RI Author Feature: Bedtime Story: Fishing in Narragansett Bay by Richard Grosvenor

 

Synopsis: Going fishing in Narragansett Bay? How will you fish? With a pole, or maybe a rake or one of the many other ways to fish.  You could be catching Fluke or maybe a Stripped Bass. A fun children's book showing the ways of fishing and what you might catch in Narragansett Bay.

 

My Review: This was a fun, short little story full of illustrations about fishing in our local bay.  I like that it shows you the many ways you can obtain your own fresh seafood dinner and what might be on the menu.  The pictures show a range from your standard pole fishing, to lobster traps and even using rakes to dig up fresh quahogs and clams.  There are also pictures of the most common fish that can be caught.

 

My Rating: This is a great little book for young children, both those learning to fish in the bay and also those who have come to visit with their family to see the sites and experience life in Rhode Island.  I give it a rating of Four Paws.

 

 

 

This book is illustrated by Richard Grosvenor, a local artist, you can find out more about him on his Website or Facebook.

 

Munchkin actually received this book as part of a set, for Christmas. I have been unable to locate them available on the internet. As far as I know they may only be available in local tourist type shops or possibly the art galleries that display Mr. Grosvenor's work.

 

RI Author Feature: After Dark Review of One Night with You by Marie Force

 

Synopsis: "Since the debut of Fatal Affair in 2010, Fatal Series readers have been wondering about that “memorable” one-night stand between Sam Holland and Nick Cappuano that took place six years before Fatal Affair opens. Well, wonder no more!

One Night With You tells the story of Sam and Nick’s fateful first meeting in which all the chemistry and heat we have come to expect from them is on full display from the first moments they meet.

Get all the details of Sam and Nick’s unforgettable night together in this 14,000-word novella! You might want to keep a fan and some ice water handy, because this story is H-O-T!"

My Review: I downloaded this book when I found out Force was a Rhode Island Author, I had never heard of this series and thought I would start with the novella to give it a shot. I am definitely intrigued and if the rest of the books are as good as this one, I am a new fan. I found the characters to be fully developed and ones I would enjoy spending more reading time with, even the sub-characters. The book definitely gives off a lot of heat and steam for a great after dark read. I am curious as to where the series will go with Sam being such a strong character in a male driven field and how she and Nick continue to connect in future books. I will be looking to get more books without a doubt.

 

My Rating: This was a great introduction to this book and I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.  I give it a rating of Four Paws.

 

 

I have not had the fortune of meeting Marie Force yet, but you can find out more about her books on her Goodreads Page or Website.

 

You can also obtain your own copy of One Night with You in digital format from Barnes and Noble or Amazon.  At this time it is a FREE book!! 

 

RI Author Giveaways

The month of April is coming to an end and that means the giveaways will also be closing soon (April 29th to be exact).  So I wanted to give you one more reminder of the great authors and prizes you can enter to win before time runs out! Click the links and follow the Rafflecopter instructions to enter the giveaways.

 

 

RI Author Month Prize Package

 

 

 

 

Bookmark and Signed Copy of Ducky Ducky Likes to Moo by Eric Sturtevant

 

 

 

 

Online Download Code for either book by Judith Glynn

 

 

 

Signed Copy of Aure the Topaz by Rich Feitelberg

 

 

 

 

 

 

So be sure to stop by each page and enter the giveaways, winners will be announced on April 30th.  I hope you have enjoyed this month long feature of Rhode Island Authors!



RI Author Feature: There Was a Fire by Nancy Roy

 

Synopsis: "How far was far enough? Julia "Win" Richards had escaped her husband's sadistic abuse only to find herself on the road, adrift and alone. Then after a twist of fate (and tequila), Win makes her way to the Sears Ranch in Medicine Bow, Wyoming. Quickly, it becomes more than just a place to hide. Through the friendship of its crew and a ghost with a message, she discovers a home to heal her soul and, with one particular cowboy, a love that would heal her heart. "You are still her," a stranger's words that still haunted her.... But was she? Would it ever be enough? With the madman now obsessed with vengeance, would her new-found freedom ever allow her to recapture the woman she was before the fire."

My Review: I picked this book up at the RI Author Expo in 2015. I saw that this book takes place in Wyoming and had to pick it up immediately (I always love little tastes of home in my books). This book packed a huge punch, it took on a very difficult subject (Major Trigger Warnings for spousal abuse), but yet made it a beautiful story of hope and courage. I actually had to put this book down for a couple of days to absorb the intensity of the book. The characters were all fantastic, even the sub-characters, they were fully developed and unique. The imagery was stunning (and of course made me long for a horseback ride on the prairie). Keep in mind though as I gush about this book, that it isn't based on anything happy, there is a beautiful budding romance but this is not a fluffy romance, it is intense, bittersweet and stunningly beautiful.

 

My Review: This book was so intense yet so beautiful. I will definitely be recommending this book to others, and already have.  I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

 

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Nancy Roy at the 2015 RI Author Expo, and it was wonderful to have a chance to chat with her for a few minutes when I picked this book up.  You can find out more about Nancy on her Website.

 

You can also obtain your own copy of There Was a Fire in print or digital format on Amazon or in print format on Barnes and Noble.

Dewey's 24 Spring 2016 Readathon - Wrap up

Another 24 Hour Readathon survived! It was an interesting one this time around, with Munchkin and his attention span of a squirrel, but it was a lot of fun.

 

So let me start off my wrap up post with the Dewey's End of Readathon Survey

 

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? The early morning hours at the end, I had gone to bed super late but Munchkin was ready to go at 6:00am for the last 2 hours. Thank goodness for the Read To Me books on the Nook!
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? This may not be for everyone but reading children's books, beginning (step up) readers, and middle grade books really made the day fly by.  My go to suggestion for readathons are graphic novels, and then I rather enjoyed a steamy romance after Munchkin went to bed.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next season? I wasn't as active this year as normal, but I must say the cheering was horrible.  I was hoping to share something posted with Munchkin to keep him into "our special reading day" but there wasn't anything.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? I really enjoyed seeing Reading Rainbow's participation, and I smacked my forehead on Sunday because I had bought Reading Rainbow DVDs for Munchkin but forgot to play them for him.
5. How many books did you read? 25 total
6. What were the names of the books you read? Adventures of Beekle, If You Give a Dog a Donut, Secret Pizza Party, I am Helping, A Big Guy took my Ball, Foolish Tortoise, Pit Crew Pups, Owls, Ewoks Join the Fight, Flying High, Zeg and the Egg, Beast Keeper, Hounds of Hades, Steeds of the Gods, Dragon Healer, Dogs of War, Angela Asgard's Assassin, Apollo, Goodnight Darth Vader, Esio Trot, Gone Fishing, One Night of Sin, Vacation Under the Volcano, Day of the Dragon King, A New Hope
7. Which book did you enjoy most? I really enjoyed Dogs of War, it is a graphic novel, geared towards Middle Grade readers but it was a great book for all ages.
8. Which did you enjoy least? I didn't really dislike any of them, though between the Apollo Graphic Novel and then the Beast Keeper, Hounds of Hades, Steeds of the Gods and Dragon Healer middle grade books, I got burned out on mythology.
9. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I will definitely participate again and I think it was really great how Munchkin joined me, at only 3 years old he had a good time and didn't complain at all about spending most of the day reading (he took a couple of movie, nap and lego breaks). So I hope to keep him interested so down the road he will still want to spend a day reading with dear old Momma.

 

So there you have the end of Readathon Survey, now for my own story of the day . . .

 

We kicked off the morning by running to 'the Donut House' as Munchkin calls Dunkin Donuts to grab some breakfast before we got started.

 

 

We read a few beginning reader and Children's books to start the morning.  Then by snack time Munchkin wanted to watch The Gruffalo Movie (his favorite) and he picked out some books for me to read.

 

 

After watching the movie, he saw me reading a Graphic Novel so he picked out his own book to read.

 

 

Then he helped make a quick lunch and we read some more books while he ate.  During Nap time I finished the books he picked out.

 

 

After Nap time we read a few more children's books and while he played lego I read another couple of graphic novels.  While we were getting Munchkin ready for bed we listened to A New Hope audio CD.  Then after he went to bed I got to read a romance.  I did manage to stay awake until 1:00 am and read 2 of the Magic Tree House books.

 

Then early morning, I was too tired to read too much so I had Munchkin climb into bed and we listened to Read To Me Children's books downloaded on my Nook.  Here is the pile of books we read throughout the day (minus the ones on the Nook and Kindle)

 

 

 My super comfy Readathon clothes, leggings, a baggy t-shirt and warm fuzzy socks.  Of course I always have a blanket too because I love being cozy warm when reading. 

 I absolutely loved this line from Angela: Asgard's Assassin, it made me crack up.

 

 

Now did I accomplish my goals?!

1. Read/listen for 10+ hours - Check - read for 16.5 hours!

2. Read at least 650 pages - Big Check - read 2,255 pages

3. Update regularly on Twitter  - Check - I updated several times throughout the day

4. Get Munchkin involved -  Sure did and he seemed to really enjoy it (his favorite book of the day was A Big Guy Took My Ball and Zeg and the Egg).

5. Read and have fun, of course! - Check and Check!

I certainly did accomplish my goals this readathon!

 

 

I really had fun with this readathon, considering I was rather dreading it. I didn't have high hopes for Munchkin behaving himself all day and allowing me to read, but it worked out far better than I ever expected.  Granted if it had been a sunny beautiful day I don't think it would have gone quite as well. (Honestly, I think Munchkin was more tolerant of my reading than Hubby is, and he definitely interrupted me less than Hubby does. Maybe in the future instead of kicking both Hubby and Munchkin out of the house, I will just kick Hubby out HAHAHA).

 

I did mention above in the end of Readathon survey that I was horribly disappointed in the cheering.  I signed up extra early (and linked to my twitter where I would do most of my posting) in order to have some cheers.  In years past one or two people would stop by to cheer you on, this year I had a few other readers stop by but not any cheerleaders.  And I know they have their hands full, there are a lot of readers to not so many cheerleaders.  But it would have been nice to be able to show Munckin that other people are encouraging his reading all day and cheering for him as he reads.  I am doing everything I can to make him a voracious reader like me but it is hard to compete with his love for construction equipment (that Hubby has access to) and his bouncy 3 year old boy attention span and activity levels.  But I do thank those of you who did come by and encourage our reading day!

 

 

How did your day go? What was your favorite book? Did you try anything new this readathon?

 

Monday Reading List

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

Magic and Melee by Rich Feitelberg
Vorn the Onyx by Rich Feitelberg
Lolly's Picnic by Laura Crisafulli Kennedy (Bedtime Story)
More than Cookies by Christine Depetrillo


 

 Books Finished Last Week:

Reviews will be posted at a later date

G.I. Cowboy = 5pts
There was a Fire = 5pts
Princess in Pink = 3pts
Random = 3pts
Adventures with Beekle = 1pt
If you give a Dog a Donut = 1pt
Secret Pizza Party = 1pt
I am Helping = 1pt
A Big Guy took My Ball = 1pt
A New Hope = 1pt
Foolish Tortoise = 1pt
Pit Crew Pups = 1pt
Owls = 1pt
Ewoks Join the Fight = 1pt
Flying High = 1pt
Zeg and the Egg = 1pt
Dogs of War = 3pts
Angela: Asgard's Assassin = 3pts
Goodnight Darth Vader = 3pt
Apollo = 3pts
Vacation Under a Volcano = 5pts
Day of the Dragon King = 5pts
One Night of Sin = 3pts
 Esio Trot = 5pts
Gone Fishing = 5pts
Beast Keeper = 5pts
Hounds of Hades = 5pts
Steeds of the Gods = 5pts
Dragon Healer = 5pts
 

Currently Reading:

 Books to be Read Soon:

 

Total Points Earned
161 points + 88 points earned - 130 points spent = 119 points

Total Points Earned this Year: 504
Total Points Spent this Year: 389

Pages Read/ Time Listened
85:45Hours Listened (7:30 listened this week)
17,102 Pages Read (3,071 this week)

Books Added to Shelves

Dragon Healer by Lucy Coates - 15 points spent
Gruffalo's Child by Julia Donaldson - 5 points spent
Clariel by Garth Nix - 15 points spent
Paul Bunyan by Steven Kellogg - 5 points spent
Underdogs by Markus Zusak - 15 points spent
Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan - 15 points spent
A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston - 15 points spent
The Tale of Oriel by Cynthia Voigt - 15 points spent
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - 15 points spent
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - 15 points spent
The Crown by Kiera Cass - Audible Download (pre-order)


Interesting Tidbits on the Web:



 



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well this has been quite the week! I guess watching all the Booktube last week really got my toosh in the bookish mood!  I went on a book shopping spree and a huge reading bing all week long and ended with a readathon with Munchkin. It actually wasn't too bad with him, I expected a lot of distractions but reading kids books and some read to me books on the Nook and movies for him when he got bored worked out.  Anyway, I will have a full wrap up posted later today.  I will probably be going light on the reading this week because I am totally exhausted but it was so worth it.

The RI Author Month is drawing to a close but I hope you will stick around all the way to the end, I have a few more books I want to share with you! Don't forget to enter the giveaways, there are 4 in total and you can enter them all (even earn entries every day).


Don't forget to enter the giveaways!
Rhode Island Author Month Giveaway
Ducky Ducky Likes To Moo
Judith Glynn EBook Giveaway
Rich Feitelberg Signed Book Giveaway