Perfect is Overrated

**Copy won through LibraryThing early Reviewers**

Kate Alger has suffered from post-partum depression since her daughter Molly was born four years ago. She is finally starting to make her recovery when another mom at Molly’s school is murdered. Instead of driving Kate back to her bed, the murder invigorates her.

A former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Kate’s instincts for catching bad guys kicks in and she starts snooping into the murders. Unknowingly helping her is Kate’s ex-husband, Paul, an NYPD detective living in the apartment above hers, and her good friend Peg, also a prosecutor.

As the murders start piling up, the pre-depression Kate breaks through more and more and she starts to confront the issues from her past that kept her in her depression.

Perfect is Overrated really surprised me, I picked it up thinking I was going to have to trudge through and not get any enjoyment and I was happily surprised that I liked it.

Aside from the fact that Kate has been suffering from post-partum depression for four years – really, her mom is a psychologist and no one thought to put her on meds, or anything? I think Bergreen does a good job with Kate, I came to really like her character and as the story developed more and more of Kate’s backbone appears.

There was a lot of backstory involving how her and her ex-husband met and fell in love (they both knew immediately they were going to get married and three dates in he tells her he wants to have babies with her), her pregnancy and scenes from her depression.  At first I was annoyed at all of the backstory but I realized Perfect is Overrated is not so much about the murders but a woman’s descent into post-partum depression and her rise to overcome the depression which aside from the four year part, I think Bergreen handled believably.

Bergreen writes with a snarky wit that I really enjoyed. Kate has a lot of good liners that had me chuckling, most of them involving her ex. The writing is fast and the story is intriguing with enough twists and turns to leave you guessing.

My only issues with Perfect is Overrated was the four year depression that no one did anything about. In some ways it is resolved, but still leaves me shaking my head a bit. The reasons for the divorce of Kate and Paul had me internally screaming to just talk to each other! I suspected what really happened and wanted to shake both of them for lack of communication. For two people who were so in tune with each other that they knew after their first meeting they were going to get married this is unfathomable.

Problems aside, I think it was a really good beach book. I was interested enough to fly through in just a couple sittings. I liked the characters and the murders kept me guessing who dunnit until after a couple tries I landed on the right character. If you’re looking for a light read on the last days of summer, or even after! Perfect is Overrated is a good choice. 

Quote of the Day

“Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know.” 
― John Keats

Quote of the Day

“Everything we are is at every moment alive in us.” 
― Arthur Miller

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted here, which spotlights new books we are anticipating.  

This week (and every week since finishing The Last Boyfriend) I'm waiting for the third and final book in the Inn Boosboro trilogy by Nora Roberts. 

It's a tough call, but I think I like this trilogy slightly better than the Bridal Quartet. I love the elements of supernatural aka the ghost in this story. I can't wait to find out her story. 

The Perfect Hope will tell the story of Hope and Ryder and I think it's going to be my favorite in this series. Hope and Ry have been building up the tension since book one, The Next Always and I have high expectations for their story. Luckily, Nora always delivers.  

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother are breathing new life into the town of Boonsboro, Maryland, by restoring its historic hotel. And they’re finding their own lives revamped by love. This is Ryder’s story... Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out — with a tough-as-nails outside and possibly nothing too soft underneath. He’s surly and unsociable, but when he straps on a tool belt, no woman can resist his sexy swagger. Except apparently Hope Beaumont, the innkeeper of his own Inn BoonsBoro. And though the Inn is running smoothly, thanks to Hope’s experience and unerring instincts, her big-city past is about to make an unwelcome — and embarrassing — appearance. Seeing Hope vulnerable stirs up Ryder’s emotions and makes him realize that while Hope may not be perfect, she just might be perfect for him...

Quote of the Day

“We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle.” 
― Marilyn Monroe

Quote of the Day

“You are everything that's ever been my favourite thing," she wanted to tell him. "You're my love song, my birthday cake, the sound of ocean waves and French words and a baby's laugh. You're a snow angel, crème brulée, a kaleidoscope filled with glitter. I love you and you'll never catch up, because I've gotten a head start and my heart is racing at light speed.” 
― Lisa Kleypas, Dream Lake

Summer Sundays - Dream Lake

Dream Lake is the latest book in the Friday Harbor series by Lisa Kleypas.

Zoe Hoffman is sweet and romantic. Alex Nolan is a broken man, the product of two alcoholic parents with a problem of his own. Zoe knows she should stay away from the handsome Alex - he tells her so himself, but she is drawn to him.

The ghost has been living at Rainshadow Road, the house Alex’s brother Sam bought and is re-modeling, for a long time. No one can see or hear him, until Alex shows up to help Sam. Alex can see and hear the ghost. Alex thinks he’s going crazy, the ghost thinks he has to help Alex with something.

When Zoe’s grandma’s health takes a turn for the worst, she decides to bring her to live with her at Friday Harbor. To do that, she will have to fix up the old house on Dream Lake and she will need Alex’s help. As the renovations are under way, Zoe and Alex become closer.

Alex is a broken man; Zoe is a cheerfully sweet and positive person. Typically those two personalities should clash and never mix but in Dream Lake Alex and Zoe fit perfectly. I loved both of these characters. The timeline is running parallel to the previous book in this series, Rainshadow Road and Kleypas spends the extra time building Alex’s character, his eventual realization that he has a problem and his recovery. It fits into the rest of the story seamlessly and we see a man broken by his past and his lack of hope for the future slowly ebbing away until he realizes he doesn’t want to be that man anymore.

Zoe is a cook and her creations are works of art and for Alex, a little magical. They help him through some of the dark days of his recovery.  But not until Alex is hired to do the renovations on the lake house do they start to get to know each other better. Unlikely friends, they both recognize their mutual desire but Alex believes Zoe deserves better than him.

I loved both Zoe and Alex’s story and the second story of the ghost and Emma. Both were beautiful, magical and yes heartwarming.  I was intrigued from page one, when the ghost begins the story, and I only grew more and more attached as the book progressed. I found myself simultaneously wanting to read it as fast as I could and take my time and delay the ending.

I loved the elements of magic in the story too from the ghost to Zoe’s cooking. The second storyline was heartbreaking and sweet. I wanted to know everything about the ghost and his past just as I wanted more of Zoe and Alex.

Zoe and Alex are complete polar opposites and that is what makes their story so addictive, so compelling. There is a glimpse of interaction between them in Rainshadow Road and Alex comes off as such an ass, almost as if he is already unredeemable, almost. But Lisa Kleypas is a skilled writer and she can find what is left in a damaged man and breathe new life into him until he is a truly unforgettable hero.

Dream Lake has made it into my cherished favorites and reiterated to me why I love Lisa Kleypas’s novels so much. I can’t wait for the next installment in the Friday Harbor series. 

Quote of the Day

In one of the stars, I shall be living.
In one of them, I shall be laughing.
And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the sky at night.
~ The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Book Club Pick - September

I have been looking at this book on my shelf for some time now and I keep wanting to pick it up and read it but never get around to it. What better way to accomplish this than by making it a book club pick?
I love the movie and I am of the belief that the book is always better, so I am really excited to dive into this one.

Gone with the Wind is the epic tale of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler, set against the backdrop of the Civil War.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the American Civil War, Margaret Mitchell's epic love story is an unforgettable tale of love and loss, of a nation mortally divided and its people forever changed. At the heart of all this chaos is the story of beautiful, ruthless Scarlett 'O' Hara and the dashing soldier of fortune, Rhett Butler.

Quote of the Day

But Mama, But Mama, what if I were a super smelly skunk, and I smelled so bad my name was stinky face?

Then I'd plunk you in a bubble bath! But if you still smelled stinky, I wouldn't mind. I'd whisper in your ear, "I love you Stinky Face."
- Lisa McCourt, I Love you, Stinky Face

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted here, which spotlights new books we are anticipating.

I've been reading John Sandford since I was a teenager, and I've never been disappointed in one of his books. A few years ago he started a new series as a crossover to his popular Prey series featuring Virgil Flowers. I loved Virgil in the Prey series and so far I am loving his solo role in his own series. Mad River will be the sixth Virgil book to date. Set to be released October 2nd, I can't wait to get my hands on this one.


Synopsis from Goodreads:

Bonnie and Clyde, they thought. And what’s-his-name, the sidekick. Three teenagers with dead-end lives, and chips on their shoulders, and guns.

The first person they killed was a highway patrolman. The second was a woman during a robbery. Then, hell, why not keep on going? As their crime spree cuts a swath through rural Minnesota, some of it captured on the killers’ cell phones and sent to a local television station, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigator Virgil Flowers joins the growing army of cops trying to run them down. But even he doesn’t realize what’s about to happen next.

The Book Thief

The Book Thief is a powerful story of a young girl, Nazi Germany, a Jewish fist fighter, a young boy, an accordion and the power of words. Narrated by Death, The Book Thief gives us the story of Liesel Meminger and her life during the tumultuous and shattering reign of Adolf Hitler war torn Germany.

Liesel is only a young girl when her Mother takes her to a new family, the Hubermann’s, who will raise her as their own. Tragedy has already struck young Liesel as she joins the small family of Hans and Rosa.

Liesel steals her first book at a train stop on her journey to the Hubermann’s. It is with this book that Hans teaches Liesel how to read and Liesel begins to understand the power of words. As Death continues to narrate, Liesel meets Rudy Steiner, who will become her best friend and Max Vandenburg, whose tragic past and uncertain future play a big role in the Hubermann’s life and will transform Liesel’s life forever.

What Death finds so remarkable about Liesel and why he continues to watch her story unfold even as he is desperately needed elsewhere is the ability of humans to continue to get up and survive, even after they have been beaten down repeatedly. He sees in Liesel a survivor.

Going in to this book, knowing Death is going to be the narrator and in addition the setting is Nazi Germany, you know it’s going to be a heart-breaking read. What sets this book apart from the hordes of novels set during this time is the view - not of the Jews and their poignant stories of gut-clenching tragedy and hope, not of the survivors or the allies. This is a story of a German girl, not persecuted in any obvious way but still a victim of the horror of the Third Reich.

I was swept away from page one. I was looking for an unforgettable book and I got it, tenfold. It’s emotional, anguishing, uplifting, inspiring and alive. It’s alive. It gives power to the written word. Amidst death and destruction it gives a glimpse of hope, of the power to take back a little, to pick yourself back up and look in the face of the monster and tell him you can’t beat me.

Through the voice of Death, we are able to see not only Liesel’s story but a broader spectrum, sometimes filled with ruminations on his work, sometimes spoilers and glimpses of what’s to come to young Liesel, to Rudy, Max and the Hubermann’s.

Liesel is a beautiful character and her story is one I will never forget but not only is Liesel a powerful character, but most of the characters in the book should be adored, Rudy and Max both broke my heart. Hans and Rosa, both loved Liesel but had vastly different ways of showing it.

The most prevailing theme in The Book Thief is Books as fuel for the soul, in the face of death and destruction to be soothed and lulled by the power of a book to find hope in the midst of chaos.

I’ll admit I had reservations about reading The Book Thief mainly because of its classification as a Young Adult novel as well as the overwhelming amount of books set during this time period. Don’t be like me, forget the classification, forget the setting, just pick this book up and read it, you won’t ever forget it. The Book Thief should be a classic. 

Quote of the Day

“He was the crazy one who had painted himself black and defeated the world.

She was the book thief without the words.

Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like rain.” 
― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

Summer Sundays - Talk me Down

Talk Me Down is the first in Victoria Dahl’s Tumble Creek trilogy. The book focuses on Molly Jennings and Ben Lawson. Molly just returned to Tumble Creek after being away for ten years. She’s been fantasizing about hunky Chief of Police Ben for years and plans on sparking a little chemistry.

Molly also has a secret – she writes erotic novels. She’s not ashamed of what she does but the secret has stayed with her for years. Ben Lawson has avoided scandal in his small town since his childhood was riddled with it after his dad made headlines. He knows he should avoid Molly and her secrets, but will he be able to resist cute Molly Jennings?

Added to that, Molly has a stalker. At first harmless, it soon turns to something more alarming and Ben’s protective side flares to life.

Dahl writes a spicier brand of contemporary romance but they sure are enjoyable reads. The hot and steamy are kicked up a notch in Dahl’s story but it doesn’t lack the romance and characterization I need to enjoy a romance. Dahl’s stories are filled with witty characters and memorable scenes. Talk Me Down is no exception.

Molly is a strong female lead. She knows what she wants and she wants Ben. She doesn’t play games, she makes it clear she wants him and goes after him. She is smart and funny and I really loved her character.

The stalking storyline was a bit of a letdown. It’s nothing surprising or new, an oft told plot point that isn’t very good. There were a few scenes with Molly and Ben that took shape from it though and I did enjoy those. I would have liked the story much better if the tension came more from the trust issues each of the characters had – it would have been more realistic and satisfying.

Overall, I really enjoyed Talk Me Down.  Both Molly and Ben were easy characters to get to know and love, the chemistry was palpable and intense. A win for Victoria Dahl fans. 

Quote of the Day

“No one tells us, girls who don't go on dates, that remembering can be almost as good as what actually happens.” 
― Kathryn Stockett, The Help

Quote of the Day

"When you play a game of thrones you win or you die." 
— George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1))

A Game of Thrones

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom's protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. 

Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

 For the first two hundred pages or so I flipped back and forth from absorbed to only mildly interested. Then suddenly I was swept away into Martin’s epic fantasy world and the pages flew by. I was so engrossed with each character’s story and Martin kept building and building the pace as the novel switched from character to character.

I felt such strong emotions for each character, from love and loathing to sympathy and righteous fury. Martin’s characters seep into your heart and burrow in. And then there are the characters you despise with everything in your being. Martin creates such opposing characters and still makes you want to know everything that happens. He is as ruthless as he is brilliant as his characters play out their game of thrones.

Martin creates an epic fantasy world filled with summers that last ten years, dragons, sword fighting, monstrous wolves, magic, eunuchs, poison, murder and betrayal but at the heart of the plot is the game of thrones – deception and treachery as the characters and those that follow them play the deadly game to win or take the throne.

Bottom line, I was swept away by Martin’s epic fantasy. Before I was done reading A Game of Thrones, I ordered the next book in the series, A Clash of Kings. I know I’m a lot late to the game, but I can’t wait to continue reading this series and find out where Martin takes us next.

Quote of the Day

“The past can teach us, nurture us, but it cannot sustain us. The essence of life is change, and we must move ever forward or the soul will wither and die.” 
― Susanna Kearsley, Mariana

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted here, which spotlights new books we are anticipating. 

I have loved both Susanna Kearsley books I have read, I actually have spaced them out to be able to better savor them. I'm still holding onto The Rose Garden figuring once it was read, I wouldn't have any more of her books to read. So when I saw a new book, I was justifiably thrilled. The Shadowy Horses will be released on October 1. 

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Verity Grey abandons her comfortable job at the British Museum to seek adventure on an archaeological dig in the wilds of Scotland. But when she arrives on site, she discovers that the excavation is being led by a discredited and eccentric old man who has forsaken scientific evidence. Instead, the entire team is following the word of a local boy who claims that he saw a ghostly Roman soldier in the fields.

As she becomes entangled in a subtle web of treachery and danger, Verity begins to believe that there is a Roman sentinel haunting the site. And he's there to do more than guard the bodies of his fallen comrades...

New Release Tuesday

Tuesday is always an exciting day in the world of books, the day new titles hit book stores and eager readers grab up their favorite author's new releases. Today starts a couple months of new releases I'm looking forward to with two historical fiction releases.

The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory continues her series on England's War of the Roses. I've already read about brothers Edward IV and Richard III and the illustrious Plantagenet's and I am really enjoying hearing the tale from voice of the women in their lives. This novel continues the tale with the story of the Neville sisters, Isabel and Anne.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Spies, poison, and curses surround her…. Is there anyone she can trust? In The Kingmaker’s Daughter, #1 New York Timesbestselling author Philippa Gregory presents a novel of conspiracy and a fight to the death for love and power at the court of Edward IV of England.

The Kingmaker’s Daughter is the gripping story of the daughters of the man known as the “Kingmaker,” Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick: the most powerful magnate in fifteenth-century England. Without a son and heir, he uses his daughters Anne and Isabel as pawns in his political games, and they grow up to be influential players in their own right. In this novel, her first sister story since The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory explores the lives of two fascinating young women.

At the court of Edward IV and his beautiful queen, Elizabeth Woodville, Anne grows from a delightful child to become ever more fearful and desperate when her father makes war on his former friends. Married at age fourteen, she is soon left widowed and fatherless, her mother in sanctuary and her sister married to the enemy. Anne manages her own escape by marrying Richard, Duke of Gloucester, but her choice will set her on a collision course with the overwhelming power of the royal family and will cost the lives of those she loves most in the world, including her precious only son, Prince Edward. Ultimately, the kingmaker’s daughter will achieve her father’s greatest ambition.

Quote of the Day

“For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain.” 
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Quote of the Day

“Happiness is a risk. If you’re not a little scared, then you’re not doing it right.” 
― Sarah Addison Allen, The Peach Keeper

Summer Sundays - Forever and a Day

                   

Grace Brooks came to Lucky Harbor on a fluke. She lost her banking job and headed out to Seattle for a new opportunity that fell through. Running on her last tank of gas, she ends up in the small town, doing odd jobs until one of her job leads comes through.

Josh Scott is juggling a son, a disabled sister, his medical practice and shifts at the ER. With everyone depending on him, it’s hard to make time for anything else. Grace knows the feeling; she’s a Brooks and as such, as always had to live up to a certain ideal.

When Josh hires Grace to walk his dog and later as a temporary nanny, they both recognize the chemistry sparking between them but neither thinks it’s a good idea to get involved.  Before they know it, they are involved, and maybe  playing a little doctor, but can Grace find her own happiness or will she bow to the expectations she’s always had to live up to?

Grace and Josh just sizzled. They were really great characters separately and together, just perfect. They complimented each other beautifully. Both recognized in each other the person they wanted to be and helped each other be that person. I didn’t connect with Grace in the minor roles she played in the previous two books and I believed she wouldn’t be a strong lead, again, I was wrong.

Grace is sweet and determined. She’s struggling and doing what she needs to make ends meet, but she’s also tough as nails and doesn’t take crap. She cracks Anna right away and bonds with Toby. She juggles a variety of odd jobs and never complains, determined to come through the career rut and get back to banking. She’s always trying to live up to others expectations of her and never puts her own wants in front, until Lucky harbor and Josh, when she begins to see the choices she’s made weren’t what she wanted and how happy this town makes her.

I say this every time Jill Shalvis writes a new book and I hope I continue to say it for a long time to come, she’s done it again. With Forever and a Day, Shalvis has made it really hard for me to pick my favorite in her newest Lucky Harbor trilogy. I went into this thinking At Last was my favorite of the three new summer releases (with Lucky in Love) and my expectations were blown. I love love loved Grace and Josh. I loved the chemistry, I loved the characters. And now I’m left trying to figure out which book was my favorite – I think I’m going to call in a drawl, I loved them all.

Quote of the Day

“I stood still, vision blurring, and in that moment, I heard my heart break. It was a small, clean sound, like the snapping of a flower's stem.” 
― Diana Gabaldon, Dragonfly in Amber

Coffee and Conversation

Over the past few days I've discovered two favorite authors of mine have announced some exciting news.

 Jill Shalvis, author of the Lucky Harbor novels I love so much, announced on her website this week that she has been contracted to write another Lucky Harbor Trilogy. There aren't a lot of details yet, but she posted a little blurb about the characters. Check out Jill's website for the details. Something to look forward to for next summer?

Diana Gabaldon, beloved author of mine and brilliant mind behind the Outlander series, has put up short catalog copy of Written in my own Heart's Blood, Book Eight in the series, set to be released sometime next year (fingers crossed). You can check out her website or her Facebook page for the blurb.

In other news, I'm getting over my reading slump. First with The Book Thief, which was just an amazing book, I am still thinking about it. Now, I am finally reading Game of Thrones. I'll admit, I was skeptical about this one and there were a few parts that started to drag, but overall I am really loving it. I only have about a hundred pages to go and I can't wait to see what happens.

 I'm always looking for recommendations, so if you have a great book you think I should try, let me know! Happy Reading!

Quote of the Day

“Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.” 
― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

Quote of the Day

“Life is short, Break the Rules.
Forgive quickly, Kiss SLOWLY.
Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably
And never regret ANYTHING
That makes you smile.” 
― Mark Twain

Quote of the Day

“On the subject of love at first sight, I’m with the Beatles: I believe that it happens all the time.” 
― Stephen King, 11/22/63

The Next Best Thing

The Next Best Thing is Jennifer Weiner’s latest novel. It centers on Ruth Saunders and her grandma, Rachel. Ruth moves across the country with her grandma to Los Angeles, where she wants to live her dream of writing and creating a TV show.

Ruth carries scars, literally and figuratively from an accident when she was three years old, an accident which took both of her parents from her and left her to the care of her loving grandma. Ruth’s childhood was spent in and out of hospitals, having painful surgeries to lessen the damage from the accident. It is there that her grandma gives her the tools that will shape her dream – a pen and paper.

Ruth creates alternate storylines to the Golden Girls and other favorite shows, she writes about friends and herself. Her TV show is based loosely on her and her grandma’s journey across country and Ruth’s dream of making something of herself and her grandma finding love at seventy plus years.

Working in Hollywood opens doors for Ruth and gives her an inside look into the behind the scenes life of Hollywood, which is not always glamorous. When Ruth’s show is picked up, she is suddenly struggling to keep her dream intact and keep the show how she envisioned it.

The characters were good, the writing, as always with Jennifer Weiner is superb. But I just couldn’t get into the book. I am not really interested in the ultra-glamorous life of Hollywood and the self-absorbed actors that inhabit it. And that is where the book is centered.

Yes, it’s about Ruth’s journey but is it necessary to describe in detail, what Ruth and Grandma are wearing every single wardrobe change? The back-stabbing and “compromises” that are a natural part of that scene are the focus of The Next Best Thing.

I liked Ruth’s love interest, Dave. They had great chemistry from the beginning and I wanted them to get their happily ever after but that whole escort business was just down right creepy. It didn’t make me feel pity or sorrow for what he lost but a whole lot disturbed. Ruth in turn is so googly eyed, she just melts at his admission.

I had really high hopes for this book and was ultimately disappointed. I’ve loved Weiner since Good in Bed and I know she can do better. It was supposed to be focused on Ruth and while it was, there wasn’t enough for me. Too much time was spent detailing dinners and clothes and plastic surgery so that it feels more like a tell-all than a novel about finding yourself, finding love and making your dreams come true.

Summer Giveaway Hop Winner

Congratulations to Sheila K!

Sheila is the winner of the Summer Giveaway Hop and my first blog giveaway! She won a signed copy of Shadow of Night.

Thank you to everyone who participated. I had a blast hosting my first giveaway and meeting new people. I'm looking forward to being a part of more giveaways in the future!

Quote of the Day

“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.” 
― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

Summer Giveaway Hop

Today is the last day to win   

Have you entered to win yet?

2nd Annual Summer Giveaway Hop
Hosted by I Am A Reader Not a Writer

Co-Hosted by Mary from BookHounds &; Forever Young (adult).

August 1st to 7th

I am thrilled to announce Home is Where the Book is' first Giveaway. As part of the Summer Giveaway Hop, I am giving away one signed copy of Deborah Harkness' Shadow of Night, second book in the All Souls trilogy and Home is Where the Book is' July Book Club pick.

Contest ends on August 7th
Winner will be picked by Random.org
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email before a new winner is picked.
See Giveaway Tab for my contest rules.

To participate, please fill out the form below. *Note* You must follow this blog to qualify*

If you have any questions, you can email me @ HomeisWheretheBookis@gmail.com.
Thank you for entering and good luck!

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Davroes YA Giveaway/Hop (INT) 99.~Renee @ Doorkeeper (Int) 100.~Sarah Elizabeths Bookshelf (INT) 101.Sometimes Its Cloudy, Sometimes Its Clear 102.The Wormhole (US only) 103.Fictitious Delicious (US Addresses Only) 104.Where Fantasy and Love Take Flight (USA) 105.~Genre Review (US/CAN) 106.~Beckys Barmy Book Blog (Int) 107.Reviews From My First Reads Shelf (INT) 108.Cedar Fort Books - Publisher (USA) 109.NicSquared 110.Passionate Book Divas 111.~Shelfspace Needed (INT) 112.Simply Infatuated (US) 113.~Burgandy Ice @ Colorimetry (INT) 114.Dees Book Blo (INT) 115.Bookshelf Confessions (INT) 116.Mystifying Paranormal Reviews (US) 117.Romancing the Book (Int) 118.Books and Needlepoint (US) 119.Five Alarm Book Reviews (Int) 120.Cindy @ *She Sparkles* (US) 121.A Thousand Wrongs 122.Author Crystal Marcos (Int) 123.BookSpark (INT) 124.Magical Manuscripts 125.Booktacular (Int) 126.~Read for your Future! 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