Winner of This Weeks Freebie Friday: The Wedding Nicholas Sparks

Published on July 23, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

I am heading out of town in about an hour here so as I had announced last week, I would be posting this Freebie Friday winner a day early.

Our winner for this weeks giveaway (using random.org) is:

(drumroll please…)

Julie H

her response to the question of what they consider to be the best wedding gift was:

One of our best wedding gifts has wound up being something we use the most, sets of our towels! A lot of people don’t think they’re special enough to give, but we use them everyday!

Thanks everyone as always for playing! I do not have time to post another Freebie Friday this week however this feature will be back next week!

Note that although I will be gone the next couple of days… posts have been written and will be posted here so keep coming back and seeing what is new! Have a super awesome weekend!!!

BBAW: Book Blogger Appreciation Week Sept. 14 -18

Published on July 23, 2009August 6, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

This post will stay at the top of my blog for the duration of the nominating period. New stuff from me is all below! 😉

To the right of my blog here you will see the BBAW link to vote for your favorite blogs. My suggestion would be to print out the list of categories so as you travel the blogesphere you can write your choices down then go back and plug them into the form. August 15 is the deadline for nominations. Have fun!

Morning Meandering..

Published on July 23, 2009July 23, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)6 Comments

I was hoping to have a review ready to go this morning…. but man I was tired last night. I hope to get it up before I leave this afternoon for my girls weekend at our cabin. I am excited for the chance to get away with the girls and catch up!

This morning I wondered into a great little spot called Book Nook Club. While I was enjoying reading several of their posts, there was one that got me thinking. They have a great post on The First Born Series by Karen Kingsbury.

What got me thinking was that I have had two of her books on my book shelf for years. One Tuesday Morning and Beyond Tuesday Morning. A friend recommended them and I being the bookie that I am, purchased them…. and … uh… shelved them. A couple weeks ago I loaned them to a friend who asked if I had any Kingsbury. I did. They are brand new.

The post at Book Nook Club made me wonder if any of you have authors out there that you know are good… you may even have their book(s) but for one reason or another have just never made it to those books.

I know these books will be good. Just this morning while looking them up I discovered there is a third to this series, Every Now and Then.

So two questions really….

1) Is there an author out there that you have wanted to read but as of yet… have not?

2) Who has read Kingsbury? I know she has a lot of books out there.

I plan to post a review later today before I leave. I have posts scheduled for the weekend so please keep stopping back… there will be something new every day!

Morning Meanderings…

Published on July 22, 2009July 22, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

I was up extremely early…. I even beat Coffee Cup today... the automatic brew didn’t kick in until an hour after I was awake. So caffeine free this morning (How unusual!) I found a great read at Virginie Says called The Sidewalk Artist by Gina Buonaguro and Janice Kirk.

I quote Virginie,

I think, at one time or another, every girl has wished they could be in Tulia Rose’s shoes and travel to Paris and Italy alone, meet a handsome artist and fall in love (and if the truth be told, I fell in love with Raffaello, too).

This blog site gives a sense of peace to it. it was a great place to wonder into early this morning…. Take a moment and stop on over to Virginie Says and see this beautiful book and review.

Have a wonderful day! If you were not here yesterday, be sure to see yesterday’s Morning Meaderings as I posted a wonderful giveaway and a few great reads as well!

Blast from the Past: Three Sisters Trilogy: Dance Upon The Air, Heaven and Earth, Face The Fire by Nora Roberts

Published on July 22, 2009July 29, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)17 Comments

I am in the mood to review this morning and as I sit in the reading room I have a direct line to my book shelf that holds my all time favorites. Before I blogged, I used to journal everything I read. I have years worth of notes in three ring binders. Eventually I hope to transfer them here…. ~ Sheila

Dance Upon The Air by Nora Roberts:

Leaving you spellbound every step of the way, bestselling author Nora Roberts takes you to Three Sisters Island, where a fabled lighthouse beckons three young women to seek their true destinies.

Meet Mia, Nell and Ripley, all witches, and the enchanting descendants of the island’s founding trio. Nell has just found a new love with Zack Todd; but she’s haunted by her abusive husband, Evan, the man she fled from eight months ago. With the help of her “charmed” confidantes, Mia and Ripley, will Nell be able to stop Evan from destroying the happiness she’s finally found?

My thoughts: This book will always hold a special place in my heart. It is the book that started The Bookies Book Club in August 2001. At the time I had not branched out into a lot of new authors (thus the book club) and so Nora seemed safe for a start. I have to tell you, this is not your typical Nora Roberts book. The story line is fantastic! I love our three characters – Nell, Ripley, and Mia. This book is about Nell and the abusive husband she finds a way to leave… at least she believes she has. Nell escapes to the Three Sisters Island where whe meets the strong willed Ripley who works at the ploice station and the magnificent Mia who owns the local book store and coffee shop.

These three together have a bond that Nell knows nothing about, Ripley denies with a vengence,and Mia feels to her core that they are the three sisters of the island.

Heaven and Earth by Nora Roberts (book 2)

Ripley Todd just wants to live a quiet, peaceful kind of life. Her job as a sheriff’s deputy keeps her busy and happy, and she has no trouble finding men when she wants them-which, lately, isn’t all that often. She’s perfectly content, except for one thing: she has special powers that both frighten and confuse her-and though she tries hard to hide them, she can’t get them under control….

Distraction soon arrives in the handsome form of MacAllister Booke-a researcher who’s come to investigate the rumors of witchcraft that haunt Three Sisters Island. Right from the start, he knows there’s something extraordinary about Ripley Todd. It’s not just her blazing green eyes and her sultry smile. There’s something else. Something he can detect, but she’ll never admit. Fascinated by her struggle with her amazing abilities, he becomes determined to help her accept who she is-and find the courage to open her heart.

But before Ripley and Mac can dream of what lies in the future, they must confront the pain of the past. For Three Sisters shelters centuries of secrets-and a legacy of danger that plagues them still….

My Thoughts: This book is centered around Riley. I love how Nora Roberts trilogys take one character for each book and focuses on them. Riley is strong and independent and hates the heritage of the abilities she caries within her. She fights it and ignores it all all times. I like that too as Nell comes to the island not knowing she is anything special, and Mia embraces the powers. While Ripley is my least favorite of the three , I have to admire her strength and love her in dependency.

Face The Fire by Nora Roberts (book 3)

After being abandoned by her lover 12 years before, white witch Mia Devlin has developed a charming bookstore and cafe, a spectacular garden and a close circle of friends, all of whom share her involvement in the Craft. Only an age-old curse mars Mia’s idyllic existence and threatens the future of the island itself. Then her former flame, Sam Logan himself a witch returns to the island, determined to win Mia back.

My thoughts: This description of the third book does not do it justice. In this book, centered around Mia, the three women must battle together to not only save the Island, but their very lives. As Nora Roberts takes this final installment and skillfully wraps it all into a masterpiece I found myself not wanting it to end.

I wondered if it was possible to want these women as friends or if I had just had my nose buried in a book too long? I would love to own a coffee shop like Mia on a great little island that brings in tourists in the summer but is quiet inthe winter. I have actually considered through the years dropping an email to Nora asking her to bring them back. They were young… there is more that could be told…

If you have not had the opportunity – I highly recommend these books. If you are not a Nora Roberts fan, let it be known, I really am not either. These books however are not her usual writing style and I think you may be surprised on what you find.

If you have read these, please share your thoughts. If you have not and decide too, come back and let me know what you thought. I stand by this one – these are great summer reads.

These books are from my personal library, I have had them for years

My rating for these books is PG

Morning Meandering

Published on July 21, 2009July 21, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

It is a rainy day here. I wish all I had to do today is curl up with a blanket in a big comfy chair with a book. That is not the case though…. I am due in the office in about 22 minutes but I have to get this find out of my head and onto the page…

Coffee Cup and I were strolling through the blogs this morning…. looking for that one book or review that would make me stop in mid space (literally). And….

It happened.

It started at Boarding in my Forties when I found the review on Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton. I read this book and reviewed it recently and loved it! (My review here) and my book club, The Bookies, are currently reading it for our August review. What I found at Boarding in my Forties, was within the review she mentions another book, The Girls From Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow. What is this? It sounds wonderful!!! Off I go in another direction, careful not to spill my coffee…

From The New York Times, I found an article called The Power of Friendship, about this book and a quote from the author,

“I’ll drive carpool with my 13-year-old, and I’ll listen to the kids in the back seat,” Mr. Zaslow says. “They’re arguing and laughing and talking and gossiping. It feels like all those interviews with the Ames girls, and I know where they’re going and how they’re going to get there. I know a few secrets now. When I see my daughters struggling with friends, I can reassure them that the conflicts can be resolved. If you find friends you can hold onto forever, that’s a great gift.”

My final travels took me to a blog called Every Day I Write The Book, where they are talking about this book.

So that’s it. Decided. I am on a mission. Today I am picking up Pope Joan as well as this book, Girls From Ames at our local book store.

Has anyone read Girls From Ames and reviewed it?

Update to this post: I had first hear about this from Natasha at Maw Books Blog and earlier today Mike from A Few Minutes with Michael sent the link to the amazing Pope Joan contest going on! Mail your receipt of this book by August 9, to the address provided and you can win tickets for two to walk the red carpet and go to the premiere of this movie with the author, Donna Woolfork Cross!

Click on the logo above to go to the website and check it out for yourself!

How exciting is that???

Jantsens Gift by Pam Cope – Giveaway!

Published on July 20, 2009September 10, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)47 Comments

This giveaway is closed. Winners have been announced on September 9. Thank you! 🙂

I am so excited to be offered not only a review copy of this book but 5 copies to give away to you the readers!

For Cope, life in her small Missouri town seemed perfect; she ran a hair salon, enjoyed a happy family life and lived in a beautiful home. Yet, she explains, I have to say, I put on a hell of a performance. For a long time, I even had myself convinced of how good and right everything was in my life. Her ideal was shattered in 1999 when Jantsen, her 15-year-old son, died suddenly from a heart ailment; this moving memoir recounts Cope’s transformation and growth after her world collapsed. Her metamorphosis began after she accepted an invitation from a friend to visit Vietnam. Though Cope was wrapped in personal grief following the death of her son, the trip illuminated for her the superficial environment she inhabited. After visiting a local orphanage, Cope found for the first time in her life a sense of wholeness and purpose. Soon she stepped outside her own circumscribed world and began creating better lives for the abused, neglected and at-risk children she encountered, first in Vietnam then in Cambodia and Ghana. This is a wonderful story of a woman whose personal tragedy gave birth to a gift and how she fulfilled that legacy to make the world a better place.

To win a chance for one of these books:

1. Receive one entry for commenting here with if you could help anywhere in the world and money was not an object, where would you go and what would you do? (actually – that’s such a great question you get two entries for answering.)

2. A third entry (optional) and by blogging about this giveaway or twittering about it

3. And a fourth entry is available for commenting on any one of my other reviews… please be sure to let me know here that you did.

Remember to please leave different comments for each entry – it is easier to count out the winners that way. No po boxes and please USA entries only. Make sure I also have a way to contact you in the event that you are one of the winners.

Giveaway ends on August 16th EXTENDED to 26th. Thanks everyone and good luck! 🙂

The Light The Dark & Embers Between by J.W. Nicklaus

Published on July 20, 2009July 29, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

A book that really makes you feel things directly from the heart…. ~ Sheila

The Book Says:

This book is a collection of uplifting images that delve into the reflections of the human condition. These stories will cause you to think, laugh, and even cry at the beauty of emotional memories. You will smile at the thought of love lost and found again in “Paper Doll.” You will think about your life’s choices in “10:18.” You will cry tears of joy while reading about the hidden gift in “Winter Rose.” This is a must-have collection of thought-provoking reflections perfect for your bedside or the beach.

I say: J. W. Nicklaus has taken 15 short stories and combined them in this read. While the back cover says this is a perfect beach read, I for one find it more of a bedside or camp fire read. To me, it is a book to read alone so you can really absorb the words and get the full meaning behind each story… and each story is chock full of meaning.

Each warm mist of breath hung in the air like temporary lace, for seconds – not moments – seconds.~ from Winter Rose page 163

I was planning to pick out one story that touched me more than the others but as I sat to write this review I found that many of the stories touched me in different ways, for different reasons. Requiem for Linny was a bit close to home for me and I felt Bucks immense sorrow so much that I could feel myself sinking with him. In Winter Rose I imagined the small child afraid during time of great war and it takes my breath away to think of what some people have seen and experienced in their lifetimes.

This book will go with me to our cabin this next weekend. I am putting it in one of the guest rooms for friends to enjoy. What a great conversation piece and every time I go in to dust or put clean sheets on the bed and my hands graze across this cover, I can smile and remember my first time through a book called The Light, The Dark, and Embers Between.

See my friend Melissa’s incredible review of this book here at Reminder list

J W Nicklaus’ Blog

See The Trailer Here

*I received this book as a ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Bostic Communications

I give this book a G rating

Sunday in Review…

Published on July 20, 2009July 20, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

What an incredibly filled week! I had several big events in the past week:

1. Last weeks 50 mile bike tour with my cousin

2. Tuesdays Queen Event for Book Club that was moved from the park to my house due to the stormy weather

3. Tuesday at midnight Chance and I braved the crowds and took in the midnight showing of Harry Potter.

I think just now, after a pretty laid back week end… I am starting to feel somewhat rested again.

Oh but I haven’t even told you about what my mailbox did!

↑(above) Bookies Queen Event

←Moon Looked Down and Stand the Storm are both current giveaways. I have 5 copies of each to give away so be sure to click on the titles to go to the contest pages and get signed up!

Jantsen’s Gift will be a giveaway that I will post on Monday for 5 copies as well so be sure to stop back to the Giveaways tab at the top of the page so you don’t miss out on this great read!

The Juror is my review copy from Hachette audio (thank you!)

←The Mark Twain book Life on The Mississippi, is a purchase I made for My Friend Amy’s 50 Books for our times reading Project

The Last Day, Aging with Grace (Yipes!), and When The Sun Goes Down are all books to review.

←And last but not least I have these exciting reads: Tales of Pruit Almus with a giveaway copy that will be posted soon. I am also very excited to be a part of the Aug. 10 – 14 blog tour for The Friends we Keep. This also has a giveaway and I will post that yet this week. Finally we have from Thomas Nelson Reviews, She Stills Calls Me Daddy.

I actually have a short week this week as I leave Thursday afternoon with three of my girlfriends to the North Shore for a weekend of shopping and experiencing Beaver Bay Days Festivals. It is kind of a yearly tradition of snooping around the vendors, staying up way too late, eating way too much and laughing continuously!

I will have posts up all week and pre dated for the weekend as well. Stay tuned… You and I both never know what will show up here next! 🙂 Have a great week!

Weekend Awards…

Published on July 20, 2009July 20, 2009 by Sheila (Book Journey)7 Comments

Weekends must be the time for awards! I was pleasantly surprised to find this afternoon that I had won a new award, The Let’s Be Friends Award both from Trisha at Trisha’s Book Blog, (a rocking blog – go check her out!)Ashley’s Library (I just love the layout of her blog!) AND also at Chick Loves Lit (another happening blog!)

Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and befriends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.

So in turn I would like to pass this on to a few bloggers that come to mind that have been friendly to me (forgive me if I forgot someone… I know I have…. it is 12:30 in the morning here and my last post before bed!) :

Melissa from The Reminder List

Natalie from The Book Inn

Nan from Nan’s Corner of The Web

Tea at Living Life and Reading Books

Anna at Diary of an Eccentric

Esme at Chocolate and Croissants (This blog will make you hungry! LOL)

Vicki at Reading at The Beach

These above bloggers have been a great help to me by chatting with me and just being over all friendly. I highly encourage you to take the time and visit each and every one of them. I think you will enjoy your time visiting them.