Dreamy December Days Read-a-Thon Day 6 Updates

For more about Dreamy December Days, click on the banner. 

Dreamy December Days Participation Post Update for Day 6:

Yesterday was a crazy day (as the whole week as seemed to be). I had to work yesterday and last night was a huge event for the city. So I continued to listen to my audiobook, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell which I am really enjoying. 

Today's plan is to knock out The Queen's Choice and to participate in the Twitter chat later this evening with Francine. Will you be able to join us?

Dreamy December Days Challenge Post Day 6:

Okay, this is going to be crazy to say but I am not one of those reader to really go all swoon-y over guys in books. I KNOW that sounds crazy but I have a FANTASTIC husband and that I am older than a lot of readers who read young adult titles. BUT I want to participate in another challenge, so I am going to imagine that I have travel back in time to be a teen again. These are the guys, I would be crushing on:

• Sam, Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
• Will, Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally
• Noah, Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
• Ryan, Dare You To by Katie McGarry
• Kaidan, Sweet Evil and Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins
• Gavriel, Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Those are the guys that are jumping into my mind at the moment. I am sure there are some I am missing. I will try to pop over later this afternoon when I am taking a reading break to catch up with all my fellow participants. Until then, happy reading! 

Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally Review

Racing Savannah
By Miranda Kenneally
Publication Date: December 3, 2013
ISBN: 9781402284762
Reviewed from: an ARC provided by Sourcebooks Fire—Thank You!! 

Purchase Notes:

• I purchased a copy for myself
• I purchased a copy for my library's collection

Story Synopsis from GoodReads:

They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…



My Thoughts:

Ms. Kenneally's writing is simply superb. She gripes me from the first page and does not let me go until the last word has been read. Her characters development, pacing, conversation, wit and humor just have me coming back to her books time and time again.

Before coming to Goodwin Farms, Savannah really seemed like she was just going through the motions of life. She knew she wanted to work with horses—that is her passion and she is good at it. She never thought of college nor rising above her situation in life. Jack and the Goodwins challenge her to consider more—why can she not go to college? Why does she have to stay in the same life as she has always known? No matter what lot in life you have been dealt in life, I think this is a powerful message that all readers can take from heart.

What I enjoy so much about her books is she is not afraid to tackle sensitive topics such as socioeconomic dynamics. Her candor discussion in the acknowledgements about her own dealings with her own feelings of inadequacy as a child because she did not have the right labels as a child resonate so much with my own as well. Perhaps that is why Savannah’s story really struck a chord with me this time. To be able to get a reader to reflect and consider without demeaning or preaching is a delicate balance that Ms. Kenneally does well.


Readers’ Advisory Notes:

• Genre: Young Adult; Contemporary; Realistic
• Series Fans: Hundred Oaks Book Four
• Themes: socioeconomic status; accepting yourself; first love; first experiences
• Content Concerns: partying with underage drinking; first sexual situations and experiences

My Final Thoughts:

Just like Savannah is addicted to candy—I am addicted to Miranda Kenneally’s books! She has solidified her spot on my favorite authors list.

Dreamy December Days Read-a-Thon Day 5 Update

For on Dreamy December Days, click on the banner above. :-)

Dreamy December Days Participation Post #5:

Today I did not get much physical reading done today. :( So sad!! I really dislike days like this when my schedule does not permit me much in the way of reading time. 

I did start Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell yesterday as an audiobook, maximizing my time as I drove to and from work. I am loving it so far! I am three chapters into it. 

So I am working on two books right now:  

• The Queen's Choice by Cayla Kluver
• Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

 

 And am still at 3 books finished for the week. I hope by the end of Saturday that I have finished The Queen's Choice as I have a review due for it. :-)

  

Dreamy December Days Read-a-Thon Day 4 Updates!

To learn more about Dreamy December Days, click on the banner above. 

Dreamy December Day 4 Participation Post Update:

Well today has not gone near as well as I hoped. I was able to chat with Francine for a bit on Twitter during the Twitter Chat so YAY for that. :-D BUT I have not gotten much read at all. My work meeting and errands too much longer than anticipated. Then this evening, we started to decorate our home for the holidays. Here's hoping I get more done tomorrow. :-)

So overall I am still sitting at 3 books finished but working on my fourth. 

Dreamy December Day 4 Challenge Update:

I filled out the Google Form to the best of my ability. How did you all do?

**I hope everyone is having as much fun as I am!**

Dreamy December Days--Participation and Challenge Updates!

To Learn more about Dream December Days, click on the banner

Dreamy December Day Three Participation Update:

 

• Mary Balogh's The Arrangement, which I have been listening to do a review for a journal. 

• I have also started an ARC of The Queen's Choice by Cayla Kluver, which releases at the end of January. 

I also realized that I did not count the book I read when I was riding home in the car on Sunday. 

• My first holiday book of the season, Holiday Kisses, a collection of short stories by Jaci Burton, Shannon Stacey, HelenKay Dimon and Alison Kent

This would would bring my three day total up 3 books finished and one more book in the works. :-) I am happy with my progress thus far!!

Day 3 Challenge: Holiday Foods! 

Today we are talking food! I actually like to cook and bake--when I have the time! :-D So here are some of the traditions surrounding food during the holiday season for my family:

• Christmas Eve: we have Overnight Lasagna (similar to the linked recipe, but I have adapted it over the years), salad and garlic bread. We have a dessert of some sort but it varies from year to year. 

• Of course we have to make cookies! And this year I really want to try my hand at making these Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Truffles. I found them on Pinterest--click here to follow me on Pinterest.

• Christmas Day: varies but we usually do something brunch related so we make various quiches, ham and more. 

I hope everyone is having fun participating in Dreamy December Days! Tomorrow is suppose to be my day off but I have to go into work for a meeting and run a bunch of errands. I hope to be able to get on to check with you all regardless!