Author: Ambrosia

Book Review: Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

- Ambrosia Leave a comment


Perfect Christmas women’s fiction from international bestseller Debbie Macomber.

‘Tis the season for love and second chances …

Carrie Slayton, a big-city society-page columnist, longs to write more serious news stories. So her editor hands her a challenge first: Carrie must score the paper an interview with Finn Dalton, the notoriously reclusive author.

Living in Alaskan wilderness, Finn has written a bestselling book about surviving in the wild. But he stubbornly declines to speak to anyone, and no one even knows exactly where he lives. With her career at stake, Carrie sacrifices her family celebrations and flies out to snowy Alaska. When she finally finds Finn, she discovers a man both more charismatic and more stubborn than she expected. And soon Carrie is torn between pursuing the story of a lifetime and following her heart.

This is the first time I have read a Debbie Macomber book, I have several on my shelves but have not yet gotten to them. With Christmas just around the corner I decided I needed to pick a nice Holiday book to enjoy and this was just the ticket. I felt that Starry Night had just the right touches of light heartedness and the serious moments as well.

Finn and Carrie are characters that you can feel yourself in. I really enjoyed how their relationship developed and how well they seemed to know one another even from the start. If you need a nice light read that is fast and keeps you enjoying it for the Holiday season I would go with this one. I am feeling a bit more in the Christmas mood now thanks to this read.

My Gemstone Rating:

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Friday Finds 12/20/13

- Ambrosia 1 Comment

This is another one hosted over at Should be Reading

I only have one find this week and actually I found it a few weeks ago but since I was not doing Friday Finds then I did not get to post about it. So I am going to do so now, yes yes I am.

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“A novel of the American Revolution by a writer who is himself a true American revolutionary.” —Mark Edmundson, author of Why Teach?

In 1782, during the final clashes of the Revolutionary War, one of our young nation’s most valiant and beloved soldiers was, secretly, a woman.

When Deborah Samson disguised herself as a man and joined the Continental Army, she wasn’t just fighting for America’s independence—she was fighting for her own. Revolutionary, Alex Myers’s richly imagined and meticulously researched debut novel, brings the true story of Deborah’s struggle against a rigid colonial society back to life—and with it the courage, hope, fear, and heartbreak that shaped her journey through a country’s violent birth.

After years as an indentured servant in a sleepy Massachusetts town, chafing under the oppressive norms of colonial America, Deborah can’t contain her discontent any longer. When a sudden crisis forces her hand, she decides to finally make her escape. Embracing the peril and promise of the unknown, she cuts her hair, binds her chest, and, stealing clothes from a neighbor, rechristens herself Robert Shurtliff. It’s a desperate, dangerous, and complicated deception, and becomes only more so when, as Robert, she enlists in the Continental Army.

What follows is an inspiring, one-of-a-kind journey through an America torn apart by war: brutal winters and lethal battlefields, the trauma of combat and the cruelty of betrayal, the joy of true love and the tragedy of heartbreak. In his brilliant Revolutionary, Myers, who himself is a descendant of the historical Deborah, takes full advantage of this real-life heroine’s unique voice to celebrate the struggles for freedom, large and small, like never before.

Not out yet but you can pre order on Amazon 🙂 AND if you would like to meet the Author he has some readings coming up. I know if I could attend I would be.

 

Politics & Prose Bookstore in DC on January 26

Harvard Bookstore in Cambridge/Boston on January 31

and Cincinnati in February I will update everyone with more information as I get it 😀

 

Yes my friends this post is me waving my geek flag and reminding you all that I am one of these people..

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Book Blast: Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise by Alicia Richardson

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Kirby TourTour Schedule

kirby puckernutKirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise

Kirby Puckernut is Santa’s cleverest little elf. While dreaming up marvelous toys for good girls and boys, Kirby has his best idea yet – a real elf in every home, all through the holidays, spreading Christmas Magic Santa finds the perfect family and allows Kirby to serve as the test elf for the first momentous visit. Fun and adventure are at every turn, but not everything goes as planned…

Will Kirby’s idea be a success.

 

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Peek Inside

Kirby Book

Book Trailer

 

AliciaAbout the Author

Author Alicia Richardson has created a new Christmas classic with her children’s book, Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise.

Alicia Richardson resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and four children. She has always had a flair for storytelling, and has given life to a special little elf named Kirby Puckernut.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

Tour Giveaways

Giveaway#1

Kirby Elf

5 winners will each recieve a copy of Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Suprise + Kirby Elf

Open to US Only

Ends 12/31/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Giveaway #2

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/31/13

 

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Booking Through Thursday 12/19/13

- Ambrosia Leave a comment


This one is Hosted at the Booking through Thursday Blog.

Sadly I again did not see a question on the blog, but my friend Anah is happy to provide me with things to keep the brain working so here we go this week she asks:

What is your major draw to your favorite genre?

This is a really good question and one I actually did have to think about a little bit. Seeing as I have not actually read a book in my favorite genre in a little while because I have been focused on branching out. My favorite genre is Historical Fiction, now I like all genre’s (well most) but Historical Fiction is generally my go to and the one I most look forward to releases in. It is the history buff and nerd in me that draws me to the genre I think. I just love jumping into lives in the past and fully embracing the differences that you can find there. I am sure the fact that I am a consummate Rennie and such has nothing to do with it. right?

Giveaway: Svetol

- Ambrosia Leave a comment

NaturexSvetolGreenCoffeeBeans

With 2014 coming right around the corner and with weight loss goals one of the number one on most list for New Years resolutions why not start in advance. Svetol is having a giveaway right now on Facebook and it is a really great deal. If you do not know what Svetol is here is a brief bit of information:

 

Leveraging the research and experience of Naturex, Svetol® harnesses the benefits of coffee, in a plant concentrate, and provides proven effectiveness for Slimming and Beauty.

Svetol® is a natural plant extract of decaffeinated green coffee rich in active components.

Obtained from unroasted coffee beans of the Robusta variety (Coffea canephora robusta Pierre), Svetol® possesses a unique composition whose effectiveness has been clinically proven.

Svetol®’s specific composition has been studied in detail. Study results demonstrate the presence of accrued Chlorogenic acids.

Source

 

Everyone likes to win free stuff and winning a year of help with your fitness and weight loss goals is probably one of the best things you can do for yourself. Head on over for easy daily entries in the sweepstakes there are some smaller prizes from the Free year sweepstakes as well, invest in yourself this year!

Svetol Sweepstakes

 

 

WWW Wednesday 12/18/13

- Ambrosia 16 Comments

This is another one hosted over at Should be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What are you reading next?

I am currently reading:

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Perfect Christmas women’s fiction from international bestseller Debbie Macomber.

‘Tis the season for love and second chances …

Carrie Slayton, a big-city society-page columnist, longs to write more serious news stories. So her editor hands her a challenge first: Carrie must score the paper an interview with Finn Dalton, the notoriously reclusive author.

Living in Alaskan wilderness, Finn has written a bestselling book about surviving in the wild. But he stubbornly declines to speak to anyone, and no one even knows exactly where he lives. With her career at stake, Carrie sacrifices her family celebrations and flies out to snowy Alaska. When she finally finds Finn, she discovers a man both more charismatic and more stubborn than she expected. And soon Carrie is torn between pursuing the story of a lifetime and following her heart.

I just finished : You can see the review HERE

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The Darkborn aristocracy has rejected magic, viewing the pursuit of science as the only worthy goal. But Lady Telmaine Hearne does not have that luxury. She has kept her own powers secret, fearful of being ruined in society…until her husband Balthasar draws her into a conspiracy to protect the archduke and his brother against a magical enemy. But who will protect them from her?

 

Next I am waffling a bit but it will probably be:

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Schuyler Van Alen is running out of time. The Dark Prince of Hell is storming the Gates of Paradise, intent on winning the heavenly throne for good. This time he has his greatest angels by his side, Abbadon and Azrael—Jack and Mimi Force, as they are known in the Coven.

Or so he thinks. Even as Lucifer assigns Jack and Mimi the tasks of killing their true loves, the Force twins secretly vow to defeat the Dark Prince once and for all. But how far will Mimi and Jack go to conceal their real loyalties?

Meanwhile, former vampire Bliss Llewellyn has joined forces with Lawson, the greatest wolf of the underworld, to free his people from their imprisonment in Hell. As they struggle against impossible odds, an ancient message, woven into the very fabric of time, reveals just how much depends on the success of their mission.

Lucifer seeks the key to the Gate of Promise, and when Schuyler is taken captive and delivered straight to Hell, she must make an unthinkable choice—the same one the archangel Michael was forced to make during the Crisis in Rome. Will Schuyler find the strength to do what he could not?

The epic, heartbreaking Blue Bloods series comes to a close with this final novel about staggering courage, unbearable sacrifice, and the immortality of true love

Posted in WWW

Book Tour:The Christmas Train by Thomas S Monson

- Ambrosia 2 Comments

christmas train tour

Tour Schedule

 

Christmas trainThe Christmas Train

In this children’s picture book, President Thomas S. Monson recounts a Christmas memory from his childhood. As a boy, he yearned for an electric train. To his delight, on Christmas morning he got exactly that a train that operated through the miracle of electricity. Then he noticed a second train that his mother had purchased for the boy down the street whose family was struggling. Although it was only a wind-up train, it had an beautiful oil tanker car, which little Tommy wanted for his own. Soon after, Tommy s mother invited him to accompany her to the neighbor s home to deliver the gift. Young Mark was thrilled with his new train and, of course, didn t notice the missing train car. However, a remorseful Tommy did. What happened next will bring the spirit of Christmas into every heart and home. Illustrated by renowned artist Dan Burr, The Christmas Train is sure to be a classic Christmas story and a beautiful addition to every Christmas library.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

Includes a QR code for a FREE download of President Monson’s narration of the story!

Winner of the 2012 Gold Medal Mom’s Choice Award!

 

Download the new interactive Christmas Train app for your iPad!
The pages come alive with animations, sound effects, and narration by the author, Thomas S. Monson. Kids will love listening to a true Christmas story, read by a familiar voice, while navigating trains, turning Christmas lights on and off, and experiencing the importance of giving during the Christmas season.

Click Here to Learn More
About the Author

President Thomas S. Monson was set apart as the sixteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008. He had previously served for twenty-two years in the First Presidency of the Church, after having been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since October1963. Five years after his call to the Twelve, he was given a special assignment for the work of the Church in Europe, requiring many visits with members behind the Iron Curtain. He was instrumental in the construction of the Freiberg Germany Temple and in advancing the Lord’s work in other eastern European countries that were part of the communist bloc. He also served as chairman of the Scriptures Publication Committee and supervised the process that resulted in the new editions of the scriptures. His ministry has been characterized by his compassion for the needs of individuals and his gift for one-on-one service. President Monson and his wife, Frances, are the parents of three children, grandparents of eight, and great-grandparents of eight.

 

About the Illustrator

Dan Burr earned his bachelor of fine arts degree from Utah State University and a master’s degree in illustration from Syracuse University. He and his wife, Patti, are raising their two children in the Teton Valley of southeast Idaho, a setting that provides great artistic inspiration and fantastic fly fishing. Dan is a well-known illustrator, having been in the business for many years, most recently working as a children’s picture book illustrator. A few of the books Dan has illustrated are The Miracle of the Wooden Shoes; God Bless Your Way; A Christmas Journey; and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

Christmas Train by Monson

 

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Lightborn (Darkborn #2) by Alison Sinclair

- Ambrosia 2 Comments

The Darkborn aristocracy has rejected magic, viewing the pursuit of science as the only worthy goal. But Lady Telmaine Hearne does not have that luxury. She has kept her own powers secret, fearful of being ruined in society…until her husband Balthasar draws her into a conspiracy to protect the archduke and his brother against a magical enemy. But who will protect them from her?

Well as has been documented on the blog here I was in a little bit of a meh mood about reading in general when I started this book, however I did manage to shake that mood and dig into the second book of the Darkborn series.

I have to say I preferred Darkborn to this one a great deal actually. We do get to meet some new Characters and some that were lesser in the first book are brought forward more. However two of the main characters are pretty much not here at all and for me that was troubling. I have not been able to personally connect well with Telmaine so the story being mainly from her POV made it a little bit of a snooze fest for me. I wish I could blame it on my mood but I really do feel it was the book, it just was not as good. You do not get much answered either which is troubling. Personally when I am reading a series I think that each book in the series needs to build and give me some answers from the previous books questions, not just keep heaping questions on the pile.

So while this was not my favorite book I will read the third in the series and hope that I get the rest of my questions answered that way. All in all this one was a luke warm feeling for me.

My Gemstone Rating:

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Sustainable housing

- Ambrosia Leave a comment


Housing and especially sustainable housing are a big interest to me and many others around the world. There is something completely remarkable about the different techniques they are learning these days when it comes to making things visually stunning while keeping them as green as possible. So what do you do when you want some ideas on what you can do if you’re building a new house? What the trends are and all the other important things dealing with architecture? Well if you’re like me (and I know my loyal readers are) you turn to books.

The Sustainable Asian House: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines by Paul McGillick is a full celebration of everything that sustainable housing is. You will get ideas a plenty in this book by looking through the pages of this book and enjoying the new version of the regions tropical architecture. You will find 27 houses in the book and comprehensive photos of all of them. I can honestly say the way that they are utilizing space in these new buildings is rather amazing. The space is so open and inviting that anyone that walks into one of these homes is likely to feel just at home.

The sustainable Asian house is proving what I have said for years personally. Green does not mean it has to look like a bunch of plain off colored items that have no design behind them. Technology has evolved even in the way houses are built so that we can make beautiful sleek homes that look modern and inviting and are environmentally friendly. I for one hope that the beautiful designs we are seeing come across in the sustainable housing market start to trickle down into other areas as well. I would love to see more sustainable choices in clothing, everyday items and of course vehicles.

Teaser Tuesday 12/17/13

- Ambrosia 14 Comments

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

“That’s just it, Mom. This would be an investigative piece. My editor told me I could have my pick of assignments if I was able to get this interview. It’s important, enough for me to take the vacation days I planned to use for Thanksgiving to find him.” ~ 8% Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

 

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