Hello, my dear friends! I wish you all a Happy New Year and let's hope the new year will be better and more fulfilling than the last!

ISBN-13: 9780670011308
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Published: May 2009
336 pgs

Waiting for You is a great story about friendship, connection and love that I am sure will appeal to many YA readers. While reading this book, I really sympathize with Marisa and there are times I wished she could stop fussing so much over Derek because apparently she is being over cautious of her relationship with him that she is not being herself, which made me think he might not be the right guy for her after all it is unhealthy being that way. Nevertheless, I still cheered for her and hope she would be able to see things more clearly and made the right decision eventually. Another plus point about this story is that the characters and the difficulties Marisa faces (e.g. her parents' situation, the ups and downs with her best friend, Sterling) are realistic; overall I would recommend this to any readers who enjoy the YA genre.

ISBN-13: 9780981453460
Publisher: Ovation Books
Published: October 2009

The True Spirit of Christmas
by Marajo Tenderass

Lots of people
Crowds everywhere
Rushing and pushing and shoving,
Going nowhere.
It's Christmas time again
Have to get all those things done
Hustle, bustle, quickly,
We must beat the sun.
Must get this and must get that
Maybe this nic, maybe that nak
When did it happen?
When did we lose track...
It's a race, yes it is
We are running, yes we are
But lets not forget
Before we get too far-
What is really really important
Doesn't take much to figure out
Take time to love
and love from the heart.

Sara Fielding is unlike the other females in her village Greenwood Corners, for starters she has a streak for adventures and it is not surprising considering she is a writer and she would venture to anywhere for research for her books.

To find out more about the gambling clubs and how they operate for her next book, she leaves the shelter of her safe, country cottage in Greenwood Corners and into Derek Craven's world, for he is the proud owner of a well-known gambling club and she is sure she could find any information she could get from that place. However, Sara did not expect she could meet Derek in person so soon, after she has somehow saved him from an assault.

Derek Craven is a handsome, tough and a tenacious man. Unlike Sara, he came from a working-class background but he rose from poverty to become the wealthy lord of London's most exclusive gambling house through his wit and lots of filthy, hard work. His unhappy childhood has made him a hardened man, and he does not trust people easily. After the assault incident, Derek has no choice but to allow Sara to enter into his club, and though he would not admit it, he is somehow fascinated by her courage and her impeccable manners.

Slowly, they attracted and fell in love with each other, but one of Derek's past lovers is very angry of him for severing all ties with her and she is going to make him and Sara pay at all costs.

Dreaming of You is one of the best classic historical romance I read in a long time and I could see why it remains one of a favourites among many Lisa Kleypas' readers. Which romance reader wouldn't love to read a tortured hero, and finding his redemption and love in the end? I enjoyed reading the clash/exchange between Derek and Sara, and though the story is not new, it kept me entertained and then of course, there is the notion that true love conquers everything. This is a must read for all historical romance fans. I am glad to see I have a few more titles by Lisa Kleypas after going through my pile yesterday, and I look forward to reading them next year (I don't think I will be reading a lot due to the upcoming holiday season and all, but I can always try!).

As from tomorrow onwards, I am taking my leave off from work so that means I have more time to spend with my family. With two young children at home, I have no idea if I am able to squeeze some time off for my reading and blogging so I guess the Blogger Unplugged Challenge (hosted by Beth Fish Reads and Devourer of Books) is fitting to me at this time.

I have only a few scheduled posts lined up and though I may not be able to visit your blogs (who knows? I might be able to pop by your blog once in a while), please know that I will be thinking of you. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog, and I shall see you in 2010.

I want to thank Alice of Hello, My Name is Alice for passing on this award to me. Don't you think the button is beautiful? I love the design!

The rule: Nominate seven other bloggers and then tell everybody seven things about yourself.

Well, I can easily share with you seven things about myself but it sure is hard to nominate only seven bloggers!

Let me start off the easy task first:

1. I love watching romantic comedies (I got a DVD - Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale last week. Oh, I loved this movie!).
2. I have only watched a movie alone in a cinema once.
3. My favourite sandwich is Subway's Veggie Delite with lots of honey mustard sauce (minus the onions and chillies).
4. When I was a child, my favourite cartoon character is Strawberry Shortcake.
5. I have a driving licence but I don't drive (don't have a car too).
6. My very first pen pal is a girl from Vienna, Austria. Unfortunately, we have lost touch many years ago.
7. I have an idol lately, and he is none other than the Taiwanese renowned magician, Lu Chen (He won the Taiwan's Youth Magic Contest which was judged by world-famous magician, David Copperfield at the age of 12). I have just finished reading his autobiography and it was an inspirational read.

And now, I am passing this award to the following blogger friends who I think is beautiful in all ways (in no particular order):

~ Julia of Julia's Books Corner
~ Debi of Nothing of Importance
~ Trish of Trish's Reading Nook
~ Nymeth of Things Mean A Lot
~ Wendy of Musings of a Bookish Kitty
~ Violet of Violet Crush
~ Sandy of You've Gotta Read This ...

... and back to you, Alice!

To my other blogger friends who are not on the list, I want to tell you that you too are beautiful and I wish the rule will extend to a 100 bloggers instead of seven.

• The Love We Share Without Knowing by Christopher Barzak
• American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (Graphic Novel)

I can't wait to read them! Thank you so much for the gifts, Joanna! I really love them all! Here's wishing you and everyone a Happy Holidays!

I love beautiful, and interesting, cover art so every Wednesday I post my 'Cover Attraction' for the week along with a synopsis of the book. Everyone is welcome to stop by and, if they'd like, post a link to their favorite weekly book cover.

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This will be one of those books that I will pick based on the cover alone. Then again, I thought the blurb sounds good and intriguing, especially if it's a mystery featuring Daphne du Maurier, the author of Rebecca.

Murder on the Cliffs by Joanna Challis
ISBN-13: 9780312367145
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: November 2009

Synopsis (From B&N):

The storm led me to Padthaway.

I could never resist the allure of dark swirling clouds, windswept leaves sweeping down cobbled lanes or a view of the sea stirring up its defiant nature. The sea possessed a power all of its own and this part of Cornwall, an isolated stretch of rocky cliff tops and unexplored beaches both enchanted and terrified me.

It is not a lie to say I felt drawn out that day, led to a certain destiny...

So begins this new mystery series featuring young Daphne du Maurier, headstrong, adventurous, and standing at the cusp of greatness.

Walking on the cliffs in Cornwall, she stumbles upon the drowned body of a beautiful woman, dressed only in a nightgown, her hair strewn along the rocks, her eyes gazing up to the heavens. Daphne soon learns that the mysterious woman was engaged to marry Lord Hartley of Padthaway, an Elizabethan mansion full of intriguing secrets.

As the daughter of the famous Sir Gerald du Maurier, Daphne is welcomed into the Hartley home, but when the drowning turns out to be murder, Daphne determines to get to the bottom of the mysteries of Padthaway—in part to find fresh inspiration for her writing, and in part because she cannot resist the allure of grand houses and long buried secrets.

Here are a few more reading challenges I am joining for next year, though I have not decided on the lists, but being a moody reader I guess I will have to keep those lists open.

First of all, the Graphic Novels Challenge hosted by Chris and Nymeth. I have to admit I don't read a lot of graphic novels (mangas probably) so this is a good opportunity for me to read more of this genre.

The rules:

• The challenge starts on January 1st 2010 and ends on December 31st (but we don't mind you starting early.)
• You don't have to make a list beforehand (but you can, of course! Lists are great because they give ideas to people who aren't sure what to read. And if you do make one, don't feel forced to stick to it!)
• We simplified the levels of participation: you can be a Beginner (3 Comics or Graphic Novels), Intermediate (3-10) or an Expert (10+). You're more than free to adjust your level of participation after the challenge has begun.
• There will be mini-challenges! Look for a post with more info on that soon.
• Overlaps with other challenges are totally fine.

Since I'm considering a novice under this category, I will go for the 'Beginner' where I'm requested to read 3 graphic novels.

I am happy to see Naida of The Bookworm is hosting the Romance Reading Challenge again in 2010. Here's what she says:

I'm happy to say that my Romance Reading Challenge is going into it's third year! Wow! Thank you all who have joined and read and posted thier reviews. That's amazing to me, that I started a challenge and other bloggers joined up and participated, it's really great. I hope you will sign up again this year.
So, without further ado, here's the rules:

1. "Romance" isn't limited to steamy Harlequin novels. There is a huge selection of books in this category such as contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance to name a few. As long as the story has romantic love between the two main characters your selection will fit this challenge. The novels do not need to have a happy ending either, there can also be unrequited love.

2. Choose at least 5 novels to read. You can change your choices at any time. Crossovers between other challenges are fine.

3. Read them at your own pace in 2010 then post the link to your review(s).

And finally, Alaine of The Royal Reviews is hosting a Fantasy Reading Challenge in 2010.

The Fantasy Reading Challenge can include YA Fantasy or Historical Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy or any other sub genre of Fantasy. There really are no limits to this challenge as Fantasy is such a wide and varied genre. Just enjoy and have fun!

The rules:

• Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section on the post about the challenge.
• Any book format counts.
• You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
• Only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge.

There are four participation levels:

1. Curious– Read 3 Fantasy Fiction novels. (I'm picking this level.)Fascinated– Read 6 Fantasy Fiction novels.
2. Addicted– Read 12 Fantasy Fiction novels.
3. Obsessed– Read 20 Fantasy Fiction novels.

So that is all from me at the moment. I am sure I will participate in more, after all they are so fun and addictive (plus, the buttons are all so lovely)!

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

Here's my teaser for today:

I am walking on buried treasure, I thought, with the grass brushing against my hands and nothing around me but the reach of the long field with the grass blowing and the pine woods at the end; behind me was the house, and far off to my left, hidden by trees and almost out of sight, was the wire fence our father had built to keep people out.

(Pg 52-3 , We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson)

This week's questions are about making a list.

Do you have a book wish list for the holidays? (Or is that one of those 'duh' questions?) If so, what's on it?

Are you very specific when someone asks what you want for a gift? Or do you throw caution to the wind and say, "Oh any book you choose...." Or do you prefer a bookstore gift card?

Do you buy books for people on your gift list? Do you choose books for them that you like and try to influence their reading (or hope they'll loan it to you when they're done)? Or do you get specific titles from your giftee?

Where do you buy your book gifts? Do you shop at local independent bookstores, or the "big box" stores? or do you shop online?

Suggested by Tammy:

What items have you ever used as a bookmark? What is the most unusual item you’ve ever used or seen used?

Most of the times, I use bookmarks to mark my books. There were a few times I used receipts as bookmarks because I wanted to read the books I bought on my way home. Sometimes, I will also use post-it tags but they are more of a mark for quotes (to be quoted for my reviews) than as a bookmark. I have also used postcards as a bookmark too, but that is because I have extras (they are promotions from the Tourism Board and are free of charge).

What about you? What other items have you used besides bookmarks?

I knew it would be something from my Secret Santa because I have not ordered anything online lately. When I received the package from the postman (it is a 'she', actually), I was thrilled and I was anxious to find out who he/she is.

I opened the package and found a lovely purple handmade journal packed in a cardboard protector. There was an invoice from the gift company but I could not find the name of my Secret Santa.


To my Secret Santa: Thank you so much for the gift! Could you please leave a comment here or drop me an email? I would like to know who you are! :-)

Also, I have not heard any news from my Holiday Swap Giftee yet so I am worried if my package was lost in the mail.

Finally, I want to thank Nymeth and her BBHS team for hosting this wonderful event!

Happy Holidays!

I love beautiful, and interesting, cover art so every Wednesday I post my 'Cover Attraction' for the week along with a synopsis of the book. Everyone is welcome to stop by and, if they'd like, post a link to their favorite weekly book cover.

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Too Much Money by Dominick Dunne
ISBN-13: 9780609603871
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
Published: December 2009

Synopsis (From B&N):

"My name is Gus Bailey...It should be pointed out that it is a regular feature of my life that people whisper things in my ear, very private things, about themselves or others. I have always understood the art of listening."

The last two years have been monstrously unpleasant for high-society journalist Gus Bailey. His propensity for gossip has finally gotten him into trouble -- $11 million worth. His problems begin when he falls hook, line, and sinker for a fake story from an unreliable source and repeats it on a radio program. As a result of his flip comments, Gus becomes embroiled in a nasty slander suit brought by Kyle Cramden, the powerful congressman he accuses of murder, and he fears it could mean the end of him.

The stress of the lawsuit makes it difficult for Gus to focus on the novel he has been contracted to write, which is based on the suspicious death of billionaire Konstantin Zacharias. It is a story that has dominated the party conversations of Manhattan's chattering classes for more than two years. The accused murderer is behind bars, but Gus is not convinced that justice was served. There are too many unanswered questions, such as why a paranoid man who did not go anywhere without bodyguards was suddenly left without protection the very night he perished in a tragic fire. Gus believes the answers lie with Konstantin's hot-tempered and vengeful wife, Perla. He intends to uncover the truth, even though doing so will gain him another dangerous enemy.

In true Dominick Dunne fashion, Too Much Money is peppered with thinly veiled fictions, keeping readers guessing about the real-world villains and intrigues that lie beneath its chapters. Dunne revives the world he first introduced in his mega-bestselling novel People like Us, and he brings readers up-to-date on favorite characters such as Ruby and Elias Renthal, Lil Altemus, and, of course, the beloved Gus Bailey. Once again, he invites us to pull up a seat at the most important tables at Swifty's, get past the doormen at esteemed social clubs like The Butterfield, and venture into the innermost chambers of the Upper East Side's most sumptuous mansions.

Too Much Money is a satisfying, mischievous, and compulsively readable tale by the most brilliant society chronicler of our time -- the man who knows all the secrets and isn't afraid to share them.

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

I am almost done reading a holiday theme anthology, Let It Snow by three well-known YA authors - John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle. Look out for my review soon. Here is a teaser of The Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson:

"Where were you going?" he asked.

"To Florida. To see my grandparents. My parents are in jail."

(Pg 35 , The Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson)

This week's post

• Gather up the books you can live without. It can be 4 books, 10 books, or 20 books!
• Find a worthy group you would like to donate your overflow books to. It can be your local library, a literacy campaign, or overseas. There's a great list of book donation sites here on the ALA. Find a charity that speaks to you!
• Then take a picture of your donation and email it to Lisa (onlinepublicist [AT] gmail [DOT] com). It can be a picture of the mailing label on your package, one of your kids giving a box of books to a librarian, or you handing books over to your literacy center. Be creative and have fun!
  Lisa will accept pictures until January 4th 2010, and three lucky winners will receive custom made totes from Lisa!
  
  

When bricks crumble, the fireplace falls;
When children cry, the mothers call.
When lies are told, the sins are built,
Within the waves, hide all our guilt. ~Pg 20

I enjoyed reading The House on Tradd Street by Karen White so much so that I read the next installment, The Girl on Legare Street right after I finished that book.

Well, where shall I begin? For starters, let's say I loved this book more than The House on Tradd Street. Don't get me wrong, I loved that book, but this book is better in my opinion. And also, I loved seeing Realtor Melanie Middleton and True historical crime writer Jack Trenholm are back together again working on another project - this time around it is the mystery and secrets surrounding her ancestral home on Legare Street.

Melanie is still recovering from her bewilderment on inheriting a historical estate on Tradd Street as from the previous book, so when Ginnette, her estranged mother suddenly returns to Charleston and told her she needs to protect her after receiving a premonition (readers who have read The House on Tradd Street would know that Melanie and Ginnette have psychic abilities) and she fears Melanie might be in great danger from a supernatural force, which she sensed has got something to do with the house on Legare Street left by her late mother, Sarah Manigault Prioleau as she had left some clues behind and she is determined to unravel the secrets behind the old house.

Melanie is still feeling terribly hurt by her mother's sudden departure thirty-five years ago, but she gave in to Ginnette's offer to stay in the house on Legare Street, since her historical house on Tradd Street is under major renovation and plus, Jack Trenholm offers to help them in investigating the mystery. Melanie might not want to admit it, but she could not help but feel attracted towards Jack although at times she is confused by the way he talks and acts around her. To heighten the complexity, Rebecca Edgerton, a reporter and an old friend of Jack, enter into the picture and Melanie is not sure if she is unhappy over her insistent probing on the house or that she is getting too cozy with Jack. Either way, it irritates her but she is soon caught up by the intrigue and the secrets of the Legare Street's house and besides, she is also interested to find more about her supernatural protector, who had kept her accompany since she was staying in the house on Legare Street when she was young and knowing that he is somewhat linked to the mystery.

What I loved about this book is the great characterization and the author has a way in building the tension and suspense. I find myself flipping through the pages quickly and/or holding my breath most of the times while reading this book and immersed into the story deeply that at times I have to remind myself that this is not a true story and that Melanie is only a fictional character. Rebecca gets on my nerves and I have to admit I do not really like or trust her in the beginning of the story, but you know how one's opinion will change once the story slowly unfolds in front of your eyes and that things might not be what it seems at first.

I enjoyed reading the history of the Legare Street's house, and I was really intrigued by the family tree of the Prioleau's family and some others. Though the story is nicely wrapped up, I felt a little perplexed over a particular character towards the end and I hope the next book (considering if there is a sequel, that is) will be able to shed some light on the issue.

Last but not least, I want to thank Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting for sending this book to me for review.

I love beautiful, and interesting, cover art so every Wednesday I post my 'Cover Attraction' for the week along with a synopsis of the book. Everyone is welcome to stop by and, if they'd like, post a link to their favorite weekly book cover.

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Death Without Tenure by Joanne Dobson
ISBN-13: 9781590587096
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Published: December 2009

Synopsis (From B&N):

Professor Karen Pelletier is about to realize her dream; after six years in the English Department at New England’s exclusive Enfield College, she is up for tenure. Then Professor Joseph Lone Wolf, her rival for the one tenured spot in the department, whose ethnicity gives him minority-preference status, is found dead from an overdose of Peyote buttons. First on the list of suspects, Karen is harassed by a homicide cop with a grudge against his colleague, the love of Karen’s life, Lieutenant Charlie Piotrowski. On campus, political passions rage. Two of Karen’s favorite students, Khalida Ahmed, a hijab-wearing Muslim, and Hank Brody, a coal-miner’s son on full scholarship, are caught up in the furor. Without the presence of her beloved Charlie, now serving a tour of duty with the National Guard in Iraq, will Karen be able to survive the investigation, protect her students, and find a permanent niche in the world of academe? And what if the killer feels the need to strike again?

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

My teaser for today:

The prospect of talking face to face with Sirius was all that sustained Harry over the next fortnight, the only bright spot on a horizon that had never looked darker. The shock of finding himself school champion had worn off slightly now, and the fear of what was facing him was starting to sink in.

(Pg 275, Harry Potter and the Globlet of Fire by J.K. Rowling)

This is a buddy read with Julia. Though I had re-read Book 1-3 of this series and had watched all the movies to-date, this is actually the first time I'm reading this book, and I'm enjoying every moment of it. J.K. Rowling is truly a wonderful storyteller!

This post has been long overdue but I want to thank Alice of Hello, My Name Is Alice for passing on "The Uplifting Blogger" Award to me.

If you have not visited Alice's blog, you should because she is a great photographer and she always has some stunning pictures to share! And I want to mention she is also one of my great blogger friends and I am very glad to know her.

I won't be passing this award on to anyone, but just want to say your passion for books and reading is uplifting to this wonderful book blogging community!

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about reading/blogging during the holidays…

How does your reading (or your blogging) fare in the holiday months? Do you read more or less? Do you have to actively make time to read?

On an average, I read about 6 books per month (which to me is a small amount considering most of my blogger friends read about 10 books or more given the same time, but hey I am not complaining. After all, everyone of us has different reading schedules and as long as we find some time to read, it is all good, isn't it?).

Anyway, I do notice I have not been reading much beginning end November because of the holiday season where this time I will start to do a little shopping and getting ready to send off all the greeting cards. And then of course there is always my reading mood that has control over what books I should read, as well.

What about you?

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia from The Printed Page.

I received the following books last week:

1) Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (bought from The Book Depository) Don't you love the cover?

2) Dying Scream by Mary Burton (review copy)