MONDAY FROM THE INTERIOR: MAILBOX MONDAY & WHAT ARE YOU READING? — MARCH 25

Welcome to another week of bookish fun.  Join in with those who celebrate Mailbox Monday, hosted in March by Chaotic Compendiums;and What Are You Reading?, hosted by Book Journey.

MAILBOX MONDAY:

I received NO books in my mailbox, but downloaded a preordered purchase to Sparky; and received a review book via download, too.

1.  Heart Like Mine (e-book), by Amy Hatvany (Purchased)

Thirty-six-year-old Grace McAllister never longed for children. But when she meets Victor Hansen, a handsome, charismatic divorced restaurateur who is father to Max and Ava, Grace decides that, for the right man, she could learn to be an excellent part-time stepmom. After all, the kids live with their mother, Kelli. How hard could it be?

At thirteen, Ava Hansen is mature beyond her years. Since her parents’ divorce, she has been taking care of her emotionally unstable mother and her little brother—she pays the bills, does the laundry, and never complains because she loves her mama more than anyone. And while her father’s new girlfriend is nice enough, Ava still holds out hope that her parents will get back together and that they’ll be a family again. But only days after Victor and Grace get engaged, Kelli dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances—and soon, Grace and Ava discover that there was much more to Kelli’s life than either ever knew.

Narrated by Grace and Ava in the present with flashbacks into Kelli’s troubled past, Heart Like Mine is a poignant, hopeful portrait of womanhood, love, and the challenges and joys of family life.

2.  The Banks of Certain Rivers (e-book), by Jon Harrison (Review book)

Neil Kazenzakis is barely holding his life together: ever since an accident left his wife profoundly disabled, he’s been doing his best as a single dad and popular high school teacher. He’s also been dealing with Lauren Downey, his sort-of girlfriend of the past two years who’s pushing for a commitment—and for Neil to finally tell his son Christopher about their secret relationship.

Neil’s carefully balanced world begins to fall apart when some questionable footage of him is anonymously posted to YouTube…just as Chris learns about Lauren in the worst possible way. Doubting his own recollection of the events in the online video as he’s threatened with the loss of his job and the ability to care for his wife, Neil must find a way to prove the truth to his family, his community, and himself as he struggles to regain the splintered trust of his son.

Heartbreaking, poignant, and written with devastating humor and warmth, The Banks of Certain Rivers is a shattering story of memory, loss, and just how far a man will go to show the people closest to him the meaning of love.

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WHAT ARE YOU READING?

Welcome to another bookish week.  For those of you who participated  in Bloggiesta this weekend, how did the party work out for you?

I had a lot of fun making over my blog Curl up and Read.  I tend to work on my blogs pretty regularly, but during this event, I go all out.  And I love visiting the other blogs, discovering new things to add to my list after seeing what they’re doing.

There are mini-challenges, and one of mine was Getting to Know You, in which I featured blogger Alexis, from Reflections of a Bookaholic.

Even with all this going on, I managed to put together a Checkpoint for my Mt. TBR Challenge, and realized that I am almost halfway to my goal for the year.

And here is my Bloggiesta Finish Line post.

Earlier in the week on the blogs:

I celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and wrote:  A Guilty Pleasures Nod to St. Paddy’s Day

My Hump Day Potpourri post:  Taking Inventory

Saturday Potpourri:  Blogging Activities & Reading

Sweet Saturday Sample:  Juvenile Probation (An Excerpt from Defining Moments, a WIP)

Row 80 Check-In Post

My Reading Week: (Click Titles for Reviews)

I was distracted early in the week, as Noah was sick and staying with me; I was worried.  Then he got better, and everything picked up, moving along nicely.  But I abandoned one of the books on my list for the week and added a couple of different ones.  An unpredictable reading list.

1.  The Sixes, by Kate White

2.  Messenger of Truth (Maisie Dobbs), by Jacqueline Winspear (Sequel Challenge)

3.   3rd Degree (Women’s Murder Club), by James Patterson (Sequel Challenge, Women’s Murder Club Challenge)

4.  Ctrl Z (e-book), by Danika Stone (Review Book)

What’s Up Next?  (Click titles/covers for more info)

1.   2nd Chance, by James Patterson (Another one for the Sequel/Women’s Murder Club Challenges)

2.  The Storyteller, by Jodi Picoult

3.   The Night Swimmer (e-book), by Matt Bondurant (Mt. TBR Challenge)

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That’s what last week and my upcoming one look like.  I hope you’ll come on by and chat.