E-Reader Giveaway at Park-Avenue Princess

Everyone knows that one of my most secret desires is to own an e-book reader. It is a secret desire. Outwardly, I am all for the paperback but inside I burn with desire for a that elusive companion called a Mr. Sony Reader, and now Mr. Nook.

I could never afford to buy one so I keep hoping that somehow I will find a giveaway that will provide me with opportunities to own an e-reader of my very own. I was very lucky to find Amy’s giveaway with Matthew Carter at Park-Avenue Princess where you can win your choice of a Kindle, Sony Pocket Reader or a Nook. Go here to enter the giveaway. If you do enter please mention me in your entry post!

Willoughby’s Return-Jane Odiwe

Publisher’s Description:

A lost love returns, rekindling forgotten passions…

In Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, when Marianne Dashwood marries Colonel Brandon, she puts her heartbreak over dashing scoundrel John Willoughby in the past.

Three years later, Willoughby’s return throws Marianne into a tizzy of painful memories and exquisite feelings of uncertainty. Willoughby is as charming, as roguish, and as much in love with her as ever. And the timing couldn’t be worse—with Colonel Brandon away and Willoughby determined to win her back, will Marianne find the strength to save her marriage, or will the temptation of a previous love be too powerful to resist?

My Review

I have been yearning for a Sense and Sensibility sequel. Colonel Brandon is my second favorite Austen hero (sometimes he even beats Darcy). Sometimes I get a bit tired of Darcy (just bought two more P&P sequels) and yearn for some Brandon, Wentworth, Tilney and Knightley (never Edmund Bertram).

Odiwe’s portrayal of all of the characters was perfect. Marianne was exactly as she was in S&S albeit a bit more mature. I also could understand why she was upset with Brandon. He completely neglected her to take care of his “other” family. I would have been upset too. Colonel Brandon was broody yet sweet—just as I imagine him. He did make a few mistakes throughout the book but redeemed himself. Marianne and Colonel Brandon’s marriage was a huge highlight for me. There was so much tension yet so much love.

I was so pleased to find that Margaret was a main character in Willoughby’s Return. She was sorely neglected by Jane Austen in S&S. She deserved a happy ending too. Henry was the perfect match for her and I enjoyed the twists and turns her story took. Willoughby was really not a huge portion of the book. Well, he is there but he is kind of like a storm cloud…you worry about what he will do but he passes through without any major problems.

I am going to sound like a huge nimrod say this but…I had no idea that Colonel Brandon had no first name. I always thought his first name was Christopher. Pollution from the 1995 movie, I guess. I think that it may make me a bad Jane Austen fan but I had no idea.

I think this may be put on my favorite Jane Austen sequels list. I wish there were more Sense and Sensibility sequels (psst…sequel authors, drop Darcy for a minute and write about Colonel Brandon and Marianne). Willoughby’s Return is definitely worth a read if you love Jane Austen sequels but are looking for something new.

Grade: A+ (Honor Roll)

*A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for review. My opinion is my own and has not been influenced in any way.

I Sold Andy Warhol (too soon)-Richard Polsky

Publisher’s Description:

In early 2005, Richard Polsky decided to put his much-loved, hard-won Warhol Fright Wig, up for auction at Christie’s. The market for contemporary art was robust and he was hoping to turn a profit. His instinct seemed to be on target: his picture sold for $375,000. But if only Polsky had waited . . . Over the next two years, prices soared to unimaginable heights with multimillion-dollar deals that became the norm and not the exception. Buyers and sellers were baffled, art dealers were bypassed for auction houses, and benchmark prices proved that trees really do grow to the sky. Had the market lost all reason?

In I Sold Andy Warhol (Too Soon), Polsky leads the way through this explosive, short-lived period when the “art world” became the “art market.” He delves into the behind-the-scenes politics of auctions, the shift in power away from galleries, and the search for affordable art in a rich man’s playing field. Unlike most in the art world, Polsky is not afraid to tell it like it is as he negotiates deals for clients in New York, London, and San Francisco and seeks out a replacement for his lost Fright Wig in a market that has galloped beyond his means. A compelling backdoor tell-all about the strange and fickle world of art collecting, I Sold Andy Warhol (Too Soon) takes an unvarnished look at how the industry shifted from art appreciation to monetary appreciation.

My Review:

Before I begin I must say that I don’t know much about art. I mean I know the requisite stuff but anything beyond that is questionable. I unofficially minored in art history in college but my interests were more classical than modern. But nevertheless, it did not take away from my enjoyment at all.

I found this book to be conversational and intriguing. I love reading books about subjects I know nothing about and art dealing is most definitely one of those things. I had absolutely no knowledge of how books got into collections and the people behind the deals. I Sold Andy Warhol (too soon) really gives you a birds-eye view on the world of art dealing and the changes in the market and tastes. I loved the dealing and negotiating. It was the most interesting part of this book.

This book could have been very boring if it had not been written in an engaging and intelligent manner. Polsky’s prose brings you right into the art dealing world and it really grips you and keeps you interested. There were however some points where I felt my interest fading but not for long. Polsky always managed to draw me back in.

I really liked I Sold Andy Warhol (too soon). It was a great subway read. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, yet intelligent read.

Grade: A-

*A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for review. My opinion is my own and has not been influenced in any way.

The Wildest Heart-Rosemary Rogers

Publisher’s Description:

No man can tame her
Lady Rowena Dangerfield, wild, headstrong, and scandalously independent, travels from exotic India to the splendor of London to the savage New Mexico frontier hoping to meet her long-lost father and start a new life. She arrives to find herself in the middle of a long-standing feud.

Nothing will stop him from taking what he wants
Lucas Cord, a handsome half-Apache outlaw, is a rebel renegade feared throughout the territories. When he encounters the beautiful stranger, unlike any woman he’s ever known before, he knows instantly that he’ll have to win her for his own. Together they will experience a rampaging passion as wild and hot as the Southwestern winds.

My Review:

I am a sucker for a good romance. Always have been, always will be. This was my first Rosemary Rogers and needless to say, I loved it. She writes the type of romance that I love…historical, full of tension, with strong characters.

I loved all of the characters in The Wildest Heart despite the fact that I wanted to strangle them most of the time. Rowena was such a headstrong and intelligent woman. I don’t often find female characters like her in romance novels. I was pleasantly surprised. She was strong, intelligent, cold and calculated. All the things I admire in my female leads in romance novels. I didn’t really like Lucas throughout the novel to be honest. He struck me as stubborn and obnoxious and, to tell you the truth, I was kind of rooting for Mark until he turned out to be even more stubborn and obnoxious than Luke. About halfway through the book, Luke did grow on me but it took a while.

This was the perfect romance for me. I hate soppy romances where the heroine is all wilty and the hero is all perfect. The characters in The Wildest Heart had flaws and issues. They were not all about the romance. There was a really compelling story and characters behind it. The sex scenes were also not graphic at all which might please some readers. Sourcebooks edition of this book is lovely. There is nothing I dislike more than romance novels with shirtless heroes on the cover. I mean how can you read a book on the bus with a half naked cover on the bus and keep your dignity? This one is very simple with just Rowena with Lucas in the background.

Needless to say, once I finished The Wildest Heart, I went out and purchased most of Rosemary Rogers other books. Definitely recommended.

Grade: A

*A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for review. My opinion is my own and has not been influenced in any way.

Readathon Hour 18 Update

I have just finished Sexy. It was awesome as most Joyce Carol Oates books are. I think it is just about my time to turn in. My eyes are klling me and I just glances at the pages of what was to be my next book and saw blurriness. Tis a sign that Gracie should stop reading and start sleeping. I finished a total of 9 books. More than I have ever read in one day unless I was on jury duty. I had a blast reading all day. I want to thank everyone who commented on my blog and cheered me on. It really helped.

• Thinner Than Thou-Kit Reed
• This Lullaby-Sarah Dessen
• The Book Thief-Markus Zuzak
• The Work of Wolves-Kent Meyers
• Truth & Beauty-Ann Pratchett
• Donorboy-Brendan Halpin
• Candyfreak-Steve Almond
• How I Live Now-Meg Rosoff
• Sexy-Joyce Carol Oates

Total Hours read-13

Total Books Read-9

Total Pages Read-2841

Up Next-The Land of Nod

Readathon Hour 15 Update

I started How I Live Now and had some trouble getting into it. But oh boy was I wrong. The language was so beautiful and the story so intriguing. I can’t wait to review it. Anywho, I am starting Sexy by Joyce Carol Oates now.

• Thinner Than Thou-Kit Reed
• This Lullaby-Sarah Dessen
• The Book Thief-Markus Zuzak
• The Work of Wolves-Kent Meyers
• Truth & Beauty-Ann Pratchett
• Donorboy-Brendan Halpin
• Candyfreak-Steve Almond
• How I Live Now-Meg Rosoff

Total Hours read-10

Total Books Read-8

Total Pages Read-2578

Up Next-How Sexy-Joyce Carol Oates

Readathon Hour 14 update

I had started How I Live Now but I wasn’t really into it so I picked up some of my backups and breezed through them. I LOVE readathons with a passion. We should have one every weekend. Hehe. I’m a freak with no life.

• Thinner Than Thou-Kit Reed
• This Lullaby-Sarah Dessen
• The Book Thief-Markus Zuzak
• The Work of Wolves-Kent Meyers
• Truth & Beauty-Ann Pratchett
• Donorboy-Brendan Halpin
• Candyfreak-Steve Almond

Total Hours read-9

Total Books Read-7

Total Pages Read-2384

Up Next-How I Live Now-Meg Rosoff

Mid Event Meme

1. What are you reading right now? How I Live Now-Meg Rosoff

2. How many books have you read so far? 7

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? A Northern Light and Enthusiasm

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Yes. I told everyone not to bug me. Then a friend had a boy crisis and she bugged me.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Friend called about a boy crisis. I limited her to a half hour whinge fest.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How fun it is just to sit and read all day.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Make my alarm clock louder and me much less lazy.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? I would wake up on time.

9. Are you getting tired yet? Nope. Not at all.

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? I am just pacing myself and taking my time. Also I am tossing the books that I don’t get into within the first 20 pages.

Readathon Hour 11 Update

Well I am just chugging along. I have finished The Book Thief and I am now starting How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff.

• Thinner Than Thou-Kit Reed
• This Lullaby-Sarah Dessen
• The Book Thief-Markus Zuzak

Total Hours read-6

Total Books Read-3

Total Pages Read-1231

Up Next-How I Live Now-Meg Rosoff

My Readathon Menu

Snacks. Snacks must require me to not have to cook or light a fire or even turn an appliance on.  So my menu will consist of food that requires the least effort possible. I am not a heavy eater so I am snacking on dried cranberries, bananas and apricots for now. I also have a nice garden salad with ranch dressing and chicken waiting in the wings for dinner time. Very read comfortable food and much more healthy than potato chips. I am also drinking a very unhealthy thermos of coffee and have Red Bulls waiting for the coffee to be done..