Four Books to Try

Book Review Sponsored by the Southlake Public Library

As the frenzy of the holiday season and the New Year slowly simmer down, you may actually have some time for the lovely pleasure of reading. But what to read? We’ve got a slew of recommendations for you at the Southlake Public Library.

When We Were Strangers by debut novelist Pamela Schoenwaldt is the coming-of-age story of poor, plain Irma Vitale, a late 19th century immigrant. After her mother’s passing, there was little to keep Irma in her isolated Italian village. Irma decides to venture to America to pursue her dream of being a dressmaker, armed with only her sewing skills and a small dowry. Even before she embarks on her journey, Irma meets helpful strangers who will color, shape, and add the occasional zest of danger. When We Were Strangers is a perfect fit for historical fiction lovers and those who enjoy coming-of-age stories.

If you prefer your fiction with a little more mystery and romance, check out Love in A Nutshell by Janet Evanovich, in this classic cross-genre tale. Unemployed and divorced, Kate Appleton’s plan for her future is to turn her parents’ summer home in Michigan into a Bed and Breakfast. But there’s the problem of raising the cash to make her dream come true. Matt Culhane hires her at his brewery and offers her a $20,000 bonus if she’ll spy on his employees to find out who is sabotaging his company. She accepts, but finds it a hard and dangerous job, particularly when heat rises between her and her new boss.

Maybe you’re more the nonfiction type of gal. You might enjoy The Girls of Murder City by Douglas Perry, the true story of the murderesses who became media sensations and inspired the musical Chicago. Maurine Watkins, a girl reporter with the Chicago Tribune in the 1920s, was the first to cover the sensational story of two Jazz Age women who killed their men with the insouciance they gave to filing their nails or rolling their stockings. A well-researched and fascinating read, you’ll fly through this book in no time!

And finally, here’s an attention-grabbing title: How to Shop for Free by Kathy Spencer. You may be the ultimate bargain hunter, scoring amazing online discounts, and frequenting the outlets, but Kathy Spencer can whittle a $267.22 grocery bill down to one penny. Yes, one penny! Learn her shopping secrets and how she combines in-store promotions, coupons, and reward programs to score the biggest deal possible.

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All of these fabulous titles are available at the Southlake Public Library. None of these tickle your fancy? Stop by or call us at 817.748.8247 to speak to a friendly librarian and we’ll help you find your next great read! www.southlakelibrary.org

meet our contributors

Victorya Rogers

Southlake Mom Victorya Michaels Rogers is a Life & Love Coach, equipping women to create and keep healthy relationships. Rogers’ authored four books, including Finding a Man Worth Keeping and The Automatic 2nd Date. Her latest release is the DVD “Straight Talk About Sex for Christian Couples” co-written with Sex Therapist Debby Wade. Victorya has been seen and heard on national TV, Radio, and print—from MTV to Focus on the Family, Cosmopolitan to Woman’s World. This former Hollywood agent is also an active REALTOR® at Coldwell Banker Residential. She’s part of First Friday Women and lives in Southlake with her husband, Will, and their two children. Learn more about her Coaching services at www.Victorya.com.

Sarah Close

Sarah Close lives in Southlake with her husband, two daughters, one son, two dogs, one cat, and an empty (and much cleaner) fish tank. Sarah is a graduate of Stanford University with over fourteen years’ experience in marketing writing and editing, corporate journalism, and creative strategizing for high-tech companies. Last year, she co-founded Full Cycle Creative, a new marketing communications business, which keeps her busy writing and designing Web sites—but her number one priority is always her family. Elusive free moments are spent Facebooking (yes, it’s a verb now), volunteering on a committee somewhere, or helping her husband launch a company centered on his primary passion: beer. Catch up with Sarah and her family at www.reallyclose.com. Or visit her company at www.fullcyclecreative.com.

Samantha Conner

In my “past life” I earned a degree in Education at TCU and taught elementary school. But these days, I am working as a super stay-at-home-mom with a serious craft addiction. During naptime, I am an avid blogger, runner, and nester. My blog is the place where I chronicle my journey in homemaking and sell my fabulous handmade bows, tutus, and hair accessories. I have a loving husband and two young daughters. Their enthusiasm and support is what drives my creativity in home decor, unique crafts, party planning, holiday fun, and all things girly. I am dedicated to creating a warm, loving home for my family. And to me, that means a lot of 'crafty how-to’ projects along the way. I believe that life can be more fabulous with the use of polka dots, tulle, ribbon and rhinestones! I hope you enjoy sharing in our adventures and that I can inspire you to 'get crafty' in your own home. Follow my crafting journey at craftytexasgirls.blogspot.com

Rhonda Sargent Chambers

Rhonda, a former model and owner of RSC Show Productions, considers herself a “naturalized Texan”. After moving to Texas from San Francisco, she began her modeling career at a young age walking runways around the world from Japan to Mexico. She transitioned from full-time modeling to fashion show production with the creation of RSC Show Productions. As an instructor and speaker in the modeling community for over 30 years, she is a respected figure who consults with modeling agencies to develop criteria and guidelines for professional models to follow. Rhonda and her husband Kit have been together more than 20 years. The busy mom’s schedule is somewhat flexible since she owns her own business, but it’s the couple’s two boys, Callahan, 12, and Ford, 10, who now shape Rhonda’s daily routine. She is active in the community both personally and professionally giving her time to organizations such as Children’s Cancer Fund, Mane Gait Therapeutic Center, Child Abuse Prevention Center, Big Thought and The Elisa Project. She is passionate about fashion, and her forte will offer wonderful shopping and wardrobing tips for busy moms on the go! www.rscshow.com

Missy Allaire

Missy is a stay at home mom who resides with her family in Keller. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, sewing, decorating and scrapbooking. After numerous suggestions from her friends and family she decided to pursue her passion and created a blog called lookiewhatidid.blogspot.com. The blog is six months old and receives over 20,000 hits each month. Originally from Arkansas, she has made Texas her home for the last 14 years.

Maxi Erdmann

I am Maxi Erdmann, and I reside in Keller, TX with my four sweet babies and my husband, Nathan. A University of Oklahoma grad, I love all things SOONER! I love food, but I don’t cook, I love music, but I don’t sing, (except in the shower), and I have a ridiculously expensive obsession with make-up. I have been writing since I could form letters and my mother put a pencil in my hand. Prior to having my third and fourth baby, I was a teacher at Southlake Christian Preschool. Before moving to Texas, I lived in Oklahoma where I spent my days as a full-time mom of twins and part-time make-up artist. I have also lived in Nashville, TN where I worked for Gaylord Entertainment and Springhouse Golf Course. My other interests include all things sports related and a new endeavor as an aspiring (learning!) photographer. It seems, along with my pencil, I have always had a camera around my neck. My days are filled with loud kids, tons of laundry and enough extra-curricular activities to keep six people busy. I’m up for the challenge, and I love every minute of it...

Jordin LePori

Jordin is a lifelong lover of fashion. She believes there is no shame in hunting down a good bargain. When you feel good about what you’re wearing it can change your attitude and that leads to a happy mommy. When Jordin is not flipping through magazines, she enjoys spending time with her husband and little boy, lunch dates with friends, cook outs with family and her part-time job as a hairstylist. Her blog I Love That! is her new creative outlet for her other loves like: beauty products, hair care, decorating and of course fashion. http://ilovethatblog.com/

Jill Webb

Jill was born and raised in Fort Worth. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Jill met her husband Bill when they both worked shifts in a charity haunted house. She was in a coffin and he had a chainsaw - romance was in the air! After living on 10 acres in the Texas Hill Country they moved with their three sons to a cul-de-sac in Southlake. Jill is a free-lance graphic artist and the art director for SouthlakeMoms.com. Her likes include antiques, watching HGTV, reading, interior design and Mexican food. Dislikes are people who don't attempt to recycle, cold weather, folding laundry and cooking dinner for kids who'd rather eat chicken nuggets.

Cristi Houtman

Cristi lives in Southlake with her husband, two daughters and one son. She is a graduate of The University of Oklahoma and is founder and co-owner of SouthalkeMoms.com. Before moving to the area she owned a successful interior design business in Tulsa, Oklahoma. More than anything, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and 3 kids. Her other enjoyments include interior design, traveling, attending her kids activities/events, and taking care of her other baby, SouthlakeMoms.com.

Cindy Carbone

Cindy Carbone is a student at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, training to become a certified “Holistic Health and Nutrition Coach.” Her mission in life is to H.E.A.L. America, by empowering people to adopt a lifestyle of Healthy Eating And Living! She believes education and knowledge are key factors to changing MINDS, which will naturally result in changed lives! Check out her website at www.committoheal.com. There you can connect to her blog, Facebook page, and her tweets! When she is not following her passion for making the world a healthier and happier place, she enjoys running, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends!

Chrystal Van Doren

I have a fondness for food. Food is a simple pleasure that brings people together and makes us smile. Whether it’s a cheeseburger or a gourmet pork shoulder that braised all day in the dutch oven, it appeals to everyone’s appetite. I enjoy cooking for my family, friends and co-workers. I created my blog, Food Fondness, so that I could share my love of cooking and baking with others through stories, pictures and recipes. http://foodfondness.blogspot.com

Brooke Hortenstine

Brooke Hortenstine is a Dallas-based editor, writer and charitable volunteer. As editor-at-large of PaperCity magazine, Brooke chronicles the evolving Dallas social scene and writes about all things luxurious — fashion, food, beauty, and interior design, to name a few. She has appeared as a style authority in television segments, and has been published in periodicals such as In Style and Four Seasons Magazine. Contemporary art, dining, travel, music, modern furnishings, and southern customs — think iced tea, old monograms and SEC football — top her lists of likes, as well as giving back to her community. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Contemporary artspace and the President’s Advisory Council to the AT&T Performing Arts Center, and serves as a member of Cattle Baron’s Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society. Her family includes her husband Blake Hortenstine, a ranch real estate broker, and their two-year-old son, Rollins Hortenstine.

SouthlakeMoms

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