Have No Shame by Melissa Foster - ANNOUNCING the "NEW RELEASE!" - REVIEW

Goodreads Synopsis:

The racially-charged prejudice of the deep South forces eighteen-year-old Alison Tillman to confront societal norms—and her own beliefs—when she discovers the body of a hate crime victim, and the specter of forbidden love turns her safe, comfortable world upside down.

Alison has called Forrest Town, Arkansas home for the past eighteen years. Her mother’s Blue Bonnet meetings, her father toiling night and day on the family farm, and the division of life between the whites and the blacks are all Alison knows. The winter of 1967, just a few months before marrying her high school sweetheart, Alison finds the body of a black man floating in the river, and she begins to view her existence with new perspective. The oppression and hate of the south, the ugliness she once was able to avert her eyes from, now demands her attention.

When a secretive friendship with a young black man takes an unexpected romantic turn, Alison is forced to choose between her predetermined future, and the dangerous path that her heart yearns for.

HAVE NO SHAME is an emotionally compelling coming of age novel featuring a young woman who cannot reconcile the life she wants with the one she’s been brought up to live. Have No Shame will resonate with anyone who has ever fallen in love, and those who have been forced to choose between what they know in their hearts to be true, and what others would like them to believe.


My Take:
5 Stars!
Not many books touch me with so many emotions they way this book has, and boy oh boy, this book sure touched me to no end! I knew it would as soon as I started reading it. Yes, this book will pull you right into it as soon as you start  it.
This book takes place in Forest Town, Arkansas, in 1967, in the deep south where segregation was very well known for being so strong, rules for the 'whites' and 'coloreds', and the unwritten rules as well, were followed as much to a "T" as you could, but even then, that did not ensure your safety. Go outside of those boundaries, and watch out!
Alison tells us about her town she lives in and what goes on. She tells us about the typical things we have heard, seen, and know about from our textbooks in school, what we've seen on TV and in the movies, and in many photos, such as signs that state which separate water fountains were for 'the blacks' and which ones were for 'the whites', even separate bathrooms, too. Different doorways for the different people, and many more things similar to this were very strong in this area. The depth of this was hitting Alison much more strongly than ever before. 
Alison, or Pixie, as she is also called, is our 18 year old caucasian protagonist. Her heart would be ripped to shreds, and she knew it would be too, the more she learned about the reality of her hometown. I don't think she was fully aware or prepared for the extent to which it was when she first finds a dead black man beat up and left for dead in the side of a river. Then, falling in love, but not with her High School Sweetheart Jimmy Lee, but an African American man named Jackson. Here she is supposed to love and marry Jimmy Lee, but . . . When Alison does fall in love, and when it's 'who' she falls in love with that tears her heart apart. It tore my heart apart. We ALL have the same things inside and out, feel the same things, and there is NO difference except for our 'looks'. Looks should NEVER be so important to impact society as it has over the centuries. 

She hurt so deeply, as was I, all because of a four letter word called 'hate'.

I often wonder why 'hate' overrides any other emotions in any situation and why it's so strongly remembered more so over any good? This word has always bothered me, and always will the rest of my life. Positive things are not as strong as the negative it seems, which kills my spirit at times. This broke my heart several times, as I got so emotionally invested into it. 
It's a crying shame, literally, to know that human beings intentionally treated other human beings in such a disgusting manner. Why did this happen? No logical reason but that it could be done, and it was done. The sick people in power here were able to enforce it, too. (Not role models like they should have been, or that I 'hope' are today.)
Alison knows she cannot continue on with a relationship with this man . . . unless . . . you see, it's forbidden during the 1960's when things were so segregated, especially in the deep south. So sad to look back at how everyone was treated. Completely wrong. 
Melissa Foster has once again proven herself to us with the many diverse books she has written that she is a master at storytelling. This book is no different. Melissa Foster did a wonderful job of painting a picture of this era to perfection. The characters are alive, full of feeling, secrets, and things to sweep under the rug to trying to hide them. She is able to capture all of this to a "T" with words. She made us feel as if we were living right there, alongside and a part of the character of Alison as she came of age and knowledge.
I highly recommend this book be read by all.
I received a copy of this as an ARC from the author for review purposes, and I thank Melissa VERY much! Thank you, Melissa!
See below for MORE information about the Author!

Have No Shame (When civil rights and forbidden love collide) by +Melissa Foster
Print Book: $10.89 
Ebook:       $  2.99 - This entire link takes you directly to the ebook

PRAISE:

HAVE NO SHAME
When civil rights and forbidden love collide

"This book will resonate with readers who enjoyed Kathryn Stockett's, THE HELP, Julie Kibler's, CALLING ME HOME, John Grisham's, A TIME TO KILL, Sue Monk Kidd's, THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, and Kathleen Grissom's, THE KITCHEN HOUSE."

Buy it Now on B&N: http://bit.ly/12WGCYD

"Within moments of starting to read, you will be transported back to the Arkansas of 1967 - hot, dusty, utterly rural and edgy. Poor white farmers dependent upon cheap black labor who, due to their superior numbers, are constantly suppressed, living on the wrong side of town, ghettoised and terrified. You will remember scenes from `In the Heat of the Night' and `Easy Rider'; you will remember that, less than fifty years ago, if you were black, you could be beaten for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And if you died at the hands of a white youth, justice would almost certainly be denied you." Author Roderick Craig Low

****

"A gripping and poignant novel dealing with a subject once taboo in American society." Hagerstown Magazine

"Have No Shame is a powerful testimony to love and the progressive, logical evolution of social consciousness, with an outcome that readers will find engrossing, unexpected, and ultimately eye-opening." Midwest Book Review

"A historical novel of love and its triumph, told with a unique and compelling voice." Bestselling Author Kathleen Shoop 

"Have No Shame is a delightful eye opener and a rather poignant book that everyone everywhere should put on their must-read list." Readers' Favorite

"A dynamic and heartwarming tale of young love, giving testament to those who struggled so we can live in an integrated society." Author Rachelle Ayala

"[HAVE NO SHAME] Perfectly catches the South at the dawning of the Civil Rights Movement. Melissa Foster takes us on an adventure that twists and turns unpredictably to a tense climax that renders this novel a true page-turner. This is undoubtedly the best novel I have read in a long time."  Roderick Craig Low, Author of 'Promises of Love and Good Behaviour'

"This book is not just a story; it's an experience." Author G.E. Johnson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melissa loves to hear from readers! Feel free to send her an email or chat with her on The Women's Nest.

Melissa welcomes the opportunity to chat with book clubs and other reading groups.

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Melissa Foster

Melissa Foster is the award-winning author of four International bestselling novels. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine. 

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on The Women's Nest, Fostering Success, or World Lit Cafe. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

WHERE TO FIND MELISSA:

Website: http://www.MelissaFoster.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melissa-Foster/240064542695303

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Melissa_Foster

The Women’s Nest, women’s social network: http://www.TheWomensNest.com

World Literary Café: http://www.worldliterarycafe.com

Fostering Success: htto://www.fostering-success.com

Facebook Melissa Foster: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor (Fanpage)

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster

Blog Tour! Literary Loom by Carolyn Twede Frank! GIVEAWAY -$$$! NOW thru May 9th, 2013!

Blog Tour Schedule

The Big Debate (Literary Loom #1)

A bizarre corpse . . .
A strange girl . . .
A creepy teacher . . .
A cool invention . . .
Combine these with an old school and a new student anxious to fit in—and the adventure begins.
Fifteen-year-old Josh’s big mouth gets him in trouble at first. But after walking in the shoes of great men of history in the Literary Loom, he uses that mouth to bring down the bad guy and ultimately solve the mystery behind the murder—and the strange girl.

Amazon * Amazon Kindle

Author Carolyn Twede Frank

Carolyn has always liked to create. There were always gardens full of beautiful plants in her life, plenty of frilly, homemade dresses for her daughters—and don’t leave out the puppets. Ever since third grade, Carolyn also liked to write. She is the author of Promises, a teen historical fiction novel, and the author/illustrator of two children’s picture books. Carolyn lives in Utah with her husband and teenage daughter, where she runs her puppet-related business in between family time and writing time.

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Blog Tour Giveaway

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Ends 5/9/13

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BOOK BLAST! Alexander Drake by Elizabeth Parkinson-Bellows! 2 Middle Grade books GIVEAWAY! $50 Amazon OR PayPal CASH! Enter thru 5-15-13!

Alexander Drake's Extraordinary Pursuit

Meet Alexander Drake, a curious young man living in a drab, oversized mansion with his secretive father. He spent his days playing alone. In the back of his mind he wondered what happened to his mother, and why his father was tight-lipped about the past; but secrets have a way of getting out.

It all started with a stay at his grandmother’s cottage. Alexander found strange clues tucked away in his father’s old bedroom. With a mysterious key and several maps in his pack he set off on an innocent search for answers about his family.

When he discovered a secret passageway the search took a dramatic turn. He suddenly worried about what was searching for him. Alexander was being hunted by a sorcerer from his father’s past. Answers lead to more questions and the journey of his life.

Join Alexander for a thrilling adventure in Azra’s Pith, a place of beauty and magic… but beware—something evil lurks in the shadows.

                             Amazon

The Return of General Drake

When Alexander arrived in Verhonia, something went terribly wrong. A dark spell delivered from the mountains of Acadia sent him on a dangerous journey in the middle of the night. As he marched into the mountains, the great city of Verhonia was ambushed and burned to the ground by Roman's army of vicious giant murks.
With the safety of the realm in jeopardy, General John William Drake was asked to come back to Azra's Pith. He swore he would never return. But after discovering his son was under a spell and in the grips of a dark sorcerer, he had no choice.
Things take a wild turn in the mountains, with runaways, a hungry wolf and a mysterious, young empyrean wizard thrown into the adventure. A tight race against time and evil is in full swing. With faith and a little magic, they just might come out on top.

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Author Elizabeth Parkinson-Bellows

Being the frizzy-haired tomboy with buck teeth gave me a slight case of shyness as a kid. A colorful imagination meant escape and adventure at the drop of a hat.

Over the years I learned that the insecurities I carried around were a waste of time. I still prefer a football game to a manicure any day of the week. That indispensable imagination has found its way into my writing providing a sense of joy and a true purpose.

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The New York Times TOP 15 BEST SELLERS for the week ending April 28th, 2013!

Welcome to this week's edition of the TOP 15 BEST SELLERS! I can't wait to see the books! Posted by NOON every Sunday, but usually earlier!
As usual, I always have of
My Own Thoughts, First
Either read these, or skip to the books - your choice! I do talk about the PRICE DROP the BIG authors previous books have made vs. the #Independent Author and the pricing of their ebooks. I think it's interesting and it's further on down.
Did you LOVE the soaps - All My Children and One Life to Live? THE SOAPS THAT WERE CANCELLED ON THE ABC NETWORK? They were replaced with an asinine talk show such as 'The Chew'. What the heck is that? Yes, we ALL 'chew' our food! Well, THEY SOAPS ARE BACK! YES! BACK FROM THE DEAD! YOU READ THIS CORRECTLY! Starting tomorrow, Monday, April 29th, 2013 - catch them on Hulu, Hulu Plus, and i-Tunes! No one knows the time YET. In the meantime, here is a sneak peak, just let it run after AMC, then OLTL will be on next! I CANNOT WAIT! Click HERE to watch the TEASERS! It even tells you HOW to find the Soaps! Amazing! My LIFE will be BACK! (LOL!) Oh! The BEST part - you will be able to pick and choose what episodes YOU WANT TO WATCH! Go look! I'm SOOOOO excited! I've been an All My Children fan since I was a wee child! Seriously! A girl in my ballet class, her Uncle was Chuck! ANY of YOU remember Chuck? If you do, PLEASE WRITE IT IN THE COMMENTS! (Hint: He married Kitty first!) Well, that's going WAY back!)
I predict: Soap Operas WILL change the way television is watched from this moment on! People will be watching TV on their laptops and tablets INSTEAD OF A TELEVISION SET! Yep! I predict!
The month is OVER! Wow! Now we are getting into the WARM MONTHS! YES! Look on the calendar, and you'll see the next 4 months are going to be so nice! That means it's time to sit outside in your favorite place and READ! You, your family, your BFF, so do you want to shop for and read this month's latest and greatest? Click HERE to read the BEST BOOKS OF APRIL 2013!  (Hint: the book is on this list - Gone Girl!)
Other than the Best Seller list, have you noticed the BIG Best Selling authors'  previous older books have dropped their prices down to sometimes $2.99? The usual price for their books seem to be hovering around $6-$7! This is going to give the #Independent Authors a RUN FOR THEIR MONEY! Or, shall we say the Publisher's are giving the #Indepenent Author a run for their money! Seriously, I've been seeing some #Independent Authors starting to charge upwards of $7 and MORE for their books. Now with the BIG named authors re-releasing their previous books at even lower prices, it's going to be a run for anyone's money. The #Indies have decision making to do. Keep pricing their books OUT of reach of the regular consumer so the #consumer can buy a big named author, or drop their book's price a little bit, OR, quit writing all kinds of small novellas to make more money. Just a thought . . . I mean seriously, if you were going to buy an ebook, who would YOU buy? An unknown name? Or a BIG author who you know has made the Best Seller list with that book? I choose the BIG name author. Why? Unless that #Indie Author has made a name for themselves, I don't know them from Adam. I'm going to go with who I KNOW is tried and true, and that is the Best Selling author. So when I see their book for $6.83, you know who I'm picking, and it's NOT the #Indie Author, even though I'm very supportive of them. Just a thought.
I got a NEW computer! Woo-hoo! Windows 8! Wow! What a frustrating yet FUN WEEK! This new touch-screen is A M A Z I N G!!! Hard to get used to, but a DREAM! Wow! I cannot think of anything better!
My computer died last October, so we were just saving along, knowing we had to go buy a new computer, until finally I just could NOT use the computer I was using any longer. It was not acting nice, nor was it was not to 'my' liking, and I just needed something that worked better. Well, come to find out, The Geek Squad fine squicked and squeeked, cleaned and did this and that to the old computer, and IT works like a DREAM now, too! I had software fighting other software, etc.! Whew! What WE can do to our OWN computers! At least for those of us who do not know 'IT', well, WE screw our own computers up. This is when saving that money for the new computer comes in VERY handy because you are able to purchase something like The Geek Squad! Thank you, Geek Squad!
Plus, my hubby has HIS computer back! He was a GEM for allowing ME to TAKE IT OVER COMPLETELY! Thank you, honey!!
Okay, anyone have any questions about Windows 8, just ask below in the comments section! I can tell you what it's like with this touch screen! Woooooow!
Don't forget about Monday, too! The SOAPS!!! Now, ON TO THE BOOKS!

FICTION: COMBINED PRINT AND EBOOK

1. Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts
Print Book: $15.49
Ebook:       $12.99

 
2. Damaged (Volume 1) by H M Ward
Print Book: $13.49
Ebook:       $   .99

 
3. Taking Eve: An Eve Duncan Novel by Iris Johansen
Print Book: $17.45
Ebook:       $  7.99

 
4. The Bet by Rachel Van Dyken
Print Book: $8.09
Ebook:       $  .99

 
5. Real by Katy Evans
Print Book: $9.73
Ebook:       $3.99

 
6. Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren
Print Book: $10.13
Ebook:       $ 7.36



7. Six Years by Harlan Coben
Print Book: $16.99
Ebook:       $12.99

 
8. Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn
Print Book: $16.00
Ebook:       $12.99

 
9. Daddy's Gone A Hunting by Mary Higgins Clark
Print Book: $15.80
Ebook:       $10.99

 
10. The Wanderer (Thunder Point) by Robyn Carr
Print Book: $5.79
Ebook:      $4.00

 
11. Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson
Print Book: $16.96
Ebook:       $  7.49 (Is this the entire ebook? James Patterson is known for giving a certain amount/number of chapters out of his book for a certain price. His ebooks generally run at around $12.99 to $14.99. This $7.49 price makes me a little leery. Too bad this author has this reputation about his ebook pricing. He never should have goofed around with his pricing of FREE ebooks of so many chapters because now we can't trust him with his pricing. CORRECTION: THE PUBLISHER! NOT the author. Check it out first.)

 
12. Say You're Sorry (Joe O'Loughlin) by Michael Robotham
Print Book: $16.56
Ebook:       $ 5.99

 
13. The Black Box (A Harry Bosch Novel) by Michael Connelly
Print Book: $11.41
Ebook:       $ 8.89

 
14. The Forgotten by David Baldacci
Print Book: $9.83
Ebook:       $8.89

 
15. Life After Life: A Novel by Katie Atkinson
Print Book: $15.99
Ebook:       $12.74

 
And there we have our books for this week! If you would like to see the rest of the books up to #35, then click HERE!  I really hope you got a chance to read My Thoughts up above. They do touch on the pricing of ebooks that the #Indie authors have set THEIR prices at because the BIG name authors/well, the Publishers are rereleasing their previous books at LOW prices, giving Indies a run for their money. As I explained up above, some Indies are hovering OVER $7 per book, while the Best Selling Authors are well below that price. Who would YOU pick? Read it, please.
Have a GREAT week! Tomorrow starts our Soap Operas AND quite possibly the way TV is watched in the future FOREVER! This is such an exciting time! I am a person who is ALWAYS open to change!
Have a GREAT week!
Laurie

Do you get an error message saying you need to "Update your Sync Password" for your Google account? Here's the answer!

I am sharing this experience I had because I could NOT figure it out. I could NOT fix this, and it drove me crazy! I could NOT EVEN FIND HELP!
Here is my answer!
Do you keep getting an error message that says you need to UPDATE YOUR SYNCH PASSWORD? I did, for months, until one day my Google+ would not even work! However, it DID work in Internet Explorer? Go figure?
Drove me NUTS!!! I forgot it, could NOT get it, and I was logged OUT and could NOT Resync my Passphrase at all! UGH!
We had been saving to buy a NEW computer and bought the Geek Squad coverage! I asked THEM How do I fix this issue? I trusted them, even though I was scared to do so, but it worked!
This is how you do it: In the Google Dashboard, and if you can't get there in any way, shape or form, type this in the address bar: http://www.google.com/dashboard
YOUR Dashboard WILL come up.
Now that it's up, the very first line at the top has 2 options UNDER SIGN IN.
The first says to "Disconnect your Google Account" and the other is "Advanced Synch Settings".
"I" thought if I hit that button that says "Disconnect your Google Account" that the world would END! I thought I would lose EVERYTHING! Guess what it is? It ONLY signs you OUT of Google! That's it!
Then the next screen that comes up says "Sign In"! I did! It synced my computer! YES! It did NOT close my account like I thought it would! I STILL have ALL access to Google+! It was NOT the end of the world! HOORAY!
Thanks to the Geek Squad, my computer is now Synced! What a beautiful thing! Thank you, Geek Squad!
There, now YOU can Synch YOUR computer!
The Geek Squad DID suggest that Google CHANGE THE WORDING in that section to "SIGN OUT"! I AGREE!
GOOGLE, PLEASE CHANGE THAT BUTTON TO ONLY HAVE IT READ "SIGN OUT" ONLY! It sure would help us!
Thanks, Geek Squad!
Hope this helps you!
Laurie
Chrome Version (newest version):
Operating System (Windows 7/8/Vista/XP, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS):
Extensions (type Chrome:extensions into your omnibox): A ton of them!

David’s Song by A.R. Talley Blog Tour and Guest Post - GIVEAWAY AND REVIEW

Tour Schedule 

David's Song

Taken from the book cover: Annie only ever really loved two men in her life. One broke her heart, the other married her. Four children and fifteen years later, Annie’s marriage is in jeopardy. Money is tight and her husband questions the very foundation of their relationship. When Annie is unexpectedly given the opportunity to see the young man who broke her heart — a man who is now a megastar in the music industry — Annie is faced with choices. Choices that will determine what is of more value — a second chance at lost love and unfulfilled dreams or commitment, trust, and love built on years of experience.

A psychologically subtle, yet compelling tale about how the instinct and need for love overcomes self-doubt and personal inadequacy.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Author A.R. Talley

April R Talley was born and raised in the Rubber City, Akron, Ohio in 1959. She is the youngest of six children. She attended Brigham Young University for a time, but withdrew to work fulltime for Osmond Productions in Orem, Utah as a member of The Osmond production staff. After a brief stint working in television, she returned to Akron to finish her education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media Communications in 1981. April later worked as vice president and part owner of a dance and sportswear boutique. Married in 1982, she is the proud mother of seven children and is deeply involved in volunteer work for her church. April spends her time working on future projects, caring for home and family, and traveling. David’s Song is her debut novel and the first of a trilogy.

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Praise from reviews on Goodreads.com

"Not just your typical romance novel" - Tracy Williams

"David's Song is great read that leaves you thinking about the story and pondering your own relationships". - Anna Pavkov

"Sucked me in from the 1st page" - Jill Walker

"Loved this book . . . could not put it down!" - Dana Vieira

GUEST POST
I asked the Author, A R Tally, about the significance of the piano on and in the book. I would like to thank her for taking the time to answer the question and talk about it, and here is what she had to say.

I think I'm at a loss for words! No one has ever asked about my piano experience before.  I can answer that question 2 ways. First is my actual experience with the piano.  I took lessons from the time I was 8 until I was about 14.  Like Annie in the novel, once I was in high school I thought I was too cool for piano lessons.  I regret it now and have periodically gone back and taken lessons again.  I love the piano and wish I played it better than I do

Secondly, I chose a piano for the cover of the book mostly because I felt that it related well to the story.  David's 1st love is piano. It's the instrument that he used to compose Annie's song. And the photo on the cover feels wistful to me, and I think there is something wistful in the story.  There are so many choices we can make in life, so many things we might live to regret - and David did make choices that he ended up regretting.  Now that I think about it, I could come up will all sorts of cheesy analogies to life and playing the piano....but I think I'll keep those to myself and hopefully save face.

Thank you, A R Tally, for your Guest Post today!

MY REVIEW:

3 Stars

This book pulled me in from the very beginning. This story was amazing! I was glued to the page! The story flowed very well, and I enjoyed it immensely. The book is written beautifully and extremely well written.

Annie is not happy with her marriage to Jeremy, and it just so happens she is headed off to Las Vegas with her girlfriends for a week long vacation. One of the nights they will be there they will be seeing a pianist by the name of David, which takes her back to her college days at BYU (Brigham Young University) in Utah  where she first fell in love with David fifteen years earlier. It just so happened her and Jeremy were very close friends during this time, too. Annie is excited to go, get away with her girlfriends, but nervous about seeing David again. 

At this point in the book it flashes back to those college days, the dance practices, dating David, her feelings for David and Jeremy, and the final decisions as to who they all end up marrying and the different ways they go. 

I really enjoyed the story during the college days. No one likes to read about marriage difficulties, but you need the backstory to understand the current story, and everyone goes through marriage difficulties of some type at some time during their marriage. Perhaps not to this extreme degree, but we all have our little quirks, etc., so we can relate to some of it. 

The only thing I don't like about this story is I felt it had a good solid ending until I read Chapter One of the 2nd book in this series. The author is going to make this story into a Trilogy. I hate to say this, but how much more are we going to read about Annie's indecision about her current marriage situation? She had the opportunity to choose twice, and she did. When she got married, and then again when she was in Las Vegas and saw her first love again, which stirred up feelings in her. 

The author is stirring up feelings in Annie again to make this into a Trilogy. Divorce does happen, but how many times do you go through the process of deciding? Her husband has been more loving, and more than happy to help her around the house, even suggesting to get the kids involved in the housekeeping chores, but she turns it away because she knows she'll do a better job at it herself. They have gone to marriage counseling, although in the second book it states she did not like the counselor. Annie is unsettled. Is that reason for divorce? Especially when there are kids involved?

I don't know. Perhaps it's me. I'm tired of so many books being made into trilogies unless the book is from a different point of view. Why can't a story be written as 'one' complete story? This would have been perfect the way it was. If the author felt more should have been covered, then I feel she should have added it to this book. Yes, the book would have been longer, but so be it if that would cover the story completely.

It seems like there is something with authors today that want to stretch their stories into trilogies, but this is 'of my opinion.' I will not read the next two books. I feel this story was full and complete right where it ended. Why else would Annie have made the decision she did? This second book will give Annie a third choice to make. How many choices in your marriage do you make to keep it or end it? 

However, if this author were to write more books as individual stories, I would definitely grab them up and read them right away. This is how much I do like her writing. She is very talented with her writing/storytelling skills. Well worth the reading her works, if not a trilogy. I received this book for FREE from the author in exchange to read and write a review about it. It is NOT required for this review to be either positive or negative, but of my own honest opinion. "Free" means I was provided with ZERO MONIES to read this book nor to write this review, but to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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World Book Night 4-23-13 - A HUGE SUCCESS!

I HAD A BALL today giving out 20 books! I gave out "The Language of Flowers" by Vanessa Diffenbaugh! It was one of my FAVORITES for 2012! I remember EVERY detail in that book! It was GREAT!

This book has a NEW cover now! Here it is:

I MUCH prefer the first cover as I feel it reflects the book the best, but along comes the publisher and they change it! UGH! It IS STILL a beautiful cover, though!
Next year I will have a camera to snap some photos of the people with their books!
It felt SO GOOD to GIVE out books! It is the BEST feeling in the world to see people SMILE when handed a FREE book! Wow! They were SO happy, and it made their day!
I had one person ask for 2! Wow! She knew of someone who would like to read it as well. I felt a little strange giving her two because she handed it to her mother, or at least I think that is who it was. I didn't really know what to do in that situation? I had no idea who she was going to give the book to, and I could be completely wrong that it was her mother. I don't know for a fact that that is who the other woman was, so . . .
I had some people not believe me that the book was free! Some older people REFUSED VERY DILIGENTLY, if not angrily! They pushed the book away, and were kind of mean about it! YIKES!! I'm glad my husband was with me and pushing me away!
Most people were very glad to get the books and said it's been a long time since they had sat down to read a book! Ta, da! 'That' was fulfilling the mission! YEAH!
I focused on giving my books to handicapped people, and some of them were SO excited! A FREE book! People who are handicapped often have a very fixed income, and it's VERY hard to get out of the house, especially if they are in a wheelchair.
Some people may not realize or consider this, but when you are in a wheelchair and want or need to go somewhere, sometimes the disease you have makes it VERY difficult just to go out, let alone to find someone who is willing to 'lug' that heavy wheelchair in their cars. Most people rely on some sort of a handicapped bussing system. I used to do that, but the drivers do not drive very well! Sorry, drivers! They take the corners SO hard, it literally hurts to ride in one, so I've quit because I've had to. I can't take the risk of being out there and having muscle spasms hit me and landing in the hospital!
I've lost ALL of my old friends because of the wheelchair, too. They are HEAVY! The ONLY person who takes me anywhere is my husband. I have NO family members who have EVER offered to take me somewhere, other than my late mother. She's been gone now since September 2010. I have a father who is afraid it will harm his car, and my brother has never offered me help at all. (although I live 51 miles away from both of them, or so they tell me it's a 102 mile round trip!) He has his own family;  two teenage daughters, but . . . such is life! You can pick your friends, but not your family! LOL!
Overall, this was one of the BEST days of my life! It truly was! I LOVE this day every year now! I passed them out last year, too. I focused the handicapped in my neighborhood. I was going to do that this year, too, but not many people seemed to be home, so my husband suggested we would get more 'bang for the book' at the mall! LOL! He was right!
It was a GREAT DAY! I'm looking forward to 2014 now! I wish we could get MORE than 20! It's SO WORTH THE SMILES! LOVE IT! I am hoping to recruit MORe people in my area to give out books next year! Even if I have to take an AD out in the newspaper! I'm doing it! I believe I was the ONLY person in my entire area who passed the books out! This is why more than 20 really WOULD have come in handy! Plus, I could have done something with Barnes and Noble, or even our library, too! It's ONLY '1' day a year!
These are most of the books available to give this year! I hope YOU will consider doing it next year, too!
Here is the website: http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/
Hope to see you!

Jeff Gordon's Pepsi Maxx TV Commercial! I'm having a little fun today -

Looking for the NYT Top 15 Best Sellers? Click the HOME TAB and scroll down. Just having a little fun today! ENJOY!

The New York Times TOP 15 Best Sellers for the week ending April 21st, 2013!

Welcome! To another week of GREAT books!
I have to tell you this 'almost' did NOT get posted! You'll notice the time stamp and it's quite LATE! Well, now it's into Sunday morning!
Posted EVERY Sunday by NOON!
I got a NEW computer this week! YEAH!!! It's a Windows 8 Touch Screen! No! I did NOT realized the capabilities of the Touch Screen until my son was over today/tonight and he got a hold of it! WOW!!!!! Is all I have to say! I had NO CLUE how much control "I" have over moving the screen with my fingers ON THE SCREEN! It feels SO strange! Wow!!!
My other computer had been on the fritz, and finally one day I accidentally pulled the plug, KNEW it was a battery problem, and we took it in to buy a battery! Lo and behold, we left the store with a NEW computer! Yes, we had been planning and saving to buy a new one anyway. You almost HAVE to have one computer per person in the house. When my little Acer Netbook broke, I took over my husband's Sony! That was last summer! Wow! Hard to believe it was that long ago! Time FLIES!
So now it's about time we just 'did it'! So we 'did it'! I am LOVING IT!
So, without further adieu, here are the books!

1. The Bet by Rachel Van Dyken - Independent Author who has Self Published and bought out by a publisher! Congratulations, Rachel!
Print Book NOT available - This link is to the ebook
Ebook: $0.99

 
2. Daddy's Gone A Hunting by Mary Higgins Clark
Print Book: $15.79
Ebook:       $10.99

 
3. Unintended Consequences (Stone Barrington) by Stuart Woods
Print Books: $18.06
Ebook:        $12.99

 
4. Six Years by Harlan Coben
Print Book: $16.99
Ebook:       $12.99

 
5. Don't Go by Lisa Scottoline
Print Book: $15.98
Ebook:       $11.08

 
6. Damaged (Volume 1) by H M Ward
Print Book: $13.49
Ebook:       $   .99

   
7.Life After Life: A Novel by Kate Atkinson
Print Book: $15.99
Ebook:       $  7.49

 
8. A Memory of Light (Wheel of Time, Book 14) by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
Print Book: $22.47
Ebook:       $ 7.49

 
9. Falling Into You by Jasinda Wilder
Independent Author - Self-Published!
Print Book: $9.42
Ebook:       $4.99





10. The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
Print Book: $15.97
Ebook:       $12.60

 
11. Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn
Print Book: $15.46
Ebook:       $12.99

 
12. Fever (The Breathless Trilogy) by Maya Banks
Print Book: $9.39
Ebook:       $9.99

 
13. Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson
Print Book: $18.93
Ebook:       $ 7.49

 
14. The Wanderer (Thunder Point) by Robyn Carr
Print Book: $5.17
Ebook:       $1.99

 
15. Walking Disaster: A Novel by Jamie McGuire
Print Book: $8.50
Ebook:       $7.36

 
There we go! There are our books! Wow! It sure took me a LOT longer with this Touch-Screen than the traditional way! I kept forgetting to TOUCH IT! LOL! Anyway, I'll get the hang of it!
To see the rest of the books, from 16 to 35, Click HERE!
The other day, when we went and picked up this computer, we went and picked up the books to hand out for WORLD BOOK NIGHT this TUESDAY April 23rd, 2013! I can't wait! I wish we got MORE books than just the 20 books because they go SO FAST! There is nothing MORE satisfying than to see someone's face brighten up, too, when they get a really good book, and FOR FREE!
One thing that surprised me is I think I'm the ONLY person in my area who is doing this! I went to Barnes and Noble to pick up my books, hubby took me. They had signs through the store about how they support World Book Night, but NOTHING was planned! NOTHING!!! Any ordinary person walking through the store would NOT KNOW what World Book Night is. There were no signs explaining it, etc.
Next year I will call the Library and see if I can get MORE people to interested in doing this! The library can do the work, so I don't have to, plus they will know who has a book blog, etc.! They can contact the people they might think are interested! It would be super nice to have more people do this and get more books out in my area where I live here! The economy here has NOT recovered  yet, and it's a poorer area to begin with. There are a LOT of people who are still out of work.
Oh! What book did I get? I LOVE IT!!! One of my FAVORITES! "The Language of Flowers" by +Vanessa Diffenbaugh ! I remember the book almost word for word! It was one of my FAVORITES of last year! Quite a book, and I suggest everyone read it! The author is trying to help 18 year olds who get emancipated from the Foster Care System. Believe me, when they get emancipated, if they are 18 during the school year, they are out on their own! Most likely they end up NOT graduating, and HOMELESS! NOT KIDDING! How would YOU like to have your 18th birthday, have someone come and get you, ONLY have the clothes on your back, and get dropped off just anywhere? That IS what happens! The book was heartbreaking at times. Unforgetable! (MY word!)
If I physically could do more, I would, but I can't. My husband works Afternoons. BUMMER!!! Life does NOT exist when you can't drive, and your husband works Afternoons! Plus I need him in case my disease acts up and I can't do it anymore. If I get muscle spasms, it's OVER! But, the world according to life, there is NONE! NO LIFE, when someone in your house works Afternoons! Usually it doesn't bother me too much, as I can get out of a lot of family stuff! LOL!!! Bummer part is life with a disease that causes muscle spasms is not a life that allows you to plan anything and be dependable. You are a ticking time-bomb!
Anyway, I am contacting The Center for Independent Living to find out what is up in the Disability World on Tuesday! I KNOW that there are people like ME out there who are stuck at home with diseases that make life impossible without a significant other to help them out. I'm hoping there is some type of get-together that we can drop in on!
(Yes! My husband has been volunteered for this! LOL!) Serves him right - he ONLY allowed me ONE roll up and down the center aisle of Barnes and Noble, and ONLY halfway down!!!! WHAT???? Come on!!!! This is my WORLD! BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS EVERYWHERE! He wanted OUT! He was tired, had to get to work, we had just picked up this computer, and he was READY TO GET HOME! Sometimes I don't think he thinks about me, STUCK AT HOME FOREVER!!!!!! I know it can get boring pushing me around, stopping here, stopping there. I can barely see over the tables, etc., etc.  . . . I DO like to SEE the books sometimes! All I EVER get to see are the books online. It's nice to see a REAL BOOK! LOL!
Can you tell I don't get to get out much! LOL!
I'll tell you, if I did NOT have this Book Blog to do, (thank you to ALL my Followers! You make my world!) I would be NUTS by now! LOL! I'm serious! This IS my therapy!!! Or, I could hang out with my elderly neighbors across the street who are in their 70's, where it's 180 degrees inside their house! LOL! No, I DO love them to pieces, but . . . not my idea of spending a day! I 'do' go over to visit, but only for a few hours. There is no just stopping in and leaving! (I'm lucky in that they have a wheelchair ramp right IN to their house, but they ask me to do things I cannot do, unless I want to suffer from muscle spasms. See, they must rely on other people, so they don't think anything of asking anyone to do things for them. I guess I have to learn to put my foot down.
We do have a back-up plan IF the Disability World does not work out, we are going to the mall in the Food Court at around 11:30am and will look for people in scooters/wheelchairs/cains/walkers, and target them! I am determined to help the people with disabilities. I tried last year, but no one was home who had a ramp. (We have a lot of disabled people who live in this complex.) Actually, I heard some people who may have been home, but I don't think they wanted to, or could not get to the door. I have my many days where I cannot do it, too, so I understand. I only went to the houses with ramps, which made it nice and a necessity for me. Yes, hubby was with me just in case! My luck "I" would have ended up in muscle spasms! I 'do' ALWAYS have to keep that in consideration with the Stiff Person Syndrome neuro muscle disease I have.
It's still pretty cold here, too. We have some nice days in the 50's, and some flirt with the 60's, but when you are out, I need a blanket to cover and keep my legs warm.
So, I'll let you know what we end up doing next week!
Get ready for LOTS of reviews this week! I'm ready to GO with this new computer! I have a Lot of books I've read, too, that are just waiting for reviews to be done, too!
Enjoy your week! Enjoy reading!
Let us know what you are reading, or what you are doing for World Book Night, or whatever you may be doing that relates to reading in the COMMENTS BELOW! I always LOVE to hear from you!
Thanks!
Laurie