This is my 1st posting for It’s Monday What are you reading hosted by J.Kaye Book Blog, and am sure it won’t be my last.
  Finished:  Illusion by Edmond Cheng–requested review by author (Rating 3.5)
                 Crossing The Bridge by Michael Baron–requested review by publisher (Rating 5)
  Started:  Most Likely To Die by Lisa Jackson–for Lisa Jackson challenge hosted by J.Kaye Book http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com

Crossing The Bridge by Michael Baron (Rating–5)
Publisher: The Story Plant
ISBN-13: 978-0-9819568-1-7
At the request of the publisher, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
     Synopsis: Hugh Penders returns to his home in Amber, CT a small town in New England, after 10 years of working various jobs in multiple locations never putting down roots or truly knowing what it is he wants to do. He returns home to work in the family store after his father suffers a heart attack. He plans on staying only long enough for his Dad to get on his feet. Amber holds too many painful memories of his brother Chase, who died August 10th at the age of 18, ten years ago when his car went off Pine River Bridge. He has held a secret within since that fateful day.
     My thoughts: This novel was not my usual read as I tend to gravitate toward fast paced mystery/suspense. However, I was drawn in by the first chapter. This novel is a love story that tugs on your heart from page one. The characters came to life to the point I didn’t want the story to end. The turmoil of Hugh’s emotions of grief, love, confusion, loyalty and pain were felt with the writer’s sensitive words.
     My Opinion and Rating: This was not your typical love story. It was a love story on many levels some being between friends, parents and children, siblings, and mates. The characters took on a real life quality whereas they could have been my family and friends. Being from New England myself, the descriptions of Amber could have been that of where I live. I highly recommend this warm and touching love story and have rated it a Level 5. I will be reading Mr. Baron’s 1st novel “When You Went Away” ASAP and will be anxiously awaiting his next book “The Journey Home” due out May 11, 2010.

Crossing The Bridge by Michael Baron (Rating–5)
Publisher: The Story Plant
ISBN-13: 978-0-9819568-1-7
At the request of the publisher, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
     Synopsis: Hugh Penders returns to his home in Amber, CT a small town in New England, after 10 years of working various jobs in multiple locations never putting down roots or truly knowing what it is he wants to do. He returns home to work in the family store after his father suffers a heart attack. He plans on staying only long enough for his Dad to get on his feet. Amber holds too many painful memories of his brother Chase, who died August 10th at the age of 18, ten years ago when his car went off Pine River Bridge. He has held a secret within since that fateful day.
     My thoughts: This novel was not my usual read as I tend to gravitate toward fast paced mystery/suspense. However, I was drawn in by the first chapter. This novel is a love story that tugs on your heart from page one. The characters came to life to the point I didn’t want the story to end. The turmoil of Hugh’s emotions of grief, love, confusion, loyalty and pain were felt with the writer’s sensitive words.
     My Opinion and Rating: This was not your typical love story. It was a love story on many levels some being between friends, parents and children, siblings, and mates. The characters took on a real life quality whereas they could have been my family and friends. Being from New England myself, the descriptions of Amber could have been that of where I live. I highly recommend this warm and touching love story and have rated it a Level 5. I will be reading Mr. Baron’s 1st novel “When You Went Away” ASAP and will be anxiously awaiting his next book “The Journey Home” due out May 11, 2010.

Today I plan to relax and read after I post. Am apologizing in advance for rambling but have a bit to say today and to thank someone very special.

Yesterday I asked other bloggers if the enjoyment I am feeling regarding this new found world of blogging lasts or is it because it is a new hobby. I heard from some bloggers that it does, thank you to those who commented. I am so glad to hear that it will last!!
This weekend here in New England it has been raining and certain weather conditions affect my back. I am disabled due to severe chronic spinal pain, as a result of 3 prior back fusion surgeries that included internal plates and screws. Some days the pain is paralyzing and just doing minor household chores is difficult. Next week I have an appt to see if I am a candidate for a nerve stimulator implant. Even though this is a 2 part surgical procedure, if it decreases the pain even 25% I will be happy. This new hobby has helped me on those days where the pain is excruciating. Reading was always an escape and now finding blogs and the people associated with the blogs has helped me in ways that are even surprising to me. Thank you !!!

AND a special THANK YOU to my son Mark. I have stated that I am computer challenged and there were certain items that I wanted on my sidebar for the upcoming 2010 challenges that I am so excited about!! For weeks I have been trying to figure out how to create these features. Mark is “home” for the holidays and yesterday within 30 minutes he generated the code and added it. Also if you see any changes to my page in the future, it will be Mark’s doing. He wants to change some things…not sure what he means…so there is a chance that some morning I will boot up and be surprised. He will be leaving this coming weekend to go to his home in PA. So to my baby, THANK YOU for having the patience to help me and for being a great son. I LOVE YOU !!!

Today I plan to relax and read after I post. Am apologizing in advance for rambling but have a bit to say today and to thank someone very special.

Yesterday I asked other bloggers if the enjoyment I am feeling regarding this new found world of blogging lasts or is it because it is a new hobby. I heard from some bloggers that it does, thank you to those who commented. I am so glad to hear that it will last!!
This weekend here in New England it has been raining and certain weather conditions affect my back. I am disabled due to severe chronic spinal pain, as a result of 3 prior back fusion surgeries that included internal plates and screws. Some days the pain is paralyzing and just doing minor household chores is difficult. Next week I have an appt to see if I am a candidate for a nerve stimulator implant. Even though this is a 2 part surgical procedure, if it decreases the pain even 25% I will be happy. This new hobby has helped me on those days where the pain is excruciating. Reading was always an escape and now finding blogs and the people associated with the blogs has helped me in ways that are even surprising to me. Thank you !!!

AND a special THANK YOU to my son Mark. I have stated that I am computer challenged and there were certain items that I wanted on my sidebar for the upcoming 2010 challenges that I am so excited about!! For weeks I have been trying to figure out how to create these features. Mark is “home” for the holidays and yesterday within 30 minutes he generated the code and added it. Also if you see any changes to my page in the future, it will be Mark’s doing. He wants to change some things…not sure what he means…so there is a chance that some morning I will boot up and be surprised. He will be leaving this coming weekend to go to his home in PA. So to my baby, THANK YOU for having the patience to help me and for being a great son. I LOVE YOU !!!

Hope everyone survived the holidays. It is definitely going to be a relaxing and reading weekend here. Except for that dirty word we all have to deal with…laundry…wish Santa had taken care of that for me lol. I am also going to try and tweak my site for the upcoming 2010 challenges. I am SO excited and looking forward to this year because of all the challenges I have signed up for.

I was wondering about other bloggers…..is your blog theraputic for you as it is for me? I wake every morning looking forward to reading my newsletters, checking my blog and then visiting my favorite blogs. Also wondering if after time that the enjoyment continues at the level I am feeling at this time? I sure hope so.

Have a great weekend !!!

Hope everyone survived the holidays. It is definitely going to be a relaxing and reading weekend here. Except for that dirty word we all have to deal with…laundry…wish Santa had taken care of that for me lol. I am also going to try and tweak my site for the upcoming 2010 challenges. I am SO excited and looking forward to this year because of all the challenges I have signed up for.

I was wondering about other bloggers…..is your blog theraputic for you as it is for me? I wake every morning looking forward to reading my newsletters, checking my blog and then visiting my favorite blogs. Also wondering if after time that the enjoyment continues at the level I am feeling at this time? I sure hope so.

Have a great weekend !!!

My first Friday Fill-Ins Meme

1. My boots are made for snow.
2. Wondering what will be the trial of this century.
3. Imitation is the best form of flattery.
4. How about a cup of coffee and talk?
5. I’d like to be on a plane headed for Aruba.
6. Just get over it?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include relaxing and reading and Sunday, I want to do the same as Saturday!