Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Open Minds, Diamonds, and Fate

Happy Wednesday! First of all, thanks so much to everyone for all your kind words on Monday's post. It means a lot, and I'm thrilled to be able to share all this with such great blog buddies!

It's been a while since I've done a reading round-up, so below are some of my most recent reads.


The Lady's Fate (The Reluctant Grooms)The Lady's Fate by Anne Gallagher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't read many historical romances, but this novel by author Anne Gallagher has convinced me to try more. The chemistry between Violet and Haverland is so strong it's almost palpable, and Gallagher uses this to give readers some unforgettable steamy kissing scenes!

With plenty of well developed characters (my favourites being Lady Olivia and young Jane) and lots of plot twists, 'The Lady's Fate' is an engaging, atmospheric read. I can't wait to read more from Gallagher.

View all my reviews Open Minds (Mindjack Trilogy, #1)Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I haven't read a lot of YA, but Susan Kaye Quinn's novel 'Open Minds' has certainly convinced me to delve into more. The whole concept of the book is fascinating: a society where people can read each other's mind with ease... and then, a subsection of 'mutants' who can control those minds. The plot is original and engaging, and the main character is believable and likeable, despite her hard shell. I can't wait for the second in the trilogy.

View all my reviews House of DiamondsHouse of Diamonds by Karen Jones Gowen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

House of Diamonds follows two sisters. One is on her way to achieving her dream of being a writer, despite the chaos in her busy household and her frequently absent husband. The other is struggling to keep it together whilst her newborn clings to life in the hospital. Author Karen Jones Gowen plunges readers into the daily details of each household, holding us at close range and never letting go. The intensity of emotion -- from frustration and fear to joy and faith -- is palpable throughout.


Tomorrow is a very exciting day for me, since I'm donning my silver dress, brushing my hair, and slipping into my party shoes for the Romantic Novelists' Association Winter Party! I'll see you on Friday, when hopefully my head won't be hurting. Until then, have a great week!
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37 comments:

  1. Unknown16 November 2011 at 14:34

    Great reviews, Talli. I have read Diamonds and I just loved it. I have to do a review for that soon.

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  2. Julie Dao16 November 2011 at 14:45

    Thanks for the book recommendations, Talli - these all sound terrific! I've seen a lot of praise for Open Minds so that's definitely one to add to the to-read pile soon for the holidays. Have fun at the party!

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  3. Anonymous16 November 2011 at 15:07

    ave fun at the event! I've got to get out more too. Just not in a silver dress.

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  4. Joanne16 November 2011 at 15:08

    A winter party sounds fun, very atmospheric! Enjoy, and thanks for the reviews/suggestions ...

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  5. Tracy Jo16 November 2011 at 15:11

    Ooo...the winter party sounds lovely! Thank you for the reviews. I am adding them to the wish list on Amazon.I will need books to snuggle up with during our Minnesota Winter. :-)

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  6. Anne Gallagher16 November 2011 at 15:26

    Thanks so much for the shout-out, it was definitely a lovely surprise.

    Have a great time at the ball, Cinderella. Just remember to keep your shoes on!

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  7. Old Kitty16 November 2011 at 15:34

    Yay for amazing gorgeous books!!! Lovely!!

    Enjoy your ball - sounds wonderful! Take care
    x

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  8. Emily R. King16 November 2011 at 15:37

    House of Diamonds was awesome. I'm going to reread it soon.
    Have fun at your party!

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  9. ~Sia McKye~16 November 2011 at 15:43

    Talli, I've heard some buzz of a couple of these.

    Historical romances have been a favorite of mine but not a much with the modern crop of authors. Now it's a matter of hunting for those that give me a layer of the historical time the book was set in and a great story(I love Elizabeth Loupas and a few others). I plan on checking out Anne's book.

    Oooh, a winter ball. How fun! Must provide pictures, my dear!

    Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

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  10. Meredith16 November 2011 at 15:44

    Oooh, these all sound like fun! Thanks for the recommendations. And have fun at the party!

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  11. Carol Kilgore16 November 2011 at 15:59

    Great reviews. Thanks. Have a ball at the party!

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  12. Scarlet Wilson16 November 2011 at 16:13

    Just bought all three! Have fun and hope to see a photo of the silver dress!

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  13. DL Hammons16 November 2011 at 16:19

    I've heard good things about the other two, but I KNOW you can't go wrong with Anne's book. The lady knows her regency! :)

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  14. Anne16 November 2011 at 16:35

    Thanks for reviewing those books. Thinking of getting House of Diamonds on my kindle.
    Have a great time at the party!

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  15. Susan Kaye Quinn16 November 2011 at 16:49

    Oooh, have fun with the dress and the party! And thank you for all your reviews of Open Minds! I've read House of Diamonds, but I need to put some romance in my life with The Lady's Fate! :)

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  16. Heather16 November 2011 at 17:10

    Ah, dress shopping. It has been far too long since I've done that. Have fun! Open Minds was absolutely fantastic wan't it?!

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  17. Deborah Carr (Debs)16 November 2011 at 17:46

    Great reviews, thanks.

    I can't wait until tomorrow, although I'm wearing black boots as I can't fit lovely shoes into my bag.

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  18. Arlee Bird16 November 2011 at 18:25

    I keep seeing Open Minds mentioned and reviewed on other blogs and it sounds quite good.
    And yay for Karen G's novel--I hope it's doing very well.


    Lee
    Best selling author Lani Diane Rich visits
    Tossing It Out
    Wednesday November 16th.

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  19. Carol Riggs16 November 2011 at 18:37

    Great reviews! And yaaaay, I'm glad you liked OPEN MINDS. :) Hope your headache fades as you don your silver dress!!! Have fun!

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  20. Anonymous16 November 2011 at 18:39

    I'm definitely planning on checking out Anne's novel. I love historical fiction.

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  21. Alex J. Cavanaugh16 November 2011 at 19:06

    I got to read some of Anne's book this past summer - she is really good!

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  22. RHYTHM AND RHYME16 November 2011 at 20:18

    Have a lovely time Talli, oh and thank you for the comments on my down day then my up day yesterday.
    much appreciated.

    Yvonne.

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  23. Olga16 November 2011 at 23:18

    I always find interesting reading advice from you. Thank you for the recommendation.

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  24. Karen Jones Gowen17 November 2011 at 03:22

    Wow how did I miss this? Thank you so much for mentioning my book. And both Anne's and Susan's are on my to- read list!

    It is so thrilling to see my blogging friends' books coming out. I am stoked!

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  25. Sarah Tokeley17 November 2011 at 09:52

    More books for the list! Hope you have great fun at the party :-)

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  26. Empty Nest Insider17 November 2011 at 11:40

    Thanks for the great reviews! You'll be the belle of the ball at the party!

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  27. Theresa Milstein17 November 2011 at 13:45

    A silver dress. Be sure to post pictures! Have a wonderful time.

    I just won a copy of Open Minds on Sharon Mayhew's blog. I'm thrilled!

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  28. Bish Denham17 November 2011 at 15:35

    I am eagerly awaiting to read Anne's book.

    Have fun at ball!

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  29. Jo17 November 2011 at 18:14

    Excellent reviews Talli. I've just visited Anne Gallagher's page. Thank you for your kind comment on my guest post on Under the Tiki Hut. I'll be back to be motivated by your blog again. Greetings. Jo (Kenya)

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  30. LTM17 November 2011 at 19:49

    ooo, have fun at the party! I've heard of all three of these books, and I can't wait to read them. I've actually got Susan's on my Kindle... next! :o) <3

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  31. Peggy Eddleman17 November 2011 at 21:27

    Awesome! I've heard a lot of great things about Open Minds. Dang, I've got to read that soon!

    And have fun at your party! Sounds like it'll be so much fun!

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  32. Golden Eagle18 November 2011 at 01:16

    Great reviews! :)

    I hope you have a wonderful time at the party.

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  33. Bethany Elizabeth18 November 2011 at 07:18

    Awesome stuff, Talli! Those look like great books. I hope you had fun at that party. :)

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  34. LindyLouMac18 November 2011 at 10:47

    Hi Talli, I am trying to catch up on blog reading yet again, this time after the olive harvest. Lots to catch up on here, I am so pleased you took that leap four years ago. Thanks for the reviews, I will be adding two of them to my wishlist, not the YA one! Hope the party was a success last night.

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  35. Rebecca Bradley18 November 2011 at 11:04

    This is the second review of House of Diamonds I've seen today alone. It's definitely moving up my TBR list.

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  36. William Kendall21 November 2011 at 17:00

    I hope you had fun!

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  37. Canada2 December 2011 at 02:31

    Open Minds is one of those books that hasn't been getting a lot of buzz around the blogosphere but it definitely deserves some. The first book in the Mindjack trilogy is gripping, suspenseful, shocking, and at times, sweet. I have high hopes for the sequel!

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Coffee and wine for all!

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