Literary R&R

{2013 TBR Pile Challenge - Review} Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

2013-06-19T06:12:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1416989424

Page Count: 416

Copyright: October 13, 2009

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

When Nora and Patch are forced together as lab partners, Nora would rather fall to her death than put up with his elusive answers to her questions, his teasing, and his infuriatingly handsome face and hypnotizing eyes. It seems Patch was put on earth just to drive her crazy.

But before long, Nora's defenses start to break down as her curiosity about Patch heats up. Why does he always seem to be wherever she is and know exactly what she's thinking? How does he know what to say to both attract and repulse her? And what is up with those V-shaped scars on his chiseled back?

As their connection grows stronger, Nora's own life becomes increasingly fragile. Nora needs to decide: Is Patch the one who wants to do her harm or the one who will keep her safe? Has she fallen for one of the fallen?

Mandy's Review:

FINALLY!

I have finally read a TBR Pile Challenge book that I actually enjoyed!

I have always preferred stories containing angels over stories containing vampires, so I was hoping this was going to be one I enjoyed ... and it was.

When I first began reading it and Patch was introduced into the story, I must admit, I had a flashback of Twilight. You know where I'm talking about: Edward and Bella sitting beside each other in class, Bella can't breathe and all that hoopla. Despite the quick flashback, though, Nora and Patch's story is much better than Edward and Bella's. I mean, who wants a cold vampire when you can have a lusty hot-blooded fallen angel?

The dynamics between Patch and Nora are electric. They mesh well together. If I would've been Nora, there wouldn't have been any holding back on the "getting to know" Patch front (if you know what I'm talking about). Good for her for having her head together, though.

It seems like everyone in the world has read this book already, so you know how awesome this book is. I don't have to tell you. This is one series I will definitely be keeping in my personal library. And, if by some quirk of fate, you haven't read this book yet ... go get it now!

{Review} Confession by Richard Freis

2013-06-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0988947412

Page Count: 218

Copyright: May 1, 2013

Publisher: Sartoris Literary Group

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

An intense and engrossing novel of psychological suspense set on the Mississippi Gulf Coast - and reminiscent of the darkly tangled familial relationships brought into prominence by Mississippi-born writer Tennessee Williams - Confession features protagonist George Burden, a distinguished attorney who finds himself at a crossroads as he approaches his 55th birthday. From outward appearances, it seems George is living an enviable life. But even with his devoted wife, affluent lifestyle, social prominence, successful career, and beautiful family, George is dogged by the worry that the choices he made were too easy and too safe.

His choice to begin an affair with Becca Talbot is anything but easy - and decidedly unsafe. A young woman who works in his law firm, Becca is a divorcee with a five-year-old son - and younger than George's youngest daughter. But for George, the affair is far more than just physical: he falls deeply in love with Becca.
During one passionate noon encounter at a local hotel, George announces that he wants to leave his wife and asks Becca to marry him - and demystifying the ambiguities of Becca's life. But that quest will lead George down a precarious path.

Lust, jealousy, rage, and envy are on a collision course - and even in the present day, George's past begins to bubble to the surface. When a violent confrontation ensues, George will not only learn the truth about Becca, he will learn the truth about himself. Might some secrets best be kept secret?

Mandy's Review:

Wow. There's crazy and then there's C-R-A-Z-Y. George is the C-R-A-Z-Y type. I don't know if he was going through a mid-life crisis or what, but this man needed to pull himself together and/or get some psychological help.

George has it all: dedicated wife, great children, money, prestige ... and then he screws it all up with a mistress. After hitting it one time, old Georgie-Porgie just couldn't handle the goodness of the cootie coo and went into freak-mode. Becca, to give her some credit, did tell him that she was not looking for anything serious. Apparently George must have thought his dunkin' stick was as good as Becca's velvety softness because he ends up proposing to her and thinking her as madly in love with him as he with her.

When you mess with crazy, honey, that's what you're going to get. Old George gets what is coming to him. I'm not going to tell you what happens but, let me tell you, Ms. Becca isn't as innocent as she appears to be. George can't handle the truth ("YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!" ... sorry ... A Few Good Men flashback) and winds up trying to kill himself. Whether he succeeds or not is up to you to find out.

So, basically, if you enjoy something that will mess with your head, then you need to read this book. Needless to say, I rather enjoyed it.

*A paperback copy was provided by the author's publicist in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} When Hell Came to Texas by Robert Vaughan

2013-06-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1476715834

Page Count: 384

Copyright: May 28, 2013

Publisher: Pocket Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

In the days after the Civil War, a solitary rider traveled the open frontier - but he wasn't alone, for Death seemed to travel with him. Or maybe it was the Devil himself who gave him the lethal pistol shot that earned him the name "Death's Acolyte." And when the stranger with the scarred face, who calls himself Ken Casey, rode into the peaceful Texas town of Wardell, maybe peace - for his own ravaged soul - was all he wanted. But in Wardell, all hell is about to break loose.

Awaiting a train shipment of gold, Angus Pugh and his army of outlaws, including notorious gunslinger Luke Draco, take the town hostage and kill a few innocent citizens as a lesson to any comers. Donning priestly vestments, Ken Casey, ordained man of the cloth, steps from the shadows to conduct the victims' funeral rites - and that's just his first revelation. For Casey can destroy souls as easily as he saves them, and earthly justice is delivered in gun smoke and blood.

Mandy's Review:

Westerns are certainly a genre that have fallen by the wayside. The old stories of men on horseback, challenging others to a duel, riding around the country seeking revenge on the people who have wronged them somehow. Well, guess what ladies and gentlemen ... if Robert Vaughan has any say-so, the Westerns genre will be making a comeback.

When Hell Came to Texas is reminiscent of the old westerns my grandfather would read. I really thought this book was a re-print from a previously written book from years ago, but I was wrong. This is brand-spanking new and I couldn't be more excited!

Ken Casey wants to live a normal, quiet life in a small town. Unfortunately, everywhere he seems to go there always seems to be someone who recognizes him and wants to involve him in some drama. Ken Casey is a man full of secrets and of surprises. He doesn't allow anyone close to him emotionally, which can lead to a lonely existence. When his employer and his daughter are threatened, Ken gets involved and takes care of business.

I do hope Robert Vaughan continues to write Westerns. If he does, the forgotten-about genre will definitely get a much-needed revival. If you miss reading the westerns written by Louis L'amour, Zane Grey, or any other similar authors, then you need to give When Hell Came to Texas a try. It will transport you back in time.

*A paperback was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review/Giveaway} The Erlking by Rebecca Yount

2013-06-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

ASIN #: B00AKHVIRM

File Size: 1056 KB

Page Count: 314

Copyright: November 30, 2012

Publisher: Independent Publisher; First Edition

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Detective Inspector, Mick Chandra of New Scotland Yard, struggles to link the murder of the young wife of a popular British Member of Parliament to the seemingly random death by drowning in a north London canal of 8-year-old Josie Stephens. The forensic pathologist discovers that Josie was abused before she was murdered. Mick is informed by a Quaker Friend who knew Phoebe that she, too, may have been physically abused. Mick realizes he is getting close to the fire when his live-in love, American expatriate and renowned England-based concert pianist, Jessica Beaumont, is suddenly harassed. During a concert, someone even takes a shot at her. Seconded to the Yard's Pedophile Unit, Mick and his partner, Sergeant Elizabeth Chang, receive help in breaking the case. The Unit's chief informs Mick that a notorious pedophile ring is working out of north London, headed by someone who calls himself The Erlking. Day by day, more children are reported missing in north London. How is this linked to Phoebe's death? What is the connection between Phoebe and Josie? As Mick struggles to expose the identity of The Erlking, help arrives from a most unexpected source.

Kathy's Review:

This is the second Mick Chandra mystery that I have read, and I enjoyed this one just as much, if not more, than the first. Although this one deals with the dark subject matter of pedophilia, the mystery is engaging, the characters vivid and the action flows nicely. Yount does a nice job of setting up some red herrings throughout the novel, leading us down paths where we think one destination awaits us, only to find we are somewhere else entirely.

Although you get to know Mick and Jessica more in the first mystery, A Death in C Minor, I think a first-time reader could probably pick this up and follow along. You don't get to know Jessica as well in this book as you did in C Minor. This one is more about Mick and his friend Jaime Geller. A new character, Ethan Pidnar, also plays an important role in the book. I wounder if Ethan will be around for the next installment?

Regardless, I am hooked on this series, and anxiously await book three to see what kind of mystery Mick needs to solve next. I recommend you get on board, as well, especially if you love mysteries!

*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author's publicist in exchange for an honest review.

*As a side note: The third Mick Chandra book, The Ravenhoe Cauldron, will be released June 30, 2013!

Giveaway:

The e-copies of The Erlking will be gifted via a vendor such as Amazon, B&N, Kobo, etc. If you enter, please be sure that you are able to receive a gifted copy through one of these (or another) vendors.

The winners will have 48 hours to respond. If the winners do not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen in their place.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Review} Li'l Lingo Can't Rhyme Tuba by Jori Sams

2013-06-15T12:00:00.000-04:00

ASIN #: B00BPDYMLO

File Size: 2646 KB

Page Count: 28

Copyright: March 4, 2013

Publisher: Writeious Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Now you can enjoy bigger illustrations in this new English-only version of Li'l Lingo Can't Rhyme Tuba. Enjoy seeing Li'l Lingo jump off the page with fresh colorful images for kids.

Li'l Lingo eBooks create a fresh and colorful series for children. They are books children will want to read again and again. In this second book in the series, Li'l Lingo Can't Rhyme Tuba, Lingo knows her instruments. As a master of rhyme, though, she cannot find an ample rhyme for tuba. Laugh out loud as you read this eBook and observe Li'l Lingo annoy her friends in her efforts. Who will come to her rescue?

Mandy's Review:

I do like the fact that these books come in bilingual versions: English and Spanish. It's possible that there are children out there who will enjoy the simplistic story within. The colors in the artwork are vibrant and will draw your eye.

The drawings, while vibrant, appear as if a child drew them ... and perhaps they were. Maybe that is part of the author's way of drawing in children. I just know, as an adult, I didn't like them at all. For example, take a look at the cover. You can tell where Lingo is and where the front part of the tuba is, but what is all that yellow behind the tuba? Also, there's an angel depicted in one of the drawings in the story and it took me a minute or two of looking at the picture to see how exactly the angel's body was drawn. Again, this may be part of what is meant to draw children into the book.

The summary states that the reader will "laugh out loud as you read this eBook..." I didn't laugh. I'm not sure where the humorous parts were at. Perhaps I should have let my 8-year-old niece read it before writing this review so I could see how reading this book affected children. At any rate, as much as I hate to give bad reviews, I just do not like this book.

*An ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

2013 TBR Pile Challenge - Check In

2013-06-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

By now, all the 2013 TBR Pile Challengers should be on their sixth book. Hhmmm ... yeah ... Kathy and Mandy have read and reviewed three books each. So, we're halfway there!

So far Kathy has read and reviewed Super Sad True Love Story (Gary Shteyngart), The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (Michael Chabon), and When You Are Engulfed in Flames (David Sedaris).

Mandy has read and reviewed The Godforsaken (Chelsea Quinn Yarbro), Speak (Laurie Halse Anderson), and The Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis).

We are committed to have all twelve books read by the end of the year, but will time permit us to complete this challenge?

We shall see ...

{Blog Tour - Review/Giveaway} Running into the Darkness by D. A. Bale

2013-06-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

ASIN #: B0063HIS26

File Size: 390 KB

Page Count: 236

Copyright: November 3, 2011

Publisher: D. A. Bale

Book Summary:

(As provided by tour host)

Death follows Dr. Samantha Bartlett throughout her life until it claims everyone close to her. There's one powerful man responsible on whom Samantha sets her sights for revenge. The price is her soul. For centuries, sex has been the weapon of men ... now it's her turn.

"I never intended to kill the President. As a doctor, I swore an oath to protect life - not take it. But that was before ..."

Second year resident, Dr. Samantha Bartlett, is swept from the frigid New York winter to once again confront the sting of death back home - and face those she left behind. But she's not alone. A strange man she dubs Shades haunts her every step as she seeks answers to the inferno which claimed her grandmother, an eerie reminder of her parents' deaths. The secrets Samantha uncovers forever changes her image of those she only thought she knew.

Confronted by Shades, Samantha joins a secret underworld known only as the Elite, where a web of power and control is woven deep within governments worldwide. Their sights are set on the power structure of the United States, and Samantha becomes the unlikely key to infiltrating the White House at its most intimate levels.

The quest for blood threatens to destroy Samantha. From the darkness there is no escape.

Book Buy Links:

Kindle ($1.99)

Nook ($1.99)

Smashwords ($1.99)

Author Bio:

Sometimes life emulates fiction.

Life is filled with tragedy and Ms. Bale's writing reflects this reality. However, there is always a silver lining ... even if one must spend their entire life searching for it.

In her previous career, Ms. Bale traveled the United States as a Government Relations Liaison, working closely with Congressional offices and various government agencies. This experience afforded her a glimpse into the sometimes "not so pretty" reality of the political sphere. Much of this reality and various locations throughout her travels make it into her writing.

She dreams of the day she can return to visit Alaska.

Connect with Ms. Bale via:

Mandy's Review:

I only have two negative things to say so I want to get those out of the way first.

One: I do not like the cover. I think it looks cheap and would not draw in a reader and make them want to buy it. Also, the lady on the front looks way older than how I picture Samantha to be.

Two: I do not like the incest in this book, but I understand why the author added it in the story.

That's it. Now, on to the good ...

From the very first pages of this book, the reader is drawn in by the action that's taking place. And, while it slows down in various sections throughout the book, the action picks right back up again before too long. I loved the characters and each of their personalities. Some are created to not be liked (and understandably so), but I still appreciated how well-rounded and fleshed out they seemed to be. Just when you think you've gotten a handle on who a character is, the author will flip the script on you and surprise you with a twist. Some readers get aggravated about that. I love it when an author can surprise me. When a character is predictable, I find that character boring. There is no risk of Ms. Bale boring me.

I really want to tell you about the HUGE twist towards the end that shocked me, but it would really be giving away part of the story. Let's just say that you will never see it coming. The very people you think have been dead are not ... not by a long shot.

With action, murder, incest, deceit, spies, underground organizations, lust, mystery, and unrequited love, I would say this book has something for everyone. I know I cannot wait to read the next book in this series! Ms. Bale has definitely put herself on my "Must Read" authors' list.

*An ecopy of this book was provided by the tour host, Tribute Books, for the purposes of this tour and in exchange for an honest review.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook Page

Running into the Darkness' Blog Tour Site

{Meme} Book Blogger Hop

2013-06-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

It's time for the weekly edition of the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Billy from Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.

This week's question:

What is your favorite genre? Recommend a book!

Kathy's Response:

My favorite genre is literary fiction. Some of my favorite recent reads are Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz.

Mandy's Response:

My favorite genre has to be mystery/horror. I have yet to find a book that surpasses It by Stephen King enough for me to recommend someone read it. However, I would be willing to accept recommendations from you all if you'd like to suggest a book or two.

{2013 TBR Pile Challenge Review} The Godforsaken by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

2013-06-13T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0446301022

Page Count: 393

Copyright: May 1983

Publisher: Warner Books Inc (Mm); First Edition

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

As the Inquisition spread its fiery fingers across the land of Spain, holding kingdom and king in its terrible grip, a new horror would rise to challenge even the invincible power of the Grand Inquisitor. A curse on the house of King Alonzo that came from the very Devil.

A curse that would leave his daughter unfit to marry or rule. A curse that would transform his only legitimate son, Rolon, into the very Hound of Hell, whose unspeakable secret bloomed under the full moon of a country where terror came in mother's milk and vengeance roamed abroad. Rolon, the chosen, the damned. Rolon, the kind, blessed with a compassionate soul and a great and tragic love; cursed by a secret plague sent by Lucifer Himself. Rolon, Heir to the Throne of Spain, who dared to defy the Inquisition in the ungodly raiment of The Godforsaken.

Mandy's Review:

I chose this book because I like reading about werewolves and curses (especially where families are concerned). I was also intrigued about the time period because I like period-based books and had not read one based during the Spanish Inquisition before ... that I can recall anyway. But, just like my other TBR Pile Challenge selections that I've read so far, I didn't like this book.

There was almost 400 pages of reading that could have really been condensed in half. I found it a very tedious and boring read. I had to stop multiple times and read something else. Then I would have to force myself to begin reading this book again. I think the premise is a great one. I think the characters are well-thought out and believable. I just didn't like this author's writing style. I know that statement may garner a lot of criticisms from you all because I've seen where Chelsea Quinn Yarbro is well-liked ... she's just not for me.

Alas, another TBR book bites the dust and dies a painful death. I hope and pray my fourth selection (Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick) is much better.

{Review} The Rockin' Chair by Steven Manchester

2013-06-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1611880670

Page Count: 272

Copyright: June 18, 2013

Publisher: The Story Plant

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Memories are the ultimate contradiction. They can warm us on our coldest days - or they can freeze a loved one out of our lives forever. The McCarthy family has a trove of warm memories. Of innocent first kisses. Of sumptuous family meals. Of wondrous lessons learned at the foot of a rocking chair. But they also have had their share of icy ones. Of words that can never be unsaid. Of choices that can never be unmade. Of actions that can never be undone.

Following the death of his beloved wife, John McCarthy - Grandpa John - calls his family back home. It is time for them to face the memories they have made, both warm and cold. Only then can they move beyond them and into the future.

Mandy's Review:

I think I've finally figured out what it is I love about Steven Manchester's books. All of his main characters have faith and belief in God and they do their best to honor Him, but they're still real people. Some of them still cuss. Some get angry. Some are hardheaded. They're not holier than thou. They're believable. They're relatable. They're you and me.

John's wife is suffering from Alzheimer's when the book begins. Her death makes him realize that he has some "chores" to do before he can go be with her. The chores involve helping out his son and grandchildren realize their potential and love for each other.

With simple "backwoods" country wisdom, John gently guides everyone along the path towards realization. Okay, sometimes he gives them a hard shove into that realization, but it's needed. John reminded me of my own grandfather (who, ironically, was called Johnny by my grandmother): never cruel, always loving, never judgmental, always there. I miss him.

A wonderful family story about perception and the redeeming quality of forgiveness, of yourself and others, The Rockin' Chair is another fantastic edition to Steven Manchester's literary works. All of his books are simply told but with a lot of heart. Read them.

*A paperback copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} What If? by Jeffrey M. Daniels

2013-06-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1609104993

Page Count: 256

Copyright: October 20, 2010

Publisher: Booklocker.com

Book Summary:

(As provided by the author)

Jeremy Shuttle is a reasonably normal boy of twelve. Sure he talks to ants, but so far they haven't kept up their end of the conversation. He lives with his Mom, having never met his Dad. His Mom has promised him the whole story for his 13th birthday. Jeremy is especially talented at two things, drawing and asking weird "What if?" questions. He amazes his Mom and his best friend, Natalie, with the first and annoys his classmates with the second, including his "arch-enemy," Eddie Vane.

Heading home from school, Jeremy noticed a strange art store manned by an even stranger shopkeeper. The man questions Jeremy about something called the "collective unconscious," asks him for a sketch and gives Jeremy a lovely new sketchbook. The next day, Eddie picks on Natalie in class and Jeremy rises to her defense, embarrassing Eddie and earning himself a beating in the locker room. Drawing away his frustration, Jeremy and Natalie find that his drawing has become real ... and more kids than Eddie are hurt.

Give the power to make anything you draw become real into the hands of an imaginative 12-year old boy and fantastic adventures are bound to happen. But Natalie notices a sinister pattern; every time Jeremy uses the book he gets into greater danger. She tries to get him to stop and, predictably, he ignores her. Jeremy hits on the idea to use the sketchbook to bring back his missing Dad. This final time, his Mom and Natalie are drawn into the peril and it will take the three of them, with help from a surprising source, to escape the danger.

Mandy's Review:

Despite the saying "don't judge a book by its cover" we do just that. Admit it. When we walk into a section of books (whether it be the library, grocery store, or bookstore) we are automatically drawn to the covers we like and are willing to read what they're about. The covers that don't entice us, we quickly glance over and decide it's not worth the time to read the summary on the back. I say this because when I first saw the cover art for this book, I mistakenly thought it was written for a younger audience. And, in a way, it is. However, the "what if?" questions are sometimes more than a younger audience could comprehend.

The imagination that went into writing this book is excellent. A younger audience would certainly be drawn to that aspect of this book. It's also intriguing and interesting enough to hold the attention of an older audience (me, for example).

I actually fell in love with this book. Jeremy was very relatable and endearing. His smart mouth is his weakness as it often gets him into more trouble than he needs. I am eager to see what happens in the second book of this series. If you're looking for a book that will stretch your imagination and let you lose yourself for a little while then you should read the Jeremy Shuttle series (well ... at least the first book).

*A paperback was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Meme} It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2013-06-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

It's that time for everyone to share what they've read last week and what they'll be reading this week. And away we go ...

Kathy:

Last week, we posted reviews from Kathy for Beirut: An Explosive Thriller by Alexander McNabb (for review) and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (for Back to the Classics Challenge).

Here's what she's reading this week:

For thousands of years human beings have dreamed of immortality, of reversing the aging process, of enhancing beauty and retaining the vigor and vitality of youth - forever. In the year 2059 this dream is at last within our grasp. But as biologic engineers finally achieve total control over the fundamental mechanics of life and the ability to change the course of human evolution, will this awesome power alter the meaning of love, the nature of relationships and society, and even the very definition of what it means to be human?

What's Stephanie up to now?

Her Uncle Fred has disappeared. A body turns up in a garbage bag. She's got a nasty bookie following her around town. Grandma Mazur has her hands on the stun gun. Stephanie can't keep a car for more than forty-eight hours. Two men are trying to get her into bed. She has nothing to wear to the Mafia wedding. And there's an angry little man (don't call him a dwarf!) who won't leave her apartment.

It's Easter at Princeton. Seniors are scrambling to finish their theses. And two students, Tom Sullivan and Paul Harris, are a hair's breadth from solving the mysteries of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili - a renowned text attributed to an Italian nobleman, a work that has baffled scholars since its publication in 1499. For Tom, their research has been a link to his family's past - and an obstacle to the woman he loves. For Paul, it has become an obsession, the very reason for living. But as their deadline looms, research has stalled - until a long-lost diary surfaces with a vital clue. And when a fellow researcher is murdered just hours later, Tom and Paul realize that they are not the first to glimpse the Hypnerotomachia's secrets.

Mandy:

Last week we posted one review from Mandy for We Do Not Wrestle with Flesh and Blood by B. R. Smith (for review).

Here's what she's reading this week:

A rare meteorite struck Alex Woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and marking him for an extraordinary future. The son of a fortune teller, bookish, and an easy target for bullies, Alex hasn't had the easiest childhood.

But when he meets curmudgeonly widower Mr. Peterson, he finds an unlikely friend. Someone who teaches him that you only get one shot at life. That you have to make it count.

{2013 TBR Pile Challenge} The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon

2013-06-09T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0312282998

Page Count: 636

Copyright: August 25, 2001

Publisher: Picador; Reprint

Book Summary:

(Taken from Goodreads)

Joe Kavalier, a young Jewish artist who has also been trained in the art of Houdini-esque escape, has just smuggled himself out of Nazi-invaded Prague and landed in New York City. His Brooklyn cousin Sammy Clay is looking for a partner to create heroes, stories, and art for the latest novelty to hit America - the comic book. Drawing on their own fears and dreams, Kavalier and Clay create the Escapist, the Monitor, and Luna Moth, inspired by the beautiful Rosa Saks, who will become linked by powerful ties to both men.

With exhilarating style and grace, Michael Chabon tells an unforgettable story about American romance and possibility.

Kathy's Review:

(Reprinted with Kathy's permission from her personal blog, Grown Up Book Reports)

Michael Chabon is one of my favorite authors. I always get the sense when I am reading his novels that I am in the hands of someone much smarter and wittier than me. In Kavalier & Clay, Chabon enters 1940's America, with two young men who create a comic book hero, The Escapist, and from there grow an impressive comic book empire and legacy. We follow cousins Sammy Clay and Josef Cavalier as they grow up, the nation goes to war, they grow apart and eventually come back together. And some other stuff happens too.

My interest with this book ebbed and flowed, waxed and waned. Of the Chabon books I've read it was probably somewhere in the middle of the pack in terms of my favorites. But, there are people who go absolutely GAGA over this book, and you may be one of them. If you:

a.) Love comic books;

b.) Enjoy reading about WWII and the Nazis;

c.) Have a Harvard-grad level vocab

d.) Have spare time to read a 600+ page novel

I should mention that there's an element of homosexuality in this novel as well, so if that's not your thang then you may be put off by it.

Also, as all of Chabon's novels are, this is grossly long and dense. It's not a beach read. You have to use your brain and concentrate and not skim, or you'll miss something important. Sometimes a key word is just buried in the middle of a paragraph and it can turn everything on its ear. Watch out for that.

All in all, I'm glad I read it, and I can knock it off my TBR Pile. But it's not for the Average Joe or Jane. Oh, but it did win a Pulitzer in 2001.

{Review} We Do Not Wrestle With Flesh and Blood by B.R. Smith

2013-06-08T00:01:00.000-04:00

ASIN #: B005CD0Q4U

File Size: 249 KB

Page Count: 242

Copyright: July 11, 2011

Publisher: B. R. Smith Books; First Edition

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

This remarkable true story relates the conflicts of a young man seeking truth and freedom in central London in the early 2000s. Set against a fast-paced dialogue between wildly diverse cultures - American, English, and Russian - it tells how the subtle deceptions of evil can eventually destroy a life.

When Benjamin leaves small town Texas for college in London, he seeks only one kind of salvation: freedom from the crushing boredom of a safe life lived within the margins, and its predictable nine-to-five future. Daring to ask if there was more to existence than a report card and a resume, he sets out to join Alex, the son of a Russian oligarch, at a prestigious English business school.

The plan seems simple - Make powerful friends, and then make a ton of money. And from effortless power and money, freedom would follow. Somehow.

We Do Not Wrestle with Flesh and Blood is a witty but profound spiritual testimony about what goes wrong. Preyed upon by one of Alex's sycophantic friends, Benjamin's ambitions deteriorate into a haze of drugs and alcohol. The crisis brings him to a traumatic death experience, and a choice that will have eternal consequences.

Mandy's Review:

This review may end up being harsh. I say "may" end up because I'm not sure how I'm going to vocalize the way I feel about this book. Before I go into what I do not like or disagree with, let me start by saying that I do believe there are spiritual forces fighting for control. I believe that each person's soul is an object of interest for the two opposing spiritual forces. So, saying that, I believe that a person can have a life-and-death experience giving them clarity into how they should live their life. Now, let's get to the actual book ...

Ben lived in a small Texas town. When he was in high school, he had the urge to get out of town. His parents allowed him to go to school overseas. He winds up going back home before the school year is up and right before he gets kicked out of the school. While back in Texas, he convinces his parents to give him a second chance overseas. He winds up going to college overseas as well. While there, Ben meets Alex and, through Alex, Ivan. Both are Russians. Alex begins seeming a little aloof, so Ben starts hanging out with Ivan more. Ivan introduces Ben to drugs and Ben becomes addicted. His addictions have him concerned that he's failing college, but he doesn't stop doing drugs.

One fateful night, Ben dies ... or does he? He believes that he did. As a reader of his experience, it almost seems like it was a mind-trick and that he didn't really die. I feel as if he was made to feel like he died when he really didn't. Regardless, the experience has him crying out to God and Jesus to be saved. He then has a fortuitous event where he meets an African minister who talks to him about God and leads him into the sinner's prayer. The book ends shortly after and we're left to believe that Ben has had a major heart-change and is no longer drinking or doing drugs.

Ben is a very privileged individual. How many parents do you know that would allow their teenage child to go overseas to school? If the parents are willing to let them go, how many of them have the funds to actually facilitate the move ... not once, but twice?! Also, Ben has a Porsche!!! His parents ship his Porsche to him while he's oversees, but he's unsatisfied with it. Then he makes a comment later on in the book that his parent's financial situation has finally improved. Forgive me, but WHAT THE EFF?!!! Are you kidding me?! At the beginning of the book Ben makes it sound like he's from some podunk town full of small minds and lack of money. Apparently, it couldn't have been too bad if he was able to fly overseas several times AND have his very own Porsche. *smh*

Then, one of my major pet peeves took place time and time again in this book. Ben blamed others for his drinking, drug use, and just general overall lack of success in his life. Ben, I say this with all the love and sincerity I can muster ... Grow up. Nobody forced you to drink. Nobody forced you to have pre-marital sex. Nobody forced you to do drugs. You did those all on your own. You made the decisions to partake in those acts and you did those all out of fear. Fear of what others would think of you. Fear that you would be by yourself overseas with nobody to hang out with or talk to. What you went through was brought on by the decisions you made.

This story is a classic example of the type of people who make bad decisions then don't want to deal with the consequences of those decisions or turn around and blame others. Thankfully, God is not human and does not think as we do. He is merciful and gracious every day all day long. He even accepts those that are in the midst of problems of their own making and He will accept them as they are.

Lord, help me to be more like You.

*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Meme} Book Blogger Hop

2013-06-07T00:01:00.000-04:00

The Book Blogger Hop is now being hosted by Billy from Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. Each Friday, a question is posed to those willing to answer it. You can visit Billy's blog (link above) to see the list of bloggers who are participating this week.

Question:

What is your favorite trilogy?

Kathy's Answer:

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins is my favorite. Actually, it was the only trilogy that I could think of that I've read, but I love those books nonetheless!

Mandy's Answer:

I'm torn between two trilogies, which is especially surprising knowing that they're sci-fi/fantasy trilogies. The first one being The A-Men Trilogy by John Trevillian. The second is Mark Whiteway's The Lodestone Series ... only three books are available in this series at this time, which allows me to consider it a trilogy even though I strongly believe there will be a fourth book. Both trilogies are extremely well-written, engaging, and exciting to read. I adore them.

{Back to the Classics 2013 Challenge Review) Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

2013-06-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0749717100

Page Count: 112

Copyright: September 1, 1993

Publisher: Penguin Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

They are an unlikely pair: George is "small and quick and dark of face"; Lennie, a man of tremendous size, has the mind of a young child. Yet they have formed a "family," clinging together in the face of loneliness and alienation.

Laborers in California's dusty vegetable fields, they hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. When they land jobs on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, the fulfillment of their dream seems to be within their grasp. But even George cannot guard Lennie from the provocations of a flirtatious woman, nor predict the consequences of Lennie's unswerving obedience to the things George taught him.

Kathy's Review:

(Reprinted with Kathy's permission from her personal blog, Grown Up Book Reports)

This is my second time reading this book but it may as well have been my first. All I remembered about Of Mice and Men was that Lennie liked to pet bunnies and there was that one Saturday Night Live skit about it. (Check it out here.)

As the book opened with Lennie and George by the river, looking for wood for their fire, it struck me that the relationship between them is much like the relationship between me and my three year old. George is mildly tolerant of Lennie's behavior, gently scolding him, often frustrated with him, but bound to him nonetheless. "God a'mighty, if I was alone, I could live so easy," George laments in the early pages of the book. Amen, brother. Of course, I would never shoot my three year old in the back of the head like George does to Lennie (oops ... spoiler alert!), but there is a parent/child kind of vibe with them.

George and Lennie have big dreams. They talk of owning their own farm where they'd live off the land, have rabbits, have a nice house. It's the American dream of that era, where these California ranch hands have little but the clothing on their backs. But they can't hold a steady job due to the "trouble" Lennie gets himself into. The man doesn't realize his own strength.

A quick read, Of Mice and Men is a classic that everyone should read, at least once.

{Review} Beirut: An Explosive Thriller by Alexander McNabb

2013-06-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

ASIN #: B009HPSYAC

File Size: 664 KB

Page Count: 278

Copyright: September 26, 2012

Book Summary:

(Taken from Goodreads)

Michel Freij is poised to become the next president of Lebanon. The billionaire businessman's calls for a new, strong regional role for the country take on a sinister note when European intelligence reveals Freij has bought two ageing Soviet nuclear warheads from a German arms dealer.

Maverick British intelligence officer Gerald Lynch has to find the warheads, believed to be on board super-yacht the Arabian Princess, before they can reach Lebanon. Joined by Nathalie Durand, the leader of a French online intelligence team, Lynch is pitched into a deadly clash with Freij and his violent militia as he pursues the Arabian Princess across the Mediterranean.

Beirut - An Explosive Thriller sweeps through Lebanon, Hamburg, Prague, Malta, Albania and the Greek Islands on its journey to a devastating climax.

Kathy's Review:

This is the second book in a series. I didn't read the first one, Olives, but I was able to get into the story rather easily. The author did refer back to some plot points from Olives but again, if you didn't read the first one, it shouldn't be a big deal.

What I admire most about this novel is the way it comes alive in the details and choices of words. You see the scene unfold before you with the author's expressive words. The action moves quickly, and you never know what is coming next. I got caught up in the storyline, particularly the kidnapping of Elie, the daughter of a dangerous man. However, this is all part of the larger plot surrounding Michel Freij, a Lebanese criminal masked by politics, and Gerald Lynch, a member of British intelligence, who is trying to uncover Freij's plot to smuggle nuclear warheads into Lebanon.

Toward the end, I got impatient for resolution. I could have done without the last 30-50 pages I think. But overall, this was a good, solid political intrigue type of story, with the door wide open for Lynch to come back in another installment.

*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} The Bluffer's Guide to Wine by Jonathan Goodall & Harry Eyres

2013-06-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1909365209

Page Count: 160

Publisher: Bluffer's; Revised Edition

Description:

One of Bluffers.com's best-selling series. They're non-fiction guides written by experts sourced over the years but are by no means dull or jargon-laden - rather they are irreverent, full of wit and expertise. Bluffer's Guides boast that they are providing the ammunition people need to get by on dazzling bluff and sheer wit alone.

Charlene's Review:

The Bluffer's Guide to Wine is very informative, as I have no clue, whatsoever, when it comes to wine. I must admit, I don't care for it, but I did enjoy Goodall and Eyres notable dry humor. To quote:

"Put in the most simple terms, wine is fermented grape juice."

They go on to describe, in detail, how to understand labels, essential equipment (the nose), tasting, varieties, and wining and dining etiquette. They also have a definite opinion on non-alcoholic wines:

"Non-alcoholic wines are not wines. Wines, like some human beings, have an absolute need to be alcoholic."

While I enjoyed the wit and wisdom, anyone wanting to become a connoisseur of wine will find everything they need within these pages. A varietal bouquet of information, if you will.

*A physical copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} The Bluffer's Guide to Skiing by David Allsop

2013-06-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1909365001

Page Count: 128

Publisher: Bluffer's; 5th Revised Edition

Description:

One of Bluffers.com's best-selling series. They're non-fiction guides written by experts sourced over the years but are no means dull or jargon-laden - rather they are irreverent, full of wit and expertise. Bluffer's Guides boats that they are providing the ammunition people need to get by on dazzling bluff and sheer wit alone.

Charlene's Review:

This occasional tongue-in-cheek look at skiing was informational as well as entertaining. Describing the art of skiing as "binding wooden planks to their feet as a means of transportation" Mr. Allsop shows he knows his stuff, and how to make light of it.

Insider information on THE skiing clubs to be a part of, the history of skiing, and numerous techniques, variations and ski personality types abound. Terminology to make you look impressive, and the paragraph on "what injuries not to have" poke a bit of innocent fun while still imparting vast knowledge in a condensed guide.

*A physical copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} The Bluffer's Guide to Bond by Mark Mason

2013-06-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1903096901

Page Count: 92

Description:

The truly accomplished bluffer knows how to play the odds. Scanning the social horizon before him, he selects those points where his subject will stand the highest statistical chance of being introduced, then prepares accordingly. We advise you to take this approach with Bond. Where do you bluff? You bluff where people gather. What do people do when they gather? They eat and drink. Tell them what Bond eats and drinks, and you'll have them in your thrall.

Charlene's Review:

Not only do we get a breakdown of each book/film, we are given insight into the similarities between Bond and writer/creator Ian Fleming, as well as speculation into why Bond preferred his martini shaken, not stirred. As a bonus, the famous "vesper" martini recipe is included. A portion is also given to the books versus film argument. As a reader, this is a no-brainer, as far as I can tell.

Perhaps the most enjoyable, for me, was the chapter on "Being Bond" complete with instructions on "smutty innuendo" and the use of one-liners. To top off your experience, you can visit bluffers.com and take a quiz to see how much you really know about Bond, James Bond. Dare I say I have never intentionally watched any of the James Bond films, nor read a book, so I felt as if I was truly going in blind when it comes to knowledge of all things Bond. Written in a neat, concise volume, The Bluffer's Guide to Bond covers everything you ever wanted to know, didn't know you needed to know, and anything you need to know to pretend you know everything. This is cliff notes for the sophisticate.

*A physical copy was provided by the publisher/publicist in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Memory's Wake by Selina Fenech

2013-06-01T09:51:00.000-04:00

ASIN #: B005502KA8

File Size: 1975 KB

Page Count: 328

Publisher: Fairies and Fantasy Pty Ltd

Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Lost in a world full of monstrous fairies, a troubled sixteen year old has to find out who she is and why her memories were stolen before she is found by those who want her dead.

She takes the name "Memory" and knows she has just one goal - to find her way home, wherever that is. But this land is strange. No technology to be seen, and iron is banned, thanks to a pact the humans have with the magical creatures who share their pre-industrial era world. In her t-shirt and torn jeans, Memory knows she's different, even before she performs impossible magic.

Haunted by her past, chased by a dragon, wanted by the king and stalked by the strange, handsome savage that seems to know her, everyone is after Memory, and she suspects it's not just for her eye-catching outfit. Her forgotten past holds dangerous secrets that will challenge everything she believes and risk the lives of everyone she loves.

Mandy's Review:

Summary sounds a little like all of the other fantasy books, right? Do not let that fool you. I, too, made that mistake. Memory's Wake is a unique story. It mixes the present day with a pre-industrial era where kings and queens rule. Memory's past is really the future ... or is it?

This first book in the Memory's Wake Trilogy is a twisting-turning adventure into a world you want to get lost in. The king and queen have been killed and an evil man has taken over the kingdom. All of the former nobles are now in hiding and continuously on the run. Some believe the heir of the former king and queen still live. If they could just find her and get her back on the throne, all will return back to the way it needs to be.

Memory is brought into this pre-industrial era through a "door" created by a girl escaping from the evil men who wish her dead. They join together to find the girl's caretaker and a way to help him escape. During their wanderings they come across a thief. He recognizes the former king and queen's heir and takes them both to his parents, former nobles of the court. And don't think you can figure out who the heir is from this review, because if you think that then, 9 times out of 10, you're going to be wrong. What then ensues is a journey that the three of them venture on in order to de-throne the evil "king" and to reinstate the true heir of the kingdom.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book and am curious to read the rest of the trilogy to see how it plays out. If you're a fan of action-adventure and some fantasy, then I think you would enjoy this book as well.

*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{BintoM Giveaway} World War Z

2013-05-31T00:02:00.000-04:00

This BintoM (Books-into-Movies) giveaway is focusing on zombies!!!! How freakin' awesome is that?!!

World War Z comes out in theaters June 21st. If you want to read the book before you watch the movie, here's your chance to win a copy. This giveaway will end on June 7th at 23:59 p.m. The chosen winner will have 48 hours to respond to our email. If they do not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen in their place. This giveaway is international, so spread the good word!

ISBN #: 978-0307346612

Page Count: 342

Publisher: Broadway; Reprint Edition

The Zombie War came unthinkably close to eradicating humanity. Max Brooks, driven by the urgency of preserving the acid-etched first-hand experiences of the survivors from those apocalyptic years, traveled across the United States of America and throughout the world, from decimated cities that once teemed with upwards of thirty million souls to the most remote and inhospitable areas of the planet. He recorded testimony of men, women, and sometimes children who came face-to-face with the living, or at least the undead, hell of that dreadful time. World War Z is the result. Never before have we had access to a document that so powerfully conveys the depth of fear and horror, and also the ineradicable spirit of resistance, that gripped human society through the plague years.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Free Man Walking by Andy Nieman

2013-05-31T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-1621371663

Page Count: 270

Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

Over 10 years in prison. Hooked on heroine, cocaine and drugs for 23 years. A chronic alcoholic for 27. Homeless. Eating out of garbage bins. Born into an alcoholic home. Molested by a pedophile in a residential school for three years. Surviving on skid row for 10 years. Living with the threat of suicide on a daily basis.

Now this same person has a university degree, is a pastor, an officer of the Legislative Assembly, a poet, a husband and a father. This true story will give you a unique look into a world few know about or experience.

Once you read this book, you will know God is real. You will be left with no other alternative because this story will touch you like you never thought possible. If you are a chronic alcoholic or drug addict whose life appears to be totally hopeless, or if you are living with one, this is a book for you.

Charlene's Review:

Mr. Nieman tells the story of his life without regrets or excuses. Raised by an alcoholic mother and an oft-absent father, he took to the streets early in life and soon found himself hooked on drugs. The story that follows is a story of God working behind the scenes, Mr. Nieman's struggle to survive, and the eventual redemption from drugs and poverty.

I especially enjoyed the poems that Mr. Nieman opened each chapter with. Mr. Nieman writes with brutal honesty and sincerity. The writing itself is not always "literary" but the story is told with raw emotion and lends you to overlook the small details. Being a conservative Christian, I also struggled with his theology a bit, (he being Pentecostal) but the basis of his renewal is a beautiful testament to God's love and his ability to meet us where we are and transform lives.

*A physical copy of this books was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Being Anti-Social by Leigh K. Cunningham

2013-05-30T18:47:00.001-04:00

ASIN #: B0084B9VZW

File Size: 359 KB

Page Count: 316

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Mace Evans is single at thirty-eight. When her much unloved older sister, Shannon, declares that Mace is anti-social, she embarks on a journey to understand her condition; whether she was born that way or if it is the accumulation of thirty-eight years of unfortunate encounters with other humans and dogs.

For reasons unbeknown to Mace, she has an affair with a work colleague, which brings an unexpected end to her perfect marriage. And as if the self-imposed torture and regret is not enough, Mace endures ongoing judgment from her older sister and mother, which further exacerbates already tenuous relationships.

With support from her four best friends, merlot and pizza, and with guidance from her life coach and mentor, Oscar Wilde, Mace recovers to a degree, but in her quest to understand her anti-social ways, she finds herself wondering about the quality of the fabric that keeps her network of friends intact.

When Mace's mother is diagnosed with cancer, Mace searches for common ground on which to connect before it is too late.

Mandy's Review:

I'm not sure why people like Mace are considered anti-social by others. Just because we don't like to be involved in every little thing or can fake it up with people we don't (and do) know doesn't mean we're anti-social. As you may can tell, I related well with Mace. I like her independent attitude and her "anti-social" ways. I do believe, though, that the major part of her anti-socialism began when her husband died. He was her soul mate and to lose that is devastating.

Mace's independence and anti-socialism made her look at her family members in a way that was deceptive. For example, she thought her mom favored the oldest and youngest sisters and disregarded her. What she found out (too late) was that her mom actually craved Mace's attention and presence in her life. That was one of the major drawbacks to how Mace behaved. It made me analyze my own life. Am I perceiving people in a deceptive light? Am I projecting my anti-socialism and independence onto others and thinking they want nothing to do with me?

Granted, this book was probably not intended for deep reflection, but it's what was triggered in me while I read this book. It's a semi-light read with a serious side that, I think, fans of chic-fiction would probably appreciate.

*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Release Day - Spotlight/U.S. Giveaway: Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

2013-05-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

ISBN #: 978-0143123620

Page Count: 592

Publisher: Penguin Books; Reprint Edition

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Harkness' much-anticipated sequel, Shadow of Night, picks up from A Discovery of Witches' cliffhanger ending. Diana and Matthew time-travel to Elizabethan London and are plunged into a world of spies, magic, and a coterie of Matthew's old friends, the School of Night. As the search for Ashmole 782 deepens and Diana searches for a witch to tutor her in magic, the net of Matthew's past tightens around them, and they embark on a very different - and vastly more dangerous - journey.

A (Brief) Conversation with Deborah Harkness:

(The Q&A was provided by Penguin and edited by us for the purposes of this post)

Q: Last summer, Warner Brothers acquired screen rights to the trilogy, and David Auburn, the Pulitzer-Prize-winning writer of Proof, has been tapped to pen the screenplay. Are you looking forward to your novels being portrayed on the big screen? What are your favorite casting ideas that you've heard from friends and readers?

A: I was thrilled when Warner Brothers wanted to translate the All Souls trilogy from book to screen. At first I was reluctant about the whole idea of a movie, and it actually took me nearly two years to agree to let someone try. The team at Warner Brothers impressed me with their seriousness about the project and their commitment to the characters and story I was trying to tell. Their decision to go with David Auburn confirmed that my faith in them was not misplaced. As for the casting, I deliberately don't say anything about that! I would hate for any actor or actress to be cast in one of these roles and feel that they didn't have my total support. I will say, however, that many of my readers' ideas involve actors who have already played a vampire and I would be very surprised if one of them were asked to be Matthew!

Q: In Shadow of Night, we learn more about the alchemical bonds between Diana and Matthew. In your day job, you are a professor of history and science at the University of Southern California and have focused on alchemy in your research. What aspects of this intersection between science and magic do you hope readers will pick up on while reading Shadow of Night?

A: Whereas A Discovery of Witches focused on the literature and symbolism of alchemy, in Shadow of Night I'm able to explore some of the hands-on aspects of this ancient tradition. There is still plenty of symbolism for Diana to think about, but in this volume we go from abstractions and ideals to real transformation and change - which was always my intention with the series. Just as we get to know more about how Elizabethan men and women undertook alchemical experiments, we also get to see Matthew and Diana's relationship undergo the metamorphosis from new love to something more.

Q: Shadow of Night spans the globe, with London, France, and Prague as some of the locales. Did you travel to these destinations for your research?

A: I did. My historical research has been based in London for some time now, so I've spent long stretches of time living in the City of London - the oldest part of the metropolis - but I had never been to the Auvergne or Prague. I visited both places while writing the book, and in both cases it was a bit like traveling in time to walk village lanes, old pilgrim roads, and twisting city streets while imagining Diana and Matthew at my side.

About the Author:

My career in fiction began in September 2008 when I began to wonder "if there really are vampires, what do they do for a living?" A Discovery of Witches is the unexpected answer to that question. The book debuted at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, and was also a bestseller in the UK, France, and Germany. Thirty-eight foreign editions and translations will be published. The story of Diana and Matthew continues in the #1 New York Times Bestseller Shadow of Night. I am currently working on the third book in the All Souls Trilogy.

** To view more about Deborah and her website, click here **

Giveaway:

This giveaway is for U.S. residents only. If you are selected as a winner and do not have a U.S. mailing address you will be disqualified and another winner will be chosen in your place. This giveaway will run for one week. The selected winners will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen in their place. And, yes, we said "winners." There will be up to three winners chosen for this giveaway, so spread the word and good luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway