Category Archives: Hope

“The American Heiress: A Novel” by Daisy Goodwin

Posted on June 7, 2014 | Leave a comment

<span class=The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin_” width=”201″ height=”300″ />

Why do I recommend Daisy Goodwin’s “The American Heiress“?

First, the novel is well written with elements of romance but not focusing on the happily ever after concept. Instead Daisy Goodwin provides a fresh look at turn of the twentieth century America and England. Her perspective is a new one for me painting a picture of how truly callous the wealthy are during this era.

You’ll learn much about what a British title costs the young Cora Cash.  Cora pursues the title to appease her Mother but finds herself drawn to a Duke she meets by chance.

I think what brings depth to “The American Heiress,” is the relationship between Cora and her maid, Bertha. As Cora is drawn more and more into the drama of English Aristocracy, Bertha is able to ground her on what’s most important. Bertha’s story is every bit as important to the plot of this excellent tale as Cora’s.

There’s also plenty mystery and intrigue as the story unfolds. Daisy Goodwin keeps me guessing until the final chapter.

Will Cora be happy? Is Bertha going to be able to keep her position and the love of her life? You won’t find out until the very end, but I can guarantee “The American Heiress” is a page turner that keeps you hooked until the very end.

I listened to the audiobook and found Katherine Kellgren’s narration engaging and full of emotion.  A very well done production.

You can get an audiobook from iTunes or the book or e-book from Amazon at the following links.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/american-heiress-novel-unabridged/id441922680

Enjoy.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in American Heiress, Audiobooks, CivilWar, Daisy, Daisy Goodwin, DaisyGoodwin, Decisions, Destiny, Goodwin, Historical Novel, Hope, horses

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

How Books and Bookstores Have Changed My Life

Posted on May 28, 2014 | Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

Posted in Believe, BookReviews, Books, Decisions, Facebook, FindingOneself, Health, Hope, Inspire, Nora, Nora Roberts, NoraRoberts, Nutrition, Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe, Weight, Wellness, You Make a Difference

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

“The Collector,” by Nora Roberts

Posted on May 4, 2014 | Leave a comment

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”.

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Amazon, Audiobooks, BookReviews, Books, BookSignings, Bookstores, Hope, Inspire, Italy, iTunes, MurderMysteries, Mystery, New York, Nora Roberts, NoraRoberts, NRBookReviews, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Little bit of good

Posted on May 1, 2014 | Leave a comment

Hi All blog followers – help me figure out a way we could all donate to Kelz getting a new cell phone – there’s got to be a way to promote this fantastic blogger. What can we do – I’ll help organize – just need to know best way to go about it. Thanks in advance for your help and comments. Peace – Melissa.

Leave a comment

Posted in Blogs, Giving, Hope, Inspire, Kelz Belz, Reblogged, Support

Tagged , , , ,

Remembering my Mom, Roma Sarah (Goodman Maternal Maiden name) Rofern – Blanchard

Posted on April 27, 2014 | 9 comments

Mom and Grandma 2

Mom and Grandma Bert from around 1994 in Winona MN

http://lifeafter50m.blogspot.com/2014/04/pope-francis-proclaims-pope-john-xxiii.html

Remembering my Mom on my 52nd birthday. Follow the link to learn more.

Mom will always be in my heart for without her there would be no me.  God bless all the Mothers everywhere may you know how much of a difference you make.  Peace.

9 Comments

Posted in Believe, Blogs, Health, Hope, Inspire, Nutrition, Walk, Weight

Tagged , , , ,

#LetsMove Update – Lost 4 more pounds

Posted on April 16, 2014 | Leave a comment

Here’s the link to my #LetsMove video for today:  http://youtu.be/AcZR-vZ0tBM

See my whole video blog  journey on You Tube #LetsMove for exercise daily since February 24th, 2014.  Keep moving everyone.

Exercise and eating right, and watching portion sizes works.  3 oz protein and not more than 11 oz total for each of my 3  daily meals works for me.

How to make the most out of your food choices?  See my book review link below for

“It Starts with Food: Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways,” by Melissa Hartwig and Dallas Hartwig

– that book works.

https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/?s=It+starts+with+food

Believe you can make a difference in your life and you will.

Leave a comment

Posted in Believe, Blogs, BookReviews, FindingOneself, Health, Hope, Inspire, Lifestyle Change, Tips, Weight, Wellness

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

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

Posted on April 14, 2014 | 6 comments

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/

6 Comments

Posted in Amazon, Amazon (Kindle), Amazon (UK), Amazon UK (Kindle), BookReviews, Books, Disfigurement, Historical Romance, HistoricalRomance, Hope, Hostage/Kidnap, Inspire, Kindle, Lindsay Townsend, LindsayTownsend, Witch

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

“The English Daughter” by Lindsay Townsend

Posted on April 13, 2014 | 4 comments

The English Daughter Cover Image from an Internet Google search on the phrase: The English Daughter, by Lindsay Townsend

“The English Daughter,” by Lindsay Townsend is a beautifully written romantic suspense novel showing the same mastery of the genre as Phyllis A. Whitney in her novel “Hunter’s Green”.

How do I explain the significance of this style of writing?  Scenes so well crafted I can see the characters in my mind’s eye.  Flowing movement of the players in quiet desperation to escape an evil force that is not fully identified until the very end.

“The English Daughter,” is about life and death with a tender romance that heals Val’s self-image.  The love scenes are tasteful and allow for imagination – they are not the focus of the tale.  The mystery of Val’s dreams and the unknown killer is the purpose of the telling.

First, I traveled to Corfu in Val’s dream – vivid and dark, where she witnesses a crime she could not have seen.  Then I arrive in the beautiful Corfu – a place I’ve never been but feel as though I’ve been there through the brilliant depictions designed by Lindsay.

Beautiful landscapes, towns and intense sunlight is the backdrop where the crime was committed.  Lindsay also uses Val’s vocation of piano restorer in the narrative. She weaves the intricacies of restoring wood to its original unblemished state into the healing of her cast.

Why do I recommend this book to all that enjoy romantic suspense? The account of Val’s life and travels in the here and now and in her dreams brings fulfillment to me as a reader. All of Lindsay Townsend’s work has had this impact on me. Her writing is a reminder to me of why I love reading books. Examing her work now takes me back to the stories I read as a teenager finding ideas of stories I’d like to explore from my Grandma Effie’s book of the month club. When yarns were written to engage the reader and take them on an adventure of discovery. “The English Daughter,” is a story that appeals to all generations and all genders. I hope you take the time to look up this book and take a trip to Corfu.

I enjoyed the audiobook production of this story as well. The narrator, Michelle Ford, does an excellent job of telling the account. Her voice is very melodic keeping me absorbed in the descriptive tale as I listen to it over and over.

I bought the audiobook from the following source:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/english-daughter-unabridged/id547504841

Kindle e-book is available at the link below

Learn of other points of purchase at Lindsay Townsend’s blog:

http://www.lindsaytownsend.net/2008/04/english-daughter.html

4 Comments

Posted in Amazon, Amazon (Kindle), Amazon (UK), Amazon UK (Kindle), Audiobooks, BookReviews, e-book, Hope, Inspire, iTunes, Kindle, Lindsay Townsend, LindsayTownsend, MurderMysteries, Mystery, Romance, Romantic Suspense

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

“Dark Wolf,” by Christine Feehan, Dark Series, Book 25

Posted on April 7, 2014 | 2 comments

Dark Wolf by Christine Feehan Image

Image above from url: http://www.audiobookstanddl.com/9F06783A-2485-4B86-822F-90B59FC19C7B/10/119/en/SearchResults.htm?SearchID=38726141&SortBy=title

What happens when Carpathians meet Mage? You get “Dark Wolf,” by Christine Feehan. This Carpathain novel is special not only due to the Mage element but also because Skyler from “Dark Legend” is coming of age. Skyler is a key in both novels and I enjoyed being reintroduced to Skyler this time as a young woman instead of a damaged child that Francesca saves in “Dark Legend.”

Here’s a quote from “Dark Wolf,”
“‘No. You’re my best friend, Sky. Dimitri probably despises me and wishes I was dead, but he’s your lifemate and he’s been literally thrown to the wolves.’ Josef sent her a little grin, pleased with his pun. ‘Of course I’m going to help you. I helped you come up with this plan, didn’t I? And it will work.”

Skyler, Josef and Paul are on a mission to save Dimitri from a slow tortuous death at the hands of the Lycans. The wolves mistake Dimitri for a monster that will destroy them all when all he’s ever done is protect them.

Skyler learns she has more gifts than she thought, but will they be enough to keep them all safe as they attempt to free Dimitri? Will they reach Dimitri before his heart is attacked by the silver the Lycans have been injecting into his body?

I enjoyed this story, “Dark Wolf,” by Christine Feehan. The scenes are vividly described. The characters are people I’d like to get to know more because I appreciate their loyalty and love for one another.

The audiobook is well produced by Brilliance Audio at http://www.audiobookstanddl.com/. The two narrators, Phil Gigante and Natalie Ross, do an excellent job team reading “Dark Wolf.” Trading off when the male or female characters are prominent in the scenes. The characters are easy to identify and the story free flowing with dialog that lends itself well to reading.

“Dark Wolf,” brings new life to the Carpathian story adding new possibilities to the characters and their journey fighting vampires and evil where ever they find it.  Christine Feehan’s characters bring healing to those that need it the most.  The evil elements in the stories are brought to justice in ways that are fair and equatable.   The women are strong and capable of taking care of themselves and those they love.  Keep on writing, Christine.

I’m thankful that Hennepin County Library had this title available on Overdrive rented downloads.

Here are other places to acquire “Dark Wolf.”

Audiobook
http://www.audiobookstanddl.com/9F06783A-2485-4B86-822F-90B59FC19C7B/10/119/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=E87F76CB-C69F-499A-BBAC-55EB91DBCD77

Book

Kindle

2 Comments

Posted in Audiobooks, BookReviews, BrillianceAudio, Carpathian Novel, Carpathians, Christine Feehan, Dark Series, Hope, Inspire, Paranormal

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

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

Posted on March 31, 2014 | Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

Posted in Books, BookSignings, Bookstores, Diana Cosby, EasternUnitedStates, Historical Romance, HistoricalRomance, Hope, Inspire, JDRobb, Kimberly Kinkaid, Nora Roberts, NoraRoberts, Romance, Sally MacKenzie, THE MacGREGORS, Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,