Candace Reviews Under the Light by Laura Whitcomb @Lwhitcomb23

Under the Light (Light #2) by Laura Whitcomb

Hardcover, 256 pages

Published: May 14th, 2013 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Source: ALAMW

 

Find the author:

Website  | Twitter

 Helen needed a body to be with her beloved and Jenny needed to escape from hers before her spirit was broken. It was wicked, borrowing it, but love drives even the gentlest soul to desperate acts.

When Jenny returns to her body, she finds that someone has been living her life while she was away. She doesn’t remember being Billy’s lover or defying her family. But now she is faced with the consequences. And Helen, who has returned to warn Jenny—to help her—finds herself trapped, haunting the girl she wished to save.

In this captivating companion novel to A Certain Slant of Light, the love story between Jenny and Billy begins out-of-body—where they can fly and move the stars--and continues into the tumultuous realm of the living, where they are torn away from each other even as they slowly remember their spirits falling in love.

It's been years since I read A Certain Slant of Light and I found myself being concerned about whether I would be confused with this book.  I remember only a few things about it, but as I read Under the Light I began to remember A Certain Slant of Light and it all came back to me.  Initially I didn't remember who Jenny was, but she's the one who's body Helen took in A Certain Slant of Light.  So it's more her story, but Helen is still present and tells a bit from her side as well.

Jenny's family is super religious and her spirit was being broken by her father.  He read her diary and then took everything important to her away.  This is where Helen comes in.  So we see where Jenny went when out of her body but a good portion of the story is when she comes back and how things play out with Jenny and Billy (who was Helen's lover but whose body was taken by another ghost) and how they have this thing that connects them but they don't remember each other.  It's also about Jenny and her family.  Her super religious and over the top father and the mother who is lost herself but only knows one thing, religion.

I liked Jenny a lot and really felt bad for her.  I wanted her to stand up for herself and find her way and we got to see that happen.  It was slow, she didn't change over night, but she found her footing and found  her voice.  She ended up being very strong.  We also get to know Helen's past and how she died, which was very interesting and I was glad to know more about her.

I really love the concept of ghosts in these books and think that the author did a great job of making it all very believable.  I believe in ghosts and have interacted with them myself, so this was something I did connect with.

Laura Whitcomb has a very lyrical writing style.  It's more along the literary lines of things, which I don't usually like, but quite liked in this book. The story was easy to read and once I got into the rhythm of it I didn't put it down once.  I read nearly the entire thing before bed and didn't stop reading until I finished.  

While this is a companion novel and you don't have to read the first book, I do encourage you to do so.  You'll understand things much better and you'll enjoy it more as things regarding Helen will make much more sense.  I very highly recommend this series to fans of YA books with ghosts (not scary) and contemporary since the contemporary theme was very important in this one. 

Disclosure: I received this book at ALAMW.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Candace is a wife and mother to two. She’s blogged at Candace’s Book Blog since November 2008. She enjoys a variety of genres including anything and everything young adult, some adult urban fantasy, a little bit of adult paranormal romance, some historical fiction and reads lots of childrens books. You can find her on her blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com, twitter @candacemom2two and on goodreads.

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The Prize (Review) by @LarsDHHedbor

The Prize: Tales from a Revolution: Vermont

by Lars D.H. Hedbor

Released: July 2, 2011

Caleb's father is serving with Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys as the long-anticipated open war against the British rages up and down the length of Lake Champlain. Between his duties on the family farm and constant worry about his father's safety, the young man's attentions are already fully occupied when a fateful encounter with an unlikely neighbor changes everything. Pulled into new intrigues and new friendships, Caleb finds himself on a path that changes his life - and which will affect the outcome of the whole war.

Not long ago, I was at Jan's Paperbacks for their grand re-opening.  They had brand new fixtures and great food.  They also had a bunch of local Portland authors.  Authors who wrote mystery, romance, young adult, etc.  It was a great event and I hung out with T.J. Brown, ate some tasty food and mingled with several of the authors.  Two of the authors were Lars Hedbor and Bryan Gregory.  If you have met me, you know I enjoy giving people a hard time.  I proceeded to question them both about their Author Websites and gave them ideas for what they could do to make the sites more reader friendly.  Even after all that Lars was still okay with me enough to let me read his book and give my thoughts on it.

I love historical fiction and it intrigued me that The Prize was based on real life details that Lars had researched.  There was even a map included at the front of the book which I used to see where Caleb was canoeing to as the story went on.  Not only did I enjoy learning what happened with the British as the colonists fought to be independent but Caleb's family was integral to the storyline.  I learned about how families would have lived and supported themselves during the time period.  Caleb is a teenager who is sharp and keeps track of where the British are and reports to the men in town who are in charge of the Green Mountain Boys.  This story is also fun because there is a surprising storyline that happens between Caleb and a neighbor.  Well I should say neighbors.  I don't want to give away the part that greatly surprised me but when you read this book you will really enjoy it.  There is a great deal of adventure and mishaps.  Caleb can be pretty clumsy!  I'm really excited for Lars' next book 'The Light: Tales From a Revolution – New Jersey'.  Lars definitely took me right into the time period!  Check out 'The Prize' and see what you think!

Oh and you will read a lot about Caleb in a dugout.  I wondered what one looked like. So here is a photo I found.

Caleb ends up building a canoe.  Here is what that looks like compared to a dugout.

Keep those pictures in mind while you read!

Lars Hedbor is an amateur historian, linguist, brewer, fiddler, astronomer and baker. Professionally, I am a technologist, marketer, writer and father. You can find him online at his Website, Goodreads and Twitter.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author and all opinions expressed are my own. I was not paid or influenced in any way. 

Blog Tour: Guest Post by R.R. Russell

 Deep in the heart of a mist-shrouded island, an impossible secret is about to be discovered.

Twig is used to feeling unwanted. Sent to live on a pony ranch for "troubled" girls on a misty, haunted island, Twig is about to discover the impossible — someone who needs her.
Jolted awake from a bad dream, Twig follows the desperate whinny of a terrified horse out to the stables. There in the straw is a bleating little scrap of moonbeam. A silver-white filly with cloven hooves and a tiny, spiraling horn.

A baby unicorn.

Now Twig knows what secret is hiding in the island's mist: the last free unicorn herd. And a mysterious boy named Ben who insists that this impossible creature is now Twig's to care for. That she needs Twig's love and protection. Because there's something out there in the deep, dense shadows that's hunting for them...

Wonder Light takes place on a mist-shrouded island in the Pacific Northwest—not unlike the islands Russell explores with her own family. In this post, Russell discusses why she was so inspired by this unique setting and why it was the perfect setting for the characters and creatures in her book.

Wonder Light takes place on Lonehorn Island, a fictional island in the Pacific Northwest. It’s been abandoned for generations, but now the Murleys, long-time foster parents, have carved a home out of the shadowy cedars and filled it with unwanted girls. Twig, a skinny, lonely girl, joins them.

Like Twig, Lonehorn Island wants to be left alone. With rocky shores shrouded in mist and crashing waves that threaten Twig not to come any nearer, the island hides powerful secrets—secrets that, if discovered, will change the island and everyone on it forever.

This mysterious island was inspired by the Whidbey Island area in Washington State. There, jagged rocks and cliffs rise from the beaches. Red-barked Manzanita trees and juniper cling to the top of the rocks along the edge of the island, but the foliage quickly transitions to thick evergreen woods, primarily cedar, Douglas fir, hemlock, spruce, yew and alder.

My family likes to camp at Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island, and from there we can see some of the many small islands off the Coast of Washington. Those islands, often encircled by mist, inspire so many questions. Does anyone live there? Who owns them? What sorts of things could be hidden on a small, private island, draped with mist?

Mysterious creatures? Maybe even unicorns?

Who better to discover such secrets than a girl who wants nothing to do with anything fantastical? A girl who wants only to stay safe in her shell with her own secrets for company.

There on Whidbey Island, I wrote the opening of Wonder Light. In the whip of the island wind, characters began to whisper to me. Twig Tupper and Lonehorn Island—just as much a character as a setting. And of course, the island’s greatest secret—unicorns. Wild and pale as the island’s mist.

R.R. Russell lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. She grew up traveling the world as an army brat and now travels the country as a coach with a non-profit judo club. She loves to read and draw, and like Twig, once spent a lot of time sketching unicorns. Visit her at rrrussellauthor.com.

Stop by to check out The S-Word by @Chelsea_Pitcher and to enter the giveaway

First it was SLUT scribbled all over Lizzie Hart’s locker.

But one week after Lizzie kills herself, SUICIDE SLUT replaces it—in Lizzie's looping scrawl.

Lizzie’s reputation is destroyed when she's caught in bed with her best friend’s boyfriend on prom night. With the whole school turned against her, and Angie not speaking to her, Lizzie takes her own life. But someone isn’t letting her go quietly. As graffiti and photocopies of Lizzie’s diary plaster the school, Angie begins a relentless investigation into who, exactly, made Lizzie feel she didn’t deserve to keep living. And while she claims she simply wants to punish Lizzie’s tormentors, Angie's own anguish over abandoning her best friend will drive her deep into the dark, twisted side of Verity High—and she might not be able to pull herself back out.

Debut author Chelsea Pitcher daringly depicts the harsh reality of modern high schools, where one bad decision can ruin a reputation, and one cruel word can ruin a life. Angie’s quest for the truth behind Lizzie’s suicide is addictive and thrilling, and her razor-sharp wit and fierce sleuthing skills makes her impossible not to root for—even when it becomes clear that both avenging Lizzie and avoiding self-destruction might not be possible.

I met Chelsea before I had gotten around to reading 'The S-Word' simply because my to-read stack is massive.  I actually signed up to be a part of this blog tour because I am excited that she is a local Portland author.  I wanted to make sure we featured her book on our blog!  So this weekend I went downtown to enjoy the beautiful weather and ended up reading her book in a couple of hours.  Once I started this book sucked me in.  I didn't want to get up to go to the bathroom or move from where I was.  I definitely recommend reading this book outside when it's sunny! (See below photo)  I think it adds to the overall enjoyment of the book ;)

You can see 'The S-Word' here as I take a photo of my view from where I was laying

The storyline follows Angie as she tries to piece together what happened to her friend.  Not only did I get angry along with Angie, but her deviousness surprised me at many different points throughout the story.  Also, I would totally date the guy that she ends up liking.  No spoilers here folks!  I'm not sure I'd do everything the way Angie did but it was interesting to see her perspective on the choices she made.  I was intrigued by Lizzie and the secrets that came out along the way as well.  There is a lot packed into this book.  Over all I want to read this book again.  I can't wait for it to be released in hardcover so I can own a copy!

My Favorite Quote from the book was late in the story:

'That's the thing.  That's why I think we're good for each other.  You can help me stand up for myself and I can help you choose love over hate.'

Release date: May 7th 2013

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Purchase: Amazon - Book Depository - Powell's

About the Author

Chelsea Pitcher is a native of Portland, OR where she received her BA in English Literature. Fascinated by all things literary, she began gobbling up stories as soon as she could read, and especially enjoys delving into the darker places to see if she can draw out some light. 

Official links: chelseapitcher.com | @Chelsea_Pitcher

Giveaway code:

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from from the store I work at and all opinions expressed are my own. I was not paid or influenced in any way.

Double Event Recap: Fall in Love With Teen Fiction & Educators Night

Leigh Bardugo (L) and Kristin Holbrook (R)

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the Fall In Love With Teen Fiction event hosted by Powell's and sponsored by New Leaf Literary for authors Sarah Fine (Sanctum), Kody Keplinger ( The DUFF), Lisa Desrochers (Personal Demons), Mindee Arnett (The Nightmare Affair), Ingrid Paulson (Valkyrie Rising), Leigh Bardugo (Shadow and Bone) and Kristin Halbrook (Nobody But Us).  Yes, it was a big event!  I had to bring my kids since it was during the week so I apologize for my poor photos and my lack of notes.  I had too many distractions!  However, I still had a blast!

Before hand I met up with a few people at Panera.  Mel, my co-blogger here, met me there first and then Cat Winters (In the Shadow of Blackbirds), Miriam Forster (City of a Thousand Dolls), and then Lucy @LucyinBookland and Heidi @Heidi_Schulz showed up.  Lucy and Heidi are 'book' people we know from the area.  Heidi helps with Wordstock, the local book festival in the fall.  If some of these names are familiar, yes, I did just see them a whole week and a half ago before this event!
After eating we headed over to Powell's, which is on the other side of the parking lot.  I like to get there early and was happy to see some more familiar faces.  Mostly just local people I have gotten to know a bit from seeing them at events.  But I also met Ephrielle from Hope, Love and Happy Endings.  I'm sure I saw some others I didn't mention here, I apologize if I missed putting you down.  It really was a crazy time since I was distracted by kids half the time.

Once the authors came out they introduced their books very briefly and then went straight to questions.  Once again  Mel tweeted the event and here's what she said, along with my notes after to clarify things.

• Answering Questions at the @NewLeafLiterary Event about writing romance teen novels
  @IngridEPaulson ~ This was the first question, something about writing romance in teen novels. I already forgot most of the answers for this one!
• Chiming in is @KristinHalbrook talking about the tragic romance in her book Nobody But Us @NewLeafLiterary ~ In Kristin's book the romance is more a tragic sort and not what we would 'normally' call teen romance, yet it is.
• Audience ?'s w/ bribery from @LBardugo - Leigh answers talking about plans on going away from high fantasy for a break @NewLeafLiterary
  

  

  Kody Keplinger

  • Her answer included talking about having her characters to eat pb&j instead of Nut Spread from another land @LBardugo @NewLeafLiterary~ Basically what she means here is she has to make up foods, etc for fantasy and she would like to be able to talk about normal things like PB&J. So maybe not fantasy for her next book (after this series).  Sad face from me cause she's a pro at fantasy!
• Getting the right tone for the age group is @Kody_Keplinger & reminding herself that a teen wouldn't feel as she does at 20 @NewLeafLiterary~ They were talking a bit about how they write 'realistic' teens since no one is a teen anymore.  Though Kody was when she wrote The DUFF.  I also remember Lisa Desrochers saying she couldn't write adult because she doesn't 'relate' to those people, but she IS writing a New Adult (or already wrote it).
• On how long from concept to final draft everyone is varying.We have author answers from about 7 days to 11 months so far! @NewLeafLiterary ~Yes, it's clear that everyone is different, and every book is different. But still, 7 days?! (I don't recall who said that, but it wasn't Leigh cause she was shocked and jealous!) (This is Mel, I believe Lisa Desrochers was the one who said 7 days but I could be wrong.)
• Creative outlets of the authors when not writing, we now know our authors who sews&bakes,writes songs&riding horses @NewLeafLiterary ~ Some actually said that since they work outside the home their writing IS their creative outlet.  I know Sarah Fine said this because she's a psychologist (or psychiatrist, I could be remembering wrong so I want to clarify).



Sarah Fine and Kody Keplinger

• Talking about world building is @LBardugo using research, friends of friends for help, and immersing yourself in learning @NewLeafLiterary ~ I remember she said she took things from anything and everything and since there are a lot of Russians near where she lives they were helpful as well.

There was much more discussed, but that's a bit of it!  Thanks Mel for the twitter 'notes'! (Mel: You are quite welcome. Next time I'm bringing a fully charged phone!)
After the questions then it was time to get our books signed!  Since I had kids I didn't wait until the end, I just went straight up.  This meant there were people

Sarah Fine, Kody Keplings, Lisa Desrochers, Mindee Arnett

behind me and I couldn't linger, which kind of bothered me cause I like to talk to them a bit.  But oh well.  First up I got Sanctum signed (favorite of 2012) and I told Sarah it was a favorite which made her happy, of course.  Then I got The DUFF signed and I felt horrible cause I just had an ancient ARC.  Unfortunately I did not have the money to buy everyone's books and I have read Kody's, but I had borrowed them.  I didn't have any of Lisa's, but she signed my bag.  And I had an ARC of The Nightmare Affair for Mindee to sign.  Once again, I felt bad that I didn't have a finished copy, but seriously, if I bought all their books it would have been over $100 and totally not an option for me.  Then Ingrid Paulson who I didn't have a book to sign either but she signed my bag.  And then... Leigh Bardugo!  Yes, I was SO, SO, SO excited to meet her!  And she was so nice!  I got to chat with her the longest.  I had a Siege and Storm ARC so we talked about how excited I was to have it and how she only got two ARC's so it's one that many want and not many got.  I know, I'm REALLY lucky to have it!   (Mel again, I have been bugging Leigh on Twitter AND in person the morning of the event about getting an ARC as I'm so pumped for the next book. I think Leigh may have me banned from events she is featured at in the future :(  ) She'll be back in June so I can get a finished copy then.  :)  And then Kristin Halbrook was last and I got her book.  She was super nice too and I enjoyed chatting with her a bit before I took off.  Everyone was great and it was nice to meet them all even if I didn't get to talk with them very much.
One major bonus was this event had a special book that was for this event only.  It's short stories by each of the authors and Leigh even wrote little notes throughout hers.  There were only 150 printed total, so it's a rare book!
Here are a few more pictures for you all! 

The night after this event I went to the local educators night at B&N where Colleen Houck and Lisa Schroeder were the authors present.  My kids weren't terribly patient and it's a long event with lots of other talking but we got to hear Colleen talk a bit about her books and how she takes bits of mythology and just uses it sort of randomly, how it's a mish mash of mythologies.  And I won a bag of goodies from her!  It had Tigers Destiny (book #4) in it and a framed picture, a Vera Wang notebook, a tiger bookmark, nail polish, a candle, some soap and chapstick and candy and gum.  It was an awesome surprise!  This photo is super blurry for some reason, I guess cause I took it on the iPod.  I didn't take any pictures at the event cause it was super hectic and crowded.  But I did get to chat with Lisa Schroeder before it really got started.  I know her well and it's always nice to get to chat a bit!  After Lisa did her talk about her books we took off.  My kids just couldn't handle anymore book stuff.  I did get to see a friend who's a teacher at the high school nearby and it was nice to say hello to her before rushing off.  I love getting a chance to see other book people, even if it is short!

For more info about any of these AMAZING authors stop by the links below:

Wednesday Nights Event:
Mindee Arnett - Website / Twitter
Leigh Bardugo - Website / Twitter
Lisa Desrochers -Website / Twitter
Sarah Fine - Website / Twitter
Kristin Halbrook - Website / Twitter
Kody Keplinger - Website / Twitter
New Leaf Literary Agency - Website / Twitter

Thursday Nights Event:
Colleen Houck - Website / Twitter
Lisa Schroeder - Website / Twitter

Heidi Reviews Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein

Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein

Paperback, 352 pages
Published March 5th 2013 by Entangled Teen

What if the last place you should fall in love is the first place that you do?
You’d think getting sent to Turning Pines Wilderness Camp for a month-long rehabilitation “retreat” and being forced to re-live it in this journal would be the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.
You’d be wrong. There’s the reason I was sent to Turning Pines in the first place: I got arrested. On prom night. With my two best friends, who I haven’t talked to since and probably never will again. And then there’s the real reason I was sent here. The thing I can’t talk about with the guy I can’t even think about. What if the moment you’ve closed yourself off is the moment you start to break open? But there’s this guy here. Ben. And the more I swear he won’t—he can’t—the deeper under my skin he’s getting. After the thing that happened, I promised I’d never fall for another boy’s lies. And yet I can’t help but wonder…what if?

The full review can be found at Rainy Day Ramblings.
A revealing and honest look at a teenager in peril.
Cassie refuses to think back to what happened on prom night and the bad path her life
has taken since then. She has closed her heart off and she won't let anyone in. Not
after what Aaron did. She is going to suck it up and somehow get through the next thirty
days at Turning Pines. Cassie knows it is going to be tough, and it will likely be one of
the worst experiences of her life, but the alternatives are worse. What she doesn't
count on, is finding someone there who just might be worth letting in. Can Cassie deal
with her past and open her heart?
What I Liked:
• I had no illusions going into this one like I did last year when I read Pretty Amy. I was
expecting Pretty Amy to be a light, fluffy read all about going to prom, what I got was
a tough look at three teenage girls making bad decisions due to their lack of self
worth. This time, I knew that Cassie's story would be even more raw and I was right.
This is not an easy novel to read, probably why I don't review more contemporary, it
was tough at times and it stressed me out, but through it all, I saw a girl struggling to
find herself and prove that her life mattered. Cassie's journey of self discovery takes
place during a month long stay at Turning Pines which is one of those rehab camps
where they send juvenile delinquents. It is not a fun place to stay by any means and it
was an eye opening experience to read this one. If you ever wondered about the type
of people who are sent to these camps and what they undergo read this book.
• Cassie is a touch character to like. On one hand she is smart and funny, some of her
lines are so sarcastic that they made me laugh, but on the other hand she is so closed
off and damaged that it is hard to get the full picture. She is a girl who has never
really been shown kindness in her life, except from her brother. Her father serves in
the military so he is always gone, her mother is consequently always drunk because
she can't deal with his absence. Cassie has never been cuddled and loved and told
that she mattered. So she is angry to the point of being combative and she doesn't
know the first thing about love and trust. The one time she lets a boy in, she suffers
some catastrophic consequences which shatter the fragile trust she established. Now
she is broken, gutted if you will, and trying to survive each day at the camp. During her
stay, Cassie slowly analyzes all the bad that happened to her, comes to terms with it,
and she begins to take those tentative steps to trust and hope and believing she is
worth it. Keep in mind her self discovery is harsh and brutal at times and gut
wrenching, but in the end I am glad I went on the journey with Cassie.
• I appreciated that this book dealt with some very challenging topics such as
pregnancy and abortion and the devastating aftermath. Cassie's experience is painful,
scarring and revealing.
• This is one of those contemporary novels that will stick with me because it is so
honest and it doesn't hold back. Cassie puts forth a tough exterior. On the outside
she is a girl who smokes, curses and makes bad choices and doesn't seem to care
what the world thinks of her, but on the inside she is scared, alone and desperately
wanting to be loved. Even though she wouldn't want it, I wanted to hug her.

Dear Cassie is a good follow up to Pretty Amy. In fact, I much preferred Cassie's voice
to Amy's since Cassie doesn't sit around and feel sorry for herself and she is more in
your face. This book takes at harsh look at a teenage girl floundering with the
pressures of today's society as she tries to find herself and learn her own self worth.
The story is raw and gritty and it isn't easy, but in the end, I enjoyed watching those first
hesitant baby steps that Cassie takes to hopefully what will be a brighter future. This
book isn't for everyone, but if you are someone who enjoys realistic, gut wrenching
reads, get this one.
Favorite Quotations:
"The "cabin" looked like a shack built by a homicidal maniac---you know, the place he
keeps his blood-splattered murder tools and rotting corpses. The door creaked as
Rawe opened it---that a room you enter and may never leave creak."
"I already knew what I was capable of, and I wouldn't want to be in a cabin in the woods
alone with me."
"Rawe said that if we knew where we came from, it would be easier to see how we'd
ended up where we'd ended up. The crap not falling far from the butthole and all that."
"I would have liked to be drinking stolen beer from the cooler, but after the arrest, my
mother did a sobriety check every time I came home. Which was beyond ironic,
considering my mother's breath could have gotten me drunk."
"You look like a naked, upside-down female synchronized swimmer in need of a wax," I
spit through the water. "Desperately."
"Um, maybe," I said, even though I was positive if I kneeled down to pray, the sky would
open up and lightning would fly out like octopus arms and burn me to a crisp. I didn't
deserve to pray. Not that anyone but my brother knew it, but I didn't deserve anything
except to go take a crap in a pit toilet."
"If this is what I am now---a girl who used to know who she was, who used to be able to
make people afraid of her, but is now only scared of herself. Of what she will do if she
lets one more boy in."
"They probably had the kind of parents who would always tell them they were awesome,
even when they sucked. I had the kind who told me I sucked when I sucked."
"You ned to live this life." she whispered. "You can live it with regret, or you can let it go."
Disclosure: A big thanks to Entangled Copy for providing me a review copy in exchange for
an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this
review.

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University and is glad to finally have it be worth more than the paper it was printed on. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. She wrote her first story when she was in second grade. It was a Thanksgiving tale from the point of view of the turkey from freezer to oven to plate. It was scandalous.  You can find out more about Lisa on her website, blog, Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

About Heidi:
I have always had a healthy passion for reading.  My love of books started at an early age, as soon as I could read my life long love affair for books began.  Reading to me is one of the finest pleasures in life.  My guilty indulgence is a good book, a soft blanket and a cozy concoction.  It is thrilling to hold a book in your hands and wonder at the secrets that are buried deep within. Then page by page the story pours out revealing it's heart and soul until there is nothing left to show; nothing left to say. To me a good book is one that continues to call to you after completion.  The characters are still whispering in your mind; their story threads reaching out to entangle you even as you pick up another book to start the wonderful process anew.  Each book is a new adventure, a new story, another find.  That is why I read!
I am currently a stay at home mother of two toddlers, who keep me very busy. I also have a wonderful, supportive husband without whom this blog would not be possible.  I am a recent transplant to the rainy, region of Portland, Oregon; thus the reason for my blog Rainy Day Ramblings.  The many rainy days here provide me ample time to snuggle up under a comfy blanket with a cat and read while the rain drips down my window.
I also, when I find time, enjoy baking, candle and jewelry making, cross stitching and spending ample time with family.
Find me on my blog, facebook, and twitter.