Waiting on Wednesday: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

"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:

 Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 560 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (August 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1442402008
• ISBN-13: 978-1442402003

Looks yummy to me!

REVIEW: Radiance by Alyson Noel

Product Description

Riley has crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. She has picked up life where she left off when she was alive, living with her parents and dog in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. When she’s summoned before The Council, she learns that the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a possibly cute, seemingly nerdy boy who’s definitely hiding something. They return to earth together for Riley’s first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But all of that was before he met Riley . . .

About the Author

ALYSON NOËL is the author of the Immortals series and seven previous novels for St. Martin’s Press. She lives in Laguna Beach, California, where she is at work on the next book in the Immortals series. Visit her on the web at www.alysonnoel.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Square Fish (August 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312629176
• ISBN-13: 978-0312629175

SOURCE:  Around the World ARC Tours

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

I read this in just a few hours and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I guess this is a spin off of the Immortal Series, which I have on my shelf, but unread.  If this is any indication of the writing, I am going to pull them out and start them right away.  This is the debut of this series and it starts out wonderfully and I can't wait for the next one.

It is written in such an easy way that you can really believe this is a twelve year old girl and what she is thinking.  I love how she comes into her own and develops skills that make the most out of her personality.  This should get even the most reticent readers on board.  I am glad to add this to my recommended books for younger teens and older kids.  Nicely done!

How to post ahead on blogger

When you go to save a post for publishing click on POST OPTIONS: 

Over on the right hand side, you will see a tag that says POST DATE AND TIME

Just check the SCHEDULED AT button and pick your date and time and click on PUBLISH POST

Your post will then magically appear at the time and date you selected!  

 

Post date and time

Automatic
Scheduled at

I forgot to note that word press also has this option.  I just started posting on a blog that uses word press and it works pretty much the same way.

Book Trailer Tuesday: WHERE'S MY WAND?: One Boy's Magical Triumph over Alienation and Shag Car...

Book Trailer Tuesday: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

The Strange Case of the Composer and his Judge by Patricia Duncker (Book Review 2010-109)

Product Description

The bodies are discovered on New Year's Day, sixteen dead in the freshly fallen snow. The adults lie stiff in a semicircle; the children, in pajamas and overcoats, are curled at their feet. When he hears the news, Commissaire André Schweigen knows who to call: Dominique Carpentier, the Judge, also known as the "sect hunter." Carpentier sweeps into the investigation in thick glasses and red gloves, and together the Commissaire and the Judge begin searching for clues in a nearby chalet. Among the decorations and unwrapped presents of a seemingly ordinary holiday, they find a leather-bound book, filled with mysterious code, containing maps of the stars. The book of the Faith leads them to the Composer, Friedrich Grosz, who is connected in some way to every one of the dead. Following his trail, Carpentier, Schweigen, and the Judge's assistant, Gaëlle, are drawn into a world of complex family ties, seductive music, and ancient cosmic beliefs. Hurtling breathlessly through the vineyards of Southern France to the gabled houses of Lübeck, Germany, through cathedrals, opera houses, museums, and the cobbled streets of an Alpine village, this ferocious new novel is a metaphysical mystery of astonishing verve and power.

About the Author

Patricia Duncker is the author of the novels Hallucinating Foucault (winner of the Dillons First Fiction Award and the McKitterick Prize), The Deadly Space Between, and The Doctor, as well as collections of short stories and essays. Her work has been shortlisted for the Macmillan Silver Pen Award and the Commonwealth Writer's Prize. She is Professor of Contemporary Literature at the University of Manchester.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (July 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1608192032
• ISBN-13: 978-1608192038

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER



LOVED IT

This is not a book I would normally pick up to read on my own.  When  I did try it out and I found I couldn't put it down.  It is a strange tale about the Judge (a little like the district attorney in the US) and a Composer (again, to me, in the US he would have been called a conductor).  Once you get passed the little language issues and pull out your dictionary, the story is truly enjoyable.  I found myself thinking about these characters long after I put the book down.  I would love to read more about the main character, Dominique Carpentier.

AND THE WINNER IS: The Castaways by Elin HIlderbrand

Here are the winners courtesy of Random.org

Email starts with:
kds786@ (#3)
wandanamgreb@ (#29)
peacelily_2006@ (#97)

The winners have been sent an email and they have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.


Didn't win?  Order your copy from my Amazon Link:

Where's My Wand by Eric Poole (Book Review 2010-108)

Product Description

Augusten Burroughs, David Sedaris, and David Rakoff have all produced winning memoirs of their demented, alternately heartrending and sidesplitting late- twentieth-century American childhoods. Now, first-time author Eric Poole joins their ranks with his chronicle of a childhood gone hilariously and heartbreakingly awry in the Midwest of the 1970s. From the age of eight through early adolescence, Poole sought refuge from his obsessive-compulsive mother, sadistic teachers, and sneering schoolyard thugs in the Scotchgarded basement of his family's suburban St. Louis tract house. There, emulating his favorite TV character, Endora from Bewitched, he wrapped himself in a makeshift caftan and cast magical spells in an effort to maintain control over the rapidly shifting ground beneath his feet. But when a series of tragic events tested Eric's longstanding belief that magic can vanquish evil, he began to question the efficacy of his incantations, embarking on a spiritual journey that led him to discover the magic that comes only from within.

About the Author

Eric Poole is the secret love child of Fran Lebowitz and David Sedaris. But oddly taller. A VP of radio marketing for a major media company, he resides in Los Angeles with his partner of eight years.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam (May 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399156550
• ISBN-13: 978-0399156557
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1 inches 

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

LOVED IT

This book is a gem!  What a wonderful memoir, much in the spirit of Augusten Burroughs and  David Sedaris, this book takes you right to the heart of the 70's.  I laughed out loud quite a bit while reading this and even thought the author had a tough time of it growing up, his spirit never seemed to diminish.  Imagine growing up with an obsessive mother with a cleaning bug that goes beyond normal.  Eric learns to cope with this as well as a hearing loss in one ear and figuring out that he is really gay.  This was truly a pleasure to read.

Virtual Author Events @ Romance in the Backseat!

From Kate at Romance in the Back Seat:

So, signings and live events with authors are pretty cool. Though they can however be hard to get to. So we have technology, why not use it? Tonight is the maiden voyage of the Romance in the Backseat Virtual Events. From here to hope is bigger and better and direct video book signings.

Tonight we are joined by two fabulous authors.

At 9pm EST - Alyxandra Harvey
Author of the Drake Chronicles - Hearts at Stake - Blood Feud

9:30pm EST - Meagan Hatfield
Author of Shadow of the Vampire

They will talk about their new releases, enter the chat room, and take live questions.
The ladies have also generously offered some pretty awesome giveaways - good from now till we announce the winners tonight at 10:30pm EST.

So come check it out and tell us who you might like to hear from.
Virtual Author Events

New weekly giveaway @ Linda Weaver Clarke's blog

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION! BOOK GIVE-AWAY!



Freedom is precious to all of us. It isn’t free, but it’s fought for. Have you ever wondered why tears so freely come to our eyes when we hear the Star Spangled Banner as our flag waves in the distance? Why do we value our freedom and hold it so close to our hearts? Samuel F. Smith wrote, “My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims’ pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!”



Book Give-Away June 28 – July 5: Visit http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com and read the article posted and then comment what freedom means to you. The winner for the historical romance series, "A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho" may pick one book out of five clean romances. For ages 14 to adult. (Click on the book cover on the right side bar of the blog to read a sample chapter. Read a book review on the right side, also.)

Linda Weaver Clarke

GIVEAWAY! Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh (Book Review 2010-107)

Product Description

In his first book, Tony Hsieh - the widely-admired CEO of on-line shoe retailer, Zappos, explains how he created a unique culture and commitment to service that aims to improve the lives of its employees, customers, vendors and backers. Using anecdotes and stories from his own experiences and from other companies, Hsieh provides concrete ways that companies can achieve unprecedented success. Even better, he shows how creating happiness and record results go hand-in-hand. He starts with the 'Why' in a section where he narrates his quest to understand the science of happiness. Then he runs through the ten Zappos 'Core Values' such as 'Deliver WOW through Service,' 'Create Fun and A Little Weirdness' and 'Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit' and explains how you and your colleagues should come up with your own. Hsieh then details many of the unique practices at Zappos that have made it the success it is today, such as the philosphy of allocating marketing money into the customer experience, thereby allowing repeat customers and word-of-mouth be their true form of marketing. He also explains why Zappos's main priority is company culture and his belief that once you get the culture right, everything else - great customer service, long-term branding - will happen on its own. Finally, Hsieh explains how Zappos employees actually apply the Core Values to improving their lives outside of work - and to making a difference in their communities and the world --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

Tony Hsieh became involved with Zappos as an advisor and investor in 1999, about two months after the company was founded. He eventually joined Zappos full time in 2000.

Under his leadership, Zappos has grown gross merchandise sales from $1.6M in 2000 to over $1 billion in 2008 by focusing relentlessly on customer service.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 253 pages
• Publisher: Business Plus; 1 edition (June 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446563048
• ISBN-13: 978-0446563048

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

LOVED IT

This is a truly inspiring story of success that any one in business should read.  By creating happiness among employees, Tony has proven that this will lead to a profitable company.  I can say for a fact that this works since one of the best jobs I ever had used these same principles and the company was quite profitable as well as the happy employees.  I really enjoyed this one both as a memoir and business read.

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?

Please use a NEW AND SEPARATE comment for each entry.

Contest is open to anyone with a US or Canadian mailing addtress (no PO Boxes)
Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 7.12.10
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
This giveaway is sponsored by Hatchette Book Group and 1 to 3 copies will be available depending on entries.

+1 Leave a comment with an email address (you can do this daily for extra entries)
+1 Follow Me
+2 GFC Follower

+1 Be my friend on GoodReads HERE

+1 LIKE the new SWAMPED Facebook Page HERE

+1 Post about this giveaway on your social networking site and leave me a link here.  You can do this daily and receive an entry for each link you leave.  One per day per site.

+3 Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link 

+1 Visit   www.deliveringhappinessbook.com  and leave me a comment about an interesting fact you found there.

Giveaway @ Bites: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare + Contest!

Bites: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare + Contest!

Click on the above link to enter to win this -- I am not giving it away, but I would love to win it.   I am dying to read this one!

GIVEAWAY! The Secrets of the Newberrys by Victor McGlothin

THE SECRETS OF NEWBERRY

1950s New Orleans couldn't be sweeter for Ivory "Bones" Arcineaux and Hampton Bynote. Friends since meeting at an illegal gambling house outside Newberry, Louisiana, they indulge themselves with all the fine women, good food, and wild nights they can handle. All seems good in N'awlins-especially for Hampton, who plans to make a clean break from riotous living after falling for the woman of his dreams, classy Magnolia Holiday. But the love of a good woman may not be enough to pull Hampton from the brink of disaster when his pal Bones murders a white city councilman during a simple robbery gone wrong.

Now with the local police and FBI hot on their trails, Hampton and Bones must decide whether friendship is worth losing their freedom-and possibly their lives.



"McGlothin creates a sizzling slice of life in 1947 . . . He weaves convincing historical elements into a fast-moving caper."

-Publishers Weekly on Ms. Etta's Fast House

About the Author

Essence bestselling author Victor McGlothin is a former bank vice-president who nearly forfeited an athletic scholarship due to poor reading skills. Ultimately, he overcame that obstacle and later completed a Masters degree in Human Relations & Business. Victor is also an on-line columnist of Victor Said?, a real Brotha to Sistah look at relationship.

Victor lives in Dallas with his wife and two sons.



WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?

Please use a NEW AND SEPARATE comment for each entry.

Contest is open to anyone with a US or Canadian mailing addtress (no PO Boxes)
Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 7.11.10
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
This giveaway is sponsored by Hatchette Book Group and 1 to 3 copies will be available depending on entries.

+1 Leave a comment with an email address (you can do this daily for extra entries)
+1 Follow Me
+2 GFC Follower

+1 Be my friend on GoodReads HERE

+1 LIKE the new SWAMPED Facebook Page HERE

+1 Post about this giveaway on your social networking site and leave me a link here.  You can do this daily and receive an entry for each link you leave.  One per day per site.

+3 Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link

+1 Visit the author's page at http://www.victormcglothin.com/ and leave me a note about an interesting fact.

GIVEAWAY: Babushka's Beauty Secrets by Raisa Ruder & Susan Campos (Book Review 2010-106)

Product Description

DON'T SPEND A FORTUNE TO LOOK FLAWLESS

Esthetician to the stars Raisa Ruder learned her time-tested beauty techniques from her Ukrainian grandmother (or babushka, as they say in the old country). Now everyone can discover the all-natural, better-than-botox secrets the Hollywood stars use to shine on the red carpet! Ruder reveals her sought-after beauty recipes that can fight wrinkles, plump lips, and eliminate crow's feet and acne, using inexpensive, everyday grocery items like eggs, honey, vegetable oil and strawberries (and a splash of vodka for freshness!). At last, by popular demand, Raisa Ruder opens up her babushka's secret pantry and shares her most amazing and effective beauty advice:

• 
  
  
  Skin-saving Soufflés - whipped up wonders that shrink pores, brighten skin, and diminish lines
• 
  
  
  Chocolate weight-loss wrap- a moment on the hips, tightens, tucks, and nips!
• 
  
  
  Hot hair- a cayenne pepper blend that leaves locks silky, soft, and full
• 
  
  
  PediPure- a soothing, smoothing foot scrub made with milk and mint
• 
  
  
  Lustrous Lashes - a simple castor oil serum that thickens and lengthens
• 
  
  
  Perfect Pucker- a mix of salt, green tea, and fruit that plumps up lips naturally
• 
  
  
  And much more...

About the Author

Raisa Ruder was a registered nurse in her native Ukraine when she decided to move to the United States fifteen years ago. For seven years she worked at the famed Anastasia salon doing eyebrows and facials until opening her own West Hollywood salon in 2005. She noticed the large amount of preservatives in American products and decided to introduce her Babushka's old world beauty recipes in her salon. She quickly became LA's go-to-girl. Her clients include: Madonna,Tyra Banks, Molly Simms, Ali Larter, Nicolette Sheridan and others.

Susan Campos is a broadcast and print journalist. She is a former anchor for the national weekend edition of Today. She's reported for Dateline and hosted numerous entertainment shows on MSNBC. She currently writes trend stories on beauty for The New York Times'"Styles" section and its T Magazine, and is a contributing editor for Radar Magazine.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Wellness Central; 1 edition (June 24, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044655586X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446555869

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

LOVED IT

This easy to use guide is perfect for everyone!  It is filled with easy to use recipes to make your skin glow.  I tried several of the simple one ingredient ideas such as an using the juice from an orange to get that all important Vitamin C as a rub.   I left it on for 5 minutes and then rinsed with some milk on a cotton ball.  I did find that milk with fat works much better than fat free.  There are several other easy ideas as well.  The most important thing I found in this book is a helper for dry skin.  I used an avocado and some almond oil in paste and it worked better than my normal moisturizer.  The best thing about the ideas in this book is that for any one with sensitive skin is pretty much guaranteed that you won't have any nasty reactions.

DON'T YOU WANT YOUR OWN COPY? 

Please use a NEW AND SEPARATE comment for each entry.

Contest is open to anyone with a US or Canadian mailing address (no PO Boxes)
Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 7.10.10
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
This giveaway is sponsored by Hatchette Book Group and up to 3 copies will be available depending on entries.

+1 Leave a comment with an email address (you can do this daily for extra entries)
+1 Follow Me
+2 GFC Follower

+1 Be my friend on GoodReads HERE

+1 Post about this giveaway on your social networking site and leave me a link here.  You can do this daily and receive an entry for each link you leave.  One per day per site.

+3 Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link 

AND THE WINNER IS: Desire Me by Robyn DeHart

 aromagik
gevin13
 mleger0546
florida982002
six_one_nine_girlie86

are the winners!

An email has been sent and they have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address or a new winner will be chosen.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Didn't win?  Order your copy from my Amazon link:

Friday PhoDOGraphy

Getting my Miss Scarlett on.....

I'm Baaaack -- Not that I told anyone I was gone!

Oh, and that is the temperature in the shade! 

I went to Lake Mohave in Arizona during the week and had all of my posts on auto!  

Here are the vultures waiting for something to die:

Seriously, those are turkey vultures -- just hanging around.  I also saw a really cute quail family but they moved to fast for me to get a picture. 

BLOG TOUR: Paul is Undead by Alan Goldsher (Book Review 2010-105)

5

Product Description

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S TIME TO REALLY MEET THE BEATLES.For John Lennon, a young, idealistic zombie guitarist with dreams of global domination, Liverpool seems the ideal place to form a band that could take over the world. In an inspired act, Lennon kills and reanimates local rocker Paul McCartney, kicking off an unstoppable partnership. With the addition of newly zombified guitarist George Harrison and drummer/Seventh Level Ninja Lord Ringo Starr, the Beatles soon cut a swath of bloody good music and bloody violent mayhem across Europe, America, and the entire planet.
In this searing oral history, discover how the Fab Four climbed to the Toppermost of the Poppermost while stealing the hearts, ears, and brains of smitten teenage girls. Learn the tale behind a spiritual journey that resulted in the dismemberment of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Marvel at the seemingly indestructible quartet’s survival of a fierce attack by Eighth Level Ninja Lord Yoko Ono. And find out how the boys escaped eternal death at the hands of England’s greatest zombie hunter, Mick Jagger.
Through all this, one mystery remains: Can the Beatles sublimate their hunger for gray matter, remain on top of the charts, and stay together for all eternity? After all, three of the Fab Four are zombies, and zombies live forever. . . .

About the Author

Novelist/ghostwriter/journalist Alan Goldsher is the author of the forthcoming Beatles/horror/humor mash-up Paul is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion (Gallery Books, June 22, 2010), as well as Hard Bop Academy: The Sidemen of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Modest Mouse: A Pretty Good Read, and the novel Jam. Midnight Movie, the novel he co-wrote with director Tobe Hooper ("The Texas Chainsaw Massacre") will be published in 2011. Written as A.M. Goldsher, his chicklit novels The True Naomi Story, Reality Check, and Today's Special were released in the U.K. and Marabout in France in 2008, with No Ordinary Girl to come in 2011.As a ghostwriter, Alan has collaborated on projects with comedians Bernie Mac and Fred Willard; actor Robert Englund, Ironman triathlete Sarah Reinertsen, and "American Idol" contestant Sanjaya Malakar, among other notable celebrities and public figures.
Alan's sportswriting has been seen in ESPN The Magazine, ESPN.com, NBA.com, and ChicagoBulls.com, and he reviews books for Kirkus.
During his 10-plus years as a professional bassist, Goldsher recorded with Janet Jackson, Cypress Hill, and Naughty by Nature; toured the world with Digable Planets; and performed at the 1994 Grammy Awards.
Alan lives and writes in Chicago.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Gallery; Original edition (June 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439177929
• ISBN-13: 978-1439177921

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

Paul is Undead is a stroke of brilliance!  This is such a clever take on the typical, bland rock biography that satires the linear style of those familiar magazine interviews of all parties involved.  You truly believe that the Beatles could have been zombies but only needed small portions of brains to continue to exist.  It also answers the question of: what if the Beatles had continued on.  Yeah, sure John could have still been shot but would have survived.  Well, unless they really do break apart--literally.  


I also can't wait for the movie version of this book.  It looks to be very promising since it is the same company that produced Pulp Fiction.  Alan Goldsher also has another music-monster mash up in the works as well.  This next one is about Elvis as Frankenstein.  That sounds amazing as well.





Paul is Undead: Thursday, June 24th
Rex Robot Reviews: http://www.rexrobotreviews.com/
What Book Is That?: http://whatbookisthat.blogspot.com
Books and Things: http://melissawatercolor.blogspot.com/
Revenge of the Book Nerds: http://booknerdextraordinaire.blogspot.com
A Musing Reviews: http://www.amusingreviews.blogspot.com/
I Heart Book Gossip: http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/
Taking Time For Mommy: http://takingtimeformommy.blogspot.com/
Books Gardens & Dogs: http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/
Jeanne's Ramblings: http://www.jeannesramblings.com
Pam’s Private Reflections: http://hip2bhomeschooling.blogspot.com/
My Guilty Pleasures: www.mgpblog.com
Wendy’s Minding Spot: http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/
Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
My Life In Not So Many Words: www.ziarias.blogspot.com/
Gnostalgia: http://gnostalgia.wordpress.com/
Dan’s Journal: http://grumpydan.blogspot.com/
Just One More Paragraph: http://tweezlereads.blogspot.com
Lucky Rosie’s: http://www.luckyrosiescreations.blogspot.com/
Simply Stacie: http://simplystacie.net/
Booktumbling: http://booktumbling.com/
Life (and Lies) of an Inanimate Flying Object: http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/
Cheryl’s Book Nook: http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/
Maria’s Space: http://www.reesspace.blogspot.com/
Del Gal’s Book Reviews: http://delgalreviews.com/

A Journey of Books: http://ajourneyofbooks.halfzero.net/

Book Trailer: Scent of the Missing by Susannah Charleson

Scent of the Missing: Love and Partnership with a Search and Rescue Dog by Susannah Charleson

"Scent of the Missing" Book Trailer from Susannah Charleson on Vimeo.

 I am soooo looking forward to this one!

Waiting on Wednesday: A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

"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:

 

 

Product Description

This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?
Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.
But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose?
Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.   

About the Author

W. Bruce Cameron is the New York Times bestselling author of 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter which was turned into the hit ABC series. He has twice received the National Society of Newspaper Columinst's award for Best Humor Columnist and his nationally syndicated column is read by over three million readers every week. He lives in California.  

Book Trailer Tuesday:The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

BLOG TOUR: Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives by Josie Brown (Book Review 2010-104)

Product Description

Suburbia is a jungle, filled with lots of vicious creatures. Take the Paradise Heights Women’s League board. Lyssa Harper should have warned golden-haired DILF du jour Harry Wilder what he was getting into when she invited him to meet the mommies who run their suburban, gated community. At least he brought cupcakes. Since meeting the former Master-of-the-Universe turned stay-at-home single dad, Lyssa has been his domestic Sherpa, teaching him the ins and outs of suburban life. She just didn’t realize her friends would show up at his house unannounced with casseroles, leopard-print bikini briefs, and plans to rearrange his kitchen cabinets.
The truth is, if Harry and his wife, the neighborhood’s "perfect couple," can call it quits, what does that mean for everyone else? Lyssa’s husband, Ted, is a great father, but he pays her Pilates-pumped momtourage more attention than he does his own wife. Her friends gossip about the neighbors while ignoring their own problems: infertility, infidelity, and eating disorders.
When Harry sets boundaries with his new fan club, he is exiled from the neighborhood’s in-clique. But Lyssa refuses to snub him. What she never expects is the explosive impact her ongoing friendship with Harry will have on her close-knit pals—and on her marriage.

About the Author

Josie Brown's celebrity interviews and relationship articles have been featured in Redbook and Complete Woman magazines, as well as AOL, Yahoo, AskMen.com, Divorce360.com, and SingleMindedWomen.com. She lives in Marin County, California with her husband and two children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 331 pages
• Publisher: Downtown Press; Original edition (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439173176
• ISBN-13: 978-1439173176

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

LOVED IT

This is the perfect summer read.  I completely lost myself in this one and I really think a lot of this story is based on fact.  Take one gated community and mix it with too much money, quite a few unsuspecting spouses, some infidelity and there you have it:  perfect summer read.  Even the community's name of Paradise Heights has to signal that all is not right here.  Lyssa is a likely heroine in that she always tries to do the right thing and doesn't even realize her own husband is taking advantage of her good nature.  I look forward to another book by this author and will have to go search out her first two novels.  

Stop by the other blogs on this tour:
Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives: Tuesday, June 22nd
All About {n}: http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/
The Book Tree: http://thebooktree.blogspot.com/
Books Gardens & Dogs: http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/
Arms of a Sister: http://armsofasister.com/
Booktumbling: http://booktumbling.com/
A Room Without Books Is Empty: http://detweilermom.blogspot.com/
Busy Julie: http://busyjulieblog.blogspot.com/
Bookin’ with Bingo: http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com
The Down Home Diva: http://thestuffyouneedtoknow.blogspot.com/
Me, My Book, and the Couch: http://memybookandthecouch.blogspot.com/
Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
Frugal Plus: http://frugalplus.com/
Avid Reader: http://www.tarmyblogspot.blogspot.com/
Marta’s Meanderings: http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com/
Eclectic Book Lover: http://www.eclecticbooklover.com
Not Quite Susie: http://notquitesusiehomemaker.blogspot.com/
Books and Needlepoint: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/
Books with a Cup of Coffee: http://bookswithcoffee.wordpress.com/
Knitting and Sundries: http://www.jewelknits.blogspot.com/
Just Another New Blog: http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com/
Simply Stacie: http://simplystacie.net/
Must Read Faster: http://mustreadfaster.blogspot.com/
Booksie’s Blog: http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
Reminder List: http://reminderlist.blogspot.com/
My Five Monkeys: http://www.tableforseven-julie.blogspot.com/
My Book Views: http://my-book-views.blogspot.com/
Taking Time For Mommy: http://takingtimeformommy.blogspot.com/
I Heart Book Gossip: http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/
Book Junkie: http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com/
Jeanne's Ramblings: http://www.jeannesramblings.com
Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
Broken Teepee: http://www.brokenteepee.blogspot.com
Tethered Mommy: http://www.tetheredmommy.com/
Just Jennifer Reading: http://justjenniferreading.blogspot.com/
So Many Books, So Little Time: http://purplg8r-somanybooks.blogspot.com/
Reading With Tequila: http://www.readingwithtequila.com/
Book N Around: http://booknaround.blogspot.com/
A Journey of Books: http://ajourneyofbooks.halfzero.net/
Bella’s Novellas: www.bellasnovella.com
CuzinLogic’s Blog: http://cuzinlogic.wordpress.com/
Rundpinne: http://www.rundpinne.com

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno by Ellen Bryson (Book Review 2010-103)

Product Description

Water for Elephants meets Geek Love in this riveting first novel, an enchanting love story set in P. T. Barnum's American Museum in 1865 New York City
Bartholomew Fortuno, the World's Thinnest Man, believes that his unusual body is a gift. Hired by none other than P. T. Barnum to work at his spectacular American Museum—a modern marvel of macabre displays, breathtaking theatrical performances, and live shows by Barnum's cast of freaks and oddities—Fortuno has reached the pinnacle of his career. But after a decade of constant work, he finds his sense of self, and his contentment within the walls of the museum, flagging. When a carriage pulls up outside the museum in the dead of night, bearing Barnum and a mysterious veiled woman—rumored to be a new performer—Fortuno's curiosity is piqued. And when Barnum asks Fortuno to follow her and report back on her whereabouts, his world is turned upside down. Why is Barnum so obsessed with this woman? Who is she, really? And why has she taken such a hold on the hearts of those around her?
Set in the New York of 1865, a time when carriages rattled down cobblestone streets, raucous bordellos near the docks thrived, and the country was mourning the death of President Lincoln, The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno is a moving novel about human appetites and longings. With pitch-perfect prose, Ellen Bryson explores what it means to be profoundly unique—and how the power of love can transcend even the greatest divisions.

About the Author

Ellen Bryson holds a BA in English from Columbia University and an MA in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC. Formerly a modern dancer, she lives in Southern California. This is her first novel. 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (June 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805091920
• ISBN-13: 978-0805091922

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

This has to be one of the best novels I have read this year.  After a slow start, I fell in love with all of the characters which are based on the freaks and geeks of the circus and somewhat on fact.  Bartholomew, who is billed as the thinnest man on earth has his world come apart when he meets the bearded lady.  This turns out to be a love triangle in some sense.  The story is really one of acceptance of yourself and others.  This is one moments that just shocked me, but it made the story really make sense and come alive.  I also should have seen it coming.

Bryson does a super job of interweaving the fact with her fiction.  She places handwritten notes, playbills and other documents within the pages.  I really enjoy off-kilter stories and this one just really hit me right.  I look forward to another one by this author.  You will probably enjoy this if you liked Geek Love by Katherine Dunn or Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen.

New Giveaway @ Linda Weaver Clarke's blog

Linda Weaver Clarke

Interview with Christian Romance Author Lori Copeland and International Book Give-Away June 14 – 21! Walker's Wedding: Jilted by his fiancée, Walker McKay is determined to never let a woman near his heart again, but he needs an heir. Courting someone new is out of the question, so he’ll have to find a wife another way. Wealthy heiress Sara Livingston wants to marry, but her suitors are deemed unsuitable by her unreasonable father. So she answers an ad for a mail-order bride and grabs onto it with both hands. Will Sara’s deception about her background and Walker’s wounded heart keep them from finding what they are looking for? Or are they truly meant for one another? Visit http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com and leave a comment if you’re interested in this amazing book.

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff (Book Review 2010-102)

Product Description

Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world. Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.
Edward Scissorhands meets The Catcher in the Rye in this wildly imaginative and frighteningly beautiful horror novel about an unusual boy and his search for a place to belong.

About the Author

Brenna Yovanoff is a debut author who has published in various journals. She lives in Denver, Colorado.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Razorbill (September 21, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595143378
• ISBN-13: 978-1595143372

SOURCE:  Around The World ARC Tours

LOVED IT

This story really defines creepiness and how a seemly normal community has an literally underground magical problem.  Mackie is a replacement child in which the fairy (the author doesn't specifically use that term) switch out a human baby for one of theirs, one mostly likely to die. I feel in love with Mackie and how his family loves him even though he is not really theirs.  His sister Emma states that she decided to care for him by saying "I choose to care for you" and I am paraphrasing here.  I really hope that this will be made into a series since I am still thinking about the characters. You will probably love this one if you enjoy Holly Black.

Friday PhoDOGraphy

I'm ready for my close up.

Tyson -- The Skateboarding Bulldog!

This should make you smile! Tyson lived in Huntington Beach, CA. You can see more of his videos on his website www.skateboardingbulldog.com

BLOG TOUR: Masked by Moonlight by Nancy Gideon (Book Review 2010-101)

Product Description

IN THIS STUNNING FIRST BOOK FROM NANCY GIDEON’S SIZZLING NEW SERIES, A TENACIOUS COP AND HER SHAPE-SHIFTING ENEMY SACRIFICE EVERYTHING FOR FORBIDDEN DESIRE. ALL SHE WANTS IS REVENGE.
New Orleans homicide detective Charlotte Caissie is dedicated to bringing down the crime boss responsible for her father’s murder. Using Jimmy Legere’s mysterious and irresistible right-hand man is a dangerous gamble, and not only due to his reputation as more monster than man. Because her feelings for Max Savoie are . . . complicated.
THEN HE RISKS HIS LIFE TO SAVE HERS.
Rescued from the swamps as a child, Max exists silently in Legere’s shadow, heeding only his voice—until Charlotte Caissie awakens his emotions and tests his loyalties. Stepping outside his cautious rules threatens more than just his heart. He could expose his darkest secret.
NOW THEY’RE BOTH IN OVER THEIR HEADS.
Testing boundaries they weren’t meant to cross means facing the truth about who and what they are—and what they need from each other. If Max is the murderer she seeks, Charlotte could be his next victim. She can’t afford to trust any man. Good thing Max isn’t one.

About the Author

A writer whose 50 sales since 1987 cover the romance spectrum, Nancy Gideon thrives on variety. Under her own name and several pseudonyms, she's written award-winning category romances, historical and paranormal bestsellers, earned a “Career Achievement for Historical Adventure” and a HOLT Medallion, and has had two original horror screenplays optioned for film. A Michigan native, she works full time as a legal administrative assistant. Her edgy shapeshifter series for Pocket debuts back-to-back-to-back in Summer 2010.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 375 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (May 25, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439149631
• ISBN-13: 978-1439149638

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

LOVED IT

YUM!  This is definitely a new urban fantasy series to watch.  I really bought into the whole "there is a werewolf in New Orleans" vibe of the book.  I would have like the heroine, Charlotte, to have been a bit more feminine, but I guess the back story of her life and it's heartache would account for how she reacts and uses people to get what she wants.  She namely starts out using Max, who is plainly in love with her and has his own terrible upbringing.  There is real chemistry between them and it really heats up.  It will be interesting to see where this story goes.  This is one hot read.


Masked by Moonlight: Thursday, June 17th -- stop by the other blogs on the tour!
The Book Lush: http://suchalush.blogspot.com
The Bibliophilic Book Blog: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/
Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
Eclectic Book Lover: http://www.eclecticbooklover.com
Book Junkie: http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com/
Books, Books Everywhere: http://bookbookseverywhere.blogspot.com/
Rex Robot Reviews: http://www.rexrobotreviews.com/
What Book Is That?: http://whatbookisthat.blogspot.com
Books and Needlepoint: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/
Patricia’s Vampire Notes: http://patricias-vampire-notes.blogspot.com/
Books and Things: http://melissawatercolor.blogspot.com/
Beguile Thy Sorrow: http://beguilethysorrow.blogspot.com/
DK’s Everything Books Blog: http://dkay401-challenges.blogspot.com/
Chrissy’s World of Books: http://chrissysworldofbooks.blogspot.com/
Revenge of the Book Nerds: http://booknerdextraordinaire.blogspot.com
A Musing Reviews: http://www.amusingreviews.blogspot.com/
I Heart Book Gossip: http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/
Star Shadow: http://www.starshadowblog.com/
A Journey of Books: http://ajourneyofbooks.halfzero.net/
Taking Time For Mommy: http://takingtimeformommy.blogspot.com/
My Five Monkeys: http://www.tableforseven-julie.blogspot.com/
Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks: http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com/
Books Gardens & Dogs: http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/
Jeanne's Ramblings: http://www.jeannesramblings.com
Pam’s Private Reflections: http://hip2bhomeschooling.blogspot.com/
My Guilty Pleasures: www.mgpblog.com
Wendy’s Minding Spot: http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/
Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
Gnostalgia: http://gnostalgia.wordpress.com/
Cheryl’s Book Nook: http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Suesan Smith Blog: http://blog.stephaniesuesansmith.com/
The Fiction Enthusiast: http://thefictionenthusiast.blogspot.com/

A Room Without Books Is Empty: http://detweilermom.blogspot.com/

Monster High by Lisi Harrison (Book Review 2010-100)

Product Description

From Lisi Harrison, the New York Times bestselling author of The Clique and Alphas, comes a new series with a fresh twist on high school, romance, and the "horrors" of trying to fit in.

The monster community has kept a low profile at the local high school, but when two new girls enroll, the town will never be the same. Created just fifteen days ago, Frankie Stein is psyched to trade her father's formaldehyde-smelling basement lab for parties and prom.

But with a student body totally freaked out by rumors of monsters stalking the halls, Frankie learns that high school can be rough for a chic freak like her. She thinks she finds a friend in fellow new student Melody Carver-but can a "normie" be trusted with her big secret?

About the Author

Lisi Harrison was the Senior Director of Production Development at MTV, and was responsible for creating and developing original programming for air on MTV. She also served as Head Writer for MTV Production and before that had her own column in Jane Magazine.

Lisi lives in Laguna Beach, California, and is currently working on her next Alphas novel, coming in April 2010, as well as her next Clique novel.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Poppy (September 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031609918X
• ISBN-13: 978-0316099189

SOURCE:  Around the World ARC Tours

LOVED IT

This is going to be one hot book!  I didn't know anything about this book and only signed up to read about it when I saw that one of the characters was named Frankie Stein.  How could you not love a character named that?  I wasn't disappointed at all.  This is one of those books I am going to recommend to all of my mom friends for their younger teens.  The story has lots of important lessons, is extremely cute and of course a marketing blitz to go along with it.

I started to Google the title to find out more about it and was surprised to find it's own adorable site. 
Monster High
Which will go more "live" the second week of July.  There are some cute clips of the show there.  Of course, there will be toys to go along with this marketing blitz since this is all the work of Mattel.  There is also talk of a musical -- um, shades of Glee anyone? Now, that I think about it, the book really has a lot in common with Glee with all of the misfits.  This will probably appeal to girls who enjoy Kelly McClymber or Marlene Perez.

Some links to check out:
Yahoo -- Monster High films
Dread Central -- Cute Picture of dolls 
Mattel -- Videos

Just Like Me, Only Better by Carol Snow (Book Review 2010-99)

Product Description

From the author of Here Today, Gone to Maui, the story of a woman who finally got a life...some else's.

Ever since Veronica's husband found the love of his life-not her-she's been a walking zombie with runny mascara. It doesn't help that she keeps getting mistaken for Haley Rush-the Hollywood starlet whose dazzling life is plastered on every magazine.

When Haley's manager offers Veronica a job as a celebrity double, it only takes a moment before she says yes. Veronica gets to drive Haley's car, wear her phenomenal clothes-and have fun with her hot celebrity boyfriend, Brady Ellis. Too bad the job's only part-time, and at the end of the day she has to return to her life as a cash-strapped substitute teacher and cub scout mom.

But when real sparks fly with Brady, is it a fantasy come true or a disaster in disguise?

About the Author

Carol Snow lives in California with her family. This is her fourth novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; Original edition (April 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425232484
• ISBN-13: 978-0425232484

SOURCE:  BORROWED

LOVED IT

This is the perfect way to lose yourself on a summer afternoon.  This could have been retitled something cute with a takeoff on the Prince and the Pauper since there is a similar theme.  Veronica has faults, lots of them, but not quite as many as the star she is paid to impersonate.  Of course it all goes south and both Veronica and Haley finds their true purpose in life.  I really enjoyed this one!

An inspiring dog....

AND THE WINNER IS: Knights Of Passion by Margaret Mallory

The Winners are:
blondie_31971 (#8)
JHolden955 (#45)
mishcara (#55)
lizzi0915 (#83)
bookofsecrets (#11)

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen!

Didn't win? Order your copy from my Amazon link:

AND THE WINNER IS: The War Lovesr by Evan Thomas AUDIO BOOK

The winners are: (email starts with:)
tbranco (#23)
cardshark (#31)
mlawson17 (#1)

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.



Didn't win?  Order your copy from my Amazon link.

Barking Planet Children's Books

Hey! I was featured at Barking Planet -- go check out Schatze's picture!



Barking Planet Children's Books

Waiting on Wednesday: Such a Pretty Face by Cathy Lamb

"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:

Product Description

In this warm, funny, thoroughly candid novel, acclaimed author Cathy Lamb introduces an unforgettable heroine who's half the woman she used to be, and about to find herself for the first time...Two years and 170 pounds ago, Stevie Barrett was wheeled into an operating room for surgery that most likely saved her life. Since that day, a new Stevie has emerged, one who walks without wheezing, plants a garden for self-therapy, and builds and paints fantastical wooden chairs. At thirty-five, Stevie is the one thing she never thought she'd be: thin. But for everything that's changed, some things remain the same. Stevie's shyness refuses to melt away. She still can't look her neighbours' gorgeous great-nephew in the eye. The Portland law office where she works remains utterly dysfunctional, as does her family - the aunt, uncle, and cousins who took her in when she was a child. To top it off, her once supportive best friend clearly resents her weight loss. By far the biggest challenge in Stevie's new life lies in figuring out how to define her new self. Collaborating with her cousins to plan her aunt and uncle's problematic fortieth anniversary party, Stevie starts to find some surprising answers - about who she is, who she wants to be, and how the old Stevie evolved in the first place. And with each revelation, she realizes the most important part of her transformation may not be what she's lost, but the courage and confidence she's gathering, day by day. 

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (July 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758229550
• ISBN-13: 978-0758229557 

GUEST POST: STEPHEN V. MASSE, author of SHORT CIRCUS

I would like to thank Stephen Masse for stopping by to talk about being a writer:

The second year out of college, I wrote my third novel.

I remember in digital clarity cranking that last page out of the electric typewriter, salivating over the recognition and financial stability I would soon have. The conventional wisdom at the time was to send the book to one publisher at a time, wait for a response, and if the work is returned, then send to another. Yah, right.

For years I followed the general rules while continuing to write other novels. I got really good at playing book traffic controller between the U. S. Post Office and every publisher in the country, starting with the big guys and working my way down to the smallest art houses. My cover letters to many well-known editors at several publishing houses were answered personally, though negatively. I saved money from my day job to pay for assessments of my writing, and also began to peddle the books around to literary agencies, with the same negative results.

Whoever said, “Do what you love and the money will follow,” never talked to a writer. Here I was after a decade or so of writing like a madman, and the only signings I was doing was when I signed my name on a customer’s wall: “Paint & wallpaper by Steve Masse, almost starving writer (date).”

Now fast-forward to 21st century. Imagine persisting like this for over thirty years. Frustrating just doesn’t begin to describe it! And well-meaning friends tell you that you must be doing something wrong, or you should try writing about (*fill in the blank), or my personal favorite, “you’re not ready for success.” Then imagine finally getting that book published, and within six months winning a literary award and getting a second contract for an electronic edition.

True story. Thirty-odd years.

Lesson learned: Do what you love, get your money some other way.
Lesson 2: You’ll probably have time for both. 

BE SURE TO STOP BY AND ENTER TO WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF SHORT CIRCUS HERE!  




 

BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY: To Surrender To A Rogue by Cara Elliott (Book Review 2010-98)

Product Description

An expert in antiquities, Lady Alessandra della Giamatti arrives in Bath to excavate newly discovered Roman ruins-only to find herself caught in a web of evil intrigue by a blackmailer threatening to expose her scandalous past. The one man who can help her is Lord James "Black Jack" Pierson, a fellow member of the expedition and a sinfully handsome rogue whose tempting presence ignites a different sort of danger.

Jack has clashed with Alessandra in the past, so when she suddenly surrenders her body he can't help being suspicious. Is she a scheming temptress? Or is she truly a lady in trouble? As desire and deceptions swirl around them, Alessandra and Jack must find a way to win each other's trust. For if they don't work together to uncover a shocking truth, their enemy-and their own simmering passions-may destroy them and everything they cherish.

(2010)

About the Author

Cara Elliott started writing Western novels at the age of five. Later she changed her genre to Regency romance after reading Pride and Prejudice. She graduated from Yale University, and she now lives and works in New York City. (2010)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446541311
• ISBN-13: 978-0446541312

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER


LOVED  IT

I am late to the party as far as author Cara Elliott is concerned, but it won't take me long to catch up.  Even though this is the second book in the series, I had no trouble becoming immediately involved with the characters.  There is wonderful dialogue and a lot of action.  And I mean A LOT of action.  The fighting between the two leads, Alessandra and James, either leads to bed or apologies.  I also enjoyed the historical setting of Bath and England during the nineteenth century and I love to read about strong, independent women, so this one fit the bill nicely.

DON'T YOU WANT YOUR OWN COPY?  ENTER HERE!

Please use a NEW AND SEPARATE comment for each entry.

Contest is open to anyone with a US or Canadian mailing address (no PO Boxes)
Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 7.1.10
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
This giveaway is sponsored by Hatchette Book Group and up to 5 copies will be available depending on entries.

+1 Leave a comment with an email address (you can do this daily for extra entries)
+1 Follow Me
+2 GFC Follower

+1 Be my friend on GoodReads HERE

+1 Post about this giveaway on your social networking site and leave me a link here.  You can do this daily and receive an entry for each link you leave.  One per day per site.

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+1 Visit CaraElliott.com (and leave me an interesting fact in your comment)

Sleepless by Cyn Balog (Book Review 2010-97)

 Description

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .

Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?

Cyn Balog's follow-up to Fairy Tale has more wit, more supernatural delights, and more star-crossed romance! Teen girls will love this story of a Sandman who falls in love with his human charge.
 

About the Author

Cyn Balog had a massive case of insomnia while writing Sleepless. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and daughters. Visit her online at www.cynbalog.com.

 Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (July 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038573848X
• ISBN-13: 978-0385738484

SOURCE:  Around the World (Princess Bookie) ARC Tour

LOVED IT

Cyn Balog has quickly become one of my favorite new authors. In her latest retelling of a fairy tale, we get to hear about the Sandman.  Much like the tooth fairy, I grew up on this folk tale about how this person (the Sandmen) spread sand that sends you to sleep.  This is a quick read and the culture of Sandmen (Sandpeople?) is described  and you slip into another world.  Eron makes a wonderful narrator and Julia develops into a good foil for him.  I thought Griffin was a little bit trite for a villain and too overly wrought.  He really needed the stuffing knocked out of him.  I could see he needed to be evil to make the story work, but he only had Julia's love as his redeeming quality.

That said, this is a nice summer read.  I am not going into plot detail since the story is so short, it would be giving the whole thing away.