I enjoyed this book. The detail of what goes on behind the scenes of a broadway show was interesting and enlightening. There was conflict, romance, someone to dislike, someone to root for, colorful characters, and vivid detail in the writing so you knew what was going on. Highly recommend! Received copy for honest reviews!
STARSTRUCK, a novel by actual Broadway producer, Ruby Preston, follows the story of Scarlett Savoy, a savvy young producer. With her Broadway opening night a few weeks away, Scarlett is finally ready for her brand new musical to take center stage. Only two major things standing in her way – the beautiful but mercurial Hollywood diva she’s cast in the lead and the tall, dark and handsome familiar face from her past who flies back into her life. From high stakes rehearsal rooms, to paparazzi fueled scandals, to the star-studded red carpet of opening night, Starstruck is a page-turning journey behind the scenes of Broadway, all set against the glittering back drop of Manhattan. Will Scarlett make it to opening night before the curtain falls on her dreams?
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Saturday, September 26, 2015
The Central Park Tales by Marcus Meesters
I liked the stories, the parenting ideas, and the illustrations. This is a good book to read with kids and discuss the different situations with. Ask them why something was wrong, was punishment fair? Necessary? Should be in all family libraries!
Description
The Central Park Tales is a delightful children's book about the adventures of the animals that live in Central Park. It contains 10 short stories with 60 beautiful color illustrations. The main characters are Squirrel, Duck, Frog, Mousekin and the brothers Doctor Beggar (Dog) and Mister Pup (Dog). Because many of the illustrations depict real places in Central Park, the book is especially appealing to children who live in New York City. The Central Park Tales is also available as an eBook.
Snowflake Wishes by Maggie McGinnis
I really liked this story. The flow was easy to read and I liked the characters. Cute read
Description
Noah Drake was that guy--the one always on the lookout for his next adrenaline high, so it was no surprise when he took off across the world, seeking adventure as a travel writer. But one thing he could never escape was Piper Bellini, the girl who got away--the girl he let get away, a fact he's never let himself forget. When he returns to Echo Lake to see if there's any chance the flame between them can be rekindled, he never expects to spend the night holed up with Piper in a roadside diner while a blizzard rages outside. It's exactly the kind of situation that sent Piper running years ago. But this time, Noah may have been handed a Christmas miracle, and he intends to make all of his and Piper's wishes come true...
Friday, September 25, 2015
The Christmas Cottage/Ever After by Samantha Chase
5 Stars
I really liked these two books. The characters were fun and the romance in both was well written without a lot of unnecessary detail. The implications of sex was enough without detail to make these books very enjoyable. Sometimes simple is the best. I look forward to reading more from this author!
I really liked these two books. The characters were fun and the romance in both was well written without a lot of unnecessary detail. The implications of sex was enough without detail to make these books very enjoyable. Sometimes simple is the best. I look forward to reading more from this author!
The Christmas Cottage / Ever After
Samantha Chase
SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca
An exciting reissue of both books in the beloved Christmas Cottage series from New York Timesand USA Today bestselling author Samantha Chase, just in time for the holidays .
Legend has it that any couple who spends the night in the Christmas Cottage shall have love everlasting...
THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE
Lacey Quinn does not believe in happily-ever-after or the legend of the Christmas Cottage. But her best friend Ava does, and she's the one getting married. It's Lacey's job to make sure everything at the cottage is perfect for the newlyweds. Instead, she finds herself snowed in with the bride-to-be's brother, Ean Callahan, and begins to wonder if fairy tales really can come true.
Lacey Quinn does not believe in happily-ever-after or the legend of the Christmas Cottage. But her best friend Ava does, and she's the one getting married. It's Lacey's job to make sure everything at the cottage is perfect for the newlyweds. Instead, she finds herself snowed in with the bride-to-be's brother, Ean Callahan, and begins to wonder if fairy tales really can come true.
EVER AFTER
Ava Callahan wants desperately to believe in love everlasting. But when Brian McCabe walks back into her life and upsets her carefully organized world, her commitment to perfection makes it hard for her to accept the love that's right in front of her. Will it take a night in the Christmas Cottage for Ava and Brian to find their happy ending?
Ava Callahan wants desperately to believe in love everlasting. But when Brian McCabe walks back into her life and upsets her carefully organized world, her commitment to perfection makes it hard for her to accept the love that's right in front of her. Will it take a night in the Christmas Cottage for Ava and Brian to find their happy ending?
What readers are saying:
"Delightful Christmas romance with a twist ending."
"Loved the layered plot."
"Sweet holiday romance...love, love love!"
"An enchanting tale."
"A five star story!"
"Instant connection with the characters."
"Delightful Christmas romance with a twist ending."
"Loved the layered plot."
"Sweet holiday romance...love, love love!"
"An enchanting tale."
"A five star story!"
"Instant connection with the characters."
Monday, September 21, 2015
Once Lost by Ber Carroll Excerpt
Chapter 1
Louise
It’s unexpectedly beautiful, this room I will be working in for the next twelve months: white walls, polished floor, spacious, serene, and full of natural light. Skylights overhead showcase the deep blue sky – startling against all the white – and the view from the window includes a rippling corner of Sydney Harbour I am not yet familiar with. ‘She’s over here.’ Tom Clifford, the curator, leads the way to one of the large work benches. There, stripped from its frame, lies my project, my raison d’être, and I can’t quite contain my gasp of dismay. ‘Oh …’ For a while we both gaze at the portrait, a young woman whose pale hair and skin jump out from the comparatively dark background. Her hair, a frizz of tiny curls, and her mouth, with its slight smirk, inject a playful note into the otherwise formal setting. She’s wearing a magenta gown with frilled cuffs made of the same white lace as thfled neckline. Her figure seems voluptuous under the stiff bodice of the gown, but her hands and fingers are slender. She has one flaw. Correction, it is the canvas that has the flaw, not the girl. It’s quite badly damaged. In the worst possible place: the face. It looks as though it’s been poorly repaired around the right eye and a good part of the cheek area below. The effect is rather like a large tea stain. Unfortunately, it draws the eye and detracts from the beautiful colours and detail in the rest of the work. Tom sighs softly beside me. My first impressions of him are that he’s mild-mannered and a little bit vague, but has the potential to be pernickety when it comes to things he cares about. His hair is grey, his face youthful. I estimate his age as late forties, which is relatively young for the profession: the curators I worked with in London were dinosaurs, museum relics in themselves. ‘Analiese has completed a full examination of the work.’ He gestures to the lever arch folder lying on the tabletop next to the painting. ‘Everything is documented both in hard copy and on the collection database … You’ll find that her notes are meticulous.’ Analiese is my predecessor and now the mother of a two-week-old baby girl. Apparently the baby arrived early, before Analiese had begun her maternity leave, and almost before she got to the hospital. Gabriella, the flamboyant frame conservator who works in the room next door, filled me in on all the details a few minutes ago, as soon as Tom had made introductions. ‘The pains came from nowhere. Bang. One minute Analiese was quietly working on the painting, the next she was howling in pain. The ambulance got stuck in the lunchtime traffic on the way here, and we all thought the gallery was about to give birth to its first bambina.’ Gabriella went on to assure me that the ambulance had eventually arrived, and that Analiese’s baby, Stella, was in fact born in transit to the hospital. ‘She is our bambina, little Stella. She belong to all of us. She love the gallery so much she want to be born here.’ The warmth in Gabriella’s voice, the unbridled affection for both Analiese and her baby, was so genuine and heartfelt that for a moment I felt quite inadequate as her replacement. Gabriella is working on the frame of what is now my painting. From what I’ve heard (when Tom steered Gabriella away from the subject of baby Stella to request a brief update on her part of the project) and from what I could observe for myself (only one corner of the ornate frame remained fully intact: the others were either broken or extensively damaged), the frame is in even worse condition than the painting. Gabriella has weeks, if not months, of intricate moulding and reconstruction to make it structurally sound. Now, with Tom looking over my shoulder, I flick through Analiese’s folder, quickly scanning her photos and notes. ‘All the testing is complete,’ he informs me. ‘Analiese was about to begin surface cleaning the work. If everything had gone to plan, she would have had that stage completed and you could have started on the varnish removal. But the baby had other ideas!’ So, one to two weeks of surface cleaning, followed by a couple of months removing the varnish, onto which hundreds of years of dust, smoke and grime has attached itself. Then the real work: repairing the terrible damage as unobtrusively as I possibly can, before inpainting and revarnishing. Tom clears his throat. ‘Do you mind if I leave you to it? I have an important meeting …’ His voice trails away. Clearly he feels guilty about abandoning me so soon on my first morning. Making sure my smile is warm enough to dispel his doubts, I reply, ‘I’ll be fine. I’ll spend most of today reading these notes, I imagine.’ ‘Excellent. Peter or Heidi should be able to help with any queries.’ I nod. Peter and Heidi seemed friendly and helpful – though not quite as forthcoming as Gabriella – when Tom introduced me earlier. I will work alongside them, if such thing is possible in this enormous room. Tom departs, and I pull up a swivel chair, Analiese’s notes on my knees. For the rest of the morning I am absorbed. There’s lots of technical information to take in, but by far the most surprising and compelling fact is that the artist who created this painting is unknown. The work is believed to be from the late 1700s, and is being restored in preparation for an exhibition of portraits from that era. It came into the possession of the gallery three years ago, donated by the executor of a deceased estate, who recognised the considerable skill of the artist but could not sell the painting due to the extensive damage. Analiese’s notes suggest that the painting originates from Europe, most likely The Netherlands, as this is where the deceased’s ancestors lived before they migrated to Australia after World War II. It’s hoped that as the piece is restored, more information will come to light. Reading takes its toll, and eventually the letters and words begin to blur and make no sense. I set down the folder and press my fingers into my temples, moving them in small slow circles until the tension has eased. When I stop, it feels as though the girl in the painting has been assessing me, her one and only eye overcompensating for the missing one, seeing deeper and wider, bearing witness. It’s such a shame that the worst of the damage is to her face. If only it was in a less conspicuous place: her dress, for instance, or, better still, somewhere in the background. Then again, the damage is so confronting that it absolutely must be dealt with. That’s a good thing, because I know only too well how damage, if not brutally evident, can be underestimated and brushed aside. It’s ironic, really, this anonymous work being assigned to me. I can see how it will play out: months and months of painstaking research, hope creeping in despite my best efforts to keep it at bay, the crushing sense of defeat as every clue, every lead, ends in nothing, absolutely nothing. Maybe I should confess to Tom that I don’t have a very good track record when it comes to things like this. I stand and walk towards the window, which runs the full length of the wall, bathing the room in light. Looking down, I see Sydney buzzing below me: cars, trucks, ferries, and lots and lots of people. I like this city, with its blue water and skies. Though I’ve lived here less than a week, I’ve already been wooed by its beauty and glamour, and the startling sky that makes me want to reach up and scrape away a colour sample to preserve for darker, gloomier days. The sun catches off the water and the glass windows of the skyscrapers, and everything glitters. I can see greenery, both in the foreground and background, and I know this city can breathe, that it’s open and airy and has somehow escaped that boxed-in, contained feeling that other cities have. Yes, this a good place to visit … to live … to stay. Is this where you are? I whisper under my breath.
It’s unexpectedly beautiful, this room I will be working in for the next twelve months: white walls, polished floor, spacious, serene, and full of natural light. Skylights overhead showcase the deep blue sky – startling against all the white – and the view from the window includes a rippling corner of Sydney Harbour I am not yet familiar with. ‘She’s over here.’ Tom Clifford, the curator, leads the way to one of the large work benches. There, stripped from its frame, lies my project, my raison d’être, and I can’t quite contain my gasp of dismay. ‘Oh …’ For a while we both gaze at the portrait, a young woman whose pale hair and skin jump out from the comparatively dark background. Her hair, a frizz of tiny curls, and her mouth, with its slight smirk, inject a playful note into the otherwise formal setting. She’s wearing a magenta gown with frilled cuffs made of the same white lace as thfled neckline. Her figure seems voluptuous under the stiff bodice of the gown, but her hands and fingers are slender. She has one flaw. Correction, it is the canvas that has the flaw, not the girl. It’s quite badly damaged. In the worst possible place: the face. It looks as though it’s been poorly repaired around the right eye and a good part of the cheek area below. The effect is rather like a large tea stain. Unfortunately, it draws the eye and detracts from the beautiful colours and detail in the rest of the work. Tom sighs softly beside me. My first impressions of him are that he’s mild-mannered and a little bit vague, but has the potential to be pernickety when it comes to things he cares about. His hair is grey, his face youthful. I estimate his age as late forties, which is relatively young for the profession: the curators I worked with in London were dinosaurs, museum relics in themselves. ‘Analiese has completed a full examination of the work.’ He gestures to the lever arch folder lying on the tabletop next to the painting. ‘Everything is documented both in hard copy and on the collection database … You’ll find that her notes are meticulous.’ Analiese is my predecessor and now the mother of a two-week-old baby girl. Apparently the baby arrived early, before Analiese had begun her maternity leave, and almost before she got to the hospital. Gabriella, the flamboyant frame conservator who works in the room next door, filled me in on all the details a few minutes ago, as soon as Tom had made introductions. ‘The pains came from nowhere. Bang. One minute Analiese was quietly working on the painting, the next she was howling in pain. The ambulance got stuck in the lunchtime traffic on the way here, and we all thought the gallery was about to give birth to its first bambina.’ Gabriella went on to assure me that the ambulance had eventually arrived, and that Analiese’s baby, Stella, was in fact born in transit to the hospital. ‘She is our bambina, little Stella. She belong to all of us. She love the gallery so much she want to be born here.’ The warmth in Gabriella’s voice, the unbridled affection for both Analiese and her baby, was so genuine and heartfelt that for a moment I felt quite inadequate as her replacement. Gabriella is working on the frame of what is now my painting. From what I’ve heard (when Tom steered Gabriella away from the subject of baby Stella to request a brief update on her part of the project) and from what I could observe for myself (only one corner of the ornate frame remained fully intact: the others were either broken or extensively damaged), the frame is in even worse condition than the painting. Gabriella has weeks, if not months, of intricate moulding and reconstruction to make it structurally sound. Now, with Tom looking over my shoulder, I flick through Analiese’s folder, quickly scanning her photos and notes. ‘All the testing is complete,’ he informs me. ‘Analiese was about to begin surface cleaning the work. If everything had gone to plan, she would have had that stage completed and you could have started on the varnish removal. But the baby had other ideas!’ So, one to two weeks of surface cleaning, followed by a couple of months removing the varnish, onto which hundreds of years of dust, smoke and grime has attached itself. Then the real work: repairing the terrible damage as unobtrusively as I possibly can, before inpainting and revarnishing. Tom clears his throat. ‘Do you mind if I leave you to it? I have an important meeting …’ His voice trails away. Clearly he feels guilty about abandoning me so soon on my first morning. Making sure my smile is warm enough to dispel his doubts, I reply, ‘I’ll be fine. I’ll spend most of today reading these notes, I imagine.’ ‘Excellent. Peter or Heidi should be able to help with any queries.’ I nod. Peter and Heidi seemed friendly and helpful – though not quite as forthcoming as Gabriella – when Tom introduced me earlier. I will work alongside them, if such thing is possible in this enormous room. Tom departs, and I pull up a swivel chair, Analiese’s notes on my knees. For the rest of the morning I am absorbed. There’s lots of technical information to take in, but by far the most surprising and compelling fact is that the artist who created this painting is unknown. The work is believed to be from the late 1700s, and is being restored in preparation for an exhibition of portraits from that era. It came into the possession of the gallery three years ago, donated by the executor of a deceased estate, who recognised the considerable skill of the artist but could not sell the painting due to the extensive damage. Analiese’s notes suggest that the painting originates from Europe, most likely The Netherlands, as this is where the deceased’s ancestors lived before they migrated to Australia after World War II. It’s hoped that as the piece is restored, more information will come to light. Reading takes its toll, and eventually the letters and words begin to blur and make no sense. I set down the folder and press my fingers into my temples, moving them in small slow circles until the tension has eased. When I stop, it feels as though the girl in the painting has been assessing me, her one and only eye overcompensating for the missing one, seeing deeper and wider, bearing witness. It’s such a shame that the worst of the damage is to her face. If only it was in a less conspicuous place: her dress, for instance, or, better still, somewhere in the background. Then again, the damage is so confronting that it absolutely must be dealt with. That’s a good thing, because I know only too well how damage, if not brutally evident, can be underestimated and brushed aside. It’s ironic, really, this anonymous work being assigned to me. I can see how it will play out: months and months of painstaking research, hope creeping in despite my best efforts to keep it at bay, the crushing sense of defeat as every clue, every lead, ends in nothing, absolutely nothing. Maybe I should confess to Tom that I don’t have a very good track record when it comes to things like this. I stand and walk towards the window, which runs the full length of the wall, bathing the room in light. Looking down, I see Sydney buzzing below me: cars, trucks, ferries, and lots and lots of people. I like this city, with its blue water and skies. Though I’ve lived here less than a week, I’ve already been wooed by its beauty and glamour, and the startling sky that makes me want to reach up and scrape away a colour sample to preserve for darker, gloomier days. The sun catches off the water and the glass windows of the skyscrapers, and everything glitters. I can see greenery, both in the foreground and background, and I know this city can breathe, that it’s open and airy and has somehow escaped that boxed-in, contained feeling that other cities have. Yes, this a good place to visit … to live … to stay. Is this where you are? I whisper under my breath.
Once Lost by Ber Carroll
I received this book as part of the Blog Tour. I loved it! It was compelling and gripping. I liked the wo main characters Emma and Louise. It was their friendship that brought the book together. Both women had difficulties and hardships to work through. Reading and experiencing their individual journeys was interesting. How each worked through each roadblock was well written. I can't wait to read more by this author. I recommend for book clubs. Great angles and stories.
Are some things better left unfound?
Best friends Louise and Emma grew up next door to each other in a grim inner-city suburb of Dublin.
Now Louise, an art conservator, is thousands of miles away in Sydney, restoring a beautiful old painting. She meets Dan, whose family welcome her as one of their own, but she will always feel lost until she finds her mother who walked out when she was just eight years old.
Back in Dublin, Emma is stuck in a job where she is under-appreciated and underpaid, but her biggest worry is her ex-partner, Jamie. Emma has lost so much because of Jamie: her innocence, her reputation, almost her life. Now she is at risk of losing Isla, her young daughter.
So where is Louise's mother? Will Emma ever be free of her ex? Both women frantically search for answers, but when the truth finally emerges it is more shattering than they had ever expected.
Best friends Louise and Emma grew up next door to each other in a grim inner-city suburb of Dublin.
Now Louise, an art conservator, is thousands of miles away in Sydney, restoring a beautiful old painting. She meets Dan, whose family welcome her as one of their own, but she will always feel lost until she finds her mother who walked out when she was just eight years old.
Back in Dublin, Emma is stuck in a job where she is under-appreciated and underpaid, but her biggest worry is her ex-partner, Jamie. Emma has lost so much because of Jamie: her innocence, her reputation, almost her life. Now she is at risk of losing Isla, her young daughter.
So where is Louise's mother? Will Emma ever be free of her ex? Both women frantically search for answers, but when the truth finally emerges it is more shattering than they had ever expected.
September
14 - Chick Lit Plus –
Review
September 15 - Bookish Library - Review & Excerpt
September 16 - Jersey Girl Book Reviews –
Review, Q&A & Excerpt
September 21 - Book
Groupies – Review & Excerpt
September 21 - Granny Loves to Read
– Review & Excerpt
September 21 - Love For Books and Java -
Review
Author Bio:
Ber Carroll was born in Blarney, County Cork, and moved to Australia in 1995. Her first novel, Executive Affair, was inspired by her initial impressions of Sydney, and her exciting, dynamic work environment at the time. Ber now lives in Sydney’s northern beaches with her husband and two children. Incidentally, Ber is short for Bernadette, but please don’t call her Bernadette: this is what her mother calls her when she is in trouble for something.
Ber’s novels have been published in five countries, including Ireland. If you would like to know more about Ber and her novels, you can visit her website at www.bercarroll.com, or you can subscribe to her newsletter (Book Chat) with fellow authors Dianne Blacklock and Liane Moriarty (see Ber’s website for a link to the newsletter and to find Ber on Facebook).
Book Links
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Endless Possibility by Emma Scott Cover Reveal!
Endless Possibility, a RUSH novella by Emma Scott Cover Reveal
Hosted by Raven. PA
Synopsis:
After the disastrous Planet X party, Noah Lake knows he must to learn to cope with his anger and bitterness, to learn to live as he is and not as he had been. He sets out on an impossible journey, alone. in the hopes of making himself worthy of Charlotte's love, and to slay the demons of an old life that is lost to him.
As he makes his arduous way across Europe, following Charlotte's tour, Noah writes of his experiences that will become his memoir, and it is only after reading his words that Charlotte comes to fully understand the hardships Noah endured for their sake; a journey that nearly broke him in mind, body, and spirit. She knows what she must do: show Noah that while she is the light in his darkness, he is the music in her heart, and that without him, she'd be just as lost.
Endless Possibility is the final chapters in a love story about acceptance, peace, and the bond between two souls who have found their equal in each other, and the happily ever after they both deserve.
Amazon link: http://goo.gl/FgdZ9T< /div>
Goodreads link: http://bit.ly/1hDrLfk
RUSH buy link: http://amzn.to/1ILRMyy
Emma Scott´s Facebook Page: https://goo.gl/lvSzU9
Raven. PA´s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RavenPAauthorservice
Saturday, September 19, 2015
All Is Calm, All Is Bright by Colleen Coble
Received this book through NetGalley. Loved these stories! Full of suspense, romance, and fun. Great little mystery Christmas stories. I liked the characters and the story of each book. Quick reads but entertaining! I really enjoyed both stories.
Description
All Is Calm
Brendan Waddell needs a place to recuperate. Lauren Everman needs a place to hide. It's going to be an unexpectedly romantic Christmas at Bluebird Ranch.
Brendan Waddell has always considered Bluebird Ranch a little piece of heaven: an idyllic ranch that pairs abused children with abused horses, run by one of his old Marine buddies. Now, recovering from an on-the-job injury, Brendan thinks the ranch is the perfect place to spend Christmas healing up.
When Lauren Everman was a seventeen-year-old foster kid, Bluebird Ranch was the safest place she knew. Now it's the perfect hideout for a woman on the run. As the witness to a murder, Lauren needs somewhere to lie low, and her skill with horses means she'll be able to lend a hand with the troubled kids at Bluebird—without answering too many questions.
Lauren's rich hair, high cheekbones, and dark eyes immediately get Brendan's attention—but so does her secretive behavior. This Special Ops Intel man knows a woman on the run when he sees one, and he's not about to let her put Bluebird Ranch at risk.
But as Brendan and Lauren get to know each other, their suspicions evaporate and romance starts to sizzle. But this would-be couple has more to worry about than each other—there's a killer on the loose who wants Lauren kept quiet.
All Is Bright
A romantic, Christmas wedding at her seaside hotel gives Delilah a chance to shine with her unique gifts. But will her light be snuffed out before the bride and groom say “I do”?
As manager of the Tidewater Inn, Delilah Carter has been planning a spectacular Christmas wedding for her friends at the grand hotel overlooking the ocean. While picking up still more twinkly lights and some last-minute groceries for the reception dinner, a huge truck runs her off the freezing, wet roads into the dark night. Her car stops just short of an enormous tree and the truck speeds off into the night. Delilah escapes with her life and has almost convinced herself the whole thing was an accident, but then she begins to receive threatening phone calls. With the wedding just hours away, she's distracted and anxious. Then Sheriff Tom Bourne stops by the inn and volunteers to help.
Tom has always had a soft spot for Delilah, and he's determined to protect her. But he is pulled away by a bizarre Christmas stunt that has the neighborhood reeling, and Delilah is attacked again.
Will Delilah have to cancel the Christmas wedding at Tidewater Inn? And will Tom's protection be enough to save Delilah from the shadowy figure looming in the background?
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
America's Bank by Roger Lowenstein
Received this ARC from First To Read for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. The detail and story telling was excellent. Everyone should read this book to help understand a vital piece of our history. I found it easy to follow and the complexity of how the Federal a Reserve came about is fascinating. I highly recommend this book to all. As American's we need to learn and study how things came about and how hard our forefathers worked and sacrificed to bring our country about. Great book club book.....it is a complex topic but what fun it would be to get different perspectives. Should be included in college reading as well.
Until the election of Woodrow Wilson the United States—alone among developed nations—lacked a central bank. Ever since the Revolutionary War, Americans had desperately feared the consequences of centralizing the nation’s finances under government control. However, in the aftermath of a disastrous financial panic, Congress was persuaded—by a confluence of populist unrest, widespread mistrust of bankers, ideological divisions, and secretive lobbying—to approve the landmark 1913 Federal Reserve Act.
Writing in a rich and untapped historical vein, Roger Lowenstein—acclaimed financial journalist and bestselling author of When Genius Failed and The End of Wall Street—reveals the drama-filled, unlikely story of how America created the Federal Reserve, thereby taking its first steps onto the world stage as a global financial power. America’s Bank showcases Lowenstein at his very finest: illuminating complex financial and political issues with striking clarity, infusing the debates of our past with all the gripping immediacy of today, and painting unforgettable portraits of Gilded Age bankers, presidents, and politicians.
With America’s Bank, Lowenstein focuses on the four men at the heart of the drama to create the Federal Reserve. These are Paul Warburg, a refined, German-born financier, recently relocated to New York, who was horrified at America’s primitive finances; Rhode Island’s Nelson W. Aldrich, the reigning power broker in the U.S. Senate and an archetypal Gilded Age legislator; Carter Glass, the ambitious but little-known Virginia congressman who chaired the House Banking and Currency Committee at a crucial moment of political transition; and, of course, President Woodrow Wilson, who forced Glass to reconcile his deep-seated differences with bankers en route to landmark and controversial legislation which that finally gave America a central bank.
Weaving a slice of American politics together with a storied financial collapse and intrigue at the highest levels of Washington and Wall Street, Lowenstein delivers a gripping historical narrative. America’s Bank reveals the improbable origins of the Federal Reserve in a way that will make readers wonder whether they are reading about one hundred years ago or about the still-seething conflicts that mark our discussions of banking and politics today. A powerful and intelligent story told by one of our most accomplished financial experts, America’s Bank puts readers into the cockpit at a time of financial turmoil and political transformation, bringing the beginnings of one of the country’s most crucial institutions to vivid and unforgettable life.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Head over Heels for the Boss by Susan Meier
Received this book from NetGalley! Loved this book. I like the story, how each page flowed into the next. I liked how the journey for the two characters caused you to pause and realize what each went through. They both had different family lives but still found each other. I would highly recommend this book!
The book!
Isabelle Cooper's in big, big trouble. Her flower shop? Well, it was just bought by the man she’s had a crush on forever. Her new boss, Devon Donovan, is a tall glass of melt-in-your-mouth hotness. The problem? Devon is definitely not interested in love. No ifs, ands, or buds about it.
Devon knows Isabelle has been crushing on him since college, but buying her business shouldn’t be a problem. Not only is she his employee, but as the eldest Donovan brother, he’s too busy protecting the family fortune for romance. But tomboy “Izzy” is all grown up now. And he’s finding it impossible to resist her, no matter how hard he tries...
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Christmas in Vermont by Bryan Mooney
Received a copy from NetGalley. I really liked this book. There were a few places in the story where the story moved on but there wasn't any transition so I was confused until it became clear what the author intended. I liked the fact it was at Christmas and the basis was veterans. We need to help more! The story kept my attention and was good reading! It made me laugh and cry, couldn't stop reading. Nice love story and not complicated just easy reading.
Description
In the small town of Woodstock, Vermont, Christmas means white snow and warm traditions. For ex-Marine Jack Reynolds, it’s a chance to visit home and sort out his life. He’s engaged but unhappy, his brother is missing in action, and he often thinks about Hope, the beautiful teacher who helped him survive an attack in Iraq before disappearing. Unbeknownst to Jack, Hope is in Woodstock, having sworn to visit the hometown of the man who saved her life.
A chance encounter brings Jack and Hope together once more, and they instantly feel the same deep connection that sustained them in Iraq. When a long-lost bag of Christmas cards is discovered at the local post office, the pair sets out to deliver them. As the letters bring joy around Woodstock, Jack and Hope grow closer—but misunderstandings and uncertainty come between them. Can the cozy town’s Christmas spirit help them find the courage to follow their hearts?
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Merry Christmas, Henry by Aubrey Wynne
Received copy on NetGalley. Short story but great story. Sometimes you have to believe in a Christmas miracle and follow it! I enjoyed this story for its whimsy and Christmas theme. Sometimes you need to find happiness by just believing in something that you think is beyond reach.
Merry Mary by Ashley Farley
Received this book from NetGalley. I liked this story. The woman in conflict and the events it takes for her to see things in a new light after a devastating loss was written well. The message at Christmas was very good. Sometimes things or people that we get aren't for us but we are for them to find a meaning at Christmas. Most life decisions are difficult but once they are made and we can relax when we know it was right. Tough decisions cause conflict and in this story it was interesting to see the different dynamics between friends, family, and spouse. Good book and would be great for a book club to discuss.
Friday, September 11, 2015
Hanover House by Brenda Novak
Received this book from NetGallley. OMG! Had me from the first word! Gripping, intense, edge of your seat suspense, and of course a little romance tossed in. I couldn't put it down. Brenda has me wanting more. I can't wait to read more! The in depth detail of these criminals and what they do is staggering. The fact that Brenda can bring both sides of the story into a cohesive, complete story is wonderful. You ache for the victim and you despise the criminals and psychopaths. You are cheering for the good guy and you hope for the best. I highly recommend this introduction story! It will make you want more!
Thursday, September 10, 2015
First & Goal by Laura Chapman
Text
Set your lineups and pull out the old game tape—football is here. This year, you can experience fantasy football vicariously through (or commiserate with) Harper Duquaine in First & Goal by Laura Chapman.
What begins as a way to make nice with her new co-workers soon becomes an obsession for Harper as she navigates the ups and downs of managing a fantasy football team. Add in a pair of meddling brothers, a crew of quirky colleagues, and a league-mate who makes her toes curl, and Harper’s football season has plenty to keep her interested.
This new romantic comedy is now available from Marching Ink on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. Join in the fun and cheer Harper on as she takes on the old boys club.
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Then beat them.
About the Book
When Harper Duquaine’s no-nonsense approach to work unintentionally ruffles the wrong feathers at her new job, she joins her co-workers’ fantasy football league to prove she can hang with the guys. Only problem: she doesn’t know a sleeper from a keeper (or any of the other lingothrown her way).
Embroiled in a world of lineups, stats, and trades, Harper’s quest to make nice topples when her competitive streak emerges. And her promise to herself that she’ll be a strong, independent woman and leave the drama and heartache behind is seriously tested when she catches the attention of her two biggest competitors: J.J., a local celebrity determined to win a fantasy championship, and Brook, the mild-mannered coach who seems too good to be true. Both threaten her resolve to remain single… and, more importantly, her chances at winning the prize pool.
With a slew of conflicting advice in her real and fantasy worlds, Harper must figure out how to play the game and come out a winner.
Now Available
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Marching Ink
About the Author
Laura Chapman is the author of First & Goal, The Marrying Type, and Hard Hats and Doormats. Her work appears in Merry & Bright, A Kind of Mad Courage, and a forthcoming Christmas anthology from Marching Ink. A native Nebraskan, she loves Huskers and Packers football, Netflix marathons, and her cats, Jane and Bingley. Laura is currently in pursuit of a fantasy football championship while penning her next novel.
Connect with Laura
Or links:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/laurachapmanbooks
Twitter - https://twitter.com/lmchap
Instagram - https://instagram.com/lmchap614/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/lmchap
Website - http://laurachapmanbooks.com/
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
A Promise of Home by Wendy Vella
Review
I received a copy from NetGalley. I was captivated from the first word. The story was well written and I liked the flow. The issues that the characters had and the process to move past them to move forward was easy to follow and feel with the words provided in the book. There was an interesting twist that until the end you had no idea what was going to happen. Highly recommend this book.
From Best Selling Author Wendy Vella When Branna O'Donnell heads back to Lake Howling, Oregon, she’s not sure what to expect. It’s a place that holds plenty of memories, both good and bad, but Branna is determined to find some peace there from the demons of her past. However, she soon realizes that living in a small town again comes with complications, and one of them is named Jake McBride. Once the town golden boy, Dr. McBride has returned from Iraq angry and, like her, shouldering a few emotional scars. They strike sparks off each other from the outset, and Branna knows that if she gives in to the attraction between them it’s going to result in a world of pain. The problem is she's not sure how to walk away.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Christmas Chocolat by Kate Defrise
Received copy from Netgalley for review. I enjoyed this book. The differences and conflicts between four siblings was well written. I like the diversity of each sibling and then the one common thread....the father and his aloftness to the four kids and how that shaped them as adults. What they wanted, the career choices, and how to be "perfect" for their father. Finding their way and some of the choices they made as adults made for interesting reading. I really liked this book.
Christmas Chocolat
Kate Defrise
Kensington Books
In this warm, engaging debut novel, four siblings make their way home, where their father, the memory of their mother, and long-held family secrets all collide just in time for Christmas
For Maggie Arnaud and her siblings, childhood Christmases meant lavish feasts and beloved rituals. The day began with hot chocolate and cougnole de Noel—the sweet, rich bread traditional in their parents' native Belgium. Those special holidays ended with their mother's death, and their father has grown more distant each year. But now, he has summoned his grown children once again. And none of them is eager to expose their imperfect lives to his scrutiny…
Jacqueline is an opera singer living in Brussels—outwardly successful but yearning for a deeper fulfillment. Near Philadelphia, cookbook writer Maggie's career and marriage are in turmoil. Colette, an aspiring clothing designer in California, lost her boyfriend and her savings in one blow. And roving younger brother Art is still searching for something—or someone. Armed with their insecurities, rivalries—and their mother's most delicious recipes—the Arnauds gather in Pennsylvania. But a good meal does more than feed the body—it awakens memories, nurtures bonds, and might even bring a family back together.
Includes classic Belgian recipes
Friday, September 4, 2015
Shock of Night. Release Blitz
Shock Of Night by Bestselling Author P. Mattern
Synopsis
Join Hallie on a wild ride through the dark twists and turns the mental institution has in store for her. If a near lifetime of captivity hasn't eaten away at her mind, something sinister that lurks in the dark just might!
Shock of Night has been a #1 Amazon Bestseller and a Top 100 Bestseller
Purchase Links
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Shock-Night-P-Mattern-ebook/dp/B0143J3G2C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441330856&sr=8-1&keywords=Shock+of+night+P.+Mattern&pebp=1441330856254&perid=0FGS7C361CCZ201ZT4BW
Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shock-Night-P-Mattern-ebook/dp/B0143J3G2C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1441331015&sr=1-1&keywords=P.Mattern+Shock+of+Night
Meet the Author
Author P.Mattern began composing stories while still in utero and was born with a pencil in her mouth. She wrote fantasy fiction about being married to the Beatles for her classmates in elementary school and was featured in High School and College anthologies.
One day while rereading Anne Rice she wondered what would happen if her handicapped young adult son was bitten by a vampire--would he become normal or even superabled? She began writing Book One of Full Moon Series, basing the main character Charley Rabbit on her son Jeffrey.
It wasn't until she was laid off from her professional position in the Mental Health field that the Midwestern widow had time to write down all the stories and characters she'd carried around in her head for years. Along with her daughter J.C.Estall she wrote Books One and Two of Full Moon Series, and also wrote collaboratively with her youngest son, M.Mattern. So far the family writing dynasty has written Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Full Moon Series(4 books and a companion novel, ByronChance:The Darkly Erotic Life of a Dhampir), Shock of Night, Strident House, and of the Damned, Forest of BleedingTrees,Vampire Princess, Zombiewalk, Dreams to Bare and shortreads for ezines Cabin Pressure, Holiday, and Alien Lullabye. Currently the trio is working on Full Moon Series Book 5, Andy of the Damned II, Strident House Book Two, Forest of Bleeding Trees Two, Cold World, Alien Gangster and The Widow Pink.
P.Mattern is a member of the Thriller Writers of America and is currently involved with one of her characters ("It's complicated.")
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