Even though I had trouble concentrating this month, I met my goal of 18-19 books a month. YAY ME!
January
1. I Don't Care About Your Band by Julie Klausner
2. The Hallow by Jessica Verday
3.Topless Prophet by Alan Markovitz
4. My Soul To Save by Rachel Vincent
5. Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog
6. Ravish by Cathy Yardley
7. You Can't Drink All Day by Celia Rivenbark
8. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
9. Veracity by Laura Bynum
10. Who Owns the World by Kevin Cahill
11. Mamarama by Evelyn McDonnell
12. Life As I Know It by Melanie Rose
13. Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by Jill Myles
14. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
15. A Black Tie Affair by Sherrill Bodine
16. Dino Vicelli by Lori Weiner
17. Geektastic by Holly Black, et al
18. Unclean Spirits by MLN Hanover
19. Letters to My Daughter (review due, see blog tour -- fabulous)
1/31/10
Unlcean Spirits by MLN Hanover (Book Review 2010-18)
Unclean Spirits: Book One of the Black Sun's Daughter by M. L. N. Hanover
Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Pocket (July 28, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-1439143056
Obtained From: Book Trade
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Urban Fantasy fiction fans are going to love this one. I found Jayne' a very interesting character and that she developes into a strong character quickly rather that dithering around. The plot is concise and very thrilling. The world building is rather quick and you discover and accept it as quickly as Jayne' does. I already have the next one in the series and hope there are many more to come.
Description From GoodReads:
In a world where magic walks and demons ride, you can't always play by the rules.
Jayné Heller thinks of herself as a realist, until she discovers reality isn't quite what she thought it was. When her uncle Eric is murdered, Jayné travels to Denver to settle his estate, only to learn that it's all hers -- and vaster than she ever imagined. And along with properties across the world and an inexhaustible fortune, Eric left her a legacy of a different kind: his unfinished business with a cabal of wizards known as the Invisible College.
Led by the ruthless Randolph Coin, the Invisible College harnesses demon spirits for their own ends of power and domination. Jayné finds it difficult to believe magic and demons can even exist, let alone be responsible for the death of her uncle. But Coin sees Eric's heir as a threat to be eliminated by any means -- magical or mundane -- so Jayné had better start believing in something to save her own life.
About the Author
M. L. N. Hanover is an International Horror Guild Award-winning author living in the American southwest.
Aided in her mission by a group of unlikely companions -- Aubrey, Eric's devastatingly attractive assistant; Ex, a former Jesuit with a lethal agenda; Midian, a two-hundred-year-old man who claims to be under a curse from Randolph Coin himself; and Chogyi Jake, a self-styled Buddhist with mystical abilities -- Jayné finds that her new reality is not only unexpected, but often unexplainable. And if she hopes to survive, she'll have to learn the new rules fast -- or break them completely....
1/30/10
Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci (Book Review 2010-17)
Product Details
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 1, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0316008099
Product Description From GoodReads
Acclaimed authors Holly Black (Ironside)and Cecil Castellucci (Boy Proof) have united in geekdom to edit short stories from some of the best selling and most promising geeks in young adult literature: M.T. Anderson, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Tracy Lynn, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Barry Lyga, Wendy Mass, Garth Nix, Scott Westerfield, Lisa Yee, and Sara Zarr.
With illustrated interstitials from comic book artists Hope Larson and Bryan Lee O'Malley, Geektastic covers all things geeky, from Klingons and Jedi Knights to fan fiction, theater geeks, and cosplayers. Whether you're a former, current, or future geek, or if you just want to get in touch with your inner geek, Geektastic will help you get your geek on!
LOVED IT
This is one of those books you can pick up and read in no particular order and everyone needs a book like that once in awhile. Although if you are a true geek, it will bother you to no end to read something out of order. I was one of those girls who spent her babysitting money on OMNI magazine (you need to be older to get that reference). That said, a lot of these "kids" think they have geekdom all sewn up for their generation. Nope, there were geeks long before they were born.
Obtained From: book trade
GIVEAWAY Dino Vicelli, Private Eye by Lori Weiner and 20 Questions! (Book Review 2010-16)
Dino Vicelli, Private Eye by Lori Weiner
Description from GoodReads:
This story transports the reader to an alternate-reality version of New York City, in which talking dogs interact regularly with humans. The hero, Dino Vicelli, is a private investigator who just happens to be a sharply dressed Italian greyhound with a great fondness for cigars. He takes on what initially appears to be a routine missing person case but soon finds himself in the midst of a sinister plot that involves kidnapping, murder, and bizarre scientific experiments aimed at controlling the world. As he investigates this strange case, Dino repeatedly encounters mortal danger, while also finding romance with a beautiful blonde Afghan dog.
With its unusual twists on the traditional detective story genre, this book blends elements of humor, suspense, and fantasy into a truly unique and entertaining tale.
About the Author
Lori Weiner was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and has lived for twenty years in Rancho Mirage, California. She is married to Martin Weiner and has one daughter, Kandice. She has a special interest in show dogs and was inspired to write this book by her own Italian greyhound, Dino, whom she describes as ''funny, inquisitive, very nosy, and very smart.''
Product Details
Paperback: 98 pages
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc. (June 8, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-1434902948
Obtained From: Author
Really Liked It
My Thoughts:
I am always on the lookout for books about dogs and especially those where the dogs are main characters. I especially love the ones where the dogs actually have thoughts and speak like humans. Dino Vicelli doesn't disappoint! Dino is a very cool private eye, except he is not a normal PI, he is a dog! This short story develops in an alternate universe where dogs and humans coexist and are equal, although the humans run in races here, not dogs.
There is enough mystery and action that keep the pages turning so that it all goes by too quickly. You need to see the wonderful artwork that is inserted throughout the book in the style of the cover. If you are a dog lover and enjoy mysteries, this is your book. There is a sequel planned as well.
20 Questions with Lori Weiner
1. Bookmarks or dog ears?
Dog ears
2. Dust jacket on or off when reading a hard back?
off
3. Favorite author?
Iris Johansen
4. Favorite genre’?
Mystery
5. What is the best book you have read in the last year?
Haven't had much time to read at home., I know what I like and what I would like to take the time to read.
6. What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
Racing Rain
7. If you could only take one book with you to a desert island, which would you bring?
Blood game, Eve Duncan Forensic thriller/ Iris Johansen. I would take the series.
8. What book have you read that you think is overrated?
I have one in mind but would rather not say.
9. What are you reading right now?
Nothing currently
10. What is the last book you bought?
Racing Rain
11. What is the last book you received in the mail?
haven’t
12. What is the number of books you own?
no answer
13. What is the first book you remember reading by yourself as a child?
Cat in the Hat
14. Do you have a favorite place to read?
Anywhere its quiet or on vacation. Don't have a lot of time to read with everyday life and trying to get my own book finished.
15. What is next for you, publishing-wise?
The sequel - Vicelli goes to Washington/the great
Fopaw and Murder in Chains
16. Do you prefer to write about animals or people?
both
17. Do you have any pets (real or imaginary)?
Yes, 5 afghans, 2 Italian greyhounds
18. The last thing you Googled?
Afghanistan, for my sequel
19. What one thing would you save in a fire (other than people or animals)?
pictures
20. What makes you cringe?
the sight of actual blood. I can read about it or talk about it but don't do too well in person.
Want to win my copy of this book?
Please leave a NEW comment for each entry:
+1 leave a comment with your email address
--you can leave a comment every day that the contest runs through 2.21.10
+1 follow me (either friend connect, RSS, etc.)
+1 blog, twitter or some other social network post (leave me a link)
1/29/10
DREAMCATCHER'S LAIR: The Climactic *GIVEAWAY*!!: Angela Morrison Month
DREAMCATCHER'S LAIR: The Climactic *GIVEAWAY*!!: Angela Morrison Month
Stop by to win a copy of this Angela Morrison book SING ME TO SLEEP...
Stop by to win a copy of this Angela Morrison book SING ME TO SLEEP...
BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY -- A BLACK TIE AFFAIR BY SHERRIL BODINE (Book Review 2010-15)
A Black Tie Affair by Sherrill Bodine
LOVED IT
Grab a glass of champagne and take a bubble bath with this book! Ok, just don't drop the book in the water because you won't want to miss a page of this story. This is a fast paced romance with a bit of mystery to keep the interest going. I haven't enjoyed a romance like this in a long time.
The Smith sisters are characters that I would enjoy reading more about and this one features Athena and her expertise of collectable vintage couture. Who knew that there was a black market for such things? The plot revolves around her and Drew who had a romance when they were teens and broke up over a misunderstanding. I was hoping that the two would get back together. I am off to order Talk of The Town which features another minor character, Rebecca Covington.
Product Description
As the curator of the costume collection at the Fashion Institute of Chicago, Athena Smith lives and breathes couture dresses. They're her entire life. And while she's in a vast underground bunker where the Insitute houses their private collection of vintage couture clothing, examining the dresses, she falls desperately ill and is rushed to the hospital. Word around town is that Athena has been poisoned. Dr. Drew Montgomery, a physician at Northwestern Hospital, knows all about Athena's gal-about-town reputation. He's seen her picture in the society rags and he can barely contain his disdain. But he's perplexed by her illness. As they together unravel the secrets behind her illness to figure out who might have poisoned her and why, an attraction blooms between this society gal and this no-nonsense doctor. But is love enough to keep them together? 
Product Information
Mass Market Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Forever (January 1, 2010) Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446618594
ISBN-13: 978-0446618595
1/28/10
20 QUESTIONS WITH APRIL AND GRACIE - win a bookmark too!
Today, we have April and Gracie, who live with Leslie and her blog Storey Book Reviews.
Read through the interview and then enter to win an adorable puppy book mark!
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1. What breed(s) are you?
A - I am a terrier/???? mix. mommy thinks maybe some Corgi but we really aren't sure
G - I am a dachshund/black lab mix and yes I am too cute for words, and smart too!
2. Favorite place to sleep?
G - on the back of the chair in the living room, this way I'm up high and can see everything
A - on any pillow I can find whether it be the sofa pillow, or a pillow sham in the guest rooms.
3. Favorite food?
A & G - anything that doesn't move! we especially like it when mommy gives us fresh veggies while she is making salad, they are crunchy
4. How did you find your home?
A & G - mommy & daddy adopted us from the Humane Society of North Texas.
G - I was adopted first, can't believe someone didn't want a dog as smart as me!
A - I was adopted a little later as a playmate for Gracie. I was found on the street and they don't think that I ever had a home
5. Favorite thing to chew?
A & G - every morning we get a rawhide to chew on while mommy gets ready for work. At night it is a Greenie and in between it is our nylabone
6. Indoors or Outdoors?
G - indoors all the way!
A - indoors is nice but I would love to be outside running around and investigating everything!
7. Are you embarrassed by dog outfits?
A & G - we don't mind a bandanna after being bathed but not sure on the whole sweater situation!
8. Dog Trainers: Friend or Foe?
G - if they will give me a treat for doing anything then they are my friend!
A - it depends....would rather not be around a dog trainer but will if I have to...the treats are nice
9. Hair cuts or the natural look?
A & G - natural look all the way...but then our fur is too short to be cut
10. Do you like baths?
A - NO! if i can jump out without mommy looking, I'll do it!
G - I tolerate them because I like being dried off and the rubdown I receive
11. Favorite place to watch your territory from?
A - I guard my house from all over and if I can look out the window at the same time, even better
G - I wait for April to alert me that something is going on and then I join in on the barking
12. What cute thing do you do for a treat?
G - roll over and over and over and over
A - it is what mommy calls "sitting pretty". I sit up on my back legs
13. What most do you like to bark at?
A - everything from the mailman to the garbage man to people walking down MY street to squirrels
G - whatever April is barking at
14. Cats: Take them or leave them?
A - cats don't belong on this planet and it is my mission to take them all out
G - eh, I just ignore them
15. Would you chase a squirrel right now if you could?
A - most definitely
G - no, it might interfere with my nap
16. If you catch something, what do you do with it?
A - I'm not sure, I don't think I've caught anything yet because mommy won't let me
G - oh please, I'm not going to catch anything, you don't know where it has been!
17. World domination or too much work?
G - way too much work, give me food and a walk now and then and I'm good
A - I'm ready to take over the world! or at least my street
18. Do you prefer to walk or go for a car ride?
A - BOTH! but definitely walk unless the car ride is to the dog park where I can run around
G - usually the car ride, but short walks are ok
19. If you could do one thing right now, what would it be?
A - get mommy to stop typing and pet me!
G - jump in daddy's lap and drink out of his wine glass (not that he would let me)
20. What book would like to chew the cover off?
A & G - The Dangerous Book for Dogs - because it is so good and all about us!
Read through the interview and then enter to win an adorable puppy book mark!
.jpg)
A - I am a terrier/???? mix. mommy thinks maybe some Corgi but we really aren't sure
G - I am a dachshund/black lab mix and yes I am too cute for words, and smart too!
2. Favorite place to sleep?
G - on the back of the chair in the living room, this way I'm up high and can see everything
A - on any pillow I can find whether it be the sofa pillow, or a pillow sham in the guest rooms.
3. Favorite food?
A & G - anything that doesn't move! we especially like it when mommy gives us fresh veggies while she is making salad, they are crunchy
4. How did you find your home?
A & G - mommy & daddy adopted us from the Humane Society of North Texas.
G - I was adopted first, can't believe someone didn't want a dog as smart as me!
A - I was adopted a little later as a playmate for Gracie. I was found on the street and they don't think that I ever had a home
5. Favorite thing to chew?
A & G - every morning we get a rawhide to chew on while mommy gets ready for work. At night it is a Greenie and in between it is our nylabone
6. Indoors or Outdoors?
G - indoors all the way!
A - indoors is nice but I would love to be outside running around and investigating everything!
7. Are you embarrassed by dog outfits?
A & G - we don't mind a bandanna after being bathed but not sure on the whole sweater situation!
8. Dog Trainers: Friend or Foe?
G - if they will give me a treat for doing anything then they are my friend!
A - it depends....would rather not be around a dog trainer but will if I have to...the treats are nice
9. Hair cuts or the natural look?
A & G - natural look all the way...but then our fur is too short to be cut
10. Do you like baths?
A - NO! if i can jump out without mommy looking, I'll do it!
G - I tolerate them because I like being dried off and the rubdown I receive
11. Favorite place to watch your territory from?
A - I guard my house from all over and if I can look out the window at the same time, even better
G - I wait for April to alert me that something is going on and then I join in on the barking
12. What cute thing do you do for a treat?
G - roll over and over and over and over
A - it is what mommy calls "sitting pretty". I sit up on my back legs
13. What most do you like to bark at?
A - everything from the mailman to the garbage man to people walking down MY street to squirrels
G - whatever April is barking at
14. Cats: Take them or leave them?
A - cats don't belong on this planet and it is my mission to take them all out
G - eh, I just ignore them
15. Would you chase a squirrel right now if you could?
A - most definitely
G - no, it might interfere with my nap
16. If you catch something, what do you do with it?
A - I'm not sure, I don't think I've caught anything yet because mommy won't let me
G - oh please, I'm not going to catch anything, you don't know where it has been!
17. World domination or too much work?
G - way too much work, give me food and a walk now and then and I'm good
A - I'm ready to take over the world! or at least my street
18. Do you prefer to walk or go for a car ride?
A - BOTH! but definitely walk unless the car ride is to the dog park where I can run around
G - usually the car ride, but short walks are ok
19. If you could do one thing right now, what would it be?
A - get mommy to stop typing and pet me!
G - jump in daddy's lap and drink out of his wine glass (not that he would let me)
20. What book would like to chew the cover off?
A & G - The Dangerous Book for Dogs - because it is so good and all about us!
Isn't this an adorable book mark and don't you need it for your own?
This contest is open worldwide and ends 2/14/10!
Please leave a new comment for each entry.
+1 leave a comment with a way to contact you and you can enter everyday until the contest ends on 2.14.10
+1 follow me
+1 sign up to follow Leslie's blog here
+1 for each post about this contest on any social networking site and leave the link here.
1/27/10
Wolf Maiden Chronicles: Alpha Werewolves and Human Mates: Interview with Luna the Alaskan Wolf
Wolf Maiden Chronicles: Alpha Werewolves and Human Mates: Interview with Luna the Alaskan Wolf
Stop by and say hello and maybe ask a question over at Eva Gordon's blog
This full moon we have a special guest, a real wolf named Luna. I have traveled to a private deep forest in Alaska where I'm sitting under the full moon. I am guided by two spirit animals the raven and the wolf. They have guided me to this journey through the power of drum, the heartbeat of the earth. I posted a beautiful video but you can skip and read the interview. Post questions if you wish.
Stop by and say hello and maybe ask a question over at Eva Gordon's blog
This full moon we have a special guest, a real wolf named Luna. I have traveled to a private deep forest in Alaska where I'm sitting under the full moon. I am guided by two spirit animals the raven and the wolf. They have guided me to this journey through the power of drum, the heartbeat of the earth. I posted a beautiful video but you can skip and read the interview. Post questions if you wish.
Waiting On Wednesday: The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking The Spine!
The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
Product Details
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Bantam (March 16, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0553807218
ISBN-13: 978-0553807219
In her latest enchanting novel, New York Times bestelling author Sarah Addison Allen invites you to a quirky little Southern town with more magic than a full Carolina moon. Here two very different women discover how to find their place in the world…no matter how out of place they feel.
Emily Benedict came to Mullaby, North Carolina, hoping to solve at least some of the riddles surrounding her mother’s life. For instance, why did Dulcie Shelby leave her hometown so suddenly? Why did she vow never to return? But the moment Emily enters the house where her mother grew up and meets the grandfather she never knew—a reclusive, real-life gentle giant—she realizes that mysteries aren’t solved in Mullaby, they’re a way of life.
Here are rooms where the wallpaper changes to suit your mood. Unexplained lights skip across the yard at midnight. And a neighbor bakes hope in the form of cakes.
Everyone in Mullaby adores Julia Winterson’s cakes. She offers them to satisfy the town’s sweet tooth and in the hope of bringing back the love she fears she’s lost forever. In Julia, Emily may have found a link to her mother’s past. But why is everyone trying to discourage Emily’s growing relationship with the handsome and mysterious son of Mullaby’s most prominent family? Emily came to Mullaby to get answers, but all she’s found so far are more questions.
Is there really a ghost dancing in her backyard? Can a cake really bring back a lost love?
In this town of lovable misfits, maybe the right answer is the one that just feels…different.
1/26/10
Tiffany Baker -- The Little Giant of Aberdeen County will be on Blog Talk Radio 1/27 at 1:30 pm EST
We’ve teamed up with Goodreads to create a special The Little Giant of Aberdeen County discussion group.
From January 24th - February 7th, Goodreads members who join the group will be able to ask Tiffany Baker, author of The Little Giant of Aberdeen County, questions about the novel, her writing process, and/or the insanity of trying to write while also mothering three children, and participate in the discussion group together. You can sign up now!
In addition, we will be interviewing Tiffany live on January 27th at 1:30 pm EST at www.blogtalkradio.com/grandcentralpub so mark your calendars and feel free to call in and chat with both of us live.
1/25/10
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Book Review 2010-14)
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and Dave Mckean
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
The Graveyard Book does exactly what a story should do: it takes you away to another time and place where your imagination can believe in an another world. I can see why this book won the Newberry award this year. This is the perfect book to read out loud to a child, although I could see where this spooky story would be best for older ones.
The descriptions are so vivid that you can see Bod and his ghosty friends. The action becomes quite intense as Bod grows up and starts to question his existence. He seeks out his family's murder and with some quite clever allusions this books comes to a satisfying conclusion. This is a must read for adults as well as kids.
Product Description
Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy.
He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead.
There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy-an ancient Indigo Man beneath the hill, a gateway to a desert leading to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer.
But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family. . . .
Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, the graveyard book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages.
About the Author
Neil Gaiman is the author of many highly acclaimed and award-winning books for children and adults, including the New York Times bestseller Coraline. He is also the author of the picture books The Wolves in the Walls and The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, both illustrated by Dave McKean, Blueberry Girl, illustrated by Charles Vess, and The Dangerous Alphabet, illustrated by Gris Grimly. Among his many awards are the World Fantasy Award, the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, and the Bram Stoker Award. Originally from England, Gaiman now lives in the United States.
Product Details
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; Later Printing edition (September 30, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060530928
ISBN-13: 978-0060530921
Obtained From: Library Sale
GIVEAWAY -- GENTLEMEN PREFER SUCCUBI BY JILL MYLES (Book Review 2010-13)
Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by JIll Myles
LOVED IT
This story has it all, snark (you know I love my snark), sex and some fallen angels as well as vampires. When we meet Jackie she has nothing going on and this turns into a true Cinderella story, except I think this Cinderella gets the best of the deal and ends up turning her flaws into strengths. I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment.
How many girls can eat whatever they want and never gain wait? And on top of it, have two hot guys fighting over her. The humor, action and sexual tension had me reading this book straight through. I think fans of Gena Showalter, Michelle Rowen and MaryJanice Davidson will enjoy this one.
Product Description
Who knew an angel could get a girl in so much devilish trouble?
Jackie Brighton woke up in a dumpster this morning, and her day has only gotten weirder. Her breasts grew overnight, her sex drive is insatiable, and apparently she had her first one-night stand ever . . . with a fallen angel. Of course, she only remembers gorgeous Noah’s enormous, er, package. And their steamy shower sex. Hmm . . . and the dark stranger whose bite transformed her into an immortal siren with a seductive Itch.
With help from Noah and fellow succubus Remy Summore, Jackie adapts to her new lifestyle—until she accidentally strikes a deal that sends her lover into the deadly clutches of the vampire queen and lands Jackie, Remy, and the queen’s wickedly hot right-hand man into the middle of a fierce battle for an ancient halo.
But how’s a girl supposed to save the world when the enemy’s so hard to resist.
About the Author:
http://www.jillmyles.com/
JILL MYLES is the author of Gentlemen Prefer Succubi, the first novel featuring sexy succubus Jackie Brighton, her supernatural sidekicks, and a few all-too-tempting villains. Jill lives in Texas with her family and can’t write a bio, so she’s using the official Pocket Books one.
Gentlemen Prefer Succubi releases from Pocket Books on December 29, 2009. The sequel, Succubi Like It Hot, releases one month later on January 26, 2010.
Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Pocket Star; Original edition (December 29, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416572821
ISBN-13: 978-1416572824
Obtained From: Pocket Star Publishers
WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?
Thanks to Sarah at Pocket Books, you can! This contest ends on 2.12.10
You just need to have a US mailing address that is NOT a PO Box and do the following:
PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY.
+1 leave a comment with a way to contact you, you can do this once a day while the contest runs.
+1 follow me
+1 for each post with a link to your blog post, twitter or other social network about this giveway!
+1 become a fan on Jill's GoodReads page
1/22/10
Life As I Know It by Melanie Rose (Book Review 2010-12)
Life As I Know It by Melanie Rose
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Now, torn between Lauren’s responsibilities to her family and Jessica’s chance at love, one woman is about to find out whether the road not taken leads to happiness—or to heartbreak
BRILLIANT! This is just such a wonderful book. I don't know if it can be easily classified though. It has elements of the paranormal and chick lit but it is just so unique. Jessica is such a wonderful and real character that the short description that follows doesn't even begin to tell you how wonderful this story turns out to be. Oh, and did I mention that there is a dog in the story?
Melanie Rose has another book Coming Home to be released in the UK, but I don't think I can wait for it to be released in the US. If you enjoyed the latest by Sophie Kinsella, you are going to love this one. This is going to be in my top recommendations for the year!
Product Description
Melanie Rose has another book Coming Home to be released in the UK, but I don't think I can wait for it to be released in the US. If you enjoyed the latest by Sophie Kinsella, you are going to love this one. This is going to be in my top recommendations for the year!
Product Description
What if you had the chance to live someone else’s life? Full of heart and soul, here is a captivating novel about the choices we make for family and love—and how sometimes a total stranger is the person we really need to be.
Jessica Taylor is walking her dog in the rain when she meets the man of her dreams—only to be struck by lightning moments later. When she wakes up in the hospital, the doctors insist she’s someone else: Lauren Richardson, wife and mother of four.
Lauren’s husband wants nothing more than for life to get back to normal—complete with a well-organized house and very properly behaved children. But Lauren’s kids haven’t been allowed to have much fun, and one of them has special needs. Can Jessica embrace this family of strangers and become the wife and mother they need? As she struggles to find her way in this new life—and the way back to her old life—she reconnects with Lauren’s estranged sister and discovers a secret that could rip the family apart.Now, torn between Lauren’s responsibilities to her family and Jessica’s chance at love, one woman is about to find out whether the road not taken leads to happiness—or to heartbreak
Product Details
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Bantam; Original edition (February 9, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 038534399X
ISBN-13: 978-0385343992
Obtained From: GoodReads FirstReads
Mamarama by Evelyn McDonnell (Book Review 2010-11)
Mamarama: A Memoir of Sex, Kids, & Rock 'n' Roll by Evelyn McDonnell
LOVED IT
I have been meaning to read this for a year and was finally poked into getting it done this week when a friend wanted to borrow it. It turned out to be a great memoir and I loved reading about how McDonnell raised two step-daughters and then had a son when she really wan't that keen on having kids in the first place. You can tell she loves her kids and that she hasn't lost sight of her own life while being a mom.
I could compare this to Jim Lindberg's Punk Rock Dad or Alternadad by Neal Pollack but they just don't show the love that McDonnell's perspective as a mom does. There are so many memoirs out lately, but this one is worth the time to search it out. I highly recommend this one.
Product Description
Any parent may ask, "What's the connection between my youthful self and the old fart my kids think I am?" The question is especially relevant for Evelyn McDonnell, a Janie-come-lately breeder looking back on her bohemian, feminist, punk-rock glory days and wondering, is the new me still the old me? The answer is yes: A baby changes everything but your self. In fact, though she may no longer write fanzines or engage in political performance art, McDonnell's revolutionary spirit is strengthened by having an added investment in the future--her toddler son and teen stepdaughters. As she makes the transformation from Riot Grrrl to Rebel Mom, this music journalist gives an eyewitness account of the cultural movements of the '90s, from alternative rock and third-wave feminism to hip-hop, raves, poetry, and Rent. Through this pop-culture lens she confronts the conventions and pressures of modern motherhood. Part of an emerging generation of cultural commentators and memoirists, McDonnell adds an original, humorous, and edgy voice to the ongoing literature of motherhood.
About the Author
http://www.mamaramabook.com/
Product Details
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Da Capo Press (March 3, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0738211079
ISBN-13: 978-0738211077
Obtained From: Book Trade
GIVEAWAY -- WHO OWNS THE WORLD BY KEVIN CAHILL (Book Review 2010-10)
LOVED IT
This is one book that will remain on my shelf since I find the facts so fascinating. Who Owns the World is full of interesting research and would be invaluable if you wanted to purchase land in another country. I also enjoyed reading about how each state in the US is broken down by ownership.
Product Description
You don't have to be a student of geography or cartography to have an interest in the world around you, especially with globalization making our planet seem smaller than ever. Now you can IM someone in Alaska, purchase coffee beans from Timor-Leste, and visit Dubai. But what do we really know about these lands?
WHO OWNS THE WORLD presents the results of the first-ever landownership survey of all 197 states and 66 territories of the world, and reveals facts both startling and eye-opening. You'll learn that:
--Only 15% of the world's population lays claim to landownership, and that landownership in too few hands is probably the single greatest cause of poverty.
--Queen Elizabeth II owns 1/6 of the entire land surface on earth (nearly 3 times the size of the U.S.).
--The Lichtenstein royal family is wealthier than the Grimaldis of Monaco.
--80% of the American population is crammed in urban areas.
--The least crowded state is Alaska, with 670 acres per person. The most crowded is New Jersey, with .7 acres per person.
--60% of America's population are property owners. That's behind the UK (69% homeownership).
--And much, much more!
With its relevance to contemporary issues and culture, WHO OWNS THE WORLD makes for fascinating reading. Both entertaining and educational, it provides cocktail party conversation for years to come and is guaranteed to change the way you view the U.S. and the world.
About the Author
http://www.whoownstheworld.com/
Why write Who Owns the World?
Product Details
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Original edition (January 29, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446581216
ISBN-13: 978-0446581219
Obtained From: Publisher
1/21/10
AND THE WINNER IS: (Prime Time Health)
Please check your email and get me your address so I can mail this out right away!
librarygrinch
1/20/10
20 QUESTIONS WITH MARTY AND BOSCO (puppy profile)
20 Questions with Marty and Bosco!
1. What breed(s) are you?
Marty: I am a Bagle (beagle-basset) - just like the food. By the way, where is my food? Food? Did someone mention food?
Bosco: I am a North American Biscuit Hound. My parents think I'm a mixed breed, but I am my own breed.
2. Favorite place to sleep?
Marty: I must have the softest blanket I can find, several of them actually. I like to build a nest with them and get all snuggled in them. I get really mad when someone comes along and messes it up.
Bosco: My favorite place is on my Mommy's pillow, just above her head. I save that place for when my Mommy has a headache or is not feeling well. I usually just sleep on the floor or on my bed. I make sure Mommy and Daddy fall asleep okay at night and then I go out to the living room to guard the house while they sleep.
3. Favorite food?
Marty: All of it. Every single thing. Salad, pickles, canned pears, and blueberry treats are some of my favorites.
Bosco: Bacon! I also steal chicken bones out of the trash when nobody is looking.
4. How did you find your home?
Marty: I lived in a house with a Beagle that didn't like me. So my new Mommy begged my Daddy to let her take me home to their house. Good thing he said yes.
Bosco: When I was a little puppy, I was left outside, alone and scared. I finally found some bushes to hide in. It's a good thing nice humans lived there and they let me move in with them.
5. Favorite thing to chew?
Marty: Bones! I love bones.
Bosco: The cat. I also love to chew the ears and noses off of toys.
6. Indoors or Outdoors?
Marty & Bosco: Indoors. But we are old-fashioned and have an outdoor bathroom.
7. Are you embarrassed by dog outfits?
Marty: I look very handsome in my Underdog costume.
Bosco: I can't be bothered.
8. Dog Trainers: Friend or Foe?
Marty: Kay at PetSmart is my favorite teacher! I taught her how to give me blueberry treats just by doing tricks. She was pretty easy to train.
Bosco: I'm already a good girl and don't need any trainers.
9. Hair cuts or the natural look?
Marty: My mommy says my shaved legs (from chemo IVs) look really sexy.
Bosco: My hair is beautiful just the way it is.
10. Do you like baths?
Marty: NO WAY. That involves water and I hate to get wet.
Bosco:................. ran in the other room and hid.
11. Favorite place to watch your territory from?
Marty: The couch.
Bosco: My air-conditioning vent by the front door.
12. What cute thing do you do for a treat?
Marty: I do it all. I sit, shake, roll-over. If you have a treat, I'll do it.
Bosco: I "sit pretty."
13. What most do you like to bark at?
Marty: People, especially children.
Bosco: Outside noises.
14. Cats: Take them or leave them?
Marty: The cat is just another toy.
Bosco: Grrrr... That cat better leave me alone.
15. Would you chase a squirrel right now if you could?
Marty: Does he have food? If so, yes!
Bosco: I'd rather chase the cat.
16. If you catch something, what do you do with it?
Marty: Eat it.
Bosco: Pick it up and shake it.
17. World domination or too much work?
Marty: Not if I have to get out of bed.
Bosco: YES, certainly.
18. Do you prefer to walk or go for a car ride?
Marty: Let's go for a walk? I'll lead. Riding in the car is a TRICK. That's how they take you to the VET.
Bosco: I'm not really fond of either, but I pretend to get excited for a car ride, just to make the parents happy.
19. If you could do one thing right now, what would it be?
Marty: Eat.
Bosco: Ask my Mommy to come over and rub my belly.
20. What book would like to chew the cover off?
Marty: I have chewed the covers off of many books, just ask my Daddy.
Bosco: Is there a cat book?
Anything else to bark about?
Marty: I am a six-year old beagle basset. The cute girls at Doggie Day Care call me "Handsome Man." I haven't been to Day Care in a long time because I have Lymphoma and am busy going to the vet every other week. There are cute girls there, too, so it's not all bad. They shaved my legs, so now I have "sexy legs." I'm doing pretty good, they say. I even have my own blog: http://martyscancerblog.com/ I'm a fun loving dog and I love life, every minute of it. It's a good thing I don't know I'm sick. In my spare time, I'm a surgeon. I can get the squeaker out of a stuffed toy with exact precision, making the tiniest incision. I could teach that vet a thing or two!
Bosco: I'm the Queen of the house, the Alpha Dog. I am 12 years old, the eldest, and therefore, the boss. My Mommy still calls me her "baby girl" and I let her get away with it because it gets me lots of attention. I am very sweet when I get my way. I am really fond of my cousin Stevie and like it when he comes over. I like to climb on his lap and unplug his laptop. I also love soft toys with squeakers. I can tell when someone brings one home, even before they take it out of the bag. They can't sneak one past me. I like to menace the cat, the birds, and Marty. After all, I am the Queen.
I think this is the best puppy profile to date.
This is a note from Ria...
We can't believe that lightning struck twice in our house. Bosco (the black mixed breed) also has Lymphoma. She had her first chemo treatment today. Because of her age, her chemo treatment isn't as intense as Marty's. We think her Lymphoma is more advanced or more aggressive than Marty's. She is showing more signs & symptoms of Lymphoma. I hope the chemo kicks in and she's back to her old self soon.
She had her second chemo treatment today. Marty gets his last chemo treatment next Tuesday. Bosco has had a much rougher time of it than Marty, mostly because she's older and probably has a more aggressive form of the disease. Marty has his own blog, too: http://martyscancerblog.com/
Please keep these pups in your thoughts and visit Ria's blog as well at http://www.craftyria.com/
1. What breed(s) are you?
Marty: I am a Bagle (beagle-basset) - just like the food. By the way, where is my food? Food? Did someone mention food?
Bosco: I am a North American Biscuit Hound. My parents think I'm a mixed breed, but I am my own breed.
2. Favorite place to sleep?
Marty: I must have the softest blanket I can find, several of them actually. I like to build a nest with them and get all snuggled in them. I get really mad when someone comes along and messes it up.
Bosco: My favorite place is on my Mommy's pillow, just above her head. I save that place for when my Mommy has a headache or is not feeling well. I usually just sleep on the floor or on my bed. I make sure Mommy and Daddy fall asleep okay at night and then I go out to the living room to guard the house while they sleep.
3. Favorite food?
Marty: All of it. Every single thing. Salad, pickles, canned pears, and blueberry treats are some of my favorites.
Bosco: Bacon! I also steal chicken bones out of the trash when nobody is looking.
4. How did you find your home?
Marty: I lived in a house with a Beagle that didn't like me. So my new Mommy begged my Daddy to let her take me home to their house. Good thing he said yes.
Bosco: When I was a little puppy, I was left outside, alone and scared. I finally found some bushes to hide in. It's a good thing nice humans lived there and they let me move in with them.
5. Favorite thing to chew?
Marty: Bones! I love bones.
Bosco: The cat. I also love to chew the ears and noses off of toys.
6. Indoors or Outdoors?
Marty & Bosco: Indoors. But we are old-fashioned and have an outdoor bathroom.
7. Are you embarrassed by dog outfits?
Marty: I look very handsome in my Underdog costume.
Bosco: I can't be bothered.
8. Dog Trainers: Friend or Foe?
Marty: Kay at PetSmart is my favorite teacher! I taught her how to give me blueberry treats just by doing tricks. She was pretty easy to train.
Bosco: I'm already a good girl and don't need any trainers.
9. Hair cuts or the natural look?
Marty: My mommy says my shaved legs (from chemo IVs) look really sexy.
Bosco: My hair is beautiful just the way it is.
10. Do you like baths?
Marty: NO WAY. That involves water and I hate to get wet.
Bosco:................. ran in the other room and hid.
11. Favorite place to watch your territory from?
Marty: The couch.
Bosco: My air-conditioning vent by the front door.
12. What cute thing do you do for a treat?
Marty: I do it all. I sit, shake, roll-over. If you have a treat, I'll do it.
Bosco: I "sit pretty."
13. What most do you like to bark at?
Marty: People, especially children.
Bosco: Outside noises.
14. Cats: Take them or leave them?
Marty: The cat is just another toy.
Bosco: Grrrr... That cat better leave me alone.
15. Would you chase a squirrel right now if you could?
Marty: Does he have food? If so, yes!
Bosco: I'd rather chase the cat.
16. If you catch something, what do you do with it?
Marty: Eat it.
Bosco: Pick it up and shake it.
17. World domination or too much work?
Marty: Not if I have to get out of bed.
Bosco: YES, certainly.
18. Do you prefer to walk or go for a car ride?
Marty: Let's go for a walk? I'll lead. Riding in the car is a TRICK. That's how they take you to the VET.
Bosco: I'm not really fond of either, but I pretend to get excited for a car ride, just to make the parents happy.
19. If you could do one thing right now, what would it be?
Marty: Eat.
Bosco: Ask my Mommy to come over and rub my belly.
20. What book would like to chew the cover off?
Marty: I have chewed the covers off of many books, just ask my Daddy.
Bosco: Is there a cat book?
Anything else to bark about?
Marty: I am a six-year old beagle basset. The cute girls at Doggie Day Care call me "Handsome Man." I haven't been to Day Care in a long time because I have Lymphoma and am busy going to the vet every other week. There are cute girls there, too, so it's not all bad. They shaved my legs, so now I have "sexy legs." I'm doing pretty good, they say. I even have my own blog: http://martyscancerblog.com/ I'm a fun loving dog and I love life, every minute of it. It's a good thing I don't know I'm sick. In my spare time, I'm a surgeon. I can get the squeaker out of a stuffed toy with exact precision, making the tiniest incision. I could teach that vet a thing or two!
Bosco: I'm the Queen of the house, the Alpha Dog. I am 12 years old, the eldest, and therefore, the boss. My Mommy still calls me her "baby girl" and I let her get away with it because it gets me lots of attention. I am very sweet when I get my way. I am really fond of my cousin Stevie and like it when he comes over. I like to climb on his lap and unplug his laptop. I also love soft toys with squeakers. I can tell when someone brings one home, even before they take it out of the bag. They can't sneak one past me. I like to menace the cat, the birds, and Marty. After all, I am the Queen.
I think this is the best puppy profile to date.
This is a note from Ria...
We can't believe that lightning struck twice in our house. Bosco (the black mixed breed) also has Lymphoma. She had her first chemo treatment today. Because of her age, her chemo treatment isn't as intense as Marty's. We think her Lymphoma is more advanced or more aggressive than Marty's. She is showing more signs & symptoms of Lymphoma. I hope the chemo kicks in and she's back to her old self soon.
She had her second chemo treatment today. Marty gets his last chemo treatment next Tuesday. Bosco has had a much rougher time of it than Marty, mostly because she's older and probably has a more aggressive form of the disease. Marty has his own blog, too: http://martyscancerblog.com/
Please keep these pups in your thoughts and visit Ria's blog as well at http://www.craftyria.com/
You can win the above calendar (I know my picture is terrible, but you get the idea of what it looks like--it has and address book, pocket planner, small calendar and a large wall calendar).
You can enter here if you have a US mailing address and are over 16. This contest end 1.31.10.
PLEASE LEAVE A NEW COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY since Random.org is picking the winner.
+1 leave a comment with a way to contact you, you can do this daily until the contest ends on 1.31.10
+1 follow me
+1 for each post a note about the contest on your blog, twitter account or other social network
+1 follow Ria at her blog
+1 follow Marty's blog
Waiting On Wednesday: Succubus Shadows by Richelle Mead
Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:
Paperback (Mar 30, 2010) by Richelle Mead
Product Description
Georgina Kincaid has formidable powers. Immortality, seduction, shape-shifting into any human form she desires, walking in heels that would cripple mere mortals--all child's play to a succubus like her.
Helping to plan her ex-boyfriend's wedding is a different story. Georgina isn't sure which is worse--that Seth is marrying another woman, or that Georgina has to run all over Seattle trying on bridesmaid dresses. Still, there are distractions. Georgina's roommate, Roman, is cluttering her apartment with sexual tension. Then there's Simone, the new succubus in town, who's intent on corrupting Seth.
But the real danger lies in the mysterious force that's visiting her thoughts, trying to draw her into a dark, otherworldly realm. Sooner or later, Georgina knows she'll be too weak to resist. And when that happens, she'll discover who she can trust, who she can't--and that Hell is far from the worst place to spend eternity. .
Product Details
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington (March 30, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758232004
ISBN-13: 978-0758232007
1/19/10
GIVEAWAY -- VERACITY BY LAURA BYNUM
I have one copy of Veracity to gift to someone here thanks to Sarah at Pocket Books (that is such a cool name for a publisher).
TO ENTER THE CONTEST (ENDS 1.31.10)
You must live in the US and be over 18 and NO PO boxes. Please leave a new comment for each entry:
+1 leave a comment with your contact info, you can do this everyday of the contest until it ends on 1.31.10.
+1 follower
+2 new follower
+1 for each link to your blog, social network or tweet
+1 for leaving a comment with a word that provokes you (please make it something the FCC would approve)
1/18/10
BLOG TOUR -- VERACITY BY LAURA BYNUM (Book Review 2010-9)
LOVED IT
The world revolves around words and this post apocalypic story really reminded me a great deal of 1984 in that the certain words are forbidden. I felt that parts of this book already are true because of the political correctness that the world is facing today and how words can be used as weapons. This is a good spooky tale and perfect for a rainy day read in front of a fireplace. I think what makes it so scary is that elements of this fantasy are happening today.
Overall this is an excellent science fiction story and one that I will probably reread which is rare for me. I know I missed a few things because I found myself going back through the book since the storyline was told in flashbacks and flashforwards. I thought that it was a little too descriptive in parts and could have been edited down a bit, but this is probably just my own personal issue and not the way it was written.
Anyone looking for a good story and those who enjoy Margaret Atwood, George Orwell and Stephen King will love this one.
Product Description
Harper Adams was six years old in 2012 when an act of viral terrorism wiped out one-half of the country's population. Out of the ashes rose a new government, the Confederation of the Willing, dedicated to maintaining order at any cost. The populace is controlled via government-sanctioned sex and drugs, a brutal police force known as the Blue Coats, and a device called the slate, a mandatory implant that monitors every word a person speaks. To utter a Red-Listed, forbidden word is to risk physical punishment or even death.
But there are those who resist. Guided by the fabled "Book of Noah," they are determined to shake the people from their apathy and ignorance, and are prepared to start a war in the name of freedom. The newest member of this resistance is Harper -- a woman driven by memories of a daughter lost, a daughter whose very name was erased by the Red List. And she possesses a power that could make her the underground warriors' ultimate weapon -- or the instrument of their destruction.
In the tradition of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, Laura Bynum has written an astonishing debut novel about a chilling, all-too-plausible future in which speech is a weapon and security comes at the highest price of all.
About the Author
http://www.laurabynum.com/
Product Details
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Pocket (January 5, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439123349
ISBN-13: 978-1439123348
OBTAINED FROM: Pocket Books -- thanks Sarah!
Stop by these other blogs on the tour:
All About {n}: http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/
The Cajun Book Lady: http://thecajunbooklady.blogspot.com/
Rundpinne: http://www.rundpinne.blogspot.com/
My Friend Amy: http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/
The Neverending Shelf: http://www.theneverendingshelf.com/
Drey’s Library: http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/
Book Junkie: http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com/
Books Gardens & Dogs: http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/
My Book Views: http://my-book-views.blogspot.com/
Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
Brizmus Blogs About Books: http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com/
Pam’s Private Reflections: http://hip2bhomeschooling.blogspot.com/
My Book Addiction and More: http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com/
Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
Frugal Plus: http://frugalplus.com/
Books, Books Everywhere: http://bookbookseverywhere.blogspot.com/
My Guilty Pleasures: http://www.mgpblog.com/
The Bibliophilic Book Blog: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/
A Book Bloggers Diary: http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/
Opinionated? Me?: http://readingwatchingliving.blogspot.com/
I Heart Monster: http://www.iheartmonster.com/
Wendy’s Minding Spot: http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/
Parajunkee’s View: http://parajunkee.blogspot.com/
The Wayfaring Writer: http://moonsanity.blogspot.com/
You Wanna Know What I Think?: http://www.kballard87.blogspot.com/
Bookfoolery & Babble: http://bookfoolery.blogspot.com/
My Life In Not So Many Words: http://www.ziarias.blogspot.com/
Between the Pages: http://www.betweenthelinesandmore.blogspot.com/
Savey Spender: http://saveyspender.com/
Temple Library Reviews: http://templelibraryreviews.blogspot.com/
See Michelle Read: http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/
Revenge of the Booknerds: http://booknerdextraordinaire.blogspot.com/
Must Read Faster: http://mustreadfaster.blogspot.com/
Jeanne's Ramblings: http://www.jeannesramblings.com/
Blog Business World: http://www.blogbusinessworld.blogspot.com/
What Book Is That?: http://whatbookisthat.blogspot.com/
Books & Needlepoint: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier (Book Review 2010-8)
LOVED IT
I am a huge fan of Tracy Chevalier and her latest book doesn't disappoint. I loved the friendship between the two main characters, (each told from their points of view), of Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot. This story builds upon historical facts that both of these ladies discovered and collected dinosaur fossils when this was not very "ladylike".
Chevalier did an excellent job at filling in the gaps and personalizing these historical figures, both of whom I had never heard of and makes me want to research more into their lives. Fans of Philippa Gregory and Lisa See will enjoy this one.
Product Description
A voyage of discoveries, a meeting of two remarkable women, and extraordinary time and place enrich bestselling author Tracy Chevalier's enthralling new novel.
From the moment she's struck by lightening as a baby, it is clear that Mary Anning is marked for greatness. On the windswept, fossil-strewn beaches of the English coast, she learns that she has "the eye"-and finds what no one else can see. When Mary uncovers an unusual fossilized skeleton in the cliffs near her home, she sets the religious fathers on edge, the townspeople to vicious gossip, and the scientific world alight. In an arena dominated by men, however, Mary is barred from the academic community; as a young woman with unusual interests she is suspected of sinful behavior. Nature is a threat, throwing bitter, cold storms and landslips at her. And when she falls in love, it is with an impossible man.
Luckily, Mary finds an unlikely champion in prickly Elizabeth Philpot, a recent exile from London, who also loves scouring the beaches. Their relationship strikes a delicate balance between fierce loyalty, mutual appreciation, and barely suppressed envy. Ultimately, in the struggle to be recognized in the wider world, Mary and Elizabeth discover that friendship is their greatest ally.
Remarkable Creatures is a stunning novel of how one woman's gift transcends class and social prejudice to lead to some of the most important discoveries of the nineteenth century. Above all, is it a revealing portrait of the intricate and resilient nature of female friendship.
About the Author
http://www.tchevalier.com/
Product Details
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Dutton Adult (January 5, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0525951458
ISBN-13: 978-0525951452
OBTAINED FROM: Public Library
1/17/10
You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start in the Morning by Celia Rivenbark (Book Review 2010-7)
You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start in the Morning by Celia Rivenbark
LOVED IT
Celia Rivenbark's essays are always hilarious and this collection doesn't disappoint. You don't even have to be from the South to enjoy them either. The recipes at the end of each chapter are a really nice touch and I copied several of them before I send this book on to a friend.
You would probably like this if you enjoy Dave Barry, Jen Lancaster or Laurie Notaro.
From the author of the bestselling classics We’re Just Like You, Only Prettier, and Bless Your Heart, Tramp, comes a collection of essays so funny, you’ll shoot co’cola out of your nose.
• Why Miss North Carolina is too nice to hate
• How Gwyneth Paltrow wants to improve your pathetic life
• Strapped for cash? Try cat whispering • Sex every night for a year? How do you wrap that?
• Get yer Wassail on: It’s carolin’ time
• Airlines serving up one hot mess
• Action figure Jesus
• Why Clay Aiken ain’t marrying your glandular daughter
• And much more!
Complete with a treasure trove of Celia Rivenbark’s genuine southern recipes, You Can’t Drink All Day if You Don’t Start in the Morning is sure to appeal to anyone who lives south of something.
About the Author:
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031236301X
ISBN-13: 978-0312363017
Obtained From: PBS
Ravish by Cathy Yardley (Book Review 2010-6)
LOVED IT
This is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but done in a more adult manner. If you are looking for an updated version with a lot of sex worked into the storyline then this is your book. I am always impressed when an author can make sex an integral part of an erotic story rather than it just being stuck in to get the label.
Yardley does an excellent job of bringing those two things together. I just got Crave and Enslave and hope they are as well written as this one. She also writes great Chick Lit too!
Product Description
An innocent beauty, trapped in sleep...
Sheltered from society, Aurora Jacquard has yet to feel the sweet release of physical love. Then, on the night she is about to give in to temptation, she inexplicably falls into a deep coma.
A handsome prince, determined to discover her secrets...
Jacob White is one of the best neurologists in the world, and he intends to awaken Aurora from her virginal slumber. But when she begins to invade his dreams every night, beckoning him into a sensuous place of lust and danger, Jacob realizes there's more to this woman than meets the eye.
It will take more than a kiss to wake her up...
Trapped in a world of erotic dreams, Aurora and Jacob must surrender to their deepest darkest desires...but how far are they willing to go?
About the Author
Cathy Yardley has always been entranced by fairy tales and now spends her time giving them her extra special touch. This multi-published author enjoys movies, video games, cooking, and plotting world domination (just kidding, she hates to cook). When not writing, she spends time in her beautiful San Diego home with her husband and son.
Product Details
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Avon Red (September 23, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061376086
ISBN-13: 978-0061376085
OBTAINED FROM: Book Trading Site
Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog (Book Review 2010-5)
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
I don't know why I took so long to read this book as it has been sitting on my shelf since it was released. This is such a delightful story and I can't wait until Sleepless is released next July. The author has a charming way with words and I can't wait to read more.
Morgan is such a likable and realistic teen and the story of how her BF and neighbor turns into a fairy is extremely believable, something that is hard to pull off sometimes. I read this in one sitting and just adored it. It always says alot when you just have to read the next page and that page becomes the whole book in one sitting. More, please!
Product Description
Morgan Sparks and Cam Browne are a match made in heaven. They've been best friends since birth, they tell each other everything, and oh yeah- they're totally hot for each other.
But a week before their joint Sweet Sixteen bash, everything changes. Cam's awkward cousin Pip comes to stay, and Morgan is stunned when her formerly perfect boyfriend seems to be drifting away.
When Morgan demands answers, she's shocked to discover the source of Cam's distance isn't another girl- it's another world. Pip claims that Cam is a fairy. No, seriously. A fairy. And now his people want Cam to return to their world and take his rightful place as Fairy King.
Determined to keep Cam with her, Morgan plots to fool the fairies. But as Cam continues to change, she has to decide once and for all if he really is her destiny, and if their “perfect” love can weather an uncertain future.
Witty, original and unexpectedly touching, FAIRY TALE will captivate fans of TWILIGHT and WICKED LOVELY.
About the Author
http://www.cynbalog.com
Product Details
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (June 23, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385737068
ISBN-13: 978-0385737067
OBTAINED FROM: purchase
My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent (Book Review 2010-4)
My Soul to Save by Rachel VincentABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Can this series get any better? This is one of those books I picked up and couldn't put down until I read the last page. And even then I didn't want to part with it. The next one, My Soul to Keep, comes out this June and it is going to seem like forever.
I am trying to not put in any spoilers, Disneyesque teens play a huge role in this one. Kaylee has to save them from themselves and the idol maker that is selling their souls in exchange for stardom. This story line is just so much fun! This storyline can stand alone and there is not much in the way to annoy parents except for some heavy kissing that doesn't seem to get too far. There is some mention of demon drug abuse which I thought was pretty unique. Even the covers are incredible.
Can this series get any better? This is one of those books I picked up and couldn't put down until I read the last page. And even then I didn't want to part with it. The next one, My Soul to Keep, comes out this June and it is going to seem like forever.
I am trying to not put in any spoilers, Disneyesque teens play a huge role in this one. Kaylee has to save them from themselves and the idol maker that is selling their souls in exchange for stardom. This story line is just so much fun! This storyline can stand alone and there is not much in the way to annoy parents except for some heavy kissing that doesn't seem to get too far. There is some mention of demon drug abuse which I thought was pretty unique. Even the covers are incredible.
Product Description
When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.
So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry for someone who has no soul.
The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can't possibly understand.
Kaylee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk….
About the Author
Product Details
Reading level: Young AdultPaperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (December 29, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210043
ISBN-13: 978-0373210046
OBTAINED FROM: Book Ring
1/15/10
10 Questions with Alan Markovitz (Topless Prophet)
Please tell readers about the book, Topless Prophet.
Everyone is curious about what goes on behind the scenes in running a strip club empire. My book is a first-hand account of that. People want to know about what it's like to work so closely with beautiful women, who comes into the club, how do I stay in business against fierce competition, how do i hire the women, what kind of money can be made, etc. I also share personal stories of dating some of these women, being shot twice, having my business partner arrested by the FBI for trying to kill me, about my club being raided, and about how I once had an airline dedicated to running stripper-servied airflights. The book is a fascinating read that takes you from my humble beginnings as a scrappy Jewish kid growing up as the son of a Holocaust survivor near Detroit to becoming the owner of the nation's top-rated XXX establishment.
Who or what inspired the writing of this book?
Many people would hear me tell stories and say: "You should write a book." I got to thinking they were right. I made sure to entertain the reader and to also inform him. The book is evenly split with the sharing of humorous or interesting events -- along with business tips and insights that any entrepreneur could appreciate.
When did you know you would be writing this book?
Once I determined that I had more than enough material for a good book, one that had never been done before by someone like me, I began to write. After sharing some of this material with close friends I was convinced I was on to something. Then, as new experiences came about for me I would take note that they could be talked about in my book.
How long did it take you to write the book?
It took about four years to pull it all together. In between I was opening up new clubs, such as Penthouse Gentlemen's Club in Philadelphia, and looking to expand my business.
What was the hardest part of writing Topless Prophet?
I had to think about how far I would go to reveal the details and facts of the real-life experiences I had over nearly 30 years of being involved in theclub scene. I want readers to understand that as an owner of gentlemen's clubs that I was not the stereotype and that there are many business lessons to be learned from what I had gone through.
Do you have any writing rituals?
I like to let it flow naturally -- when the mood strikes me. I don't get a lot of down time from running my clubs but sometimes a fresh mental break allows me to write clearly.
Have you written any other books, or is there more to come?
I think I have a sequel in me. There are so many stories to tell and Topless Prophet has scores of them.
Any advice you can give to aspiring writers?
Putting a book together takes a lot of work. The writing part is one thing, but the process of getting it published and marketed is a whole other animal.
What are you currently reading, and how is it?
I enjoy books with photographs -- I am very visual, as you can imagine in my business.
How can my readers find out more information about you and your writing?
Please consult www.toplessprophet.com
GIVEAWAY -- Topless Prophet by Alan Markovitz (Book Review 2010-3)
Really Liked It
This is a very entertaining memoir and it truly shines when the author relates stories about growing up and his family. Even though some might find the subject matter a little difficult, I really think that memoir fans will have a tough time putting this book down. This is a fascinating story about a person's drive to become successful and what it took to get there.
Mr. Markovitz's personality really comes through and come across as a very dynamic individual. Keep and open mind and try this book, since I did read it straight through. There is a lot of drama here too.
Product Description
Step inside a world where fantasy, desire, and money form a potent and volatile reality. Follow the story of a young man, driven by grit and vision, who entered a topless bar for the first time, saw the future of gentlemen's entertainment, and made it a reality.
Alan Markovitz takes you to Eight Mile, Detroit's tough entertainment strip of Eminem fame, where as a young man in his early twenties, he bought a biker bar. He transformed the seedy hangout into a luxurious nightspot, one of America's first gentlemen's clubs. Hanging onto his dream through two violent shootings and a murder-for-hire conspiracy, he opened a string of wildly popular clubs across the country and became the most successful gentlemen's club entrepreneur in America.
Take a rare glimpse into a world of celebrities, power brokers, and even the mob. Indulge yourself in plush seats, top shelf drinks, and gorgeous women as you read the amazing story of a relentless businessman who made a fortune from the real American dream.
About the Author
Born and raised in Detroit, Alan Markovitz transformed a modest bar on Eight Mile into the first prototype of the truly modern gentlemen's club and parlayed that triumph into a string of wildly popular and highly profitable topless venues that continues to expand today, both in Michigan and around the country. Backed by his father, an Auschwitz survivor, Markovitz has boldly and permanently imprinted his own special brand onto one of the oldest businesses in the world--wine, women, and song.
Product Details
Hardcover: 307 pages
Publisher: AM Productions (October 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0984085505
ISBN-13: 978-0984085507
OBTAINED FROM: Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours
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