violet. Violet, who owns her own ice cream parlor (we also meet her in 'Winter Flame') is engaged to be married to Glyn. Glyn, who is seemingly a loyal and devoted fiance, is not all he's cracked up to be. Violet finds herself somewhat of a slave to Glyn and his disabled mother. Hopefully, Violet will open her eyes before it's too late. <br />
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This was one of my favorite of all the books. It was a beautiful story of three very different women, each with their own stories, forming a beautiful and lasting friendsip. Friendship seems to be a key element in all of Milly Johnson's books. She sincerely knows how to develop such likable and real characters, perfectly flawed! You find yourself so immersed in her world, that you finish the book before you even realize it and hunger for more.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RPFT1U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008RPFT1U&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=H67KB4OAVUHPDTDD" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B008RPFT1U&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008RPFT1U" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RPFT1U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008RPFT1U&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=H67KB4OAVUHPDTDD">The Birds and the Bees</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008RPFT1U" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Author Stevie is shocked when her fiance runs off with her new friend, Jo McClean. However, she is headstrong and has her mind focused on winning back her man. She soon finds an unlikely ally in Steve, Jo's man who was left behind as well. Together they form a plot. Make their ex's mad with envy! But, sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for. These two working together is one of the most comical and fun storylines I've ever read! I was rooting for them the whole time, despite their crazy obsesssions.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>All About Milly</b></span><br />
<i>Information here was taken from Milly Johnson's <a href="http://www.millyjohnson.co.uk/" target="_blank">site</a>.</i><br />
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Born in Barnsely, Milly Johnson has had a string of careers added to her resume in her very short life. Some of the careers Ms. Johnson has under her belt: Receptionist, barmaid, sales, teaching, trainee accountancy.<br />
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In her spare time, she was writing oems and jokes, and working on a novel all about the places she'd never been to and things she'd never done. She says "It was doomed for failure".<br />
<br />THANKFULLY she never gave up. Despite receiving rejection letters, she plowed on. Despite receiving rejection letters, she was receiving encouragement to keep at it. Too much encouragement to give up full-stop.<br />
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Not long after her 40th birthday she began to write a very different story than the one she had first begun. This time, she leaned on her own experiences and her "decluttering", clutter clearing story (I'm to assume this would be A Spring Affair??). She sent it off to an agent, who soon rang her asking for more chapters. She began plugging away chapter by chapter and when she went in those final chapters, she also included the first 3 chapters to ANOTHER story she had begun working on during her pregnancy.<br />
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Though they liked both, they felt it was this other story (the one with only the first 3 chapters), that should be her debut novel. So, the agent decided to sign her.<br />
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After a major edit, they began to shop around. Finally on a Friday night, came the call, Simon & Schuster were giving her a two book deal! I'm excited just reading and writing it. I couldn't begin to imagine the feeling that she must have felt when she received that call. She says that she jumped around like a teenager! LOL <br />
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She still writes freelance part-time for the greeting card industry.<br />
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Thank Goodness for persistence. I'm so thankful that Milly Johnson never gave up. I've many times escaped my own life through the crazy lives of her characters. Please keep writing these fabulous novels that not only are great romance, but great stories of friendship!<br />
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Friday, I will have the rafflectopter for the Milly Johnson giveaway up and running! Please be certain to vote on which book you would like to see offered as a prize.<br />
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Super thankful for the generosity of Milly Johnson and that she's offering to send the winner of my giveaway one of her superb books!<br />
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<i>** The Milly Johnson giveaway will be open only to the US residents..</i><br />
<i>I apologize to my international friends. It's my desire to want to introduce the awesomeness that is Milly Johnson to more US readers that is prompting me to only open it to US. Please, please understand. </i><br />
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<i>Thanks for your support!! Please still share this post, as well as the giveaway!</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-84986376905450637422014-08-06T00:06:00.001-07:002014-08-06T13:50:18.977-07:00Review: Veronica Henry's Night on the Orient Express<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Book Review</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br></b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1409135470/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1409135470&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=JYBX42GVV6K3I5PN"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1409135470&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20"></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1409135470" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1"><b><br></b><b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008RPFKXM" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1409135470/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1409135470&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=JYBX42GVV6K3I5PN">A Night on the Orient Express</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1409135470" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1"></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>By: <a href="http://twitter.com/veronica_henry" target="_blank">Veronica Henry</a></b><br><br><div style="text-align: left;">This is my second book by Ms. Henry! It wasn't long ago that I <a href="http://sassygalreads.blogspot.com/search/label/Veronica%20Henry" target="_blank">reviewed</a> another of Ms. Henry's books, </div></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1409135462/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1409135462&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=3CXTKJ7CX3JU3LSR">The Long Weekend</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1409135462" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1">! Wow, just checked it's already been over a month! How this time has flown! I have actually read many more books than I have reviewed this past month! I just didn't realize how really time consuming it can be to put together a decent post or review! I want to be able to provide ways to get in contact with authors, etc that I review and when your computer freezes every few seconds when your screen hopping, it can be a tad tedious. Ok, I'll stop whining or whinging? now!<br><br>I was so captivated by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1409135462/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1409135462&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=3CXTKJ7CX3JU3LSR">The Long Weekend</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1409135462" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1">, that I immediately went online and purchased three more books from Ms. Henry! What can I say about this wonderful book??<br><br>There are many characters you will meet when you board the Orient Express. Each of them with their own history and their own futures. This book shows you the lives of several people who will board the Orient Express and depart changed forever.<br><br><b><i>Meet The Passengers on The Orient Express...</i></b><br><b><i><br></i></b>Adele Russell, a grandmother, is one of the central characters in the story. Adele's story bounces back from present day to past. There's a long buried secret in her past that she must now face. Or, rather her granddaughter must face for her. <br><br>Imogene, Adele's granddaughter, has her own story. Her own secrets and struggles. She's turning thirty, and with this pinnacle age, she starts to look at her life and sees that she needs to move her story forward. But, in moving herself forward, she may have to let go of her secret passion and love. Her grandmother sends her aboard the Orient Express to fetch her birthday present. She has some inner struggles aboard the Orient Express and she must make some hard decisions. She has no clue that her destination: Venice will hold some truths about her own life and what choices she must make. She's no clue until she arrives at the gravity and how this visit will map out the course of her life.<br><br>Riley is an aged photographer. The Orient Express trip isn't one that's exactly new to him, it's been an annual event for him for quite some time. However, a recent brush with death, has made him start taking an inventory of his life and what it is he wants.<br><br>Sophie an aging model / actress is also no stranger to The Orient Express. Having lived quite a full and fun-filled and eventful life, she's still a bright light wherever she goes. Her life though, is about to take an unexpected detour.<br><br>Archie, whom this trip was somewhat of a surprise, is in mourning. He's only on the trip to keep a promise. He has no expectations, but maybe it's a nice distraction.<br><br>Emmie, she's somewhat of an unsuspecting passenger as well. Yet, she is giddy with excitement over the possibilities the Orient Express holds! She takes all the fabulousness that surrounds her in and soaks it up. A hat maker by trade, she sees inspiration all around. She might not have planned to board the Orient Express, but the opportunity is not lost on her. She truly appreciates the gift bestowed upon her.<br><br>Then there's Stephanie and Simon along with the kids. This is their first "family" trip. Stephanie's not long been with Simon and the children. She is still a bit uncertain about her placement in this ready made family she's joined. The Orient Express will not be the relaxing getaway they had imagined. There are revelations along the span of the trip. The question is, has Stephanie made a massive mistake? She finds herself in the center of family mess.<br><br>This book made me feel every possible combination of emotions. I laughed, I rolled my eyes, I got mad and I cried. I felt myself drawn into the lives of all of these people and rooting for them. I wanted them each to have their happy ending. Ms. Henry was masterful in weaving the lives and stories of the characters so seamlessly. It touched on some very real topics that most of us encounter at some point in our lives.<div><br></div><div>This was a book about true love, family, letting go of our pain, moving on! It was a story about the ties that bind us together. It was a beautiful story that shows how sometimes we must forsake our own happiness for our love of others. I'm sure we have all had to make choices like that at some points in our lives! It's not always easy to choose happiness for others over own happiness, but sometimes it's needed. </div><div><br></div><div>Finding contentment in the lives we have, despite the imperfections is very important to help the ones you love flourish and grow into the people they were meant to be. </div><div><br></div><div>I definitely give this book 5 Star!! To say that I enjoy Veronica Henry's works would be a huge understatement. I've read three in just the past month! Each was truly touching in it's own way. I look forward to reading more books from Ms. Henry!<br><br></div><div>To Purchase:</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1409135470/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1409135470&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=W44YL5UEHQLA7OLN"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1409135470&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20"></a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1409135470" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1409135470/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1409135470&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=W44YL5UEHQLA7OLN">A Night on the Orient Express</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1409135470" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;"><div><br></div><div>Thanks for once again tuning in and supporting my blog! Your support is so greatly appreciated!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500388918862681252.post-28877758112416376802014-08-05T22:28:00.000-07:002014-08-05T22:28:02.346-07:00I'm Baaack<br />
Sorry everyone ! It's been a really hectic week. With the kids starting back to school in a couple of days, I've just been so scatterbrained. I have felt pulled every which a way! I also don't know quite how consistent I will be in the coming weeks, as our family has some stuff to sort through and some adversities to once again overcome. However, I could lie in my bed and cover my head, or I can keep living. I'm choosing to keep living. <br />
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We all have issues and struggles going on in our lives. That's why my favorite thing to do is cuddle in my bed with a great book and get carried away by the lives of the fascinating characters these wonderful authors are able to create. It's how I've "escaped" for many years. Thank God for chick-lit. When our own lives may be crumbling at the seems or life throws us curve ball after curve ball; We can always lose ourselves to the trials and tribulations of a great chick "flick" book. <br />
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I much prefer the drama of other's lives to my own. :) I've read some fascinating stories this week and can't wait to tell you about them. I honestly have a pile so high that I can't even BEGIN to count how many books I need to read! There are some great ones scattered out throughout my home beckoning for me to come and read them.... <br />
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<b>Good Things to Come....</b><br />
<b><br /></b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00IO0GK2U" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IO0GK2U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IO0GK2U&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=WVO6SHLOCESFQT4T" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00IO0GK2U&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IO0GK2U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IO0GK2U&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=WVO6SHLOCESFQT4T">A Cottage By The Sea</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00IO0GK2U" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></b> $3.99 on Kindle!<br />
By: <a href="http://twitter.com/carolematthews" target="_blank">Carole Matthews</a><br />
Review to come soon! I recently did a <a href="http://sassygalreads.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-place-to-call-home-by-carole.html" target="_blank">review </a>on Carole Matthew's books, <a href="http://sassygalreads.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-place-to-call-home-by-carole.html" target="_blank">"</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IJA0UUI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IJA0UUI&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=ADVT5OBPB5YOR4CA">A Place to Call Home</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00IJA0UUI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> ", it was such a wonderful read that I immediately searched and found another great book to read! So, apologies if it's not the "correct" way for a blogger to review books, but I just couldn't resist reading another, although I had just finished! Please forgive me!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1409135470/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1409135470&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=YPVYSV4CGIQC7UZX" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1409135470&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1409135470" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </a><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1409135470/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1409135470&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=YPVYSV4CGIQC7UZX">A Night on the Orient Express</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1409135470" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></b><br />
By: <a href="http://twitter.com/veronica_henry" target="_blank">Veronica Henry</a><br />
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I know, I know!! It wasn't long ago, I did a review of one of Ms. Henry's other books ! What can I say??? When I find an author I enjoy I try to devour all of their books. I'm the same with chocolate. Right now it's Dove bars, I'm obsessed with them and they are the only candy bars I currently crave.... It's the same with my authors...<br />
<h4>
<b>GIVEAWAY!!</b></h4>
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I am thrilled beyond belief about this one!! I really hope that I can attract some new US readers to one of my all time favorite authors. I think it's such a shame that I can't walk in a bookstore to see her books. Should I tell you, or should I not?? I guess perhaps I should spill the beans!! I'm thrilled to announce that HERE, right here I am going to have the opportunity to GIVEAWAY one of Ms. <a href="http://www.millyjohnson.co.uk/" target="_blank">Milly Johnson</a>'s books!!</div>
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She is going to send the winner one of her books. I still have to work out the details, but I'm hoping to announce it VERY soon! So, please stay tuned! If you aren't following me, please follow me on <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JessicaSassyGalHubbard78/about/p/pub" target="_blank">GFC</a> and also please follow me on <a href="http://bloglovin.com/sassygal" target="_blank">Bloglovin'</a> ! I am currently working out the details and would love to have some input on which book of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=milly%20Johnson&linkCode=ur2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=BQY4FL2S6R6XYRK5" target="_blank">Milly Johnson</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, you think I should offer!!<br />
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Get a head start!! The books listed here, def won't be part of the giveaway! So, grab them now!!<br />
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<b><i>BOTH ONLY $1.99 on KINDLE!!</i></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007YLTJ78/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007YLTJ78&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=YWPA2DSOZG62OPYV"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B007YLTJ78&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007YLTJ78" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007YLTJ78/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007YLTJ78&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=YWPA2DSOZG62OPYV">A Summer Fling</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007YLTJ78" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RPFKXM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008RPFKXM&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=7L55EO6IWZ4P4QKZ"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B008RPFKXM&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008RPFKXM" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RPFKXM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008RPFKXM&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=7L55EO6IWZ4P4QKZ">Here Come the Girls</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008RPFKXM" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Books on My Bookshelves </span></b>(or somewhere hiding in my disaster of a home)<br />
<br />
<i>Currently Reading:</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JLZ5J7E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00JLZ5J7E&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=B6WZBIQJD3XNJCK3" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00JLZ5J7E&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00JLZ5J7E" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Only $2.99 on Amazon Kindle!<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JLZ5J7E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00JLZ5J7E&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=B6WZBIQJD3XNJCK3">Escape for the Summer</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00JLZ5J7E" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<br />
<i>To Be Read: (One day.... Why aren't there more hours in the day, or more of me??)</i><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0755355911/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0755355911&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=EH2NXVHYY4LYKZRM" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0755355911&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><br />
<i>Buy HardCover or Paperback on Amazon:</i> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0755355911" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0755355911/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0755355911&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=EH2NXVHYY4LYKZRM">The Unpredictable Consequences of Love</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0755355911" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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Ok, so I have had my hands on this for about a week now! I really have no excuse other than I've been super busy and only able to read late at night when I usually pull out my Kindle.... Since there isn't a US Kindle version available... I am a weird chick and I read my paperback / hard copy books during the day and then my Kindle reads at night... Maybe when things slow down a bit I can really immerse myself in the wonderful world of <a href="http://twitter.com/jillmansell" target="_blank">Jill Mansell</a>. Anyone who knows me, probably tires of my endless praises of Jill Mansell, but I cannot help myself she's ADDICTIVE!<i><br /></i><br />
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<i>AVAILABLE FOR FREE on KINDLE UNLIMITED</i><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00348UMR6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00348UMR6&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=VNRH5HBN7DKTRDLG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00348UMR6&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003H2Z4GS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003H2Z4GS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003H2Z4GS&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=HSMFPTSIIYYCV6FL"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B003H2Z4GS&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003H2Z4GS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<i>More Great Reads Hiding In My Home... Eeek.... Sssh.... Don't tell....</i><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CYMO2VK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CYMO2VK&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=VN464PJ6GOGR4HID" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00CYMO2VK&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CYMO2VK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CYMO2VK&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=XE4LK3HYHHLTDCAW">The Greatest Love Story of All Time</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00CYMO2VK" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> ONLY $1.99!<br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00H6SRGY2" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H6SRGY2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H6SRGY2&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=3US3OZPQSOVSEY7W" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00H6SRGY2&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00CYMO2VK" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H6SRGY2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H6SRGY2&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=ON62P7NOLBZPEXIY">Ellie Andrews Has Second Thoughts</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00H6SRGY2" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007YLTHMU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007YLTHMU&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=3NDHTA6OO75OI5HY"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B007YLTHMU&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007YLTHMU" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007YLTHMU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007YLTHMU&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=3NDHTA6OO75OI5HY">Chasing Daisy</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007YLTHMU" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> ($8.42)<br />
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So, I have had a few of these books for quite some time. I got sidetracked when I was asked to read a couple of books. I felt obligated to the authors of those books, to keep my promise and wanted to read those in a very timely manner. After all, I so would love to be contacted OFTEN to read MORE fabulous books. <br />
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Ahem... Um... Calling: KATIE FFORDE, JILL MANSELL, MILLY JOHNSON, CAROLE MATTHEWS, HARRIET EVANS, CATHY WOODSMAN, KATHRYN PLAYER, LET ME BE YOUR GUINEA PIG.... PLEASE, WITH SUGAR ON TOP!!! I know I've left out a million or gazillion fabulous authors.... Mary Kay Andrews, Sophie Kinsella!!! There are just sooooo many I adore!<br />
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<i>Recently Purchased:</i><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/184605656X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=184605656X&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=V5VBXSTPLQXAED3C"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=184605656X&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sasgalrea0a-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=184605656X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/184605656X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=184605656X&linkCode=as2&tag=sasgalrea0a-20&linkId=V5VBXSTPLQXAED3C">The Perfect Match</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sasgalrea0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=184605656X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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I have honestly been dying to purchase this book, but couldn't afford the $18 plus shipping cost! Thankfully, I was finally able to get it for around $14 with shipping included!!<br />
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I have so many more I could sit here and list! I can't count how many books that I currently have waiting on the sidelines for me to open the pages!!<br />
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Thanks for once again tuning into my little old page! I do hope that if you haven't yet enjoyed some of these great books, you will give them a try! I would love to know what you think! These are truly some of my all time favorite authors!<br />
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I started blogging primarily to try to shed a spotlight on the fabulousness that is UK Chick-Lit / Irish Chick-Lit. I do love my American authors as well, don't get me wrong. There's just something so refreshing in their humor! I love it. It just feels so honest and real to me.<br />
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What books are you currently reading?? I would LOVE to hear back!! Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself :( I mean, I promise I don't answer myself... At least not that I'll admit to.<br />
<br />Are you stoked about the Milly Johnson giveaway?? Which book would you like to be on offer?? I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that Ms. Johnson is the FIRST author who has offered to do a giveaway on my blog. I have to admit, My head inflated for a short period of time! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17310128748326571918noreply@blogger.com1