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August 31, 2011

And the winners are.......

..............of ESCAPE by Barbara Delinsky

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:
46	11
Timestamp: 2011-08-31 22:06:51 UTC


CONGRATULATIONS

TyNapier said... 46 i follow you on fb as teressa oliver
Gina Hott said... 11 Pack up & start over? Yes, I've thought of it. Maybe when the kids are grown...

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.  Thank you to all that entered. 


Review "Space" by Emily Sue Harvey


SPACE by Emily Sue Harvey
Published by The Story Plant
ISBN  9781611880199
At the request of The Story Plant, Spread The Word Initiative, an ARC EPub Edition was sent via NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley):  Emily Sue delivers us a deeply moving story of a family on the brink. Dan and Deede Stowe have worked for years, planning and saving for their idyllic retirement years. Just when they finally are about to realize their dream, their adult, recovering drug-addict daughter, Faith, moves back in with them and everything changes. Their “miracle child,” complete with druggie baggage, upsets the tranquil balance of the Stowes's existence. Private romantic moments evaporate. Faith’s endless needs intrude hour by hour, devouring their finances, their emotions, and most crucially, their space. In turn, Faith finds herself bereft of everything she cherished most: her health, her marriage, her child, her family, her reputation and, most of all, a space to call her own.

Amid chaotic challenges, all three battle to find peace with each other, a harmony that doggedly eludes them. For the sake of family solidarity, each is forced to sacrifice elemental components of self, until desperation turns them one against the other. Will love be enough to turn the tide? Is it strong enough to warm again hearts grown cold?

  My Thoughts and Opinion:  I enjoy reading novels where there are relationship dynamics as the core of the story.  The characters in this book came to life through the words of the author, Emily Sue Harvey, and there were quite a few interwoven personalities within both the immediate and extended family of the Stowes.  I was also interested, after reading the synopsis, of the premise of what happens behind closed doors when a family member is overtaken by drugs, which is so prevalent in today's society and the fracture of a family these drugs cause.

Here is where I am torn and confused about this book, which I honestly don't quite understand.  And this is my opinion and my opinion only.  The book held my attention throughout.  However, I felt there was so much missing in the story.  It wasn't until almost the end of the novel when the reader finds out what drug Faith is using.  It doesn't describe the reality of true drug addiction, in my opinion.  But it focused more on her nicotine addiction.  I understood the underlying message of "needing one's space" and as the synopsis states but I felt that some issues that would have made it more realistic were glossed over.  Examples like the loss of her parental rights were not touched upon until almost the end of the book.

Because it did hold my attention, but it also left me disappointed as far as the overall story line, I find myself having much difficulty rating it.


DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold...they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.


Guest Author Kari Lee Townsend

Oh do I have a treat for you today!!!!  Do I know my fabulous and fantastic followers or not???  Grab a chair because you are going to want to stay a while for today's guest.  You comfy?  Ready?  OK...Please help me welcome cozy mystery author, Ms. Kari Lee Townsend!!!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kari Lee Townsend lives in upstate New York with her very understanding husband, her three busy boys, and her oh-so-dramatic daughter who keep her grounded and make everything she does worthwhile, not to mention provide her with loads of material for her books She spends her days and nights trying to figure out who dunnit. Funny how no one at home will confess any more than the characters in her books. You can find out more about Kari and all her books at her website at www.karileetownsend.com as well as her group mystery blog Mysteries and Martinis www.myteriesandmartinisblogspot.com or connect with her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/karileetownsend and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/karileetownsendAUTHOR

ABOUT THE BOOK

TEMPEST IN THE TEA LEAVES: A Fortune Teller Mystery

First in a new series by Kari Lee Townsend

In the fortune telling business there are a lot of pretenders, but Sunshine Meadows is the real deal—and her predictions can be lethally accurate…

Leaving behind the Big Apple for the quaint town of Divinity, New York, Sunny is determined to make it on her own as a psychic. With an ancient Victorian house as her place of business, Sunny uses various tools to interpret her visions and aid the town’s residents. But when she uses tea leaves to give a reading for a frazzled librarian, what she finds at the bottom of the cup is anything but helpful. Sunny informs the police of her deadly vision, but her warning comes too late. And with hard-nosed, ruggedly handsome Detective Mitch Stone denying her abilities and naming her as prime suspect, it doesn’t take a crystal ball to see that the situation is dire. Now Sunny will have to use her visions to clear her name, before the killer can put an end to the psychic’s future…
Watch for my review in the coming weeks.
 
THANKS TO AUTHOR KARI LEE TOWNSEND, I HAVE
ONE (1) COPY OF THIS COZY MYSTERY, A SIGNED
BOOK PLATE AND BOOKMARK TO GIVE AWAY.
 
CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE.
 
 DISCLAIMER
Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners
via publisher, agent and/or author. This blog hosts
the giveaway on behalf of the above.
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold...they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.



GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE "TEMPEST IN THE TEA LEAVES" ENDED

AUGUST 31st to SEPTEMBER 14th, 2011


TEMPEST IN THE TEA LEAVES
by KARI LEE TOWNSEND

SYNOPSIS:
TEMPEST IN THE TEA LEAVES: A Fortune Teller Mystery

First in a new series by Kari Lee Townsend
  In the fortune telling business there are a lot of pretenders, but Sunshine Meadows is the real deal—and her predictions can be lethally accurate…
  Leaving behind the Big Apple for the quaint town of Divinity, New York, Sunny is determined to make it on her own as a psychic. With an ancient Victorian house as her place of business, Sunny uses various tools to interpret her visions and aid the town’s residents. But when she uses tea leaves to give a reading for a frazzled librarian, what she finds at the bottom of the cup is anything but helpful. Sunny informs the police of her deadly vision, but her warning comes too late. And with hard-nosed, ruggedly handsome Detective Mitch Stone denying her abilities and naming her as prime suspect, it doesn’t take a crystal ball to see that the situation is dire. Now Sunny will have to use her visions to clear her name, before the killer can put an end to the psychic’s future…

THANKS TO AUTHOR, KARI LEE TOWNSEND
I HAVE ONE (1) COPY OF THIS COZY MYSTERY, A
SIGNED BOOK PLATE and BOOK MARK TO GIVE AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN.
*ALL COMMENTS TO BE SEPARATE*
AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
*LEAVE COMMENT: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT
THERE ARE SOME"REAL PSYCHICS"?*
*EXTRA ENTRIES*
*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU PUBLICLY FOLLOW THIS
  BLOG (IF NOT, GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT ON RIGHT SIDE).

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK.

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER.

*REMEMBER TO INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ALL ENTRIES.
*U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY*
*NO P.O. BOXES*
**HONOR SYSTEM**
ONE WINNING BOOK PER HOUSEHOLD
PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF YOU HAVE
WON THIS BOOK FROM ANOTHER
SITE, SO THAT SOMEONE ELSE MAY
HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN
AND READ THIS BOOK.
THANK YOU.
*GIVEAWAY ENDS SEPTEMBER 14th AT 6PM EST*
WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG AND NOTIFIED
VIA EMAIL AND WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO RESPOND
OR ANOTHER NAME WILL BE CHOSEN
DISCLAIMER / RULES
Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners via publisher,
agent and/or author. This blog hosts the giveaway on behalf of the
above. I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in
exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are
ever sold...they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
I am not responsible for lost or damaged books that are shipped
from agents. I reserve the right to disqualify/delete any entries
if rules of giveaway are not followed

W.W.W. Wednesday




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Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

What are you currently reading?


What did you recently finish reading?


What do you think you’ll read next?









August 30, 2011

And the winners are........

.........of THE WATCHMAN OF EPHRAIM by Gerard deMarigny


Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:
22	4
Timestamp: 2011-08-30 22:20:11 UTC

 


degood said... 22 Yes, I definitely think there could be another one.
ann said... 4 Yes I do think we definately could have another 911 without a doubt. The way the world is going we have to be alert at all times.

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address or another winner will be chosen.  Thank you to all that entered.


Review "The Santa Club" by Kelly Moss



THE SANTA CLUB by Kelly Moss
Illustrated by Jim Keserich
Published by Palmary Press
ISBN 13:  978-0-9821340-1-6
At the request of The Cadence Group, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Synopsis (from author):   A delightful book with captivating illustrations, The Santa Club transitions your child from receiving gifts to experiencing the joy of giving. With sensitivity, faith, and love, The Santa Club tackles the serious question, “Is Santa Claus Real?” To be read with your child, this wonderful book not only answers that sometimes “dreaded” question but it also addresses the questions of why Santa comes at Christmas and who was the first Santa.  The Santa Club is a wonderful parenting resource and a stunning children’s book, and is sure to become an annual family favorite.

  My Thoughts and Opinion:  To those that follow this blog, you know that this is not the type of book that I would usually accept to review, however, when I was approached, I thought it would be different and fun.  When my boys were young, reading was an important integral of their upbringing.  From when they were infants, reading before bedtime was a nighttime ritual.  Books also played an important part during different milestones in their lives, such as bringing home a baby brother, potty training, starting school, and unfortunately, even loss.

Since it has been many years that I have read a children's book, it was like a new experience for me.  The premise of the book is to help parents answer that hard question, Is Santa Real? Not only does it answer the question in a way that a child can understand but it also allows the child to feel special when the answer is revealed.  What also impressed me, which I am sure that some will disagree with me, is that it also explains the true meaning of Christmas.  At first, I was a bit unsure of the illustrations but the more I looked at them I could see the diversity the author was conveying to the parent and child.  I forgot to mention, this book states that a child must only read this book with a parent or guardian.  If you are a parent, grandparent or know someone with little ones, this should be in every household, tucked away for the day when that question is asked, Is Santa real?.  Highly recommend.

DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold...they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.


Teaser Tuesday


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Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
*BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
*Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
"She's unconscious."  He looked at me then, his eyes tortured as he swept me along with his long strides.  "She's ODed on drugs, honey. Our Faith is on drugs.".

Kindle  location 122


August 29, 2011

Monday Memes


I'm baaaack.  Aprroximately 30 minutes ago, we finally had our power restored.  My family is safe and sound, which is what is most important and what I am thankful for.  I was quite nervous about my son in CT, it's his first house and is surrounded by a lot of land and very large trees and thankfully he escaped from any damage except for a tree that fell across his street blocking access..  We did have slight property damage to the fence around the pool, which can be fixed and is minor.  The main inconveience was being the power, however, I was able to occupy myself with a charged Kindle and a portable booklight.  Matter of fact, read 3/4 of a book.  Hubby, on the other hand, was quite restless without the tv remote in hand.

I want to thank all for the well wishes and prayers.  There are still many that are facing challenges from the aftermath of this storm, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  


 

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August is being hosted by Staci from Life in the Thumb
 Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
                                       The Story Plant                       Doubleday


                                     Bestsellersworld           The Cadence Group



August 28, 2011

Irene Update

Hi everyone.  Just wanted to give you an update.  It's approximately 7:45am and we are anxiously awaiting for what Irene has in store for us.  Right now as I watch CNN, I am concerned about my family and friends in the Philly area where it seems to be doing it's damage, then onto CT where my other son is.  We are supposed to get the brunt of it later this afternoon.  But if what is happening outside is any indication, we are in for a wild ride.  The winds are already very gusty and picking up with heavy down pours.  We are quite concerned about flooding, loss of electricity and house damage but have prepared as much as we can and now we wait, which is always the hardest part.  For those in Irene's path, stay safe.  And those who aren't, please say a prayer for those who are.  Will be online as soon as I can.

August 27, 2011

Guest Author Layton Green

You may be familiar with today's guest, you may even recall his last visit back in March when he told us about his book, The Summoner, which got rave reviews.  Today, Layton Green is back to tell us all about his latest novel The Egyptian, which is being released today and this weekend only, you can purchase his book for $0.99.  Please help me welcome back Layton Green and after hearing about his newest book, take advantage of the $0.99 special!!!!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for the better part of a decade (even though he still resents having cut his hair for that first interview).  He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door to door phone book deliverer, and the list goes downhill from there.

He has traveled to more than fifty countries, lived in a number of them, and has a burning desire to see every country, city, beach, moor, castle, cemetery, twisted street and far flung dot on the map.  Religion and cults, as well as all things spiritual and supernatural, have also been a lifelong interest.  Combine the travel and the religion with fifteen years of Japanese Jujitsu training, and the Dominic Grey series was born. 
Layton lives with his wife and son in Miami.


ABOUT THE BOOK

SYNOPSIS (from the author):
The Egyptian: A Suspense/Thriller
 At a mausoleum in Cairo’s most notorious cemetery, a mercenary receives a package containing a silver test tube suspended in hydraulic stasis. 

An investigative reporter tracking rogue biomedical companies is terrified by the appearance of a mummified man outside her Manhattan apartment.

A Bulgarian scientist who dabbles in the occult makes a startling discovery in his underground laboratory.

These seemingly separate events collide when Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek, private investigators of cults, are hired by the CEO of an Egyptian biomedical firm to locate stolen research integral to the company’s new life extension product.  However, after witnessing the slaughter of a team of scientists by the remnants of a dangerous cult thought long abandoned, Grey and Viktor turn from pursuers to pursued.

From the gleaming corridors of visionary laboratories to the cobblestone alleys of Eastern Europe to a lost oasis in the Sahara, Grey and Viktor must sift through science and myth to uncover the truth behind the Egyptian and his sinister biotech – before that truth kills them. 

Layton is also the Kindle bestselling author of the suspense novel The Summoner (first in the Dominic Grey series of stand-alone novels), as well as the mystery novella Hemingway’s Ghost.  Visit him at http://www.laytongreen.com/.

THANKS TO AUTHOR, LAYTON GREEN, I HAVE
ONE (1) COPY OF THE SUMMONER TO GIVE AWAY.

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE.


DISCLAIMER
Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners
via publisher, agent and/or author.  This blog hosts
the giveaway on behalf of the above.
No items that I receive
or given to family and/or friends.

 


GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE "THE SUMMONER" ENDED

AUGUST 27th to SEPTEMBER 10th, 2011


THE SUMMONER
by LAYTON GREEN

SYNOPSIS:
   A United States diplomat disappears in front of hundreds of onlookers while attending a religious ceremony in the bushveld of Zimbabwe.
   Dominic Grey, Diplomatic Security special agent, product of a violent childhood and a worn passport, is assigned to investigate. Aiding the investigation is Professor Viktor Radek, religious phenomenologist and expert on cults, and Nya Mashumba, the local government liaison.
   What Grey uncovers is a terrifying cult older than Western civilization, the harsh underbelly of a country in despair, a priest seemingly able to perform impossibilities, and the identity of the newest target.
   Himself . . .
   The first work in a globe-hopping series whose protagonists investigate the world’s most bizarre and dangerous cults, The Summoner is a stylish, haunting novel of mystery and suspense that will linger long after the last page is turned.

THANKS TO THE AUTHOR, LAYTON GREEN
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I HAVE ONE (1) COPY OF THIS BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN.
Photobucket
*ALL COMMENTS TO BE SEPARATE*
AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
*LEAVE COMMENT: WOULD YOU HAVE THE
COURAGE TO INVESTIGATE CULTS?*
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*EXTRA ENTRIES*
*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU PUBLICLY FOLLOW THIS
  BLOG (IF NOT, GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT ON RIGHT SIDE).

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK.

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER.

*REMEMBER TO INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ALL ENTRIES.
Photobucket
*U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY*
*NO P.O. BOXES*
**HONOR SYSTEM**
ONE WINNING BOOK PER HOUSEHOLD
PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF YOU HAVE
WON THIS BOOK FROM ANOTHER
SITE, SO THAT SOMEONE ELSE MAY
HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN
AND READ THIS BOOK.
THANK YOU. 
Photobucket
*GIVEAWAY ENDS SEPTEMBER 10th AT 6PM EST*
WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG
AND NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL AND WILL
AND WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO RESPOND
OR ANOTHER NAME WILL BE CHOSEN
Photobucket
DISCLAIMER / RULES
Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners via publisher,
agent and/or author. This blog hosts the giveaway on behalf of the
above. I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in
exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are
ever sold...they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
I am not responsible for lost or damaged books that are shipped
from agents. I reserve the right to disqualify/delete any entries
if rules of giveaway are not followed