A Bookworm's World

Over the Counter #168

2013-06-19T06:30:00.000-04:00

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? Two very different women's memoirs this week.

First up is Drinking with Men by Rosie Schaap.

From the publisher, Riverhead Books:

"A vivid, funny, and poignant memoir that celebrates the distinct lure of the camaraderie and community one finds drinking in bars.

Rosie Schaap has always loved bars: the wood and brass and jukeboxes, the knowing bartenders, and especially the sometimes surprising but always comforting company of regulars. Starting with her misspent youth in the bar car of a regional railroad, where at fifteen she told commuters’ fortunes in exchange for beer, and continuing today as she slings cocktails at a neighborhood joint in Brooklyn, Schaap has learned her way around both sides of a bar and come to realize how powerful the fellowship among regular patrons can be.

In Drinking with Men, Schaap shares her unending quest for the perfect local haunt, which takes her from a dive outside Los Angeles to a Dublin pub full of poets, and from small-town New England taverns to a character-filled bar in Manhattan’s TriBeCa. Drinking alongside artists and expats, ironworkers and soccer fanatics, she finds these places offer a safe haven, a respite, and a place to feel most like herself. In rich, colorful prose, Schaap brings to life these seedy, warm, and wonderful rooms. Drinking with Men is a love letter to the bars, pubs, and taverns that have been Schaap’s refuge, and a celebration of the uniquely civilizing source of community that is bar culture at its best.

Next up was A Spoonful of Sugar: A Nanny's Story by Brenda Ashford.

From the publisher Doubleday Books:

"Brenda Ashford is the quintessential British nanny. Prim and proper, gentle and kind, she seems to have stepped straight out of Mary Poppins. For more than six decades Nanny Brenda swaddled, diapered, dressed, played with, sang to, cooked for, and looked after more than one hundred children. From the pampered sons and daughters of lords ensconced in their grand estates to the children of tough war evacuees in London’s East End, Brenda has taught countless little ones to be happy, healthy, and thoroughly well bred. In this delightful memoir, Brenda shares her endearing, amusing, and sometimes downright bizarre experiences turning generations of children into successful adults.

From the moment Brenda first held her baby brother David she was hooked. She became a second mother to him, changing his nappies, reading him stories, and giving him all the love her warm heart contained. Knowing a career caring for children was her calling in life, Brenda attended London’s prestigious Norland College, famous for producing top-notch nannies. It was a sign of privilege and good taste for the children of the well-to-do to be seen being pushed in their Silver Cross prams by Norland nannies, who were recognizable by their crisp, starched black uniforms with white bib collars, and their flowing black capes lined with red silk. And what skills were these trainees tested on daily? Lullaby singing, storytelling, pram shining, bed making, all forms of sewing, cooking simple meals, and dispensing first aid—including knowing the best way to help the medicine go down.

In A Spoonful of Sugar, Brenda recalls her years at Norland and her experiences during the war (after all, even if bombs are dropping, there’s no reason to let standards slip), and recounts in lovely detail a life devoted to the care of other people’s children.

Sprinkled throughout with pearls of wisdom (you can never give children too much love, and you should learn how to sew a button, for goodness’ sake), this delightful memoir from Britain’s oldest living nanny is practically perfect in every way."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come to the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catchy your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Out of Range - Hank Steinberg

2013-06-18T07:02:00.000-04:00

Out of Range is Hank Steinberg's debut novel. But Steinberg was also the creator and producer of a television show I enjoyed - Without a Trace. The fictional tv show setting was the Missing Persons Unit of the FBI in New York City and their search for - you guessed it - missing persons.

Well, Steinberg has taken that successful one hour formula and parlayed it into a novel that I also really enjoyed.

Charlie Davis and his wife Julie were living and working in Eastern Uzbekistan in 2005 when the country erupted in violence. They barely made it out with their lives - and newborn son. They move back to the US to raise him in a stable and safer environment. Life is good for the Davises. Or so Charlie thought. Until the day his children are found alone in the family's vehicle on a dead end street. And Julie is missing.

Out of Range is my favourite kind of suspense novel - an everyday person forced into extraordinary circumstances. Steinberg ups the ante with an international setting and by incorporating actual events into his story.

Out of Range is a perfect summer read. Lots of action, suspense, cliff hangers, international intrigue, terrorist and more all added up to a entertaining read. Yes, some of it is a bit over the top, but again - perfect escapist reading. Fans of Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay would enjoy this new author. And this reader will be looking for his next novel.

And if sounds like a great movie plot....it is. Steinberg is working on the screenplay for Out of Range for Paramount Pictures. Read an excerpt of Out of Range.

The Killing Hour - Paul Cleave

2013-06-17T06:30:00.000-04:00

The promo paragraph for The Killing Hour by Paul Cleave immediately caught my eye and sounded like the kind of thriller book I really enjoy - everyday person in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

"Imagine waking up covered in blood - but it's not your blood. There's a nasty bump on your head, and the morning paper reports that two young women were brutally murdered. You recognize their names. Pieces of the night before come back to you through the haze. And now you're the suspect in their grisly deaths. Welcome to Charlie's world."

Spoiler alert - If you have plans to read this book, stop here.

Although the premise is excellent, the delivery fell short, very short for me. We've got at least three viewpoints going on - the dying cop who decides to pursue Charlie on his own and exact justice on his terms, Charlie's narrative and that of Cyris, the man Charlie claims is the killer. The cop's narrative was the most readable of the three. Charlie's first person narrative was rambling. He also talks to 'ghosts'.

The plotting seemed over the top and far fetched. Charlie watches two women get attacked, jumps in, saves them, kills the bad guy and then accompanies them back their house to take a shower rather than go to or call the cops!? Really? There were other situations that just had me shaking my head - his wife going along with his plan to catch the 'real' killer was unrealistic as well. And still, they never call the police.....Same thing, over and over again.

And the killer. Well, the original incarnation of The Killing Hour as a horror novel is quite obvious. The guy won't die. And frankly, he just got tiresome. Cleave seems to delight in provide grisly, graphic details to shock the reader. Breast in a box on a bed anyone?

An excellent premise, but sadly it just fell (really) short for me. The Killing Hour was originally written as a unpublished horror novel in the nineties. Cleave reworked it as a crime novel after selling another book. And it was rewritten again for release to the North American market. (Cleave is a Kiwi author and this book is set in New Zealand)

For this reader, this first taste of Paul Cleave will be my last. Although his newer novels may be an improvement over The Killing Hour, I won't be bothering to pick up another book by this author. Read an excerpt of The Killing Hour.

Giveaway - The List Lover's Guide to Jane Austen - Joan Strasbaugh

2013-06-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

Calling all Jane Austen fans! Thanks to the generous folks at Sourcebooks, I have a brand new 'Jane' book to giveaway! But this one's a little different....

The List Lover's Guide to Jane Austen by Joan Strasbaugh.

From the publisher:

"Her life, her work, her legacy—step into the world of the incredible Jane Austen. It's Jane like you've never seen! Through fun and breezy lists, discover everything there is to know about Jane Austen, the sassy literary genius we know and love. Learn her likes and dislikes, her haves and have-nots, where she traveled, how she lived, and who she knew. The List Lover’s Guide is incredibly detailed and offers readers an in-depth look at the context of Ms. Austen’s life from birth to her final days, and expands upon why she is still so relevant today in both literature and life. Anyone who loves or appreciates Jane’s smart, timeless literature will devour this text and will refer to it again and again."

With a wealth of little-known and fascinating information, find out:

•Her friends and her beaux
•Every place she lived or visited
•Books in her library
•Her quirks
•The last lines of everything she wrote
•and much more!

Here's a short one for you..... What was Jane's pet peeve?

Pet Peeve: Untidiness

"Mary does not manage matters in such a way as to make me want to lay in myself. She is not tidy enough in her appearance; she has no dressing-gown to sit up in; her curtains are all too thin, and things are not in that comfort and style about her which are necessary to make such a situation an enviable one. Elizabeth was really a pretty object with her nice clean cap put on so tidily and her dress so uniformly white and orderly." - Jane Austen to Cassandra, November 1798.

Sound like a book you'd like to have on your shelves? Simply leave a comment to be entered. Open to US and Canada. Closes June 29/13.

Over the Counter #167

2013-06-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? Exploration is this week's theme.

First up was Hidden Cities: A Memoir of Urban Exploration by Moses Gates. Subtitled: Travels to the Secret Corners of the World's Great Metropolises.

From the publisher, Tarcher Books:

"In this fascinating glimpse into the world of urban exploration, Moses Gates describes his trespasses in some of the most illustrious cities in the world from Paris to Cairo to Moscow.

Gates is a new breed of adventurer for the 21st century. He thrives on the thrill of seeing what others do not see, let alone even know exists. It all began quite innocuously. After moving to New York City and pursuing graduate studies in Urban Planning, he began unearthing hidden facets of the city—abandoned structures, disused subway stops, incredible rooftop views that belonged to cordoned-off buildings. At first it was about satiating a nagging curiosity; yet the more he experienced and saw, the more his thirst for adventure grew, eventually leading him abroad. In this memoir of his experiences, Gates details his travels through underground canals, sewers, subways, and crypts, in metropolises spanning four continents.

In this finely-written book, Gates describes his immersion in the worldwide subculture of urban exploration; how he joined a world of people who create secret art galleries in subway tunnels, break into national monuments for fun, and travel the globe sleeping in centuries-old catacombs and abandoned Soviet relics rather than hotels or bed-and-breakfasts. They push each other further and further—visiting the hidden side of a dozen countries, discovering ancient underground Roman ruins, scaling the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges, partying in tunnels, sneaking into Stonehenge, and even finding themselves under arrest on top of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Ultimately, Gates contemplates why he and other urban explorers are so instinctively drawn to these unknown and sometimes forbidden places—even (and for some, especially) when the stakes are high. Hidden Cities will inspire readers to think about the potential for urban exploration available for anyone, anywhere—if they have only the curiosity (and nerve!) to dig below the surface to discover the hidden corners of this world."

Next up was Tales From the Sustainable Underground: A Wild Journey With People Who Care More About the Planet Than the Law by Stephen Hren.

From the publisher, New Society:

"Activists striving for any type of social change often find themselves operating on the fringes of legal and social norms. Many experience difficulties when their innovative ideas run afoul of antiquated laws and regulations that favor a big business, energy- and material-intensive approach.Tales from the Sustainable underground is packed with the stories of just some of these pioneers – who care more for the planet than the rules – whether they’re engaged in natural building, permaculture, community development, or ecologically based art.

Equally entertaining and informative, the profiles in this highly original book provide a unique lens through which to view deeper questions about the societal structures that are preventing us from attaining a more sustainable world. By examining such issues as the nature of property rights and the function of art in society, the author raises profound questions about how our social attitudes and mores have contributed to our current destructive paradigm.

Tales from the Sustainable Underground is a must-read for sustainability activists in any field, or for anyone who wants to learn about more radical forms of sustainability activities in an entertaining way.

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come to the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catchy your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Eat St. - James Cunningham

2013-06-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

The local city council for the city I work in has been debating for the last few months on whether or not to allow mobile food trucks in the city. Their initial proposal was to allow three trucks at three specific sites between eight am and nine pm. In a city of over 350,000 people. That recommendation didn't pass and this hot potato issue is back on the table. (pun definitely intended)

But perhaps City Council should investigate a little closer - either by watching Eat St. on the Food Network or by picking up the companion book -Eat St. from Pintail Books. (There are quite a few Canadian entries)

Comedian James Cunningham is the host of Eat St. "It has been a wild ride traveling all over North America and the U.K. to find the most daring, delicious, and inventive street food around." And now fans can have the "recipes from the Tastiest, Messiest, and Most Irresistible Food Trucks"

Of course there are fries - a staple of the wagons found nearly everywhere. But these are not your ordinary greasy spoon fries. Next time I'm in Calgary, I'll be looking up the Fries and Dolls truck and their 'Farrah' fries - garlic, parsley, pink sea salt and Padano cheese......yum.

Burgers and dogs are also taken to a new level. Burgers with crushed pineapple as the secret ingredient. Peanut butter with that burger? Japanese fusion hot dogs. How about a side of beet home fries to go with that?

Sandwiches - oh man, I was drooling through this chapter - The veggie melt from The Grilled Cheese Truck looks so delicious (and healthy) A little far for me to go (they operate in LA) but I've got the recipe bookmarked.

There's a separate chapter on tacos and wraps.... cones. Yes cones - and not filled with ice cream, but mac and cheese with bacon topping. Those of you in Baltimore can stop by the Gypsy Queen Cafe for a taste.

Soups, noodles, seafood, salads, pasta and so much more. Truly - every food imaginable can be had on a food truck somewhere. Ohh - and the last chapter - sweet stuff....smoothies, donuts, cookies, donuts and cupcakes (maple-bacon anyone?)

There are so many wonderfully different trucks represented, each featured along with the recipe of their signature dish. Eat St. is a fabulous exploration of a wildly creative, talented bunch of chefs who just happen to operate on wheels. Have a peek inside Eat St.

(There are some very cleverly named trucks out there - I Dream of Weenie, The Dogfather Diner and The Rolling Stove to name just a few)

Never Saw it Coming - Linwood Barclay

2013-06-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

I'll read anything with Linwood Barclay's name on it - he is one of my favourite suspense authors.

I loved his latest novel, Trust Your Eyes (my review) and can't wait for August's release of Tap on the Window.

But in the meantime, pick up Never Saw it Coming, to tide you over. Never Saw it Coming is a fleshed out version of a novella originally published in the UK in 2011 as Clouded Vision.

Keisha Ceylon is a psychic. Or so she says. What she really does is comb the news for missing persons reports. And then she helpfully offers her psychic services to the distraught families....for a fee of course.

Hot on the heels of a successful scam, she hears about Ellie Garfield's disappearance. Perfect. But perhaps her predictions are a little too close to the truth this time. Ellie's husband thinks so. And he doesn't like loose ends.

Never Saw it Coming does read like a short story with lots of rapid twists and turns. Barclay is a master manipulator and takes the narrative in oft changing directions. And finishes up with an ending I didn't predict. Those looking for great character development and intricate plotting won't find it with this offering. But if you're looking for a fast paced read to keep you turning pages for an evening, this is definitely for you. Currently #2 on the Globe's Canadian Fiction Bestseller list

If you haven't, by any wild chance, read Linwood Barclay yet, this is a great introduction to his style of writing. This fan is now anxiously waiting for August.....

You can find Linwood Barclay on Facebook and on Twitter.

Dads Rock with DK Canada

2013-06-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

Father's Day is just around the corner - Sunday, June 16 this year.

Have you picked up anything for the dad, grandpa or husband you'll be celebrating with that day? Not yet? Well, DK Canada has some great suggestions and 30% off a number of titles in their

Dads Rock Boutique.

I love to give books as a gift (go figure eh?) and must admit, my DH got his hands on one of his a bit early this year. Star Trek - The Visual Dictionary. Yes, he's a Trekkie. And we have many gadgets and books gracing our bookshelves - but not this one. So, he was pretty darn happy.
The subtitle is The Ultimate Guide to Characters, Aliens, and Technology. The verdict from my DH? It delivered. Every captain that has piloted the Enterprise is portrayed as well as their crew. Equipment too (Phasers on!) And every alien species ever encountered. (I do remember The Trouble with Tribbles) The book is well laid out, includes full colour photographs of everything with lots of detail. DH had lots of fun with this book. Unfortunately for me - it led to (re)watching remembered episodes!

Now I must admit that this book - The Beginner's Photography Guide - was for both of us. I kinda, sorta um dropped our old digital last year......and it was unrepairable. So, I upgraded to a newer (and with more features) digital camera last year. And I'm ashamed to admit that I really don't have a firm grasp on all that it can do. (And either does the DH) So this one is for both of us. With a subtitle of: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Manual for Getting the Most From Your Digital Camera, I thought I might find some answers!

The introduction confirmed I was on the right track."The aim of this book is simple: to provide you with a solid foundation in digital photography. It cuts through the jargon and complicated technicalities that can make the subject unnecessarily intimidating, and shows you how to the get the most out of your camera"

You know, I've heard the words bandied about and had a little understanding but I feel like I know have a firmer grasp of exposure, shooting modes, lighting, focusing and more. And that I can take control or used the automatic settings. There's a great chapter on editing your photos as well.

DK books are always filled with high quality colour photographs. And lots and lots of detail. I'm a visual learner, so I love their titles. And I definitely feel like I 'own' the camera a little more now. I'm really looking forward to just playing with it and getting some great outdoor shots this summer. DH says that's fine with him - he'll be on the couch watching Star Trek re runs.......

Winners - A Spear of Summer Grass

2013-06-10T07:30:00.000-04:00

And the two lucky (and randomly chosen) winners of a copy of A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn, courtesy of Harlequin Books are:

1. Kim
2. Maureen

Congratulations! I've contacted you by email for your mailing addresses. Please respond within 72 hours. Thanks to all who entered - check the sidebar for ongoing giveaways!

Bootstrapper: A Memoir - Mardi Jo Link

2013-06-07T06:30:00.000-04:00

Subtitled: From Broke to Badass on a Northern Michigan Farm.

Bootstrapper: to promote or develop by initiative and effort with little or no assistance --- Merriam-Webster dictionary.

Mardi Jo Link is living the life she always dreamed of - three amazing young sons and the opportunity to raise them in the countryside in a beautiful old farmhouse sitting on six acres. And yes, there was a husband too - but with divorce now a certainty, Mardi Jo is determined to hang onto her sons, her house and her land - by herself.

"I'm claiming my sons, the farm, the debt, the other debt, the horses, the dogs, and the land. I'm claiming our century-old farmhouse, the garden, the woods, the pasture, the barn, and the Quonset-hut garage. They're all mine now, and this is how I will raise my boys: on cheerful summer days and well water and BB guns and horseback riding and dirt. Because I'm claiming our whole country life, the one I've been dreaming of and planning out and working for since I was a little girl."

And this is where the bootstrapping comes into play -for Link is working with next to nothing in the way of finances. And wants to do it on her own - "I made this bed and I'll either lie in it or die in it, but I won't ask anyone for help."

Mardi Jo details the physical ups and downs - the day to day business of providing, but Bootstrapper also reads like a personal diary with Link's hopes, dreams, triumphs, losses and more laid bare. But what shone through the brightest was the love for her sons. These are the passages that stayed with me the longest. There are struggles, but the love and support they feel for each other is tangible. And quite humorous at times.

""Boys," I announced, "we're going to raise some chickens."
"Another pet to play with!" said Will, the idealist.
"Another kind of poop to clean up, said Luke, the worker.
"Another animal in bondage," said Owen, the activist."

I couldn't put Bootstrapper down - I was cheering Mardi Jo on with every chapter. And I empathized - we too bought an old farmhouse and there were some mighty lean years in the beginning - and there were two of us. I loved the descriptions of her garden - I too have grown our own vegetables for many, many years. Seed catalogues are exciting.

And at the end of the year is there a happy ever after ending? I'll let you discover that for yourself.

Bootstrapper is a one sitting read, one I enjoyed for its honesty. These are the memoirs I like to read - real people, real life. And she sounds like the kind of person I'd like to visit with on the porch. You can find Mardi Jo Link on Facebook.

Over the Counter #166

2013-06-06T06:30:00.000-04:00

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under the scanner? Retro this week!

First up was The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Sixties Cookbook: Subtitled More Than 100 Recipes for the Modern Cook by Heather MacLean and Rick Rodgers.

From the publisher Running Press:

"As Don Draper famously said, “Nostalgia: a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone.” Nostalgia, of course, also calls to one’s appetite. Thanks in part to the popular series Mad Men, fans are discovering the classic cuisine of the 1960’s; whether to revisit the favorite recipes of their childhoods or to celebrate the comforting, sometimes kitschy, always-satisfying dishes of the era, including:• Waldorf Salad• Sweet and Sour Meatballs• Beef Stroganoff• Steakhouse Creamed Spinach• Buttermilk Dinner Rolls• Cherries Jubilee• Daiquiri Lime and Gelatin Mold• Classic cocktails such as Blue Hawaiians, Brandy Alexanders, and Manhattans• And many more!Each recipe is adapted for the modern palate, with less fat and healthier ingredients than in the originals (no more bacon fat as a kitchen staple!). Full-color photographs showcase the food, proving that retro cuisine can be sophisticated and delicious. The Sensational Sixties Cookbook will also provide tips on hosting the ultimate sixties soiree, complete with menus, music playlists, and table decorations. So grab a swizzle stick, put Bobby Darin on the turntable, and get cooking—sixties style!"

Next up was '50's, '60's, & 70's Kitchen Collectibles by Douglas Congdon- Martin and Tina Skinner.

From Schiffer Publishing:

"Relive an era when the kitchen was kitsch -- melamine bowls were pink and purple, cocktail shakers and party glasses sported fun themes, iced tea was served in sweaty spun aluminum of futuristic metallic shades, and wall clocks kept time in bright plastic frames shaped to evoke the jet age. This wonderful collector's guide helps to date and value items manufactured for the kitchen in the mid-20th century. items range from ever popular cocktail accessories to serving ware, pitchers and glassware, canisters, spice racks, trivets, ashtrays, rotary wall phones, chalkware ornaments, and salt and pepper shakers. Here is a nostalgic trip back in time, to mom's eat-in kitchen where family and neighbors gathered for cards, gossip, and good eats."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come to the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catchy your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

A Far Piece to Canaan - Sam Halpern

2013-06-05T06:30:00.000-04:00

A Far Piece to Canaan is not my usual reading fare. But I was extremely curious to read it, as Sam Halpern is the father of Justin Halpern - author of Sh*t My Dad Says. Could the same dad with the somewhat foul mouth and no filter really write a book befitting such a bucolic cover?

Surprisingly, yes.

English Professor Samuel Zelinsky's wife Nora has just died of cancer. Before her death, she made Sam promise to return to the hills of Kentucky where he spent part of his youth. Sam has never really talked about those years, growing up as the son of sharecroppers, but somehow Nora knew he had unfinished business. And Sam honours that promise.

As Sam tours through his childhood haunts, the narrative switches back to 1945 and we meet ten year old Sam and his soon to be best friend Fred Cody Mulligan. Halpern does an admirable job in bringing this time and space to life. His descriptive prose bring to life the croak of frogs, the sweetness of an apple and the coolness of a mountain stream. But not everything is idealic - there is something evil lurking around the bottomless Blue Hole. Local superstition says it's the devil, but the boys find evidence that the evil is human. This event is the catalyst for what transpires, shapes and changes the lives of Sam, Fred and their two friends. For me, A Far Piece to Canaan had a very 'Stand By Me' feel to it.

We are transported back and forth from past to present as Sam tries to come to terms with his actions in the past and make reparations in the present.

About halfway through the book, I wondered about there really being Jewish sharecroppers in Kentucky in the 1940s. It was only as I searched our more about the author that I discovered that this was truly Sam Halpern's life. He was that Jewish sharecropper's kid in Kentucky. (Read the full interview here at Tablet Magazine.) And upon discovering that I looked at the book with a different set of eyes in the second half.

For Halpern is writing what he knows, what he lived and what he remembers. "Like every novel, it’s a mixture of fact and fiction. Much of the description of central Kentucky and the life of the sharecroppers are real." It is this 'insider' knowledge that gave the book such a real feel.

I enjoyed the character of Sam and his description of day to day life. The supporting cast of characters were just as well drawn. I did have a bit of problem accepting the reason the boys 'won't tell', as well as Sam's relationship with Ben and the need to keep it a secret.

Some of the vernacular used was easy to decipher. Hit'll for It will I got, wudn't for would not, but some words I had to guess at. Hun'ney for honey? It is only used by one ten year old boy talking to the other and seemed a bit odd. It seemed a bit hit or miss, with some words that would be easily contracted being spelled out fully such as old (ole) and just (jes'). Minor quibble.

For this reader, the best part of the book was set in the past. I found the 'redemption' part of the story in the last few chapters didn't hold my interest as well (I thought it was a bit too saccharine)

All in all, an admirable debut. And much different than I expected! Read an excerpt of A Far Piece to Canaan.

Sam Halpern is the legendary father of Justin Halpern, author of the phenomenal #1 New York Times bestseller Sh*t My Dad Says. A professor of nuclear medicine, he lives in southern California.

You can find Sam Halpern on Facebook.

See what others on the TLC Book tour thought. Full schedule can be found here.

The Doll - Taylor Stevens

2013-06-04T06:30:00.000-04:00

Doesn't the cover of The Doll just promise an 'edge of your seat' read? And Taylor Stevens delivers one....again!

I've devoured the first two books featuring Vanessa Michael Munroe - The Informationist (my review) and The Innocent (my review) - and have been early awaiting the third novel to feature this kick*** character. The Doll releases today.

Vanessa Michael Munroe is....well, she's deadly, with incredible physical skills and she's brilliant - she speaks many languages and easily assimilates into the situation or culture she finds herself in. She can read people and situations and think three moves ahead. She's also a bit of an enigma - her past is murky and has shaped her into the woman she is today. For a living, she hunts.... people. She's the shadowy figure people call on to do the impossible. Her weak spot? Innocents.

When the last book left off, Michael had allowed herself to let down her guard a bit and enjoy her relationship with Bradford - the owner of Capstone Security Consulting. In this latest book Michael herself is the one taken. A criminal kingpin called The Doll Maker has 'recruited' Michael to deliver a package - a living doll ordered by a wealthy client. To ensure her compliance, he has also taken hostage one of the few people Michael has let get close to her - Logan, the man she considers her brother.

The Doll is told in two narratives. First, from Bradford's point of view as he and his crew try to track down and rescue both Michael and Logan. Secondly from Michael's as she tries to figure out a way to save herself and her 'package'. And then destroy The Doll Maker. Each storyline was equally addictive and kept me rapidly turning pages as the action escalated. And it truly is non stop.

What makes Steven's writing so good is her lead character. It's so much fun to have such a - as I mentioned earlier - kick*** female character. The action scenes are great, but there's a deeper level to this character as well. She is the walking wounded and Stevens does a fantastic job depicting Munroe's inner emotional turmoil and her physical struggle to control herself. Each book out, we learn a little bit more about Munroe and her background. She is a fascinating enigma. And a character I'm hooked on. Read an excerpt of The Doll. You'll be hooked too!

Here's what Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher books has to say...."Munroe is a sensational character and Stevens is a sensational writer, and together they put The Doll high on my books-of-the-year list."

You could read The Doll as a stand alone, but I really do recommend starting with The Informationist to fully appreciate this series. (Film rights for this The Informationist have been optioned to James Cameron)

Well, I raced through The Doll far too quickly.... I'll be eagerly waiting for book number four. You can keep up with Taylor Stevens on Facebook and on Twitter.

Thinking of You - Jill Mansell

2013-06-03T06:30:00.000-04:00

Well, my summer beach bag wouldn't be complete without Jill Mansell's latest North American release - Thinking of You.

I do love a good chick lit read and British author Mansell never fails to deliver.

Ginny's daughter Jem is on her way to university and that leaves the divorced Ginny with an empty nest, time on her hands and some extra finances needed. She ends up with a new roommate, a new job and a new man in her life. Sounds perfect doesn't it? But....

Jem too, has a new set of roommates, a new job and a new man. But...

What I liked about Thinking of You was the two story lines from two different age perspectives. Mansell has done this in a number of her books. I think this makes her books more appealable to a larger audience. Mansell does an great job writing from each viewpoint.

Ginny was of course a character you'd love to count among your circle of friends - generous and good hearted but with enough insecurities to make her 'real'. And a best friend who's a little over the top - Carla. I have to say I didn't really ever warm up to Carla at all - not before or after 'the incident'. Ginny's ex-husband Gavin was fun and I enjoyed his scenes very much. Jem was portrayed well - a young girl out on her own for the first time experiencing the heartache and heartbreak of youth. And I really enjoyed the scenes of Mom visiting the university - I've lived those and they had me laughing out loud.

There are a few situations where I thought " Oh really, no one would fall for that" or some situations that were a bit too fortuitous, but then I gave my head a shake and reminded myself that it's chick lit. A place not to take things too seriously. A place where love is lost, love is found, friendships are made and tested and happy endings are the norm. In locations and places you'd like to live and work. So, while most of us will never live the lives of chick lit characters, we can visit, daydream and enjoy some escapist reading on a sunny day in the porch swing with Jill Mansell. Read an excerpt of Thinking of You.

You can find Jill Mansell on Facebook and on Twitter.

Winner - The Bookman's Tale

2013-06-02T11:17:00.001-04:00

And the randomly chosen lucky winner of a copy of The Bookman's Tale by Charlie Lovett, courtesy of Viking Books is:

Gina D!

Congratulations! I've contacted you by email for your mailing address. Please respond within 72 hours, after which time a new winner will be chosen. Thanks to all who entered - check the sidebar for ongoing giveaways.

Giveaway - The Original 1982 - Lori Carson

2013-05-31T06:30:00.000-04:00

Here's a great giveaway for you today, courtesy of the great folks at William Morrow!

Debut novelist Lori Carson examines the universal question of “what if?” in an intricate and beautiful new novel, The Original 1982.

"Lori introduces readers to Lisa, a 24 year-old singer-songwriter trying to find her way in 1980s New York. In Lisa’s original 1982, she is waiting tables, playing at open mics and dating a famous musician until she makes one pivotal decision that changes the course of her life. But what if she had chosen differently? In this eloquent exploration of decisions, regrets, love and heartbreak, Lisa envisions the “new” 1982. She imagines her career taking another direction, her relationships changing form and she imagines her beautiful daughter, Minnow, and the life they could have shared together. Alternating between two very different possibilities, THE ORIGINAL 1982 is a novel about how the choices we make affect the people we become—and how the people we are affect the choices we make."

"If you had inherited the best traits of both of us, you’d have been smart and a beauty, a lover of music, a sensitive girl. I’m fairly certain your father would have broken your heart the way he broke mine. He didn’t want you to be born and never had any children after. He was his own child, the apple of his own eye: an artist, showman and politician. I spared you that at least. But I spared you life itself and for that I’m filled with regret."—THE ORIGINAL 1982

"Lori Carson is a singer-songwriter whose albums include Shelter, Where It Goes, Everything I Touch Runs Wild, and Another Year. A former member of the seminal band The Golden Palominos, she has contributed to the sound tracks of Bernardo Bertolucci's Stealing Beauty, Kathryn Bigelow's Strange Days, Keith Gordon's Waking the Dead, and others. The Original 1982 is her first novel." Read an excerpt of The Original 1982.

Sound like something you'd like to own? I've got two copies up for grabs. Open to US only. To be entered leave the name of one your favorite eighties bands or songs! Closes June 22/13.

Over the Counter #165

2013-05-30T06:30:00.000-04:00

What book caught my eye this week as it passed over the library counter and under my scanner? Books about words this week.

First up was The 2,548 Wittiest Things Anybody Ever Said by Robert Byrne.

From the publisher, Touchstone Books:

"A fresh selection of sharp, witty zingers gathered from both famous and utterly unknown (but very quotable) sources, by the editor of the popular The 2,548 Best Things Anybody Ever Said .

Robert Byrne’s quote books are widely praised as authoritative and accessible sources of sayings for any and all occasions. Byrne’s own wit, diligent research, and creativity combine to form a fresh go-to reference that serves readers better than Google—no Wi-Fi required. The 2,548 Wittiest Things Anybody Ever Said is an all-new collection of clever quips and laugh-out-loud punch lines from Gracie Allen to Frank Zappa, on such topics as sex, divorce, religion, fashion, animals, and money:

STEVE MARTIN: “I’d do anything for a good body except exercise and eat right.”
JON STEWART: “War is God’s way of teaching Americans geography.”
NORA EPHRON: “Successful parents have adult children who can pay for their own psychoanalysis.”

This compilation, to be enjoyed by generations young and old, deserves a place of honor on every language lover’s bookshelf."

Next up was Lord Sandwich and the Pants Man by Eamon Evans. Subititled: Discover the people and places hidden in everyday words.

Well, how could you not want to flip through this one!?

From the publisher, Hardie Grant:

"Ever wondered who ‘the Joneses' were? Or what the original ‘peeping Tom' got up to? We all know that there was a ballerina named Pavlova and an earl named Sandwich, but there was also a Baron Lamington and a Queen Margarita, a Mr Booze and a Captain Fudge. Laszlo Biro invented the biro, Jules Leotard wore the first leotard, Charles Boycott endured the first boycott and Lord Cardigan loved a good cardigan. There really was a maverick named Maverick and a chauvinist named Chauvin. From literature we have The Iliad, which features a bully named ‘Hector' and a wise teacher named ‘Mentor'. From history we have Vandals, who were a destructive tribe, and the Zealots, who were an intolerant sect. Eager for more original and entertaining trivia to impress your friends? Eamon Evans' humorous collection of common eponyms shares the stories behind words and phrases popular throughout the world. Insightful, witty and … mostly accurate."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come to the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catchy your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Just what kind of mother are you? - Paula Daly

2013-05-29T06:30:00.000-04:00

I just love reading suspense novels - you know, the ones that put ordinary people in extraordinary situations and keep you madly turning pages. Well, here's the first of this year's summer hammock reads - the done in a day, read in the sun ones.

Just what kind of mother are you? is Paula Daly's debut novel.

Lisa Kallisto is overwhelmed, overworked and overtired, but she tries really hard to do it all - work, wife and mother. But sometimes, things slip. Not enough time with her husband Joe, a forgotten item one of the kids had to have for school, picking up supper on the run, getting kids to where they're supposed to be and more. But this time, her distracted ways may have deadly results.....Her best friend Kate's daughter Lucinda was supposed to spend the night at Lisa's house with her daughter Sally. But Lisa forgot. And Kate thought she was safe with Lisa. And no one can find Lucinda.......

We know there is a creep out there - the opening prologue is a chiller. And one young girl has already been abducted in the area. Could Lucinda be another of his victims? Or has she just done a runner? Daly intersperses this person's thoughts throughout the book. We know more than the characters and this just heightens the tension.

Lisa is horrified at what's happened - she is determined to do anything she can to help. But with Lucinda's disappearance, resentments and secrets come bubbling to the surface. It seems that the quiet little Cumbrian village they all live in has many skeletons in the closets.

The Detective Constable charged with the investigation was an excellent supporting character. I really liked her and her personal storyline. I am wondering if Daly will return to this character in the second book she has in the works - The Day Before You Came.

I love British novels - the tone and the language of this one reminded me of Coronation Street - a British show we Canadians love.

Daly's portrayal of a frazzled Lisa was excellent - I think we've all been there at one time. The author's note at the end shed light on Daly's inspiration for the book - a horrible case of a forgotten infant left to die in a hot car. And an encounter with "one of those women who'll subtly put you down, put your children down, too, given half a chance. Suddenly it struck me: what if you were to lose her child? What if you were so overwhelmed with work and life that you took your eye off the ball, and it was her child who went missing?"

Daly's plotting was excellent - at one point I suspected each and every character, with no idea who was telling the truth. Daly keeps us wondering with each new twist she adds. Some discoveries and devices were a bit fortuitous, but didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book at all. And I really enjoyed it!

Looking for a page turning summer thriller? Pick up Just what kind of mother are you? You can find Paula Daly on Twitter.

Giveaway - Shadow of Night - Deborah Harkness

2013-05-28T06:30:00.000-04:00

Today is the release date for the paperback version of Shadow of Night - the sequel to Deborah Harkness's New York Times bestseller A Discovery of Witches! (Warner Brothers has a film in the works as well)

And thanks to the great folks at Penguin Books, I have a copy to giveaway! From the publisher:

"Deborah Harkness exploded onto the literary scene with her debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, Book One of the magical All Souls Trilogy and an international publishing phenomenon. The novel introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.

Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliff-hanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.

Deborah Harkness has crafted a gripping journey through a world of alchemy, time travel, and magical discoveries, delivering one of the most hotly anticipated novels of the season.

J. K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Anne Rice—only a few writers capture the imagination the way that Deborah Harkness has done with books one and two of her New York Times–bestselling All Souls trilogy. A Discovery of Witches introduced reluctant witch Diana Bishop, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and the battle for a lost, enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782." Read an excerpt of Shadow of Night.

Deborah Harkness is a scholar and writer specializing in the history of science and medicine. She has received numerous awards, including Fulbright, Guggenheim, and National Humanities Center fellowships. She is currently a professor of history at the University of Southern California.
Check out this QandA with Harkness. You can find Deborah on Facebook and on Twitter.

Fans can join Deborah Harkness and her editor Carole DeSanti, for a virtual book event on Book Talk Nation on June 4^th at 2pm EST. Join in here.

To be entered, simply leave a comment. Open to US only, ends Jun 23/13. Bonus: These alchemical buttons are included!

Never Tell - Alafair Burke

2013-05-27T06:30:00.000-04:00

I only 'discovered' Alafair Burke a couple of years ago when I picked up 212 - the third in a series featuring NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher. I remember thinking at that time 'why is this author not already on my 'must read' list'? (She was promptly added!)

Never Tell is the fourth book in the Hatcher series. Burke piques our interest with the opening prologue - an entry from a blog - "Second Acts: Confessions of a Former Victim and Current Survivor."

Cut to Ellie and her partner Rogan - they've been called out to what appears to be a clear cut suicide. But the dead girl is young - and her parents are rich and influential. Her mother insists her daughter would never kill herself. Ellie thinks the call is a waste of her time and believes the death is exactly what it appears to be. Rogan - he's got his doubts. And it turns out he's right. A chastened Hatcher approaches the case with a new attitude. And what she finds........

Ellie is a great protagonist. She's real and fallible, but at the same time tough, dogged and determined. I enjoyed the secondary story line of Ellie's love life - her relationship with Max, an NYC Assistant District Attorney. I always like to get to 'know' a character's life and follow the changes throughout a series. Rogan works as a good foil to Ellie's personality. They are complete opposites, but work well together. Their dialogue is easy and entertaining.

Burke has again come up with a plot populated with enough false leads and twists to keep me wondering 'whodunit' until the last few chapters. Never Tell kept me interested from first to last page. Burke has worked as a criminal prosecutor and currently teaches criminal law. That insider knowledge gives her writing an added punch and a dose of reality. A recommended series. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Never Tell.

Fans of Lisa Gardner and Linda Fairstein would enjoy Alafair Burke's books. I'm looking forward to her next book - a stand alone called If You Were Here, releasing June 4th. Watch for my review!

"Alafair Burke is the author of “two power house series” (Sun-Sentinel) that have earned her a reputation for creating strong, believable, and eminently likable female characters, such as NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher and Portland Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid. Alafair’s novels grow out of her experience as a prosecutor in America’s police precincts and criminal courtrooms, and have been featured by The Today Show, People Magazine, The New York Times, MSNBC, The Washington Post, USA Today, and The Chicago Sun-Times. According to Entertainment Weekly, Alafair “is a terrific web spinner” who “knows when and how to drop clues to keep readers at her mercy.” You can find Alafair Burke on Facebook and on Twitter.

See what others on the TLC Book Tour thought. Full schedule can be found here.

Frozen in Time - Mitchell Zuckoff

2013-05-24T06:30:00.000-04:00

Subtitled: An Epic Story of Survival and a Modern Quest for Lost Heroes of World War II

Mitchell Zuckoff's name might already be familiar to you - he's also the author of a previous best seller - Lost in Shangri-La.

Zuckoff again revisits World War II history, recounting the fate of the men on a US military cargo plane that crashed in November 1942 on the inhospitable shores of Greenland. And that of the men on the rescue B17 plane - that also crashed. And unbelievably, the third rescue plane, the Grumman Duck, that managed to pick up one survivor - and disappeared.

It sounds like a movie plot and improbable that three planes could crash or disappear. What's even more unbelievable is the will of the crash survivors to survive the dead of winter in frozen Greenland.

Zuckoff takes this factual piece of history and makes it 'real' and personal by inserting many, many details. Where did he get his information? There are survivors to this miraculous tale and Zuckoff follows them all the way through to the present.

But, there are those whose bodies have never been recovered. And that's where the present day story kicks in. Between the US Coast Guard and North South Polar Inc. (a group, who as one of their mandates, tries to bring home the bodies of US servicemen) a mission is mounted to find the lost Duck and the men aboard. Zuckoff accompanies this mission to Greenland.

Cutting between past and present Zuckoff brings to life this phenomenal story. I could feel the cold seep into my bone as the men were stranded yet another day. And the desperation of those determined to save them.

I chose to listen to Frozen in Time. Zuckoff himself reads the book. I love hearing an author share his words - it just seems to give every sentence more weight. He has an excellent reading voice, expressive and easy to listen to. Listen to an excerpt of Frozen in Time.

Frozen in Time is a testament to the human spirit. Highly recommended. Read an excerpt of Frozen in Time. You can find Mitchell Zuckoff on Facebook and on Twitter.

Over the Counter #164

2013-05-23T06:30:00.000-04:00

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? A pair of memoirs this week - from wildly different viewpoints. One world wide and one from the chicken coop.

First up was The International Bank of Bob: Connecting Our Worlds One $25 Kiva Loan At A Time by Bob Harris.

From Bloomsbury Publishing:

"Hired by ForbesTraveler.com to review some of the most luxurious accommodations on Earth, and then inspired by a chance encounter in Dubai with the impoverished workers whose backbreaking jobs create such opulence, Bob Harris had an epiphany: He would turn his own good fortune into an effort to make lives like theirs better. Bob found his way to Kiva.org, the leading portal through which individuals make microloans all over the world: for as little as $25-50, businesses are financed and people are uplifted. Astonishingly, the repayment rate was nearly 99%, so he re-loaned the money to others over and over again.

After making hundreds of microloans online, Bob wanted to see the results first-hand, and in The International Bank of Bob he travels from Peru and Bosnia to Rwanda and Cambodia, introducing us to some of the most inspiring and enterprising people we've ever met, while illuminating day-to-day life-political and emotional-in much of the world that Americans never see. Told with humor and compassion, The International Bank of Bob brings the world to our doorstep, and makes clear that each of us can, actually, make it better."

Next up was Once Upon a Flock: Life With My Soulful Chickens by Lauren Scheuer.

From Atria Books:

"When longtime illustrator and lover of power tools Lauren Scheuer was looking for a project, she got the idea to raise backyard chickens. Her husband and teenage daughter looked on incredulously as coop sketches and chicken-raising books filled their New England home. But when the chicks arrived, the whole family fell in love with the bundles of fluff and the wild adventures began.

Once Upon a Flock: Life with My Soulful Chickens stars Scheuer’s backyard chickens—with their big personalities, friendships, rivalries, and secrets—and the flock’s guardian, Marky the terrier. The flock includes Hatsy, the little dynamo; Lil’White, the deranged and twisted Buff Orpington; Pigeon, the fixer-upper chicken; and Lucy, the special-needs hen who bonds with Lauren and becomes a fast friend.

This charming story of Lauren’s life with her quirky flock is filled with moments of humor and heartbreak: When Lucy is afflicted with a neurological disease, Lauren builds Lucy a special-needs coop. When Lucy’s nesting instinct leads

Lauren to act as a chicken midwife of sorts, Lauren hatches a chick in her home. And when Lucy’s best friend Hatsy falls ill, Lauren finds an unlikely friend for Lucy in a chicken named Pigeon, who requires an emergency bath and blow-dry. Enthusiastically immersing herself in the world of her flock, Lauren discovers that love, loss, passion, and resilience are not only parts of the human experience, but of the chicken experience as well. Throughout it all, Lauren documents the laughter and drama of her flock’s adventures with her own whimsical photos and illustrations. At once humorous, poignant, and informative, Once Upon a Flock is a feathered tale like no other."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come to the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catchy your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Poppet - Mo Hayder

2013-05-22T06:30:00.000-04:00

Quite frankly, Mo Hayder scares the bejesus out of me. The first page of her latest book Poppet grabbed me and just never let go. (and check out that creepy cover....)

Poppet is the sixth book featuring Detective Inspector Jack Caffery of Bristol, England's Major Crime Investigation Team. "His unit is the one that gets all the murders and difficult cases. The cases that need high-level attention."

The opening chapter takes us to a mental institution. Each and every resident is afraid of The Maude - who will sit on your chest and ......Is this a mass delusion? Or is someone targeting some of the unlikeable and bothersome residents of the ward. None of the patients will even say the name aloud....And now the staff is afraid as well.

Isaac, a young resident deemed 'cured', is released back into society. Caffery is called in when Isaac is found to have connections to the deaths on the ward. A bag of little human effigies, also known as 'poppets' is found hidden in Isaac's old room.....and he's disappeared.

Jack is also working on the disappearance of a young woman named Misty - but Caffery knows much more about the case than he's letting on.

"But truth is stranger than fiction and the world is never what it seems: for over a year Caffery's been hopscotching over the issue, he's been guarding the case like a hound, appearing to be working on it while simultaneously leading the unit away from what he really knows about Misty's disappearance, - which is more, much more than any cop has a right. It's a big fat secret he's been hiding. Something he can't do anything about."

I've loved the Jack Caffery character since Hayder's first book Birdman. He's an enigma - flawed, fearless, full of secrets but a dedicated cop - who plays by his own rules. Police diver Flea Marley returns. The back and forth of her personal and professional relationship with Caffery is far from over. I'm torn on what I think about her. Jack shares the lead role in Poppet with A.J., the psychiatric ward supervisor. He's a great character, innocent, likable and fearless in his own way. His empathy and caring of the patients struck a note. He starts his own investigation into the case.

Hayder plumbs the depths of the human psyche in both her characters and her crimes. Poppet is full of twists, turns and lots of tension. Did I mention deliciously dark and creepy?

Be prepared to stay up late with this one. Scare yourself - read the first chapter of Poppet. Poppet could be read as a stand alone, but do yourself a favour - start from the beginning of the series - you'll be hooked. You can find Mo Hayder on Facebook.

The Golem and the Jinni - Helene Wecker

2013-05-21T06:30:00.000-04:00

The Golem and The Jinni is Helen Wecker's debut novel.....and oh boy, what a debut!

We're quite used to books about 'supernatural' beings - vampires, werewolves, witches and more. But Wecker's two protagonists aren't as 'famous'.

Otto Rotfield wants a wife to take with him when he emigrates to America. But, he wants her to fit the mold he has imagined. To that end, he approaches a man steeped in mystery and asks him to create a Golem - a creature made entirely of clay and destined to serve its master's every command. She is a masterpiece. When Otto falls ill on the boat journey, he manages to animate the Golem before he dies. And so this creature lands in New York City in 1899, uninformed as to the ways of the world, how to behave, what to expect and how she will hide among the humans. It is her good luck that an old rabbi recognizes her for what she is - and takes her in.

Not far away in Little Syria (Lower Manhattan) a local woman brings a battered copper flask to the neighbourhood metalworker for repair. When he erases one of the intricate designs that encircle the flask......you guessed it - a Jinni is released. The Jinni faces the same challenges as that of the Golem - he has been trapped in the flask for thousands of years.

And chance being what it is, these two beings - one of earth and one of fire - meet, and each recognizes that the other is not of this world. Their lives are entwined in ways they could not imagine....and someone else is watching them...

Oh, where to start! The setting is beautifully brought to life by Wecker. The lives of immigrants, the wealthy, the tenements, daily life, night life, attractions such as Central Park and more provide a rich and detailed background for Wecker's novel.

The Golem and the Jinni are both mythical creatures, but Wecker's writing made them very real and 'human'. I found myself so caught up in their story, rooting for them and hoping they would find happiness. The supporting cast of characters is just as well drawn and equally compelling.

This was such a unique and different idea for a novel. Middle Eastern mysticism mixed with Jewish folklore and dipped into New York City's rich history. And under Wecker's skillful pen, it really works.

But such is the stuff of magical stories - dastardly villains, good vs. evil, sacrifice, love won and lost, fast friendships and more. And this is the feeling that Helene Wecker's novel gave me - that I was sitting in a beautiful silk tent somewhere in the desert, reclining on pillows and listening to Scheherazade spin one of her 1001 tales. I was enthralled from first page to last. Read an excerpt of The Golem and The Jinni. Wecker has truly woven a magical debut. Highly recommended.

"Helene Wecker grew up in Libertyville, Illinois, a small town north of Chicago, and received her

Bachelor’s in English from Carleton College in Minnesota. After graduating, she worked a number of marketing and communications jobs in Minneapolis and Seattle before deciding to return to her first love, fiction writing. Accordingly, she moved to New York to pursue a Master’s in fiction at Columbia University. She now lives near San Francisco with her husband and daughter." You can find Helene Wecker on Facebook.

See what others on the TLC book tour thought. Full schedule can be found here.

Giveaway - A Spear of Summer Grass - Deanna Raybourn

2013-05-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Calling all historical fiction fans! Have I got a wonderful giveaway for you today!

A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn is newly released.....and....I have two copies to giveaway thanks to the generosity of Harlequin Books!

From the publisher:

"New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julie Grey series enters a new era with A Spear of Summer Grass.

The daughter of a scandalous mother, Delilah Drummond is already notorious, even amongst Paris society. But her latest scandal is big enough to make even her oft-married mother blanch. Delilah is exiled to Kenya and her favorite stepfather’s savannah manor house, until gossip subsides.

Amidst the wonders—and dangers—of Africa, Delilah awakes to a land out of all proportion: extremes of heat, darkness, beauty and joy that cut to her very heart. Only when this sacred place is profaned by bloodshed does Delilah discover what is truly worth fighting for—and what she can no longer live without.

If you blend glamour from The Great Gatsby and romance from “Out of Africa,” you are beginning to grasp the stunning new novel that is A Spear of Summer Grass."

A sixth-generation native Texan, New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn grew up in San Antonio, where she met her college sweetheart. She married him on her graduation day and went on to teach high school English and history. During summer vacation at the age of twenty-three, she wrote her first novel. After three years as a teacher, Deanna left education to have a baby and pursue writing full-time. Fourteen years and many, many rejections after her first novel, she signed two three-book deals with MIRA Books.

Deanna’s novel Silent in the Grave won the 2008 RITA® Award for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements and the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best First Mystery. The Lady Julia Grey series has been nominated for several other awards, including an Agatha, three Daphne du Mauriers, a Last Laugh, four additional RITAs, and two Dilys Winns. Dark Road to Darjeeling was also a finalist for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Historical Mystery as well as a Romantic Reviews’ finalist for Best Book of 2010." You can find Deanna on her website or on Twitter.

Sound like a book you'd like to own? Simply leave a comment to be entered. Open to US and Canada. The winner will be randomly chosen on June 15/13.