Category Archives: Books

How Books and Bookstores Have Changed My Life

https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/recommend-it-starts-with-food-discover-the-whole30-and-change-your-life-in-unexpected-ways-by-melissa-hartwig-and-dallas-hartwig/
This book changed my life – I had tried so many diets even working with a Health Fitness place but this guide will bring home how the body works and what you need to do to get your weight under control and so much more. Take the time to read it (and its a quick read if all you want to do is get started on the lifestyle that will set you free).
I’m also thankful for Preferred One insurance and Fairview Health Service and Can Do New Thinking, Better Choices program – its helped me find the keys to long term solutions from food, to finances, to interpersonal relationships and finding peace within yourself.
I’m thankful that I found this book at Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe at the July 13th 2013 book signing with Nora Roberts I’ve lost 60 pounds since then and continue to lose until my muscle, bone and fat ratio is within norms. This is an achievable goal, this is my life and my journey and I control what food I eat, how much I move, and listening to what my body is telling me. See information about my journey to date and my continuing journal at my blogs:

https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/2014/05/23/weekly-photo-challenge-work-of-art/
http://lifeafter50m.blogspot.com/Your spirit and soul are ready to be heard – tune in and listen. Keep on believing in the possibilities of what YOU CAN DO:)

On this blog click on the Weight link on the left to read about the beginning of my journey.  I’m keeping my ongoing journey in Journal form on http://lifeafter50m.blogspot.com/

I have to share and celebrate how books change my life and bookstores with heart carry just the books you need.  So glad I traveled to Boonsboro last July, hope all that are able attend this year as well.  Find out more about the 2014 book signing and brunch with Nora on her blog at this link:  http://fallintothestory.com/eventssignings/

Comments are welcome.

Sincerely,

Melissa Blanchard

“The Collector,” by Nora Roberts

Front Cover The CollectorInside Covers Art The CollectorSignature page The CollectorBack Flap Credits The CollectorBack Cover The CollectorBookSpine

 

“The Collector,” by Nora Roberts surprises, entertains and inspires. Lila is charming with how she makes the most out of all situations. She’s always willing to help out which, in one case, may get her into some trouble.

I don’t want to give away any of the treasures you must uncover for yourself, so not much about the details of the story here. This is a murder mystery romance. It’s also an adventure, comedy and drama.

Laughter, crying and anger are the emotions I experience as I read “The Collector”. Nora is very good at pulling the emotions out of me. She also writes page turners I’m unable to put down – home run with this book. Descriptions of the settings are out of site from downtown New York – street level and a bird’s eye view from the 14th floor window – to Italy. Beautiful scenes of the people, city and rural landscape. Nora took me there for an afternoon better than any movie.

The hard cover book is pictured above with cover and without. Note the back flap is hard to read so I’ll give the credits here:

Jacket design by Richard Hasselberger
Jacket photograph of city
Copyright Sandra Kreuzinger/Getty Images
Photograph of the author Copyright Bruce Wilder [Personal note from me – thank you Bruce Wilder for an excellent picture of Nora – love the scene you chose to frame your subject.]
penguin.com
G.P.PUTNAM’S SONS
a member of
Penguin Group (USA)

“The Collector” book is well crafted and very beautiful with burgundy shades and gold lettering on cover and spine. A great edition to any library shelf. Mine also has a signature from the author virtually via the link: http://ttpbooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=TTPB&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=COLLECTOR_HC

Getting a personalized copy of your own is still an option, just follow the link above and be sure to read my post at this link: https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/2014/04/19/facebook-posting-from-turn-the-page-bookstore/
Where you’ll learn all the best practices to get your signed copy anywhere in the world that mail is able to reach.

I also purchased the audiobook from iTunes at this link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-collector-unabridged/id852344791

Julia Whelan is an excellent narrator. Her accents and vocal artistry identified each character for me. Every inflection of Julia’s voice convey the emotions of the characters. I enjoy listening to Julia and will again I hope. Nora’s excellent dialog and seamless narratives did the rest.

I hope you all find “The Collector,” as entertaining and adventurous as I do. Now I’m off to read, “Shadow Spell” by Nora Roberts. I’m loving the Cousins O’Dwyer’s trilogy so far. Thank you Nora Roberts for delivering with “The Collector”.

 

 

 

“Ava”, by Ashley Barron (Book One in the Priya Series)

Ava by Ashley Barron

 

Ava is in Washington DC it’s warm and humid when she’s planning for a big event at a museum.  The museum her ex-lover owns which brings back the memories of the breakup. She’s also dealing with a call that says her main assistant who she relies on heavily, Adair MacLean, is missing.

From beginning to end this book is mysterious and Ashley Barron does a great job blending the old romance Ava’s character had with Kader and the mystery of Adair’s disappearance.

The story entitled “Ava” takes us on an adventure of intrigue and danger with many actors.  The Priya club (formed by college friends) adds depth to the tale.

I enjoyed Ashley Barron’s writing style and hope to soon be able to read Bonner’s story.

I bought my copy of the book from Amazon’s Kindle for iPad click on the link below:

 

 

“Pregnancy Plan” by Tina Gayle

Pregnancy Plan by Tina Gayle from Amazon

Jillian would like to have a baby and raise it in her family home. She has some pretty far out ideas on how to accomplish this baby’s conception. Derek a long time friend finds out that there’s something going on but not quite sure what this “Pregnancy Plan” is all about that Jillian has cooked up so he confronts her and ends up finding another alternative marrying him.

In the meantime Jillian’s brother Michael would like for the house the family has to be sold so he is putting pressure on her to do that at the same time she’s trying to figure out if she’s made the right decision following through with her “Pregnancy Plan”?

While Michael is planning his schemes Derek is protecting someone in the Middle East when a car bomb explodes and now he has lost memory of the mission. His brother, Jason, is fighting Jillian taking him home.
The big question is will Jillian and Derek be able to make a go of it despite their families?

Tina Gayle created Jillian as a strong indepentant woman knowing what she wanted and going for it.  I enjoyed this lighthearted and entertaining tale.   I hope that Tina keeps on writing.  This book makes a great free-time read.

I purchased “Pregnancy Plan”, by Tina Gayle from Amazon Kindle for iPad at the following link:

A Summer Bewitchment [The Knight and the Witch 2], by Lindsay Townsend

A Summer Bewitchment [The Knight and the Witch 2] Amazon imageImage from Amazon

“A Summer Bewitchment [The Knight and the Witch 2]”, by Lindsay Townsend

Why do I recommend “A Summer Bewitchment [The Knight and the Witch 2]”, by Lindsay Townsend?

1. The medieval portions are interesting – so many different worries in that time but in so many ways the same – self doubt doesn’t change no matter which century.

2. The writing is excellent.  Lindsay brings her characters to life in the narrative, along with the country side, the horses and the villages.

3. Lindsay tackles prejudices in this tale of class and being different whether it be in how you act or what you look like. I like that those with differences triumph over those that are closed minded.

4. The mystery never fails in engaging my attention. How will the Knight and Witch find the lost girls, will they be safe? All questions are answered as the story unfolds.

5. A secret is disclosed that changes the Knight and Witches relationship.

I so hope that Lindsay will continue the Knight and Witch’s story with a book 3. These characters deserve to have many more adventures. Thank you, Lindsay Townsend for creating a world of adventure and acceptance. I appreciate you share your world of imagination with me. Keep on writing.

I got my Kindle e-book via iPad for Kindle app and Amazon at this link:

This book is the sequel to “The Snow Bride” by Lindsay Townsend, here’s a link to my book review:

https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/2014/02/26/recommend-the-snow-bride-by-lindsay-townsend/

WRW MEGA BOOKSIGNING APRIL 4TH at Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe

THE COLLECTOR (APRIL 15 ON SALE) by Nora RobertsSHADOW SPELL by Nora RobertsCONCEALED IN DEATH by J. D. RobbWHISKEY BEACH trade by Nora RobertsTHE WITNESS mm by Nora Robertshttp://ttpbooks.com/category/WRW.html
Follow the link above to place a virtual signing order.

Here’ what I put on order for the virtual Signing:

THE COLLECTOR (APRIL 15 ON SALE) by Nora Roberts

THE COLLECTOR (APRIL 15 ON SALE) by Nora Roberts
NORA ROBERTS / J D ROBB coffee mug

COFFEE MUG tapered
SURPRISING LORD JACK by Sally MacKenzie

SURPRISING LORD JACK by Sally MacKenzie
TURN UP THE HEAT by Kimberly Kinkaid

TURN UP THE HEAT by Kimberly Kinkaid
HIS ENCHANTMENT by Diana Cosby

HIS ENCHANTMENT by Diana Cosby

THE MacGREGORS:ALAN & GRANT by Nora Roberts
CHESAPEAKE BLUE by Nora Roberts (Special Offer)

“The WRW Mega Booksigning will be
Friday April 4th from 11:30 – 1:30

Scheduled to attend Robyn Carr, Robin Perini, Liliana Hart, Tara Janzen, Cathy Maxwell, Diana Cosby, Diane Gaston, Kimberly Kincaid, Sally MacKenzie, Kieran Kramer, Leigh Duncan, P. A. DePaul,
Meridith Bond, Mary Strand, Mindy Klasky & Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb”

Quoted material and images copied from the following website:
http://ttpbooks.com/category/WRW.html

“Whiskey Beach,” by Nora Roberts

IMG_0424IMG_0427IMG_0428WhiskeyBeach by NoraRoberts BackCover9-15-13 Upload 012

The pictures are from “Whiskey Beach,” by Nora Roberts, the first book I’ve ever had signed by the author in person.  The last picture is one that Laura Reeth, Nora’s personal publicist, offered to take with my iPhone, which sealed the memory for me.  I traveled from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Boonsboro Maryland, over 1,000 miles, for this experience and would do it again in a heart beat.

Why?  For me it was a wish come true. Right after I signed up for the Brunch with Nora (which was just an e-mail from Nora’s blog Fall Into The Story (http://fallintothestory.com/) so I mailed in my RSVP. I knew I wanted to attend the book signing on the same weekend, it was as I was making the arrangements to travel to Boonsboro MD I found this album on iTunes, “Julie Andrews Selects Her Favorite Disney Songs” many were favorites of mine from a childhood Disney album but the one song that really felt right to express the moment I realized I was going to visit my favorite author was “When You Wish Upon a Star (from ‘Pinocchio’)” Cliff Edwards and Disney Studio Chorus,

Julie Andrews Selects Her Favorite Disney Songs

DISNEY

When You Wish Upon A Star Lyrics

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

these lyrics are submitted by Cora Hume
Source: http://www.elyrics.net/read/d/disney-lyrics/when-you-wish-upon-a-star-lyrics.html

Nora Roberts’ books have been capturing my heart since I first picked up her Cordina’s Royal Family series in 1986.  After that I just kept looking for her books at libraries and bookstores.  I could read her work for hours, even when re-reading her books, I find it very difficult to stop reading.  Nora’s writing has an energy that engages my imagination until the very last page.

In person, Nora is very much the same.  She has a seemingly inexhaustible energy, to sign books, chat with fans, and pose for pictures.  Nora is very engaging and appreciative of her readers.  It was a meeting I’ll never forget.  She signed “Whiskey Beach,” “Thankless in Death,” and “Kindred in Death,” the last two she signed as J.D. Robb.  It was an excellent day and a beautiful memory, I’m very thankful to Nora Roberts and all who helped get the word out to all, even people in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“Whiskey Beach,” by Nora Roberts is about the damage done by rumors designed to convict an innocent man in the court of public opinion.

Abra Walsh doesn’t believe in gossip.  She’s experienced first hand how damaging words are to a person’s life.  Abra is on a mission to see that Eli Landon fights back against the false accusations.  She has an ally in his Grandmother, Hester Landon, who mysteriously took a fall down the steps some two months before Eli arrives at Bluff House at the very spot where she landed.

This is a mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.  Eli knows he didn’t kill his wife but has no idea who did kill her a little over a year before the story starts.  Just when Eli begins to respond to Abra’s gentle urging to live again, a private investigator turns up dead and the old rumors start up all over again.

Will the person that killed his wife come after Abra or ultimately Eli? Is it the same person that killed the private investigator?

“Whiskey Beach” is an excellent mystery romance that will keep you guessing.  The characters have depth with an integrally woven plot that drew me in and kept me hooked until the last page. All created within a vividly descriptive world by the sea.

Here’s a quote from page 4 of Nora Roberts’ “Whiskey Beach”:

“Sleet slapped at him [Eli Landon] when he climbed out of the car, but the cold, that whistling Atlantic wind, cut through the outer layers of lethargy. Waves boomed against the rock, slapped against the sand, combining into a constant hissing roar. Eli dragged the house keys out of his jacket pocket, stepped onto the shelter of the wide stone portico to the massive double entrance doors hewn more than a century before from teak imported from Burma.”

An excellent romantic suspense novel that starts in winter’s cold and end’s with the sweet promise of Spring. Hope you all get a chance to read “Whiskey Beach” and share in spending some time by the ocean.

The physical book is a work of art that takes me back to the quality of the books my Grandmother used to buy – made to last. Craftsmanship is fantastic. Above you can see the quality of the graphic arts included not only on the outer covers but on the inside of the front and back covers as well. Very well done.

The audiobook is also very well done by Narrator, Luke Daniels. He put emphasis on the words that I wouldn’t have thought of when reading silently bringing more meaning to the story.

I purchased the audiobook at:

http://www.audiobookstanddl.com/9F06783A-2485-4B86-822F-90B59FC19C7B/10/119/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=8C4600C8-0A2B-43E6-91BB-718F7B134673

I bought the hard copy signed from:

http://ttpbooks.com/

The brick and mortar version on this occasion. Loved the atmosphere, very inviting as was Maryland. Great vacation for one or the whole family. Keep on reading everyone.

“Hidden Away” by Maya Banks KGI Series Novel

Hidden Away by Maya Banks Kindle e-book on Amazon

Garrett Kelly is sent on a mission to capture Marcus Lattimer – a man that had cost the lives of the very men sent in to save him years earlier. Its personal with Garrett – a point of honor to see Marcus pay for his treasonous acts. So when Resnick wants Garret to stake out Sarah Daniels, a pawn that will bring Lattimer out of hiding, he’s eager to take the assignment.

Here are some quotes from the beginning of Maya Banks’ “Hidden Away”:

“‘I’m so sorry, Marcus. It should have been me who killed him,’ she [Sarah Daniels] whispered.”….

“‘So where do I come in?’ Garrett asked.”….

“‘Yeah. He’ll [Marcus Lattimer] show. Sarah’s too important to him. She’s the only … thing he seems to care about in the world….'” [from Resnick]

Garrett senses a connection with Sarah from the beginning. He knows she’s been badly hurt but is torn. He must stay true to the mission – catch Marcus Lattimer.

Will his reasons for deception be enough to convince Sarah he had honorable intentions?

Harry Berkley delivers again with an emotionally charged reading of Hidden Away. The characters take on a new vivid life as I listen. Really first rate rendition.

Maya Banks tackles the tough topics in this story with grace and dignity. She gives the women in her stories difficult roles that they are well able to handle. I enjoy reading about strong women taking on tasks that have been given to men for far too long.

Maya also gives her male characters compassion and the ability to show their emotions. Garrett is powerful yet vulnerable which makes me admire him all the more.

“Hidden Away” is full of drama, mystery and romance. A great addition to the KGI Series. Hope you get a chance to read the book and/or listen to the audiobook. Happy reading.

I got my copy from One Click Digital provided by Hennepin County Library. It is also available via these links:

e-book:

audiobook:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/hidden-away-unabridged/id544976257

“The Darkest Hour” by Maya Banks

AmazonImageofTheDarkestHourbyMayaBanks
Ethan Kelly believed his wife had been killed a year earlier.  He’s broken by the loss due to his sense of guilt over how they had last parted and subsequent awakening to how much he loved and needed her in his life.  Then suddenly he receives an envelope with information that contains a photo of a woman that looks very much like his late wife.  Could it really be Rachel and if so, how will they find her?

Here’s some quotes from Maya Banks’ “The Darkest Hour” from the opening chapter:

“The FedEx package lay to the side,….”

“He dragged out a stack of papers….”

“It was a photo of a woman, obviously a prisoner in some … jungle camp.  If Ethan had to guess, he’d place odds on South America or maybe Asia….”

“The woman looked remarkably like Rachel.  His wife, Rachel who was dead.”

Ethan believes the woman in the photo is his wife so the KGI team are called together to go on a rescue mission to get Rachel back.  It will be a fight like none they’ve ever done in the past.  Ethan is in a hurry so they go in with limited help but they all believe that the woman, could it really be Rachel, has limited time.

The narrator of the audiobook, Harry Berkley, does an excellent job bringing out the depth of emotions that Ethan is experiencing. Listening, you feel like you’re in the jungle fighting for your life. Very well written and produced on the audiobook side.

Maya Banks really gets to the root of the consequences of drug abuse and the many layers that go into making a marriage.  No matter your age or gender this book is written for anyone living the human experience.

I must stress the writing in this book was superb, so much emotional depth was given to the characters I feel like I’d know them if they walked up on the street.  Keep on writing, Maya Banks you have a gift for storytelling few ever master.

I listened to the One Click Digital audiobook from my local library, Hennepin County Library.  Thank you @HCLIB for having the greatest selection of audio and e books of comparable libraries of your size. Keep on doing what you do.

You may also get this title on kindle at this link:

Or Audiobook at this link:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/darkest-hour-kelly-group-international/id573395305

“Enticed by His Forgotten Lover” by Maya Banks

Rafael is at a very exclusive fund raiser that he’s throwing and bumps into a pregnant woman that claims to know him. He has no memory of her but is intrigued so tracks her down to her hotel room. She not only doesn’t back down but claims he fathered her unborn child as well.

Here’s a quote from Maya Banks’ “Enticed by His Forgotten Lover”, from beginning of the book, that sums up Rafael and Bryony’s relationship while giving us a  glimpse of the mystery that unfolds throughout the story:

“It was hard for him to discern why he was so arrested by her….
“….’Met? Have we met?’ Her voice was barely above a whisper, but he felt each word like the crack of a whip. ‘You sorry bastard!’
“Before he could process the shock of her outburst she nailed him with a right hook….”

I love Maya Banks dialog – it flows into the narration seamlessly. When the narrator, Harry Berkley reads the manuscript there’s no breaks with he said or she said type repetition its perfectly scripted for audio. Harry also gives Rafael’s character depth with the accent he chooses.

“Enticed by His Forgotten Lover” is a mystery romance that will keep you guessing to the end. I enjoy Maya Banks’ descriptive scenes and her ability to make up intriguing characters that I want to learn more about.

Maya is an engaging author, I want to know how it ends so I listen at every opportunity until the very last word. Thanks, Maya for delivering with “Enticed by His Forgotten Lover”.

Also thanks to my local library for providing this title on One Click Digital provided by Hennepin County Library – love this libraries selection of audio and e-books.

You may also purchase audiobook at the link below:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/enticed-by-his-forgotten-lover/id627801063

Or Kindle e-book at the link below: