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 mimosa), and let’s talk about our weeks.
Earlier today, I was out running errands and having lunch…and couldn’t wait to get back home. It is still very hot out, with triple digits through the weekend. Someone posted about snow on her blog…and I was green with envy! Even though I don’t necessarily want snow here…
Next weekend, I am looking forward to Bloggiesta...and the movie This Is Where I Leave You. Yes, I have posted about it before, but I can’t stop gushing. I loved the book, and I adore the actors in the cast….so that’s how it goes.
Do you have anything you are gushing about? While you are pondering, here’s what happened in my blog world this past week.
LAST WEEK ON THE BLOGS:
Under a Cloud of Suspicion: An Excerpt from “Interior Designs”
A Guilty Pleasure: I Am Obsessive About My TBR Stacks
Tuesday Sparks: Intros/Teasers – “Then and Always”
Waiting for “The Girl Next Door”
My Bookish (and Not So Bookish Thoughts): Subliminal Images
Friday Potpourri: Book Beginnings/Friday 56 – “Midnight Betrayal”
Saturday Snapshots: Taking Alec to College
Review: Tears & Tequila, by Linda Schreyer and Jo-Ann Lautman (Publicist Request)
Review: Gringa in a Strange Land (e-book), by Linda Dahl (Mt. TBR Stack)
Review: The Devil’s Foothold (e-book), by Marilyn Meredith (Mt. TBR Stack)
Review: Midnight Betrayal, by Melinda Leigh (Author Review Request)
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INCOMING BOOKS; (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
Three review books came in my mailbox from Amazon Vine! Yay! And then I downloaded three e-books to feed the ever-hungry Sparky.
Friendswood, by Rene Steiner (Amazon Vine)
Safe Keeping, by Barbara Taylor Sissel (Amazon Vine)
Crooked River, by Valerie Geary (Amazon Vine)
Downloads:
After I Do (e-book), by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Children Act (e-book), by Ian McEwan
Virgin River (e-book), by Robyn Carr
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WHAT’S UP NEXT? (Titles/Covers Linked to Amazon)
A Question of Guilt (e-book), by Frances Fyfield (for Mt. TBR Challenge)
Then and Always, by Dani Atkins (Vine Review)
A Wedding and a Killing, by Lauren Carr (Author Review Request)
And there we are…the cycle is complete! Blog Posts Written, Books Read and Reviewed, New Books on the Stacks….and Upcoming Reads. Do you ever feel as if your routines are so predictable you could complete them in your sleep? Is it a good thing to change up the routines occasionally?
Something to ponder. I spend time every week messing around with my blogs, from the themes to the backgrounds and headers. Earlier today, I cleared out some of the files in my office…it was amazing the outdated things I found there!
My granddaughter Fiona (below) changes her hair color.
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I do feel I get a bit predictable from time to time on the blog, so yeah… I can relate to that. I could probably stand a little shakeup here and there…
Sounds like you have quite the heat, we’re lucky to be cooling off now although when it gets down in the 40’s that might be a bit too cool! Still, good sleeping weather. I just hope we don’t cool off too much… a nice gradual fall would be fine with me.
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I think I have so many blogs, Greg, to avoid being predictable, but I’ve noticed that the regular features, like the Weekly Updates, seem to follow a pattern.
And yes, I am so over the heat! Definitely needing a cool-down. Thanks for stopping by.
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Safe Keeping looks interesting and so does After I Do. Hope you enjoy all your new books, you have a fun selection to pick and choose from.
I do find my layouts can be predictable but then I try to stay creative within that so I don’t mind that too much. And I can’t lie, I like routines. Such as my Sunday morning blog visiting!
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Yes, I find comfort in the routines…and we can vary them a bit to make things interesting. Thanks for stopping by, Trish, and I am eager to read all my new books!
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We’re eagerly waiting for heat to come back here, The sun is hesitant and we dress all autumn like. Changing the routines is good but sometimes, when you’re really tired, routines are the only way to get things done – it’s like you’re on automatic pilot and don’t need to think. And I’m not talking about blogging here 😉 Have a great week !
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I do notice that, especially in the mornings, routines get me through. Auto pilot is a good description of it. If I vary the routine too much, nothing will get done. Now to just find a way to keep the routines interesting! Thanks for stopping by, Iza.
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A Question of Guilt definitely looks creepy! But snow already?! Woah, the weather must be moving fast on that side of the hemisphere. It’s still cold in Australia, much to my annoyance. Gah. I just want some warm weather!! My Sunday Post!
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Ha-ha…and here I am longing for cooler weather! Not snow, though. Never snow….only if I drive somewhere to “visit” the snow…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Cait, and A Question of Guilt is definitely an unusual read. It has taken me a while to truly engage, but now I have.
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I’ve been wondering about whether to get the new McEwan – the last two from him were not anywhere as good as his Atonement and the titles before that. have you started reading it yet?
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I had the same reaction to the last one I read (Sweet Tooth). I haven’t started reading The Children Act yet, but I liked the blurb, so I’m hoping. Thanks for visiting, Karen.
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I’ve read so many positive comments about This Is Where I Leave you. I will be interested in hearing how the book and movie compare with each other. I’m glad you enjoyed the book. I hope you enjoy the movie and have a great week.
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Thanks, Pat, I loved the book and hope to love the movie…I noticed from the list of characters for the movie that they changed some of the character names, including the surname. I hope that doesn’t mean too much else has changed!
Glad you could stop by.
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I really hope I’m not predictable but suspect I am! Ah well, perhaps we can call it reliable, which sounds altogether better 🙂
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I think that some amount of predictability is comforting, like a familiar home or familiar faces…we just have to vary things enough to keep ourselves fresh…and I’m not quite sure if I’m doing that…LOL.
Thanks for stopping by, Kate.
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I’m definitely predictable in my blogging but I don’t have time at the moment to change things up. Maybe this winter.
I liked After I Do and Virgin River. Have a good week!
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I suspect that drastic changes are not required…just a tweak here and there, but only if we enjoy doing that…LOL.
Thanks for stopping by, Mary, and I hope to like After I Do and Virgin River as well.
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We have had cooler temps yesterday and today but before that it was broiling so no snow here! You’ve gotten some interesting books! You had some great reviews this past week! I know I added several to my TBR. I think I get rid of the rut feel by changing the genre that I’m reading though I do have a few projects that are different coming up!
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That’s a great idea, and maybe I have started doing that, since I read FOUR YA books last month…unheard of in these parts! LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Katherine.
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Crooked River is on my list of books to read. Enjoy all your books!
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Thanks, Harvee…even though the Vine Queue system is totally weird and not working for me, they do have Vine for All, where I now find most of my books. Looking forward to Crooked River.
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Enjoy your new books. Hope fully your hot temperatures go away soon. Thanks for stopping by.
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Oh, so do I, Jenea! I am so tired of the heat and the high electric bills….LOL. Thanks for stopping by.
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Can’t wait to see what you think about Friendswood!
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Thanks, Deb…I am definitely looking forward to it!
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Great week, great haul! Yep, we have triple digits also here. My son is visiting so I bought a jigsaw puzzle to see if the gang was up for a bit of family bonding time, but everyone retreated to their rooms after dinner, so maybe next week.
I loved the two Barbara Taylor Sissel books and two Robyn Carr books I’ve read. Glad you are trying them out. Friendswood on my radar as is (now) Then and Always and A Question of Guilt.
I’m also looking forward to the movie of This is Where I Leave You, but I need to read the book first…maybe…not sure which order I will do this in.
Thanks for sharing a great post this weekend.
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I’m glad I read the book, but I don’t always read the book first. I am excited to be trying some new authors…I find I do that more and more these days.
Thanks for stopping by, Rita, and yes…grown kids do their own thing, don’t they?
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Looks like a nice selection. Happy reading.
sherry @ fundinmental
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Thanks, Sherry…glad you could stop by. Looking forward to them all!
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You’ve never read Virgin River? Eeep, I love that series. Hope your week is wonderful.
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I don’t know how I missed it, Kimba, but I have never read this author. She’s been on my radar, though, so now I think I’m in for a treat. Thanks for visiting.
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I am excited to see This is Where I Leave you – that book was NUTS! It is going to fun to see it on the big screen!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
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I am totally excited about it, Missie…and plan to hit the earliest matinee to avoid having to search for a seat. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!
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It is cold here already. Summer was way too short, I am just not ready for the cool weather yet. Pack some heat up and send it this way 🙂 Thank you so much for visiting me today!!
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Oh, I would if I could…although I don’t think I’d want the cold weather that you get in your parts…I think our heat in the summer is our price to pay for milder winters. Thanks for visiting, Lori.
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I have noticed that I do the same exact thing every single week, I am trying to come up with new and creative ideas on how to present a review. I hope you have an amazing week and a Happy Sunday 🙂
Sunday Post
xx Kat xx
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Yes, it is a constant challenge, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by, Kat.
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I definitely am predictable but I like some predictability and routine. When I make changes they tend to minor and gradual, not drastic. I hope you leave the movie, you are so excited for it!
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Yes, it is probably better to make gradual changes, Bea….thanks for stopping by, and I hope to love the movie too!
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Crooked River looks good, hope you enjoy and have a great week.
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I am so excited about it, Brandi…thanks for visiting!
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I read Robyn Carr’s Virgin River and absolutely loved it. I really really want to get back to that series. It’s so good. Have a great week!
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Oh, that’s good to know, Yvonne…I have been hearing great things about it! Thanks for stopping by.
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I’ve heard great things about After I Do! I hope you enjoy it as well. Happy reading!
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I think it looks like a good one, Shoshanah…thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week!
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Sorry about your heat. We are starting to get cooler here in north Florida – down from the 90s to the mid 80s during the days. Mornings and eves are pretty nice.
I do get predictable, sad to say. But right now I am too busy with work areas to be changing up the blog life. Maybe someday in the future that will happen.
Looks like you have some good reading going on. Enjoy, enjoy!
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Thanks for stopping by, Martha, and we all like our routines, and that’s okay. I hope to change little things here and there…that’s what I like about Bloggiesta. Enjoy your week!
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No gushing over anything for me this week. Will have to find something soon I think. 😉
Hope you enjoy your new books, have a great week Laurel.
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That’s okay, Sharon…we have to control those stacks! Thanks for stopping by.
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Having rain here and I never ever complain about the rain. It’s very welcome. You have some really good reads lined up. Enjoy them all.
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Thanks, Mystica, and rain sounds really good! Enjoy…and I’m glad you could stop by.
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Cool pic of your granddaughter, rockin’ her new hair colour! Haunting cover on Crooked River and I’ll have to check out what Safe Keeping is about, sometimes I think it’s my type of read just from the cover lol. Have a great week and happy reading. Hope the temps ease a little 🙂
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Thanks, Teddyree…I never know from one week to the next what color her hair will be! My daughter has done a lot of that over the years, too.
I also adore the cover on Crooked River…the blurb grabbed me, so I’m eager to dive in. I haven’t read anything by Barbara Taylor Sissel, so I’m looking forward to it.
Here’s hoping for a downward turn in the temps!
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Love your grand daughter’s hair – she’s changing it up! I hope you enjoy your download of Virgin River at some time. Loved that series, light but good. Love the idea of tidying out – I must do it sometime!
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Thanks, Kathryn…I have fun watching Fiona’s hair changes….and her zest for life. I am also looking forward to Virgin River…and glad to get the first book. Enjoy your week!
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I just love Virgin River! I hope you love it 🙂
My It’s Monday! Post
–Kimberly @ Turning the Pages
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I have been hearing good things about it, Kimberly…thanks for stopping by!
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I’m a new reader so trying to work out your blogs! I like the sound of a few of your books. Haven’t read a Frances Fyfield for a while so that sounds interesting!
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This one was my first, and while I enjoyed it, I don’t know if I’ll read another. There are so many authors out there to enjoy. Thanks for stopping by, Debbish.
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Triple digits, I must admit I don’t envy you that, I love Autumn and the cooler weather it brings 🙂 Can’t wait to read your thoughts on the new McEwan novel. I absolutely loved Atonement, but somehow didn’t get into some of his other works.
Enjoy your books.
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I know what you mean about McEwan….I did like a few of his books, but not the last one I read. I’m looking forward to this one, Pages and Tea. Thanks for stopping by.
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Snow? Wow, we’re firmly in spring here! Triple digits equals yucky weather 😦
I can’t wait to read the new Ian McEwan, hoping my library will order it soon!
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Yes, that snow was from someone farther East….but there’s no chance of it here. Well, I shouldn’t say NO chance, as I remember once about forty years ago…LOL.
Thanks for stopping by, Sam, and I hope you enjoy your reading!
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Fall definitely arrived this week… we never even saw 70, and some days didn’t get to 60 either! I cannot wait to see This is Where I Leave You. It was such a good book! Have a great week 🙂
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Thanks for visiting, JoAnn, and I love fall…but it’s not here yet, sigh. I am also so excited about the movie….counting down the days!
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Go Fiona! I love that hair! My oldest Daughter has been bugging me about having her’s purple. Here is my Monday Tell her I said it rocks!
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Yes, many schools have issues with hair color around here, but right now, Fiona is doing independent studies, finishing up high school. She has also taken some college classes, and there things are more relaxed.
Thanks for visiting, Guy.
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I like my routines. I find great comfort in them. We have also been hit with an early fall. Like lakesidemusing, no 70s, lots of rain, and the furnace was on. Summer left too fast! Come see my week. Happy reading!
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Oh, I agree about routines, Kathy…and occasionally, within the comfort of those, I like to change a few things. Enjoy! And I envy the fall weather.
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I’ll take your heat and swap you some morning frost. It was cold here this morning. We don’t usually get much of a temperature change this early in the year, so I hope that doesn’t mean a tough winter.
Lots of fabulous books on your list. My mailbox was mostly kid’s books this time around. I’ll be adding them to a giveaway I’ll be running tomorrow. Hope you’ll visit at http://www.thebusymomsdaily.com/2014/09/mailbox-monday-september-15.html
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I am not ready for an early frost, but slightly cooler, more “fall-like” weather would be nice. Thanks for visiting, Cheryl, and enjoy!
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I loved Robyn Carr’s Virgin River. I read the whole series a few years back! Her new series, Thunder Point is really good, too!
Have a great week and thanks for stopping by my blog!
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I am excited to have found a new series that I’m hearing such good things about, Kristin. Thanks for stopping by!
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All of your new books look great! I really need to get The Children Act – everyone seems to be loving it.
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Thanks for stopping by, Kathy…I am eager to read The Children Act, too…especially since I have enjoyed several of McEwan’s books, but was disappointed with Sweet Tooth.
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I’m seeing This is Where I Leave You tomorrow! Hope we both love it 🙂 I am with you about the heat. Ugh so sick of it! I’ve heard great things about After I Do and hope to read it soon. And Fiona’s hair color is awesome!
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How exciting, Lucy! I can’t wait….and now it is almost here. Thanks for stopping by, and I love Fiona’s playfulness with the hair, etc.
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Have a great week. i wish it were a bit warmer here…we’re int he low 70s during the day and at night about 45. SNOW is not something I want…tooo early. 🙂
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I would love the low 70s! I always felt as though I should be living in a small coastal town…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Serena.
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Crooked River and The Children Act look good. ENJOY!!
I want HOT weather. It is in the 60’s here after being nice and warm, and I am hating it. 🙂
Granddaughters and in my case nieces are ALWAYS changing their hair color. LOL!!
Have a wonderful week, and thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
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Yes, I think it’s a necessary rite of passage with teen girls…LOL.
Thanks for visiting, Elizabeth, and I’m excited about Crooked River and The Children Act, too. But I am so over the hot weather!
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A lot of interesting titles, enjoy!
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Thanks for stopping by, Mary Ann….
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Busy week! I’m really curious about After I Do, hope you enjoy it! =)
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Me, too, Nobody @The Story Goes…thanks for visiting!
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Your mailbox gave you lots of goodies!! I love Fiona’s new color. My daughter dyed her hair the red-est red!
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I love hair color in reddish to purple tints….thanks for visiting, Vicki, and enjoy your week.
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Send some of that heat my way. It got cool here fast, with hope that it will warm up this weekend. I would like to begin the Virgin River series. Love to see what turns up when organizing things! Have a wonderful week..
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Oh, I’d love to send it to you, Nise…and as for my “treasure hunt,” I was surprised to find all the various cover images the publisher sent to me for some of my earlier novels, including the ones I picked. I am glad I selected the ones I did! But I kept the images, rather than tossing them.
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I hope you enjoy After I Do!! And I love Virgin River!! One of m favorite books ever.
Ugh…I would be hating the heat, too. It’s feeling like fall here and I’m loving it. Wish I could share the weather with you!
Have a great week!
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I am hearing such great things about Virgin River, so I’m definitely eager to read it, Brandie. Thanks for visiting!
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I don’t know if I could read A Question of Guilt–it looks a little too reminiscent of Psycho! I can read suspense/horror at home by myself at night and I’m fine–as long as I don’t have to take a shower. That’s when I get freaked out. Hitchcock left his mark! Enjoy your week!
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It wasn’t my favorite read, Jen…but there were parts of it I really liked. Thanks for stopping by.
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Nice pink color! I got to read Ian McEwan’s new book …. always been a big fan. I hope it’s good.
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I hope so, too, Susan…and thanks for stopping by! Yes, Fiona is “in the pink.”
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I almost missed Bloggiesta. I got super busy… it was a bummer. But I think I am going to for sure have time. In fact… I am going to write up my goals post and get it published tomorrow. Good luck!
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What I like most about Bloggiesta is connecting with other bloggers…and the fact that you can spend as much or as little time as you wish on it. Thanks for visiting, Angie.
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Friendswood sounds really interesting. Bloggiesta always seems to be at the wrong time for me! It’s just starting to warm up here and I’m liking it!
Have a great week!
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I am looking forward to Friendswood, Shelleyrae…and thanks for stopping by. I’m always up for Bloggiesta because I love playing with my blogs anyway…LOL.
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