Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophia Kinsella

From the back cover...

Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is that she can't actually afford it -- not any of it.
USA Today-- Hilarious...hijinks worthy of classic I Love Lucy episodes.

Several people I know have recommended this series, so I finally decided to try it. I actually really enjoyed it. It was hilarious- laugh out loud funny. The main character is so hilarious and likable. Anyone who has had even a slight shopping problem needs to read it.

Disclaimer: I give this book a pg-13 rating. It is clean except for, unfortunately, a sprinkling of really bad swear words. I think the british like the 'f' word a little too much. So if you can ignore the handful of swear words, it is a good read.

Candle In The Darkness ~ Lynn Austin

Candle in the Darkness takes place during the Civil War area about a young girl named Caroline who was born into a very wealthy southern family . Even though she always had a good relationship w/ her parents, Her true family and best friends were the servants, the plantation slaves. When Caroline’s mother passes away her father sends her to live w/ her mothers sister and family up north. When her father finally sees fit for her to return home, Caroline is grown up and determined to make people in the south see that slavery is wrong BUT on returning home and into southern society, Caroline meets the dashing Charles. Caroline and Charles really have a sweet love story but they disagree on one thing, slavery. He and his family were not for the abuse and hatred treatment towards slaves But simply saw them as people who helped keep the family business and plantation running. When the war breaks out Charles and Caroline must part before any future for them could take place. Caroline is left alone and must face some extremely difficult times and decisions about keeping her beloved slaves enslaved and the love she has for Charles alive.

Over all being from the south, I found this 1} A nice little history lesson 2} A sweet & strong love story and 3} a little tense. I will give this book a middle rating of 3 ½ simply because I would have loved more moments w/ Charles--I’m a sappy for a love story. I really liked going to a time in our history I’ve never read about and seeing the contrast and questions that arrive from both sides. Which side really was for the better? Can Caroline & Charles find middle ground and begin a life after everything is over and has come out? If you want a sweet enduring love story w/ a history lesson on the side this is one to consider. It's not a fall in love w/ book but really a sweet/tense read.

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Now with that said I am a southern girl born and raised in Tennessee. I’ve lived in the same place my whole life and though a lot of people consider Tennessee residence to be pure country-ish, I however am not. True city gal through & through. I come from your typical Mormon family w/ LOTS of cousins so I always say I’ve never known what it’s like to be lonely. My girlfriends would describe me as little miss proper. Always having to match. The simple Basics on me would be the girlie girl ones. Shoes, Purses, Make Up, decorating, Martha Stewart, organizing, shopping etc The deeper ones would be the “die freely” love for my nephew or the intense way I love having long conversations w/ people. Looking at the world with a love for ordinary days or the magic in the days that you want to relive.
I lost my mother in May of last year from a very unexpected event. Through that I’d like to think I’m coming full circle w/ myself and seeing and understanding Heavenly Fathers plan through adult eyes. Moving long and ALWAYS being thankful for the ones you love and the stories in your life to pass by w/ a twinkle and charm that will make you live to keep moving.
I’m always listening to music in my kitchen and I ALWAYS loose my glasses! Right now I’m 22 yrs. Old and yes…I’ll say it, I’m single. Am I bitter---to lie or not to lie--Ok I’ll be honest maybe 35 % bitter LOL But truth be told in this part of the world in the LDS church you don’t have the pick of the litter. So therefore I don’t settle for non-members and find myself on more Friday night dates at home w/ a book or a movie then most. Current obsessions would include 1} A love story about vampire who brought sexy back in 1901--Need I say more? And 2} Jon & Kate plus Eight--Just LOVE that show. 3} The color mandarin orange for the summer in everything and finally 4} a certain Boy I’ve been in love w/ since I was 15 whose coming home for the summer in which he NEEDS to wake up and see his future wife has been right here all along--Any advice On this one I’ll gladly take LOL

2 Random Facts On me-I always have to have my wallet & makeup bag match whatever purse I’m carrying and also I have the most embarrassing story EVER. When friends or groups start retelling their most embarrassing moments, mine always wins hands down. ALWAYS

2 Facts about my hometown- First, my hometown is the Original place where country music was born. And it’s not Nashville. I won’t tell you my hometown but if you ever find yourself wondering “Hummm…I wonder where Country music first started???” My hometown will come up. And two this to me is just lame cause I’m not into it but just in case you have a brother or friend into NASCAR chances are they’ve been to my town because we have the 2nd largest race track in the States.


2 Favorite areas to Read- Historical and Poetry. Reading coming from my mom who would read to me when I was three yrs/ old 8 to 10 books a night and always thought I had an old soul. Always loving anything with time periods. Poetry coming from my aunt who would recite poems to me growing up. Hands down top 2 MOST loved would be St. Crispin’s Day Speech from Shakespeare’s King Henry the 5th
And Edgar Allen Poes Annabelle Lee.

So there you have it, the scoop on me. I am currently reading another historical I’ll be posting and a Biography book I’m reading. Hope everyone is enjoying there summer!

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory

Technically it is 'historical fiction' because the author makes up what the character's say, but I thought I would read it for the historical challenge this month since it was recommended to me. It is by the author who wrote the bestseller "The other Boylen Girl". This book is the story about Princess Catilina of Spain who is sent to England to marry the English prince and become the queen of England. She is such a strong Heroine! I have never read about anyone so strong and faithful and sure of herself. The author switches between telling the story from third person to the princess's own account, which is kind of neat. It makes you realize how good we have it now. Warning: The ending is sad so I can't give this book 5 stars or anything. But, unfortunately, real life is sad so that is the way it goes. I definitely will read others by Philippa Gregory too.

Now enough about the book because I know you have all been dying to know about me! I am married to brad pitt and we have a litter of children and live in a mansion on the beach. But what you probably don't know about me is that I grew up in a suburb of San Diego. I went to BYU and graduated with a degree in education. Met my husband there and was married. I taught first grade for two years while my husband finished up school (it took him longer because he's not as smart as me and he won't ever read this so I can put that). Then we moved to arizona and popped out a couple of kids. Now I read to stay sane while I stay at home with them.

Two Random facts about me are that I absolutely love football more then most guys and TiVo every game and watch it. I also met my husband when we crashed into each other while playing a game of tag. My favorite things include chocolate, a good book, the Office, and scrapbooking. My favorite books are fictions especially those involving vampires or wizards. A random fact about where I grew up is that the band Blink 182 went to my high school. Now a fun piece of trivia about Blink 182: I grew up in Rancho Bernardo, or RB is what we called it and that is what the 182 stands for. R is the 18 letter in the alphabet and B is the second letter. In high school they were 'blink RB' but that was stupid when they went big, so it became blink 182.

That is all there is to know about me. You can send any question/fan mail to my manager and publicist Andrea Golding.

To Love and to Promise

Synopsis: When Brionney Fields marries a handsome, charming Derek Roathe, she feels like her life is a Mormon fairy tale come true. And when baby Savannah comes along, she's sure of it. Then, with a horrifying discovery, the dream is shattered and her fairytale begins to unravel. Trying to pick up the bits and pieces of her life, she wonders if she'll ever be able to take a chance at love again.

The answer finally comes, but is Brionney ready for it? Can she set aside a world of pain for the hope of true love? She's heard all the promises before, but they've been empty and tainted by lies. Why should she believe them now?

In this compelling and emotional story of love, betrayal, and soul-wrenching challenges, best-selling author Rachel Ann Nunes creates memorable characters and dramatic moments that will live in the reader's mind and heart long after the book is closed. Join Brionney as she leans that the road to true love and happiness is never easy . . . but in the end it's worth every prayer, every tear, and every leap of faith along the way.

My View: I have loved EVERY ONE OF HER BOOKS!! She is amazing. With this book it is cuch and amazing storyline and the plot will keep you guessing at every moment. She writes romance novels, mormon ones that are good not like the wierd ones that you can get at albertsons, that are compelling. She also writes the well known kids picture book Daughter of a King. I strongly recommend this book. It has made it's way to my favorite list.

JUNE Challenge

Hey Everyone! I have been so absent on the last two challenges BUT I hope to be forgiven for that. May was such a stressful & busy month for me. My best friend is getting married in less then 25 days and so between work, church, nephew, and ENDLESS wedding plans--I’ve simply had no time for new reading. How sad is that! Anyway I sent a quick message to Andrea to take on the June challenge, so here it is.

Since I have been absent on the last two challenges, I am giving you two choices. You can decide which one you would rather do or you can do both.

Choice number 1 is an Autobiography! In stead of just calling myself just plain old nosy, I’d like to think I’m really good people person. Always finding out the facts & details. So I thought what better way then to learn something new about someone you don’t know, then to read their autobiography. There's SO many out there, in all different directions. I’m so excited to see who everyone picks.

Choice number 2 is anything pertaining to the Historical section. I have always LOVED time periods! They just fascinate me. Again this could go in so many different directions, so don’t limit your self to just one time area or culture or even category.

BUT WAIT….I have a twist for you all! What ever you decide to pick, you must do this. After you’ve read your book and come to review it on the book club…You must tell us a Little bit about yourself. Don’t think of this as a tag---this is NO tagging---This is only if you do choices 1 or 2. But, nobody really knows who I am since I randomly found this book club and I don’t know any of you. And Since the first choice is an autobiography, you could submit your own small autobiography along with your book review.

That way we all can get to know the book w/ the book reader.

Give us alittle write up on your self. Like if you had your own real autobiography, What would you want people to know? Also list Two Random facts about yourself. Two facts about the hometown you grew up in or consider yourself a native. Two Favorite things and two favorite book areas you enjoy to read the most.

I'm so excited to see what you all pick and to get to know everyone a litte bit! So consider yourself challenged and let's BEGIN!

New to the book club

First since I am new to the book club let me do a brief introduction. I am a high school library aide. I read a lot, but a lot of what I read is what the kids at school read or should read. It is important that I can make recommendations. Most of the books that everyone posted I have either read or am familiar with because the students read them. I must admit that although I read and enjoyed "Twilight" I did not become an avid fan. I got part way through "New Moon" and realized I didn't have time for it. I know enough about it to participate in the discussions about it at school. Just for the record it was our most read/reserved series this last year at school. I enjoy reading a lot of historical fiction, such as "These is my words" "Hattie Blue Sky" and others along that line. A few others that I have recently read that were enjoyable were, "The boy in the striped pajamas", written on a middle/junior high level but deals with more adult asubject, the holocaust. As my sister wrote good but a bit disturbing. "Al Capone does my shirts" Having visited Alcatraz I was familiar with most of the descriptions of the place, but the more fascinating part was the relationship Moose had with his autistic sister. "A long way gone, memoirs of a boy soldier" enlightening, informative, the story of a young man in Sierra Leone, Africa who after the destruction of his home town and death of his family is forced to become a boy soldier. What he experience is almost unbelievable. I am much more appreciative of where I live and freedoms I have. "The pilot's wife" an Oprah book club book. Although a bit predictable it was enjoyable to read. How well do you really know your husband? "Hattie Blue Sky" a young woman's adventures as a homesteader in Montana. Sorry this posting is so long but I have a lot to catch up on