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Monday, August 31, 2020

Life in the Camel Lane: Embrace the Adventure by Doreen M. Cumberford (Book Spotlight & Giveaway!)


A memoir of an American family who lived as expats in Saudi Arabia in the 90s.


Book Details:

Book Title: Life in the Camel Lane: Embrace the Adventure by Doreen M. Cumberford
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 288 pages
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: White Heather Press
Release date: April, 2020
Tour dates: August 24 to September 4, 2020
Content Rating: G. There are no offensive scenes or language

Book Description:

IN 1995, DOREEN CUMBERFORD catapulted herself into an extraordinary adventure halfway around the world. Leaving a comfortable American lifestyle, she moved to Saudi Arabia with her husband and toddler.

Instantly assaulted by culture shock, they had to quickly adapt to a complex multicultural lifestyle inside a corporate compound.

Danger was never far from their threshold, including the events of 911, the Iraq War and Saudi internal terrorism against western expats. At the same time, they discovered surprising and wonderful connections between East and West, including the charismatic lifestyles of middle-class Saudi women behind closed doors.

Doreen and her family grew to love life in the Camel Lane and discovered a growing passion for multiculturalism and global living.

However, upon returning to the US, they discovered they no longer fit into their old life. With compelling honesty, Doreen describes their most challenging journey: creating new identities as citizens of the planet. Her story provides insightful inspiration for anyone longing to embrace the world as their home.

Buy the Book:
Add to Goodreads

About the Author:


Doreen Cumberford is a Scottish native, expat, author and global traveler for more than four decades. In her 20s, Doreen joined Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Her first posting was as the youngest and most junior British Embassy staffer in Cameroon, West Africa. Later, she moved back to London and took a position with an American oil-field construction company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

After moving to America, living in Louisiana then California, (two extremely different cultures in the US,) Doreen and her family moved overseas to Japan, then spent 15 years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With 13 major moves under her belt, she understands the value of moving, building a new life and handling inter-cultural hurdles. One constant has been her ability to explore through the lens of adventure. Her stories are full of multi-cultural intelligence, messy multilingual communications and multi-global perspectives.

Doreen is currently based in Denver, Colorado but spends most of the year living adventurously in the Housesitting Lane, which takes her around the globe. Currently she is doing her best to install Spanish in her brain, which already has French and smatterings of Japanese and Arabic. She is passionate about cultural intelligence, global-heartedness and life on the road.

Honest, compassionate and full of wisdom and inspiration, Life in the Camel Lane is comprised of stories from expats who lived in Saudi Arabia from 1950s onward. This memoir contains expert advice, sage wisdom and stories that all globally mobile families can use to navigate their international journey.

The principles in this book will also encourage anyone who wants to embrace a more adventurous life at home or is considering taking the leap and moving overseas.


Connect with the Author: 





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Ends Sept 11, 2020


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Sunday, August 30, 2020

Sunday Post, Sunday Salon, Mailbox Monday and It's Monday What Are You Reading? August 30 Edition


Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share our news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.


Sunday Salon hosted by Readerbuzz is simply a place for us to link up and to share what we have been doing during the week. Sunday Salon is a great way to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 


My son will be starting school this week. He is in his last year of high school. We're all a bit nervous with this pandemic still around. We've been told that students will be assigned with a group in one classroom for the rest of the year and the teachers will be going to them to teach the different subjects. They will have no lockers and the cafeteria and library are closed. On a 7 day cycle, he will be going to school 4 days and learning online from home the other 3 days. This is all new and unprecedented so we'll have to see how it all works out. I'm assuming it's pretty much the same in most of North America.

My daughter on the other hand is starting university and all her learning is online.

I'm still working full-time in healthcare and good books are keeping me happy. I got a great mailbox this week!

Hope you are all well. Stay safe and take care of each other.
Mailbox Monday Edition



Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home on its blog. Link up to share your MM.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.


What I reviewed and/or featured last week:


I loved the Watcher series by this author and this new book in a series was good too!


A good quick romantic suspense.


Currently Reading:

 

I love reading non-fiction almost as much as fiction. These two books are helping me weather the storm of parenting a teen while working full-time during a pandemic.



Stop by and enter my giveaways!

Also posted on the right sidebar.


Hope you all have a great reading week.




Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Legacy of Secrets by Helen Starbuck (Review & Giveaway!)




Book Details:

Book Title: Legacy of Secrets by Helen Starbuck
Category: Adult Fiction, 243 pages
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Routt Street Press
Release date: Feb 18, 2020
Tour dates: August 10 to 28, 2020
Content Rating: R for two explicit sex scenes, bad language, mild violence.

Book Description:

Other families pass down their stories, Kate Earnshaw’s family’s secrets disappear from one generation to the next. Kate Earnshaw's father's suicide has left many unanswered questions. In handling his estate she wonders if she ever really knew him. He never explained why he let his childhood home in Eastern Colorado fall into ruin or why he'd kept the property a secret. And he never told Kate about his close friendship with Evan Hastings, the handsome and somewhat puzzling man who lives on the property near the abandoned house. 

Evan seems to have as many secrets as her father and knows more about him than Kate did. But there’s something about Evan that calls her back to her father’s home. Something that threatens to unearth more than the past. Legacy of Secrets explores family secrets, a daughter's grief and her search for answers, and a chance for love.


My Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Legacy of Secrets was a good read. It kept my attention from beginning to end and the suspense surrounding Kate Earnshaw's father's suicide propelled the plot forward nicely. Kate doesn't believe her father committed suicide. As she goes through her father's things and tries to cope with her grief, she discovers one surprise after another about her father's life, one of them being handsome Evan Hastings.

There is enough romantic tension in the novel coupled with suspense and mystery to make this a fast-paced read. There were moments though when I just wanted to shake Kate. She was unlikable at times, even though I understood she was projecting her anger towards her father upon Evan, who seemed too good for her. Apart from this, the romance did feel realistic and the characters did grow in the narrative arc.

Regarding content, there are two explicit sex scenes, f-bombs and religious expletives, most of which I think was unnecessary. If you like romantic suspense stories, country boy romances or stories about family secrets, this one is a quick weekend read.



Buy the Book:
Add to Goodreads

About the Author:


Helen Starbuck is a Colorado native, former OR nurse, and award-winning author of the standalone romantic suspense novel Legacy of Secrets, and the Annie Collins Mystery Series. She loves mysteries, suspense, romance, and any book that is well written. She’s a huge fan of books with independent, strong, women characters and, as Neil Gaiman says, “…stories where women save themselves.”

Connect with the author: 
Ends September 4, 2020


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Monday, August 24, 2020

EverMarked by AJ Eversley (Review)


A few years ago I read the Watcher trilogy by AJ Eversley and loved it. So when I saw this new series I knew I wanted to read it and it didn't disappoint!

Book Details:

Book Title: EverMarked (Book 1) by AJ Eversley
Category: YA Fiction, 280 pages
Genre: Dystopian, Sci-Fi
Publisher: Aelurus Publishing
Release date: July 28, 2020
Content Rating: PG

Book Description:

Marked. Hidden. Trained. But the terror awaiting is greater than any of them can imagine.

Sienna has spent her entire life inside the DEZ, a glorified orphanage for unwanted Marked kids. Finally, she’s only months away from graduation. For over a year she’s worked hard to prepare for life outside the DEZ, but being the arena’s champion isn’t always an easy task…even for the notorious Blaze. Fighting in the Underground isn’t about the thrill or the glory, though Sienna has achieved both, it’s about the money—and a way out.

When an explosion rocks the city of Cytos, the Marked kids find themselves at the center of a brewing war. Desperation brings Sienna into the arena one last time, only her opponent, the Wraith, won’t be so easy to defeat. And for Sienna, failure is not an option.

Jayla is a Watcher. She's been tasked with keeping her city safe from an enemy the citizens don’t even know exists. For over 150 years the Watchers have kept them safe, but a darkness has awoken, and even the shadows have gone quiet in fear.

My Review:
Reviewed bu Laura Fabiani

A few years ago I read the Watcher trilogy by AJ Eversley and loved it. It was one of the best dystopian trilogies I had read. So when I saw this new series I knew I wanted to read it. EverMarked is the first book in the series and takes place about 150 years after the last events in the Watcher trilogy.

Once again, Eversley had me hooked from page one and I finished the book in a couple of days. There are two main characters in this series, Sienna and Jayla, or we can say two main couples. Once again, I was immersed in the world of Watchers and Carbons, although not as intensely as in the Watcher trilogy. This time the focus is on the Marked kids and the mystery that surrounds them. Why are they hidden from society and what happens to them once they graduate from the DEZ? The answer lies in something that occurred 150 years ago. The novel comes to a cliffhanger ending that had me searching to purchase the second book DeathMarked which will be released on Sept 8. 

The female characters in Eversley's books are always strong but inwardly vulnerable. It's this combination that makes them not only interesting but relatable since most of the time they are kickass heroins that seem to overcome difficult situations with ease. This novel is escapism sci-fi that I enjoy for the pleasure of being transported to a different world with plenty of action, suspense and the scary unknown.

Although the Watcher series gripped me more emotionally than this one thus far, I thoroughly enjoyed EverMarked and I'm counting down the days to read the second book as the saga continues. If you haven't read the Watcher series, I highly recommend you do, although this new series is a stand-alone and can be read without having read the Watcher series.

If you're a fan of YA dystopian novels or just clean books with a great plot and fun characters, I recommend checking out AJ Eversley's books.

You can read my reviews for the Watcher trilogy: Watcher, Carbon and Savior. 

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review through StoryOrigin. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.


Buy the Book:

Meet the Author:


AJ Eversley is the author of the WATCHER series and the upcoming EVERMARKED series. A true north Canadian girl, AJ currently lives in Central Alberta with her husband and dog. When she’s not writing, she can be found binge watching Harry Potter, quoting various movies in every day conversation, and eating copious amounts of candy.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Sunday Post, Sunday Salon, Mailbox Monday and It's Monday What Are You Reading? August 23 Edition


Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share our news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.


Sunday Salon hosted by Readerbuzz is simply a place for us to link up and to share what we have been doing during the week. Sunday Salon is a great way to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 


Back to work was brutal this week. Plus, I developed an eye allergy (puffy, itchy and red) which slowed down my reading considerably. It's better now, but I still can't wear my contacts.

Spoke to my sister who lives in Spain. They are experiencing a second wave of COVID-19. I'm bracing myself for a challenging fall. 

Hope you are all well. Stay safe and take care of each other.
Mailbox Monday Edition



Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home on its blog. Link up to share your MM.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.


What I reviewed and/or featured last week:

This is a heartwarming story of a wild Mustang horse and the young teen girl who loves it.


Currently Reading:

After seeing all the great reviews, I requested this one from the library. 
I'm starting it today.




Stop by and enter my giveaways!

Also posted on the right sidebar.


Hope you all have a great reading week.




Thursday, August 20, 2020

Finding Home by Corinne Joy Brown and Ginny McDonald (Review and Giveaway!)


Finding Home is a heartwarming story of a wild Mustang horse and the young teen girl who loves it.

Book Details:

Book Title: FINDING HOME by Corinne Joy Brown and Ginny McDonald
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 130 pages
Genre: General Fiction
Publisher: Loose Cayuse Productions
Release date: June 2019
Tour dates: August 3 to 21, 2020
Content Rating: G

Book Description:

For every girl or boy who owns a horse, or wished they did, “Finding Home” brings all the drama and beauty of America’s wild horses to the middle-grade reader.

A coming-of-age story and a tale about friendship, trust and understanding, both horse and owner have powerful lessons to learn. Together, young Jesse Nolan from Colorado and her wild mustang, Curly Girl, rounded up in Wyoming, discover what it means to rely on oneself, as well as those who love you most.


My Review:
reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Finding Home is a heartwarming story of the wild Mustang Pahaska (a young filly) and 13-year-old Jesse, who loves wild horses and wishes to own one. The story is told in alternating views, both that of Pahaska (renamed Curly Girl) and Jesse.

When Pahaska, born in the flatlands of Wyoming, gets captured along with her herd, she faces being sold for hard labor or even as food, but luckily she is adopted by Jesse who buys her at an auction as a gift from her parents who unfortunately are separated. Jesse's uncle tames Curly Girl so that Jesse can ride her, but both Curly Girl and Jesse go through some growing up experiences before they finally find their way home.

I truly enjoyed the fact that the story was told from the point of view of both Curly Girl and Jesse. And I think I even preferred the horse's point of view the most, as it was original and helped me to appreciate the life of a wild horse. I felt for Curly Girl who lost her freedom and her herd. She had to learn a whole new way of life. Jesse's story was good too, although the family issues could have been handled with a bit more depth perhaps. I found the dialogue a bit awkward at times. Apart from this, the story brings to light the plight of wild horses in a way that will appeal to a young audience and teach the young reader the issues of animals in the wild.

The illustrations made with colored pencils enhanced the story well and were appropriate for this intended audience. Most of them were of Curly Girl (she's a beauty!) and the other animals in the story. Curly Girl was the star character in the novel.

Finding Home will appeal to animal lovers, but especially those of horses. Truly these beautiful, powerful creatures deserve our respect and awe as they roam the flatlands of America, and have to adapt to being captured and tamed.


Buy the Book:

Meet the Authors:
Author Ginny McDonald
Ginny McDonald is an award-winning, professional Colorado illustrator and a longtime advocate for wild horses. She is the adopter of an American Curly mare, and more recently, a second mustang named "Lil Bit". Ginny's skill in the use of Prismacolor pencils brings this story to life with rich detail and heartfelt emotion.


Denver native Corinne Joy Brown is a multi-published, award-winning Colorado author, magazine editor and freelance writer focused on the West ." Recent publications include "Young Rider", "Cowboys & Indians," and "Working Ranch." She's also been a horse owner most of her life. Corinne is committed to teaching the next generation about the power of horses to teach and heal. "Finding Home" is her eighth book.


Connect with the author: Website ~ Facebook


Enter the Giveaway!
Ends Aug 28, 2020



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Sunday, August 16, 2020

Sunday Post, Sunday Salon, Mailbox Monday and It's Monday What Are You Reading? August 16 Edition


Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share our news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.


Sunday Salon hosted by Readerbuzz is simply a place for us to link up and to share what we have been doing during the week. Sunday Salon is a great way to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 


I had a good #staycation this week! Did lots of outdoor activities and reading. We had gorgeous weather. I biked 75 km last Friday! Montreal is the top third green city in Canada, and we have lots of bike paths along the shorelines of the island and throughout the city.


That's me in the middle of my two friends who are phys. ed. trainers. I didn't think I could keep up but I did.



Parc de la rivière Doncaster 

And today we did some hiking at Parc de la rivière Doncaster north of Montreal. It's so beautiful to be in nature, breathing in that fresh forest air, hiking among big boulders and a gurgling river.

Parc de la rivière Doncaster 

Hope you are all well. Stay safe and take care of each other.
Mailbox Monday Edition



Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home on its blog. Link up to share your MM.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.


What I reviewed and/or featured last week:

A heart-warming story with a good cast of characters and the beauty of flowers; this one is a very satisfying read. 


Very short book with info you can easily find online. Nothing new.


If you enjoy stories that explore emotional trauma and psychological drama, give this one a try. I enjoyed it.


Currently Reading:

Will be starting this one shortly.




Stop by and enter my giveaways!

Also posted on the right sidebar.


Hope you all have a great reading week.




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