3/31/11

GIVEAWAY! Fool for Books Giveaway Hop!

 Stop #30

Welcome to The Fool for Books Giveaway Hop! is to thank all of my lovely followers and runs from 12:01 AM on Friday, April 1st to 11:59 PM on Saturday, April 2nd, midnight.

Each participating blog is hosting their own giveaway with their own entry requirements. All participating blogs are linked up through the Fool For Books linky HERE. After you have entered one giveaway hop go to the next giveaway on the list.

Special thanks to Inspired Kathy over at I Am a Reader, Not a Writer for putting together this amazing hop! Please thank the co host of this event The Bookish Snob  HERE

Here are the next few blogs on the hop:

30. BookHounds (US)
31. FOREVER YOUNG (adult) (Intl)
32. The Balanced Writer (Intl)
33. Stuck in Books (US/Can)
34. Lisas World of Books (US)
35. Hypnotically Entranced (US)

On to the good part:

I have four romance ARCs up for grabs


WANT TO WIN THIS  SET OF BOOKS?

Contest is open to anyone with reliable mail service (Worldwide and PO Boxes OK!)
Contest ends on 4.2.11 midnight and the winner will be chosen by Random.org on 4.3.11
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by ME one set of books is available.


NOTE:  Postage has increased again and if the winner lives outside the US, I may opt to replace this set with the book of your choice from the Book Depository, up to $15 value.

To Enter:
Complete the below form
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Extra Entries:
+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE
+1 Follow my other blog: FOREVER YOUNG (adult)  HERE 
+1 You can also social network this TWICE daily for up to FOUR extra entries, just leave me a link with a way to contact you.





GUEST POST! Molly Harper, author of The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf

(It  looks like that wolf is kinda acting friendly with Molly! Her dachshunds will NOT approve!)

 MOLLY RUNS WITH THE WOLVES!



When I was little and came running into the house, sweaty and caked in dirt, my mom would cry, “What the- have you been rolling around with wolves?”
Well, here I sit, sweaty, caked in various layers of dried mud.  And I have indeed been playing with wolves.  While promoting the release of my Naked Werewolf romance series, I visited the Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge in Nicholasville, KY.  Wolf Run, a state- and USDA-licensed non-profit educational facility, provides a safe, loving and permanent sanctuary for 23 adult wolves and wolf-dog hybrids. The refuge is also home to two full-grown lions, deer, goats, sheep, monkeys, and other exotic wildlife.  And Rowdy, the most obese raccoon I have ever seen. 
Most of the animals are former pets that were either confiscated by or surrendered by their owners.  Because it turns out, wolf hybrids do not make great house pets.
As Savannah Massey, director of animal care and education at Wolf Run told me, “These animals are gorgeous, appealing and unique. But they’re also aggressive, destructive and territorial.  This is not an animal you want in your home.  Wolf genetics do not go away.  And it’s not just that they could tear up your furniture or hurt one of your other pets- you are physically in danger when you’re around them.”
Just what you want to hear when you’re sitting right next to one, and he’s been licking your face.
Honestly, Boone, a 10-year-old grey male, could not have been nicer during my visit and our subsequent photo shoot.  He was a dignified statesman compared to raucous Razz, a three-year-old tan specimen who seemed to think my make-up was bacon-flavored. (Note to Sephora, wolf-oriented face powder may be a niche market you haven’t considered yet.)
I learned a lot during my visit to Wolf Run.  I was happy to find there are some definite similarities between actual wolves and the characters in HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF and THE ART OF SEDUCING A NAKED WEREWOLF.
For instance, a wolf will pee on whatever it wants, whenever it wants, to make sure you know that thing belongs to them.   It is now your tree, Boone, we understand.  Thank you for not choosing my shoes.
Wolves have to date.  There are five packs at Wolf Run, each with three to five pack members.  New wolves are matched to potential packs based on temperament when they arrive at Wolf Run.  If the initial matches don’t work, they are moved to different packs until they find a good fit. Some wolves, like Boone, don’t fit well with any group and end up being loners. (Which, I think, makes him a bit like Cooper.) 
Wolves struggle over the Alpha position.  Large males jockey for the position and it can lead to inter-pack tension.   Unlike Boone, who was an Alpha contender, Razz, just seemed to want to play, which made me think of Samson.  I did not see a real-life counterpart for Maggie, which was probably a good thing given her penchant for biting people on the butt.
Mary Kindred, CEO of Wolf Run, calls the animals her babies.  When she walks around the yard, any effort to distract the wolves is futile, because a) she is mom and b) she has Pupperoni in her pocket. Kindred noted that the sanctuary receives no outside funding, and all expenses, such sturdy fencing, food, veterinary care, and upkeep of the grounds, are paid through donations.  The facility welcomes volunteers.   And despite the love and effort Mary and her staff devote to the sanctuary, both she and Savannah look forward to the day they’re no longer needed.
“These animals shouldn’t be here,” Savannah said.  “The lions should be in Africa. The wolves should be in the wild.  Our goal is to rescue animals and educate the public, until a facility like this is no longer needed.”   
To learn more about Wolf Run, go to http://www.wolfrun.org/index.html or contact Mary at ceoatwrwrhope@aol.com.
Click here to check out the trailer for Molly’s Naked Werewolf series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyHG5546Xa4

Wolf photo credit: Memories by Chris/Chris Meyer/Georgetown, KY http://web.me.com/memoriesbychris

Be sure to order your copies today!

  


AND THE WINNER IS: Falling Apart in One Piece by Stacy Morrison

ERIN -- fletchVisit Erin's blog QUITTING MY DAY JOB here

An email has been sent to the lucky person named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam).  The winner(s)  has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Thanks to all who entered.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

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

AND THE WINNER IS: My Korean Deli by Ben Ryder Howe

WENDY -- deckerwendy
 
JULIA -- JHolden955

FELECIA -- felecia

An email has been sent to the lucky people named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam).  The winner(s)  has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Thanks to all who entered.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

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

REVIEW: Amazing Crayon Drawings with Lee Hammond

Description

You don't have to leave your beloved crayons behind when you grow up! Best-selling author Lee Hammond shows you how to create dramatically realistic and lifelike drawings of a variety of subjects using the familiar and beloved medium of wax crayons. You will learn to draw lifelike animals, people, flowers, landscapes and more using simple techniques and colorful step-by-step demonstrations. Lee shows her proven graphing and blending techniques that translate into remarkable drawings; demonstrates the shape and "puzzle piece" theories that can apply to anything you want to draw; and gives plenty of quick tips for achieving lifelike textures and colors using nothing but crayons. 

About the Author

A professional artist and instructor for 30+ years, Lee Hammond has authored more than 25 North Light books, DVDs and CDs. She previously owned and operated the Midwest School of Art in Lenexa, Kansas and now has a studio in Overland Park, Kansas where she teaches classes. She conducts drawing seminars, gives school lectures and mentors students nationwide. Lee has also worked with television's America's Most Wanted and has been featured on Court TV. A contributing writer for The Artist's Magazine, she is also licensed with many of NASCAR's racing teams to produce driver portraits.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 112 pages
  • Publisher: North Light Books (March 5, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9781440308109
  • ISBN-13: 978-1440308109
SOURCE;  PUBLISHER
MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

Amazing is an understatement of what this book can teach you.  I had serious doubts that anyone could reproduce the art work that this book contains and especially with plain old crayons!  The book guides you through color, paper selection and ideas.  I think the most important thing I learned from this is that you have to choose the correct paper.  Don't skimp when it comes to paper since that made all of the difference in the world.

There is an easy to follow step by step guide to grid your paper to make the drawing easier.  Another important step is a sharpener.  I never thought that something so simple can turn a simple crayon into a means of actually creating something!  I bought my crayons and paper at a discount store so that cost was under $10 and I even found the metal sharpener that made the huge difference.  This is the most fun I have had in a long time and my son is even interested in trying it! Bonus!

I may even include one of my drawings of Schatze for Friday PhoDOGraphy!

BLOG TOUR & REVIEW: Surrender the Dark by L A Banks

Description

National bestselling author L.A. Banks’s electrifying new paranormal series is set in a sizzling world where Dark and Light are trapped in an eternal struggle for the fate of mankind. Celeste Jackson has fought all her life against a fog of hallucination and substance abuse, but it’s not until she meets her protector, Azrael, an angel who has left the safety of the Light, that she learns of the evil forces that have been trying to ruin her, and why. A fierce battle for control of the mortal realm is brewing, and only Celeste—with the help of the Remnant, her half-human, half-angel brethren—can stand in the way. Together, Celeste and Azrael must gather an army of sensitives to defeat the dark powers that have ruled humanity for centuries, but time is running out. If Azrael surrenders to his growing desire for Celeste, he risks being trapped among humanity forever. But the longer he stays, the harder she is to resist. To save the world, Celeste must draw on her own dark experiences with addiction to help Azrael overcome the one temptation that could possibly make him an eternal prisoner—his obsession with her.

About the Author

New York Times best-selling author L.A. Banks has penned over 35 novels and 12 novellas in a wide range of genres. She was the recipient of the 2008 Essence Magazine Storyteller of the Year Award, as well as the 2008 Best 50 Women in Business Award for the State of Pennsylvania. Recently she was featured as a speaker on the HBO Special on Vampire Literature and Legends as a prelude to the True Blood premiere. She is most famous for her Vampire Huntress series, published by St. Martin's Press. She lives in Philadelphia.

Details

  • Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Pocket (March 29, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9781451607789
  • ISBN-13: 978-1451607789
SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

Finally a new series about angels for adults!  The young adult genre seems to have cornered the market with series about angels and demons, but now LA Banks serves up some hot ones just for the grown ups!  YAY!  There is a great deal of this story based on religion and steeped in spirituality with a battle to save earth at the crux of the tale.  There are two well known angels to those already reading books with angels: Celeste, who is having visions and tries to self medicate and Azrael who is sent to help her.  I really enjoyed this one and look forward to the next one.


GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: 21 Day Weight Loss Kickstart by Neal Barnard MD

Description

For years, Dr. Neal D. Barnard has been at the forefront of cutting-edge research on what it really takes to lose weight and restore the body to optimal health. Now, with his proven, successful program, in just three short weeks you'll get fast results-drop pounds, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve blood sugar, and more. With Dr. Barnard's advice on how to easily start a plant-based diet, you'll learn the secrets to reprogramming your body quickly:

· Appetite reduction: Strategically choose the right foods to naturally and easily tame your appetite.

· Metabolism boost: Adjust eating patterns to burn calories faster for about three hours after each meal.

· Cardio protection: Discover the powerful foods that can help reduce cholesterol nearly as much as drugs do in just weeks.

Whether you are one of the millions who are anxious to get a jumpstart on weight loss or who already know about the benefits of a plant-based diet but have no idea how or where to start, this book is the kickstart you've been waiting for. Complete with more than sixty recipes, daily meal plans for the 21-day program, tips for grocery shopping, and more, this book will teach you how to make the best food choices and get your body on the fast track to better health.

About the Author

Neal Barnard, MD is a clinical researcher, author, and health advocate. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and president of the nonprofit Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine. He has been the principal investigator or coinvestigator on several clinical trials investigating the effects of diet on health. He is the author of several books and a frequent lecturer.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Grand Central Life & Style (February 28, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9780446583817
  • ISBN-13: 978-0446583817
SOURCE: PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

In my never ending goal to lose five pounds, I thought I would give this a try.  The book contains easy to understand theories on why weight loss doesn't always work and how to avoid the pitfalls.  There are also easy to follow recipes geared toward helping your body lose weight.  I found the book to be inspirational and the information seems really helpful.  So far I have lost two pounds and hope to lose the hardest of the hard in the last three!


WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?
Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a US mailing address (no PO Boxes)
Contest ends on 4.17.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 4.18.11
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by Hachette Book Group and TWO copies will be available.

Complete the below form
Follow Me
Extra Entries
+1 Follow my other blog FOREVER YOUNG (adult)
+1 Be my friend on GoodReads HERE
+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE 


+1 for each place you social network this giveaway and leave me a link (blog, twitter, facebook, etc)
+1 comment daily for an extra entry

3/30/11

GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Snowdrops by A D Miller

Description

An intense psychological drama that echoes sophisticated entertainments like Gorky Park and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Nick Platt is a British lawyer working in Moscow in the early 2000s—a place where the cascade of oil money, the tightening grip of the government, the jostling of the oligarchs, and the loosening of Soviet social mores have led to a culture where corruption, decadence, violence, and betrayal define everyday life. Nick doesn’t ask too many questions about the shady deals he works on—he’s too busy enjoying the exotic, surreally sinful nightlife Moscow has to offer.

One day in the subway, he rescues two willowy sisters, Masha and Katya, from a would-be purse snatcher. Soon Nick, the seductive Masha, and long-limbed Katya are cruising the seamy glamour spots of the city. Nick begins to feel something for Masha that he is pleased to think is love. Then the sisters ask Nick to help their aged aunt, Tatiana, find a new apartment.

Of course, nothing is as it seems—including this extraordi­nary debut novel. The twists in the story take it far beyond its noirish frame—the sordid and vivid portrayal of Moscow serves as a backdrop for a book that examines the irresistible allure of sin, featuring characters whose hearts are as cold as the Russian winter.

About the Author

A. D. MILLER studied literature at Cambridge and Princeton, and worked as a television producer before joining the Economist. He has served as the magazine’s Moscow correspondent and is currently an editor in its London office. Snowdrops is his first novel.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Doubleday (February 22, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9780385533447
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385533447
SOURCE: PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

I was thoroughly fascinated by this book.  I still can't figure out why I liked it so much since the pace of the story was slow for me, but the writing is so perfectly beautiful that it will mesmerize you.  The story it written as a letter from an English lawyer named Nicholas to his fiance revealing an indiscretion that even he can't truly explain except to say that he was used by a woman that had bewitched him.  Masha sails into Nicholas' life and convinces him to help complete the sale of some property for an older woman.  The tale twists and turns between Russian mafia, unethical business men and the women who will steal more than just your credit card after a sexual romp.

Nick seems to be so intelligent and so fact conscious that it at first seems improbable that he could be used in a scam where Masha and Katya (possibly cousins) respond to his loneliness with taking him under their wing in order to help them illegally sell property that is owned by their "aunt".  He explains to his girlfriend that he should have seen the scam coming, but couldn't believe that someone might actually take advantage of him.  I found it very interesting to read the descriptions of corruption in Russia and how business is actually conducted.  I don't know who to compare this story to since I don't think I have ever read anything like it before. 


WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?
Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a US mailing address (no PO Boxes)
Contest ends on 4.16.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 4.17.11
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by DoubleDay  and TWO copies will be available.

Complete the below form
Follow Me
Extra Entries
+1 Follow my other blog FOREVER YOUNG (adult)
+1 Be my friend on GoodReads HERE
+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE 


+1 for each place you social network this giveaway and leave me a link (blog, twitter, facebook, etc)
+1 comment daily for an extra entry



REVIEW: Rock Hard by Olivia Cunning

Description

Erotic romance is one of the bestselling subgenres in the romance category. Olivia Cunning delivers the perfect blend of steamy sex, heartwarming romance, and a wicked sense of humor.
This second in the Sinners on Tour series features lead singer Sedric Lionheart who became a playboy after his fiancee, Jessica, broke his heart. Forced on a summer tour together for two entire months, but stubbornly desperate to stay apart, they find a million steamy reasons why they had that lovin' feeling in the first place.

About the Author

Raised on hard rock music from the cradle, Olivia Cunning attended her first Styx concert at age six and instantly fell in love with live music. She discovered her second love, romantic fiction, as a teen-first, voraciously reading steamy romance novels and then penning her own. She currently lives in Nebraska.

Details

  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (April 1, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9781402245770
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402245770
SOURCE:  PUBLISHER


MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

The second book in the Sinners on Tour series delivers just as strongly as the first book, Backstage Pass.  Olivia Cunning writes erotic romance that is way above average.  I can't decide whether I am reading the story to get to the good parts or reading through the good parts to get to the story.  This story concentrates on Sedric Lionhart, the lead singer of the Sinners and his love, Jessica.  I was annoyed with Jessica at first since she seemed so young and immature.  She knows what she wants, but doesn't quite know how to get there.  At the end, I was cheering for her and loved the intelligence and maturity she develops.

Sed  on the other hand is a jerk, but as the lead singer, he can pretty much pick and choose any girl he wants.   He drove Jessica away at first by being so controlling with her.  It takes him several years to win her back while she sorts out her life and starts law school.  Their reuniting is just full of fireworks.   Sed himself, grows as a person, which for a rock star is a pretty big deal since most of them seem to be stuck in childhood.  I can't wait for the third book in the series!  I wonder if it will be about Jace, Eric or Trey.


GIVEAWAY! Win a Kindle from author Wendy Wax! Ends tomorrow!



There’s just one more day left!  Wendy Wax, author of MAGNOLIA WEDNESDAYS and the new novel TEN BEACH ROAD, out in May, is getting ready to give away an Amazon Kindle Wi-Fi.  It comes loaded with one of her most popular books, THE ACCIDENTAL BESTSELLER.

Just “like” Wendy by going to http://www.authorwendywax.com and clicking on the Kindle or go directly to Wendy’s Facebook page at http://tinyurl.com/4p7nu4v

 The promotion ends on Thursday, 3/31/11.

Waiting on Wednesday: Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax

"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:


Description

Another perfect beach read from the author of The Accidental Bestseller.

Madeline, Avery, and Nikki are strangers to each other, but they have one thing in common. They each wake up one morning to discover their life savings have vanished, along with their trusted financial manager- leaving them with nothing but co-ownership of a ramshackle beachfront house.

Throwing their lots in together, they take on the challenge of restoring the historic property. But just as they begin to reinvent themselves and discover the power of friendship, secrets threaten to tear down their trust-and destroy their lives a second time.

About the Author

Wendy Wax is the author of eight previous novels. A former broadcaster, she lives in the Atlanta suburbs with her husband and two teenage sons, who have turned her into the shortest member of the family.

Details

  • Paperback: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Berkley Trade (May 3, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 042524086X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0425240861
YAY!  IT IS ALMOST OFFICIALLY CHICK LIT SEASON.

3/29/11

AND THE WINNER IS: Radio Shandri La by Lisa Napoli


VICKI -- tiramisu392


PHYLLIS -- pgronewold

An email has been sent to the lucky people named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam).  The winner(s)  has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Thanks to all who entered.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

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

miniREVIEW: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Description

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

About the Author

Veronica Roth graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in creative writing. While she was a student, she often chose to work on the story that would become Divergent instead of doing her homework. It was indeed a transforming choice. Now a full-time writer, Ms. Roth lives near Chicago. Divergent is her first novel.

Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 496 pages
  • Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (May 3, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0062024027
  • ISBN-13: 978-0062024022
SOURCE:  BOOK IT FORWARD ARC TOURS / PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

I seemed to be hooked on dystopian tales and I have read some really good ones lately, but this one is just amazing.   It will help replace the loss of the Hunger Games and the writing is just amazing!  I would like another one now!  I will have a longer review closer to the release date.

BOOK TRAILER TUESDAY Pride & Prejudice & Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith





GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith (Pride, Prejudice and Zombies #3)

Description

When we last saw Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy—at the end of the New York Times best seller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies—they were preparing for a lifetime of wedded bliss. Yet the honeymoon has barely begun when poor Mr. Darcy is nipped by a rampaging dreadful. Elizabeth knows the only acceptable course of action is to promptly behead her husband (and then burn the corpse, just to be safe). But when she learns of a miracle antidote being developed in London, she realizes there may be one last chance to save her true love—and for everyone to live happily ever after.

Complete with romance, heartbreak, martial arts, cannibalism, and an army of shambling corpses, Dreadfully Ever After brings the story of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to a thrilling conclusion.

About the Author

Steve Hockensmith is the author of the New York Times best seller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls and several other novels, including the Edgar Award nominee Holmes on the Range. Critics have hailed his books as “hilarious” (Entertainment Weekly), “dazzling” (The Boston Globe), “uproarious” (Publishers Weekly), “wonderfully entertaining” (Booklist), and “quirky and original” (The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). He lives in Alameda, California, with his wife and two children.

Details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Quirk Books (March 22, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1594745021
  • ISBN-13: 978-1594745027

 SOURCE: PUBLISHER
MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT


Sigh, and so this is the final book in the Pride, Prejudice and Zombies series. We have followed Elizabeth and Darcy through their battles with the Dead , finally a marriage and now can they survive being torn apart by the dreadful and undead life ever after?  This is written in the wonderful style of Jane Austen and Steve Hockensmith does an admirable job of capturing the voice and keeping it true to the era. 

After four years of marriage, Darcy finds himself with a nasty bite. Elizabeth hears of a possible cure for the dreadful disease and attempt to get the antidote with the help of Lady Catherine De Bourgh.  There are the required ninja which somehow actually make sense during the Regency era that the story takes place.  There are also great subplots with the Bennett sisters that help to keep everything moving. I adore zombie books and the dreadfuls in this one are something special.  There are spectacular drawings interspersed within the story that would make a great graphic novel. That would be amazing!
 


WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?
Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a US mailing address (no PO Boxes)
Contest ends on 4.15.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 4.16.11
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by Quirk Books  and ONE copy will be available.

Complete the below form
Follow Me
Extra Entries
+1 Follow my other blog FOREVER YOUNG (adult)
+1 Be my friend on GoodReads HERE
+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE 
More Extra Entries for Steve Hockensmith
+1 Follow his blog HERE via RSS
+1 Friend on Facebook HERE
+1 Follow on Twitter HERE
+1 Fan on Goodreads HERE


+1 for each place you social network this giveaway and leave me a link (blog, twitter, facebook, etc)
+1 comment daily for an extra entry



GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: The Revenge of the Radioactive Lady by Elizabeth Stuckey-French

Description

This lively, intricately plotted, laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly touching family drama combines the wit of Carl Hiaasen with the southern charm of Jill McCorkle.

Seventy-seven-year-old Marylou Ahearn is going to kill Dr. Wilson Spriggs come hell or high water. In 1953, he gave her a radioactive cocktail without her consent as part of a secret government study that had horrible consequences.

Marylou has been plotting her revenge for fifty years. When she accidentally discovers his whereabouts in Florida, her plans finally snap into action. She high tails it to hot and humid Tallahassee, moves in down the block from where a now senile Spriggs lives with his daughter’s family, and begins the tricky work of insinuating herself into their lives. But she has no idea what a nest of yellow jackets she is stum­bling into.

Before the novel is through, someone will be kidnapped, an unlikely couple will get engaged, someone will nearly die from eating a pineapple upside-down cake laced with anti-freeze, and that’s not all . . .

Told from the varied perspectives of an incredible cast of endearing oddball characters and written with the flair of a native Floridian, this dark comedy does not disappoint.

About the Author

ELIZABETH STUCKEY-FRENCH is the author of the novel Mermaids on the Moon and the short story collection The First Paper Girl in Red Oak, Iowa. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida, where she teaches fiction writing at Florida State University.

Details

  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Doubleday (February 8, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385510640
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385510646
SOURCE:  PUBLISHER
 MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

This is a truly dark tragedy - comedy that explores the goal of one woman who has had her life ruined by a secret government experiment with radioactive material and is bent on destroying the doctor that ruined her life.  Well, that is the plan for Marylou Ahern, now using the name Nancy Archer after the movie "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman".  Instead of infiltrating Dr Brigg's family, she somehow becomes part of it.

The story is told through each family member's point of view and there is great character development of each except that Dr. Briggs is a bit left out.  The story seems to move at a slow pace, but there is enough humor and snappy dialogue that will keep you interested in this quirky drama.  The book has been compared to "Little Miss Sunshine" and I think that is really true, although there is a dash of Carl Hiaasen to keep everything in a weird perspective.  I really enjoyed this one and look forward to another story from Elizabeth Stuckey French.


WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?
Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a US mailing address (no PO Boxes)
Contest ends on 4.15.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 4.16.11
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by DoubleDay  and TWO copies will be available.

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BOOK TRAILER TUESDAY: Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione






3/28/11

REVIEW: Shimmer by Alyson Noel

Description

Having solved the matter of the Radiant Boy, Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi are enjoying a well-deserved vacation. When Riley comes across a vicious black dog, against Bodhi’s advice, she decides to cross him over. While following the dog, she runs into a young ghost named Rebecca. Despite Rebecca’s sweet appearance, Riley soon learns she’s not at all what she seems. As the daughter of a former plantation owner, she is furious about being murdered during a slave revolt in 1733. Mired in her own anger, Rebecca is lashing out by keeping the ghosts who died along with her trapped in their worst memories. Can Riley help Rebecca forgive and forget without losing herself to her own nightmarish memories?

About the Author

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

Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Square Fish; First Edition edition (March 15, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312648251
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312648251
SOURCE:  PUBLISHER
MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Wow, I am totally blown away by how much Alyson Noel packed into one slim novel!  There is a moral and history lesson in an easy to read story.  Empathy is probably something most kids around 12 are lacking and Riley is short on this trait, like most 12 year olds.  As Riley freely admits she is willful, stubborn and acts rashly.  After earning her glow in Radiance, she is granted a vacation with Bodhi and chooses to go to an island her parents had described often.  There she comes upon Rebecca, a soul who hasn't moved on from 1733 when she was killed during a slave revolt.  She goes through reasons behind Rebecca's pain and helps her move on.

The story is well balanced and most teens and pre teens should enjoy this story.  The younger ones may be a bit disturbed by the description of "beach bowling" where people are buried up to their head in sand and then, bowling balls are flung at them. There are some bits of violence described and again, some of the mentions might upset younger kids, but in this day of video games, it might not.  I loved how Riley truly grows through each encounter and that Bodhi actually guides her instead of using discipline to get her to go in the right direction.  This is a perfect follow up to Radiance and now I can't wait to read Dreamscape in Fall, 2011.


WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK?
Visit BookHounds....FOREVER YOUNG (adult) HERE




    Book Bloggers and Publishers Online Conference

    ATTENTION:   BOOK BLOGGERS

    The Book Bloggers and Publishers Online Conference is being held April 13-17 and we are very excited to have some fabulous publishers involved and to be offering thirty audio panels, numerous forums, and chat rooms. The best part is you can attend from the comfort of your home! 

    We will be giving away books to all bloggers and reviewers attending and all the panels are recorded so that if you miss any live you have a month to catch up. Learn how to work with publishers and get review copies, where you can attend live events, what other bloggers are doing to promote their blogs, and gain a better understanding of how the industry works.

    Publishers Participating
    Simon & Schuster, Penguin USA, Bloomsbury, Sourcebooks, Bell Bridge Books, Egmont, The Wild Rose Press, MLR, Lyrical Press, Breathless Press, Ravenous Romance, Dreamspinner Press, Dark Castle Lords, and 15 more.

    If you are interested in learning more visit the BBP Blog -http://bbpcon.blogspot.com
    Registration is $45 for 5 days - Depending on Genre You will receive more than the price of admittance  in free books - Shipping of $7 or under may be added for the shipping on the large print giveaways.  If money is an issue please email us and see about helping with the conference in exchange for attending.

    Thank you for your time and consideration, if you have any further questions you can email Terry Kate at romanceinthebackseat@gmail.com

    A Note from Jill Shalvis, author of The Sweetest Thing.



    For The Sweetest Thing
    By Jill Shalvis

    Writing a romance called The Sweetest Thing, which centers around a decidedly NOT sweet heroine, amused me.  Tara Daniels is wound a little tight and likes things her way.  She’s also a former southern belle who appreciates the fact that she’s right.  A lot.

    The Sweetest Thing?  Not exactly.

    But her heart’s in the right place, always.  And, as it turns out, there’s a man who melts her like butter on a hot roll.  Not only that, he can soften her in a way that she isn’t sure she likes.  See, Tara thinks she has it all together, but it turns out she doesn’t.  She doesn’t know a lot about herself.  About all she has is the fact that she can cook like nobody’s business.  Oh, how she loves to cook. 

    Tara was a challenge for me.  Because here’s where I admit, I got a lot of her recipes from my husband.  True story.  I’m married to a big guy who works with his hands and is the ultimate Alpha Man -- and yet he can cook.  Don’t try to figure him out, it’ll hurt your brain, trust me.

    The recipe Good Morning Sunshine Casserole that Tara cooks in the book is all his.  Just don’t tell him I “borrowed” it and am telling the world that it’s my heroine’s.  It’d just go to his head.

    P.S. For an ebook of Tara’s recipes, look for Heating Up The Kitchen wherever ebooks are sold.






    GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis

     

    Description

    Two Men Are One Too Many . . .

    Tara has a thousand good reasons not to return to the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Yet with her life doing a major crash-and-burn, anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. As Tara helps her two sisters get their newly renovated inn up and running, she finally has a chance to get things under control and come up with a new plan for her life.

    But a certain tanned, green-eyed sailor has his own ideas, such as keeping Tara hot, bothered . . . and in his bed. And when her ex wants Tara back, three is a crowd she can't control-especially when her deepest secret reappears out of the blue. Now Tara must confront her past and discover what she really wants. If she's lucky, she might just find that everything her heart desires is right here in Lucky Harbor.

    About the Author

    USA Today bestselling author JILL SHALVIS lives in a small town in the Sierras also run by quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books are, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website at www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountain adventures.

    Details

    • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
    • Publisher: Forever (March 29, 2011)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 0446571628
    • ISBN-13: 978-0446571623
    SOURCE:  PUBLISHER
    MY THOUGHTS
    LOVED IT

    This is such a heart-warming, funny and wonderful contemporary romance and no one does it better than Jill Shalvis.  The is the second book in the Lucky Harbor series and it can easily stand alone or read before the first in the series, Simply Irresistible.  The next sister featured is Tara and in Simply Irresistible, she sort of annoyed me with her toughness.  I can understand her reasons for not letting her guard down with her fling at 17 that ended with a child and she ends the relationship.  You can really see now that each one of the three sisters unique personalities have something to do with their different fathers.  It was also interesting to see the interplay deepen between the girls as well.

    Tara is keeping up her guard around Ford, who sails into her life (groan, terrible pun since he is a sailor) but somehow runs aground instead of making into the harbor of Tara's heart.  (OH, I know, double groan, but I couldn't resist.)  Things heat up when Tara's ex is back in town and out to win her back.  I am not going to tell you how it ends up, but I have never had so many emotions while reading a romance.  This one made me laugh a lot and shed a few tears.  Sigh, and now we will have to wait until December to read about Chloe.  Don't these girls have some cousins?  I really like Lucky Harbor and hate to think this series is over after Chloe.

    PS -- Just be thankful I didn't go overboard (ah- got you agian) with cooking puns for Tara like I wanted to since her and Ford made it too hot to be in the kitchen together once they mixed it all up.





    WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?
    Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a US or Canadian mailing address (no PO Boxes)
    Contest ends on 4.14.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 4.15.11
    Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
    This giveaway is sponsored by Forever Romance and THREE copies will be available.
    Only one winner per mailing address (no matter how many sites you enter to win this book, you can only win once.)

    Complete the below form
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      3/27/11

      MEMOIR MARCH: All the Rage by Ian McLagan


      If you ever want to know the truth about the Faces, you need to read this book!  It is like sitting in a pub listening to the best storyteller on earth!




      Description

      A riotously funny, fiercely energetic romp, this no-holds-barred autobiography takes readers through the highs and lows of an extraordinary career, chronicling nearly four decades of dynamic music history. Written by an enthralling raconteur, the book covers the sixties' British R&B explosion and Mac's work with the Small Faces; the seventies' loose and boozy rave-ups of The Faces with Rod Stewart; the eighties, playing keyboards with Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones; and the nineties, tickling the ivories behind Melissa Etheridge, Bruce Springsteen, Buddy Guy, and Billy Bragg.
      In colorful descriptions of life on and off the road, including moving notes about the deaths of friends Ian Stewart, Steve Marriott, Keith Moon, and Ronnie Lane, McLagan sets a standard for compelling, behind-the-scenes storytelling that other musicians will be hard pressed to match.

      About the Author

      A transplanted Englishman, Ian "Mac" McLagan is now a resident of Austin, Texas. Dave Marsh, author of many books about popular music, is one of America's most respected rock critics. He lives in Norwalk, Connecticut.

      Visit Mac online at MacsPages.com

      Don't buy this book from Amazon, get it straight from the author at his site and he will even autograph it for you.  Unfortunately, it is out of stock right now, but keep checking back!

      AND THE WINNER IS: Those Who Fight Monsters edited by Justin Gustainis


      KATE --  be sure to visit

      YzhaBella's BookShelf   HERE



      An email has been sent to the lucky people named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam).  The winner(s)  has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

      Thanks to all who entered.

      PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

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

      AND THE WINNER IS: Welcome to Last Chance by Hope Ramsay

      HELEN --  gmapeony

      CLIO  -- cliciaa
      An email has been sent to the lucky people named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam).  The winner(s)  has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

      Thanks to all who entered.

      PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

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

      3/26/11

      MEMOIR MARCH: Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer


      Oh, how I need this book.  Once you hit a "certain" age, your memory starts to go straight out of the window. 


      Description

      Foer's unlikely journey from chronically forgetful science journalist to U.S. Memory Champion frames a revelatory exploration of the vast, hidden impact of memory on every aspect of our lives.

      On average, people squander forty days annually compensating for things they've forgotten. Joshua Foer used to be one of those people. But after a year of memory training, he found himself in the finals of the U.S. Memory Championship. Even more important, Foer found a vital truth we too often forget: In every way that matters, we are the sum of our memories.

      Moonwalking with Einstein draws on cutting-edge research, a surprising cultural history of memory, and venerable tricks of the mentalist's trade to transform our understanding of human remembering. Under the tutelage of top "mental athletes," he learns ancient techniques once employed by Cicero to memorize his speeches and by Medieval scholars to memorize entire books. Using methods that have been largely forgotten, Foer discovers that we can all dramatically improve our memories.

      Immersing himself obsessively in a quirky subculture of competitive memorizers, Foer learns to apply techniques that call on imagination as much as determination-showing that memorization can be anything but rote. From the PAO system, which converts numbers into lurid images, to the memory palace, in which memories are stored in the rooms of imaginary structures, Foer's experience shows that the World Memory Championships are less a test of memory than of perseverance and creativity.

      Foer takes his inquiry well beyond the arena of mental athletes-across the country and deep into his own mind. In San Diego, he meets an affable old man with one of the most severe case of amnesia on record, where he learns that memory is at once more elusive and more reliable than we might think. In Salt Lake City, he swaps secrets with a savant who claims to have memorized more than nine thousand books. At a high school in the South Bronx, he finds a history teacher using twenty- five-hundred-year-old memory techniques to give his students an edge in the state Regents exam.

      At a time when electronic devices have all but rendered our individual memories obsolete, Foer's bid to resurrect the forgotten art of remembering becomes an urgent quest. Moonwalking with Einstein brings Joshua Foer to the apex of the U.S. Memory Championship and readers to a profound appreciation of a gift we all possess but that too often slips our minds.

      About the Author

      Joshua Foer has written for National Geographic, Esquire, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Slate.

      Details

      • Hardcover: 320 pages
      • Publisher: Penguin Press HC, The (March 3, 2011)
      • Language: English
      • ISBN-10: 9781594202292
      • ISBN-13: 978-1594202292

      3/25/11

      MEMOIR MARCH: The Band That Played On by Steve Turner


      I just saw this one on NetGalley, not specifically a Memoir, but it looks like a  fascinating story of the eight men who played while the Titanic was sinking.


      Description

      When Titanic collided with an iceberg at 23:40 on April 14th, the eight members of the band had already retired for the evening. Still, they put on overcoats and mufflers came out to play in the lounge. When most of the First Class passengers had taken to their lifeboats, the musicians simply moved to the deck and continued to play, calming the passengers as the ship sank. One second class passenger said: "Many brave things were done that night, but none were more brave than those done by men playing minute after minute as the ship settled quietly lower and lower in the sea. The music they played served alike as their own immortal requiem and their right to be recalled on the scrolls of undying fame." Survivors' accounts differ about whether their final tune was "L'Automme" or "Nearer My God To Thee." What has never been disputed is the courage of these musicians who deliberately sacrificed the possibility of escape in order to produce a mood of tranquillity at a time of extreme anxiety. But who were they? What journeys brought them to this deck on this icy ocean? Had any of them previously displayed signs of great courage? Who did they leave behind? Historian and biographer Steve Turner delves into the lives of these brave men, revealing eight unique portraits of bravery.

      Details

      • Hardcover: 272 pages
      • Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 22, 2011)
      • Language: English
      • ISBN-10: 9781595552198
      • ISBN-13: 978-1595552198