Shirin Yim Bridges - Artemisia of Caria

21. Artemisia of Caria by Shirin Yim Bridges (2010)
The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses Book 2
Length: 24 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction
Started/Finished: 24 July 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to the lovely tour guides at Goose Bottom Books for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 10 May 2011
Why do I have it? I do enjoy true history geared toward children and Shirin Yim Bridges is a new author for me.

Artemisia of Caria was the first ruling Queen of ancient Greece. She was made an Admiral by the Persian King Xerxes and fought in many battles. I found it interesting that Artemisia was taken so seriously at a time when Greek women were considered second class citizens.

I really enjoyed this book because I like history and tales of strong women. I give this book an A!

A! - (90-95%)


May you read well and often

Connie Corcoran Wilson - It Came From the '70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now

20. It Came From the '70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now by Connie Corcoran Wilson (2010)
Length: 268 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction
Started: 14 July 2011
Finished: 21 July 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Teddy Rose at Premier Virtual Author Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 13 July 2011
Why do I have it? I love books about the movies and Connie Corcoran Wilson is a new author for me.

Ms. Wilson is an inveterate movie-goer. For years, she was a writer for the Quad City Times specializing in movie reviews. In this book, she covers the classics to the clunkers of the decade of the '70s. I have to admit that I agreed with most of her ratings.

I have not seen many of the movies as I was born in the later part of the '70s, but thanks to DVDs I have watched some: Superman: The Movie, The Exorcist as well as a number of others. The clunkers for me were the sequels of some of the movies as well. I give this book an A+!


A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Jo Ann Arnold - Prince Etcheon and the Secret of the Ancient

19. Prince Etcheon and the Secret of the Ancient by Jo Ann Arnold (2008)
Length: 320 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started: 10 June 2011
Finished: 18 June 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Jo Ann for sending me a copy to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 20 April 2011
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and Jo Ann Arnold is a new author for me.


Etcheon tries to live with the grief of his Granna Fela's passing, however the day after she is buried, Etcheon is visited by a stranger who claims that Etcheon is being followed by evil. Etcheon is shocked to learn that he is descended from royalty and that his Granna Fela was not his grandmother.

Now, Etcheon goes on a quest to discover his history; aided by special animals and a girl from a different realm who agrees to be his tutor, he searches for a way to save his parents and his kingdom from a horrible evil. He will learn about love, loyalty and friendship along the way.

I enjoyed this book very much. There are wonderful characterizations and themes throughout. I give it an A+!


A+! - (96-100%)


May you read well and often

Blog Tour For It Came From ‘70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now by Connie Corcoran Wilson From July 11, 2011 to July 25, 2011 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Connie Corcoran Wilson will be touring the blogosphere to promote her non-fiction book It Came From the ‘70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now. This virtual book tour is being hosted by Premier Virtual Author Book Tours and will last from July 11, to July 25, 2011!

It Came From the ‘70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now Blog Tour Information: 

Meet Connie Corcoran Wilson

Connie (Corcoran) Wilson (MS + 30) graduated from the University of Iowa and Western Illinois University, with additional study at Northern Illinois, the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Chicago. She taught writing at six Iowa/Illinois colleges and has written for five newspapers and seven blogs, including Associated Content (now owned by Yahoo) which named her its 2008 Content Producer of the Year. She is an active, voting member of HWA (Horror Writers Association). Her stories and interviews with writers like David Morrell, Joe Hill, Kurt Vonnegut, Frederik Pohl and Anne Perry have appeared online and in numerous journals. 

Her work has won prizes from Whim’s Place Flash Fiction, Writer’s Digest (Screenplay) and she will have 12 books out by the end of the year. Connie reviewed film and books for the Quad City Times (Davenport, Iowa) for 12 years and wrote humor columns and conducted interviews for the (Moline, Illinois) Daily Dispatch and now blogs for 7 blogs, including television reviews and political reporting for Yahoo.

Connie lives in East Moline, Illinois with husband Craig and cat Lucy, and in Chicago, Illinois, where her son, Scott and daughter-in-law Jessica and their two-year-old twins Elise and Ava reside. Her daughter, Stacey, recently graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, as a Music Business graduate.

Connect and Socialize with Connie!

Website * Twitter * Blog

About It Came From the ‘70’s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now:

It Came From the ’70s is the book movie lovers old and new have been searching for. The 1970s represented a fertile decade that produced such films as: Alien, Dirty Harry, Apocalypse Now, The Exorcist, Chinatown, The French Connection, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Godfather (Parts I and II), Star Wars, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and many, many more. Featured in these pages are over 75 photos, major casts, a multitude of reviews, “Best of/Worst of” lists, and trivia for both the film buff and the uninitiated. 

It Came From the ’70s is a slice of film history, painstakingly documented by noted author and journalist Connie Corcoran Wilson. The original reviews found here could not be replicated today. Consider them tiny time capsules capturing the zeitgeist of a decade.

It Came From the 70’s has won both the E-Lit award and also a Silver Feather from the IWPA/NWPA (Illinois Women’s Press Association, National Women’s Press Association).

“This book is a wonderful and inclusive chronicle of the 1970’s.” - Mick Garris (American filmmaker/screenwriter/director)

“Once upon a time in a decade far, far away, people thrilled to movies that became legends. Grab a copy of Connie Corcoran Wilson’s great new movie review book, IT CAME FROM THE ’70s, and travel back to that time! Read Connie Corcoran Wilson’s IT CAME FROM THE ’70s. I wager you’ll be glad you did!” - C. Dean Andersson, Writer

“This is a terrific read. It’s full of interesting information about classic films, down to casting choices and anecdotes about actors and directors - in addition, there’s some wonderful critiquing of movies we’ve come to love, but the point of view here is unique. Connie Corcoran Wilson provides that uniqueness with her own brand of wit and style. If you grew up in the 70s or loved the movies that sprung from this decade, don’t miss out! Pick up a copy of this today!” - Benjamin K. Ethridge, Writer

“The sly comments done by author Connie Corcoran Wilson will have you reading and wanting more. If you enjoy movies from the ’70s as much as I do, you’ve got to have this one!!! - Amazon.com Reviewer

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

It Came From From the ‘70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now Book Publicity Tour:

Monday, July 11th - Book Review at Under my Apple Tree
Tuesday, July 12th - Book Review at Dan’s Journal
Wednesday, July 13th - Book Review at She Treads Softly
Wednesday, July 13th - Book Review at 5 Minutes For Books
Thursday, July 14th - Guest Post at She Treads Softly
Friday, July 15th - Book Review at Reading, Reading and Life
Friday, July 15th - Interview at Reading, Reading and Life
Sunday, July 17th - Guest Post at 5 Minutes For Books
Monday, July 18th - Interview at To Read or Not to Read
Tuesday, July 19th - Book Review at To Read or Not to Read
Tuesday, July 19th - Book Review at Satisfaction For Insatiable Readers
Wednesday, July 20th  - Interview at Satisfaction For Insatiable Readers
Wednesday, July 20th - Book Review at Books, Books the Magical Fruit
Thursday, July 21st - Book Review at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Friday, July 22nd - Book Release at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark
Monday, July 25th - Book Review at Babbling About Books and More

May you read well and often

Shirin Yim Bridges - Hatshepsut of Egypt

18. Hatshepsut of Egypt by Shirin Yim Bridges (2010)
The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses Book 1
Length: 24 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction
Started/Finished: 26 May 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to the lovely tour guides at Goose Bottom Books for sending me a copy of the book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 10 May 2011
Why do I have it? I do like true history geared towards children and Shirin Yim Bridges is a new author for me.


This is the first book in a series of six that tells the stories of real-life princesses who successfully ruled their countries in times when it was unheard of to do so. Hatshepsut was the first female pharaoh of Egypt and was the first pharaoh to be buried in the Valley of the Kings. Her father had raised her in the knowledge of government and after the death of her husband, she boldly proclaimed herself as pharaoh. She made Egypt extremely rich and many of her riches came to be found in the boy-king Tutankhamun's tomb although she was not buried with him. Covering what Hatshepsut wore, what she ate, and how she ruled, this is an excellent bit of insight into this interesting female ruler.

I started out not knowing about Hatshepsut at all. I am extremely interested in Egypt. I give this book an A!


A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Sonnet O'Dell - Skin Thief

17. Skin Thief by Sonnet O'Dell (2011)
Cassandra Farbanks Series Book 3
Length: 202 pages
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Started: 20 May 2011
Finished: 23 May 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Sonnet for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 2 March 2011
Why do I have it? I have always enjoyed paranormal romance and mystery and Sonnet O'Dell is a new author for me.

Cassandra Farbanks has started her own paranormal investigations firm after gaining some new, unusual powers through her last case. She uses these new powers in her latest case involving a murderous prisoner at the Birmingham Prison. Ivan Petrovich is a Russian Mobster in prison for the murder of his wife's assailants. Petrovich manages to obtain a magical pendant and uses it to switch bodies with a prison guard to escape when he learns his daughter has been murdered and his granddaughter kidnapped.

Cassandra must locate Petrovich and return him to prison before he has a chance to find his daughter's killers and take revenge on them all. What Cassandra never realizes is what havoc the Taish Pendant will wreak on her own life when it falls into familiar hands. I spent longer reading this book than I wanted to, but I loved the story anyway. I was riveted by the storyline and the characters and can't wait for the next book. I give this book an A!


A! - (90-95%)


May you read well and often

Laina Turner-Molaski - Stilettos and Scoundrels

16. Stilettos and Scoundrels by Laina Turner-Molaski (2010)
Presley Thurman Mysteries Book 1
Length: 326 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 10 May 2011
Finished: 18 May 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Bobbie at Nurture Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 6 May 2010
Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and Laina Turner-Molaski is a new author for me.

Presley Thurman has recently been fired from her job - which has left her free to follow her dream of writing. Her friend offers her a job writing for his magazine. Her first assignment is to interview a well-known senator from her own hometown and when that senator is murdered, Presley sets out to find a killer first out of a need to keep her job and then out of curiosity. Presley is determined to solve the mystery until she meets Cooper Sands, head of the senator's security. Cooper was a one-time fling and his good looks are extremely distracting and he knows it. He's trying to relive old memories with Presley. The suspects are mounting up but can Presley keep on the task at hand?

I enjoyed this story; I found the characters likeable and well-drawn. I didn't really follow all the shopping metaphors, but the storyline moved along quickly and I give the story an A!

A! - (90-95%)


May you read well and often