What is this post about?! What is this event? HOW CAN I JOIN? Click here and find out!
Congrats to everyone who added a review last month! I’m so proud of all of you! Let’s keep going, the challenge will be over in 5 months! We can start the countdown already, but it’s never too late to join! Remember that the person who reviews the most will get a special prize in December! It’s still summer, so you have plenty of time to catch up! Now here’s to this month’s challenges…
Choose as many options as you want!
TOPICS:
1) Read a book that has been made into a movie.
2) Read a book with an older Hero or heroine (AT LEAST mid-to-late thirties).
THEMES:
3) Read a novel that is classified as “chick-lit” or a light, humorous book about a young single, working woman in an urban setting.
4) Read a book that has a character that is involved in any type of arts (music, dance, literature, etc).
SPECIAL EVENTS:
5) Read a book that features a “friendship” as its main storyline.
***
JUNE Giveaway Winners:
Cupcakes for my Birthday by Venus Cahill
1 PDF – INT : SUSAN @ Today’s Working Woman!
Hot Spanish Nights by Bianca Swan
1 PDF – INT : GILLIAN @Tattooed Book Review!
Black Swan by Linda Nightingale
1 PDF – INT: TIN @ Love Saves the World!
Coveted by Shawntelle Madison
1 Print Copy (US Only): TRIX!
About Last Night by Ruthie Knox
1 Print Copy (US Only) : BLACKWOLF!
***
AUGUST Giveaways:
Sexy Little Bites by Velvet Rose
1 EBOOK – INT
For the Love of a God by Rosanna Leo
1 PDF – INT
Up In Flames by Rosanna Leo
1 PDF – INT
Deep Autumn Heat by Elisabeth Barrett
1 PRINT COPY – US ONLY
Can’t Buy Me Love by Molly O’Keefe
1 PRINT COPY – US ONLY
***
Add your REVIEWS at the blue frog linky bellow to enter the giveaways!
Good Luck!
A big thanks to all the sponsors who made the giveaways possible!
24 comments
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miki
August 1, 2012 at 5:04 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
oki it’s perfect august was my chick lit month so topic 3 for me with at least the secret shopper’s revenge by Kate harrison ( not sure which other yet but i will add the as i read them^^)
Nat
August 1, 2012 at 8:56 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
awesome =)
miki
August 3, 2012 at 10:12 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
i guess it also count for topic 2 ( Grazia is in her 40′ and her husband was a painter) and 5 friendships
Juana Duran
August 2, 2012 at 1:30 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I will go with:
Topics
1. Book Made into a movie: Tex by S.E. Hinton
The ones from past months that I didn’t finish:
May
Blood Law by Karin Tabke
July
Surrender to me by Shayla Black and
Nat
August 2, 2012 at 10:36 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Good luck!
Tin @ Love Saves the World
August 2, 2012 at 6:31 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Wow — it was tough to find historical romances that would fit –
2) Read a book with an older Hero or heroine (AT LEAST mid-to-late thirties) – Pleasure Me by Monica Burns (the heroine is 41!)
4) Read a book that has a character that is involved in any type of arts (music, dance, literature, etc) – A Gentleman Says “I Do” by Amelia Grey (the heroine is a writer ^_^)
Nat, amazing topics as always. ^_^
Nat
August 2, 2012 at 10:35 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Great Job, Tin! =D
Nikki
August 3, 2012 at 2:31 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Hey Nat
Does the older hero/heroine count when he is a paranormal being thats over 250 years old? LOL!!!!
Nat
August 3, 2012 at 10:08 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Hahaha! Absolutely!!! xD
miki
August 7, 2012 at 1:32 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
oki for topic 2 older hero Pride Mates by Jennifer Ashley ( hero is hundred year old^^)
Nat
August 7, 2012 at 7:49 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
cool! =)
Trix
August 11, 2012 at 8:07 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Hmm…I’m currently reading the Richard Labonte-edited DADDIES: GAY EROTIC STORIES anthology. Lots of heroes over 35 in it, but otherwise I’m not sure it counts as romance…
WIll have to think about it!
Trix
August 14, 2012 at 4:20 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
It occurs to me that SONG OF ACHILLES would work, since its romance stems from the friendship between Patroclus and Achilles…interesting book, too. So, maybe I’ll do that one instead.
miki
August 12, 2012 at 5:50 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Topic2: older heroine ( mid thirties) and 3 chick lit book
What’s new, Pussycat by Alexandra Potter ( really really not liked this one)
miki
August 12, 2012 at 5:51 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
arf error it’s only topic 3 this one
For Topic 2 AND 3 it’s The Starter Marriage by Kate Harrison
miki
August 23, 2012 at 10:57 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
For topic 4: A perfect Darkness by Jaime Rush, the hero is a painter ^^
Trix
August 17, 2012 at 5:26 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller
Ecco hardcover/HarperCollins ebook released March 2012; Ecco paperback coming at end of August)
Blurb: “The legend begins…
Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia to be raised in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles. “The best of all the Greeks”—strong, beautiful, and the child of a goddess—Achilles is everything the shamed Patroclus is not. Yet despite their differences, the boys become steadfast companions. Their bond deepens as they grow into young men and become skilled in the arts of war and medicine—much to the displeasure and the fury of Achilles’ mother, Thetis, a cruel sea goddess with a hatred of mortals.
When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece, bound by blood and oath, must lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.
Built on the groundwork of the Iliad, Madeline Miller’s page-turning, profoundly moving, and blisteringly paced retelling of the epic Trojan War marks the launch of a dazzling career.”
Review: I love that even though this book is a highly acclaimed work of literary fiction that won the 2012 Orange Prize, it is essentially a piece of m/m fan fiction (the fandom being Greek mythology, to be sure, but fan fiction nonetheless). I hope it serves as a gateway drug for those who feel snobbish about romance or skittish about gay themes; I feel confident that it will, because Miller’s use of language is just beautiful. It’s told from Patroclus’s point of view, and his adolescent awe at the great speed and beauty of young Achilles seems totally natural. Their friendship’s progression to romance is delicately handled (especially at first, when the two are underage by modern standards), but the full love and sensuality of their growing relationship suffuses the book. At first, it seems that Achilles will be the uber-perfect “Mary Sue” type of hero, but as the Trojan War rages on and other complications ensue, we see his flaws emerge as he develops into a more complex man. Even though the story is so squarely of its time, we see that some things haven’t changed over millennia (the goddess Thetis is about as scary a homophobic parent as one would care to imagine, for instance). I was not well-versed in THE ILIAD, and so the twists of the story really hit hard: I wonder how someone who knows the original tale would feel about this reworking. Highly recommended, especially for those who don’t mind bittersweet endings.
Trix
August 26, 2012 at 2:59 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Topic 2: Read a book with an older Hero or heroine (AT LEAST mid-to-late thirties).
THE ABCs OF EROTICA: G IS FOR GIGOLO by Malia Mallory
(self-published ebook, July 2012)
Blurb: “Candace is a woman who always lived her life for those around her. Now a widow, but still in her prime, she seeks to explore aspects of herself that were buried, particularly her sexuality. While stopping over in Los Angeles on a trip, she arranges for a gentleman escort, a gigolo, in hopes of finding herself.
“Gavin is a man who makes his living figuring out how to please women. He is drawn to Candace, recognizing the carnal natural underlying her vulnerability. He takes her down a path that she never knew existed.”
Review: This may be my favorite Mallory e-book thus far; it packs a lot of character development in its short length. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Gavin and Candace, and appreciated that both portrayals seemed to step away from the usual cliches of this sort of relationship. The sex scenes are hot, too (though, being the worrywart I am, I did have several “why are there no condoms, folks?” moments near the end)–I liked how Candace’s sexual awakening occurs before our eyes, and that Gavin wasn’t jaded after all his sex-for-pay experiences. There is a sequel coming, and I’m curious to see what happens next (and considering I mostly read m/m, this is saying something). Recommended.
miki
August 28, 2012 at 6:40 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Topic 3: chick lit: Calling Romeo by Alexandra Potter ( good but not my style at all)
Nat
September 5, 2012 at 1:46 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I thought I would like Chick Lit at all, but when I read it I didn’t find it so bad, I was suprised cause I didn;t know what to expect!
Susan Dusterhoft
August 31, 2012 at 1:40 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I went with Theme #3, Chick Lit…and I chose to read Lucy Wagner Gets In Shape by Claire Matthews. Here is the link to my review:
http://todaysworkingwoman25.blogspot.com/2012/08/twws-book-review-lucy-wagner-gets-in.html
Thanks everyone for stopping by my website!
Nat
September 5, 2012 at 1:40 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Good luck, Susan! =D
Juana Duran
August 31, 2012 at 4:10 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
hey guys I don’t remember if I put up my review for my book, could you send me an e-mail if I didn’t or if I did. The Book that I chose was Tex by S.E. Hinton.
Nat
September 5, 2012 at 1:41 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I added it to the linky for you!