Good morning! Today’s post will link up to Sunday Salon, The Sunday Post, and Book Journey, for Weekly Updates.
**Mailbox Monday is now hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.
Good morning, Bloggers! Grab some coffee (or a pot of tea!), and let’s talk about our weeks.
Is everyone enjoying the aftermath of Christmas? Looking forward to the New Year? I am participating in The First Book of 2015 event through Book Journey, so check in at my An Interior Journey blog on the first to see what I’m featuring.
This weekend has been one of enjoying movies more than books. Today I saw Big Eyes, with Amy Adams, and last night I watched Men, Women, and Children On Demand, with Jennifer Garner, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Judy Greer.
I am looking forward to more reading in the coming week….but here’s what happened on that front last week:
LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:
Blue Mondays Again? – Holidays Can Bring Them On
Tuesday Potpourri: Intros/Teasers – “Lillian on Life”
Let’s Chase Away the Blues: Book Beginnings/Friday 56 – “Catch Me”
The Pleasure of it All: Christmas!
Bookish Saturdays: Top Ten Favorites of 2014
Review: A Fireproof Home for the Bride, by Amy Scheibe
Review: The Last Anniversary (e-book), by Liane Moriarty
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INCOMING BOOKS: (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
I received two review books in the mail; purchased one book at Barnes & Noble; and downloaded three e-books.
One Step Too Far, by Tina Seskis (Vine)
A mesmerizing and powerful novel that will keep you guessing to the very end.
No one has ever guessed Emily’s secret.
Will you?
A happy marriage. A beautiful family. A lovely home. So what makes Emily Coleman get up one morning and walk right out of her life—to start again as someone new?
Now, Emily has become Cat, working at a hip advertising agency in London and living on the edge with her inseparable new friend, Angel. Cat’s buried any trace of her old self so well, no one knows how to find her. But she can’t bury the past—or her own memories.
And soon, she’ll have to face the truth of what she’s done—a shocking revelation that may push her one step too far. . . .
A Small Indiscretion, by Jan Ellison (Vine)
A Small Indiscretion fixes an unflinching eye on the power of desire and the danger of obsession as it unfolds the story of one woman’s reckoning with a youthful mistake.
At nineteen, Annie Black trades a bleak future in her washed-out hometown for a London winter of drinking to oblivion and yearning for deliverance. Some two decades later, she is married to a good man and settled in San Francisco, with a son and two daughters and a successful career designing artistic interior lights. One June morning, a photograph arrives in her mailbox, igniting an old longing and setting off a chain of events that rock the foundations of her marriage and threaten to overturn her family’s hard-won happiness.
The novel moves back and forth across time between San Francisco in the present and that distant winter in Europe. The two worlds converge and explode when the adult Annie returns to London seeking answers, her indiscretions come to light, and the phone rings with shocking news about her son. Now Annie must fight to save her family by piecing together the mystery of her past—the fateful collision of liberation and abandon and sexual desire that drew an invisible map of her future.
The Underside of Joy, by Sere Prince Halverson (Purchased)
Set against the backdrop of Redwood forests and shimmering vineyards, Seré Prince Halverson’s compelling debut tells the story of two women, bound by an unspeakable loss, who each claims to be the mother of the same two children.
To Ella Beene, happiness means living in the northern California river town of Elbow with her husband, Joe, and his two young children. Yet one summer day Joe breaks his own rule-never turn your back on the ocean-and a sleeper wave strikes him down, drowning not only the man but his many secrets.
For three years, Ella has been the only mother the kids have known and has believed that their biological mother, Paige, abandoned them. But when Paige shows up at the funeral, intent on reclaiming the children, Ella soon realizes there may be more to Paige and Joe’s story. “Ella’s the best thing that’s happened to this family,” say her close-knit Italian-American in-laws, for generations the proprietors of a local market. But their devotion quickly falters when the custody fight between mother and stepmother urgently and powerfully collides with Ella’s quest for truth.
Downloads:
Fear Nothing (e-book), by Lisa Gardner
The last thing Boston Detective D. D. Warren remembers is walking the crime scene after dark. Then, a creaking floorboard, a low voice crooning in her ear. . . . She is later told she managed to discharge her weapon three times. All she knows is that she is seriously injured, unable to move her left arm, unable to return to work.
The Way Life Should Be (e-book), by Christina Baker Kline
Angela Russo is thirty-three years old and single, stuck in a job she doesn’t love and a life that seems, somehow, to have just happened. Though she inherited a flair for Italian cooking from her grandmother, she never has the time; for the past six months, her oven has held only sweaters. Tacked to her office bulletin board is a picture torn from a magazine of a cottage on the coast of Maine, a reminder to Angela that there are other ways to live, even if she can’t seem to figure them out.
One day at work, Angela clicks on a tiny advertisement in the corner of her computer screen—“Do Soulmates Exist?”—and finds herself at a dating website, where she stumbles upon “MaineCatch,” a thirty-five-year-old sailing instructor with ice-blue eyes. To her great surprise, she strikes up a dizzying correspondence with MaineCatch—yet as her online relationship progresses, life in the real world takes a nosedive. Interpreting this confluence of events as a sign, Angela impulsively decides to risk it all and move to Maine.
Precious Thing (e-book), by Colette McBeth
Some friendships fizzle out. Rachel and Clara promised theirs would last forever.
They met in high school when Rachel was the shy, awkward new girl and Clara was the friend everyone wanted. Instantly, they fell under one another’s spell and nothing would be the same again. Now in their late twenties Rachel has the television career, the apartment and the boyfriend, while Clara’s life is spiraling further out of control. Yet despite everything, they remain inextricably bound. Then Rachel’s news editor assigns her to cover a police press conference, and she is shocked when she arrives to learn that the subject is Clara, reported missing. Is it abduction, suicide or something else altogether?
Imagine discovering something about your oldest friend that forces you to question everything you’ve shared together. The truth is always there. But only if you choose to see it.
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WHAT’S UP NEXT? (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
Currently Reading: The Matchmaker (e-book), by Elin Hilderbrand
Lillian on Life, by Alison Jean Lester
Everything I Never Told You (e-book), by Celeste Ng
And: Drum Roll, please! Check in at An Interior Journey on January 1st to see my First Book of 2015.
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What did your week look like? What are you anticipating in the week ahead? I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that you enjoy a safe and Happy New Year!
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Great line up! I am looking forward to a little more reading this upcoming week too 🙂
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Yes! And we have our First Books of the Year to celebrate, too. Thanks for stopping by, Sheila.
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I hope to read more often starting this week now that Christmas is over. One Step Too Far and The Underside of Joy are calling my name 🙂 Enjoy all of your great books this week.
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I am looking forward to both of them, too, Rita. Hope you enjoy your week, and thanks for stopping by.
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I loved One Step Too Far and hope you do too. I was so confused as to why she just left her life. The Matchmaker looks good too, I’d like to read that sometime. Hope all your incoming books this week are great!
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I am definitely drawn in by that mystery, too, Trish….and I loved The Matchmaker. I noticed from the reviews that not everyone did, but that’s also fascinating to me. Thanks for stopping by.
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Looks like you have some great books. I just read Everything I Never Told You and loved it. Have a great week.
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I am loving it so far, Pat….I wasn’t sure until I started, and now I can’t put it down. Thanks for stopping by!
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I hadn’t even heard of Big Eyes until you mentioned it. What did you think?
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I remember those Keane prints showing up everywhere back in the day, and since the movie was based on the true story, I was fascinated. Amy Adams did a good job, and her co-star did, too, because I couldn’t stand the character…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Bryan.
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I hope you enjoy week and what to come for 2015. I have this week as a week to get things done before the the end of the year and bring in the new year.
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That’s a good plan, Lindsay, and thanks for stopping by!
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A Small Indiscretion sounds interesting! I’ve really been in the mood for historical fiction stories with female leads, and the dual timeline in that book sounds interesting.
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I like the sound of it, too, Mallory, and thanks for stopping by.
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Lots of new and amazing books once more, Laurel Rain! A Small Indiscretion looks really good.
I hope you’ll enjoy your new books, and that 2015 will be a fantastic year for you in every way 🙂
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Thanks, Lexxie, and I am definitely looking forward to the books and the New Year.
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I haven’t heard of either of those movies, now I’m curious.
I had a good holiday with my family, now I’m back, getting ready for the new year.
Happy reading and Happy New Year!
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I am glad you had a great holiday…and I like moving on to the New Year, too. I saw previews of Big Eyes when I was seeing Gone Girl, and was intrigued. Thanks for stopping by.
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Happy New Year! We enjoyed The Imitation Game on Christmas Day.
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Oh, that one sounds good, Joy, and thanks for stopping by. Happy New Year!
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All those books look so good! Enjoy them and Happy New Year!
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Thanks, Yvonne, and I am very happy with the new books. Glad you could stop by.
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You always have the best books! I think I want to add at least half to my TBR. Can’t wait to see what you pick for your first book of the year!
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Oh, thanks, and I am excited to share my first book of the year…I am definitely keeping it under wraps until I do my post. Thanks for stopping by, Katherine.
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I have a dinner party so less reading time coming up. And last week was a problem because I was essentially unable to read or listen to anything while visiting. When my family gets together we are a chatty group.
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It is impossible for me to read when I am hanging out with family….but the break is always nice, too. Thanks for stopping by, Steph, and enjoy the New Year.
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And have a happy New Year!
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Thanks!
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I really liked The Underside of Joy and The Way Life Should Be. Have a good week!
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Oh, so good to know, Mary…looking forward to them!
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Some fantastic acquisitions there – A Small Indiscretion has caught my eye. Happy holidays reading!
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I love the look of that one, too, Jo….thanks for visiting and enjoy your week.
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Hope you enjoy all your new books and hope you have a very happy new year!!
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Thanks, Shoshanah, and I hope you have a great week, too! Glad you could stop by.
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Happy New Year to you Laurel. We are staying at home and playing games with daughter and son-in-law. I love D.D. Warren and Fear Nothing was good. Look forward to First Book of 2015.
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That sounds like the perfect New Year’s to me, Nise; love family time and quiet time. Enjoy yours, and I can’t wait to dive into another D. D. Warren book. Thanks for stopping by.
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The Underside of Joy sounds like such a compelling read! Enjoy your new books.
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I agree, Laura…can’t wait to read it. Thanks for stopping by!
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A Small Indiscretion and One Step Too Far sound so good! Enjoy!
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I think so, too, Denise; thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week.
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Some great reads there! I enjoyed One Step Too Far, so hope you do as well!
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Good to know, Deborah…thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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The Way Life Should Be immediately attracts me so must add it to my list. Sounds like you’ve watched some good movies. I am just beginning to watch Grey’s Anatomy that I recorded earlier in the year and that is satisfying my viewing.
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I think so, too, Kathryn….I have enjoyed some books by Christina Baker Kline…although I still have some unread ones on Sparky. 2015 will be their year for me! Thanks for stopping by.
I do love (and miss) Grey’s Anatomy, but I guess it will be back soon.
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What a nice mailbox.
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Thanks, Mystica. Happy New Year!
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Hope you had a great Christmas. We sure did. No big plans for New Year’s–just resting up.
I love Lisa Gardner’s books. Hope you enjoy all your new reads.
http://www.thebusymomsdaily.com/2014/12/mailbox-monday-dec-29.html
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Oh, I love them, too, Cheryl, and I hope you enjoy your New Year’s Eve resting up…that’s what I love to do.
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You’ve got a nice haul as always babe. Happy New Year ♥
WeeklyWrap@EverythingNyze
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Thanks, Nyze, and enjoy your New Year’s too!
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One Step Too Far looks really good. I am definitely looking forward to the end of the year as it’s my birthday 😉
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Oh, what a great time to celebrate a birthday! My youngest grandson’s BD is Jan. 5, so he is like a New Year’s baby…almost. Thanks for stopping by, Sam, and I am looking forward to One Step Too Far as well.
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All of your new books look terrific! Did you like Big Eyes?
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Thanks, Kathy, and I did enjoy it….I was quite frustrated with the character of Mr. Keane, an over the top con artist type….but his behavior made me root for Mrs. Keane all the more…and I always enjoy Amy Adams’s performances.
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Looks like you have some interesting books on your stack. I’ll be eager to see what your first book of 2015 is. You can see my week here. Have a great week and happy new year!
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I am excited about the First Book of the Year event….I’ll be watching for yours, too, Kathy. Thanks for stopping by.
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I’ve heard so much about Everything I Never Told You. After about the 5th or 6th glowing review, I’ve finally added it to my to-read list.
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I am loving it, Jancee…it takes me back to a time in my own life, so I can relate to the issues. Thanks for stopping by.
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One Step too far sounds good, hope you enjoy and have happy holidays!
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I am looking forward to it, Brandi, and I hope you have a great New Year, too.
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We have been enjoying the new movies that came in and looking forward to seeing Big Eyes.
Have a Happy New Year!
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Thanks for stopping by, Mary Ann…this is a great time of year for movies!
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I’m reading A Small Indiscretion next – enjoy your haul! My Mailbox Monday
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I am so looking forward to that one, Vera…thanks for stopping by,
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Hope you like your books! That’s quite a few!
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Yes, I tend to go nuts…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Ally.
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I just requested A Small Indiscretion on NetGalley…it looks really good!
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Definitely! Thanks for stopping by, Sarah.
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I’m waiting for “Everything I Never Told You’ to come in from the library–I’ve heard such great things about it!
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I really enjoyed it, Melinda…finished it earlier today. Thanks for stopping by.
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The Underside of Joy sounds really interesting. This is the first time I’ve heard of it.
Have a great week and enjoy all of your books!
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I stumbled upon it at Barnes & Noble on the bargain table…couldn’t resist! Thanks for visiting, Lindsey.
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Nice week. I have my first book of the year picked out already too.
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Ooh, how exciting! Thanks for stopping by, Leslie, and I’m looking forward to it.
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These books/authors are new to me but they sound wonderful! I hope you enjoy them all.
Have a great week & happy reading! Sharon – Obsession with Books
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Thanks, Sharon, and I hope you have a wonderful New Year with lots of books to obsess about.
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Nice mailbox!!
A Small Indiscretion looks good.
ENJOY all your books.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
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I think so, too, Elizabeth, and Happy New Year to you, too.
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Looks like a good list! How did you like Men, Women and Children? I wanted to see that.
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Oh, I really liked it, Marcee…it is up to the minute with a look at how technology has impacted our lives. Thanks for stopping by.
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