VACATION!!

NEW YORK OR BUST!!

I'll be gone for the next two weeks. I'm going on vacation to New York!
This Idaho girl is going to take a bite of the big apple-Can't wait!

52 Reasons To Hate My Father

Saw this book trailer and now I'm dying to get my hands on the book.
Looks like a fun read!

Reading Road Trip 2012 Giveaway

WELCOME TO IDAHO!
Thanks for stopping by the Reading Road Trip 2012-hosted by  I Like These Books and Icey Books Our license plates say that our state is famous for it's potatos but Idaho has more to offer than french fries!   
Idaho is famous for its Whitewater Rafting-

Incredible parks like Yellowstone-

Fishing-

Skiing-

Idaho offers a wide variety of activities for the outdoor enthusiast-we tend to play hard!
The book I've chosen for this giveaway is by Idaho author Chris Crutcher. A cool guy who writes novels for young adults. Hers's the magical thing about his writing-When I have a boy walk into the library who has reluctant reader written all over him I immediately pull Chris Crutcher's books from the shelf. Most of the time my reluctant reader comes back for another Crutcher book.
And so without further ado I give you Deadline by Chris Crutcher-

Synopsis taken from Chris Crutcher's website:
Ben Wolf has big things planned for his senior year. Had big things planned. Now what he has is some very bad news and only one year left to make his mark on the world.
How can a pint-sized, smart-ass seventeen-year-old do anything significant in the nowheresville of Trout, Idaho?
First, Ben makes sure that no one else knows what is going on—not his superstar quarterback brother, Cody, not his parents, not his coach, no one. Next, he decides to become the best 127-pound football player Trout High has ever seen; to give his close-minded civics teacher a daily migraine; and to help the local drunk clean up his act.
And then there's Dallas Suzuki. Amazingly perfect, fascinating Dallas Suzuki, who may or may not give Ben the time of day. Really, she's first on the list.
Living with a secret isn't easy, though, and Ben's resolve begins to crumble . . . especially when he realizes that he isn't the only person in Trout with secrets.
Sounds good huh?
To enter this giveaway simply leave your name and contact information in comment box below. A winner will be drawn bu Random.org on August 6th. The winner has 48 hours to confirm after being contacted.
Click HERE below to visit other states offering awesome books for giveaways.

GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED!

DRAKE!!!
DRAKE was chosen by random.org and has confirmed by email.
The prize is three books-a delightful trilogy by Adriana Trigiani!
A GIANT thank you to Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer who hosted of the No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop. I truly appreciate all the people who take the time to hop and enter these giveaways.
Stay tuned for Mug of Moxie's other giveaways going on or coming up.
*Reunited Giveaway
*Reading Road Trip 2012 Giveaway
*The Thing about the Truth Giveaway

Freedom To Read Giveaway Winner!

Freedom To Read Giveaway Winner!

Brookea_2006

Winner has confirmed and a $20.00 Amazon Gift Card has been sent to her.

A giant thank you to I Am A Reader, Not a Writer and Mundie Moms for sponsoring and organizing this event. Thanks to all that hopped and entered.

Watch for Mug of Moxie's other giveaways currently going on or coming up:

Reunited Giveaway July 20-30

Road Trip 2012 Giveaway July 26-Aug.5

Back to the Book Giveaway September 1-7

Book Review-In Leah's Wake

IN LEAH'S WAKE
October 2010
354 pages
Published by Createspace
Summery Taken From Goodreads:
The Tylers have a perfect life--beautiful home, established careers, two sweet and talented daughters. Their eldest, Leah, an exceptional soccer player, is on track for a prestigious scholarship. Their youngest, Justine, more responsible than seems possible for her 12 years, just wants her sister's approval. With Leah nearing the end of high school and Justine a seemingly together kid, the parents are set to enjoy a peaceful life...until Leah meets Todd, a former roadie for a rock band.

As Leah's parents fight to save their daughter from a world of drugs, sex, and wild parties, their divided approach drives their daughter out of their home and a wedge into their marriage. Meanwhile, twelve-year-old Justine observes her sister's rebellion from the shadows of their fragmented family-leaving her to question whether anyone loves her and if God even knows she exists. Can this family survive in Leah's wake? What happens when love just isn't enough?
My Thoughts:
Author Terri Giuliano tells a story that is realistic and heartbreaking.
A family that looks perfect from the outside is quickly falling apart on the inside.
Parents, Will and Zoe are desperately trying to keep their family together. A high pressure job keeps Will in another city working long hours. Zoe is trying to balance a career and take care of her family.
Their eldest daughter Leah starts to date Todd-an older boy with a record. Right away Will and Zoe see warning signs and try to get their daughter to stay away from Todd but unfortunately the more they push the harder she pulls away.
Suddenly Leah's choices go from bad to worse affecting not only her but her family as well. Will and Zoe go from working together to fighting not only with their daughter but with each other. Sadly, their youngest daughter Justine is caught between her parents and a sister she idolizes.
Each family member's story is told in this tale so the reader gets a look at Leah's self destruction from all angles. I felt connected to each character and the issues they dealt with. As a mother of a teenager it was easy to get caught up in the fear and frustration that Zoe and Will felt. My heart ached for Leah and her family as she wrestled with loyalty to her family and her first love.
This author's debut novel is well worth a look. I beleive that this complicated family with it's real life issues will stay with you long after you have finished In Leah's Wake.

REUNITED-Book Review and Giveaway

REUNITED
Hilary Weisman Graham
June 2012
336 pages
ARC
Simon & Schuster Books
Summery Taken From Goodreads:
 1 Concert

2000 Miles
3 Ex-Best Friends
Alice, Summer, and Tiernan are ex-best friends.
Back in middle school, the three girls were inseparable. They were also the number one fans of the rock band Level3. But when the band broke up, so did their friendship. Summer ran with the popular crowd, Tiernan was a rebellious wild-child, and Alice spent high school with her nose buried in books.
Now, just as the girls are about to graduate, Level3 announces a one-time-only reunion show.
Even though the concert’s 2000 miles away, Alice buys three tickets on impulse. And as it turns out, Summer and Tiernan have their own reasons for wanting to get out of town. Good thing Alice’s graduation gift (a pea-green 1976 VW camper van known as the Pea Pod) is just the vehicle to get them there. But on the long drive cross-country, the girls hit more than a few bumps in the road. Will their friendship get an encore or is the show really over?
My Thoughts:
I'm calling this one "The Perfect Summer Read"
This debut novel by Hilary Weiman Graham is funny as well as touching.
First let me tell you that I LOVE the cover of Reunited. It's eye catching yellow screams to be picked up. The girls holding the map yells adventure.
And it is! It's a road trip you will love being a part of.
Do you remember the friends you had in middle school? The all night giggle sessions? Making up award winning dances to your favorite boy bands in your living room? The promises made that you would be best friends forever? Alice, Summer and Tieran were inseperable-The BFF's.
Then high school happened-one drama filled night changes everything and the girls go in different directions.
Four years go by without a word between them-they graduate high school and everyone is going their separate ways forever.
In a crazy spontaneous moment Alice hears that the band the girls worshipped back in the day-Level3 are reuniting  for one night only-a concert 2,000 miles away in Austin, Texas. She buys three tickets and invites her two ex-best friends for a road trip of a life time.
Can these girls put the past behind them and find their long buried friendship again? Can these now strangers find forgiveness in each other and themselves?
Two things that I loved about this book is-
1. The 1976 VW Camper the girls take on the road-it's called the Pea Pod and I want one!!!
2. The fact that Level3 is a real band and their lyrics are throughout the story-cool addition to story.
Three incidents that had me snort laughing while I read this book-
1.Squirrel
2. Michael the hitchhiker
3. Pea Pod door
Two thumbs up for Hilary Weisman Graham-
My thanks to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Now I would like to give the opportunity to read this little gem to someone else. This book is an ARC-An Advanced Reviewer Copy-Uncorrected Proof-read once by me. I give these away in hopes that the winner will read, enjoy and possibly review also. Share the love my friends!
This giveaway is open to followers of Mug of Moxie. Please leave your GFC name and contact info in the comment section below. This giveaway is international. The contest runs from July 20 to July 30. A winner will be chosen by Random.org and contacted on July 31. The winner has 48 hour to confirm or another winner will be drawn. Good Luck!!!

No Strings Attached Giveaway

How often can you get something for nothing?
Put that suspicious look away because today is your lucky day!
I'm giving you three books with No Strings Attached!
Welcome to the No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop hosted by my good friend Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.
The books up for grabs is the delightful trilogy by Adriana Trigiani-

To enter this fabulous giveaway you need to leave your name and contact information in the comment section below-easy peasy lemon squeezy! That is it! A winner will be chosen by Random.org on July 23rd and contacted. The winner has 48 hours to confirm. This giveaway is international. Good luck and have fun.



We've all been there......

Books for 99 Cents

Looking for a deal?
Download a book for your Nook  for 99 cents!
Cheap summer reads!
Available at Barnes and Noble.com

REUNITED-Book Trailer

Book Trailer for REUNITED-
A book I review this week:

AND IN OTHER NEWS......

It MUST be a slow news day.......
Man assaults girlfriend with steak sauce over Fifty Shades of Grey