Spotlight and Giveaway: Falling for the Stars by Lisa Loving Dalton

by CarolNo Comments
Book Trailer: Giveaway: Grand Prize Package: one winner will receive: 1) a paperback copy of Falling For the Stars by Lisa Loving Dalton with autographed Last Dragon Pic 2) a paperback copy of A Balancing Act by Emmanuelle Chaulet 3) an e-copy of Murder of Talent 4) a 30-min video chat with author 2nd and 3rd Prize Packages: 2 winners will each get: 1) a Kindle copy of Falling for the Stars by Lisa Loving Dalton with an autographed Last Dragon pic 2) a paperback copy of A Balancing Act by Emmanuelle Chaulet 3) an e-copy of Murder of Talent USA only Giveaway ends Dec 17 a Rafflecopter giveaway...
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The Girl of His Dreams by Donna Leon

by Carol2 Comments
We've got two "mysteries" in The Girl of His Dreams, the death of the girl mentioned in the blurb and a potential scam being run by a man claiming to be a priest of some kind. Both are solved even if the resolutions aren't entirely satisfying, but I guess that's a bit like real life, not every mystery gets tied up in a neat little bow. Sometimes politics and money and being at the right place a bit too late all get in the way. I like Brunetti. He's happily married and actually enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife love books and conversation. While his superior is not ideal, he's not a loner, he works well with the competent members of the force. He cares about his case, perhaps more than he should at times. While the mystery steers the book, the musings on life, death, religion, the mafia make it slower than the typical mystery. There is less...
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Readers’ Workouts- 11/29

by Carol4 Comments
I only got my steps in two days.     So this is the second week in a row that was a bust. I think I'm going to borrow Joy's idea and make some monthly goals for December. Exercise: Walk with/without the dog - 16 days Gym (cardio) - 4 days Pilates/Yoga - 12 days Weights - 8 days Dinner: Meatless - 4 meals Low carb - 4 meals Seafood - 4 meals I usually listen to a book while I’m walking, jogging, whatever. This week I'm listening to Through a Glass, Darkly by Donna Leon. How was your week? Readers’ Workouts is hosted by Joy at Joy’s Book Blog ....
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2016 Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

by CarolNo Comments
I am late signing up for this year's Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge, hosted by Michelle at Christmas Spirit. Here are the details: Challenge will run from Monday, November 21, 2016 through Friday, January 6, 2017 (Twelfth Night or Epiphany). Cross over with other challenges is totally permitted AND encouraged! These must be Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore, a book of Christmas short stories or poems, books about Christmas crafts, and for the first time...a children's Christmas books level! Levels: --Candy Cane: read 1 book --Mistletoe: read 2-4 books --Christmas Tree: read 5 or 6 books (this is the fanatic level...LOL!) Additional levels: --Fa La La La Films: watch a bunch or a few Christmas movies...it's up to you! --Visions of Sugar Plums: read books with your children this season and share what you read I'm aiming at the Mistletoe level, since I definitely want to read Mystery in White and Holiday with a Twist....
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Thursday’s Tale: The Corn People

by Carol1 Comment
The Corn People, illustraded by José Carlos and translated/edited by Kelly Carlos, is a mix of Aztec and Mayan mythology, and presents a lovely creation story. It's available on Amazon. It's a bilingual book, the Spanish on the top of each page, the English translation on the bottom, which I like, even though I can't pronounce the Spanish at all. In the beginning there was silence and Heart of Sky was very lonely, so he made planets to keep him company. Heart of Water was his favorite. He asked Heart of Water whatshe thought of their world and she asked that her oceans be opened, allowing land to rise. The land became mountains, valleys and hills covered with tall pines. Heart of Sky made fish, mammals, reptiles, and birds. Both Hearts were happy with so much company, but the creatures couldn't praise them. Heart of Sky, with Heart of Water, first created mud people and the wooden people, but neither would praise their makers...
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