Bookmark Swap!

Alyssa over at The Shady Glade (a very nice blog, I must say), is celebrating her birthday by hosting another Bookmark Swap.   I had participated in a previous swap, which was a lot of fun, so I've signed up for this one, as well.  


And of course, took it right down to the last minute to sign up.  But there's still time, if you're interested!    For the full info, stop on over to The Shady Glade to get all the details.  

 

My very first DNF post........ ending February on an irritated note

It's the last day of February, so I thought I'd do something a bit different today..... write a bit of a snarky post about a book I did not finish.   And yes, I plan to go back to my regular review posts starting tomorrow (whew!).


But I'm in a bit of a mood after attempting a re-read of a book that I had remembered liking, and that this time around, rubbed me the wrong way.   I had read Julie Powell's book, Julie and Julia, when it first came out (I remember grabbing it from the new nonfiction shelves at the library).  I remember laughing at parts, and just enjoying the book overall.  While it didn't inspire me to attempt making recipes from Julia Child, it did make me appreciate what I did like to cook, especially since at the time I read it, my kitchen was still in its pre-renovation state (I had poo-brown appliances from 1961, okay?   That's another story all by itself.....).

Meryl Streep is awesome.

I had decided to revisit this book recently.  I spent two weeks being sick with a nasty virus, and frankly, I just wanted some comfort reading.  I wanted to read books where I knew the outcome, and I knew the story.  I re-read some Maeve Binchy and Anne Perry, and picked up this book from the library.   Inspired by the recent movie (starring the most amazing and wonderful Meryl Streep), I thought to myself that this would be a great book to re-read, especially since I was feeling better (and actually had some appetite back).   


And..... something happened in between the first time reading and this recent re-read: the book sucked.  Perhaps it was my original state of mind years ago, and my state of mind this week.  Perhaps it because I had the movie firmly in mind, and the storyline in the film.  Whatever the reason, this time around, I fervently disliked the book.   It wasn't funny, and I found the author just grated on me (not unlike what happens when I use my micrograter on a lemon and accidental scrape a bit of finger, instead).  I found her tone to be off-putting, and her stories of her friends to be annoying.  I even tried stopping and re-starting a bit further into the book, thinking that maybe I just wasn't at a good part yet.   No, that didn't work, either.   I wound up being irritated and just putting the book down.   It didn't help that there was a teaser chapter from Powell's second book, Cleaving, included in the edition I checked out from the library.  In fact, that made me chafe, too -- I had read a few chapters of that book when it was published, and just plain didn't like it.


Needless to say, this experience put me off the book, although I still enjoy the film.  What I'm wondering is: what happened?   Did Meryl Streep and Amy Adams ruin the book for me?  Did I somehow miss the author's annoying tone the first time around?  Did getting rid of my poo-brown appliances and renovating my kitchen somehow make me identify less with this book?   Not sure.   I was happy to put this book down and pick up something else, which I'm completely enjoying (a new book ....  expect a review soon). 


Has this happened to anyone else?  

Hopping !!!!!

This is my first hop in 2 weeks .... feeling so glad to be joining everyone again.    As always, Jennifer over at Crazy for Books is hosting the Book Blogger Hop, which runs Friday-Monday, allowing all of us to visit blogs, make new friends, and have fun.    This week's question comes from Jen B., who asks:   "Do you ever wish you had named your blog something different?"

Letting the bun out of the bag..... ready to Hop!!

Nope!!  When I had the idea for my blog, I had a few names in mind, but this one really appealed to me.  I'm one of those people who sometimes has a moment of "Wait.... I'm how old?  What happened to the last year?"  Time is something that's really fluid for me --- thus the name of my blog.  

Happy Hopping, everyone!!!!!   

Wordless Wednesday

Happy WW everyone!!!!

Amaryllis in Blueberry by Christina Meldrum

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):   In the stirring tradition of The Secret Life of Bees and The Poisonwood Bible, Amaryllis in Blueberry explores the complexity of human relationships set against an unforgettable backdrop. Told through the haunting voices of Dick and Seena Slepy and their four daughters, Christina Meldrum's soulful novel weaves together the past and the present of a family harmed--and healed--by buried secrets.

"Maybe, unlike hope, truth couldn't be contained in a jar..." 

Meet the Slepys: Dick, the stern doctor, the naive husband, a man devoted to both facts and faith; Seena, the storyteller, the restless wife,  a mother of four, a lover of myth.  And their children, the Marys:  Mary Grace, the devastating beauty; Mary Tessa, the insistent inquisitor; Mary Catherine, the saintly, lost soul; and finally, Amaryllis, Seena's unspoken favorite, born with the mystifying ability to sense the future, touch the past and distinguish the truth tellers from the most convincing liar of all.    When Dick insists his family move from Michigan to the unfamiliar world of Africa for missionary work, he can't possibly foresee how this new land and its people will entrance and change his daughters--and himself--forever.   Nor can he predict how Africa will spur his wife Seena toward an old but unforgotten obsession.   In fact, Seena may be falling into a trance of her own. . .

And here's what I thought:   I'm quite sure that my review won't do justice to how good this book is.   I'm still recovering from the nasty virus I got hit with, and I'm not feeling 100% back to myself yet.      This is a beautifully written book, with a continuously alternating set of viewpoints between the different characters.  Each character's voice is distinct.  I had originally worried about being able to keep everyone straight, especially considering that there are 4 daughters to tell apart, but I never had much of a problem.   At times, the book made me a bit uncomfortable, but I believe that was the author's intent --- it's not a happy, everything-is-great kind of story, but it's intriguing and compelling.   The characters are somewhat complex, and at times, difficult to understand.    Amaryllis, the youngest daughter (nicknames Yllis), can see into everyone's souls, which is a kind of double-edged sword.

This is a story that considers identity, and faith, as well as family issues.   When I started the book, I found myself reflecting on another book, Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible, which had a similar kind of family in a similar kind of situation.    I found Meldrum's writing to be like a combination of Alice Hoffman and Barbara Kingsolver, two authors I really enjoy, so I enjoyed the story.  However, I've seen a few reviews that compare this story to Poisonwood Bible in a different way, with the reviewer preferring Kingsolver's story.   I would recommend that if you have read Poisonwood Bible, to consider reading this story, as well, because it's not the same story, and is beautifully written ... and thought-provoking, as well.   I was familiar with this author's previous book, Madapple, so I had anticipated I would enjoy this book, as well.

Example of cool writing: "People say joy is infectious, but that's a myth.  It's melancholy that's infectious.  And sneaky.  It skulks about, climbing legs, mounting skirts.  It's particularly active when joy is in the room.  Joy shows up, a sort of humming, and melancholy gets the jitters."  (p. 11)
First sentences:  "Dick is dead.  Seena knows this, of course: her husband is dead.  Yet she keeps expecting him to barrel in, his enormous, gangling self plodding along, a spectacle unaware that he is one."

Thoughts on the cover:  I love the way the color saturates the cover, and how the simple image shows hands cupping a flower that seems to be dropping petals.  Simple, but evocative.
Please note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  As a result of reading an ARC, any quotes/page numbers may differ in the final publication of this book.   This book is available, and was just released on February 8th. 

Was MIA .... now back on track........

Just a small announcement .....  I am now back in the land of the living, and plan to start blogging again next week.      It was just my luck that I had been all prepped for the rest of the Vive L'Amour Tour, and ready to post a review or two........

and I went to a convention, and came back with the nastiest cold/virus thing that I've had in years.  Was off work for 5 days, and am now getting myself back into the land of the living once again.     So, I hope everyone's Valentine's Day was lovely --- and thank you for bearing with me through a week of no offerings (no reviews, no WW, no hop, no nuthin').    :)

why yes, I did feel like my eyes were like this .. for 3 days....

Solitaire by Kelley Eskridge

 Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):   Ren Segura, Jackal to her friends, is the Hope of Ko Island, the world's only corporate nation state. Born at the right time, she is part of an elite group that will inherit powerful positions representing their nations in EarthGov. She has been groomed for the moment of her ascension her entire life--it is her birthright and her destiny. But a deadly secret makes her an inconvenient liability to her corporate masters and, in Solitaire, destinies are not always in the cards. Caught between corporate loyalty and self-doubt, Jackal finds herself cast away to an experimental, virtual solitary confinement program that will change her forever. Author Kelley Eskridge's first novel is an intense and powerful tale of self-discovery set in a convincingly articulated future. She skillfully keeps the reader turning pages as Jackal's fate unravels. Meanwhile, Eskridge deals with issues of crime and punishment, corporate power, and even fame with a deft touch that keeps the reader painfully close to the young Jackal's journey into oblivion and back again.

And here's what I thought:   This is a book that I've read a few times over, just because I like it, and I like to revisit the story.  As you can tell from the above summary, it's a bit science fiction-y in plot (corporate nation state, virtual solitary confinement), but it's really a story of self-discovery, driven not by science, but by the main character and how she handles her situation.    Ren's an interesting character; she has been lifted up as a "Hope" since she was a child, always given great opportunities, and groomed to become a leader.  This doesn't mean she's perfect, by any means, so don't think that you'll be getting one of those "pretty, smart, perfect, can no do wrong" kinds of characters here.  She's smart, but the pressure of constantly being seen as elite, and always having to measure up to those expectations, take a toll on her.   When she's convicted of murder, and sentenced to solitary confinement, you'd think her life would be over.   But it's not.

Eskridge does the clever plot twist of making Jackal's solitary confinement a virtual one: her body is in a machine that keeps her alive, feeds her, etc., and her mind is in a virtual solitary cell.   When she's in the cell, it's completely believable -- Jackal feels like she is physically there, and must come up with a way to endure her confinement.   Needless to say, this isn't the easiest of tasks.   I won't tell you what happens in the solitary cell --- suffice to say, Jackal really has to come to terms with who she really is.

And, I'm not giving away any spoilers here to say that she does get released eventually (if you read the book jacket, it's clearly implied, and it's a large chunk of the story).   However - the question is: has her mind survived her time inside solitary confinement?  Can she survive in the real world again?    I'm not telling.   However, this is another part of her journey of self-discovery, and probably why I enjoy reading this book so much.   Even though I know what's going to happen, and how it ends, I always like how Jackal moves through the story, and how she learns about who she really is.

I suppose there are many things I like about this book: Jackal, the idea of virtual solitary confinement, and the personal journey.   I always enjoy reading it for the writing, as well.  Eskridge's writing is descriptive without being flowery, evocative without being over-emotional.    Example: "I won't cry, she told herself; and she thought it was probably true.  She was hollow now, as if someone had stuck a sponge down her throat and absorbed everything within her.  Perhaps it would be easier to get through - and here her mind skipped over what exactly it ws she would need to get through, the circumspect voice within her saying no, not ready - if she kept that numbness, if she felt nothing."  p. 141     If you're looking for a book of self-discovery, think about trying this one -- and don't worry if you think "I don't read science fiction."  A story of self-discovery doesn't have to be bound within the confines of a certain genre.  

 

First sentence: "So here she was, framed in the open double doors like a photograph: Jackal Segura on the worst day of her life, preparing to join the party."

Thoughts on the cover: I like the simple picture, which shows a grayed-out face, with a box showing the same face, in color.  Completely captures the idea of being confined to one space, with no one to keep you company but yourself.

Wordless Wednesday - 2 in the stacks

Metrophilias by Brendan Connell

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):   Thirty-six cities. Thirty-six stories of obsession. From ancient Thebes to present day Berlin, these little portraits of humans superimposed on their suburban environment are corroding treats thrown together in a past-modern beaker, landmark tales of love in the metropolis. A round-the-world tour of craving and decadence.

And here's what I thought:   I had been contacted by this author to see if I'd be interested in reviewing this book.  I thought it sounded like a different sort of book, so I agreed.   And yes, this is a different sort of book.   The description above says "thirty-six stories", so you'd think this would be a book of short stories.  Well, they are stories, and some of them are quite short (like, two pages).   The writing is evocative, but at times, I wondered what I was reading about.  I mean --- what was happening in the particular story?   Reading this book is like going to a gallery and looking at a series of different photographs --- one after another, your eye tries to discern just what you're looking at, trying to make sense of it .... and then you discover you really have no idea of what the photograph is really of.    Does that make sense?   I found some of these stories to be oddly compelling.  Some of them are both grotesque and elegant.  Disturbing, and mind-sticking.   And if you think you might know one of these places , you might read and story and realize .... perhaps not.     Definitely a thought-provoking book.

And a small note to some readers, who are used to my reviews of YA fiction ---- if you choose to pick up this slim book, please be aware that there is an underlying eroticism to many of these stories.   I wouldn't say that they aren't for younger readers .... but I'm not sure if they're completely appropriate, either.   It would depend on the reader.   But I did want to mention that although this is a small book, and the stories rather short, they are far from simple.    If you'd like to know more, here's the link to the publisher --  and if you'd like to know more about the author, he has a really interesting blog.  I did some noodling around on there, and was just as intrigued as I was by this book.

Example of some writing: "The softest things are often prone to disturb the senses the most violently; and nerves are made up of memories, reflections, hidden breaths, like feathers, around which smiling and moveable lids of skin close.  Spongy.  Supple.  Like so many gargoyles, turned from stone into undemanding furry fabric."  (p. 79)

First sentences: "At 10:00 am yesterday, Katia Kaltsas, aged 28, was arrested in possession of the hand of a statue dating back 2,500 years.  The object had been stolen earlier this year from a private collection and was located amongst the suspects negligees."

Thoughts on the cover:  An interesting juxtaposition of what look like Roman ruins, and a factory, with a dark and speckled sky.  Definitely a good choice for this book.

Pump up your Book Tour & Contest --- Blue by Lou Aronica

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):   Chris Astor is a man in his early forties who is going through the toughest stretch of his life. Becky is Chris's fourteen-year-old daughter, a girl who overcame enormous challenges to become a vibrant, vital young woman - and now faces her greatest obstacle yet. Miea is the young queen of a fantasy land that Becky and Chris created when Becky was little, a fantasy land that has developed a life of its own and now finds itself in terrible, maybe fatal trouble. Together, Chris, Becky, and Miea need to uncover a secret. The secret to why their worlds have joined at this moment. The secret to their purpose. The secret to the future. It is a secret that, when discovered, will redefine imagination for all of them. Blue is a novel of trial and hope, invention and rediscovery. It might very well take you someplace you never knew existed.

And here's what I thought:   I really enjoyed this book, not only because it had such a cool plot, but also because the characters felt so real.   So let's start with the characters first, shall we?  There are main characters in our world, Becky, Chris, and Polly (Chris' ex-wife, and Becky's mom).    Becky's a pretty mature fourteen-year-old, but that makes sense, considering that she had overcome some serious health issues when she was younger.   She came across as a completely real girl, quiet and thoughtful.     Chris and Polly are also completely realistic, and what struck me the most about them in this book was that their dialogue, and interactions with each other rang true.  Polly isn't always the nicest person, and it seems that she's often motivated by wanting to hurt Chris (although it's never clear why she's like this).    However, divorced couples sometimes do behave like this, getting in jabs here and there, and doing things to antagonize each other.  I actually liked that they were written like this, because I found them completely believable.   Miea was also written in a realistic way -- she may be young, but she's a realistic queen, a woman who has some heavy responsibilities, and who understands that the decisions she makes affect many people.   I liked that she seemed educated and serious about her responsibilities -- it made her believable, as well.

I also really enjoyed the book's imaginative plot.   The idea that Chris and Becky had made up this place, and that it actually existed was so cool.   And it's a beautiful-sounding place, complete with unusual animals and plants.    Lou Aronica does a wonderful job of writing about this world --- his writing is imaginative and descriptive, giving a clear picture of just how beautiful this place is.   I actually wouldn't mind another book set entirely here.    I appreciated that the trouble that Tamarisk was facing is something that is a real-life issue for any place (and this really isn't a spoiler): having plants that are suffering from a mysterious kind of blight.  I liked that the author didn't give Tamarisk some kind of issue that would be impossible to understand --- he gave it a problem that is easy to grasp.   

This was an evenly-paced book with interesting and realistic characters, and a well-developed plot.   Really an enjoyable read!   

** Extra bonus points for having Becky like Neil Gaiman (p. 9). 
First sentence: "The soft whir of the DVD player was the only sound in the room."

Thoughts on the cover:  Definitely blue.  I like how it almost looks like we're looking at tree branches through a blue filter, and how there are two sprays of leafy vines at the top and bottom.  Very subtle.

CONTEST!!!

This is straight from the publicist for this book tour:   How often do you hear about something that sounds too good to be true? Well, I am here to offer 10 lucky winners the opportunity of a lifetime.  New York Times bestselling co-author, novelist, and former Publisher of Avon Books and Berkley Books, Lou Aronica has created a unique and exciting offer to anyone that is going to follow his upcoming book tour with Pump Up Your Book. His extensive experience in the publishing and editing fields has given him insight into an industry that continues to grow and change daily. Once again, that insight has led him to offer a contest that is truly special in so many ways. Lou will be accepting story pitches from followers of his blog tour. These story pitches must be for short stories pertaining to the fantasy world of his novel, “Blue.”

 

This contest will allow 10 lucky people the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to have their story published in an upcoming companion anthology to “Blue.”

 

Lou will hand pick the winners, edit their stories, include them in the anthology and give them a pro-rated share of the royalties. How can you pass up an opportunity like this?

Now for the details:

The pitch should include a synopsis of the proposed story and a sample of the submitting author’s fiction writing. Specify the expected length of the story.
The pitch needs to be submitted by April 16, 2011
Please email your submission to Lou at laronica@fictionstudio.com
All winners will be notified by email by May 27, 2011.

And what is all this "Random Magic" stuff anyway ????

If you read the last post, about aphrodisiacs, you might already know what Random Magic is.  If you didn't read the post, and are hoping for a salacious dissent into the qualities of bananas.... you're in for a disappointment.  However, if you would like to know about such things as chocolate and chilis, take a look.

But .... if you aren't quite sure of the what and why, this might help.  Random Magic is a book that was created by Sasha Soren, a magical being if there ever was one.    It's like nothing you have ever read, although parts of it might be slightly like something you may have read.....   I wrote about, myself, here and here.

I digress.   There's a lovely book trailer, which I would encourage you to spend a moment watching.     If you're inclined to treat yourself to this treat, you may find the book here.







And, if you are so inclined, there is a most magical and fun Vive L'Amour tour happening right now, complete with a Queen of Hearts game (and the game is afoot, to be sure!)   Curious?   This link tells you the standings..... so you may gather your wits about you and gather your own hearts, as well......

Vive L'Amour --- five aphrodisiacs and Random Magic....

So, what kinds of things inspire us to love?   Throughout the years, people have found inspiration in all sorts of things, some of them a bit odd.   But, love cares not for rules or decorum -- it does what it likes.   However, people sometimes to try to bend love in their direction .... and aphrodisiacs are one bit of cleverness that they can try.   I'm sure we can all think of a romantic dinner, and what we would eat --- chocolate, perhaps?  Oysters?  Champagne?   Question is: can certain foods increase romantic feelings?   I suppose it depends....

The Top 5 Food Aphrodisiacs (not in any particular order):
 

 

Dark Chocolate  -- Cocoa contains a number of feel-good chemicals, including PEA (phenylethylamine), which releases dopamine in the pleasure centers of the brain.  Cacao also contains trytophan (which promotes a sense of well-being and relaxation).   In addition to this, dark chocolate is easy to obtain, whether it's a bar of chocolate, or a box of chocolates, or even a chocolate dessert (brownies, cake, flourless chocolate cake......)

Oysters -- Despite being off-putting to some people (perhaps due to their slimy, boogery appearance??), oysters are full of zinc, which increases the production of testosterone (which has been linked to a higher sex drive).  I don't know if the zinc content changes if the oyster is raw or cooked, so if the idea of slurping down a raw oyster doesn't excite you, you can always try a Cajun-style fried oyster, instead.    

Figs -- With fig leaves making an appearance as a fashion accessory on Adam and Eve, the fig has a long history.  Rumored to be Cleopatra's favorite fruit, figs were also seen by Greeks as sacred (and associated with fertility and love).    If all you know of figs are those gritty Newton cookies, you should be pleasantly surprised by how nice a fresh fig is, especially if it's cut open and drizzled with a bit of honey (another aphrodisiac, as it turns out).

Hot Chili Peppers -- These contain Capsaicin, a chemical which increases circulation --- getting the blood pumping and stimulating nerve endings.  Depending on your personal constitution, this may be a good thing ... or not such a good thing (I have a delicate stomach).  However, a bit of peppery goodness can be just what you need to generate some heat.    

Honey -- Well, bees make honey through pollination .... and pollination is a symbol of procreation (flowers getting all busy).  Mead is an alcoholic beverage made from honey, and which was traditionally given to newly married couples.  Honey is a pure form of sugar and can be eaten as is (drizzled and sticky), or can be easily baked into all sorts of desserts. 

And no, I'm not mentioning bananas here.  They're a bit obvious.
But who is to say what is an aphrodisiac?  In Random Magic, Henry and Winnie encounter a couple, The Count and Lady De Morgue.   These two are my favorite romantic pair in the book; dark and mysterious, and almost Addams-like, there seems to be a bit of a smolder between them.    They offer Henry and Winnie a salad of greens (p. 119) --- which are quite poisonous.  However, I found myself wondering.... what if these greens were NOT poisonous to the De Morgues?   Perhaps, for them, these are delicious and provoke a passionate response.  Jack-in-the-Pulpit tastes peppery and causes a strong burning reaction if eaten raw.  Blooming Nightshade and Bryony are both poisonous (to us), but have some medicinal qualities.  Ingestion of Laburnum is poisonous and can result in unequally dilated pupils and convulsive movements.    While none of these are appealing to us, Count and Lady De Morgue are unconventional people --- and perhaps their aphrodisiacs would be unconventional, as well.   Definitely food for thought. 

Bonus: Sweet treat of a poem and The Queen of Hearts       

 

“There be none of Beauty's daughters” by George Gordon, Lord Byron

There be none of Beauty's daughters
With a magic like thee;
And like music on the waters
Is thy sweet voice to me.

Free MP3 download:
(Click: Download episode)










Feel free to play the Queen of Hearts tour game
for Random Magic Tour: Vive L'Amour (Feb. 1-14)
        - just collect more candy hearts like this
one and you might win a sweet prize!
See prizes  or Check out sample post
Reader invitation: Are you intrigued by some of the aphrodisiacs or
background histories of aphrodisiacs mentioned? Feel free to share
your comments below.
You’re also welcome to join us on Random Magic Tour: Vive
L’Amour (Through February 14), to read lots of other romantic special
features: Browse tour schedule

In the mood for some Romantic Reads?

As part of the Vive L'Amour Random Magic tour, there is a lovely reading circle taking place today --- where you can discover some wonderful stories about love, hand-selected by a stellar group of international bloggers.   Sound enchanting?   Here's today's schedule, if you'd like to take a look :

This Miss Loves To Read

My Love Affair With Books

A Reader’s Adventure

Willowdust Reviews - Tina’s Book Reviews

Hopping

all poofed up and ready to Hop!!

Another Friday means another Book Blogger Hop!   Jennifer over at Crazy for Books is always nice enough to host the weekly hop, which means I get to spend way too much time online visiting blogs, discovering new blogs, and adding to my huge TBR list.  This week's question is: What are you reading now and why are you reading it?      I'm about 3/4 of the way through The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, and also started Under Fishbone Clouds by Sam Meekings.  They're both completely different books, but I'm enjoying both of them.

Happy Hopping, everyone!!!

Random Magic -- Vive l"Amour !!

I am a day late on my posting .... and begging forgiveness please.  Thought I'd have lots and lots of time due to a snow day .... and of course didn't think about the 3 hours of snow shoveling and resulting tiredness.

So, we begin with bit of magic about love ----  and Random Magic, as well.  There will be many wonderful posts, and music, as well!!   And.... prizes!!!!!!

Random Magic Tour: Vive L’Amour
Feb. 1-14, 2011

About: Random Magic

Tour organization: Lyrika Publicis
Contact the tour: @RandomMagicTour 

Tour Prize Coordinator: vvb32 

Win a sweet prize!  
  Play to win: The Language of Flowers
or Love: A Treasury of Verse


 

 Feb. 1
Book Soulmates
Twitter: @BookSoulmates

Top Five: Most romantic flowers

Feb. 2
Books, Sweets and Other Treats
Twitter: @lindsiking

Top Five: Tempting sweets and treats

Feb. 3
The Bookworms
Twitter: @TawniBookWorm

Top Five: Vintage Valentines and quotes

Feb. 4
Romantic Reads - Reading circle
Discover some wonderful stories about love,
handpicked by a great group of international bloggers.

This Miss Loves To Read
Twitter: @MissIrenne

My Love Affair With Books

Twitter: @Misha_1989

A Reader’s Adventure
Twitter: @ReaderAdventure

Willowdust Reviews - Tina’s Book Reviews
Twitter: @BooksAtTinas

Feb. 5
Fiction Folio
Twitter: @taramq

Top Five: Delightful dishes

Feb. 6
The Reading Lassie
Twitter: @ReadingLassie

Top Five: Romantic places

Feb. 7
The Fluidity of Time
Twitter: n/a

Top Five: Aphrodisiacs

Feb. 8
A Reader’s Adventure
Twitter: @ReaderAdventure

Top Five: Fictional lovers

Feb. 9
My Love Affair With Books
Twitter: @Misha_1989

Top Five: Most romantic movies

Feb. 10
The True Book Addict
Twitter: @truebookaddict

Top Five: Most unconventional couples

Feb. 11
Elbit Blog
Twitter: @MeriGreenleaf

Top Five: Mojo magic

Feb. 12
This Miss Loves to Read
Twitter: @MissIrenne

Top Five: Historical lovers

Feb. 13
vvb32
Twitter: @vvb32reads

Top Five: Most romantic poems

Feb. 14
He Said/She Said: Musical blog hop
Romance, flirting, mad passion,
melancholy regret and bitter heartbreak…
Find songs that share every nuance of love
from male and female points of view,
on this sweet musical blog hop!

Music hop menu (courtesy vvb32)

vvb32
Twitter: @vvb32reads

Willowdust Reviews - Tina’s Book Reviews
Twitter: @BooksAtTinas

Elbit Blog
Twitter: @MeriGreenleaf

This Miss Loves To Read
Twitter: @MissIrenne

The True Book Addict
Twitter: @taramq

Fiction Folio
Twitter: @taramq

The Bookworms
Twitter: @TawniBookWorm

Wordless Wednesday .... thinking back to Fall