Month: November 2010

(Review) A Secret In Salem

Posted on by Cindy


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.

An Awesome Contest

Posted on by Cindy

I got this email today and I thought I would share this with my Canadian readers. I unfortunately can’t enter it because its void in my lovely province of Quebec which is kind of sad since its only a book.

There will be one prize awarded, consisting of a copy of Something Old, Something New.

To enter the sweepstakes visit this link.

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.

I went over board…

Posted on by Cindy

This past week I downloaded a bunch of egalleys from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster’s. Thanks NetGalley and Simon & Schuster.



This is just the first 21 Chapters:
-Witch & Wizard The Gift by James Patterson (book 2)PUB DATE: December 13/10
-Cross Fire by James Patterson (This is part of the Alex Cross Series) PUB DATE: November 15/10



-A Compendium of Kisses PUB DATE: January 1/11
-Midway Monkey Madness PUB DATE: January 2011




-The Poison Eaters PUB DATE: April 1/11
-The Hot List PUB DATE: March 8/11



-Odd Girl In PUB DATE: March 22/11
-Evercrossed PUB DATE: March 8/11



-Eliza’s Freedom PUB DATE: January 4th/11
-Over The Moon PUB DATE: January 4th/11



-Choker PUB DATE: January 4th/11
-Darkness Becomes Her PUB DATE: Febuary 22/11



-Wither PUB DATE: March 22/11
-Fairy Tale in New York PUB DATE: November2009

-Cryer’s Cross PUB DATE: Febuary 8th/11

I am really excited to read all of these great titles. Any of these appeal to you?

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) iDrakula

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: iDrakula
AUTHOR: Becca Black
PUB DATE: October 2010
PAGES: 160
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire

SOURCE: I bought this book at Chapters.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
The classic vampire story that started it all gets new life for a generation of connected teens

18-year-old Jonathan Harker is diagnosed with a rare blood disorder after visiting a Romanian Count. His girlfriend Mina and a pre-med student named Van Helsing team up to investigate the source of the disease. The teenagers discover a horrifying truth: the Count is a vampire. The harrowing events unfold through emails, text messages, web pages, Twitter feeds, and instant messaging-the natural modernization of Bram Stoker”s original Dracula, which was written in letters, diary entries, and news clippings.

MY THOUGHTS:
I have never read Drakula by Bram Stoker but I heard that Bram did it in diary and letters form.

Bekka Black brings a modern twist to this classic story by doing it in the form of text messages, emails and browser pages. Bekka also included pictures of various things such as the Castle the count lives in, the gates to Bellevue Hospital and the back of a gown that Mina wore.

Having not read Drakula I have to say I wasnt’ worried about not knowing what was going on because this is a book that covers it all in a short amount of time. After finishing the book I thought all the key points were touched on and the story wasn’t lost.

I picked this up when I was at Chapters the other night because I have had this on my wishlist for awhile since I first heard about it. It was a quick and easy read and I actually read this in about an hour last night.

I think this might appeal to the younger crowd and it just might make them pick up the classic to read. As for me I don’t see me reading Drakula anytime soon.

One of my favorite text messages was early in the book (page 14) was one Jonathan sent to Mina and it was:

Ate paprika hendl aka chicken paprikash. Tasty. U should get recipe.

I have eaten chicken paprikash many times and love it. My in laws are hungarian so its a staple for them.

Here is the recipe from the book:
Paprika Hendl

3 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds of chicken cooked and cut into strips (my mother in law does chunks)
1/2 cup butter
1 onion diced (mother in laws chops)
3 tablespoons of paprika
1 clove of garlic
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup sour cream
4 cups of spatzle noodles cooked (mother in law uses egg noodles)

Saute onion, garlic and chicken in butter. Add the broth and paprika to pan. Slowly add flour to the pan to thicken. Simmer 30 minutes and then add half the sour cream. Serve over cooked noodles and dallop sour cream on top. (You don’t have to add the dallop of sour cream if you don’t want. I never do.)

When I was on Bekka Black’s website I discovered that there is an app for iDrakula for your iPhone/iPad which apparently adds to the book even more. Sadly I don’t have an iphone or iPad so I can’t be sure on this.

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) ABC is For Circus

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: ABC is for Circus
AUTHOR: Patrick Hruby
PAGES: 56 (chunky board book)
PUBLISHER: AMMO Books
PUB DATE: November 15, 2010
SOURCE: I received an ARC of the book from NETGALLEY. I downloaded it onto my KOBO.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
ABC IS FOR CIRCUS celebrates the colorful and festive world of the circus through each letter of the alphabet. Young children will enjoy memorizing letters and words like A is for Acrobats, B is for Big Top, and C is for Calliope in this imaginative chunky board book. ABC IS FOR CIRCUS is an awesome addition to our artist-centric line of ABC books and is sure to delight an audience of children and adults alike

.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Los Angeles-based illustrator Patrick Hruby grew up in a log cabin within an Idaho forest. As a young boy he dreamt of running away to join the circus and become a trapeze artist. Eventually, however, he grew up to study math and physics before attending the renowned Art Center College of Design and pursuing a career as an illustrator. His interest in the geometry of nature is central to his work. Influenced by artists and designers such as Charley Harper, Paul Rand, and Mary Blair, Hruby has gone on to develop his own stunning and modern aesthetic.

MY THOUGHTS:
When I saw this on Netgalley I just wanted to get it and share with Michael. Sadly the only one thing I don’t like about the book on the KOBO is that is black and white and this is a book you really need to see in color.

We went back to the computer and read the book. The illustrations are absolutely stunning in color. Michael thought that they were simple, colorful and attention grabbing. (his words)

What a great book for young kids who love the circus and want to learn the alphabet. I think the illustrations will draw them in.

I have to say that Michael is now reading on his own and I absolutely love listening to him read. While he was reading this one he did an amazing job.

Even though we are sort of passed the board book stage I think I would actually pick up this book to add to our collection.

This book is out today.

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.

Author(s) Meet Up and Books Bought

Posted on by Cindy


If you remember my post from yesterday saying that there was going to be an author event happening near me and that I was pretty sure I was going to go, well I did make it to the 2pm reading and signing.

Quite a few people turned up and I think there was more adults(6-7)then kids(3)who came to listen to Sheree read from her book Mabel Murple. I believe it originally came out in 1995. Then when Sheree was informed that the then publisher of the books would no longer be printing children books she got the rights back to her books and went shopping around for a new publisher. Thankfully Nimbus Publishing from the East Coast (Halifax) picked her up.

Mabel Murple got a new make over from the original book and I have to say that I really love this new version of the book so much better. The illustrations are perfect and suit the book to a tee. Of course I have to say that the man behind the illustrations is Sydney Smith (no relation to me) and he is a fellow East Coaster still living in Halifax.

Listening to Sheree read her book was so much fun she did it like a sing song way. The story was very catchy. I think this will be a new found favorite in our house. I know I have read it several times since I have been home.


(I found this video on Youtube and I thought I would share it with you.)Aren’t the illustrations awesome?

After the reading she signed everyone’s books. I picked up Mabel Murple and Sleeping Dragons All Around and got them signed to Michael. Michael wasn’t able to come with me because he was about two streets over at his curling lesson.

I want to thank Sheree for coming to Babar to do a reading and signing. I truly loved discovering a new author especially one from my original neck of the woods. I just wish I could have been there for here teen reading of Pluto’s Ghost at 3pm.

Thanks Sheree for graciously posing for this photo with me.

I am really looking forward to reading The Gravesavers and Pluto’s Ghost. I am currently reading them right now (yes both at the same time) and hopefully will have both of those reviews up this week. Also check back this week for my reviews of the two children 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.

Local Happenings

Posted on by Cindy

Yesterday while I was reading my local newspaper I came across this little ad in there for my local indie bookstore:

As any book blogger will say they love going to author events and I am no exception especially when they are super close to where I live.

I have to say that before this I have never heard of Sheree Fitch and I have to admit that I am a little ashamed since she is an East Coaster just like me. My Canadian readers will know what I am taking about when I say East Coasters, right guys? For everyone else its referred to as the Atlantic provinces. I grew up in New Brunswick and Sheree was raised in Miramichi (which is actually about 45 minutes to an hour from where I grew up), Moncton, Fredericton New Brunswick. Sheree now lives in Nova Scotia.

She is going to be at Babar promoting two of her books Mable Murple and Pluto’s Ghost. Sheree’s written two adult novels, three young adult books, several children’s books, and much more.

I will be going to the 2pm showing to hear her read Mable Murple because I will be in the village at that time and I am hoping to pick up a copy of Mable Murple and get it signed for Michael and hopefully I will be able to get my copies of Pluto’s Ghost and The Gravesavers signed as well along with some photos. Fingers crossed.

A children’s classic now back in print with new illustrations What if there was a purple planet with purple people on it? Sheree Fitch answers this question with a zany tongue-twister of a poem featuring Mabel Murple, a daredevil who rides a purple motorbike through purple puddles, skis on purple snow, and on her pancakes pours maple syrple. With a rich and vivid purple palette, Sydney Smith’s brand-new illustrations reflect the wild joy in this classic poem.Originally published in 1995, Mabel Murple won the Ann Connor Brimer award for children’s literature.

“Murderer. It’s one kick in the belly of a word isn’t it? Has a taste, too. It tastes like barbed wire and has wild hyena eyes. Murderer. Murder-her. Did he? Did I? That’s when I remember what I want to forget.”

Jake Upshore has loved Skye Derucci since before he can remember. Volatile, complex and frustrated (he’s got a label disorder from all the labels he’s been given) at the best of times, Jake’s on a desperate quest to find Skye before she aborts the baby he believes is his. As he hurtles headlong toward certain tragedy, Jake relives the fatal choices he’s made and the powerful forces that have led him to this to end. A gripping thriller and a heart-wrenching love story, Pluto’s Ghost is a raw and powerful novel about anger, escape, and redemptive love.

You can check out Sheree’s website by clicking on her name.

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.