(Review) A Secret In Salem


TITLE: A Secret in Salem
AUTHOR: Sheri Anderson
PUB DATE: November 2010
PUBLISHER: Soourcebooks
PAGES: 309
SOURCE: Received from publisher

ABOUT THE BOOK:
On the winding roads leading to Monaco, a convertible careens off the road and over the cliffs-killing a mother and leaving her distraught daughter Amelia in critical condition. Amelia’s accident reveals that she is not truly her father’s daughter. Against her aristocratic fiance’s wishes, Amelia sets out on a quest to find her biological parents that leads her to Salem. She begins a determined investigation of the denizens of the city and tracks down the possibilities- Patch and Kayla, Bo and Hope, John and Marlena-gobbling up every bit of history she can find. As she uncovers secrets and scandals, she finds herself growing dangerously close to the truth. (From Good Reads)

Marlena & John have never been so close, and yet so far apart…

Marlena’s love, John, has been paralyzed for two years, and she is becoming desperate. Although her love for him has never waned, she must find a cure before they drift too far apart as man and wife. But John’s illness may not be all that it seems, and the truth could tear them apart forever.

On the winding roads leading to Monte Carlo…

Charlotte Gaines, daughter of one of the world’s richest men and one of the hottest fashion designers, discovers a hidden truth about her family that she never suspected. It sets her on a quest that will uncover long-buried secrets, hidden passions, and dangerous mysteries…all leading to a city called Salem, and a revelation that will change all of their lives forever. (From Publisher’s Website)

MY THOUGHTS:
I have to send out a huge THANK YOU to Liz from Sourcebooks (who I got to meet at BEA and when I was in Naperville this summer) who emailed to ask if I would be interested in reading A Secret In Salem. She didn’t have to ask me twice. I think that might have been one of the fastest email replies.

Days of Our Lives is one of my favorite all time Soap Operas and I started watching it back in 1988. I watch it all the time and its sad to see your favorite characters leave the show either by death (Alice Horton on the show and in real life) or their contracts expire.

The reason I started to watch it back in 1988 was because of Mathew Ashford, who played Jack Devereaux. I thought I would include this picture taken roughly around 1990 or so when I got to meet him when he came to Montreal. He was so sweet.

Anyways, back to my review. I LOVED, LOVED this book. You don’t have to be a fan of Days to read this but if you are you will realize that the book takes off where the characters left such as John and Marlena, Belle, Shawn and Claire, and Abby and Chelsea. Do you remember when John and Marlena left? Well we find out that they are living in Switzerland and John was paralized when he left and no idea why. Well the answers will be revealed. Plus John has a few secrets of his own that as your reading the book you wonder what John is up too and could it possibly ruin his relationship with Marlena. I mean what man makes his workers sign a confidentally agreement about his treatment and Marlena isn’t to know? Well John Black does. I was curious to see what John was doing.

Belle, Shawn and Claire left Salem and decided to see the world aboard the Fancy Face IV. They are in Monte Carlo when life changes from them. Belle has a secret that could possibly tear up hers and Shawn’s relationship. Plus she has some good news to share with Shawn which the reader can almost guess right away what it is but then as you are reading you wonder more about it.

WE are introduced to some new characters, siblings Charlotte, Chance and Jackson, their rich parents Olivia and Richie. They are the couple behind OMG a fashion design label.

I was curious to see how they would play into the storyline and it kept me reading and turning the pages to find out plus a few late late nights.

When Olivia suddenly dies in a car crash The Gaines secrets are revealed and they especially hurt Olivia the most because she begins to question her life and changes her world as she knows it.

So, if your a fan of Days then I have to say you must read this. You won’t be disappointed. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series called A Stirring in Salem (February 2011) and A Scandel in Salem (May 2011). I am not sure if all the books are linked together but from the sounds of it A Stirring in Salem might pick up where this one finished.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

(Review) Take a Chance on me

TITLE: Take A Chance On Me
AUTHOR: Jill Mansell
PUB DATE October 2010
PUBLISHER:Sourcebooks
PAGES: 432
SOURCE: I received an ARC from the publisher. Thank You Danielle.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Cleo Quinn doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to men, but now Will’s come along. Handsome and attentive, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo… apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her personal childhood nemesis, is back in Channing’s Hill and tormenting her as if he’d never been away.

Meanwhile Cleo’s sister Abbie has a problem of her own—husband Tom has become distant and withdrawn, and she’s determined to find out why. But will the shocking truth mean the end of their idyllically happy marriage?

The sisters are about to discover that the past can come back to haunt you, and that love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places…

MY THOUGHTS:
I must point out firstly that the cover that I have shown is the arc version and the final copy cover from Sourcebooks (US cover). Sadly the Canadian cover is totally different and I don’t really like it and prefer the US one much more.

I believe this is my fifth Jill Mansell that I have read since Sourcebooks was given the US rights too. I have to say that I am yet to be disappointed in them. They are funny, entertaining and quick reads. I love them and looking forward to the next Jill Mansell book to come out in the US.

One of the things that I think I enjoy from the books is that in someway I can relate to the characters. This time I thought I could relate well with Cleo. She is almost 30 and still living in the same little town she grew up in, Channings Hill. She is working as a limo driver. She is dating this guy Will and he seems to be the perfect guy and even though they have only been dating a short time Cleo thinks she has met the perfect guy but quickly realizes that he isn’t so perfect. His has a deep dark secret that will tear them apart.

Then if that wasn’t enough someone approaches her and what she thinks could be the worst thing to happen quickly turns into the best thing that could have happen not only to her but perhaps to Ash as well.

The other character I have to say I loved was Ash. He is Cleo’s best friend and next door neighbor. Ash is just your typical guy in the real world he has a hard time talking to the ladies but once he is on air working as a DJ he has women drooling over him. I can actually say I knew someone who was like Ash. You could listen to him on the radio and practically drool over this guy but upon meeting him was completely different. So when I was reading this I automatically thought of him and knew he was Ash in my eyes.

Cleo soon realizes through the course of the book that an old arch enemy has come back to town to try and sell the house he grew up in but quickly realises that Cleo has managed to ruin the one and only offer he might have gotten. Can old arch enemies be able to bury the hatchet and let by gones be by gones?

Another main character in the book is Abbie, Cleo’s sister. Reading the book you see that Abbie has the perfect husband and perfect marriage. We all know that in fiction that doesn’t always happen and this is a case of that being true. Abbie has to stumble on a letter that makes her question her husband and marriage? Is it what it is or something else?

My favorite quote in the book is:

They can give the impression on the surface of being really nice. But deep down, they’re capable of all sorts.

Is that the truth?

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

(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.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

(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)

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Rumor Has It Review


TITLE: Rumor Has It
AUTHOR: Jill Mansell
PUB DATE: May 2010
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks
PAGES: 404

ABOUT THE BOOK
Would you be tempted?

Newly single, Tilly Cole impulsively accepts a job offer in a small town as a “Girl Friday.” Fun job, country house, fresh start, why not? But soon she finds herself in a hotbed of gossip, intrigue, and rampant rivalry for the town’s most desirable bachelor—Jack Lucas.

Rumors of Jack’s “love ’em and leave ’em” escapes abound, and Tilly decides to do the mature, sensible thing… avoid Jack at all cost. But the more time Tilly spends with Jack, the more the rumors just don’t make sense. Tilly doesn’t know what to believe… and Jack’s not telling.

PLEASE NOTE that cover image and about the book is from the Sourcebooks website.

MY THOUGHTS
I have to send out a huge THANK YOU to Danielle at Sourcebooks for sending me this advance readers copy of Rumor Has It. Danielle is the person who got me hooked on Jill Mansell’s books. They are fantastic chick lit books in my opinion.

This is the fifth book from Jill Mansell that Sourcebooks got the US rights too. The sixth book called Take A Chance On Me is scheduled to be out in October.

For me personally I am devouring Jill’s books. I love them. I am yet to be disappointed in them. I find the books to be a fun and easy read with some funny aspects thrown in.

Rumor has it is based on Tilly. She comes home to find out that her boyfriend Gavin has moved out.

You would think that this would make anyone sad and upset but really it doesn’t bother Tilly a whole lot. She decides to head down to visit her friend Erin who is in Roxborough.

While visiting Erin, Tilly decides that she needs a new outlook on life so she decides to stay in Roxborough. She manages to get a job as a “Girl Friday” working for an interior designer named Max.

She quickly releases that no matter the size of the town everyone one has a secret and rumors can spread.

Tilly meets Jack, who is known to basically sleep with all the women he meets. Everyone warns Tilly to stay away from him because of what he is known for so she decides that she will pursues a friendship with him even though she wants more. He is like that bad boy we were warned about. Will she be able to just remain friends with Jack?

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

My Own Personal Soap Opera Review


TITLE: My Own Personal Soap Opera
AUTHOR: Libby Malin
PUB DATE: April 2010
PUBLISHER: Source Books
PAGES: 326

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Is life stranger than fiction, or vice versa?

Frankie McNally has found the perfect solution for life’s perplexing problems: as head writer for the daytime soap Lust for Life, she works them out on the air!

Meanwhile, Frankie’s being courted simultaneously by the dashing older man sent in to save the show’s sagging ratings and by the soap’s totally hot leading man. And just when Frankie thinks the plot couldn’t get more complicated, a jewel thief starts copying the show’s storyline-a development that could send the show’s ratings soaring, if it doesn’t get Frankie arrested first.

Please note that photo and about the book was taken from Source Books website.

MY THOUGHTS:

I have to say that I really enjoyed My Own Personal Soap Opera.

When I was looking up the author to find out more about her I discovered that she has written several books. She also writes under the name Libby Sternberg. I will definitely check out more of her work as I enjoyed reading this book.

Who doesn’t love a soap opera? I use to be a big time fan of Another World and Days Of Our Lives.

My very first brush with a soap opera actor was my all time favorites even to this very day:

(Sorry for the poor quality as my scanner isn’t working all that great.) This was taken in the early 1990’s. I was visiting my sister in Montreal and she found out that Mathew Ashford (Jack from Days)was going to be here attending the auto show. She got me tickets to go. I was in such awe of him.

So back to the my thoughts on the book. Frankie is the head writer for the soap opera Lust For Life and the ratings are dropping. She is trying to get the show back on track. With a risk that the show will be cancelled a handsome older man, Victor is brought in to try and bring the ratings back up.

But before they know it what appears to be a soap opera story line is actually happening in the real world. Someone has stolen an idea from Lust and carrying it into the reality. What can it be? Who is behind it? Will they discover who the person is?

My two favorite parts of the book were when Frankie was talking to her friend Gail and she was remembering how they met: (page 78)

Gail and Frankie had met at an author reading at Columbia.

It just goes to show that you will be surprised what can come out of an author reading. This is how I met Donna from Books Bound. We only discovered this after we had met.

My other favorite part is: (page 173)

Victor could speed-read through bland reports and digest complex material with diligent attention to detail. But he felt like he had to use toothpicks to keep his eyes open when reading through Brian Aiglans’s “masterpiece.” More then once as he sat at his desk, feet propped up and coffee at the ready, he felt like throwing the thing across the room, or at least taking it back to the bookstore and asking for a refund.

Brian is Frankie’s ex husband and he has written a book. How many times have you read a book and felt this way?

I have to send a big thank you to Danielle at Source Books for sending me an advance readers copy of this book to read and review.

Since we are on the topic of soap opera’s, I have one more meeting to share with you. My little northern NB town was lucky enough to bring in a few stars from Another World. I unfortunately didn’t get to meet them all because trying to convince my father to bring me into town was hard and he thought it wasn’t necessary to see them. The ones who came were: Amanda (Sandra Ferguson),Cass (Stephen Schnetzer)and a few others.


Then in 1995, I actually got to meet Grayson McCouch. He played Morgan, Cass’s brother and now plays Dusty on As The World Turns. This meeting to was one of my all time favorites. I was in my early 20s when I met him and very nervous and he was so super sweet. It was funny meeting with him. The mall had brought him in and you could get your picture taken with him and the sale of the picture was going to the hospital.

I had paid my money and when it was my turn I went over he had put his arm around me and I froze. My friend was laughing because she thought it was funny. He was talking to me saying to put my arm around him and I couldn’t so he told the guy he wasn’t to take the picture unless I did it. (Which I have to say was really sweet of him as I am sure others wouldn’t have cared and just snapped the picture) Well needless to say I did end up doing it. He was super sweet and for a few years afterwards we actually kept in touch. (My friend and I gave him a card and our addresses were in it.)Then when Another World ended we lost touch and I think my moving to Montreal too had a part in it.

Do you have any meetings like this? Have you meet anyone famous?

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Horrid Henry’s Joke Book Review and Give away

Horrid Henry's Joke Book
TITLE: Horrid Henry’s Joke Book
AUTHOR: Francesca Simon
ILLUSTRATOR: Tony Ross
PUB DATE: April 2010
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks
PAGES: 112

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Warning: Too rude for parents and for slimy toad little brothers!

These are Horrid Henry’s very own jokes: the jokes that grossed out Mom and Dad… that made Aunt Ruby run home… that sent Miss Battle-Axe screaming from class. Be horrid! Read Henry’s jokes. Then tell them to the world! Horrid Henry’s Joke Book features chapters dedicated to jokes much too rude for Mom, jokes not to tell your teacher, wisecracks for your baby-sitter (just make sure you can make a quick getaway!), underpants and stink bomb witticisms, and more humor from Moody Margaret, Sour Susan, Aerobic Al, Beefy Bert and Dinosaur Dave.

OUR THOUGHTS:

Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Boo.
Boo who?
Don’t cry it’s only a joke!

We love reading about the horrible things that Horrid Henry does in his books so when given the chance to read an advance readers copy of this book I jumped at the chance. Its exactly what it say it is a joke book.

I started to read this before Michael came home from school and I sat there laughing at some of the jokes.

Which pet makes the most noise?
A trum-pet!

 
When Michael got home I showed him the book and he was excited because it was Horrid Henry and asked me to read it to him so I would tell him to pick a number (that would be the page number) and then tell him to give me another number (that would be the joke I would read) some of them he would laugh at and others he would look at me and say “Is that suppose to be funny? Cause I don’t get it!”
 
Some of the jokes were funny and some I think were a little too old for him to understand. All in all it was a good laugh for me and of course Michael too.
 
This is Michael’s favorite joke from the book:
 

MARGARET: Knock Knock.
SUSAN: Who’s there?
MARGARET: Lettuce.
SUSAN: Lettuce who?
MARGARET: Lettuce in, it’s raining.

Michael loves knock knock jokes so those went over really well with him. Those were by far the best jokes in the book for him.

Thanks to Liz at Sourcebooks for allowing me to be a part of the tour for this book and for sending me a copy to read and review.

GIVE AWAY TIME!
I have 2 Horrid Henry April Activity Posters to giveaway to two lucky readers.

RULES:
-One Canadian and One International.
-The contest ends April 5th at midnight. Winners will be announce April 6th. Sorry that this is a short contest but I want you to enjoy the April Activity sheet.
– +1 for leaving email address
  +1 if you are a follower of this blog
  +5 if you leave a joke
-When you leave a comment please leave it to one comment. Its easier to add up that way.

This is what the prize win looks like. Just a heads up to everyone I am only giving away the posters and not the book.

Thanks again to Liz at Sourcebooks for providing this giveaway.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.