What We're Working On

Hello, again!

Since we've been gone for a year, I wanted to give you a quick update on what we're currently reading and the reviews that will be popping up on our blog. I've broken them down by reviewers, just in case you have a favorite:

Mandy's Current Reads/Future Reviews:

From Little Bird Publicity

IN FARLEIGH FIELD by Rhys Bowen

ANY DAY NOW by Robyn Carr

ALLIE AND BEA by Catherine Ryan Hyde

SUGAR PINE TRAIL by RaeAnne Thayne

From Goldberg McDuffie Communications

MRS SAINT AND THE DEFECTIVES by Julie Lawson-Timmer

From Random House

WHERE THE LIGHT FALLS: A NOVEL OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION by Allison & Owen Pataki

From Viking/Penguin Books

HOW TO FIND LOVE IN A BOOKSHOP by Veronica Henry

Kathy's Current Reads/Future Reviews:

From the Author

RARITY FROM THE HOLLOW by Robert Eggleton

SHAKY MAN by Mark S. Parker

From Blue Rider Press & Plume at Penguin Random House

SIRACUSA by Delia Ephron

From Gallery Books

THE MAP OF BONES by Francesca Haig

Lupe's Current Reads/Future Reviews:

From Gallery Books

THE MAP OF BONES by Francesca Haig

Charlene's Current Reads/Future Reviews:

From FSB Associates

KNOLL by Stephen Hillard

We've just finished a giveaway for Bob Proehl's A HUNDRED THOUSAND WORLDS but I'll make sure you're in on the next giveaway we have.

Have a great day, everyone!!!

We're Baaaaaaaack!!!

Okay, so the pic is an old one of mine (Mandy) that I took while tent-camping in Alabama a few years ago. I used it because, let's face it, my expression emulates the title and brings you joy - LOL.

We've been gone from here for over a year and, let me tell ya, it's just not the same. First of all, while Wix is a great platform, I cannot find a followers button to save my life. And let's not talk about a comment section - I have to add that as a separate element to each post?! Are you freakin' kidding me?

So, anyway, needless to say, I've missed you. We've missed you. I miss seeing your faces, your comments, your involvement in our giveaways and interviews ... I've just missed everything about y'all. *tear*

You may still see Literary R&R comments, buttons, tags, etc. on here. I am slowly working on changing those to the Collected Works links, buttons, the whole kit-and-kaboodle so your patience is greatly appreciated.

Gah, Blogosphere peeps, you're fucking beautiful and it's SO GREAT to see y'all again!!!

*MUAH*

Our New Home

Well, it's official! We have moved. Our new review site is called Collected Works and you can visit us here:

www.collectedworksblog.wix.com/home

It still needs a few pages added and some tweaking done, but we hope you'll follow us, read our reviews, leave comments, etc. We've loved our time here with you all!!!

WE'RE MOVING!!!

I bet you're wondering where the hell we've been. We haven't fallen off the edge of the earth or into some dark abyss. We've been working behind the scenes.

There are times in a blogger's life when you have to stop and say, "This needs to change." Literary R&R has been sporadic and, let's face it, Blogger is getting old. The ladies of this blog wanted a new, better site as well as a book review site that was created by the opinions of all the main Literary R&R reviewers, not just one. Trying to get 4 ladies to agree on a new site name can be a little difficult but we believe we've come up with one.

We're not going to tell you what it is yet because the new site is still under construction. As soon as we get everything up and running, we'll post one last time here to let you know our new site's name.

Thank you so much to everyone who has followed us. We would LOVE to have you follow us at our new location. Keep checking back because we promise we'll return soon to let you know where we've moved.

Love to all!!!!

{Review} LOVING LOVELY by Diane Paley

ISBN #: 978-1910530900

Page Count: 198

Copyright: August 3, 2015

Publisher: Mirador Publishing

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

LOVING LOVELY is a powerful story of deep love that most people only dream about but few rarely achieve. A man who has recurring dreams of a woman falls deeply in love. In his dreams the woman never speaks nor does she have a name-so he names her LOVELY. His personal love life suffers in comparison to his deep attraction and love for a woman who doesn't exist. But in the most unlikely circumstances the man does find LOVELY-and then loses her. She's a news reporter and war correspondent. While on what was supposed to be a short assignment in the Middle East covering the widespread global barbarism, she and her cameraman disappear. Will he find LOVELY again? Will he find love? Or is fate just not that kind?

Shelley's Review:

Loving Lovely is a book that appeals to people in all walks of life.  The family relationships and ethnic diversity represented makes this a book you cannot put down.

Two families are operating delis.  One is Jewish and the other Italian, and they are across from each other.  It is a friendly competition, and the families are friends.  They are a part of each other's lives

Vince is the son of the owner of the Italian Deli and he keeps having a dream.  It is of a woman who doesn't exist but he is completely obsessed with.  It is so vivid that it interferes with his ability to form a relationship with any flesh and blood woman.  After a few tries at a relationship, one of his conquests takes it to a  level and stalks Vince. A violent showdown ensues, during which Rita, a spurned lover of Vince enters the deli waving a gun and endangering the lives of his family. In his quest to find true love, he finally meets Lovely....in the guise of Emily Struthers, a local reporter, who is everything he wants.  They find in each other true love and become engaged.   But before the wedding can be planned, Emily is give the assignment of her life.  She infiltrates an Isis camp, and becomes a hostage.  The horrific crimes committed against her have changed her and left her a broken, different woman. Vince has  a heartfelt chat with Emily,  during which she explains that she has been forever changed and no long the Emily he fell in love with and releases him from his commitment.   At last, Vince turns to the beautiful Veronica who has been in love with him the whole time, and he has his happy ending.

Diane Paley is a clever and refreshing writer.  She uses the current climate of the day to relate to her readers. She offers several scenarios to appeal to many readers, and I look forward to her next book.


*A physical copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.