Category Archives: Reading

Shining Stars

January 15, 2014 latchkeymom

An excerpt from The Last Camilla, by Sarah Jio:

“I hope,” he said with a sigh. “I just wish we could have saved her. I’ve turned the story over in my mind a hundred times, and I still can’t make any sense of it. I miss her so much.” He looked up at the big star that sparkled overhead. “You know, I’ve thought an awful lot about this, and I think that people are like those stars up there. Some burn faintly for millions of years, barely visible to us on earth. They’re there, but you’d hardly know it. They blend in, like a speck on a canvas. But others blaze with such intensity, they light up the sky. You can’t help but notice them, marvel at them. Those are the ones that never last long. They can’t. They use up all their energy quickly. Mum was one of those.”

I love this, and truly believe the same. Just wanted share. It made me think of my brother, obviously. But also some of my friends – Terri & Cal. I miss them all.

Tell me about the bright shining stars in your life.

Reading

Novel Spotlight: New Beginnings by Mary Metcalfe

January 12, 2014 latchkeymom

4 Comments

Workaholic real estate agent Carol Brock can’t seem to find a good man. Her first husband cheated with a law clerk less than half his age. Then she found herself in a string of bad relationships with unscrupulous men, including a con man and art thief, who shredded her professional reputation and strained her relationship with her college-age children. Carol has sworn off men and is determined to reclaim her life and career on her terms. But, when Boston’s most eligible bachelor, restoration specialist Devin Elliott, puts in an offer on a charming Victorian, Carol admits she’s attracted. Devin’s offer unwittingly unleashes a psychopathic rage in an ex-girlfriend that spills into Carol’s life. As she and Devin try to stay one step ahead of violence, Carol must decide whether she’s ready to risk her heart again.

Author Bio:

Mary Metcalfe is the author of three published novels –Winds of Change, New Beginnings, Road to Tomorrow – and currently at work on her fourth. She and her long-time husband live in the foothills of the Laurentians in Quebec,Canada with a small herd of cats and a Canadian Eskimo dog. Their daughter is a published literary non-fiction author.

You can read about and/or follow Mary Metcalfe by clicking on the following links:

Author Website

Mary’s Blog: Lakefront Muse

Follow her on Twitter @MetcalfeMary

Shelfari

**Mary will be on tour throughout the month of January. You can read reviews of New Beginnings, Mary’s guest posts and author Q&A on the following blogs:**

January 13 – The Latchkey Mom – that’s ME, you’re here! – Novel Spotlight

January 15 – Change the Word – Guest Post

January 16 – Storm Goddess Book Reviews – Review, Q&A & Excerpt

January 17 – Everything Books and Authors – Guest Post

January 21 – Chick Lit Plus – Review

January 22 – Musings From an Addicted Reader – Review

January 23 – Book Suburbia – Excerpt

January 27 – Authors and Readers Book Corner – Review & Q&A

January 28 – Samantha March – Q&A & Excerpt

January 29 – Fiction Dreams – Q&A

January 30 – Reader Girls – Excerpt

January 31 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt

Where to purchase the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Chapters/Indigo

A Giveaway!

*Anyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of New Beginnings before January 31 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com will get 5 bonus entries!*

Reading

CLP: January Books

January 9, 2014 latchkeymom

January New Releases

January is the month of resolutions and new beginnings. For me, it’s also a month of hibernation with bowl games, NFL playoff games, warm fires and of course, curling up with good books. If you managed to get through your 2013 to-read pile, here are few books that will be debuting in January.

First Love by James Patterson – January 13, 2014. Ah, first love. Axi is a good girl who’s always followed the rules, until she impulsively embarks on a cross country road trip. Continue reading at Chick Lit Plus.

Book Reviews, Reading

My Favorite Books of 2013

January 8, 2014 latchkeymom

22 Comments

It’s no secret that I love my books. This year I read (or listened to) 102 books! Shocking, even for me. In 2013, books were my entertainment, my escape, my therapy. I read more nonfiction than I usually do and some darker fiction, which is a bit outside my comfort zone. Suffice it to say, I had trouble believing in the “happily ever after.” I’ve compiled my reading stats, because once a number cruncher, always a number cruncher. Continue reading My Favorite Books of 2013 →