My photo
Hello, my name is Kelly and I welcome you to the Bookend Diaries book blog. I created this blog to share my own reviews of existing and new books, to discuss with other readers what we’re currently reading, update you on my book club picks, and of course, to ultimately support the work of the authors we all enjoy. I am addicted to reading and I thought this would be a great way to reach out to other readers who are as obsessed with books as I am.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Giveaway Winner!



Congratulations to the following winner:

*Liz (Cleverly Inked)

I will contact you through your e-mail for your address and send your package on it's way. Enjoy!!!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

My Giveaway



My Giveaway:

This is a giveaway for a wonderful gift package. It includes the novel, “The Wildwater Walking Club” by: Claire Cook, a beach bag, a pinwheel, a beach glass, a pair of rhinestone black sunglasses, and lastly a bookmark. This is to be given out to one lucky winner. (Beach chair not included).

Here's how to enter:

All you have to do is become a follower of my book blog and leave a comment in the comment section on what you are currently reading, along with your e-mail address. How easy is that?

Competition ends on June 23rd, and the winner will be announced on this blog. Good luck to everyone!
(This contest is only available to be shipped within the USA).

Sunday, June 13, 2010

The Summer We Read Gatsby by: Danielle Ganek



***Received an advance copy courtesy Viking

Synopsis

Half-sisters Cassie and Peck could not be more different. Cassie is a newly divorced journalist with her feet firmly planted on the ground; Peck is a vintage-obsessed actress with her head in the clouds. In fact, the only thing they seem to have in common is their inheritance of Fool's House, a rundown cottage left to them by their beloved Aunt Lydia. But Cassie and Peck can't afford the house, and they can't agree on anything, much less what to do with the place. Plus, along with the house, they've inherited an artist-in-residence and self-proclaimed genius named Biggsy who seems to bring suspiciously bad luck wherever he goes. As these two likable sisters try to understand their aunt's puzzling instructions to "seek a thing of utmost value" from within the house, they're both distracted by romantic entanglements with men from their pasts. The Summer We Read Gatsby, set in the end-of-an-era summer of 2008, is filled with fabulous parties, eccentric characters, and insider society details that showcase Ganek's pitch-perfect sense of style and wit.

My Review Comments:

This was an enjoyable, light summer read. The book centers around two step sisters named Peck and Cassie that need to reconnect to settle an estate from their favorite Aunt Lydia in the heartbeat of the Hamptons. There are lots of references throughout the book regarding, “The Great Gatsby” and the eccentric characters that make up the parties in the Hamptons. Along the way, the step sisters need to solve a mystery regarding their inheritance and they have to work together, which is no small feat considering they are polar opposites. Added to the problem is that Peck wants to keep the house and Cassie wants to sell the house. There is also a romantic element to the storyline of both sisters rediscover their long lost loves. When all is said and done they must choose where their futures will lead them.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Mailbox Monday



Between Friends by: Kristy Kiernan
book courtesy: Berkley Publishing Group


Shadow Princess by: Indu Sundaresan
book courtesy: Atria Books Publicity


The Midwife of St. Petersburg by: Linda Lee Chaikin
book courtesy: the author


Some Girls My Life In A Harem by: Jullian Lauren
book courtesy: Penguin Group

Friday, June 4, 2010

Giveaway Winner



Congratulations to the following winner:

* Lisa Gibson

I will contact you through your e-mail for your address and send your package on it’s way. Enjoy!!!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

By Invitation Only by: Jodi Della Femina



***Purchased through Barnes and Noble

Synopsis

Nobody knows the Hamptons like Jodi Della Femina, who captures the inside world of love, society, and scandal in this delicious summer page-turner. Toni Fratelli has a busy summer ahead. After several setbacks in Manhattan force her to move home to East Hampton, her To Do list is full. She has to help her father run his popular Italian restaurant, start up her own catering company—and be the Maid of Honor at her best friend’s wedding on the beach. Unfortunately for Toni, the groom’s mother is a competitive socialite who’ll stop at nothing to make sure her son doesn’t marry a local girl. The biggest caterer in the Hamptons is trying to run her new business out of town. And worse than anything, she seems to be losing her best friend to a circle of snooty bridesmaids. At least Toni finds love. When she meets a sexy surfer named Chris, it quickly turns into the most romantic summer fling of her life. But there’s more to Chris than his vintage Mustang and used guitar … and Toni’s going to like the truth. Before the end of the summer she’ll be forced to face her hopes – and fears – as trying to forgive becomes her biggest challenge of all.

My Review Comments:

This is the perfect summer read at the beach. With wedding season right around the corner I thought this would be a perfect pick, too. The story line is centered around two best friends and a wedding. Toni has a catering business in the Hamptons and she is competing with another caterer that is undermining her at every turn. She is doing her best to stay on top with so many distractions, such as being maid of honor for her best friend’s upcoming wedding, trying to keep her Father’s Italian restaurant afloat, and her own love life. What makes this book truly special is the bond between two best friends and unexpected romance that Toni finds herself in. But, everything isn’t as it seems with Toni’s new love Chris. Toni thinks Chris is a surfer who only has a vintage Mustang and not a penny to his name, when really he is so much more, he is a financial businessman from New York with lots of money. This book really takes you into the social settings of the Hamptons with all the extras. It is a great escape. What is really wonderful about this book is how the author ultimately ties up all the loose ends.