Month: November 2009

2009 Holiday Reading Challenge

Posted on by Cindy

I recently have been seeing this around and I figured that I wanted to take part in this Reading Challenge. Its a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

I usually don’t tend to get into the holiday spirit until after my bday in December. I cringe when I walk into the malls or stores and the Christmas music is already playing, the displays and advertising is happening a little too soon for me. I am not sure what its like in other places but I noticed that the day after Halloween it was Christmas mode.

The 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge is being hosted by Nely. To find out more about it or to take part all you have to do is head over to her blog to get all the details. Just follow this link here.

Challenge Requirements:

1- Challenge will start Friday, November 20 and will end Thursday, December 31.
2- You can read anywhere from 1 to 5 books for the challenge and, of course, if you’re like me, you are more than welcome to surpass that number.
3- And now, here’s the clincher… they must be holiday related books. That’s right, the holiday doesn’t really matter, but it would be more “jolly” if your choices were Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.
4- The size of the book does not matter, nor does the genre. It is also okay for the book to overlap with other challenges. The only thing I ask is that they are not children’s books. YA is okay. And so are re-reads. I for one tend to read the same books every Christmas – they are tradition.

My 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge List:

-The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson **Done**
-The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh
-The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere **Done**
-Secrets of a Christmas Box by Steven Hornby
-The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman **Done**

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.

Salon Du Livre & Books Bought #27

Posted on by Cindy


This year marks the 32nd Annual Salon Du Livre in Montreal. The event runs from November 18th to 23rd.

To describe Salon du livre is hard to put into words. Its like one massive bookstore. All kinds of french publishers and distributors gather in one huge exhibit hall and sell their books. They bring in their authors for signings and have conferences. I guess it would be sorta like BEA although I am not sure as I have never been to BEA.

This was the first year that I have gone to Salon du livre. Michael had a ped day today so we drove to the local metro (subway), parked the car and took the metro (subway) to the venue. Since Michael was under the age of 12 he got in free and that left me having to pay. I realized that on the way out that they were stamping your hand so you could back in that day you visited.


This was the booklet they handed out. Inside there was a map of the area and where all the vendors were situated, a schedule of appearances that were taking place over the six days, a list of vendors, articles and interviews.

When we got onto the exhibit floor it was overwhelming to see all the vendors set up and people. Every inch of the floor was covered.

The first place we headed was to the Scholastic Canada booth because Nikole a rep that I work with was going to be there. We spoke briefly on the phone before going there and I let her know that I was going to be there.

I got to meet and talk with Nikole for quite a bit and it was really interesting to talk to her. She was like an old friend. I always tend to be nervous when I speak to someone for the first time but there was no nervousiness. It was an absolute pleasure to finally meet her and Michael was thrilled to have met the lady who sends him the books.

We talked about everything from FTC, blogging, BEA (sadly Nikole isn’t going but I really think she should go 😉 LOL) books and a whole lot more. I am really looking forward to working with her in the future.

This is what I bought there:
-#03 Geronimo Stilton: Cat & Mouse in a Haunted House
-#12 Geronimo Stilton: Merry Christmas Geronimo!
(Those were for Michael)
-Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This was one of the books we talked about.

It was so hard to be standing in front of the English display section because they had all the books I want to read such as the Bones Series, Malise, Shiver and a few other graphic novels. I was good and only bought the books I mentioned. It helped that I didn’t have any extra cash, debit card or credit cards on me.

It was a great day and I am happy that I went.

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.

Sins of the Flesh Blog Tour and Review

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: Sins of the Flesh
AUTHOR: Caridad Pineiro
PUB DATE: November 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Caterina Shaw’s days are numbered. Her only chance for survival is a highly experimental gene treatment-a risk she willingly takes. But now Caterina barely recognizes herself. She has new, terrifying powers, an exotic, arresting body-and she’s been accused of a savage murder, sending her on the run.

Mick Carrera is a mercenary and an expert at capturing elusive, clever prey. Yet the woman he’s hunting down is far from the vicious killer he’s been told to expect: Caterina is wounded, vulnerable, and a startling mystery of medical science. Even more, she’s a beautiful woman whose innocent sensuality tempts Mick to show her exactly how thrilling pleasure can be. The heat that builds between them is irresistible, but surrendering to it could kill them both . . . for a dangerous group is plotting its next move using Caterina as its deadly pawn.

MY THOUGHTS:

I love taking part in Blog Talk Radio shows when I get the chance to listen in. This time I have to thank Kathy from Bermudaonion for telling me about this one. If you would like to listen to the interview Anna did with Caridad you can listen here

I was lucky enough to get on the blog tour with Grand Central for this. So I have to thank Anna from HBG for allowing me to be a part of the tour and for sending me this book to read and review.

Sins of the Flesh is part romance, part mystery and part paranormal. Just a warning there is some adult content in this book. Its mainly in the last 1/4 of the book.

With that being said I really enjoyed the book. I found it to be a page turner and there was enough action going on that peaked my interest and left me wanting to read more of the book. You know its a really good book when you have a hard time putting it down and that was the case with this one for me.

I admit that I don’t read alot of romance/paranormal books but when I get the chance I really enjoy them and this one is no exception. If you like reading this genre of books I am really sure you will enjoy it.

Caterina’s life is short lived because she has a tumor that is eating away her brain. She has tried every thing until she is offered something new figuring she has nothing to loose she agrees to this new treatment. Its an experimental gene treatment. Little did she realize what this new treatment would entail and how it would effect her in the long term.

When Dr. Wells is brutally murder, Caterina is named as the killer and is on the run.

Mick Carrera who is a mercenary and comes highly recommended because he is an expert in capturing who is paid too. He is hired by Dr. Edwards to find Caterina and bring her back to him. He soon discovers he is not the only one looking for her but his old arch enemy who is a ruthless killer and will stop and nothing to catch and kill who he is looking for.

Can Mick catch Caterina before Mad Dog?

Will Mick be able to protect Caterina when he does catch her? Is she really the cold bleeded killer that Dr Edwards protrays her to be?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Caridad Piñeiro wrote her first novel in the fifth grade when her teacher assigned a project: write a book for a class lending library. Her love of writing continued through high school, college and law school. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, her passion for the written word led to a determination to publish and share the stories she loved with others. In 1999, Caridad’s first novel was released and a decade later, she is the author of more than twenty novels and novellas.

Caridad’s website is: http://www.caridad.com/

I am dying to read Stronger than Sin as that is the next book in this new exciting series. I was trying to find out when it was going to be released but I couldn’t find anything.

This book was provided for review by Hachette.

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.

Your Family Constitution Review

Posted on by Cindy


Thank You to Tracee from Pump Up Your Book Promo for asking me if I would be interested in being part of the tour for Your Family Constitution.

This was a quick and interesting read. Within the first chapter I felt as though the book was about me and for me.

The book is about a day in Scott Gale’s family life that he refers to as the Black Sunday. On this particular day he and his family have bascially hit rock bottom. He realized shortly after that they his family needed a change. He set out to make a plan for this family change.

He came up with the family constitution. Similar to the idea of the American Constitution. At first it seemed to work but realized it wasn’t going to work so he decided that if this was going to work that he needed the input from the family. The managed to come up with something that would work and it did.

Scott included his family constitution at the end of the book for us the readers so we would know how to do it. If you think you can just take the short cut and use his he even explains to us the reader why you can’t just use his. He was smart to include that. You can try to copy his but will so realize that it won’t work for you and your family.

As parents we seem like we are always juggling alot of balls and always afraid that one will drop. We are juggling our kids, our personal needs and our careers. It always feels as though those balls get heavier all the time. It seems as though we have more and more commitments all the time and trying to find ways to make it all work.

I am a stay at home mom so I am not working but still I feel as though at times I was like Scott and I could actually relate to Scott. Not only are we the same age but are struggling with the same issues and concerns.

I always feel as though I am always doing the chores in the house and it gets frustrating because I feel as though its never appreciated. I have tried several times with Michael with helping with chores and rewarding him but I realized while I was reading the book that its not just about assigning chores and offering rewards but its about having house rules that everyone must respect.

Having house rules are important and in order for it to work you have to communicate with monthly and yearly meetings and get the input from your family. Change the things that don’t work.

The book is very simple and straight forward. Everything is laid out in a simply way so that its easy to refer back and forth. Scott also includes several comics and illustrations in the book that had a little humor to the book. I admit I was laughing throughout the book especially the one about BOB’s job description:

Little boy is talking to his parents and he asks:

You’re sure there is nothing in there about catering to our every whim….

Parents are over looking the papers and say:

Nope. I don’t see that anywhere in our job description.

I admit I am guilty of using that. Who isn’t?

If you are at your wits end and want peace in your house then I suggest this book for you. We are currently working on our own family constitution and I will keep you posted on the progress.

This book was provided for review by Tracee from Pump Up Your Book Promo and Scott Gale for sending the book.

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.

Your Family Constitution Blog Tour and Guest Post

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: Your Family Constitution: A Modern Approach to Family Values & Household Structure

AUTHOR: Scott Gale

PUB DATE: January 15, 2010

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Your Family Constitution Helps Busy Parents to Create Manageable Family StructureJust in time
 a formerly stressed-out dad’s perspective provides a common-sense playbook to reach family harmony. As today’s parents cope with scores of competing obligations and responsibilities, raising kids with good core values is an extreme challenge. Combine this perpetual struggle with the effects of technological distractions, societal lack of discipline, and failures to communicate, and it is not hard to understand why so many parents throw up their hands in defeat and accept mere survival.
Author Scott Gale refused to settle for chaos. Instead, he designed a powerful tool that allowed him to alleviate family challenges through the thoughtful application of clarity, consistency and commitment (the “3Cs”). Your Family Constitution tells his story and provides a step-by-step process that parents can follow to balance schedules and produce time they never before had, improve family communication, relieve pent-up frustration, and wrap healthy boundaries around core values; applying rewards, consequences and accountability standards to maintain them.
A stressed-out parent downloaded the first chapter and replied, “You are easy to read, easy to understand and easy to identify with. It seems that intentional parenting has gotten lost, and you’ve provided a blueprint for creating a family with positive family values, ideals and rules to live and grow by. So, thanks for your courage to detail your own experience and offer personal insights for the benefit of frustrated, busy and untrained parents.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Scott Gale is an author and instructor at University of California Irvine. His passion is helping families communicate and re-connect in spite of today’s hectic lifestyle and increased demands. Scott’s new book, “Your Family Constitution: A Modern Approach to Family Values and Household Structure,” inspires readers to increase togetherness and progressively improve by leveraging clarity, consistency and commitment.
For more information on his book or to learn how to create your customized Family Constitution visit: http://www.yourfamilyconstitution.com/ or e-mail: sgale@yourfamilyconstitution.com .

I have to send a big thank you to Scott for taking the time out of his busy schedule to do this guest post for me. Thank You Scott.

I asked Scott this question “Why Do Parents Accept Defeat?” and this is what Scott had to say about it.

As technology evolves and society accelerates at a staggering pace, parenting poses greater challenges than ever before. Many parents sacrifice their own time and sanity as they attempt to maneuver through the endless stream of obstacles to raising appreciative and well-grounded kids. Unfortunately, some parents yield to critical challenges, accepting defeat at the expense of their children’s well-being and their future.

So why is that? How can a loving parent “throw in the towel” on the most precious thing in their life? The individual answers lie somewhere between social phenomena, individual circumstance, and skewed priorities
but one universal reason prevails: “Raising good kids is really hard.”

It doesn’t matter what the definition of “good kid” means in that statement. Good values, sound work ethic, and outstanding health often top the list, but there are many other traits parents yearn to pass on. Regardless, parents today juggle so many competing priorities, that there is simply no way to get it all done. They want to be there for their kids whenever they can. They want to provide the best environment for their children and raise them to be exceptional adults. Unfortunately, when push comes to shove, something has to give.

It’s easy to burn away the hours at work, especially in current economic circumstances, because the boss expects it. Likewise, the television may serve as an affordable babysitter while mom or dad “catches up” around the house. Also, in the midst of perpetual chaos, the opportunity to escape the grind for personal re-charge may rank above a game of Candy Land with the little ones.

Are these excuses or failures? No. Work and personal space are two essentials ingredients to financial and emotional stability. In reality, they only become excuses if parents use these reasons to hide behind, instead striving for balance. Most parents contend that their family is the #1 priority in their life, yet they fall into patterns that directly contradict long-term family success. Crisis lurks as opportunities to improve are overlooked for more immediate purpose (i.e. sacrificing clarity and consistency to avoid discipline). “Fires” begin to burn without attention and eventually the ability to manage competing priorities becomes impossible.

Just when life seems like it couldn’t get any crazier, another emotional storm will inevitably work its way into the home. All of a sudden, the concept of defeat rears its ugly head. With no clear direction, boundaries cannot be effectively enforced and confusion ensues.

The acceptance of defeat is by no means conscious or intentional. Instead, too much effort becomes required to resolve constraints and problems. In the midst of an already busy lifestyle, the time for such focused effort does not readily exist. Problems compound as fires get hotter. In the end, the fabric of the family stands no chance against the flames of chaos.

So, what if you can see the fires, but you are ready to stand up and fight for your family? How can you unwind a downward spiral against such immense pressure? Try these steps:

-Understand what is important to you as a parent.
-Make time to resolve issues early.
-Focus on the problems that burn hottest and require the least amount of time and effort to fix.
-Create firm structure within the family.
-Cherish the time together and nurture bonds; after all, good relationships are at the essence of that #1 priority.

These are the steps that brought me and my family from unmitigated chaos to steady improvement and redemption. It took a lot of effort, but I’ve never understood myself or my family with such clarity as I do today.

If you would like more information on the steps you can take today to avoid eventual defeat, please visit www.yourfamilyconstitution.com.

Thanks again to Scott and Tracee for allowing me to be a part of this tour.

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.

Perfect Timing Review

Posted on by Cindy

TITLE: Perfect Timing
AUTHOR: Jill Mansell
PUB DATE: November 1, 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:
When you meet the man of your dreams on girls night out, it’s hardly Perfect Timing.

In this fresh and funny contemporary romance by bestselling author Jill Mansell, Poppy Dunbar’s whole life gets turned upside down after a chance encounter with a handsome stranger.

Never a troublemaker, Poppy had always been content with the way things were supposed to be done—which included marrying predictable Rob McBride. But that was before she met Tom Kennedy the night before her wedding. Could she really be falling in love with a stranger?

Unable to forget Tom, or go through with the wedding, Poppy runs off to London. Her new life and colorful friends are anything but predictable. Misunderstandings, family secrets, and jealous quarrels ensue, but can Poppy stop running long enough to figure out what—or, rather, who—is in her heart?

MY THOUGHTS:

This has been my fourth Jill Mansell book that I have read and I have enjoyed them all. Each one is different from the last. I am really happy to have discovered her books. Thank You Danielle from Source Books for introducing her to me.

Perfect Timing is the newest one to hit the US market.

Perfect Timing begins with Poppy out on her hen night (bachorlette party) the night before her wedding. Not wanting to have a hangover for her wedding she becomes the designated driver of the evening.

One point in the evening she decides to step outside to get some air and even though she is sober she manages to fall down the stairs. A handsome guy comes to her rescue. He helps her to the bench and offers to check her foot to see if there is any damage. Talking with this guy she realizes she is nervous around him. She is feeling something she has never felt for her fiancee. Right on cue, not Perfect Timing her friends show up and help her back inside.

She tells him how she feels and he admits he feels the same way and asks her to meet him at a near by restaurant and that he will wait for her and if she doesn’t show up then he will understand. One the way home after all the girls have been dropped off she does go to the restaurant but will she go in?

This chance meeting triggers a domino effect to Poppy’s life. This one evening will change the course of life for Poppy will be it a good thing or a bag thing?

Having thought about the evenings events Poppy realizes she can’t go through with the wedding and tells her fiancee. You can only image what will happen and how he will take it. He is devastated and hurt and tells Poppy that her father really isn’t her biological father.

With this new knowledge Poppy decided to head to London to get away from her fiancee, his family and in search of her father. She makes London her home. In London she encounters all kinds of characters who become a part of her life.

I envied Poppy because once she was in London things seemed to fall into place for her and it all seemed like being at that right place at the right time.

This book was provided for review by Danielle from Source Books. Thanks to Danielle for sending me an ARC of the book.

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.

Tyranny Review

Posted on by Cindy

TITLE: Tyranny
AUTHOR: Lesley Fairfield
PUB DATE: October 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:
In Tyranny, brisk, spare text and illustrations that deal head-on with anorexia propel the reader along on Anna’s journey as she falls prey to the eating disorder, personified as her tormentor, Tyranny.

The novel starts with a single question: “How did I get here?” The answer lies in the pages that follow, and it’s far from simple. Pressured by media, friends, the workplace, personal relationships, and fashion trends, Anna descends into a seemingly unending cycle of misery. And whenever she tries to climb out of the abyss, her own personal demon, Tyranny, is there to push her back in. The contest seems uneven, and it might be except for one thing: Anna’s strength of character has given rise to her deadly enemy. Ironically, it is that same strength of character that has the ultimate power to save her from the ravages of Tyranny.

Brilliantly and realistically presented, Tyranny is a must-read for anyone looking for a better understanding of eating disorders and for everyone looking for a compelling page-turner that is truly a story of triumph and hope.

MY THOUGHTS:

I have to thank Sylvia at Tundra Books for sending me Tyranny. I took part in the Medina Hill tour and as a thank you she said I could pick out a book from their catalog and this is what I picked.

The book is done as a graphic novel something that I recently discovered and I am enjoying them. It was a quick read with an important message in it.

In our daily lives we are bombarded with images of super thin girls and we try to look like them no matter the cost to ourselves. We are pressured by the media (magazines, tv, movies etc), fashion trends, celebrities, the work place, the malls etc to look like those girls.

This is exactly what this graphic novel is about. Its about a girl named Anna who has an eating disorder. She is struggling to over come it but can’t because of her subconscious, Tryanny telling her she is fat and not to eat.

No matter how thin or close to death Anna gets she still sees herself as fat and unworthy. Anna began this destructive cycle when she got her period for the first time and went shopping with her mom. She saw the difference in her body. What is normal she saw as fat.

At first Anna started dieting but only by counting calories, then to not eating food, and then she started to binge and purge. From all the binging and purging she got very sick but still whenever she looked into the mirror she kept seeing herself as fat.

Out of panic one day her mother visits her because Anna hasn’t answered her phone. She is shocked at what she sees and get Anna the help she needs. She is admitted to the hospital. With the help of her psychiatrist she started to see things clearer.

Can she make it work? Will it take the death of her friend to make her realize what she is doing to her body is wrong?

STATISTICS:

-An estimated 1 in 100 American women binges and purges to lose weight.

-Approximately 5 per cent of women and 1 percent of men have anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder.

-It is estimated that 200,000 to 300,000 Canadian women aged 13 to 40 have anorexia nervosa and twice as many have bulimia.

-Each day Americans spend an average of $109 million on dieting and diet related products.

WEBSITES WITH MORE INFO:

National Eating Disorder Information Centre:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lesley Fairfield is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design in illustration. Her work appears in many children’s books. Lesley’s personal thirty-year struggle with anorexia and bulimia has informed her work concerning body image, which has appeared in “Dance in Canada” magazine and in York University’s International Women’s Studies Journal.

This book was provided for review by Tundra Books.

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.