Friday, June 17, 2011

Web Finds

I've got two fun web sites to share with you. The first is Goodreads. I have the link for it in my Links sidebar to the right. This is a site like Virtual Bookshelf if you are familiar with that. You can add any and all books you have read, are currently reading, or are on your to-be-read list. You can also rate them and review them. You can search for other books and see what others have to say about them as well as follow friends and their recommendations. It's a pretty good site. I am in the process of adding to my online shelf but I've just started so it will be a while until I'm up to speed but it's lots of fun!

The other website is Blogging for Books. I found this by reading an Amazon review of a book and the reviewer said they got the book through the blogging for books program with Waterbrook Multnomah publishing - a Christian publisher. If you have a blog, you can sign up to receive free books as long as you post a review about them. How awesome is that! The website for this is http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/

First Review: Its a Double! - Waterfall and Cascade by Lisa Tawn Bergren

So, my terrific book I was talking about in my last post has now turned into two! Before I could even talk about the first one, I ordered and read the sequel as well. I can't say enough good things about them. They were fabulous! The books are the first two in a three book series called the The River of Time Series by Lisa Tawn Bergren. The first book is entitled Waterfall and the second is Cascade. The first book introduces us to Gabi and Lia. These are two teenage daughters of archeologists researching the Etruscan society in Italy. They decide to sneak into the latest tomb site and find some odd handprints on the wall. One each fits the girls hands. As they put their hands in each respective print, they are transported back in time. When Gabi finally gets her hand off of the wall, Lia is nowhere to be find and Gabi finds herself in the middle of a battle in 14th century Italy complete with knights, swords, and castles. I won't go further than that to keep from spoiling any of the good stuff. I was totally engrossed in these books. I couldn't put them down! They had the same feeling as when I read the Twilight series. It was as if the book had drug laced ink. I was definitely hooked reading that series as I am with this one. The medieval setting, the historical details, the beautiful romance, the action and adventure all made me feel like I was in the book taking part or watching it all unfold in an academy award winning movie. I could tell you so much more that would peak your interest but it would give too much away. I'm someone who doesn't even like to read the back of a book if I think I'll like the book or know and like the author because even that back cover synopsis can ruin some details I'd rather let unfold as I read. This book is classified as a young adult book but don't let that sway you. I am not in the young adult age category anymore and enjoyed this book much more then I have my adult reading for the past few months. Just take my word for it and go get these books now! The third and final book in the series will be out in September and I am already anxiously awaiting the release. This one will definitely be on my pre-order list. If you like this book, I would highly suggest other books written by Mrs. Bergren. I have read several other books by her and am never disappointed.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Welcome!

Welcome to my cozy corner! I hope you enjoy your visit! I'm going to be posting some random thoughts and observations but mostly some book reviews. To borrow from the words of Mrs. Elton, I never compliment myself but my friends tell me I choose rather good books. ;0) I suppose that rests in the eye of the beholder but I hope you may find a treasure here as well. If not, thanks for stopping by anyway. Maybe you can use my recommendations in the reverse. What I like, you won't. Haha! I've just finished a terrific book I'm dying to rave about but don't have the time at the moment to do it justice. I'll be back soon to share!