Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

This weeks topic is REWIND - pick a past topic you missed or want to revisit. I am going with the Top Tep OCD Bookish Habits:

1. Never ever bend the corner of the page to safe your place, use a bookmark. 

2. I match my bookmarks to my books, If I am reading a historical book, I pick a historical looking bookmark, if I have a bookmark from the author that wrote the book I will use that bookmark.

3. I like to have all of my books organized by genre, author and then size. I recently tried something new with organizing my books but not sure yet if I like it. 

4. I never leave home without a book - they are like a security blanket. 

5. No one touches or moves my books as they don't want me to yell - they say I am too picky about my books. 

6. I do not loan books out, I did at one time and someone cracked the spine by bending the pages back too far, the lending was over then.

7. I keep lists of books I want to read/buy someday. I have lists in my phone and email. 

8. When I go somewhere new I like to go to new bookstores to see if they may have something I can't live without. 

9. I always have my book next to my bed as I can't sleep without it there. 

10. I don't read more than one book at a time. I like to focus on the book I am readig. 

Quilt or Innocence by Elizabeth Craig (A Southern Quilting Mystery #1)

Title: Quilt or Innocence (A Southern Quilting Mystery #1)

Author: Elizabeth Craig

ISBN: 9780451237330

Type: Mass Market Paperback

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Synopsis: As the newest member of the Village Quilters guild, Beatrice has a lot of gossip to catch up on - especially with Posy's Patchwork Cottage quilt shop about to close. It seems that Judith, the landlord everyone loves to hate, wants to raise the rent, despite being a quilter herself. 

But when Judith is found dead, the harmless gossip becomes an intricate patchwork of mischievous motives. And it's up to Beatrice's expert eye to decipher the pattern and catch the killer, before her life get sewn up for good. 

My review: I enjoyed reading this book. This town that Beatrice moves into is quite qwirky.  I like how all the ladies are very much into quilting and get along well that is except for Judith. Judith managed to start a fight before she left the quilting be and the next morning she is found dead. There are many people in the town that could have done it. Beatrice is having a hard time adjusting to her new retired life and to pass her time decides to try and solve the murder. You will be kept guessing as to who really committed murder until the end of the book. I look forward to learning more about this town and all the residents. I give this book four stars. 

Follow Friday - Four Fill IN

</"/>

This is a fun meme and it’s hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. Check out her lovely blog – . 

This week’s statements:
1. I don’t like to fly.
2. I love to read in the morning
3. If I could change one thing in my life it would be not wearing glasses.
4. If I was better at writing, I would be an author.

I would love to see what your answers would be.

To join in just add your name to the list.

Holding the Dream by Nora Roberts (Dream Trilogy #2)

Title: Holding the Dream (Dream Trilogy #2)

Author: Nora Roberts

ISBN: 9780425260913

Type: Trade Paperback

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Berkley/Penguin, September 2012

Synopsis: Surrounded by the sweeping cliffs and beauty of Big Sur, Kate Powell treasured her life at Templeton House ... and the family who raised her like one of their own. Although Kate lacked Margo's beauty and Laura's elegance, she knew she had something they would never possess -- a shrewd head for business. Driven by ambition, Kate measured her life's success with each soaring promotion. But now, faced with professional impropriety, Kate is forced to look deep within herself -- only to find something missing in her life ... and in her heart. 

My review: Nora Roberts did not disappoint in this next installment of the dream trilogy Kate has that type A personality that drives some people crazy. She is all work and no play and is making herself sick by worrying so much. Kate has just found out some some disturbing about her father which now had her even more upset. Just when she thought things could not get worse Kate gets accused of one of the worst things she can be accused of in her line of work. Then along the way comes a white knight to help save her day. Kate does not know how to handle this. Kate faces a new journey in her life and learns to love for the first time. I loved Byron and how he handled Kate and learned how to make her happy. There were times when Kate would drive me crazy at times and then there were times I felt sorry for her. I loved the relationship that Margo, Laura and Kate have with each other. They have such a close bond that you don't see often enough. You will also find a surprise with Josh and Margo in this book. I am looking forward to reading the last book in this trilogy. I give this book 5 stars - this is a must read series. 

The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau

Publication Date:  March 5, 2013
Touchstone Publishing
Hardcover; 512pISBN-10: 1476708657

In the next novel from Nancy Bilyeau after her acclaimed debut The Crown, novice Joanna Stafford plunges into an even more dangerous conspiracy as she comes up against some of the most powerful men of her era. 
In 1538, England is in the midst of bloody power struggles between crown and cross that threaten to tear the country apart. Joanna Stafford has seen what lies inside the king’s torture rooms and risks imprisonment again, when she is caught up in a shadowy international plot targeting the King. As the power plays turn vicious, Joanna understands she may have to assume her role in a prophecy foretold by three different seers, each more omniscient than the last.
Joanna realizes the life of Henry VIII as well as the future of Christendom are in her hands—hands that must someday hold the chalice that lays at the center of these deadly prophecies…

My Review: This is another great suspenseful book from Nancy. The story continues with Joanna Stafford. If you have not read The Crown yet, what are you waiting for, just kidding. You can go back and pick that book up later and read this book as a stand alone. I strongly suggest reading both books though as you will not be disappointed. 

Just as she did in her last book Nancy fills this book such great historical detail that you will be able to picture everything the mentions as if you were there. 

It is 1558  and there are major power struggles between the crown and the cross so you can imagine the turmoil the country is in at the moment. Joanna that the future will be in her hands and she is not sure what to do, she learns this from a person who can see the future. One thing I really liked about this book is how Nancy interweaves the fictional characters with the real life historical characters to make a great story line that you can follow right along with without any trouble. I also enjoy this view of Tudor England that is provided by the author, most books are just told of Henry and his wives and this is a story of less important (fictional) person of the time period. Come along for the journey to see what was predicted for Joanna and to find out if the prophecies come true. 

This book is a real page turner and will not disappoint you one bit. It will have you staying up late into the night to find out what happens next. 

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

About the Author

Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown, is a writer and magazine editor who has worked on the staffs of InStyle, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Good Housekeeping. Her latest position is features editor of Du Jour magazine. A native of the Midwest, she graduated from the University of Michigan. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

For more information, please visit Nancy Bilyeau's website.  You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter. 

Be sure to check out the rest of the blog tour here

Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Tuesday, February 26
Review at She Reads Novels
Wednesday, February 27
Review at The Wormhole
Thursday, February 28
Feature & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Friday, March 1
Review at A Bookish Affair
Monday, March 4
Review at The Broke and the Bookish
Review & Giveaway at Broken Teepee
Tuesday, March 5
Review at Book Journey
Review & Giveaway at Luxury Reading
Wednesday, March 6
Review at Knitting and Sundries
Thursday, March 7
Review at Turning the Pages
Friday, March 8
Interview & Giveaway at Knitting and Sundries
Monday, March 11
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages
Tuesday, March 12
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Wednesday, March 13
Review at The Eclectic Reader
Interview & Giveaway at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Thursday, March 14
Review at Let Them Read Books
Friday, March 15
Interview & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books
Monday, March 18
Review at Peppermint, Ph.D.
Review & Giveaway at Flashlight Commentary
Tuesday, March 19
Review at Loyalty Binds Me
Review at Impressions in Ink
Wednesday, March 20
Review, Interview & Giveaway at A Bookish Libraria
Thursday, March 21
Review at Confessions of an Avid Reader
Friday, March 22
Guest Post at Confessions of an Avid Reader
Monday, March 25
Review at The Novel Life
Review at Devourer of Books
Tuesday, March 26
Review at Historical Tapestry & Adventures of an Intrepid Reader
Wednesday, March 27
Guest Post & Giveaway at Historical Tapestry
Thursday, March 28
Review at Layered Pages
Friday, March 29
Interview at Layered Pages
Monday, April 1
Review at Words and Peace
Tuesday, April 2
Giveaway at Words and Peace
Wednesday, April 3
Review & Giveaway at Always with a Book
Thursday, April 4
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Friday, April 5
Review at Griperang’s Bookmarks
Monday, April 8
Review at Unabridged Chick
Tuesday, April 9
Review at One Book at a Time
Interview & Giveaway at Unabridged Chick
Wednesday, April 10
Review at Jenny Loves to Read
Thursday, April 11
Interview at Griperang’s Bookmarks
Friday, April 12
Review, Guest Post & Giveaway at Drey’s Library
Monday, April 15
Review, Interview & Giveaway at The Lit Bitch
Tuesday, April 16
Review & Giveaway at Ageless Pages Reviews
Wednesday, April 17
Review at The True Book Addict
Review & Giveaway at Library of Clean Reads
Thursday, April 18
Interview & Giveaway at The True Book Addict
Monday, April 22
Review at Book Drunkard
Tuesday, April 23
Review at A Book Geek
Wednesday, April 24
Review & Giveaway at Review from Here
Thursday, April 25
Review at Historical Novel Review & Great Historicals
Friday, April 26
Guest Post & Giveaway at On the Tudor Trail
Monday, April 29
Review & Giveaway at Bippity Boppity Book
Tuesday, April 30
Review at Writing the Renaissance
Wednesday, May 1
Interview at Writing the Renaissance
Thursday, May 2
Review at Tanzanite’s Castle Full of Books
Friday, May 3
Interview & Giveaway at Tanzanite’s Castle Full of Books

Enter to WIN an iPad Mini from @TriciaGoyer & RSVP for a Live Webcast Event

Celebrate the release of Lead Your Family Like Jesus with Tricia by entering her iPad Mini Giveaway and RSVPing for the Lead, Momma Lead LIVE Webcast Event (with MomLife Today's Tracey Eyster) on April 16th.

  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A Tricia Goyer library 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 15th. Winner will be announced at the "Lead, Momma Lead" Live Webcast Event on April 16th. Connect with authors and everyday moms, Tricia Goyer and Tracey Eyster, for an evening of sharing and perspective-changing encouragement for leading your family. Tricia and Tracey will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Lead Your Family Like Jesus and join Tricia and Tracey on the evening of April 16th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 16th!

Seduction by M.J. Rose (The Reincarnationist #5)

Publication Date:  May 7, 2013
Atria Books
Hardcover; 384p
ISBN-10: 1451621507

SYNOPSIS: From the author of The Book of Lost Fragrances comes a haunting novel about a grieving woman who discovers the lost journal of novelist Victor Hugo, awakening a mystery that spans centuries.

In 1843, novelist Victor Hugo’s beloved nineteen-year-old daughter drowned. Ten years later, Hugo began participating in hundreds of séances to reestablish contact with her. In the process, he claimed to have communed with the likes of Plato, Galileo, Shakespeare, Dante, Jesus—and even the Devil himself. Hugo’s transcriptions of these conversations have all been published. Or so it was believed.

Recovering from her own losses, mythologist Jac L’Etoile arrives on the Isle of Jersey—where Hugo conducted the séances—hoping to uncover a secret about the island’s Celtic roots. But the man who’s invited her there, a troubled soul named Theo Gaspard, has hopes she’ll help him discover something quite different—Hugo’s lost conversations with someone called the Shadow of the Sepulcher.

What follows is an intricately plotted and atmospheric tale of suspense with a spellbinding ghost story at its heart, by one of America’s most gifted and imaginative novelists.

My review: I am a fan of M.J. Rose's books and this one did not disappoint me in one bit. The suspense had me with my nose in the book until the wee hours of the morning and only then did I stop because I had to sleep. This book is full of suspense and intrigue.

I like how M.J. takes a historic novelist and weaves a spellbinding story of his life. Can you imagine what it was like for him to lose his daughter due to drowning, he must have been devistated and then he start taking part in seances and claims he is having conversations with many people of the past including the Devil.  One thing I enjoyed about this book is how it is told from three different views in three different time period. You have Victor in the 1800s, the Druids, and Theo in modern day.    

Seduction will take you on twists and turns and is not for the light hearted.  Another thing I liked was the weaving in of history along with the mystery. I have to say there is some sex in this book, as well as ghost stories and mystical things so this book is not for everyone.  All in all I enjoyed this book and will continue to read more books by this author. 

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

About the Author

M.J. Rose is the international best selling author of eleven novels and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her fiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews including Oprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio.  Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the '80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors - Authorbuzz.com.  The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose's novels in the Renincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of International Thriller Writers and runs the blog- Buzz, Balls & Hype.  She is also the co-founder of Peroozal.com and BookTrib.com.

Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

For more information on M.J. Rose and her novels, please visit her WEBSITE. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

To follow the rest of the tour Click Here