Another Book MEME, and this is for Saturday.  It is hosted by There's a Book.

This Weeks Question: Who is your favorite female character, in a book or on a TV show/movie? Why?

Well, let's see.  This is such a hard one.  Who is my favorite female character?  I would have to say that it is a tie between two Biblical characters--Esther and Ruth.  They are both characters in the Old Testament, and the only books in the Bible named after women. 


I love Esther because she was the basic hard luck story.  She was an orphan, and she went on to become Queen of Persia.  She then risked her life to save her people.  If you don't know the story, read it here.


As for Ruth, well, I was named after her.  That is why I tend to identify with her so much.  She married a foreigner, and then she became a widow.  She followed her mother-in-law to a strange country, and then she married a very kind man.  Again, if you need to, read the story here.

Blog Redesign

You are going to notice some wonderful changes to my blog.  I won a blog package from Courtney at Crunch Beach Mama.  And I have just implemented the first portion of this blog redesign.  Kim over at Crafty Mom threw in the header for something extra.  And I am very grateful!  I may truly be able to make something of this.

When I began blogging, I would look at these beautifully designed blogs and think, "The only reason I want to follow blogs is to enter giveaways and get deals."  No longer.  I love following blogs, reading about people's lives, writing about my life, and interacting with other people.  People I would never have met if I hadn't started this experiment.

So if you get a chance, stop by Kim's site.  (I know where I'm headed!!)

Blessings!

Weekend Cooking

This is a first for me.  I did write a cookbook review this week--short though it was.  So I am eligible to participate in this blog hop.  Here's go.

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I would probably give this book 4.5 stars, but there's no place to do that.  This was a refreshingly wonderful read!  It was the first time I ever really read a romance novel.  It was certainly a good choice.

I was instantly drawn to the story since it took place in the 1800's in England.  I love historical novels, so this fit right in.

I fell in love with the main male character--Simon Hunt.  He was a charming man--rugged, yet gentle.  Annabelle, the object of affection, was has-been aristocrat.  The majority of the novel deals with her hunt for a titled, wealthy man.  She decides that she needs to marry a titled man and not marry for love.  She keeps the company of three other women who are "wallflowers."  No aristocrat wants to marry them.

As the novel goes along, Annabelle struggles to keep her resolve as Simon pursues her.  I won't give away the storyline, but it takes a predictable turn three quarters of the way through the book.

Towards the end of the book, Lisa Kleypas inserts an incident that takes the reader by surprise.  And finally, Annabelle and Simon come face to face with their true feelings.  The final scene between them is certainly worth the read.

Since the story is the first in a series, she inserts an epilogue that sets things in motion for the next books in the series.  I think she accomplishes her purpose of giving a teaser for future books.

I was very pleased with Lisa Kleypas's writing style.  She was very descriptive in the way she told the story.  It was a predictable romance novel, I but I felt that she held my interest quite well.

One side note--yes, it had a few bedroom scenes, but how refreshing it was that they only occurred after the two got married.  (Yes, I guess that is a spoiler.)  It may offend some readers, but I felt that it was handled in a delicate manner, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them.  I was not embarrassed in the least.  And thankfully, the language used in the book was not what I would call true profanity.  That was nice, too!!  I would recommend this romance novel to women in their 20's and beyond.


View all my reviews

Little Miss Can't Be Wrong (Saturday 9)

This MEME is hosted by Saturday 9.  You never know what will be asked next, and it usually loads of fun.

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Little Miss Can't Be Wrong

1. Who was the last person you dealt with that felt that they could never be wrong?
I deal with him quite often--my best friend in England, Martin.  Okay, so he will finally admit when he is wrong, but he is rather arrogant and egotistical at times.  Even chauvinist.  I still love him with all my heart, but his favorite saying  is,  "I'm not always right, but I'm never wrong."  And he does tend to believe that his way is best.  He doesn't like for me to do things  my way.  But I do it anyway!

2. Tell us about one person who is the most like you.
I guess it would be my daughter, Martha.  She is only 7, but she already exhibits some of my worst faults.  While she is a drama queen that I never was, she is way too hard on herself.  And people often comment that they know she is my daughter since she looks so much like me.  She was even born on my birthday!

3. What is something you really want right now?
Okay, I'll be blunt but not too blunt.  I really would like to be married to Martin right now so I could claim all my marital rights!  Just being honest.  I'm rather hormonal tonight!


4. What are you doing this weekend?We are doing a yard sale at my sister-in-law's house.  We had one here last weekend.  We're trying to sell off the rest of our stuff.

5. Are you in a good mood? If yes, Why?
No.  My dad is really being himself, and it is getting to my mom and me.  My dad is mentally ill and has  all sorts of health issues that make him rather difficult to live with.
6. Do you have an ex that you are pretty sure thinks about you a lot?
Nope.  My ex dismisses me from his mind.  He won't admit that we had a daughter.  And in his mind, we aren't divorced.  He only thinks about me when it's convenient which is no too often.
7. What's one thing you wish you could do but can't?
See answer 3.
Also, I wish I could do better in sports, but I am definitely sports-challenged.

8. What's one trait you hate in a person?
Hypocrisy!!  It's the worst!!
9. What's one thing you like to do alone?
Blog hop and internet surf.
Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. As always, feel free to come back, see who has participated and comment on their posts. In fact sometimes, if you want to read & comment on everyone's responses, you might want to check back again tomorrow. But it is not a rule. We haven’t any rules here. Join us on next Saturday for another version of Saturday: 9, "Just A Silly Meme on a Saturday!" Enjoy your weekend!

30-Day Song Challenge Day 10

Day 10 already?  I was thinking today that I need to come up with another musical challenge when this is done.  Thanks to Krystal's Kitsch yet again!

Day 10 – A song that makes you fall asleep


Oh, dear, I think I'll alter this one slightly.  When my daughter was little, I used to sing a song to her that completely relaxed her when nothing else would.  I love the song and have sung it many times for audiences.  I love Celine Dion's version of it best, I do believe.  I guess Sarah Brightman's is all right, too, but it's not in English.  So here it is:  "My Heart Will Go On."





P.S.  I never saw the film Titanic and don't intend to.

Five Question Friday 8/27/10

Today's Blog Hop is hosted by My Little Life.  She does a great job with her blog, and it is fun, so I recommend it.  Read on for the rules.

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then go to YouTube to vote for my video. (I kid. I KID!! Well, I mean, I want you to vote for me, but it's not a 5QFrule!) Then, c'mon back Friday morning and link up!

Feel free to answer the questions in the comments if you don't have a blog!

Questions for Friday, August 26th: (Special thanks to Pam,Deanna, Sandy, Jill, and Julianne for their question suggestions! If YOU would like to be linked in a future 5QF, c'mon over to my community, and offer up your best question suggestions!)

1. How many pets do you have?

2. If you could switch places with anyone in the world for one day, who would it be?

3. What is your favorite money saving tip?

4. What do you want your kids to be when they grow up?

5. What is your favorite quote?