Talk & Thoughts 
*Today my posts will be in red, as you see, for Womens’ Heart Disease…GO RED DAY
*I had some comments that my feedburner subscrition is now working….not sure how that happened because I deleted and tried starting from scratch…I understand, however, that there are some glitches, which I will try to figure out later today.  To those bloggy friends…thank you for letting me know.
*So it finally happened yesterday…my luck ran out with reading good books, that are requested reviews.  I tried to push through the book but it just wasn’t happening.  I thought that writing my 1st requested review was hard…but this upcoming review will take much thought.  How do you handle such reviews?  Do you feel bad telling the publisher/author that you just didn’t enjoy their book?  I will do my best….
*I will be skipping “Friday Follow” today.  I need to spend time trying to fix and finish this feedburner set up.

Hosted by An Island Life http://islandlife808.com/
From An Island Life: In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!
My question is:
     What do you think is (are) your best trait(s)?
I would say listening and when someone confides in me and asks not to tell anybody, I don’t, so I would also say loyalty.  Physically it would be my eyes.

http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/
And…here we go!

1. I know too much medically, and that is why I am so apprehensive about this upcoming surgery.
2. January is the longest month.
3. You can’t help but thank you for asking.
4. Ice cream sundaes; bring it on!
5. Where have you looked for your glasses? (something that is said often to my hubby)
6. I think my newsletter is now available.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to our “quality” time with hubby, tomorrow my plans include waiting to see if we get this snow storm, laundry, computer time and reading and Sunday, I want to RELAX & READ!

Hosted by Storytime With Tonya and Friends http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/
Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link.” along with your post back to this blog.
* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
“So Annie liked to rebel?”    “She was a bit of a flirt.”
        From my current read    “Death of a Valentine” by M.C. Beaton

Among Thieves by David Hosp  (Rating 5)
Published by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 978-0-446-58015-1
At the request of The Book Group, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
  Synopsis: Portion from the front jacket…In the early morning hours of March 18, 1990, two men dressed as police officers entered Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, tied up the guards, and escaped with 500 million dollars’ worth of paintings. The heist provoked a massive search for both the thieves and the lost masterpieces. But the paintings never surfaced and the mystery remained unsolved. Now, almost twenty years later, there case threatens to break wide open.
  My thoughts: Scott Finn, who has known the streets of Boston and the foster care system as a child, but was able to turn his life around and become an attorney. He is asked to take on a theft case from a former acquaintance of his earlier years. And accepting to defend Devon Malley, it thrusts Finn into a situation that is far from easy. Enter Boston’s “mob” associates, murders, having to become care taker to Malley’s 14 year old daughter, and a kidnapping. And how does this all tie into an unsolved 20 year cold case art heist?
  My opinion and rating:  (Rating 5) Once again, I was given the opportunity to read an extraordinary book. It was Grisham meets Parker. From the first chapter to the last page, the fast paced action never stopped, at times the reader forgets to breathe. The ending is a total surprise, one that this reader never saw coming. I could not put this one down. Bravo!!!!!

http://btt2.wordpress.com
Today’s question:
The northern hemisphere, at least, is socked in by winter right now… So, on a cold, wintry day, when you want nothing more than to curl up with a good book on the couch … what kind of reading do you want to do?
  It would have to be a really good book from my favorite genre and that is mystery/suspense.  I also like a romance but has to have some mystery/suspense (example Nora Roberts).  And when this scenario plays out I have my afghan and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.  My family (sadly to report are not readers) are amazed how I can totally tune them out and become part of the book.  So much so that they have to call out my name a couple of times before hearing them.  I think the idyllic situation stated above has to be the next best thing to heaven.  Only a true reader can understand that!!

This is the 1st ever “Thursday Treasures” !!!!!!!!    OK…here goes…….

                                               
Hosted by CMash Loves To Read    http://cmashlovestoread.blogspot.com/
**Go to one of your book blogs you visit (each week visit another site)
**Click on their blog roll/blog lists.
**Find 1-5 blogs that are new to you from that list.
**Visit those new blogs (optional but would be nice…award them with the “Thursday Treasure” icon and become a follower)
**Post on your site the name of the blog you initially visited and the new site(s) you found.
**Leave a comment here with a link to your site(if you don’t have a blog, list your finds here) so others may see the blogs you have found.
I found 3 new blogs and glad I did…they are great.  I have sent emails to let them know.
From Xmas Dolly web site (http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/) I found the following:
  A Reader’s Journal   http://readfromatoz.blogspot.com/
  Lynne’s Little Corner of the World   http://lynneslittlecorner.blogspot.com/
  Crazy Book Slut   http://5150bookslut.blogspot.com/

Talk & Thoughts:  
  The past couple of days I have been in a big reading slump.  I know why and it’s the fact that there is so much on my mind that I am having difficulty concentrating and being focused.  My question is does this happen to you?  Do you feel guilty that it puts you behind on your schedule for “requested reviews’?  How do you make up that time?  So today I am giving myself a dead line to do what I need to do on the computer (I will check occasionally), then it will be off to my “reading chair” and try to catch up.  Happy Thursday Reading All !!!!

Among Thieves by David Hosp  (Rating 5)
Published by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 978-0-446-58015-1
At the request of The Book Group, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
  Synopsis: Portion from the front jacket…In the early morning hours of March 18, 1990, two men dressed as police officers entered Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, tied up the guards, and escaped with 500 million dollars’ worth of paintings. The heist provoked a massive search for both the thieves and the lost masterpieces. But the paintings never surfaced and the mystery remained unsolved. Now, almost twenty years later, there case threatens to break wide open.
  My thoughts: Scott Finn, who has known the streets of Boston and the foster care system as a child, but was able to turn his life around and become an attorney. He is asked to take on a theft case from a former acquaintance of his earlier years. And accepting to defend Devon Malley, it thrusts Finn into a situation that is far from easy. Enter Boston’s “mob” associates, murders, having to become care taker to Malley’s 14 year old daughter, and a kidnapping. And how does this all tie into an unsolved 20 year cold case art heist?
  My opinion and rating:  (Rating 5) Once again, I was given the opportunity to read an extraordinary book. It was Grisham meets Parker. From the first chapter to the last page, the fast paced action never stopped, at times the reader forgets to breathe. The ending is a total surprise, one that this reader never saw coming. I could not put this one down. Bravo!!!!!

http://btt2.wordpress.com
Today’s question:
The northern hemisphere, at least, is socked in by winter right now… So, on a cold, wintry day, when you want nothing more than to curl up with a good book on the couch … what kind of reading do you want to do?
  It would have to be a really good book from my favorite genre and that is mystery/suspense.  I also like a romance but has to have some mystery/suspense (example Nora Roberts).  And when this scenario plays out I have my afghan and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.  My family (sadly to report are not readers) are amazed how I can totally tune them out and become part of the book.  So much so that they have to call out my name a couple of times before hearing them.  I think the idyllic situation stated above has to be the next best thing to heaven.  Only a true reader can understand that!!

This is the 1st ever “Thursday Treasures” !!!!!!!!    OK…here goes…….

                                               
Hosted by CMash Loves To Read    http://cmashlovestoread.blogspot.com/
**Go to one of your book blogs you visit (each week visit another site)
**Click on their blog roll/blog lists.
**Find 1-5 blogs that are new to you from that list.
**Visit those new blogs (optional but would be nice…award them with the “Thursday Treasure” icon and become a follower)
**Post on your site the name of the blog you initially visited and the new site(s) you found.
**Leave a comment here with a link to your site(if you don’t have a blog, list your finds here) so others may see the blogs you have found.
I found 3 new blogs and glad I did…they are great.  I have sent emails to let them know.
From Xmas Dolly web site (http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/) I found the following:
  A Reader’s Journal   http://readfromatoz.blogspot.com/
  Lynne’s Little Corner of the World   http://lynneslittlecorner.blogspot.com/
  Crazy Book Slut   http://5150bookslut.blogspot.com/

Talk & Thoughts:  
  The past couple of days I have been in a big reading slump.  I know why and it’s the fact that there is so much on my mind that I am having difficulty concentrating and being focused.  My question is does this happen to you?  Do you feel guilty that it puts you behind on your schedule for “requested reviews’?  How do you make up that time?  So today I am giving myself a dead line to do what I need to do on the computer (I will check occasionally), then it will be off to my “reading chair” and try to catch up.  Happy Thursday Reading All !!!!

I thought I was done entering challenges for 2010 but this challenge is ongoing with the only criteria is to enjoy reading….which is what we all do so I am entering The Reagan Arthur Book Challenge.
                                               
It is being hosted by Bermudaonion (http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com) and Booking Mama (http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/   The following is on Bermudaonion’s web site describing this challenge:
   “Have you heard about the great new imprint at Hachette Books? “Reagan Arthur Books is an imprint with a simple, single focus: great writing in the service of great stories.” When Julie of Booking Mama fame and I first heard about this imprint and some of its wonderful titles, we knew they were books we wanted to read. The more we talked about it, the more excited we got. Julie said someone should start a challenge, so we did! The Reagan Arthur Books Challenge is a perpetual challenge that is all about fun and enjoying good books, so you don’t have to commit to reading a certain number of titles. Since the imprint will be continually releasing books, there are no deadlines either. Just lots of fun with exciting giveaways and a few other surprises.”
  I am currently reading Doors Open by Ian Rankin, which is on the list.  And see other books that I know I would be interested in.  If you think this might be a challenge you would like to enter, head on over to Bermudaonion or Booking Mama’s websites.


Should Be Reading   http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/
What are you currently reading?
   Doors Open by Ian Rankin
What did you recently finish reading?
   Among Thieves by David Hosp
What do you think you’ll read next?
   Death of a Valentine by M.C. Beaton
                                              

Hosted by Bermudanonion’s Weblog http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com
      …strands of matted fiberglass hung in frozen drips, like toxic stalactites
   stalactites     a deposit of calcium carbonate (as calcite) resembling an icicle hanging from the roof or sides of a cave
   From Among Thieves by David Hosp
NEW MEME FOR THURSDAYS:
  I posted about this earlier this week, but for those who missed it, will explain now why I thought of it and the criteria.  I look forward to my daily memes(reason #1) and have at least 2 a day except for Thursday.  Also I am always looking for new book blogs..I read somewhere(not sure where…CRS syndrome) that “book blogs are popping up all over the internet”(reason #2).  I have decided, because of those 2 reasons, I will be hosting/particpating in “Thursday Treasures”.  Now the criteria:
**Go to one of your book blogs you visit.
**Click on their blog roll/blog lists.
**Find 3-5 blogs that are new to you from that list.
**Visit those new blogs (optional but would be nice…award them with the “Thursday Treasure” icon and become a follower)
**Post on your site the name of the blog you initially visited and the 3 new sites you found.
**Leave a comment here with a link to your site(if you don’t have a blog, list your finds here) so others may see the blogs you have found.
                                            
There will be 2 postings today…a book review will be listed later today.                                             

I thought I was done entering challenges for 2010 but this challenge is ongoing with the only criteria is to enjoy reading….which is what we all do so I am entering The Reagan Arthur Book Challenge.
                                               
It is being hosted by Bermudaonion (http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com) and Booking Mama (http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/   The following is on Bermudaonion’s web site describing this challenge:
   “Have you heard about the great new imprint at Hachette Books? “Reagan Arthur Books is an imprint with a simple, single focus: great writing in the service of great stories.” When Julie of Booking Mama fame and I first heard about this imprint and some of its wonderful titles, we knew they were books we wanted to read. The more we talked about it, the more excited we got. Julie said someone should start a challenge, so we did! The Reagan Arthur Books Challenge is a perpetual challenge that is all about fun and enjoying good books, so you don’t have to commit to reading a certain number of titles. Since the imprint will be continually releasing books, there are no deadlines either. Just lots of fun with exciting giveaways and a few other surprises.”
  I am currently reading Doors Open by Ian Rankin, which is on the list.  And see other books that I know I would be interested in.  If you think this might be a challenge you would like to enter, head on over to Bermudaonion or Booking Mama’s websites.


Should Be Reading   http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/
What are you currently reading?
   Doors Open by Ian Rankin
What did you recently finish reading?
   Among Thieves by David Hosp
What do you think you’ll read next?
   Death of a Valentine by M.C. Beaton
                                              

Hosted by Bermudanonion’s Weblog http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com
      …strands of matted fiberglass hung in frozen drips, like toxic stalactites
   stalactites     a deposit of calcium carbonate (as calcite) resembling an icicle hanging from the roof or sides of a cave
   From Among Thieves by David Hosp
NEW MEME FOR THURSDAYS:
  I posted about this earlier this week, but for those who missed it, will explain now why I thought of it and the criteria.  I look forward to my daily memes(reason #1) and have at least 2 a day except for Thursday.  Also I am always looking for new book blogs..I read somewhere(not sure where…CRS syndrome) that “book blogs are popping up all over the internet”(reason #2).  I have decided, because of those 2 reasons, I will be hosting/particpating in “Thursday Treasures”.  Now the criteria:
**Go to one of your book blogs you visit.
**Click on their blog roll/blog lists.
**Find 3-5 blogs that are new to you from that list.
**Visit those new blogs (optional but would be nice…award them with the “Thursday Treasure” icon and become a follower)
**Post on your site the name of the blog you initially visited and the 3 new sites you found.
**Leave a comment here with a link to your site(if you don’t have a blog, list your finds here) so others may see the blogs you have found.
                                            
There will be 2 postings today…a book review will be listed later today.                                             

Hosted by Should Be Reading http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
*BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
*Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
  “Up against that wall, all of you!  The visitors hesitated, thinking maybe some tasteless practical joke was being played.
    From Doors Open by Ian Rankin     page 170

Hosted By An Adventure In Reading   http://raidergirl3-anadventureinreading/
  I am traveling the world.  I just left Boston, MA and was helping Attorney Scott Finn locate his client’s daughter, who was kidnapped.  Among Thieves by David Hosp (review later today) And I am now in Edinburgh, Scotland with Mike MacKenzie at an art exhibit.  Doors Open by Ian Rankin

  As most of you know, I am not computer savvy, so I am asking a question for those who have expertise and/or experience with FeedBurner.  I set everything up…at least I think so…approximately 2 weeks ago.  I know that some have signed up to receive my newsletter/post via email but there has been no delivery.  I was under the impression, once everything was checked off….time, style, etc etc….that it would be automatically sent.  Am I missing something?  Am I doing something wrong?  HELP !!!! (lol)  When I first understood a little about blogging, I would question those that didn’t have a newsletter because I love my morning routine, which consists of my coffee and reading the newsletters….and I have to say because of those annoying emails I sent out….lol…some experienced bloggers started their own newsletter subscription.  And here I am not being able to get my postings out.  Would appreciate any help, suggestions, etc.  Thank you in advance.
MY JOURNEY  Update
  The surgeon’s office called yesterday and as soon as I saw caller ID…good thing I had my reading glasses on…..to prepare myself for the next stage of this journey….the palpitations set in….I am thinking.. this is it…the journey is really starting!!  After stating who was calling…already knew…..the next question was…”You are definitely going to have this surgery…right”, thats what you have decided because there is a lot of pre-op procedures that have to be booked and completed, OR needs to be booked (which she was booking after we hung up)….her question did not allay any feelings I was having at that point…matter of fact…it made the anxiety even worse….WTG booking secretary.  Good thing I had my steno pad close at hand…wrote a novella as to what has to be done.  And I thought…this is going to cut into my blogging time…lol…but will be able to read even more with all the pre-op appointments…EKG, lab work, physical and donating my own blood on a few visits.  One positive is that I will be starting the med Chantix later today after I see my PCP and getting a script…as I hang my head in admission and shame….I am a smoker……but after today that will change.  Oh yea…the item that caused the most palpitations…the dates of surgery…and the length of time I will be under anesthesia 2 days in a row….3-4 hours minimum each day….April 5th (Monday) and 6th (Tuesday)….geez….I am going to miss out on my daily memes that I look forward to……wonder if they will let me take my laptop into the OR to at least participate in my memes before they put me under…lol.   I am trying to find the positive and anything that I can find amusing in all of this to get me through.  But I am lucky and blessed as I have the support of family, friends, and even my new blogger friends…that is overwhelming and fills my heart…..all I can say is Thank you….  Oh, one more thing,  will send out an alert for breaking news…just like I get from CNN  lol.