I just love the Sunday Salon because I feel like it’s the best way to wrap up the week and talk about what’s coming up for the next week!  It’s my absolute favorite post of the week!  I’ve got a BOOK GIVEAWAY this week and ANOTHER ONE starting next week!  I just love to GIVEAWAY books!

This Week’s Reads

This week, I read and reviewed:

Laura Rider’s Masterpiece by Jane Hamilton

I’ve got a giveaway of this book coming up this week!

Busy Woman Seeks Wife by Annie Sanders

I just finished reading and reviewing Follow Me by JoAnna Scott.  My review will post on Tuesday the 24th.  Let me just tell you… the book is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the cover!

I also read and reviewed the KEEPER of LIGHT and DUST by Natasha Mostert.  However, my review won’t post until it’s release date of April 2nd. 

I’m getting ready to crack open The 8th Confession by James Patterson.  I’ve read some of his books, but none of of his mysteries.  I can’t wait!

In My Mailbox for Review

I’m still reading all of the books that I received for review.  I haven’t finished (blush).  So, I’m working on the pile.  I have signed up for a couple that I’m looking forward to!

Awards

The Sisterhood Award

This week, I was presented The Sisterhood Award from Cathy of Kittling: Books.  I’m beyond thrilled to receive this award from a blogger who I really respect and enjoy!  Here are the rules of receiving and then sharing the award:

IF YOU ARE ONE OF MY AWARDEES, PLEASE GO AHEAD AND….
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

 So, the blogs that I am awarding this to are:

• Robin at My Two Blessings
• Lenore at Presenting Lenore
• Chris at Book-a-Rama
• Kathy (and Milou) at BermudaOnion
• Alyce at At Home With Books
• Drey at Drey’s Library
• Kalea Kane at Enroute to Life
• Kristina at Kristina’s Favorites (P.S. Thanks For the Kreative Blogger Award)
• Wendy at Musings of A Bookish Kitty
• Padfoot & Prongs (I don’t know their real names)

I also received the Beautiful Heart Award from Robin at My Two Blessings.  She is celebrating her 2nd Blogiversary, so stop by and wish her a happy one.  Two years!  I can’t even imagine!  Here’s how Robin describes what this award means:

This award also goes to all of the bloggers who put their hearts, mind and soul into their blogs and give us a glimpse into their worlds. They are positive and may not realize it, but are leading by example. They inspire with their words, educate and inform. They entertain and uplift with their humor. They are welcoming, helpful and friendly and no one is a stranger, whether you’ve commented once or a million times. They are ever so wise and giving. Most of all, they have Beautiful Hearts.

 My awardees for the Beautiful Hearts Award goes to two special puppy mommies whose blogs I adore!

• Stephanie at And Life Goes On
• Lily’s Mom Margo at Life In The Short Lane
• Molly at My Cozy Book Nook
• Wendy at Caribou’s Mom - RAVEN IS SOOOOO CUTE! (->) 

Challenges & Contests

THURSDAY’S THOUGHTS 

This week’s Thursday’s Thoughts ended on March 19th.  I haven’t yet announced a winner… but, shall get to it sometime today.  I have not scheduled meme for this week.  If anybody out there has a good writing topic for the week, please email me at anovelmenagerie@aol.com.

OTHER CONTESTS 

I am giving away not 1, but 2 copies of  This One is Mine!  I enjoyed this funky, fast-paced read and hope that you enjoy it, as well.  The author, Maria Semple, is truly a good person and I wish her much success with this book!

This week, I will start a giveaway for Laura Rider’s Masterpiece.  It’s a funky read that will give you something to write about!

READING CHALLENGES

For “Just For the Love Of It Reading Challenge” and “J. Kaye’s 100+ Book Challenge,” I’ve read 34 books so far year-to-date.  WOW… that means that I’m 34% done with J. Kaye’s Challenge and we’re only 22.58% done with the year.  I’m ahead by 11.42%.  Yippee!  I honestly never thought that I’d ever read this much in my lifetime.  I’d love to hear from other bloggers on how you accomplished your first 100+ Challenge and what it felt like. 

For the participants of  the Just For the Love of It Challenge, please remember to link your review posts for March HERE.  I’ve been reading some great reviews on the Mr. Linky List.  For some good recommendations, you can go to the sidebar and click onto a month and check out what’s been linked.  There are some really good reviews to sink your teeth into.  Not only that, but these are some really great blogs that you may want to subscribe to!

 At Home & On TV

Dancing With The Stars was interesting this week and, as such, I’ve posted about my thoughts on it (HERE).  American Idol was about average this week.  I was a bit surprised to see Alexis Grace voted off, but am looking forward to Motown Week next week.   

I hit the movies and reviewed Race From Witch Mountain this week.  I’m posting another Monday’s Movie tomorrow featuring TWILIGHT!  (Can you hear the twins in the background watching it for the 10-millionth time?)

I’m making margaritas at the book club meeting today!  Ole’!  We’re discussing Sarah’s Key.  You can read a great interview with Tatiana de Rosnay HERE and my review of the book HERE (and Lisa’s HERE).

On the home front, the twins lost their soccer game today… BADLY!   We were on the wrong size field, but that really wasn’t the only problem.  The girls just were being too passive about going after the ball.  My poor baby was goalie for 1/2 of the game and she was unable to stop MANY goals.  My other baby took a shot on goal and, as it was almost in, this amazing defender in pink HEADED the ball out of the goal.  Man!  It was a great play by pinkie! 

Thanks, all, for reading not only this post, but the others as well.   Your readership means the world to me!

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