Welcome to Book Lovers Paradise

Welcome to my attempt at blogging. I am a true to heart bibliophile. Here I will discuss and review books as I read them. You are welcome to do the same. The only rules are no profanity, no politics, no religion, and have fun!
Donna

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Secrets of the Lighthouse


Summer is not complete without a new novel from top ten bestelling author Santa MontefioreEllen Trawton is running away from it all - quite literally. She is due to get married to a man she doesn't love, her job is dragging her down and her interfering mother is getting on her nerves. So she escapes to the one place she know her mother won't follow her - to her aunt's house in rural Ireland. Once there, she uncovers a dark family secret - and a future she never knew she might have.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Macausland is mourning the future she can never have. She died tragically in what the village thinks is suspicious circumstances, and now she is stuck in a limbo, unable to move on.

And between the two of them is an old lighthouse - the scene of so much tragedy. Can each woman find the peace she so desperately longs for? And can they find the way to live again?

'The House by the Sea has it all: secrets, mystery, passionate love affairs...Unforgettable!' Adriana Trigiani

'A gripping romance . . . It is as believable as the writing is beautiful' Daily Telegraph

'Santa Montefiore is the new Rosamunde Pilcher' Daily Mail

'A superb storyteller of love and death in romantic places in fascinating times' Plum Sykes, Vogue

my thoughts

Unique book. I've never read a book from the point of view of a ghost. That's one of the main characters, Caitlin, the ghost. 

Connemara, Ireland is the main backdrop for this unique story. The author's descriptions of western Ireland are so incredible--I want to visit! It sounds like a fantastic place. I could 'smell the grass' and 'hear the ocean'.

The characters in this novel are incredible. I loved Ellen. She is a spirited individual seeking answers. I loved the entire Byrne clan...a large Irish family full of fun and life. 

I did not like the ghost. While reading this book, I found her to be vain and self centered. My thoughts changed at end. I won't give anything away, but eventually, I felt sorry for the ghost, imagine that!

This is a story of love, of family and of betrayal and secrets. The writing is spectacular. I've never read anything by this author, but will be on the lookout for more!



Thursday, May 15, 2014

CURSES AND SMOKE BOOK BLAST

Curses and Smoke

Publication Date: May 27, 2014 Arthur A. Levine Books Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Genre: YA Historical

When your world blows apart, what will you hold onto?
TAG is a medical slave, doomed to spend his life healing his master's injured gladiators. But his warrior's heart yearns to fight in the gladiator ring himself and earn enough money to win his freedom.
LUCIA is the daughter of Tag's owner, doomed by her father's greed to marry a much older Roman man. But she loves studying the natural world around her home in Pompeii, and lately she's been noticing some odd occurrences in the landscape: small lakes disappearing; a sulfurous smell in the air...
When the two childhood friends reconnect, each with their own longings, they fall passionately in love. But as they plot their escape from the city, a patrician fighter reveals his own plans for them -- to Lucia's father, who imprisons Tag as punishment. Then an earthquake shakes Pompeii, in the first sign of the chaos to come. Will they be able to find each other again before the volcano destroys their whole world?

Buy the Book

About the AuthorVicky Alvear Shecter

Vicky Alvear Shecter is the author of the young adult novel, CLEOPATRA'S MOON (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, 2011), based on the life of Cleopatra's only daughter. She is also the author of two award-winning biographies for kids on Alexander the Great and Cleopatra. She is a docent at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Antiquities at Emory University in Atlanta.

Author Links

Book Blast Schedule

Monday, May 12 Bibliophilia, Please bookworm2bookworm's Blog

  Tuesday, May 13 Broken Teepee Passages to the Past In the Hammock Blog

  Wednesday, May 14 CelticLady's Reviews The Most Happy Reader I'd So Rather Be Reading History From a Woman's Perspective

 Thursday, May 15 Kinx's Book Nook A Bibliotaph's Reviews Historical Fiction Obsession

  Friday, May 16 Booktalk & More The Mad Reviewer Book Lovers Paradise

 Saturday, May 17 SOS Aloha Reading the Ages Kelsey's Book Corner

  Sunday, May 18 Giant Squid Books WTF Are You Reading?

  Monday, May 19 Caroline Wilson Writes So Many Books, So Little Time

  Tuesday, May 20 West Metro Mommy The True Book Addict The Musings of ALMYBNENR

 Wednesday, May 21 Book Nerd Tower of Babel Hardcover Feedback

 Thursday, May 22 Paperback Princess Bittersweet Enchantment

  Friday, May 23 History Undressed Historical Fiction Connection

 Saturday, May 24 Literary Chanteuse Just One More Chapter

  Sunday, May 25 A Dream within a Dream The Little Reader Library

  Monday, May 26 Pages of Comfort Griperang's Bookmarks Raizza's Book Blogging Adventure

 Tuesday, May 27 Princess of Eboli Ageless Pages Reviews The Musings of a Book Junkie

Giveaway

To win a copy of Curses & Smoke or a $25 Amazon Gift Card please complete the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on May 27th. You must be 18 or older to enter. Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on May 28th and notified via email. Winner have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. a Rafflecopter 


 photo 5d0bedea-42a1-42ca-9aac-7d15a9a3c0dc.pnggiveaway

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Daughter of the Gods- A Novel of Ancient Egypt



Tour Hashtags: #DaughteroftheGodsTour #StephanieThornton #Hatshepsut #VirtualBookTour


Publication Date: May 6, 2014
NAL Trade
Formats: eBook, Paperback

Egypt, 1400s BC. The pharaoh’s pampered second daughter, lively, intelligent Hatshepsut, delights in racing her chariot through the marketplace and testing her archery skills in the Nile’s marshlands. But the death of her elder sister, Neferubity, in a gruesome accident arising from Hatshepsut’s games forces her to confront her guilt…and sets her on a profoundly changed course.

Hatshepsut enters a loveless marriage with her half brother, Thut, to secure his claim to the Isis Throne and produce a male heir. But it is another of Thut’s wives, the commoner Aset, who bears him a son, while Hatshepsut develops a searing attraction for his brilliant adviser Senenmut. And when Thut suddenly dies, Hatshepsut becomes de facto ruler, as regent to her two-year-old nephew.

Once, Hatshepsut anticipated being free to live and love as she chose. Now she must put Egypt first. Ever daring, she will lead a vast army and build great temples, but always she will be torn between the demands of leadership and the desires of her heart. And even as she makes her boldest move of all, her enemies will plot her downfall….

Once again, Stephanie Thornton brings to life a remarkable woman from the distant past whose willingness to defy tradition changed the course of history.

Praise for Daughter of the Gods

“Daughter of the Gods is a wonderfully intimate and dramatic evocation of Ancient Egypt, where one headstrong young woman dares to become pharaoh. Stephanie Thornton vividly portrays the heat and the danger, the passion and the heartbreak of Hatshepsut’s struggle, as she defies even the gods to ensure success on the throne of Egypt. A touching love story combines with a thrilling tale of death, courage and political intrigue to produce a superbly researched and powerfully written novel. This is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. A remarkable story, remarkably told.” -Kate Furnivall, author of Shadows on the Nile

“Stephanie Thornton’s heroines are bold, brave, and powerful–they make me want to stand up and cheer!” -Kate Quinn, author of Lady of the Eternal City

“Daughter of the Gods is a full-out, total immersion experience of ancient Egypt. From her moving love affair with a commoner to her fierce and unwavering commitment to Egypt as a female Pharaoh, Hatshepsut crackles with fascinating complexity. Her ka must be grinning with pleasure at this richly textured account of her life, one that is worthy of the great queen herself. “ -Vicky Alvear Shecter, author of Cleopatra’s Moon “An epic saga that brings ancient Egypt to life with vivid imagery and lovely prose. Stephanie Thornton is a rising star!” -Stephanie Dray, author of Lily of the Nile


my thoughts

Like most people, I love anything to do with Ancient Egypt.

I can now say I've been to Ancient Egypt...well...sort of. I've visited through Stephanie Thornton's fabulous novel. I've seen Nubia through the eyes of Hatshepsut, I've seen the inside of the Hall of Women, I've travelled the Nile and visited the temples.

I could hear and see the sights and sounds of Egypt in the time of the pharaohs. This book is that good. Hatshepsut herself is an amazing character. She has an inner strength that will fascinate and leave the reader spellbound. I've always considered her an amazing person. Now, I feel as if I know her. Her and Senenmut. I must admit, I can understand her fascination with this incredible man, I think I sort of fell in love with him myself. The chemistry between Hatshepsut and Senenmut is palpable. These are two people who deserve to be together.

This is truly an incredible book. The writing is so well done, the reader will believe they are lost in Egypt while reading. The descriptions are so well written, I can honestly 'see' the palace, temples and characters. I cannot recommend this book enough. If you are a fan of Ancient Egypt (and who isn't, I think we all have some kind of love for the glory days of the pharaohs), don't miss this book! If you aren't a fan of Egypt, but love a good story, read this book. Lastly, if you like strong women...you get the picture...just read this book!

Bravo Stephanie Thornton for creating another wonderful story. I can't wait for your next story.






About the Author

Stephanie Thornton is a writer and history teacher who has been obsessed with infamous women from ancient history since she was twelve. She lives with her husband and daughter in Alaska, where she is at work on her next novel.

“The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora” is available from NAL/Penguin, and “Daughter of the Gods: A Novel of Ancient Egypt” will hit the shelves May 2014 and “The Tiger Queens: A Novel of Genghis Khan” will follow in Fall 2014.

For more information, please visit Stephanie Thornton’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.


BUY THE BOOK