BOOK LOVER'S HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY HOP WINNER!!!!

And the winner is...

Oh! Paper Pages!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I have just sent you an email

to notify you of your win!

You have 48 hours

to reply with your shipping address,

and claim your prize,

Half-Blood,

by

Jennifer L. Armentrout!!!!

I'd like to thank everyone

who entered this giveaway!!!!

Unfortunately, not everyone who enters

a giveaway can win,

as we all know...

but all of you did have a fair chance,

because the selection was arrived at through a

completely random process.

I'm planning another giveaway before the end

of this month, so do stay tuned!

YOU

might very well be

 the next lucky winner!!

Wishing you all a very

happy

holiday season!!!!

Follow My Book Blog Friday Hop #14

Happy Follow Friday!!

This weekly feature is hosted by

Rachel at Parajunkee's View 

and 

Alison at Alison Can Read,

 which you really must go and check out!!

You can find the rules at the links above.

Join in the fun and make new blogging friends!!

This week's featured blogs are:

Anonymous Reads

and

Keeping Up With Roxy's Books!!!

This week's question is:

In keeping with the Spirit of Giving

this season,

what book do you think

EVERYONE should read

and if you could,

you would buy it

for all of your family and friends?

What a great, thought-provoking question!!  it's the type of question I most enjoy answering, because I can reach within and share those things I treasure, things I have learned through those greatest treasures -- books!! 

I would love to provide a comprehensive list of all the books that have deeply affected me, books that have indelibly marked me as a person; in short, books that have changed my life -- perhaps not in overly dramatic ways, but in the sense that they have expanded my mind and engaged my emotions, given me new horizons to look toward, and simply enriched my existence immeasurably.  We're supposed to pick one, though...Hmm...

Well, there is, in fact, one book that comes to mind right away, but I really can't limit myself to one, because hot on the heels of that first book, there follows another one, and then another....

The four books I'm including here all speak to the universal human experience, although, at first glance, that may not seem to be the case.  They deal with such age-old themes as the clash of different personalities in romantic relationships, the conflict between love and one's conscience, coming of age, the conflict between rigid orthodoxy and the creative imagination, the spirituality of art, the need to find meaning within life's constant paradoxes, the corrosive nature of prejudice, and the inevitable shock of innocence encountering evil for the first time...

These are truly unforgettable books.  These are books that I would love to give to everyone I meet, not just friends and family, because once you read them, you understand what it truly means to be human.

Jane Eyre

Charlotte Bronte

Hardcover, 596 pages

Everyman's Library

October 15, 1992

(first published 1847)

Genre: Romance, Literary Fiction

This novel is a tour de force of passion and intrigue,

a very beautiful romance

that is also full of depth, since it

explores the mysteries of

the human heart,

as well as such themes

as moral courage, true independence of spirit,

and psychological resiliency.

It's also a feminist manifesto,

one that was very much ahead of its time

when it was first published.

I will always be fascinated by this

very compelling tale,

relishing it again and again in years to come.

Everyone should read it at least once

in their lifetime!

My Name Is Asher Lev

Chaim Potok

Hardcover, 369 pages

Alfred A. Knopf

March 12, 1972

Genre: Literary Fiction, Art, Religion

This is an incredibly beautiful, luminous novel,

in which the creation of art

is shown to be a sacred, even mystical

activity, one that should not

be barred by religion,

but instead engaged in precisely because of

its inherently spiritual dimension.

I read this book years ago, as

a college art student, and it has retained

a very special place in my heart.

In spite of its focus on the world of

traditional Judaism, this novel

is universal in scope,

as well as a deeply moving one.

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

Betty Smith

Hardcover, 512 pages

Harper Collins

November 1, 2001

(first published 1943)

Genre: Literary Fiction

This is another incredibly beautiful novel,

as deeply moving as any of the other books
I've chosen.

It is a story of life and its unavoidable

disappointments and tragedies.

It is a tale of the wonder, joy, beauty and sadness of

human existence.

To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee

Mass Market Paperback, 281 pages

Warner Books

December 11, 1982

(first published 1960)

Genre: Literary Fiction

Here is yet another truly beautiful novel,

one that deals with several themes,

chief among them being the

nature of prejudice and its insidious influence,

which totally corrupts and

distorts human relationships.

It is also a coming-of-age story,

told through the eyes of someone

who has not yet learned 'how

the world works',

someone who will, through

the narrated events,

discover the cruelty of discrimination,

as well as the strength of

moral character.

It is another unforgettable book!!

What memorable books

would you all love to give

to your friends and family
this holiday season?



Waiting On Wednesday #21: A Million Suns,. by Beth Revis

This is a weekly book meme, hosted by

Jill @  Breaking the Spine,

which features future releases that we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!

Here's my pick for this week!!

A Million Suns

(Across the Universe #2)

Beth Revis

Hardcover, 400 pages

Razorbill

Expected Publication Date: Jan. 10, 2012

Genres: Science Fiction, Romance, YA

From the Goodreads Synopsis

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart....

I must sheepishly confess...I have yet to read 

the first book in this series!

Well, that's something I hope to be

taking care of next year, since I'm joining the

"2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge"!! 

This book and the previous one are

definitely on that list!!!

I've seen both of them on several blogs,

and am really intrigued by

the exciting plots of both novels!

Needless to say, both covers are beautiful, as well,

although I think I prefer this one,

because my favorite color is blue!!

(You wouldn't know that, just from looking

at my blog, would you?)

What fantastic books are you all

eagerly

looking forward to this week?

Book Review: It Happened One Christmas, by Kaitlin O'Riley (first review for The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge)

This is my first review for this wonderful challenge!

Please click on the button located on my sidebar

for a list of participating bloggers.

Hope you all enjoy!!

Title: It Happened One Christmas
Author: Kaitlin O'Riley
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 332 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: October 1, 2011
Genre: Christmas Romance, Historical Romance




I first saw this book while doing some Christmas shopping in a regular retail store that has a book department.  Since I am a very visual person, the cover called out to me right away!  Now, I have seen many beautiful covers on books, including romance novels, of course.  This one, however, is nothing short of breathtaking!  There's a luminosity about it that is totally in keeping with this beautiful season!  It also helps that the male model is a Harrison Ford look-alike...

As for the story itself, it's a standard, if very delightful one of two people, already engaged to others, who are fated to be together.  The novel is set in Victorian England, and the entire tale takes place during the month of December, 1873. Thrown into the mix is the story of a young boy, Tom, who lives with his mother in a horrible London tenement.  The influence of Charles Dickens is very much apparent here, and it gives the story some depth, thus making it much more than just another holiday romance.

Lisette Hamilton and Quinton Roxbury meet entirely by accident -- they literally run into each other.  They collide while Lisette is breathlessly running out of an alley and onto a street.  Both are thrown to the ground, he falling on top of her.  Both are instantly mesmerized by each other.  Lisette is sure that Quinton wants to kiss her right then and there.  They are actually unable to move for several minutes.... 

I know someone will inevitably groan at this point.  Admittedly, this sounds like a cheesy cliche, but one dear to every female heart.  The fact that this is naturally a humorous situation is very well exploited by the author -- this is, after all, the stuff of romantic comedies, and I for one love to watch such movies! 

As the plot develops, both protagonists make every effort to run away from their budding, albeit rather 'inconvenient' romance, only to keep running into each other, accidentally, and, at times, not so accidentally.  The inevitable first kiss is not long in coming, either -- it takes place when Lisette is visiting her 'ailing' mother in Brighton, a town right by the sea.  While taking a stroll along the beach, Quinton kisses Lisette with passionate longing, and this starts her wondering as to her long-time fiance's restraint in this department...

The problem is that both Lisette and Quinton had made other plans for their lives, while they were unknowingly being stalked by Cupid... Quinton has accepted a proposal of marriage from the Duke of Wentworth, on behalf of that aristocrat's daughter, while Lisette has been engaged for years to her childhood friend, Henry Brooks. 

Both of them, of course, are blissfully ignorant of the fact that their soul mate exists.  Both, of course, are also content to contemplate marriage to people who suit them in other areas, none of which have anything to do with love -- Quinton seeks political influence, so that he can implement much-needed reforms for the benefit of the poor, while Lisette merely wants a comfortable, safe marriage, under the erroneous impression that this is far better than a passionate, romantic one.

The author keeps the reader turning the pages, on pins and needles, waiting for the moment of truth, when both of these very likable characters will finally realize that they are engaged to the wrong people, that they are trying to achieve their goals in totally misguided ways.  Throughout, O'Riley gives us important insights into each of the protagonists' personalities, and we romantic females end up falling in love with Quinton, while liking and admiring Lisette, wishing she were our best friend.  We are also treated to all of the currents and eddies in the course of true love, in a very entertaining and delightful way.

The story of young Tom Alcott and his mother is a wonderful secondary tale, and ties in very nicely with Quinton's noble goal of providing proper housing for the poorer classes of the day.  O'Riley manages to thread Tom's story
into the main one seamlessly, capturing our interest even though we are aware of the Dickensian influence (I am especially reminded of Oliver Twist, although the events in this book are not the same at all).  

The secondary characters are wonderful as well.  I especially like Jeffrey Eddington, a friend of the Hamilton family, as well as one of Quinton's.   He thinks of Lisette as a sister, threatening Quinton with dire consequences if he in any way dishonors her.  I also like all the Hamilton sisters, with their lively personalities, although each is different from the other.  Genevieve Hamilton, their mother, is the typical 'martyr' figure, with all of her imaginary illnesses.  However, she also very shrewdly throws Quinton and Lisette together, at her home in Brighton, knowing full well that they are meant for each other.

To sum up, this is the perfect Christmas romance!  It's totally engaging (perhaps the pun is intended...), fun to read, and very romantic, as well as thought-provoking at times.  I heartily recommend it to fellow die-hard romantics like myself!

Oh, and by the way...another Hamilton sister, Paulette, will be featured in an upcoming book!  I'll be eagerly watching for it!!  


MY RATING:  

Kaitlin O'Riley

Where To Buy:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble

BOOK LOVER'S HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY HOP!!

The holiday season

 is here!!

I've joined a fabulous giveaway hop,

hosted by two blogs,

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer,

and

Kid Lit Frenzy!!!

The hop begins today, Dec. 2nd,

and ends at 11:59 PM EST,

on Dec. 6th.

 

All the rules can be found HERE.

 

A big "Thank You!!" to Kathy and Alyson

for hosting such a wonderful
event for book lovers!!!

Now on to what I'm giving away, as

a member of this hop!

One lucky winner will get their choice

of one of the following

bestselling YA novels!!

 

The Iron Queen -- Julie Kagawa

Shadowspell -- Jenna Black

Night School -- Mari Mancusi

Passion -- Lauren Kate

Daughter of Xanadu -- Dori Jones Yang

Half-Blood & Pure -- Jennifer Armentrout

Angelfire -- Courtney Allison Moulton

Winter's Shadow -- M.J. Hearle

Here are my giveaway rules:

Main Entry (1)

Follow "A Night's Dream of Books"

with the GFC widget.

Optional Extra Entries

Read and comment on

one of my reviews; please comment on

the actual review page in order

to qualify for the extra entries. (2)

(You can pick a review from the list

on the Reviews Page,

or comment on the latest one, dated

11/27/11. )

Like "A Night's Dream of Books"

on Facebook. (1)

The winner's prize will be delivered by

The Book Depository,

which means this giveaway is international!!

Just make sure TBD delivers to your country.

You can do that by clicking HERE!

If you choose Winter's Shadow, I will order it

from Fishpond.com.sg, which has free shipping

anywhere in the world!!

Next thing!

Please leave a comment on this post,

including either

your email address, FB email address,

or some other means of contacting you,

should you be the lucky winner!!

Include the name of the book you'd like,

as well as how many entries

you've qualified for.

The winner will be chosen by random selection,

and will have 48 hours to respond

after being notified.

I will announce that very lucky person 

by the end of next week!!

Have a very happy holiday season,

whether your holiday is

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa,

or whatever!!!!!

Good luck to you all!!