The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Genre: YA Fiction
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 300
Book Source: IBT

Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie’s struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.

Review:
Simply breathtaking!! I spent the entire book alternately crying and laughing, goofy smile on my face, tears in my eyes, sighing, giggling, savouring. The Sky Is Everywhere is exquisitely written; it's a book of contrasts exploring love and grief with raw honesty and lyrical beauty, despair and darkness, joy and sunshine, humour, passion, poignancy, I couldn't read it fast enough, I didn't want it to end. It's the first time a book has ever made me wish that I could write, wish that I could so eloquently express on paper exactly how I feel about the 'losses' in my life and how they've shaped who I am.

When I'm with him

there is someone with me

in my house of grief,

someone who knows the architecture as I do,

who can walk with me,

from room to sorrowful room,

making the whole rambling structure

of wind and emptiness

not quite as scary, as lonely

as it was before.

All the future we will not have rips and retches out of me into the garbage pail I am crouched over, until there's nothing left inside, nothing but me in this ghastly orange room. And that's when it hits ...

Without the harbor and mayhem of Toby's arms and the sublime distraction of Joe's, there's only me. Me, like a small seashell with the lonliness of the whole ocean roaring invisibly within.

This is no ordinary YA book, it's an 'ageless' read, that resonated deeply for me. I won't rehash what the story's about, (you can read the synopsis for that) I have too much to rave about as it is. I fell totally in love with all the characters. Lennie, her eccentric Gram with the aphrodisiacal roses, pot-smoking Uncle Big, her sister's boyfriend Toby and of course sweet Joe. In Lennie I recognised a kindred spirit as I'm sure many who have experienced life changing loss would identify. The sex-crazed side of things added a whole other dimension of confusion and guilt for Lennie but I confess it brought me lots of laughs.

"I thought maybe we could hang out," he says.

This is what I hear in my mind: boner, boner, erection, hard-on, woody, boner, boner, boner.

The Sky Is Everywhere is a beautiful five star read, a favourite for 2010 and one I know I'll re-read again and again, (something I rarely do.) It has earned a place on my bookshelf and captured a special place in my heart. Have I conveyed how much I loved this book? I truly hope so.

I'll be waiting with bated breath for more from Jandy Nelson. Visit Jandy's website to find out more about this talented author.

 

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Sand In My Eyes by Christine Lemmon

Genre: General Fiction
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 355
Book Source: BookSparks PR

Synopsis:

An older woman growing flowers, a younger woman caught up in the weeds, and the seasons of life.

Twenty years ago, Anna Hott thought she could control everything – her crumbling marriage, her demanding children, her hectic life – by quitting her high-paced job in New York City and moving her family to tranquil Sanibel Island, Florida. But she brought her untamed emotions, her rage toward her cheating husband, and her yearning to write a novel with her. When her husband and children left the house for a week, Anna thought at last she would get her household, her novel, and her mind in order. Instead, her elderly neighbor Fedelina Aurelio knocked on her door bearing flowers and homespun wisdom, and when Fedelina’s recently divorced son arrived, Anna had a test of passions and a test of truth. Now, at 56 with an empty nest, Anna Holt pulls out the incomplete manuscript she started that memorable week and – to find closure for her life and a conclusion for her novel – travels to Indiana to visit Fedelina who lives in a nursing home.

A novel framed within a novel, Sand in My Eyes is both a story about the tension between motherhood and personal dreams as well as a story about women across generations inspiring one another to let beauty persist despite ugly circumstances.

Review:

This was a quiet, introspective read, full of wise counsel and beautiful analogies.

We follow Anna's journey through motherhood to empty nest, overwhelmed and exhausted with the chaos that 3 young children often bring, crumbling marriage, unfaithful husband, and general discontent. The melancholy tone of the novel is lifted with the introduction of Anna's neighbour Fedelina and the evolving friendship between the two.

Christine Lemmon does a wonderful job with character development. Anna felt very real, as did her efforts to make sense of her life and Fedelina with her insightful was just adorable. I absolutely loved the garden analogies and the way Fedelina uses roses, orchids and plants in general to teach Anna about finding contentment in the different stages of life as a mother and woman.

"Then I should give you some roses to remind you that they aren't always in bloom, nor can you be."

"See this one?" she asked. "Iceberg, Climbing, 1968, it blooms so prolifically you can cut large bouquets for the house, yet seldom see where you have cut." ... "If a mother takes care of herself," she said as she held the screen door open for me to go in, "she can give much of herself and no one will see what has been taken from her."

"I wish I hadn't gone on living miserably for so long - all that wasted time of my life," I finally said. " I do regret that."

"I don't see it as wasted time," she said.

"You don't?" I asked.

"No. There's no such thing. To me, your garden was in disarray, that's all. No one's garden is perfect all the time."

Early in the novel I found Anna's constant 'musings' around nursery rhymes a little irritating "home again, home again, jiggety jog" but maybe the purpose was to give added dimension to the picture of a mother overwhelmed and dissatisfied. And just a random adding, I have to say I liked the quirky, unexpected ending.

Sand In My Eyes had a surprising excess of editing and formatting errors but I really enjoyed Christine Lemmon's relaxed writing style and I'll definitely be reading more from this author. For me, the highlight of this novel was the refreshing take on the old adage - You only get one life ... live it!

Christine Lemmon is the author of Sanibel Scribbles, Portion of the Sea and Sand in My Eyes. She lives on an island off Florida’s Gulf Coast - in a house on stilts - with her husband and children. Visit Christine's website to find out more about this author and her work.

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila :-)

Well I don't know where the week disappeared to but after spending 2 days with a tummy bug, the rest of the week just flew by. I did have another lovely day scrapping with Alaine on Thursday, hopefully we can squeeze a day in this week too but depends whether Alaine has an assignment done & I have reviews done LOL. I scrapped this layout of Bella (photo taken on my i-phone on the day we adopted her in April.)

I've read some fantastic books lately so I'm really enjoying being back in the swing of reading and blog visiting again, now if I could just get the reviews under control, I'd be laughing.

And now to books ...
Click on the title to see my review of:

LEVIATHAN by Scott Westerfeld ~ my first foray into the Steampunk genre

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Completed last week:

SAND IN MY EYES by Christine Lemmon - review 28th July

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This Week's Reading List:

LINGER by Maggie Stiefvater ~ page 145 & loving it *squeal*

SAVOUR THE MOMENT by Nora Roberts ~ (audiobook) chapter 10

SAVING MAX by Antoinette van Heugten

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Reviews scheduled this week:

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson

SAND IN MY EYES by Christine Lemmon


Reviews still to do:

DARK FLAME by Alyson Noel

CAPTIVATE by Carrie Jones

SHADOWLAND by Alyson Noel

SPIRIT BOUND by Richelle Mead

BLOOD PROMISE by Richelle Mead

FORGET-HER-NOTS by Amy Brecount White

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Genre: YA Fantasy/Sci Fi/Steampunk
Series: Leviathan Book 1
Copyright: 2009
Pages: 440
Book Source: Own Purchase

Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men.

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.

With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.

Like nothing I've read before, Leviathan was my first foray into Steampunk literature, a sub-genre I didn't know existed until doing a little research. Scott Westerfeld explains steampunk in his afterward as "blending future and past" and oh what an imaginative blending this is. Kind of Star Wars meets Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; slightly weird, fantastical and highly adventurous.

Set at the beginning of WWI, Leviathan showcases the parallel stories of Alek and Deryn, teens on opposite sides in the battle between the Clankers (Germany & Austria-Hungary) and the Darwinists (Britian/France.) I bought this book on a whim & a few rave reviews, and knowing very little about the premise of the novel it took me a while to catch on. A whale airship, messenger lizards, hydrogen sniffing dogs, flying jellyfish, stormwalkers, and zepplins; machines and fabricated beasties, quite the contrast.

In this audio version the narration was captivating. I loved Deryn's accent and amusing eloquence "And a special thanks for not burning up the whole ship. Including yourself, you daft bum-rag" and "barking spiders." For me though, Alek didn't hold the same appeal as a character as Deryn. The long descriptive passages on the workings of machinery and beastie would normally bore me to tears but I guess the novelty factor kept me reading. The audio is possibly not the wisest choice if this is your first experience with this subgenre but that aside this was an entertaining read outside my comfort zone and I'm keenly awaiting the continuation of the story with Behemoth.

Leviathan in paperback is due for release August 2010 and Behemoth the second installment in the trilogy will be out in October 2010. Visit Scott Westerfeld's awesome website to find out more about this author and his work and check out the amazing Leviathan artwork courtesy of illustrator Keith Thompson.

PS: the book trailer is a good one :-)

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome

Winner of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C W Gortner

The winner of the personalised copy of C W Gortner's novel

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is:

Shy @ The Bibliophile's Journal

Thanks once again to the delightful Christopher for his generosity and of course, superlative writing. If you'd like another chance to win a copy of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, enter my July Competition.

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Cover for Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Having just finished and loved Spirit Bound, book 5 in the Vampire Academy series, I'm excited about the final installment coming Dec 7th. If you haven't started on this series ... get cracking, you've still got time :-)

Richelle Mead has unveiled the cover for the 6th Vampire Academy book , Last Sacrifice, on her blog Even Read Heads Get The Blues along with this news ...

Last Sacrifice comes out December 7 (in the US, Australia/NZ, Canada, and the UK). It's the sixth VA book and will end the series--about Rose. Sometime next year, another series set in the VA world with characters you already know will come out. I keep calling it "the spin-off series," but it'll eventually have its own name. So, in short, Vampire Academy is ending...and yet not ending. Rose will have walk-on roles in the next series, but expect other characters to be the stars.

YAY not too long to wait!!

Book 1: Vampire Academy
Book 2: Frostbite
Book 3: Shadowkiss
Book 4: Blood Promise
Book 5: Spirit Bound

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Teaser Tuesday

MizB of Should Be Reading hosts this cool weekly event. Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. Share the title & author of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. Please avoid spoilers!

"Should-haves, could-haves, Anna," she said. "I tossed mine in bags and tied them up years ago. Unless you feel like driving yourself into a state of depression, they're not worth a swarm of bees in May."  (page 125)

I cringed. "I look that bad?"

"Damsel in distress," he said, nodding.

"Thanks for the compliment," I told him. "I feel more like road kill mess." (page 208)

2 teasers I wanted to share from Sand in My Eyes by Christine Lemmon

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila.

Last week consisted of the usual 'mum' stuff but I also read, scrapbooked, and did a book review ... successful week for me! The layout I scrapped below is photo of myself, Annie & Alaine at Richelle Mead's book tour in September 2009.
I seem to be starting this week with a tummy bug *ughh*, hope it doesn't hang around too long as I have things to do!

Click on the title to see my review of:

NEVER LET YOU GO by Erin Healy

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Completed last week:

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson ~ International Book Tours - 5 stars & a favourite for 2010

DARK FLAME by Alyson Noel - 4 stars

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This Week's Reading List:

SAND IN MY EYES by Christine Lemmon ~ page 185 (book tour)

LINGER by Maggie Stiefvater

Not too sure what audio book I'll be reading, I really should be catching up on reviews as the list is getting out of control :-)

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Reviews scheduled this week:

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson

LEVIATHAN by Scott Westerfeld


Reviews still to do:

CAPTIVATE by Carrie Jones

SHADOWLAND by Alyson Noel (audiobook)

SPIRIT BOUND by Richelle Mead

BLOOD PROMISE by Richelle Mead

FORGET-HER-NOTS by Amy Brecount White


Hope everyone has a wonderful week ~ happy reading!!

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Never Let You Go by Erin Healy

Genre: Christian Suspense
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 320
Book Source: Phenix & Phenix Publicity

Synopsis: Losing everything has made Lexi hold those she loves tightly. Hell is determined to loosen her grip.

Lexi lives in the shadow of choices her husband made. Especially Grant's choice to leave seven years ago, without a word. Her relationship with their daughter, Molly, is now the most important thing in her life. Lexi will do anything-work grueling hours, attend church on her only day off, sacrifice financially-just to see Molly smile.
When Grant shows up declaring his intent to re-enter their daughter's life, Lexi is skeptical of his motives. She soon determines not to let him near Molly. Then a drug dealer named Warden arrives on Lexi's doorstep, demanding payment of Grant's old debts.

But that's just the earthly perspective. Staggering supernatural events are spilling into her world in real and shocking ways. Hell's fury is great, but Heaven's power is greater still. In a novel that defies easy categorization, this has all the early buzz of the breakthrough read of 2010.

Review:
Earlier this year I read Burn, the novel co-authored by Tedd Dekker & Erin Healy so I was keen to see what Erin Healy's solo debut was like. I read a lot of suspense but not a lot with Christian elements and while these themes are an integral part of the story I didn't find them overwhelmingly so. This book is about choices, good versus evil and the healing power of forgiveness and love, mind you this is all wrapped up in a very supernatural blanket that has the reader questioning what's real and what's not.

Lexi's road in life as a single mother has been a tough one, her drug dealing husband disappeared for 7 years, her sister was murdered thrusting her father into the ravages of mental illness and her own past mistakes have come back to haunt her. The only constant in her life is her unconditional love for her daughter Molly. The characters are well developed, they're likeable, realistic and flawed, Angelo is delightful and one of my favourites and the baddies, well they're really ... bad.

The supernatural elements in this story make it an intriguing read with a creepy undercurrent and I was actually surprised with the level of suspense.

To learn more about Erin Healy and her work visit her website.

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

Teaser Tuesday

MizB of Should Be Reading hosts this cool weekly event. Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. Share the title & author of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. Please avoid spoilers!

I haven't participated in Teaser Tuesday for quite a while but I just couldn't resist sharing this teaser from  my current read The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson. Loving it so far!

For days and days, the rain beat its fists 

on the roof of our house -

evidence of the terrible mistake 

God had made.

Every morning, when I woke

I listened for the tireless pounding,

looked at the drear through the window 

and was relieved 

that at least the sun had the decency 

to stay the hell away from us. (page 17)

 

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. I never seem to be organised enough to post about what's happening in our life on Sunday so I include it in my Monday post, if you just want to skip to the book stuff go right ahead.  

What a busy week, we had family here for the first 3 days of the week which was ... busy. We went to the movies to see The Karate Kid which was great, I actually enjoyed it more than the original. Thursday was my baby girl's birthday (she'd be 20 now) and Friday the anniversary of her death. Cal insisted on introducing Bella to Taleah which was very sweet but I think Bella was more interested in our Subway lunch than saying hello. Friday, Cal and I spent the day with Alaine and her boys relaxing and just catching up, which was nice.

I love school holidays but sadly they're at an end, Cal goes back to school this week. While we haven't done a lot, Callum has been such good company, I think he's missed his brother who's been working away. We've had lots of fun with darling Bella now that she's so much better and her hair is regrowing and she's getting a hairy chest LOL. Soccer continues through the holiays but I love not having to do everything on a tight schedule. This week I'm hoping to read, review and scrapbook.

Just the one review again this week. click on the title if you'd like to see my thoughts on:

THE HEALERS by Thomas Heric ~ a real surprise

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Completed last week:

CAPTIVATE by Carrie Jones

SHADOWLAND by Alyson Noel (audiobook)

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This Week's Reading List:

SAND IN MY EYES by Christine Lemmon ~ page 95 (book tour)

THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson ~ International Book Tours

THE LIES WE TOLD by Diane Chamberlain

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Reviews scheduled this week:

LEVIATHAN by Scott Westerfeld

NEVER LET YOU GO by Erin Healy

Reviews still to do:

SPIRIT BOUND by Richelle Mead

BLOOD PROMISE by Richelle Mead

FORGET-HER-NOTS by Amy Brecount White

Hope everyone has a wonderful week ~ happy reading!!


This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

The Healers: The Aesculapians by Thomas Heric

Genre: Science Fiction Thriller
Series: The Aesculapians Book One
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 592
Book Source: Phenix & Phenix Publicity

Synopsis:

It's the year 2021. Medicine has become corporatized, and proprietary treatments are closely guarded secrets. The mysterious Aesculapian Healers offer complete cures of most illnesses with a money-back guarantee, but the outrageous fees have given them a reputation as medical pirates. When recent medical school graduate Wesley Anderson is approached to become a Healer, he reluctantly signs on, hoping to obtain a cure for his father's heart disease and a solution to his family's money troubles. But he soon discovers that there are dark secrets behind the brilliant cures. As Aesculapian practices become increasingly disturbing, a conflicted Wesley-torn between his conscience and the seduction of power-joins a group of dissidents. The atmosphere quickly becomes deadly as they uncover a plan involving human experimentation, and realize that the lives of millions hang in the balance.

Review:
This chunkster was quite a surprise; I was initially intrigued by the synopsis and when the book arrived in the mail (all 592 pages of it) a little dismayed at the size. I admit I did cross my fingers and hope it wasn't going to be a long, hard slog. Thankfully that proved not to be the case. I found the medical premise fascinating and was impressed with how the author tied the threads of the Nazi agenda from WWII to the novel setting of 2021.

Thomas Heric's 40 years of medical experience shows, writing medical procedures and trauma with a precision that both fascinated and repulsed me. Be warned some of the experimental practices to further research and gene technology are not for the faint hearted; a bit like watching a car crash ... horrifying and nauseating but you just can't turn away. I found the included emails and memos a bit cryptic, it took me a while to work out the 'who's-who' and their point but that's a minor criticism in the scheme of things. With my nursing background I found the concept of complete cures for illnesses and trauma an incredible thing and not too far from the realms of possiblity but in the hands of those corrupted by money and power, the moral and ethical costs far outweigh the benefits.

If you're going to be an Aesculapian healer, forget about fairness ... Everyone should be treated fairly. Sound familiar to you? It's the biggest crock of bullshit ever foisted on mankind. There's nothing fair about life. Some people are tall and good-looking, others are short, fat, and ugly. Some people have all the smarts, others are as dumb as doorposts. Some people are born into rich families, others are going to suffer a short, protein-deprived life in sub-Saharan Africa. Some people have opportunities galore, while others are screwed from day one. (page 175)

All up, a suspenseful, action-packed read that kept me turning the pages and on reaching the end I was wishing that book 2 was already published. Can't wait to see where the author takes this series.

About the author: Thomas Heric is a practicing physician with more than forty years experience. His other writings include non-fiction, screenplays and episodes of popular television shows including Chicago Hope. Heric resides in Malibu with his wife Paris and is the proud father of five grown children.

This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week.

I only finished one book last week but it was another chunkster (at almost 500 pages) and it is school holidays so with having family visit I haven't had as much 'chill out' time as I thought I would. But I do have reviews scheduled this week and I'm hoping for a bit more reading time. My reading list looks optimistic, especially when most weeks I've only read one book but you never know this could be the week LOL. I'd be really excited to get through 2 or 3.  I also scrapped a layout of myself on my 40th birthday (2 years ago.) Something a bit different as I don't often scrap photos of just myself, I'm normally the one on the other end of the camera (it's an iggydodie scraplift.)

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Completed last week:

SPIRIT BOUND by Richelle Mead - fantastic!

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This Week's Reading List:

CAPTIVATE by Carrie Jones ~ page 135

SAND IN MY EYES by Christine Lemmon (book tour)

SHADOWLAND by Alyson Noel (audiobook)

THE LIES WE TOLD by Diane Chamberlain

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Reviews scheduled this week:

THE HEALERS by Thomas Heric

LEVIATHAN by Scott Westerfeld


Reviews still to do:

BLOOD PROMISE by Richelle Mead

NEVER LET YOU GO by Erin Healy

FORGET-HER-NOTS by Amy Brecount White


Hope everyone has a wonderful week ~ happy reading!!


This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader can win Linger OR Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage OR The Confessions of Catherine de Medici OR Eternal on the Water. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

July Competition

Well it's been a while since I've had a competition so to celebrate the month of July and to thank everyone for their love and support over some difficult months personally, one lucky reader will win their choice of book from the four below. (I  have trouble picking just one book so my solution is to leave the decision to you *evil grin* and hopefully my choices offer something for everyone.) The first two are sequels I've been impatiently waiting for and the last two are two of my favourite reads of 2010. If you need a little help making your decision click on the links to check out my reviews.

Good luck choosing! All books are brand new and the winner's choice will be purchased by me from The Book Depository in the UK or the US specifically for the winner. If the winner is not in a Book Depository delivery area then they will receive a $20 Amazon book voucher.

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

The Wolves of Mercy Falls Book 2 

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past...and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabel, who already lost her brother to the wolves...and is nonetheless drawn to Cole. At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love--the light and the dark, the warm and the cold--in a way you will never forget.

See my review of the first book Shiver

Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage  by Jennifer Ashley

Highland Pleasures Book 2

Six years ago, eighteen-year-old Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized all of London by eloping the night of her come-out ball with the notorious rake, Lord Mac Mackenzie. After three turbulent years of marriage, she scandalized London once again--this time by leaving him.

Now the reformed Mac has returned, and he wants one thing: Isabella back in his life, his house, his bed. He'll do anything he has to, play any game, as long as he gets her back. Isabella resists, but when she agrees to pose for erotic paintings he's been working on, she realizes her body has never stopped craving her husband’s very skilled touch. Mac is determined to show Isabella that he's a changed man, but three years without her has only increased his hunger for her.

When an ingenious forger with designs on Mac's paintings, and Isabella herself, comes dangerously near, Mac sets himself up as Isabella’s protector and vows to never leave her side, whether his independent and proud lady likes it or not.

See my review of the first book The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner
The truth is, none of us are innocent. We all have sins to confess.

So reveals Catherine de Medici in this brilliantly imagined novel about one of history’s most powerful and controversial women. To some she was the ruthless queen who led France into an era of savage violence. To others she was the passionate savior of the French monarchy. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner brings Catherine to life in her own voice, allowing us to enter into the intimate world of a woman whose determination to protect her family’s throne and realm plunged her into a lethal struggle for power.

The last legitimate descendant of the illustrious Medici line, Catherine suffers the expulsion of her family from her native Florence and narrowly escapes death at the hands of an enraged mob. While still a teenager, she is betrothed to Henri, son of François I of France, and sent from Italy to an unfamiliar realm where she is overshadowed and humiliated by her husband’s lifelong mistress. Ever resilient, Catherine strives to create a role for herself through her patronage of the famous clairvoyant Nostradamus and her own innate gift as a seer. But in her fortieth year, Catherine is widowed, left alone with six young children as regent of a kingdom torn apart by religious discord and the ambitions of a treacherous nobility.

Relying on her tenacity, wit, and uncanny gift for compromise, Catherine seizes power, intent on securing the throne for her sons. She allies herself with the enigmatic Protestant leader Coligny, with whom she shares an intimate secret, and implacably carves a path toward peace, unaware that her own dark fate looms before her—a fate that, if she is to save France, will demand the sacrifice of her ideals, her reputation, and the passion of her embattled heart.

See my review of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici and enter to win a personalised copy of this book (Ends July 9th)

Eternal On The Water by Joseph Monninger

From the day Jonathan Cobb and Mary Fury meet on the banks of Maine’s Allagash River, they approach life with the same adventurous spirit with which they conquer the river’s treacherous rapids. But rivers do not let go so easily. And so for them, the life they love demands equally that they confront the most difficult of choices, and they vow, when time and illness necessitate, to return to the river together so that Mary can make one final journey. Set against the rugged wilderness of Maine, the exotic islands of Indonesia, the sweeping panoramas of Yellowstone National Park, and the tranquil villages of rural New England, Eternal on The Water is at once heartbreaking and uplifting—a timeless, beautifully rendered story of true love’s power.

See my review of Eternal On The Water

HOW TO ENTER:

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Competition is International. Ends July 31st and the winner will be announced on this blog. Good luck everyone!