Tuesday, August 31, 2010

(Giveaway) Recap




I am going to recap all the prizes I am giving away in my blogiversary in case you missed them.

Day 1 $5 Tim Horton's or Starbucks Giftcard
Day 2 assorted BEA and ETC goodies
Day 3 Signed copy of The Queen of Cool
Day 4 goodie bag
Day 5 Amish Proverbs book
Day 6 book of your choice
Day 7 $25 visa gift card

I have extended my giveaway until Sept 4th. All the rules are in each individual post.

Monday, August 30, 2010

In My Mailbox/Mailbox Monday/Books Bought



Its that time of the week again for another In My Mailbox and Mailbox Monday post.

As you know Kristi from The Story Siren hosts In My Mailbox and this month instead of Marcia from Printed Page hosting Mailbox Monday she has asked bloggers to take turns in hosting Mailbox Monday so for the month of August Chick Loves Lit is the host so hop over to her blog to see what she and others got.

FOR REVIEW
Tuesday:
-The Jumbee by Pamela Keyes
-The World is Bigger Now by Euna Lee

Wednesday:
This was on OMG/ a dancing and screaming day when I opened up this package from Scholastic Canada:


Thank You so much Nikole!!

WON
These were wins from the summer reading program at our library:
-Red Rubber Boot Day by Mary Lyn Ray Ill by Lauren Stringer
-Chicagoland Detective Agency No. 1 The Drained brains Caper by Trina Robbins and Ill by Tyler Page

BOUGHT
-Three Nights with a Scoundrel by Tessa Dare (This is the final book in the series)
-I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk (bargain book)
-The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa(This is book 2 in the Iron Fey Series)
-City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (This is book 3 in the Mortal Instruments series)
-Girl Parts by John M. Cusick (This was one I missed out on at BEA)
-Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (This is book 2 in The Hungar Games)

I have to say that I am now anxious to start reading my series as I have most of the books now.

This is what came to my mailbox this past week, what was yours like?

For the month of September Kathy from Bermudaonion will be the host of Mailbox Monday's. So don't forget to hope over there next week.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Local Book Blogger Meet Up August Edition



Today was the day that the Montreal Book Bloggers met up at our favorite little tea shop.

It was mentioned that it has felt like its been awhile since we have met up (and I have to agree that it feels like its been longer then a month since our last meet up) but really its only been a month. It was great to see everyone again.

In attendance was Avis, Donna, Linda and Tina.

We had some great drinks (2 ice teas made with black tea, oranges and cinnamon and a hot chocolate and carrot cake for me.) I am not quite sure what everyone else had but all the drinks looked really good.

We always have the best talks at our meet ups and they range from book related to life related and everything in between.

This time not many books were exchanged and not quite sure why? But thankfully I came home with The Reinvention of Moxie Roosevelt by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel from Avis and from Tina I got the Fall Announcement Issue of Publishers Weekly which I am really excited about as I have been interested in Publishers Weekly since BEA.



I am hoping that I can find Publishers Weekly in a magazine store as I am seriously interested in it but not quite willing to pay the subscription fee.

So this is what our August meet up was like, check back in September to hear about that meet up.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

(Giveaway) Day 7- Final Giveaway




Today is the final day in blogiversary give away and ONE lucky winner will have the chance to win a $25 Visa Gift Card. It can be used online and in most stores. I usually buy them when I want to order something online and never had a problem. I also have used them when I am out for lunch or shopping.

Please note that the gift card pictured here isn't the one you will get.

So the only RULES for this is its open to Canadian residents only. Sorry but I am not sure if it will work in the US.

To enter please make sure you leave me your email address so that I can contact you should you be a winner.

Friday, August 27, 2010

(Giveaway) Day 6



Its hard to believe that we are on Day 6 of my blogiversary give aways.



Today I am offering one reader a choice of a book/books from The Book Depository. Click here to go to The Book Depository and check out what they have. You have $15 to spend. You can't go over that limit.

RULES:
-Open to everyone where The Book Depository ships.
-In your comments tell me what book you would like to win if you are the winner.
-Please leave your email addy.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

(Review and Giveaway Day 5) Amish Proverbs


TITLE: Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdome from the Simple Life
AUTHOR: Suzanne Woods Fisher
PUBLISHER: Revell
PAGES: 204
SOURCE: I received this book from Revell

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Simplify your life with Amish wisdom

Through firsthand research and personal relationships, Suzanne Woods Fisher has collected more than 200 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Plain People. These proverbs serve as teaching tools and maxims for practical living--but they're not just for the Amish. They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with you through life's joys and sorrows. With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occasion.


MY THOUGHTS:
I absolutely loved this book.

If you are a reader of my blog you know that I just love anything Amish. I swear I must have been Amish in my previous life. I am in awe of them and I have to say I praise them for being able to live a simple life. They are content with what they have.

This great little book is filled with eleven chapters. The chapters are about money,time, faith, work ethic, children & family, education etc. Within each chapter there is a short story about the subject. There are so many great photos included to illustrate the topic.

There was several proverbs that I have heard growing up. Here are a few of my favoirtes:

-Nothing lasts forever, not even your troubles.
-You get what you pay for.
-One can learn something new everyday.

A majority of the ones included in this book I never heard before reading the book but I have to say that they made me actually think about them.

This is a great book that would make a perfect gift. This is a book you don't have to read cover to cover but can be picked up to read anytime. I did read this cover to cover and it now sits on my coffee table and I have been picking it up to read daily when I need a little pick me up.




So for your chance to win a copy of Amish Proverbs all you have to do is leave me a comment telling me what is your favorite saying/proverb and the best one will win a copy of this book.

-Open to Canada and US residents with a valid mailing address. Sorry no PO Boxes.
-You must leave me a comment with your favorite saying/proverb with your email address.

(Tour) Amish Proverbs


ABOUT THE BOOK
About Amish Proverbs: Simplify your life with Amish wisdom

Through firsthand research and personal relationships, Suzanne Woods Fisher has collected more than 200 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Plain People. These proverbs serve as teaching tools and maxims for practical living--but they're not just for the Amish. They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with you through life's joys and sorrows. With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occasion.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the CBA bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California. Find out more about Suzanne at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

If your interested in buying this book click the title Amish Proverbs.

Blog Tour Schedule

8/14
Julie at The Surrendered Scribe
http://www.juliearduini.com/Blog/tabid/72/Default.aspx

Judy at health, Beauty, Children and Family
http://youthfultips.blogspot.com

Debra at Footprints in the Butter
http://debrakb.blogspot.com

Michelle at My Semblance of Sanity
http://michellekemperbrownlowwrites4kids.blogspot.com

Abi at 4 the LOVE of BOOKS
http://myheartbelongs2books.blogspot.com

8/16
Monique at Arms of a Sister
http://amrsofasister.com

Christa at Fairfield Corner Academy
http://www.christadarr.blogspot.com

Ruth at Not So Ordinary Girls
http://www.clarkmommy.blogspot.com

Kim at Just a Thought
http://thecooperkids.blogspot.com

8/17
Mindy at Ponderings of the Heart
http://philippians4verse8.blogspot.com

Mindy at A Room without Books is Empty
http://detweilermom.blogspot.com

Theresa at Just One More Paragraph
http://tweezlereads.blogspot.com

Kim at Window To My World
http://berlysue.blogspot.com

8/18
Valerie at Tea Time With Valerie
http://www.valkgal.com

Danielle at Danielle at The Happy Wife
http://juanshappywife.blogspot.com

Desiree at Wee Share
http://www.weeshare.net

Jody at The Corner Book Blog
http://thecornerbookblog.blogspot.com/

8/19
Theresa at Faith and Family Reviews
http://www.faithandfamilyreviews.com

Tammy at Tammy's Book Parlor
http://tgteecher.blogspot.com

Julie at Busy Julie
http://busyjulieblog.blogspot.com

Teri at Mom to Bed by 8
http://momtobedby8.blogspot.com/

8/20
Michelle at Leading a Quiet Life
http://leadingaquietlife.blogspot.com

Marta at Marta's Meanderings
http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com

Janet at Along the Way
http://a-long-the-way.blogspot.com

Barry at Gnostalgia
http://gnostalgia.wordpress.com

8/21
Julie at One Rainy Afternoon
http://onerainyafternoon.blogspot.com

Stephanie at Stephanie at Coupon Clippin'
http://www.couponclippinmommy.com/

Gretta at The Johns Family
http://grettajohns.blogspot.com

8/23
Lori at Lori's Book Reviews
http://laurelwreathsreflections.com/lorisbookreviews/

Annette at A Well-Watered Garden
http://awell-wateredgarden.blogspot.com

Tracy at Simply Tracy
http://preecevilleprincess.blogspot.com

Dana at A Nibnabit Life
http://havenstorch.blogpsot.com

8/24
Kristina at Mommy Literati
http://www.mommyliterati.blogspot.com

Crystal at Music and Mommies: The Scattered Mind
http://musicandmommies.blogspot.com

Tami at This Mom's Delight
http://ThisMomsDelight.com

Heather at Faith, Family and Fun
http://faithfamilyandfun.com

8/25
Mrs. Q at Book Addict
http://web.me.com/quirion

The Praying Mom at Praying Through Chaos
http://prayingthroughchaos.blogspot.com

Zoe at Zoe Reads
http://zoereads.com

Bailey at Growing For Christ
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OhioSarah

8/26
Carol at Books Before Food
http://bookbeforefood.blogspot.com

Cindy at Cindy's Love Of Books
http://cindysloveofbooks.blogspot.com

Nora at Finding Hope Through Fiction
http://www.psalm516.blogspot.com

8/27
Stephanie at Super Reviewer Girl
http://superreviewergirl.blogspot.com

Jennifer at The Steeds
http://www.thesteeds.net

Lauren at 5 Minutes for Books
http://www.5minutesforbooks.com

Susieqtpies at Scraps of Life
http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com

8/28
Amy at Girlfriends Get Real
http://girlfriendsgetreal.blogspot.com

Anna at Mingle Over Mocha
http://ww.MingleOverMocha.com

Kaylea at My Scrappy Life
http://kaytebug2002.blogspot.com

Check back later for my review and give away of this book.

(Give Away) Simple Wisdom Kindle Giveaway


Suzanne's Amish Proverbs just hit the shelves. To celebrate she's giving away a KINDLE and throwing a party! Let the fun begin. See below for info and links.


Find out more about the book, Suzanne and the blog tour here.

Enter Suzanne Woods Fisher's Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway!


Simple Wisdom giveaway=


One Grand Prize winner will receive a Kindle preloaded with Suzanne Woods Fisher titles. The Prize Pack (valued at over $205.00) includes:


* A brand new KINDLE, Free 3G, 6", Latest Generation


* Amish Peace by Suzanne Woods Fisher


* The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher





To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest.

Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on September 1st.


Sweet Kindle Giveaway 
Join Suzanne for a Wrap-up Party on September 1st!

She’ll be announcing the winner of the Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway, chatting with readers, and giving away copies of Amish Proverbs and The Choice! Be sure to join us on Wednesday , September 1st at 8PM EST at Suzanne’s Author Page

Be sure to check out the blog tour here or purchase a copy of Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life!

Today is the day!



Today is the day that Cindy's Love of Books turns 2.

I have to start off by sending out a huge huge THANK YOU to all the reps/publishing houses that I was fortunate to get books from. I have enjoyed reading the books and working with you and I am looking forward to another exciting year of great books.

This past year was a really fun and exciting year. I got to meet another local book blogger IRL Linda, the Montreal group went to NYC/BEA in May, while in NYC/BEA I also got to meet quite a few of the bloggers I have spoken with online or commented on their blog (you know who you are), I also got to meet a few of the reps that I work with as well, I got to meet some great authors and another higlight was getting a tour of Sourcebooks when I was in Chicago. Thanks again Paul.

Thank you to you my readers who read my blog. I love hearing from you all either by comments or emails. It makes my day when I see that I have new comments or emails.


Thanks again everyone.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

(Giveaway) Day 4




Its the middle of the week and up for grabs today is:

-Chapter 1 booklet of White Cat by Holly Black
-Rose bookmark (if you move it up and down the roses open and close)
-Montreal pen
-Montreal keychain
-Montreal magnet
-package of post it notes
-a small box of soft maple sugar candies



RULES:
-Open to Canada and US with a valid mailing address. Sorry no PO Boxes
-leave your email address in the comments
-In the comments answer this question: Have you ever been to Montreal?

On My Wishlist #2 Monthly Edition

Its that time of the month again when I share with you what is ON MY WISHLIST this month. I have to send out a huge THANK YOU to Carolyn at Book Chick City for hosting this weekly meme. Be sure to go and check out her's and other bloggers list.

I do have to tell you though that looking at this list could lead to more books being added to your wishlists.

This is what made it to my ON MY WISHLIST this month:




Free FAll by Mindi Scott (Can I just say that Mindi is an AWESOME author?

Behemoth by Scott Westerfield. This is the second book in the trilogy. (I have received this book. Thanks to the awesome publisher for sending this too me.)

Elixir by Hilary Duff (yes the pop star) I am curious about this one and to see how she is as an author. (I have received this book. I bought it)

Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski

Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford. (I have received this one)

This is what made it ON MY WISHLIST, what about yours?

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

(Giveaway) Day 3




Welcome to the third day of my blogiversary give away. Today I have a book to give away. Its a signed copy of The Queen of Cool by Cecil Castellucci. I picked this up on Saturday when I went to Cecil's book signing.



ABOUT THE BOOK
On the outside, Libby Brin is the most popular girl in school. But on the inside, Libby is dying - of boredom. In a moment of desperation, Libby signs up for an internship at the Los Angeles Zoo, much to the dismay of her friends, who'd prefer she spend her time with them, shopping, partying, and making fun of everyone else. Oddly, Libby realizes that she actually enjoys her new job and that she may even like the two "nerds" she works with. Will the Queen of Cool be forced to give up her crown?


RULES:
-This giveaway is open to Canada and the US with a valid mailing address. (No PO Boxes)

-Answer this question "If you were forced to give up something what would it be and why?" Don't forget to leave your email address in your comment.

-Please read this post for more rules that apply to all my contest/giveaways.

(Author Meet Up) Cecil Castellucci & Books Bought

I want to thank Nikole at Scholastic Canada for sending me an ARC of Rose Sees Red to read and review (My review will be up this week.) and for telling me that Cecil was going to be in town on August 21st (Saturday).

I have to be honest and say that up until I got the book and email I have never heard of Cecil before. So when I heard that she was a local author I got pretty excited because I love to discover new (to me) and local authors.

After getting this email with the info about the when and where of the double book signing I quickly emailed the Montreal group to see who wanted to come with me. Avis said she wanted to go so we made a plan to meet up and go together.

Even though I live in Montreal I have to say I can actually count the number of times I have been down town on two hands and I have lived in Montreal for almost 13 years now. I live roughly 20 minutes from down town (and that is on a quiet day with no traffic) and where I live I am close to everything so why would I go downtown?

There are exceptions to that and this is one of them. The Friday before the event I went to goggle maps to figure out my route via public transit and which one would work the best as I was going to meet Avis at a metro (subway) station and we were going to walk Babar en Ville. One nice thing about our metro system is the underground city. This particular metro station you can access so much without going outside to brave the elements such as the rain. We came out and to the left was:

(Babar is a great indie bookstore for children, middle grade and young adult books.)

As we were waiting a bit outside, guess who I spotted going into Babar? The one and only Cecil. I didn't say anything to her because she was talking with her parents (which I only found out when she introduced them at the signing.)

We went in shortly after and looked around. I have to say that Babar en ville is exactly like the Babar that we have here in the village. Very small and filled with great books. Thankfully I didn't have any extra money on me because I am sure I would have bought so many great books.

Just before the reading and signing I bought these two (to get signed) plus a surprise..hmm could it be a possible goodie for the giveaway? Hmm you will have to wait and see.

I have been picking up Geektastic everytime I went into a bookstore but always ended up putting in back and seeing it here I knew this time I had to get it and Cecil was one of the people who editted it so what better reason to pick it up?

Cecil read her first children's picture book Grandma's Gloves. What a beautiful story and while she was reading it I couldn't help but think of my grandma.

Then after that Cecil read a passage from her newest book Rose Sees Red. If you haven't read it yet you should its a really great story set in NYC in the 80s. As I was reading it I thought about my trip to NYC.

There was a Q&A and it was so nice to hear more about Cecil and her books. Then it was time to get books signed and I got the two above books signed plus my ARC of Rose Sees Red. It was funny because I was in front of Cecil and she had asked if one of us (Avis and I) was Cindy and I said I was and she said she had replied to my tweet (I told her in a tweet that I was going to see her the next day). Here I thought I might have been in trouble. :)

Cecil was very gracious and let us take pictures. For some reason this is the only one I got of Cecil and I together and actually of the whole event.


I am sure Avis will post her picture and post because she had her picture taken as well with her camera.

After getting our books and pictures done we got to snack on some lovely yummy cupcakes (me) and tea (avis) that Babar supplied for us.

Thanks Babar En Ville for hosting this great event and thanks to Cecil for coming. I am so looking forward to reading more of your books.

Monday, August 23, 2010

In My Mailbox/Mailbox Monday


Its that time of the week again for another In My Mailbox and Mailbox Monday post.

As you know Kristi from The Story Siren hosts In My Mailbox and this month instead of Marcia from Printed Page hosting Mailbox Monday she has asked bloggers to take turns in hosting Mailbox Monday so for the month of August Chick Loves Lit is the host so hop over to her blog to see what she and others got.

The only book I got last week was on Wednesday and its for a ARC tour site that I recently joined and this is the first book I got:


ABOUT THE BOOK
After a close encounter with the front end of a school bus, Alona Dare goes from Homecoming Queen to Queen of the Dead. Now she’s stuck as a spirit (DON’T call her a ghost) in the land of the living with no sign of the big, bright light to take her away. To make matters worse, the only person who might be able to help her is Will Killian, a total loser outcast who despises the social elite. He alone can see and hear (turns out he’s been “blessed” with the ability to communicate with the dead), but he wants nothing to do with the former mean girl of Groundsboro High.

Alona has never needed anyone for anything, and now she’s supposed to expose her deepest, darkest secrets to this pseudo-goth boy? Right. She’s not telling anyone what really happened the day she died, not even to save her eternal soul. And Will’s not filling out any volunteer forms to help her cross to the other side. He only has a few more weeks until his graduation, when he can strike out on his own and find a place with less spiritual interference. But he has to survive and stay out of the psych ward until then. Can they get over their mutual distrust—and the weird attraction between them—to work together before Alona vanishes for good and Will is locked up for seeing things that don’t exist?


I am currently trying to finish this because I have to have it in the mail on Wednesday. Its been a pretty good read so far.

So this is what I got last week, what about you?

(Giveaway) Day 2




Up for grabs today is:

I was cleaning up alot of my stuff and stumbled across these goodies that I got when I was at BEA in May.
-small lunch bag that advertises Late for School by Steve Martin
-a few buttons (not shown)
-a little Mimi note pad
-assortment of book marks
-postcards
-stickers

These aren't from BEA:
-Chapter 1 booklet of White Cat by Holly Black
-Chapter 1 booklet of Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
-Montreal pen (not shown)
-post it flags (not shown)

Rules:
-Open to Canada and the US with a Valid mailing address (Sorry no PO Boxes)
-Don't forget to leave your email address.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

(Giveaway) Day 1




Welcome Everyone. This is the first day of my week long blogiversary giveaway.

RULES:
-In all the giveaways please include your email address so that I have a way to contact you should you be a winner. Failure to do so will cause your entry to be deleted.

-Before entering please make sure that you are able to enter as some of the giveaways will be Canada only. (Sorry but this is due to the cost of shipping items out!)

-If you are a winner you have 48 hours to email me back with your mailing address. Failure to do so will result in picking another winner.

-All the giveaways this week will end on Sunday, August 29th at midnight. Winners will be announced on Monday August 30th.

-Also you must have a valid mailing address no PO Boxes please.

-Finally in each giveaway there will be one winner only. The only time you will have a chance to win a second item is my grand prize giveaway. Sorry about that but I have seen it done and personally don't think its fair if there is a week long giveaway and one person gets to win several prizes. (This is only my opinion.)

GIVEAWAY:



To start off the giveaway I have a $5 Tim Horton's or Starbucks gift card to give away.

-Open to residents of Canada or US.

-In the comments please tell me which one you would want to win.

(Review) The Popularity Papers


AUTHOR: Amy Ignatow
PUB DATE: 4/1/2010
PAGES: 208
PUBLISHER: Amulet Books
SOURCE: Borrowed library book

ABOUT THE BOOK
Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are best friends with one goal: to crack the code of popularity. Lydia’s the bold one: aspiring theater star, stick-fighting enthusiast, human guinea pig. Julie’s the shy one: observer and artist, accidental field hockey star, faithful recorder. In this notebook they write down their observations and carry out experiments to try to determine what makes the popular girls tick. But somehow, when Lydia and Julie try to imitate the popular girls, their efforts don’t translate into instant popularity. Lydia ends up with a bald spot, their parents won’t stop yelling, and Julie finds herself the number-one crush of Roland Asbjørnsen. Worse, they seem to be drifting farther and farther from their goal—and each other.

Amy Ignatow’s hilarious debut novel introduces the intrepid fifth-graders Julie and Lydia, whose quest to understand popularity may not succeed in the ways they want, but will succeed in keeping readers in stitches.


MY THOUGHTS
I have never heard of this book before so I had picked it up to read while Michael was at story time one Friday. (I somehow left my book at home) I flipped through this book and figured it would be a pretty quick and easy read while he was listening to the story and doing the craft (story time is an hour at our library).

I love the concept of the book, flipping through it you can see its done as a journal/ book that is home made.

As I was reading this it brought back memories of when I was in grade 5 and doing almost a similar thing with my BFF's (best friends forever) at the time, ours wasn't about trying to find a way to be popular, ours was based on a tv show called Square Pegs (does anyone remember that show?). I wish that I had that book now but sadly I don't.

Back to my thoughts! Lydia and Julie are both BFF's and in grade five. The girls are preparing to enter junior high and they are making it their mission to become popular by the time they enter junior high. The girls decide that they will have to observe like scientist to gather there data. They are going to watch the people who are already popular and apply it themselves. (ie clothes, hair etc). They are hoping to crack the code of becoming popular.


Lydia and Julie are documenting it all in a note book. As you can see its almost journal like. Inside this note book is drawings, had written notes, list of goals, notes passed on to each other, etc.

Some of the goals the girls fail at such as when Lydia decides to bleach a strip of hair to look like one of the popular girls but as an adult we know what bleach can do and putting it in your hair is NOT a good idea (the bleach used to dye your hair is different then household bleach) and Lydia ends up loosing some of her hair because of this.

As the project progresses the girls find acceptance in the higher ups but quickly realize that its not what they thought it would be and learn that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

I thought this was a really cute book and I would recommend this to any girl who is in grade five or entering grade five. I think there is a great lesson to this book and one that alot of girls might not know.

Contest Rules for all my giveaways

I just wanted to post my contest/giveaway rules for everyone that will be entering my contest/giveaways. This will apply to all my contest/giveaways that I am hosting unless otherwise stated.


RULES:
-In all the giveaways please include your email address so that I have a way to contact you should you be a winner. Failure to do so will cause your entry to be deleted.

-All my contest/giveaways are for readers of my blog so I would prefer it if you subscribed to my blog or were a follower.

-If you are coming from a freebie site your entry will be deleted.

-Before entering please make sure that you are able to enter as some of the giveaways will be Canada only. (Sorry but this is due to the cost of shipping items out!)

-If you are a winner you have 48 hours to email me back with your mailing address. Failure to do so will result in picking another winner.

-All the giveaways/contest have ending dates posted in the post its announced.

-Also you must have a valid mailing address no PO Boxes please.

Thanks in Advance.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

(Review) Top 8




PUBLISHER: Scholastic (Point)
PUB DATE: October 2008
PAGES: 308
SOURCE: Borrowed book from the library.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Madison MacDonald is seriously freaking out

Madison MacDonald

16

Putnam, CT

Status: Single?

About Me:
Everything in my life was working out. I had my three best friends, a brand-new boyfriend, and the lead in the school play. Aside from that history paper I hadn't started, things felt perfect.

Then I returned from spring break to find my Friendverse profile hacked. Someone clearly out to ruin me had spilled the most damaging secrets - AND posted the worst photos of me ever taken - online.


MY THOUGHTS
This is Katie Finns debut book. I actually ended up borrowing this because I have to say I was curious about the book when I started seeing her second book Whats Your Status? on several blogs this summer.

Top 8 begins with Madison MacDonald's friendverse page. I am probably going to make myself sound old here by saying I had no idea what friendverse was so yes I googled it and discovered that its sort of like myspace/facebook. If anyone is on friendverse please correct me if this is wrong.

Anways Madison is away on vacation and while she is gone her friendverse account has been hacked without her knowledge and doesn't discover this until she gets home. She has no idea who did this but is determined to find out.

Madison is not the most popular girl at school and her top 8 is basically all her best friends and she is the kind of girl who is friends with everyone. (You know the kind.)

Just before Madison went on her family vacation she had it all: the cute boyfriend, the lead in the school play and friends. She was happy as any girl would be. Now that she is back and knows her account has been hacked she discovers that whoever did this broke up with the boyfriend, said mean and nasty things about her friends and possibly cost her the lead in the play.

With a list of possible suspects she quickly realizes that people she suspected turn out innocent and the one person she didn't suspect was the person who set out to ruin her life. Will she find out who it is? What will she think when she uncovers the truth?

Will she be able to get the boyfriend back as well? Curious to know then I suggest you pick up the book.

Friday, August 20, 2010

(Author Meet Up) Cecil Castellucci

I have to send out a huge thank you to Nikole at Scholastic books Canada for sending me an ARC of Rose Sees Red (my review is to come) and for letting me know that Cecil was going to be coming to town this weekend.

I actually found out that she was going to be doing a show tune singing and novel excerpt reading on Thursday August 19th right here in Montreal. I was unable to attend this event but I will get the chance to meet her Saturday August 21 at a double book signing for the following books:

ABOUT THE BOOK
A child who loses a beloved grandparent finds comfort in carrying on the activities they shared in this sweet, genuine look at a universal rite of passage.

Grandma is always on her knees in the dirt, with her gardening gloves on, talking to her roses and laughing with the birds-of-paradise. Her home brims with plants and blossoms, and on hot days, she waters her granddaughter, her "most special flower of all," with the garden hose. But a day comes when Grandma is no longer there to care for the little girl, who feels sad and small and alone until she remembers all that her grandmother taught her - and all that she now has to teach. Full of light and life and the solace of green growing things, this moving and beautifully illustrated picture book explores a timeless bond with warmth and joy.



ABOUT THE BOOK
Rose has given up. She''s given up on friendship, on happiness, on life being anything other than black, black, black. Yrena wants out. She''s a dancer who doesn''t want to dance, a prisoner in her own home, a resident of New York who never gets to see the city. To Rose, Yrena has always been the Russian girl who lives next door, seen through the window but never spoken to. At least not until Yrena crashes into Rose''s room-and Rose''s life-and sets in motion a night in New York City that none of them will ever forget. From YA superstar Cecil Castellucci, this is the story of cold hearts and cold wars warmed by simple human connection and the liberty of being young and free in the early hours of a new day.


Check back for my review and photos and such from when I meet Cecil this weekend. I will be meeting up with Avis as she will be attending this event with me.

(Review) Sh*t My Dad Says


TITLE: Sh*t My Dad Says
AUTHOR: Justin Halpern
PUB DATE: April 26/10
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins
PAGES: 158
SOURCE: This was a borrowed book from the library.

ABOUT THE BOOK
After being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, twenty-eight-year-old Justin Halpern found himself living at home with his seventy-three-year-old dad. Sam Halpern, who is "like Socrates, but angrier, and with worse hair," has never minced words, and when Justin moved back home, he began to record all the ridiculous things his dad said to him:

"That woman was sexy. . . . Out of your league? Son, let women figure out why they won't screw you. Don't do it for them."

"Do people your age know how to comb their hair? It looks like two squirrels crawled on their heads and started f------."

"The worst thing you can be is a liar. . . . Okay, fine, yes, the worst thing you can be is a Nazi, but then number two is liar. Nazi one, liar two."

More than a million people now follow Mr. Halpern's philosophical musings on Twitter, and in this book, his son weaves a brilliantly funny, touching coming-of-age memoir around the best of his quotes. An all-American story that unfolds on the Little League field, in Denny's, during excruciating family road trips, and, most frequently, in the Halperns' kitchen over bowls of Grape-Nuts, Sh*t My Dad Says is a chaotic, hilarious, true portrait of a father-son relationship from a major new comic voice.


If you would like to read the first chapter you can do so by clicking on this link

MY THOUGHTS:
When I first heard this story one day on the news I quickly had to check out www.twitter.com/ShitMyDadSays . I think I ended up sitting at my computer laughing at some of the things Justin's dad had said.

I am anxious to see how this will play on in the fall when Sh*t My Dad Says comes on tv. Is anyone else going to watch this?

Anyways back to my review of the book. I have to say that some of the things Justin's dad said was pretty funny and I sat laughing out loud. This was a pretty quick and easy read.

Each chapter offers a title and a mini story about said title. At the end of each chapter is a bunch of quotes from his dad. To pick a favorite title is hard as I enjoyed them all but I will give you a few of my favorite sayings.

On Tailgating the Driver in Front of Me
"You sure do like to tailgate people...Right, because its real important you show up to the nothing you have to do on time."

On Videotaping Christmas Mornimg
"Okay, smile when you open your presents...No smile and look at the camera, dum-dum."

On Child Safety
"Don't touch that knife, you never need to be holding a knife...I don't give a sh*t, learn how to butter stuff with a spoon."

On Summer Vacation
"Watching tv all day is not an option. If this were Let's Make a Deal that would not be behind one of those doors to choose from."

As you can see I was being very selective in what I was putting here because of the language. If this kind of lanuage offends you then this is not the book for you as its used alot in the book. If your like me and it doesn't bother you then pick up this book. I am sure you will be laughing out loud.

This was a funny quick read book that I enjoyed reading.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Hard to Believe



Its hard to believe that next week will be Cindy's Love of Books second bloggiversary.

So all next week I plan on having a week long party to celebrate my bloggiversary. There will be daily giveaways and a bigger giveaway at the end of the event.

If any authors, reps or publishers would love to help out that would be great. Also if any of my readers would like to do a guest post please feel free to contact me through this post or by email at cindysloveofbooksarc AT gmail DOT com.

So check back on Sunday August 22nd when the festivites begin.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

(Review) Holly's Inbox: Scandal in the City


TITLE: Holly's Inbox: Scandal in the City
AUTHOR: Holly Denham
PUB DATE: August 2010
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks
PAGES: 544
SOURCE: Received a finished copy from the publisher.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Dear Holly, isn’t it shocking…?

Things are finally going Holly Denham’s way: she’s in love, she’s getting the recognition she deserves at work, and her friends and family have graciously opted to avoid disaster for the moment.

Just when Holly is starting to settle into her new life, scandal erupts and Holly finds herself—and her in box—at the center of a gossip whirlwind that threatens everything she’s worked so hard for.

Written entirely in emails, this follow-up to the UK smash hit Holly’s Inbox will keep you glued to its pages as the scandal running rampant in the city threatens to ruin Holly’s hard-earned and long-awaited happiness.


MY THOUGHTS
I want to send out a thank you to April from Sourcebooks for sending me this book. I have anxiously been awaiting for this one to come out after reading the first Holly's Inbox book last year. This wasn't as huge as last years book (over 600 pages) and like last year it was a very quick read. I enjoyed reading it and actually managed to read this in a few hours.

Scandal in the City is just like the first book, its done in email format. The books characters have remained the same as the last book with Holly, Trisha, Jason, her mother, grandmother and many more. You don't need to read the first one to read this one.

Holly is still working as a receptionist at DKHeurst and she is still with Toby. Just like the previous book Holly manages to get into some high jinx that you wonder how she will be able to get herself into that situation and how will she ever be able to get out of it?

In the first book Holly managed to get into alot of trouble and things weren't the best but is seems in this book things are coming together but is the calm before the storm? Things seem to be running smoothly for her in the work place and in her personal life. Things are going great with Toby and at her she is being offered a promotion. She has to keep things quiet at work for now about the promotion and that means keeping that secret from her coworker and good friend Trisha so you can only imagine where this will go and how it will end?

As I am reading I have to say I laughed, wanted to reach into the book and shake Holly by the shoulders and gringe at the things she said and did. I guess you really can't blame Holly because sometimes it did look like things were the way they seemed. I am sure we might react the same way or maybe not.

If you are looking for a light, fun and easy/quick read then this is for you. I am curious if there will be a book three. What do you think? If there is I can not wait to read it.

Friday, August 13, 2010

(Review) Seduced by the Wolf


TITLE: Seduced by the Wolf
AUTHOR: Terry Spear
PUB DATE: August 2010
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Casablanca
PAGES: 416
SOURCE: ARC was mailed to me from the publisher
COVER: ARC and Final copy are the same.

ABOUT THE BOOK
His first priority is to protect his pack…
Werewolf pack leader Leidolf Wildhaven has just taken over a demoralized pack. With rogue wolves on the loose causing havoc and the authorities from the zoo suddenly zeroing in on the local wolf population, the last thing he needs in his territory is a do-gooder female, no matter how beautiful and enticing she is…

She’ll do anything to help wolves…
Biologist Cassie Roux has dedicated her life to protecting wolves in the wild. On a desperate mission to help a she-wolf with newborn pups, the last thing Cassie needs right now is a nosy and entirely too attractive werewolf pack leader trying to track her down…

With rogue wolves and hunters threatening at every turn, Cassie and Leidolf may find their attraction the most dangerous force of all…


MY THOUGHTS
I have to send out a very huge THANK YOU to Danielle at Sourcebooks for sending me this ARC of Seduced by the Wolf.

You will noticed that I don't review alot of romance books here on my blog and honestly that is because I am not a romance reader. I think I can probably count on both hands the number of romance books I have read in the past 14 years and its not alot. I'm not sure why I am not a fan when so many are but it ranks right up there with historical fiction another genre I just don't read.

When it comes to romance books I have to say hands down if I am offered a Terry Spears book I jump at the chance. I absolutely love this series.

Seduced by the Wolf is book five in the series with three more books to come. just a little note that you don't have to read the previous books in the series to understand what is going on. I am going to buy the first two very soon.

Like the previous books I read I once again was drawn into the story right away and had a hard time to put this down and I pretty much devoured this book in one sitting. I love the cover for this.

As I was reading this several character names popped out at me that were in previous books and it was nice to see them again and to play more of a part in this book. You often wonder what happens to characters when a series continues so this was really nice.

Seduced by the Wolf is a perfect title of this book because that is basically what happens in Oregon. Cassie comes to town to give a lecture about wolves. She is a wolf biologist and there is more to Cassie then meets the eye.

Leidolf is the alpha male of the local pack and he is trying to bring some order to the pack which seems to be falling apart. He is dealing with an issue of a cougar that seems to be killing some of his livestock.

Cassie and Leidolf are forced together when someone slashes her tires before the lecture and being the gentleman that he is he looks after her by getting his men to fix the tires (apparently Leidolf owns quite a bit of the towns population)and telling them to keep an eye on her car to see is behind it.

He convinces Cassie to go out with him for a quick dinner which she agrees to until she steps into the restaurant its filled with wolves. She is worried that her secret will come out but really how long can she keep it and why hasn't anyone figured it out?

You can see the instant connection happening between Cassie and Leidolf. The only thing is Cassie has no interest in looking for a mate while Leidolf is. Will he be able to change her mind?

If I write anymore I will really giveaway the book but if you are looking for a great book this is it.



BOOKS I HAVE READ IN THIS SERIES:
To Tempt The Wolf Book 3
Legend of White Wolf book 4

UP COMING BOOKS:
Wolf Fever book 6 December 7th/10 (Just in time for my birthday!)
Heart of the Higland Wolf book 7- June 2011
Dreaming of the Wolf book 8 - 2011 (no date yet)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

White Heat Giveaway



The newest series by Brenda Novak is White Heat. Its going to be a trilogy in the Department 6 Hired Guns. (Body Heat #2 and Killer Heat #3)

ABOUT THE BOOK (from the publisher Harlequin Mira)
Nate Ferrentino and Rachel Jessop are operatives for Department 6, a private security company, and they’re going undercover to expose a new and dangerous cult.

This group has taken up residence in the Arizona desert, in a ghost town called Paradise . Members worship at the feet—and in the bed--of its charismatic leader, Ethan Wycliff. On his orders, they tried to stone a woman to death. And they’re implicated in the disappearance of a teenage girl.

To expose the Church of the Covenant, with its arcane rituals and debauched practices, Nate and Rachel must pretend to be married. That’s the only way they can get in—but being Nate’s “wife” is the last thing Rachel wants. She and Nate have a one-night history that’s just an embarrassment to her now. But they don’t have a choice. Wycliff has to be stopped.


ABOUT BRENDA NOVAK
Most writers say they've had stories running around in their head since they can remember, but that wasn't the case for Brenda. She grew up thinking she didn't have a creative bone in her body. She considered herself "left-brained," with talents in science and mathematics, and even went to school for business.

It wasn't until she was 29 and married with three kids that she discovered writing — and if not for a difficult situation that prompted her to find a way to make money from home, she might not have started even then.

Brenda was a loan officer for a mortgage company when she caught her in-home daycare provider drugging her children with cough medicines and Tylenol to get them to sleep while she was gone. They'd been waking up several times in the night and she couldn't figure out why. Except for the baby, they were too old for that. But once she found the medicine in her baby's bottle, she suspected the baby-sitter had been doing this for several months.

No longer able to trust someone else with her children's well-being, Brenda quit her job to stay home with them — but her husband's business was failing and she needed to find some way to help him financially. That's when she decided to write a book.

It wasn't the "quick fix" the Novaks were hoping for. It took her five years to teach herself the craft and to finish her debut novel, Of Noble Birth, published in November 1999. But it introduced her to something she loves to do more than anything else. Shortly after she sold Of Noble Birth, she sold three books to Harlequin's Superromance line, the first of which, Expectations, came out in February 2000.

Now she has five children; three girls and two boys, and juggles her writing career with softball games and field trips, carpool runs and homework sessions, and trying to keep up with her active husband. Fortunately, her family is as involved in what she does as she is in their activities. Her husband or one of her daughters sometimes go to conferences with her, they put stamps on the postcards she sends to her mailing list when she has a new book come out, and they come to all her book signings.

Her oldest, Ashley, throws her backpack down when she gets home from school and immediately joins Brenda at her computer, wanting to hear the latest installment on her current work in progress. Ashley gives Brenda valuable feedback, and so does her husband, who hears the same pages when he comes home from work. Now, as a family, the Novaks look back on those hard times when Brenda was just starting out and are grateful that something so good came out of it.

Brenda loves to hear from fellow romance enthusiasts. You can contact her at P.O. Box 3781, Citrus Heights, CA, 95611 or via her web site at www.brendanovak.com.

DID YOU KNOW?
She also runs an annual on-line auction for diabetes research every May at Brenda Novak. To date, she’s raised over $1,072,000.

Interested in reading the first chapter to see if this book is for you? Click here to read it: Dept 6 Hired Guns.

Watch the trailer:


Doesn't this sound really good? I am in the midst of reading this and I am enjoying it. (My review is to come.)

Guess what readers? I have one sweet giveaway for you. Thanks to Chelsy at Big Honcho Media I am able to offer this:

A White Heat prize pack including:
-Tote bag
-3D viewer bookmark
-White Heat lip gloss – made especially for the book!
-A copy of White Heat

ABOUT THE LIP GLOSS:
White Heat Lip Gloss is a sheer and sexy hot pink gloss with silver-white and opalescent shimmer created in our signature non-sticky lip gloss formula. Available in a stackable swing-out pot, this universally flattering shade is the perfect travel-friendly gloss to keep your lips moist and hydrated on the go!

RULES:
-The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian addresses. (No PO Boxes)
-Please leave me a comment with a email address so that I can contact you should you be a winner. (failure to do this will disqualify you)

The giveaway is sponsored by MIRA Books. Thank you Mira Books.

Also from the author's website: If you'd like a pair of Brenda Novak 3D glasses (which double as a bookmark), send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Brenda Novak P.O. Box 3781 Citrus Heights, CA 95611

UPCOMING BOOKS:

Twelve people have been shot at point-blank range and left to rot in the desert sun. It's Sophia St. Claire's job to do something about it. She's Bordertown, Arizona's new chief of police—and she's out of her depth.
Help arrives in the form of Department 6 hired gun Roderick Guerrero. As far as Sophia's concerned, his involvement only makes things worse. Maybe he's managed to turn his life around. And maybe he's a good investigator. But as the bastard son of a wealthy local rancher, he has a history he can't get past. A history that includes her.

Rod refuses to leave town until the killer is caught. He's not worried about the danger posed by some vigilante. It's Sophia who threatens him. Because he's used to risking his life—but his heart is another story. (Aug 31/10)




The bodies of seven women have been discovered in Skull Valley, Arizona. Jonah Young, a private security operative from Department 6, has been hired by the Yavapai County Sheriff to assist in solving these murders. But Jonah’s not prepared for the complications that arise when he’s forced to work with a woman from his past, private investigator Francesca Moretti.

Jonah betrayed Francesca ten years ago. She hasn’t forgiven him and she’s pretty sure she never will. But the woman she was hired to find has been murdered in exactly the same way as the seven in Skull Valley, so like it or not, Francesca has to work with Jonah. They quickly zero in on the most likely suspect--but questions remain. Questions they have to answer. Because if they bet on the wrong man, it might be the last thing they ever do…
(Sept 28/10)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

(Review & Tour) Catwalk First Wild Card Tour

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:


Catwalk (On the Runway Book 2)

Zondervan (May 7, 2010)

***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world, volunteered in teen ministry, taught preschool, raised two sons, and worked briefly in interior design and later in international adoption. “I think real-life experiences inspire the best fiction,” she says. Her wide variety of books seem to prove this theory.


Visit the author's website.



Product Details:

List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310717876
ISBN-13: 978-0310717874

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:





MY THOUGHTS
One of the best things about blogging is the chance to experience new authors and I can remember the first time I read Melody Carlson and it was through blogging that I got to discover her.

I have been very lucky in gettng several of her YA books and to be included on so many great tours of her books. I have to say I have enjoyed them all and this new series is no exception. I am only into book two but so far so good. Fingers are crossed.

Once again book two opens up where book one left off.

One of the benefits of the girls (Paige and Erin) reality tv show On The Runway is that they get to attend fashion week in NYC. Several NYC landmarks were mentioned and it brought back memories of NYC for me. I wonder what it would be like to be in NYC during fashion Week?

Paige is super excited that she gets to experience Fashion Week and she craves the attention especially if it involves the top fashion designers, and as we read we quickly discover that this new found fame is going to her head and she is going to do what ever she wants to do and doesn't care.

Mean while Erin is really trying to get the work out and promote the designers who are going Eco friendly. You know the ones who are trying to do good in the world? Well Erin is discovering that no one seems to really take her seriously. Even Paige is giving her a hard time. I have to applaud Erin for bringing this up and I think we need to take a lesson from her.

So the question is will Paige be able to keep her cool or will all this fame finally get to her and make her do things she might not normally do?

What will the girls think about Paris?

Monday, August 09, 2010

In My Mailbox/Mailbox Monday/Books Bought



Its that time again when I get to highlight the books I got this past week in the mail. Last week I was away on vacation. It was great to get away and I can tell you that I drove through one province (Ontario) and drove through 5 states (NY, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois). Of course we had to stopover in Pennsylvania for the night going and coming back because it was well over a 16 hour drive from here to Illinois.

I had very limited access to the internet while away and had no idea what packages if any were delivered because our next door neighbor picked up the mail. I did ask how the mail situation was when I emailed her to let her know when I was coming back.

I have to say I was a little disappointed because I thought I would have gotten something but no it didn't happen but Michael was really happy because of the packages I got they were all for him.

This is techincally his In My Mailbox / Mailbox Monday post.
Review
-Little Chimp's Big Day by Lisa Schroeder ill by Lisa McCue
-Ashley learns about Strangers by Sarah Duchess of York
-Emily's First Day of School by Sarah Duchess of York
-Matthew and the Bullies by Sarah Duchess of York
-Michael and his new baby brother by Sarah Duchess of York
-Ten on the Sled by Kim Norman ill by Liza Woodruff
- 1+1=5 and other unlikely additions by David LaRochelle ill by Brenda Sexton

BOOKS BOUGHT
While I was in Illinois I got to check out Anderson's Bookshop and it was such a cute little indie bookstore. I ended up buying:
-Tweet Hearts by Elizabeth Rudnick (this was a signed copy)
-Glee the beginning (an original novel)
-Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
-Glimmerglass by Jenna Black

Picked Up For Review
I also got to meet up with Paul from Sourcebooks and I was given a tour of the Sourcebooks facility while I was in town. I was given:
-My Dady My Hero by Ethan Long (ARC) Great cover and great illustrations
-Fledgling by Mark A Cooper (ARC)
-The Allegra Biscotti Collection by Olivia Bennet (love the look of the cover)
-Dear Teacher by Amy Husband
-The Aristobrats by Jennifer Solow (ARC) another cover that I really like

So those are the books that came my way last week. Thanks to Sterling Books for sending all those great children books our way. They sent me some duplicates and I have donated those to my local library. Also a huge thank you goes out to Paul and everyone at Sourcebooks for the books, tour and all the great info I picked up. You all rock!
August 26, 2008 ~Cindys Love of Books was created.



 
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