The Eagle and the Raven by Pauline Gedge

Spanning three generations, this historical novel tells the tale of Boudicca, the most famous warrior of ancient Britain, and Caradoc, the son of a Celtic king, who sets out to unite the people of the Raven and lead them against Rome. Caradoc's objective is not easily accomplished as the Roman army advances into Britain, raping Celtic women and burning villages to the ground. His efforts are also met with fierce opposition from Aricia, the vain queen of a northern tribe who swears allegiance to the Romans after Caradoc slights her, and from Gladys, Caradoc’s warrior sister who falls in love with her Roman captor. Unfortunately, Caradoc’s endeavors are left unresolved when he is taken prisoner, but Boudicca, a strong-willed woman, ultimately takes up the cause that was Caradoc’s legacy.

Has been added to my Wish List

I have lowered the mountain!

What do you do if you don't want to sponsor a giveaway but the mountain of books must be reduced as they are taking up as much space as the that yarn that keeps escaping!?  I have the answer! Invite your mom up!  Well, that's what I did. Seems fair to me as she is the one that turned me into a bookie! Good thing DH is strong. 

Hand-me-downs are good

E

Especially when it come from my sister to my mother to me!  What a lovely surprise! I had no knowledge about the book, so checked it out on Goodreads.  The following what was said there:

I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers." January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.... As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends--and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society--born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island--boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. As Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever. Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

Did someone say 'MURDER'?

Why yes, she did.  She is Melissa of Melissa's Bookshelf.  
And then she showed this:

And then she mentioned Daphine du Maurier.

And then she had a review.

And then she had a giveaway contest.

And then I entered.

And then I won!

Now just look at that cover! Can you feel the gloominess of the night; the chill wind that carries the scent of the sea as you read one of du Maurier's books or watched a movie braced on one of them?

The review...ah, think of a Nancy Drew but in this setting of time and space! Wouldn't you have to enter?  Of course you would and be joyous as I was when the book arrived on the doorstep!

You really should visit Melissa's blog if only for good reviews and check out her giveaways too...it's a fun thing!

PS:  For those of you wondering why this just showed up when it originated earlier, my computer blew away my original post leaving only the title and opening line.  So don't get made at your machine.

From Blossom Street to Hannah's List

I first became away of Debbie Macomber in a hobby story looking for yarn and patterns. I found 2 pattern books that were based on 2 of her books and encouraging knitters to knit squares for Warm Up America. 

So when in Twitter, I saw the Book Vixen posted review and giveaway of Hannah's List, I had to read the review and enter her giveaway.  Happily, I won not only the book but a $25 Visa gift card (more books!!!)! 
You can read the Vixen's review here.  Do stay around after reading her review for current reviews and/or giveaways that might interest you.

Goodreads gift to me

Goodreads is a gift to all of us who love to read, let others know what we read, track our books, meet fellow readers to find out what they think of books, etc. But who knew you could find giveaways there? And better than that?! Who knew I could win a book that a) I wanted to read and b) was by an author I really like and have liked for forever and a day! If you like a good way to track your books and reviews and your bookie friends, this is a really good place! 

So what did I win?

To Desire A Devil (Legend of the Four Soldiers, #4) by Elizabeth Hoyt (Goodreads Author) 

This is what was said about it on Goodreads:

NOTHING IS MORE INTOXICATING-
Reynaud St. Aubyn has spent the last seven years in hellish captivity. Now half mad with fever he bursts into his ancestral home and demands his due. Can this wild-looking man truly be the last earl's heir, thought murdered by Indians years ago?

OR DANGEROUS-
Beatrice Corning, the niece of the present earl, is a proper English miss. But she has a secret: No real man has ever excited her more than the handsome youth in the portrait in her uncle's home. Suddenly, that very man is here, in the flesh-and luring her into his bed.

THAN SURRENDERING TO A DEVIL.
Only Beatrice can see past Reynaud's savagery to the noble man inside. For his part, Reynaud is drawn to this lovely lady, even as he is suspicious of her loyalty to her uncle. But can Beatrice's love tame a man who will stop at nothing to regain his title-even if it means sacrificing her innocence? 

I have read and loved other books of her's and I have great expectations for this one as well. WHAT?! You want to see the cover. Here goes then:

  .  

If you are not familiar with this writer, give her a go. You will be so happy you did!

Book Winner

I've not read them yet but, from JENS BOOK TALK, I won two books that I am most ashamed to say, have not wiggled out of the 'to be read list'!  Before I go any further, I just have to tell you, my New Year's resolution was to acknowledge I do not have to respond to every posting I read on every blog I follow (if I want to have time for other stuff). Jen's blog is one I read often. She writes good, honest reviews! and has some really good book giveaways! Check her out by clicking on her highlighted blog name!

These are the books I won.    

The Man Loves Me!

Hachette arrived in mass!!! With all this, I should get a lot of knitting done as my hands will be free. I am so excited...I don't even know which one to pick first! What? Oh, you want to know what I got? OK, here we go:

COVER ALERT! Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker

OK, Babbling about books got it first...and I copied it from her site but...well, you know how much I liked THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFY TALE OF PERSEY PARKER! What did you expect!?! Dorchester release April 27, 2010. Will I last that long?

I also copied this for you as some of you have eyes as bad as mine!

Here's the synopsis blurb:

With radiant, snow white skin and hair, Percy Parker was a beacon for Fate. True love had found her, in the tempestuous form of Professor Alexi Rychman. But her mythic destiny was not complete. Accompanying the ghosts with which she alone could converse, new and terrifying omens loomed. A war was coming, a desperate ploy of a spectral host. Victorian London would be overrun. Yet, Percy kept faith. Within the mighty bastion of Athens Academy, alongside The Guard whose magic shielded mortals from the agents of the Underworld, she counted herself among friends. Wreathed in hallowed fire, they would stand together, no matter what dreams or nightmares—might come.

Luxury Reading: Book-Case Bathtub

Luxury Reading: Book-Case Bathtub You have to go check this out if you love to read books in the bath!

Thanks Vera!

They are talking to me

Audible books, that is. I had 3 credits burning a hole in my brain. The problem is not one of lack on inspiration. The problem is which to chose. After much deliberation, I picked out these:

That's one memoir, one historical fiction, one satirical, modern novel. See face of contentment (sigh)

books in the mail

I got 2 books this week.

From Amazon I bought

and I won

from Julie Peterson of Booking Mama. I was probably the most surprised winner she has ever had. She's a very nice lady who loves books and you really should go visit her site sometime.

I may have forgotten some i got last week but you all understand, it was a bit of a strange week at the yellow brick house.

someone asked

did you just buy that book?

yes, i did.

so why all the whoola?

this one is autographed! and i don't mean just with leanna renee hieber's name...it address to me!!! now i ask you, seriously, wouldn't you get all oooolala??

it's a good day

it's a good day when the mail man brings you a book. but, it is a grrrreat day when he brings you a book autographed especially for you by the author! and that is what i got today!

happy, happy lady!!! if i could i would dance a jig!!!!!

so, i finished my review of the book i finished this morning and now... can you guess what i am going to do now???

that's right!!!!

read my book...mine mine mine mine MINE!!!!

opps, where are my manners? thank you LEEANNA RENEE HIEBER!!! (*_-) (that's me winking at you!)

i love my mail man

he brought me 2 new books!

A Separate Country by Robert Hicks

and

now i made a promise to my books that they would have my full attention for the rest of the day. ie, no reading email, you reading facebook, twitter, or anything else on the computer for the rest of the day. how knows, if i finish at least one today, you may get a review.

books book books!

my mom sent me a birth month present:

from amazon, three books i have been anxiously awaiting:

one of my favorite authors (and i've not read this one yet AND it is a FIRST EDITION):

a new friend and award winning author:

:

a new author who is being much heralded for her just released book:

new green book & contest

go here for all the details that dkmommyspot has about the contest and the book,

“Sleeping Naked is Green” by Vanessa Farquharson

my friend sherry

one of my 2 toothpick friends. i met her in college and we laughed and giggled as we supported each other to the bitter end. if you want to get an idea of her (for sure her voice) watch the movie midnight in the garden of good and evil. there is a "lady" that pretty much is a perfect impersonation of my friend sherry. the "lady" has so much of sherry's mannerisms but the voice, the voice is pure sherri. i told her and bugged her until she found the movie...she said she never laughed so hard. 

it is a really good movie if you haven't seen it already (i liked the book too.)

give-away-historical romance novel

i like books of all kinds and i am guessing some of you feel the same way. so i want to share this giveaway.  the book is a historical romance novel called 

easterfield by anna jones buttimore. 

what if you are in 1850 england and were visited by the first lds missionaries? to find out, go the giveaway and see if you can win an autographed copy. i am!

a book and a giveaway

Josh Dorfman shows us how to go green on a budget

check it out this site! even if you don't win, you win! because you find out about things you may not know about going green!