Welcome to another Monday from the Interior, in which we share about the books we received in the mail (or bought), and talk about our bookish week, past and future.
Mailbox Monday for March is hosted by Anna, at Diary of an Eccentric.
What Are You Reading? is led by Sheila, at Book Journey.
MAILBOX MONDAY:
This week brought four review books to my mailbox! Much better than last week….
1. Arranged, by Catherine McKenzie (Amazon Vine)
Anne Blythe has a great life: a good job, close friends, and a potential book deal for her first novel. When it comes to finding someone to share her life with, however, she just can’t seem to get it right. When her latest relationship implodes, and her best friend announces she’s engaged, Anne impulsively calls what she thinks is a dating service—only to discover that it’s actually an exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriage service. Anne initially rejects the idea, but the more she learns about the service, the more she thinks: Why not? After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world; maybe it could work for her.
A few months later, Anne is traveling to a Mexican resort, where, over the course of a weekend, she meets and then marries Jack. And initially, everything seems to be working out. . . .
2. The Chaperone, by Laura Moriarty (Amazon Vine)
A captivating novel about the woman who chaperoned an irreverent Louise Brooks to New York City in 1922, and the summer that would change them both.
Only a few years before becoming a famous actress and an icon for her generation, a fifteen-year-old Louise Brooks leaves Wichita to make it big in New York. Much to her annoyance, she is accompanied by a thirty-six-year-old chaperone who is neither mother nor friend. Cora Carlisle is a complicated but traditional woman with her own reasons for making the trip. She has no idea what she’s in for: Young Louise, already stunningly beautiful and sporting her famous blunt bangs and black bob, is known for her arrogance and her lack of respect for convention. Ultimately, the five weeks they spend together will change their lives forever.
3. The Return of Edgar Cayce, by C. Terry Cline, Jr. (Publicist)
In early 2011 Terry Cline sat down at his computer after finishing his latest novel. He was astonished to see text flowing onto the screen as he typed. But the words were not his and he soon realized the text was in fact coming from the world famous prophet and psychic Edgar Cayce. Who died in 1945. This book is what was communicated from Mr. Cayce to Terry Cline during a few weeks in 2011. The message is clear and strong and will give everyone who reads it a new positive perspective on life, death, and the people around them.
4. Heiress without a Cause, by Sara Ramsey (Publicist)
One title to change his life… A disgraced son with a dark reputation, William “Ferguson” Avenel is content to live in exile – until his father dies in the scandal of the Season. With rumors of insanity swirling around them, his sisters desperately need a chaperone. Ferguson thinks he’s found the most proper woman in England – and he won’t ruin her, even if he secretly desires the passionate woman trapped beneath a spinster’s cap. One chance to break the rules… Lady Madeleine Vaillant can’t face her blighted future without making one glorious memory for herself. In disguise, on a London stage, she finds all the adoration she never felt from the ton. But when she’s nearly recognized, she will do anything to hide her identity – even setting up her actress persona as Ferguson’s mistress. She’ll take the pleasure he offers, but Madeleine won’t lose her heart in the bargain. One season to fall in love… Every stolen kiss could lead to discovery, and Ferguson’s old enemies are determined to ruin them both. But as their dangerous passion ignites their hearts and threatens their futures, how can an heiress who dreams of freedom deny the duke who demands her love? ***Reviews for Heiress Without A Cause*** “Book one of the Muses of Mayfair begins a promising new series with artistic women who must perform their vocations as males. Mad and Ferguson mature as a couple and help those around them through their problems.” -Donna M. Brown, 4 star review RT Book Reviews “…A feisty independent heroine tames an arrogantly handsome hero in this Regency romance filled with witty banter and dicey situations. Ramsey snares her readers from the first as she shares the secret thoughts and longings of her characters through sensuous imagery and creative dialogue…”
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WHAT ARE YOU READING?
Our Monday reading event encompasses the world of blogging and reviewing. It’s our chance to really enjoy what the community of bloggers is doing throughout the week.
It was a good week in terms of reading and writing, and I wrote some blog posts, like Niggling Thoughts & Feelings (Excerpt).
Then a couple of days later, I wrote Detail: When It’s Too Much.
Yesterday, after watching this DVD that took me to another part of the country, I wrote The Interior Life of a Southern Family.
I worked some more on my edits of Interior Designs…(final tweaks, perhaps?)
Review: Blue Monday, by Nicci French
Review: After Diana, by Christopher Andersen
Review: Home Front, by Kristin Hannah
Review: Spin (e-book), by Catherine McKenzie
What’s Up Next? (Click titles or covers for more info.)
1. Good-Bye and Amen, by Beth Gutcheon
2. Lone Wolf, by Jodi Picoult
3. Witch Woman (e-book), by Jeanette Baker
4. The Secret Garden (e-book), by Frances Hodgson Burnett
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And that’s my week! What’s your week look like? Come on by and share….
I am curious about arranged as I did enjoy Spin!
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Yes, so am I, Sheila, and I hope to enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by.
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An arranged marriage sounds fascinating!
Here’s my
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? Hope you will stop by!
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Doesn’t it? Thanks for visiting, Deb, and enjoy your week.
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Happy Monday! I hope you enjoy your books. An Arranged Marriage sounds really good. My Monday post is here
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I definitely plan to do that! Glad you could stop by, Yvonne, and hope you have a wonderful week.
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I’m intrigued by the sound of Arranged … looking forward to your thoughts on that one 🙂
Have a great week and happy reading!
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The problem with the “mailbox” is that I won’t be reading those this week…but they’ll be calling to me and threatening to take their place on the list…lol
Thanks for visiting, Teddyree, and enjoy your week.
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Hope you have a great reading week! Here’s my link: http://writingchristiannovels.blogspot.com/2012/03/hosted-by-book-journey-here-is-what-i.html
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Thanks, Abbi, and I wish the same for you. Glad you could stop by.
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I think The Chaperone and The Return of Edgar Cayce sound so good! I’ll keep an eye out for your reviews. xx
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Oh, I agree, Wendy….and The Return of Edgar Cayce came out of nowhere…I didn’t receive a request from anyone to review it. Doesn’t it sound mystical?
I do recall a mention of him in one of Shirley MacLaine’s books about channeling.
I’m very curious about it. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Enjoy your books. They all sound great.
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Thanks, Laura, and I’m glad you could stop by. Have a great week.
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Arranged marriage??? Sounds interesting.
http://junkboattravels.blogspot.ca/2012/03/its-monday-what-are-you-reading_26.html
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I’m thinking it will be intriguing, as this author has a great comic voice. Looking forward to it.
Thanks for stopping by, Jake, and enjoy your week.
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The Chaperone should be outstanding. Enjoy your new books!
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I agree, Kathy….thanks for stopping by, and have a fabulous week.
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Lone Wolf is on my wishlist. Have seen some great reviews. Have a great week and thank you for stopping by.
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I’m excited about it, Cheryl…and thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your week.
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Great books lined up! The Chaperone sounds wonderful….adding that to my wishlist!!
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Thanks, Bonnie…I agree about The Chaperone. Glad you could stop by, and enjoy your week.
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You always have such good books. Goodbye and Amen has me intrigued this week.
Thanks for visiting my blog!!
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It was a quick and captivating read, Lori…You can find my review over at Rainy Days and Mondays.
Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Arranged sounds really interesting. Enjoy your new books!
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I think so, too, Anna…thanks for stopping by today, and have a great week.
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Arranged sounds like a fun read and I’ve now seen Jodi Picoult’s book on two blogs. Have a great week
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Yes, I’m seeing Lone Wolf everywhere, too. I loved Spin, so I’m expecting to enjoy Arranged as well. Thanks for stopping by, Helen, and have a great week.
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I really like the sound of The Chaperone. I think I’ve read something by Moriarty before, but maybe it’s just a familiar name. Also, enjoy the Secret Garden! I read it several years back with my daughter and it’s enchanting.
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Yes, I thought her name was familiar, too, so I checked it out. I have read some books by her and discovered she wrote The Center of Everything and The Rest of Her Life.
Different from this one, but I loved both of them.
Thanks for visiting, Susan, and enjoy your week.
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The Chaperone sounds good, enjoy! all of them.
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/mailbox-monday_26.html
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I think so, too, Mary Ann. Glad you could stop by, and have a great week.
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Thank you for stopping by and for the recommendation to read Mystic River.
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Glad you’re enjoying your reads…and thanks for stopping by, Sarah.
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The Chaperone catches my eye! I missed that one in Vine. I’ll keep my eye out for your thoughts on the new Picoult book. I really love her books!
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I’ve enjoyed other books by the author of The Chaperone, so I’m eager to read this one. Thanks for stopping by, Beth, and have a great week.
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If I know you…you will have many of them finished and ready for the following week!!!
They all look enticing!
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Hopefully I’ll at least finish the four I’m reading this week….
Thanks for stopping by, Patty, and enjoy your reads.
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You’ve got some great books there, especially the Laura Moriarty. I may have to add that to my list! Enjoy your week 🙂
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I’m looking forward to that one, too, Sophia. Thanks for stopping by…have a great week.
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They all look really interesting. The one that I am going to look for on my kindle is The Chaperone. 🙂
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I am happy I got a review copy of it, Caitlin….thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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Great list of books. Arranged looks interesting. I recently found out a friend of mine found his wife through a marriage arranging service…it was a shock!
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Yes, I think I would be shocked, too, Lisa. I am excited about the book. Thanks for stopping by.
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That’s a great haul in you mailbox — those all look terrific! Cool that you’re reading The Secret Garden.
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I joined an eclectic reading challenge and one of the genres required was a classic…then I found some free classics on Amazon.
The Secret Garden is one I’d always wished I’d read….
Thanks for stopping by, Joy.
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Heiress looks intriguing.. thanks for visiting this week!
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I thought so, too, Marie…It’s been awhile since I read a historical novel. Thanks for visiting.
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Arranged and Heiress WIthout a Cause look intriguing. Off to check out your review of Spin. Have a great reading week.
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Thanks for visiting, Nise…I’m excited about Arranged, too, since I really loved Spin.
Heiress will be a departure for me, but since I’m doing an eclectic reading challenge, I thought it was perfect.
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A blogger from Canada sent me Arranged last year and I really enjoyed it!
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That’s good to know, Mary….I think it looks good. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your haul.
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You’ve got some nice books coming up. I’ve never read Secret Garden, not sure how I missed that one.
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Neither have I, and I can’t wait! Thanks for stopping by, Leslie, and enjoy your week.
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Arranged sounds interesting, hope you enjoy it 🙂
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I think so, too, Crystal…thanks for visiting today. Enjoy your week!
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Is it just a coincidence that the main character in arranged has Anne of Green Gables’ married name? Am I a nerd for noticing that? 🙂 Enjoy your week!
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A-ha…I never thought of that! I’m now very curious. Thanks for stopping by, Jen, and have a great week.
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Looks like a great reading week! Enjoy!
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I think it will be, Sharon….glad you could stop by, and enjoy your week.
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Nice selection of books. Arrranged, The Chaperone and all the others look interesting.
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I’m excited about them, Mystica…thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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I have The Secret Garden but haven’t read it yet. I need to get to it.
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It’s one I’ve been wanting to read for a long time. Thanks to free classics on Kindle, now I can! Thanks for visiting, Ryan, and enjoy your week.
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The Chaperone sound quite good to me. I hope you enjoy all of your books!
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I’m looking forward to them, Teddy, and thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!
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I am trying to read at least one classic a year – I too downloaded The Secret Garden for free – hope you enjoy!
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Yes, I’m going to enjoy it…although, with Kindle, there won’t be any illustrations, which I imagine would be wonderful in this book. Ah, well…free is wonderful, too. (At least I don’t think there will be illustrations…maybe I’ll be surprised).
Thanks for stopping by, Laura.
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I’m meaning to read The Secret Garden this year – I had two movie adaptations that I would watch obsessively as a kid, so I’d love to finally read the book. Hope you’re enjoying it!
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I’ve been wanting to read this one for a long time….thanks for stopping by, Alita. Enjoy your week.
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Some great books as always, I liked Lone Wolf but it didn’t thrill me
Sorry I am a bit late stopping by this week, I’ve been swamped!
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
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There was one part of Lone Wolf that I didn’t enjoy that much, but since I loved it overall, I gave it five stars.
Thanks for stopping by, Shelleyrae…always good to read your thoughts.
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