READ PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness

When I received this press release I realized this was one I really had to post because this is a cause near and dear to my heart. 

You see in April 1996, over 15 years ago, I came home from college to find both my parents waiting to talk to me. I knew this wasn't a good thing. It was on that day I found out that my Mom had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and would be having surgery the very next week. It was all so speedy and sudden I honestly didn't have time to think, but I had time to feel. I remember putting on the strong face for them and falling apart to my then boyfriend who would a year and a half later become my husband. It was a difficult weekend and week, but my Mom stayed strong. We had a wonderful church family behind us and we felt God's presence with us as well. My Mom was a true beacon of strength through her surgery, and through the subsequent chemo treatments. Through the nausea, the hair loss and the fatigue, I remember her staying strong and positive and because she did, I was able to as well. And thankfully 15 years later I still have my Mom with me. She's a Grandmother now, watching her two grandsons grow up and helping me take care of them when I work during the summer and now enjoying retirement with my Dad.  Thank you God for giving me another 15 years with Mom and I hope I have many more!

It's through research funded by The Breast Cancer Research Foundation mentioned below that treatments are developed and surgeries are perfected so that people like my Mom can be 15-year Breast Cancer survivors. And hopefully one day a cure will be found for this disease that still claims many lives each year. 

PENGUIN GROUP (USA) IS IN THE PINK FOR

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

It’s time to think pink to shrink cancer

What’s black and white and pink all over? The initiative by the Penguin Group (USA) called Read Pink™ in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This literary embrace of a life-saving cause last year resulted in nearly 400,000 best-selling romances shipped with Read Pink seals and information about the charity it supports – the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. In 2010 and 2011, some 12,000 floor displays also carried the Read Pink message. The result raised awareness for BCRF, the only cancer organization to receive A+ from the Institute for Philanthropy.

“We are delighted to be able to continue this initiative in support of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation for a second time.  We hope that awareness for the Foundation’s work will only grow by bringing more attention to this important cause,” said Leslie Gelbman, President of Mass Market Publishing, Penguin Group (USA). To mark the occasion, Penguin Group (USA) is again making a $25,000 donation to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

“The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is very grateful to be part of Penguin’s Read Pink program again this year,” said Myra J. Biblowit, President, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  “This visible initiative will certainly raise awareness about BCRF.”

The donation provides vital funds to support the mission of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.   As Dr. Laura J. Esserman, director of the Carole Franc Buck Breast Cancer Center at the University of California at San Francisco said,. “[BCRF] awards support leaders in translational science and assume that they will be able to best dispense the funds. This is invaluable. Most grants require a year’s lead time before ideas can be funded. The BCRF funds allow you to plan ideas a few months ahead, and are flexible in support. The awards also come with the promise of continuity to explore new ideas as they arise. I also really appreciate the annual awards ceremony and the expression of thanks to the scientists. We don’t often get that and it really is rewarding and inspiring to see that people appreciate us, even if we don’t come up with all of the answers. It is an expression of thanks for the efforts we put forward to try to find answers.”

The novels chosen for Read Pink 2011 are eight bestselling mass market titles by some of Penguin Group (USA)’s most beloved female authors. Included this year are Nora Roberts, Catherine Anderson, Christina Dodd, Jillian Hunter, Lynn Kurland, Amanda Quick, Bertrice Small and Lauren Willig.  More than 300,000 copies of the special editions will be printed featuring Read Pink seals on the covers.  In addition, Penguin Group (USA) is including information in the back of each book in an effort to make readers aware of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and encourage them to become actively involved in supporting the organization.

For more details about the Read Pink initiative and to view a complete list of the participating retail outlets, please visit www.penguin.com/readpink. 

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About The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and translational research. In October 2011, BCRF will award $36.5 million to 186 scientists across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and China. Currently, more than 90 cents of every dollar donated is directed to breast cancer research and awareness programs. With exceptionally low administrative costs, BCRF continues to be one of the most efficient organizations in the country. BCRF has received an“A+” from The American Institute of Philanthropy.  For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

About Penguin Group (USA)

Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group.  Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (www.penguin.com) is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.

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Book Review: The Marked by Inara Scott (Delcroix Academy Book 2)

The Marked by Inara Scott (Delcroix Academy)

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Publish Date: April 3, 2012

Hardcover, 320 pages 
Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal
 ISBN: 978-1423116370

My Review:
It felt really good to be back at Delcroix Academy.  I read the first book last year and really enjoyed the world that Ms. Scott created.  I love boarding school novels, especially ones where the boarding school seems to hide secrets.  Delcroix Academy is for students with special talents and Dancia is one of those students.  The Marked picks up right where The Candidates leaves off (and I won't say much because I don't want to spoil anything).  And from there it picks up pace and never stops until the last page which wraps up book two nicely but leaves things open enough for book three to follow.  I can't believe I will have another year to wait for the next book.  But I know it will be worth the wait.


It was great to get to know Dancia, Cam and their close friends a little more, and there were a few more friends added in.  I really liked some of the additions and the back stories behind the characters to help get to know them better.  There are romances and friend troubles to keep side stories interesting  and the central mystery of this book as to who is behind the problems plaguing the school and the members of the Program.  This keeps the suspense level up there for the whole book.  There is also intrigue and trust issues among members of the Program that have to be worked out.  All things typical of teenagers in groups and I think Ms. Scott does an excellent job with these plot lines.

The Marked held my attention through the entire book, it had me turning pages to see what would happen next and I truly enjoy each and every page.  This series has me hooked.  It has the right level of contemporary/normal teenage goings-on mixed with the paranormal element of the story to make it fun and a good story.  Ms. Scott knows how to hold a reader's attention and I think she has a great understanding of teenagers and it shows in this series.  If you haven't tried the series, give it a try, but I recommend you start with The Candidates to get the full back story and then move on to The Marked for a better understanding.  Then you'll be hooked and eagerly awaiting book three like I am.



My Rating: 4.5/5.0


About the Book:
All of her life, Dancia Lewis has wanted to use her powers for good. And now that she’s learned the truth about Delcroix Academy—and herself—she may just get the chance. But being part of Delcroix’s top secret Program isn’t anything like Dancia expected. She has to ask herself: what happens to the Talented kids who refuse to pledge their loyalty to the Program? And why did her friend Jack run away rather than join? Dancia’s adorable boyfriend Cam insists they need the help of every Talented student to defend Delcroix from dangerous enemies outside their gates. But Dancia has to wonder: what if Delcroix’s most frightening enemies come from within?

About the Author: 
Inara grew up in winter wonderland of Buffalo, NY. Consequently, she spent much of her childhood complaining about being cold. To spare the world her whining, she fled the cold climate and eventually wound up in the Pacific NW, where she practiced law for ten years before getting up the courage to quit her day job and write full time. A proud author of fantasy and romance for adults and young adults, Inara firmly believes that great literature doesn't have to be depressing, true love does exist, and everyone deserves a happily ever after.

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FTC Information: I received this book through Good Choice Reading Tours for an honest review. 

Book Review: The Last Blind Date by Linda Yellin

The Last Blind Date by Linda Yellin

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Publish Date: October 4, 2011

Paperback, 288 pages 
Non-fiction, Memoir
 ISBN: 978-1451625899

My Review:
My thoughts:  A genre that continues to surprise me as one that engages me from cover to cover is the memoir.  I never thought nonfiction would read like fiction and be so interesting.  I mean my life is pretty boring.  And Linda Yellin is an ordinary woman, but I think that is what makes her book so interesting.  She's not a movie star, a talk show host or a broadway star.  She's just a married woman like me trying to find her place in the world.

From the first page, Ms. Yellin's humor shines through, but there is more than humor in this book.  There is pure emotion and feeling in each page.  I feel her pain when she is looking for a friend when moving to New York, or when trying to navigate the waters of being a step parent (something I wouldn't want to do).  I feel her joy when she finds love, or a good take out place.  I feel the emotions with her in each chapter, she can make you feel like you are with her and because she is a normal everyday woman, you can sympathize with her on each page even if you have never been to New York like me, or never been a step parent or even married.

The Last Blind Date is a love story of Linda and Randy, how they meet, fall in love, have a long distance relationship, decide to marry and then how Linda moves to New York to be with Randy and his kids.  This is where Linda's life changes and she changes.  And this is where the book is so much more than a love story.  It's the story of a woman who comes into her own over time.  It's beautiful, inspiring and a book I truly believe all women at any age should read.  There are lessons to be learned, inspiration to take away and laughs to be laughed on hard days that any woman has.  That is what a reader can take from this book.  That is what I took.  Ms. Yellin has charmed me with her wit and her emotion.  Her writing has inspired me to look around me and find what makes me happy in my current life and hold on to that.  And most of all she's inspired me to not take things too seriously - to laugh at things from time to time because laughing is needed.


I can't end my review without mentioning one of my favorite chapters - "Private School Benjamin" - I have never laughed as hard as her take on the private schools and the lengths parents went to for their kids and the references to her public school education.  Hysterical.  You will have to read this book just to read this chapter - it's well worth it.

So check this out, it's worth the time, it's not a long book.  It reads quickly and it's very enjoyable.  Full of humor laughs and great moments.  Have a tissue ready for the end if you cry at commercials some times.  It's classic and great.  I just cannot say enough great things about this book.

My Rating: 5.0/5.0


About the Book:
A fun, charming memoir about a woman who falls in love, packs her bags, and starts over in the city that eats its young.

About the Author: 

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Giveaway:
I have an extra copy from the publisher of this wonderful book to giveaway.  US/Canada only. Ends 10/14.  Only mandatory entry is your name and email in Rafflecopter below, all other entries are extra.  Thanks!

FTC Information: I received this book from the publisher for an honest review. 

This or That: Courtney King Walker (On The Fringe)

Today I welcome Courtney King Walker, author of On The Fringe who is here during the Teen Book Scene Tour and will tell us whether she prefers this or that . . .
 

Breakfast or Brunch?
Brunch. There’s no commitment with brunch. You can fly by the seat of your pants and go for either French toast or eggs Benedict a Panini sandwich. Best brunch place ever? Mama’s Café in San Francisco. (http://www.mamas-sf.com/index.html) Get the Pan Dore or the Monte Cristo sandwich, and you won’t be sorry.

Lemonade or Pink Lemonade?
Pink Lemonade, only because if it’s homemade that means there is some kind of yummy berry in there.

Sedan or Sports Car?
Sedan. Sports cars attract way too much attention.

Laptop or Ipad?
Laptop because I haven’t test-driven an iPad yet, so I don’t know what I’m missing.

High Heels or Flip Flops?
Flip Flops. Please don’t laugh at me, but you know those accident-prone characters that seem like a cliché in YA fiction? Well, I’m an accident-prone cliché. I broke my kneecap not because of a skiing accident or from falling on ice, but because I’m just clumsy. I won’t go into the rest of my knee injuries, other than to say one of them had something to do with Dance Dance Revolution.

Trip around the world or trip to the moon?
Around the world. To the moon would be kind of cold and dark, and I’m claustrophobic. Guess I’ll have to check it out when I die.

M&Ms: Peanut or Plain?
Plain because I can’t stop eating peanut M&Ms. I completely lose all self control at the sight of them.

Hair: Short or Long?
On me and Vanessa Hudgens – long. On Halle Berry & Brad Pitt – short.

Necklace or Bracelet?
I’m such a jewelry moron. Definitely necklace because I just figured out how and when to wear necklaces I bought a really cool Widow’s Bead necklace, which are beads made out of magazine paper and then lacquered and strung into gorgeous, unique works of art. The technique was originally started (I think) by women in Uganda and has since spread across the world. The charity called Fount of Mercy sells them to help raise money for the women in Uganda (http://www.fountofmercy.com/fount/beadproject.html).

Take a walk or go to the gym?
Walk!

Write at home or write somewhere else?
At home. That’s where all my good snacks are. Which reminds me…

Spring or Fall?
Fall, even though right this second I am dying a slow death by ragweed. Fall: School starts! Halloween! Still warm but not too hot! Gorgeous colors all over the place! Jeans and sweaters! But I hate raking!

On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker
 
Claire is struggling to overcome the murder of her childhood friend and secret crush, Daniel. Everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives, but she's still trying to cope. The fact that she finds herself alone and drowning on her 16th birthday isn't helping.

Neither is thinking she sees Daniel's face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination.

As Claire and Daniel try to grasp a possible reconnection, other grudge-holding beings have plans of their own. Now, the two of them have to decide if their fleeting relationship is worth the possibility of Claire being trapped on the fringe forever.

Beautifully told, On the Fringe intertwines fresh ideas about devotion, revenge, and the consequences that come with life and death

Waiting on Wednesday - October 5

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The World We Found by Thirty Umrigar 
Publish Date: 1/3/2012

University students in late 1970s Bombay, Armaiti, Laleh, Kavita, and Nishta were inseparable. Spirited and unconventional, they challenged authority and fought for a better world. But much has changed in the thirty years since those heady days. Following different paths, the quartet has drifted apart, and the day-to-day demands of work and family have tempered the revolutionary fervor they shared. Then comes devastating news: Armaiti, who moved to America, is dying and wants to see the old friends she left behind. In the course of their journey to reconnect, Armaiti, Laleh, Kavita, and Nishta must confront the truths of their lives—acknowledge long-held regrets, face painful secrets and hidden desires, and reconcile their idealistic past and their compromised present. And they will have to decide what matters most—a choice that just may help them reclaim the extraordinary world they once found. Exploring the enduring bonds of friendship and the power of love to change lives, The World We Found also offers an indelible portrait of modern India—a nation struggling to bridge economic, religious, gender, and generational divides.

I actually received this for review this week and I can't wait to read it, but have a ton of review books to read before I get to it and it's killing me. 

So what are you waiting on this week?