Readaholic

Review & #Giveaway - The Kama Sutra

2012-02-23T19:44:00.001-05:00

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A gorgeous deluxe edition of the world's most celebrated guide to life, love, relationships and pleasure.

Little is known about Vatsyayana, who is reputed to have composed the Kama Sutra "while observing a celibate's life in full meditation." In Sanskrit the word "kama" means desire, especially for sensual pleasure, and its proper pursuit was considered an essential part of a young, urbane gentleman's well-rounded education.

Untold numbers of readers are curious about the Kama Sutra but put off by its clichéd image as an erotic Oriental curiosity. This elegant edition offers a compelling modern translation of a classic Indian masterpiece-and a wry and entertaining account of human desire and foibles.

MY THOUGHTS:

The Kama Sutra is a widely popular book of love. I had heard numerous things about the book but had never actually sat down and read it before. I received a review copy right around Valentine's Day and decided it was the perfect book to read during the holiday.

I was surprised by how well the words seemed to flow. It definitely brought out some emotions and made me think, which is the whole reason that I love reading. I feel like I can connect on a deeper level and for that I am grateful.

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Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are 100% my own. Affiliate link(s) are used in this post.

Review - Hana-Lani by Christine Sunderland

2012-02-23T15:42:00.000-05:00

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Old Nani-lei lives in Hana-lani, her family home in rural Hawaii. She looks after her grandson Henry, 52, and his daughter Lucy, 6, who have returned to Maui from Berkeley after the death of Maria, Henry's wife. Henry and Maria, both professors, had been working on A History of Ethics, and now the grieving Henry struggles to finish it.

City girl Meredith Campbell, 36, fast-paced, self-centered, and beautiful, believes her body will ensure her happiness. After losing her job and finding her lover unfaithful, she flies to Maui, sure he will follow... but her plane crashes near Hana-lani.

As their worlds collide in a natural world both beautiful and dangerous, Henry will be forced to act on his words, and Meredith will come face-to-face with her own life choices.

MY THOUGHTS:

Hana-Lani is a beautiful story that captivates the reader instantly. I was immediately drawn into the plot and could not wait to find out what would happen next. When lives are thrown together and people are forced to reflect on themselves and the decisions they have made, they realize what it really means to be family. Touching, romantic and deeply meaningful, Hana-Lani is a must read.

AUTHOR BIO:

Photo by Brittany Sunderland

Christine grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated from San Francisco State University Cum Laude with a BA in English Literature. She attended the Squaw Valley Workshop and the Maui Writers Retreat where she studied under the acclaimed novelist Jane Hamilton.

Spending considerable time in Italy, France, and England, she has developed a keen interest in history, the ability of the individual to change events, and the power of belief. In her stories, she brings to life the effect of the past upon the present, the puzzle of perception, and the mystery of time. She is also fascinated by the miracles of life and the pleasure of the senses, from a flaming candle lighting the dark to a rose petal glistening with dew, from the cherry and berry in a fruity Chianti to the yeasty aroma of fresh baked bread.

Christine writes book reviews for Catholicfiction.net and contributes to the Christian Post at http://blogs.christianpost.com/bindings/. She is a member of the California Writers Club and the C.S. Lewis Society, http://www.lewissociety.org. She supports Nazareth House Apostolate, a charitable work for children in Sierra Leone, Africa, First Resort, a pregnancy consulting clinic, and Children's Hospital in Oakland. She has served as Vice-President of the American Church Union, the publishing house of the Anglican Province of Christ the King. All of Christine's proceeds from her novels are given to children's charities.

Christine's stories are set in the present, but draw from the past. The trilogy of Western Europe include: Pilgrimage, in Italy, a story of grief and healing; Offerings, in France, a story of trust and faith; Inheritance, in England, a story of life and belief. Her fourth novel, Hana-lani, takes place in Hawaii and explores the demands of love.

Christine is currently working on a novel about Mary Magdalene set in Rome and Provence.

Visit Christine's website.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book review purposes, as well as a small stipend. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

#Giveaway - The Blood Sugar Solution by Dr. Mark Hyman

2012-02-21T16:14:00.000-05:00

In THE BLOOD SUGAR SOLUTION, Dr. Mark Hyman reveals that the secret solution to losing weight and preventing not just diabetes but also heart disease, stroke, dementia, and cancer is balanced insulin levels. Dr. Hyman describes the seven keys to achieving wellness-nutrition, hormones, inflammation, digestion, detoxification, energy metabolism, and a calm mind-and explains his revolutionary six-week healthy-living program. With advice on diet, green living, supplements and medication, exercise, and personalizing the plan for optimal results, the book also teaches readers how to maintain lifelong health. Groundbreaking and timely, THE BLOOD SUGAR SOLUTION is the fastest way to lose weight, prevent disease, and feel better than ever.

Read an excerpt.

Mark Hyman, MD, was co-medical director of Canyon Ranch for ten years, and is now the chairman of the Institute for Functional Medicine and founder and medical director of The UltraWellness Center. He is the New York Times bestselling author of Ultrametabolism, The Ultramind Solution, and The Ultrasimple Diet, and coauthor of Ultraprevention.

Visit Dr. Hyman's website

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Disclosure: I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.

Review & #Giveaway - Julia's Child by Sarah Pinneo

2012-02-21T11:00:00.001-05:00

SYNOPSIS:

A delectable comedy for every woman who's ever wondered if buying that six-dollar box of organic crackers makes her a hero or a sucker.

Julia Bailey is a mompreneur with too many principles and too little time. Her fledgling company, Julia's Child, makes organic toddler meals like Gentle Lentil and Give Peas a Chance. But turning a profit while saving the world proves tricky as Julia must face a ninety-two-pound TV diva, an ill-timed protest rally, and a room full of one hundred lactating breasts. Will she get her big break before her family reaches the breaking point? In the end, it is a story about motherhood's choices: organic versus local, paper versus plastic, staying at home versus risking it all.

A cookbook author's hilarious fiction debut, Julia's Child will have foodies and all-natural mamas alike laughing, cheering, and asking for more.

MY THOUGHTS:

Julia's Child includes two of my favorite things - food and reading! When I picked up this book and started reading, I was instantly hooked. It is a heartwarming, witty and down-to-earth tale of one mother who will stop at nothing to be the woman she wants to be. I fell in love with this novel and can't wait to see what Sarah publishes next.

AUTHOR BIO:

Sarah Pinneo worked in finance for more than a decade before making the transition from breadwinner to bread slicer. Her first book was published by Clarkson Potter / Random House in 2007. She holds a degree in economics from Yale University. Sarah has lived in Grand Rapids, MI, New York City, Ludlow, VT and now Hanover, NH where the occasional moose or black bear is spotted in her back yard.

Visit Sarah's website

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Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own.

Excerpt & #Giveaway - The Darlings by Cristina Alger

2012-02-21T10:29:00.001-05:00

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A sophisticated page-turner about a wealthy New York family embroiled in a financial scandal with cataclysmic consequences.

Now that he’s married to Merrill Darling, daughter of billionaire financier Carter Darling, attorney Paul Ross has grown accustomed to New York society and all of its luxuries: a Park Avenue apartment, weekends in the Hamptons, bespoke suits. When Paul loses his job, Carter offers him the chance to head the legal team at his hedge fund. Thrilled with his good fortune in the midst of the worst financial downturn since the Great Depression, Paul accepts the position.

But Paul’s luck is about to shift: a tragic event catapults the Darling family into the media spotlight, a regulatory investigation, and a red-hot scandal with enormous implications for everyone involved. Suddenly, Paul must decide where his loyalties lie—will he save himself while betraying his wife and in-laws or protect the family business at all costs?

Cristina Alger’s glittering debut novel interweaves the narratives of the Darling family, two eager SEC attorneys, and a team of journalists all racing to uncover—or cover up—the truth. With echoes of a fictional Too Big to Fail and the novels of Dominick Dunne, The Darlings offers an irresistible glimpse into the highest echelons of New York society—a world seldom seen by outsiders—and a fast-paced thriller of epic proportions.

EXCERPT:

TUESDAY, 9:30 P.M.

Paul slipped in through the side door just as the applause was ending. He stood at the edge of the ballroom until the clapping faded and the music started up again. His wife, Merrill, was up front near the stage. She looked on as a photographer snapped pictures of her mother, Ines, the gala’s chairperson. Around him, partygoers wafted from table to table; a giant amoebic mass, shimmering in the incandescent light of a thousand cocktail glasses and candles. As Paul wended his way toward his wife, he caught a couple of cold stares tossed in his direction. His hand shot reflexively to the knot of his tie, straightening it. It was one of his favorite ties; part of what Merrill called the “first-string rotation” in his closet. He felt good in it, usually. Tonight, amid the sea of tuxedos, it felt woefully inadequate. He kept his eyes trained on his wife and tried, without luck, to recall the name of Ines’s charity. The live auction, it seemed, was over. This was a slight disappointment; he had been told it would be a spectacle. This was his mother-in-law’s first year as chairperson, and she wasn’t one to be outdone. For months, she had run around soliciting the most extraordinary auction items she could think of: a weekend at Richard Branson’s house on Necker Island; private piano lessons with Billy Joel; a baseball signed by Babe Ruth. While Paul couldn’t imagine someone throwing down six figures at a charity auction in the middle of a recession, Ines seemed unfailingly confident that she would raise more money this year than ever before. Bullheaded confidence was part of Ines’s charm. She hired a Sotheby’s auctioneer, ordered oblong bidding paddles with the name of the charity stenciled on the back in gold, and called in favors to get as much press buzz going as possible. She wheedled her way into the pages of some social magazine or other, posing with a handful of other women who also listed their occupation as “philanthropist.”

From the looks of the stage, Ines had been right. Posters of the auction items had been set up on easels behind the podium. Each one now bore a bright red Sold sticker, the kind that got put on car windshields at the dealership. On the last easel, the auctioneer was using a thick marker to ink a staggering “Total Dollars Raised” figure on a large placard.

Ten yards short of Merrill, a hand reached out of the crowd and snagged him by the shoulder. “Bro!” Adrian appeared before him. “I was wondering if you were going to show.” Adrian’s cheeks were flushed and a mist of sweat had appeared at his hairline, from dancing or drinking, or both. His bow tie, a polka-dot number that matched his cummerbund, hung undone around his neck. Adrian was married to Merrill’s sister, Lily. Even though he and Paul were the same age, it was hard for Paul to see Adrian as anything other than a younger brother.

Paul went to shake his hand, but Adrian held up two bottles of beer instead. “Want one?” he said, offering it up.

Paul suppressed an eye roll. “Thanks. I’m all right. Just came straight from work.”

“Yeah, me, too,” Adrian nodded thoughtfully and took a swig of beer. This seemed highly unlikely to Paul. Adrian was in a tuxedo, for one thing, with those velvet slippers he loved to wear to formal occasions. Also, he was suspiciously tan. Now that he thought about it, Paul hadn’t seen Adrian in the office since last Thursday.

“I mean, not the actual office,” Adrian added quickly. “I was down in Miami with clients for the weekend. Had to run here from the airport.” “Looks like you got some sun.” “Weather was killer down there. Got in nine holes of golf this morning.” With a big grin, Adrian drained the beer. “Mother’s milk,” he said, with an approving nod. “You sure you don’t want this one?” Paul shook his head. “Glad you had fun,” he said, turning away.

It was, he recognized, Adrian’s job to entertain. But the market had been bouncing all over the place, and the call volume from clients was up nearly five times, and Paul’s patience for anyone at the firm who wasn’t working at least eighty hours a week was limited.

As he glanced over Adrian’s shoulder, Paul saw Merrill slipping farther into the crowd. “Hey,” he said, “I’ve gotta go find Merrill. I’m already late as it is.”

“Yeah, yeah, go do that. She was asking where you were. You coming to the after- party?”

“I don’t think I can swing that. I’m pretty shot. It’s late.”

Adrian shrugged. “East Hampton tomorrow? Lily and I are going to leave around lunchtime to beat the traffic.”

“Doubtful. Work, and all that. We’re planning to drive out Thursday morning.”

“Cool. Gotta be there by 12:30 p.m., though, to see the kickoff . Darling family tradition.”

“Who are they playing this year?”

“Tennessee. Looks tough. Okay, Bro. We’ll look for you before we hit the after-party.” Adrian threw Paul a “you-da-man” nod and dropped the empty bottle on a passing waiter’s tray.

“Right. Later, then.” Paul watched Adrian roll off like a tumbleweed, hands in his pockets with signature nonchalance. He joined his brothers at the bar. All four were tall and thin as matchsticks, with thick heads of charcoal-black hair. The oldest, Henry, was telling a story while Griff and Fitz, the twins, laughed riotously. From all sides, women instinctively slowed as they passed by them, like stars getting sucked into a black hole. The Pattersons were so handsome that each had his own magnetic pull; together, they became the universe’s gravitational center. When Adrian pulled up, Henry tossed his arm casually about his shoulder. Perfect white teeth flashed as they greeted each other.

Adrian wasn’t as stuffy as Henry, and he wasn’t as frivolous as Griff or Fitz. He was actually a reasonably nice guy, the kind of guy that Paul liked in spite of himself. As Adrian laughed with his brothers, Paul wondered briefly if there was any way he could find Adrian’s total indifference to stress inspirational instead of infuriating. He was trying to be more understanding with Adrian now that they worked together, though market conditions were making that tough.

A light touch on his arm stirred him from this consideration.

“There you are!” Merrill said. She was flanked by Lily; both were dressed in blue. Or perhaps it was Merrill who flanked Lily: Lily bloomed at these sorts of social events, unfurling her petals like a fl ower in a hothouse. Her cornstalk blond hair had been spun into a complex series of braids, not unlike that of the dressage horses she still rode on summer weekends. From her ears dangled two teardrop diamonds, each stone larger than her engagement ring. Her father had given them to her, Paul knew, on the occasion of her wedding.

Merrill looked quietly beautiful—the simplicity of her dress brought out the blueness of her eyes, the tone of her shoulders— and though she was smiling, her face was taut with frustration. Paul sensed that he was about to be reprimanded. He leaned in, kissing both sisters on the cheek.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he said preemptively. “And I know I’m supposed to be in black tie. I came straight from the office. You both look great, as always.”

“You’re here now,” Merrill conceded.

“You missed Mom’s speech, though,” Lily protested. She blinked her big eyes impetuously at him.

“I know. I’m sorry. How was the party?”

“Great,” Lily said absently. He had already lost her attention. Her eyes scanned the room just beyond his shoulder. “Are you guys coming to the after-party? Looks like things are winding down.”

“Of course,” Merrill said.

“Doubtful,” Paul said, in tandem.

They stared at each other, and Lily let out an awkward laugh. “I’ll leave you guys to discuss,” she said. “I think you should come, though. It’ll be fun. Even Mom and Dad are stopping by.”

Lily turned and flounced off, the bustle of her dress trailing behind her. The dress was cut low in the back, and Paul noticed how uncomfortably thin she was. He could see the articulation of all her vertebrae, and small hollows beneath the blades of her shoulders. Lily was forever dieting. She had an evolving list of foods to which she claimed to be allergic. Sometimes Paul wondered if she had cut out food entirely.

“We have to go to the after-party,” Merrill said once Lily was out of earshot. Her voice was strained. “Tonight’s important to my parents.”

Paul pulled in a deep breath and let his eyes flicker shut for a half second. “I know,” he said. “But I’ve got to weigh that against sheer exhaustion. I’ve been working around the clock. Which is important to your dad, too, by the way.”

“There are things he values other than work.”

Paul ignored the snappishness in her voice. “Look, I’m doing the best I can. I’m just exhausted. I’d love to go home and just fall asleep with you.”

The crease in Merrill’s forehead relaxed. “I’m sorry,” she said, and shook her head. She reached up and wrapped her arms tenderly around the back of his neck. Paul pressed his nose against her golden brown hair; he could feel the slope of her skull beneath, and she smelled warm, like maple syrup. When she pulled back, she kept her hands resting on his shoulders. He slipped his grasp to the small of her back and held on to her, admiring her at an arm’s length. “I really do understand,” she said, and sighed. “Work’s been crazy for me, too. I barely had time to change. I look terrible. I didn’t even do my hair.”

“You look stunning, actually. Great dress.”

Her eyes lit up. “You’re sweet.” Her round cheeks flushed, the color of peonies. She smoothed her dress at the hip. “You should see my mother’s. She’s literally been talking about it for months. She had it made by some Latin designer.”

They both looked over at Ines. She was basking in the attention of Duncan Sander, the editor of Press magazine. Duncan’s hands fl uttered like birds’ wings as he spoke, and Ines was laughing grandly. It was the kind of image that would end up in the Styles section of the Sunday Times. Press had run a two-page spread on the Darlings’ home in East Hampton the previous summer, called “The Darlings of New York.” Ines loved to reference “the article” in casual conversation, and she spoke of Duncan Sander as though they were old friends. In truth, it wasn’t really an article, but more of a blurb attached to a glossy photograph of Ines and Lily, inexplicably attired in white cocktail dresses, frolicking on the front lawn with Bacall, the family Weimaraner. To Paul’s knowledge, Ines never saw Duncan except at events like this.

Tonight, Ines’s dress was long and emerald green, festooned with a ruffle that looked as though a python were in the process of consuming her whole.

“I really do appreciate you being here,” Merrill said, staring cynically at her mother.

“Of course. It’s a great cause. Dogs? Cancer? Dogs with cancer? Remind me.”

“Tonight’s New Yorkers for Animals. Jesus, Paul. Pay attention.”

“I’m for them, myself. The groups against animals just seem so heartless.”

Merrill burst out laughing. “They auctioned off a rescue dog,” she said. “For eight thousand dollars.” She stared at him, allowing him to absorb that information.

“That’s possibly the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard.”

“I think it’s nice!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide in mock seriousness.

“It’s for charity. The poor thing was so sweet. It’s a retriever or something,

not a pit bull. They actually had him out on stage, wearing a little bowtie.”

“Mmmm. One of those rescue retrievers.”

Unable to help herself, she laughed again. “It’s for charity,” she sighed. “Anyway. The bowtie was from Bacall.”

Bacall was Lily’s year- old line of dog accessories and clothing. It was her sartorial nod to her family, a first and only attempt at gainful employment. Merrill was convinced that the enterprise was costing their father nearly twice what it was earning, though to Lily’s credit, it appeared to be staying afloat, despite the market crash.

In the background, the band had started playing their last reprieve before the clock struck the witching hour. The band leader swayed around the mic, summoning his best Sinatra baritone. Paul couldn’t think of a black-tie event in Manhattan that didn’t end with “New York, New York.” It had been the last song at their wedding. Now, they stood together on the edge of the dance floor, watching as the last few dancing couples slid by with varying degrees of grace.

“Want to dance?” Paul asked, though he was a bit too tired for it. What he really wanted was a drink.

“God, no. I think what we need is a drink,” Merrill said. She slipped her hand into his, leading him in the direction of the nearest bar.

The bar was stacked three deep and the bartender was topping off last- call orders. As Paul and Merrill waited their turn, Merrill’s father appeared behind them.

“What’s going on over here?” Carter asked good naturedly, clapping them both on the back. He was tall enough that he easily captured them both in his wingspan. “Paul, who let you out of the office?”

“You’re working him too hard, Dad,” Merrill said.

“Yes, well. It’s been an interesting two months, hasn’t it, Paul? Opportune time to come over to the investment side.” Carter laughed lightly.

AUTHOR BIO:

Cristina Alger graduated from Harvard College in 2002 and from New York University School of Law in 2007. She has worked as an analyst at Goldman, Sachs, & Co. and as an attorney at Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale, & Dorr. She lives in New York City, where she was born and raised. The Darlings is her first novel and she is currently working on her next book.

Visit Cristina's website

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Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for hosting this giveaway.

#Giveaway - What Happened to Hannah by Mary Kay McComas

2012-02-20T20:27:00.000-05:00

SYNOPSIS:

As a teenager, Hannah Benson ran away from home in order to save herself. Now, twenty years later, the past comes calling and delivers life-changing news: her mother and sister have passed away, leaving Hannah the guardian of her fifteen-year-old niece.

Returning home to bitter memories and devastating secrets, Hannah must overcome her painful past to pave a future with her niece, the last best chance at a family for both of them. She begins to create a new, happier life with her niece and rekindles a relationship with Grady Steadman, one of the few people she’s ever called a friend.

But she can’t forget what she cannot forgive, or lay to rest those ghosts that will not die. Will love and trust—and the truth—give her the strength to stand her ground and fight for what she deserves?

Visit Mary Kay's website

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Disclosure: I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.

Submit Your Book For Giveaway On Readaholic

2012-02-19T23:43:00.001-05:00

I receive a lot of requests from authors, publishers and public relations agencies to review and/or host giveaways for their latest books. While I wish that I had time to accept every single request, it is impossible to do so. I accept very few review requests because of time constraints but I am always open to hosting a giveaway. That is why I have created this form. It will allow you to submit your request and give me all of the necessary information. All of my giveaways will be done using Rafflecopter, unless you request another option.

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Review & #Giveaway: Just Like That!: How to Get Anything You Want by Janet Poole

2012-02-19T19:03:00.000-05:00

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Would you like to live an extraordinary life and in doing so lead others to do the same? This book seeks to explain to readers the one key to having an extraordinary life and after acquiring this key, readers will not only be able to help themselves, but help others as well. Author Janet Poole explains that the inner workings of life come down to one single key fact: that we, as humans, create what we think. After reading this book readers will have a better understanding of what this phrase entails, and will be able to apply the concept in order to get what they want.

The book aims to address several gaps in the current self-help genre by breaking away from conventional thinking. It offers ancient wisdom with a modern twist to reveal the power within and uses simple scientific explanations to show readers why they can get what they want, why they are entitled to do so and how doing so helps others.

The author aims to show readers that they need to consider themselves the most important figures in their lives; she clarifies this isn't a selfish act, but rather a selfless move. By placing themselves first and advancing down the path they have chosen for their lives, Poole believes readers will be able to free their spirits, allowing them to help others without need for reward.

"Just Like That!" is refreshingly candid and inspirational, and is timely during these tough financial times as the techniques in the book give readers the opportunity to make effortless changes to their lives and to come to the realization that they have control over how life turns out.

MY THOUGHTS:

I have read my fair share of self-help books. Most of them leave me feeling unsatisfied because they don't really teach me anything. That was not the case with Just Like That! It is full of insightful information that will make you re-think what you have learned from this genre in the past. With unique hints that seem to be tailored to your individual style, Just Like That! can help you barrel through the obstacles and reach your true potential. Janet's distinct writing and powerful voice make for an educational and inspiring read.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Why are some people are happy with very little and others miserable in paradise? While traveling and working in different countries, Janet found herself on a mission to solve this mystery, and she did so by avidly studying people and their behavior. Janet was never drawn to conventional studies in this field sensing that these can limit the potentials of this type of work. Since early childhood, Janet’s life has been an adventure, mostly fabulous but with its fair share of challenges – those times of course (!) generating the greatest learning and growth. Janet has two children and lives in NSW with her partner.

Janet Poole’s research over 20 years led her to the conclusion that the inner workings of life are staggeringly simple and that it comes down to one single key: we create what we think. Janet has followed alternate paths in her quest to understand life, including quantum physics, neuroscience, the link between brain-body-emotions, NLP Practitioner, (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Taoism, Masters of the Far East, Eckankar, nutrition and so on.

Solving the Mystery of a Happy Life

Janet is passionate about sharing this knowledge with others, to share with them the solution to the mystery of a happy life. This will remove the confusion many people face, liberate them into optimism and happiness, take them to their true potential; help them see life as an exciting adventure filled with possibility.

Janet is the eternal optimist; she has an open mind, a natural curiosity and a desire to become greater. She questions and breaks through traditional barriers such as the dos and don’ts of society. Janet opts for street-smart ways of learning and to allow possibilities from all fields as mentioned above as well as information from channeled beings, soul travel studies, American Indian and Yogi Philosophies. Janet practices what she teaches and actively chooses paths that resonate with her even if they are challenging. She takes the plunge and applies what she learns to gain a more complete understanding, and to better understand others.

Strength in a Unique Combination

Janet’s strengths lie in a unique combination. She is objective; able to see the bigger picture. Her strong analytical skills from her I.T. background direct her to the root of an issue, she then draws on her techniques for handling life to tie it all in for an effective solution. This means Janet’s writing tackles common confusions and frustrations, transforming them into a simple formula for getting what we want.

Birthplace and Home

Janet was born in Durban, South Africa. Her initial career in the I.T. (Information Technology) industry took her first to England, from where she travelled to parts of Europe and included a stint on a Kibbutz in Israel. While in England Janet was offered a contract in Australia, where she has lived for 23 years. Australia has numerous similarities to South Africa; the people are warm and friendly, the lifestyle relaxed and easy. Although Janet sometimes still misses the charming drumbeat of Africa, Australia is truly her home.

Visit Janet's website

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Author Spotlight - JT Keitt

2012-02-16T18:55:00.000-05:00

SYNOPSIS:

With Every Miracle There Comes A Price... From the beginning, Patricia Ann Hall knew she had a secret. Within a darkness of shouting voices that only she could hear, inside a world only her eyes could see, she grasped onto a deadly Miracle that although cruel and deceptive, offered her the only escape. Sex was the weapon. Money was the bait. Sanity was the vehicle. And someone had to suffer. Patricia’s daughter Symphony finds that even she can’t erase the melody of the madness as her past catches up to her, and everything she thought was real reveals its true identity. But is it too late?

Guest Post: Who has been your biggest influence and why?

If I had to say who has influenced me most, the accolade couldn’t fall upon one person, or for that matter one group of people. In fact, by whom I’ve been mostly influenced rests upon the shoulders of those I know who have longed to be heard or ‘read’ at one time or another.

I am influenced by the non-reader desperate for an escape; the non-writer searching for a therapeutic outlet—a place to lay their voice; the scorned seeking an answer and finally; the outcast hoping for inclusion.

Who influences me most are those who’ve lived and breathed the words I write and the ones who’ve afforded me the opportunity to write those words.

Why?

Because without a story there is nothing to say- no journey to travel-and it is their told and untold journey that I explore. They tell me to “say it” because I can and because it must be said, and to say it the way it comes out. So I say it through my writing, simply because they demand that of me, whether they realize it or not.

I’m not sure exactly why they influence me; perhaps it is their calling to do so. But I do know why I am influenced.

I am influenced mostly by their drive to keep going when all signs say “STOP”. I am influenced by their decision to recreate the rules, thus recreating their purpose. Most importantly, I am influenced by the role each and every one of them had in making it okay to travel roads untraveled, to make intentional mistakes, and to take unprecedented risks.

Sure, I love playing it safe at times, resting, and in some cases going down a nicely paved road. But if I should decide I’d rather take the detour, or perhaps the longer, less traveled and much bumpier path, it is because they did it and survived. Whether mentally, emotionally, physically, psychologically, or just simply through me, they indeed survived and because of this, I know I will too (pardon the cliché).

JT Keitt
(Self-published author)

Visit JT Keitt's website

Review & #Giveaway: Promised Valley War by Ron Fritsch

2012-02-16T17:04:00.000-05:00

SYNOPSIS:

In Promised Valley War, the youthful farmer and hunter who knowingly commit treason every moment they spend together, along with others among their peoples most curious about their “eternal” enemies and most willing to treat them as their equals, nevertheless set the stage for what they’ve feared more than anything else: another horrifying war.

MY THOUGHTS:

I picked up Promised Valley War immediately after finishing the first book in the series, Promised Valley Rebellion. I was thrilled that the second book kept up with the pace of the first and was just as addictive. If you are a fan of books like Clan of The Cave Bear, you have to read the Promised Valley series. I am anxiously awaiting the release of books number three and four!

About Ron Fritsch:

Photograph © John Moll

I grew up in rural northern Illinois. My father and mother were hard-working tenant farmers who loved to read. So did my siblings (one older sister, one older brother, one younger sister) and I.

I obtained a bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Illinois (major: history; minor: English literature) and a law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School.

I became a public-service attorney representing indigent and disabled adults and abused and neglected children. All during my life as a lawyer, I spent most of my time writing arguments on behalf of my clients, in the trial courts as well as the higher appeals courts.

For many years now, I’ve lived in Chicago with my partner who has picked me up when I’ve fallen, and driven me home again, possibly as many times as I have him.

I’m writing and publishing a four-book series of novels asking whether history and civilization might’ve begun and proceeded differently than they did.

Visit the Promised Valley website.

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Review & #Giveaway: Promised Valley Rebellion by Ron Fritsch

2012-02-16T16:27:00.000-05:00

SYNOPSIS:

Promised Valley Rebellion, the first book in the Promised Valley series, is a story of forbidden love. The farmers' king refuses to allow the marriage of the coming-of-age prince to the daughter of the farmer who saved the king's life in the last war with the hunters. Her brother decides he has to help his sister and the prince, his boyhood friend, correct the flagrant injustice.

That decision leads them and their allies into a youthful rebellion against the king and his officials, who rule the kingdom from their bluff-top town. The far more numerous farmers in the villages below, who despise the officials but not the king, and who admire the prince, are in a position to determine whether the rebels will succeed or face execution for treason.

MY THOUGHTS:

Promised Valley Rebellion is a powerful tale that leaves the reader wanting more. It has a little bit of everything, romance, rebellion, turmoil and more. I was immediately drawn in by not only the book, but into the characters lives as well. The emotional tugging that goes along with Promised Valley Rebellion is unrelenting. I'm so glad that I already had a copy of the second book in this series, Promised Valley War. I definitely recommend reading this book and giving yourself ample time to devour it. It's pretty fast-paced, so it shouldn't take long to read it from cover-to-cover.

About Ron Fritsch:

Photograph © John Moll

Visit the Promised Valley website.

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Review, #Giveaway & Author Guest Post: The Turning of Anne Merrick by Christine Blevins

2012-02-16T12:04:00.001-05:00

SYNOPSIS:

A tale of love and espionage from the author of Midwife of the Blue Ridge...

She spies for General Washington, betrays the Redcoats and battles for America's independence...

It's 1777, and a fledgling country wages an almost hopeless struggle against the might of the British Empire. Brought together by a fateful kiss, Anne Merrick and Jack Hampton are devoted to each other and to their Patriot cause. As part of Washington's daring network of spies, they are ready and willing to pay even the ultimate price for freedom.

From battlefields raging along the Hudson, to the desperate winter encampment at Valley Forge and through the dangerous intrigue of British-occupied Philadelphia, Anne and Jack brave the trials of separation, the ravages of war and an unyielding enemy growing ever more ruthless.

For love and for country, all is put at risk-and together the pair must call upon their every ounce of courage and cunning in order to survive.

MY THOUGHTS:

I can't tell you how many times I have wished that I had access to a time machine and journey back in time.  While this is impossible, I am glad that there are creative writers like Christine Blevins who can paint a portrait of what it would be like to live in historical times.  I felt as if I were right there experiencing everything with Anne.  The Turning of Anne Merrick is an action-filled piece of art!  If you like historical romance novels, this is one of the best that you will ever read.

AUTHOR GUEST POST:  A Novel Idea

In my quest for the wonderful tidbits required to make a historical novel come alive, I often bump into a tasty morsel altogether unrelated to what I am seeking, but compelling nonetheless. So what do I do when this happens? I jot it down. 

Evidently, sometime during in the course of research for my debut novel, Midwife of the Blue Ridge (an adventure set in 1763), and amid notes regarding 18th century ocean travel and life aboard a sailing ship, I jotted down this completely unrelated fact:

Really? New York City had been occupied by the British Army for seven years? 

Boston and Philadelphia are the large cities that spring to mind when you think about the American Revolution. New York – not so much. I was surprised the city had been occupied by the British enemy for seven years. Not only did I jot the fact down – I double bubbled it! 

Once I completed the manuscript Midwife of the Blue Ridge, I set out to get it published. This difficult process begins with first finding a literary agent willing to take on an uncredentialed and unpublished author. One does this by sending out query letters and sample pages, and suffering many, many rejections and much disappointment. At one fairly low point, I was organizing my research materials seriously thinking about giving up on writing, I ran across the bubbled note again.

Really? 
New York City had been occupied by the British Army for seven years? 
Hmmm…  

We Americans begin learning about the birth of our nation from the moment we gaze in wonder at a firework display at our first Fourth of July celebration. Between kindergarten and high school, a multitude of significant events, the battles and the stories of our forefathers – all of this history becomes etched on, and sometimes lost, in the wrinkles of our brains. 

I reread the note and turned to the internet to recover what I had lost, and began  to unearthed things I didn’t ever know. I became swept up in the American Revolution – swept up in the confusion and fervor of that extraordinary time in our history. A story began to coalesce in my mind, somewhat mimicking what was happening to me. This began with the tale of an ordinary woman – not the daughter, or wife or mistress or maid of any historically famous man –  just a woman who gets swept up by remarkable events taking place around her. 
It’s hard for me to describe the complete evolution of this story, but it became apparent once I began the deep research, the story I envisioned would require more than one book. The bubbled note I had written years before became the embryo of a three book series set during the American Revolution. 

Anne Merrick’s adventure begins in The Tory Widow with a celebratory kiss from a handsome young stranger. Against a New York City backdrop of civil strife, revolution, and war, Anne discovers her true ideals, and true love. 

In The Turning of Anne Merrick, as the war drags on and the Patriot cause appears evermore hopeless, Anne’s resolve and core purpose is tempered and tested at Saratoga, Valley Forge, and in British occupied Philadelphia.

Author Christine Blevins writes what she loves to read – historical adventure stories. The Turning of Anne Merrick is the second in a 3-book series set during the American Revolution, and the companion book to The Tory Widow. A native Chicagoan, Christine lives in Elmhurst, Illinois, along with her husband Brian, and The Dude, a very silly golden-doodle. She is at work finishing the third novel inspired by a lifelong fascination with the foundations of American history and the revolutionary spirit.

Visit Christine's website

Giveaway: Bayberry Candle Bundle – these sheets and envelopes are perfect for scrieving all manner of treason. The bundle is supplied with a quill pen and wrapped for convenient stowing amidst your gear.

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Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

#Giveaway - El Gavilan by Craig McDonald

2012-02-15T18:16:00.000-05:00

SYNOPSIS:

The news is full of it: escalating tensions from illegal immigration; headless bodies hanging off bridges and bounties placed on lawmen on both sides of the border. New Austin, Ohio, is a town grappling with waves of undocumented workers who exert tremendous pressure on schools, police and city services. In the midst of the turmoil, three very different kinds of cops scramble to maintain control and impose order.

But the rape-murder of a Mexican-American woman triggers a brutal chain of events that threatens to leave no survivors. El Gavilan is a novel of shifting alliances and whiplash switchbacks. Families are divided and careers and lives threatened. Friendships and ideals are tested and budding love affairs challenged. With its topical themes, shades-of- gray characters and dark canvas, El Gavilan is a novel for our charged times.

Visit Craig's website

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Disclosure: I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.

Spotlight - Albert G.D. Johnson III

2012-02-15T15:47:00.000-05:00

SYNOPSIS:

But little did he know that not only can he communicate with these dark creatures, but they can interact with him too. In fact, they intend to use him as the key to enter our world forever, strengthen their numbers, recruit human soldiers and declare war on all of Earth. Through David, they will rise and conquer with him as their human leader. It is his fate, or so they thought.

In this world, when you run and hide from your destiny, it will find you whether you are ready or not. Then the question that remains is…what in this world are you afraid of?

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against …the rulers of the darkness of this world…
Ephesians 6:12

GUEST POST - My Biggest Influence

My biggest influence by far has to be my mother and father. It’s difficult to choose only one of them. I don’t discuss this topic often, but at a very young age I was told by my mother that my father, Albert G. Johnson Jr. was not my biological father. My father and mother met when I was an infant so he’s always been in my life. He adopted me when I was around 5 years old and I took his name. And although I have no memory of him not being in my life, this discovery had a huge affect on my life, even as a child and I often struggled with my identity. But as I grew older, I watched my dad closely, saw how strong of a person he was and witnessed the sacrifices he made for his family. And this made me appreciate him, my talents and my accomplishments all the more.

My mother, Sherma Reed-Johnson, will always be my biggest fan no matter what’s going on in my life. I was very athletic in my youth and joined many sports teams and leagues growing up. I can count on one hand the number of games and events both my mom and dad have missed combined and they have always made themselves available to support me whether sports related or not. My mother has been through a lot throughout her own life and is one of the strongest people I know. Besides being my mother, she is also one of my closest friends and I feel that we can talk about almost anything. She has never been hesitant to tell me what’s on her mind and never hesitant to straighten me out when I needed a good talking to.

One of the Ten Commandments is honor your father and mother and I hold this commandment dear to my heart. I admire my parents for being my biggest supporters and for them being there when I needed them the most. They were there for me through the good times and the dark times. They have raised me well and because of them and my faith, I have a good foundation. They are what matters to me most and I can credit them for all of my dreams, aspirations and past accomplishments. I am truly proud and blessed to have such wonderful and loving parents.

Visit the website

Review & #Giveaway - Super Born: Seduction of Being by Keith Kornell

2012-02-15T14:28:00.001-05:00

SYNOPSIS:

“A world where women have super powers and all the men her age seemed like children, it didn’t sound so farfetched to me. In fact, I felt the world was always that way.” thought the B.I.B. as she contemplated the changes in her life.

The 33 year old average single mom in Scranton Pennsylvania suddenly finds her life turned complex; a unique combination of dream like amazement and nightmarish dangers. Her simple “real” life of raising her daughter and making ends meet, suddenly needs to co-exist with her rapidly changing life of fascinating powers; freedoms that liberate her from the concerns of Man. To be “real” and to have super powers causes a Clash, a conflict within herself, leaving her to wonder who she is. She’s definitely not a kid’s Super Hero, she’s a real woman with real life concerns and desires.

Her home town fell victim to tragic Cold War performance enhancing experimentation, the results of which made women of her generation to develop super abilities and the men much lower than normal abilities. A brilliant Professor Pin points the time the strongest Super Born would have been born and enlists the aid of a quirky Journalist to aid in their discovery.

Meanwhile, others have taken note of her as well. As she begins to use her powers, others learn of her existence. They search for her, hoping to use her strength.

She can tell no one, must hide from everyone. Even her 16 year old daughter, her sister’s and family, can’t learn of her new life, her new being.

Alone she must figure out her course over the untread ground on which she now walks. What is right and what is wrong when none of man’s rules apply to you? Who to trust when no one is like you? Are her powers a burden or an opening door to a new level of being, a new level of romance?

The story follows the course of her search for herself and the narrator’s search for her. It centers on the choices we make and how easily life can sway us from our course. It asks the question what you would do if anything were suddenly possible.

MY THOUGHTS:

I have to start out by saying that when I was a little girl, while most were wishing to be a ballerina or beauty contestant, I wanted to be a superhero. I would have even settled to be a sidekick. So, when I first read the synopsis of Super Born, I knew that it was right up my alley.

What makes this book different from other superhero stories is that it is told from the point of view of a journalist. I love the format because it was really easy to follow along with the journal entries. I felt like I was reading a true diary. The characters are likeable and the writing style is unique. Reading Super Born was a breath of fresh air. If you like fantasy and/or superheroes, then this book is perfect for you.

AUTHOR BIO:

Writing has always been a passion of Keith Kornell, author of Super Born. He has been writing since he was a twelve year old boy writing Secret Agent short stories in his room, imagining he was James Bond. Super Born was a work of pure inspiration that has created a new genre of novels...the super hero novel. Kornell says “My alter ego, the narrator of the book, comes from an unknown area of my brain, as he bears no similarity to me, yet I cannot stop writing in his voice.”

Writing has reemerged in the last few years as the focus of his life. His love for writing took a back seat to his career in business and his family for a number of years. Super Born is Kornell’s third novel and the first published with Harper Landmark Books. He also published a children's book The Big Big Game in 2002. Kornell is a member of the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society (GLAWS).

Kornell is also the founder and owner of Crown and Kornell, Corporation, a firm focusing on developing green operations which does business throughout the US and Canada. Kornell is currently developing a wind farm in Central Pennsylvania.

Kornell is a graduate of John Carroll University. He lives with his wife and son in Chardon, Ohio and spends his limited spare time writing, sculpting and in creating video productions.

Visit the Super Born website.

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For The Geek In Me

2012-02-15T13:26:00.000-05:00

When I am shopping online, I come across the coolest stuff. Things that I would probably never be able to find in any store near my home. Gift giving has become a much more enjoyable task because I can find something unique that will fit a person's taste perfectly. I'm particularly fond of Geek Gifts. A lot of people in my life go gaga for any and all things Star Wars. Yes, I'm one of those people too. Show me an item that features Darth Vader or Han Solo and I'm sold!

The really great thing about online shopping is all the deals and coupons you can take advantage of. When I see something that I like, I will actively search for a disclount. For example, when I find a poster of the "Evolution of the Cylon", I would search for both Print Place coupons and PsPrint gift codes. This way, I can buy the product without feeling guilty because I did my research and saved some much needed cash. This comes in especially handy when I have more than one present to buy. Sometimes it even frees up enough money for me to buy myself a little something, which is an added bonus!

Review & #Giveaway - Journey to Virginland by Armen Melikian

2012-02-14T19:22:00.000-05:00

ABOUT THE BOOK:

At turns heartbreaking and diabolically funny, Journey to Virginland is a tour de force, delivered by a master storyteller.

The protagonist, a loutish and uber-cerebral antihero known simply as Dog, takes on the challenge to navigate the perilous paradigm shifts of our age, determined to find his proper place under the sun. Is he doomed to failure? Or will he pull it off by heeding his own irreducible voice, given the ebb of the old certainties?

Dog pursues the answer unrelentingly, through an impassioned quest for identity and meaning. He revisits his relationships with women, family, literature, and homeland, in the process illuminating his journey with commentaries on history, religion, politics, and culture that unravel our very fabric.

Marked by biting satire and tappings into lushest scholarship, Dog’s naked critique touches on some of the most pressing issues facing humanity: the arrogance of empire and organized religion; the persistence of bigotry, xenophobia, and social Darwinism; the double standards of sexual politics; the bankrupt rationale behind patriotism and state propaganda; and hypercapitalism and consumerism, among others.

An ocean of struggles and epiphanies takes Dog to a spiritual ground zero called Virginland, where the story unfolds. It is also in Virginland that Dog unearths an ancient calendar based on a cosmic worldview. His discovery reveals the mythological underpinnings of the Zodiac, subverting the current conventional wisdom about the subject.

What emerges from the protagonist’s odyssey is not only a cogent depiction of what makes us tick, but, as day follows night, a dazzling new vista for social and spiritual transformation.

With its vibrant style, thematic breadth, and, ultimately, unfettered sense of humanity, Journey to Virginland establishes itself as a groundbreaking literary enterprise and a true original.

MY THOUGHTS:

When I first heard about Journey to Virginland, I was instantly intrigued by the title. I started reading it the night I received it in the mail and I ended up reading into the wee hours of the early morning. I did not want to put this book down, but eventually my tiredness kicked in full gear and I fell asleep. When I woke up, I went right back to reading and didn't put it down until I reached the last page.

Armen's writing ability sucks the reader in and doesn't let up. I was forced to look at myself and realized that I was dealing with a large amount of emotions that were let loose just by reading this book. When you are looking for a book to challenge you and force you to look into your spiritual self, pick up Journey to Virginland.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Armen Melikian (b. 1963) earned a Master's in International Relations from American University, Washington, D.C. He also studied mathematics at Harvard and elsewhere, and was admitted by the Mathematical Institute of Oxford University to pursue graduate studies in Analytic Geometry, Mathematical Physics, and Topology. However, he eventually abandoned both politics and mathematics in favor of literature and dedicated his life to writing. Melikian lives in Los Angeles.

Melikian is one of those rare thinkers whose intensity of passion matches their sharp wit and intellect. His poignant observations take to task the core tenets of metaideologies and jockeying civilizations, helping to discard layer after layer of entrenched misinformation and dogma.

Melikian brings a fresh, prodigiously layered voice to contemporary literature, not only expanding the boundaries of the novelistic endeavor as an artistic medium per se, but infusing it with extraordinary urgency and relevance in terms of sociopolitical, cultural, religious, and philosophical thought as well as mythological exegesis.

To date, awards and honors earned by Melikian's debut novel, Journey to Virginland, include the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for Best Fiction. The novel was selected by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards as one of the year’s top five books in Humor/Comedy, and received the only Honorable Mention in the Literary Fiction category at ForeWord Reviews’ Book of the Year Awards. These awards were based on a limited prepublication copy of the book that was made available by the publisher before its release.

Given its prescient vision of the shape of things to come, Melikian’s novel has been compared by critics to some of the masterpieces of contemporary literature, among them the politically explosive works of George Orwell. It has also been compared to Gurdjieff's Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson, and even to the book of Revelation.

Visit the website.

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For The Love Of Books #Giveaway - Say Amen, Again by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

2012-02-14T18:29:00.000-05:00

SYNOPSIS:

The spirited Houston congregation featured in ReShonda Tate Billingsley’s Let the Church Say Amen and Everybody Say Amen has a major scandal unfolding—and, as always, the outspoken Rachel Jackson Adams is at the heart of the drama.

As the First Lady of Zion Hill, Rachel is not only Pastor Lester Adams’ wife—she’s currently his eight-months-pregnant wife, who’s going toe-to-toe with Lester’s onetime mistress, congregant Mary Richardson, also pregnant. Her baby may or may not be Lester’s, but Mary’s doing all she can to win sympathy and turn her fellow churchgoers against Rachel—even threatening to blackmail Pastor Adams with a paternity agreement. After all, where can an unmarried mother-to-be go but to the Lord? Rachel has a few choice answers for exactly where Mary can go . . . but as these expectant moms do battle, hostilities erupt into a drama unlike anything Zion Hill has ever seen! Something has to give, and while Rachel contemplates everything from transferring her lifelong church membership to packing up and leaving Lester, she knows deep down God is calling her to forgiveness. Will the arrival of the new babies bring a new understanding? Or harden forever the anger that’s dividing them?

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Disclosure: I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.

For The Love Of Books #Giveaway - A Good Man is Hard to Find by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

2012-02-14T17:06:00.000-05:00

SYNOPSIS:

#1 national bestselling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley takes off on an adventure of romance, passion, and just a touch of suspense . . . set in one of the world’s most exotic locales.

After her company is bought out by a tabloid magazine, career-driven journalist Ava Cole is less than thrilled to be covering celebrity fluff stories—even if her first assignment sends her to Aruba for the high-profile wedding of pop star India Wright. Maybe a solo excursion far from home will help her forget about her crazy family and her suddenly ex-boyfriend, who seems to have trouble with two simple words: “I do.”

It doesn’t take long for the steamy island atmosphere to work its magic, and Ava finds herself enjoying a sexy flirtation with Cliff, the photographer shooting the singer’s nuptials. Just as their attraction heats up, Ava uncovers a bombshell of blackmail, deadly deceptions, and international intrigue that will all but destroy India Wright. With ominous threats closing in after the story leaks, whom can Ava trust with her explosive information, her heart—and her life?

Visit ReShonda's website

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Disclosure: I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.

#Giveaway - Ripper by Stefan Petrucha

2012-02-13T21:25:00.000-05:00

ABOUT THE BOOK:

You thought you knew him. You were dead wrong.

Carver Young dreams of becoming a detective, despite growing up in an orphanage with only crime novels to encourage him. But when he is adopted by Detective Hawking of the world famous Pinkerton Agency, Carver is given not only the chance to find his biological father, he finds himself smack in the middle of a real life investigation: tracking down a vicious serial killer who has thrown New York City into utter panic. When the case begins to unfold, however, it's worse than he could have ever imagined, and his loyalty to Mr. Hawking and the Pinkertons comes into question. As the body count rises and the investigation becomes dire, Carver must decide where his true loyalty lies. Full of whip-smart dialogue, kid-friendly gadgets, and featuring a then New York City Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt, Ripper challenges everything you thought you knew about the world's most famous serial killer.

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Disclosure: I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.

For The Love Of Books #Giveaway - Conquering Your Goliaths by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

2012-02-13T19:03:00.000-05:00

ABOUT THE BOOK:

David gathered 5 smooth stones to meet and defeat Goliath. What did these stones represent and how can you use them to conquer Goliaths in your own personal quests? Ms. Virginia Bean will show you how.

Travel with her on her own personal journey. See what she does. Learn how she grows. Discover what she becomes.

“Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones” is for anyone desiring to travel beyond mediocrity, pain and fear. Learn of the great power within you, a power given to you from God, a power that must ultimately be unleashed to conquer the Goliaths in your own life. Come to an even deeper understanding of God and what he wants for you. Come…

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Disclosure: I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.

For The Love Of Books #Giveaway: At the King’s Pleasure by Kate Emerson

2012-02-13T17:04:00.000-05:00

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Married to one man. Desiring another. Beautiful Lady Anne Stafford, ladyin- waiting to Queen Catherine of Aragon, is torn between her love for her husband, George, Lord Hastings . . . and the king’s boon companion, the attentive Sir William Compton. But when King Henry VIII, amorous as always, joins the men clustering around her, Anne realizes she has become perilously enmeshed in the intrigues of the court. Will she be forced to decide between the two men she desires—and the one she doesn’t? Kate Emerson charms again with a heroine who steps out of the pages of history to win our hearts in this sumptuous novel of Tudor scandal and intrigue.

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Disclosure: I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.

Review & #Giveaway - Stumbling Into Infinity by Michael Fischman

2012-02-13T16:45:00.000-05:00

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Two brothers are conceived a month apart, but born together as twins—called superfetation—one is a preemie and one is full-term. This anomaly affects their whole lives as one "twin" strives to succeed and the other tries to subvert, just to keep up. Their journey is a real head trip that climaxes with building resentment and an actual murder plot. ENVY continually fuels the emotional roller coaster between them. This is the first of a seven book series. Who will "win" in the end?

MY THOUGHTS:

To a lot of people, a spiritual journey is a very private and emotional experience. When someone allows you to peek into their life and explains what has made them who they are, it should be seen as an honor. That is how I felt while reading Stumbling Into Infinity.

Michael takes a trip to India where he meets Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who helps him with his spiritual growth. Michael has spent a lot of time tackling what it takes to make the world a better place. It was a pleasure to read his book and I will definitely keep it in mind when talking with family and friends.

AUTHOR BIO:

Michael Fischman is a founding member and current president of the U.S. Art of Living Foundation, a non-profit educational and humanitarian organization whose programs have impacted more than 25 million people in more than 140 countries.

A former advertising executive with Ogilvy & Mather, he is also the CEO of APEX (Achieving Personal Excellence), the corporate training division of the International Association for Human Values.

“For the past twenty years, I have dedicated my life to sharing and growing on a spiritual path that has brought fulfillment and happiness to millions of people around the world,” says Michael.

Visit the website

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Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Organization Is Key

2012-02-13T16:00:00.001-05:00

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to be more organized in all aspects of my life. I had grown sick of the chaotic mess that I called my life. One of the greatest tools to help with organization has to be my laptop. I can use different software to keep track of things and I can use the internet to purchase organizational products for my home.

Today, I have been playing around with clipix. What is clipix? It's a really cool clipboard program that allows you to upload different images and place them into different categories. I see things all the time that I think would make great gifts for different people in my life. Instead of trying to remember every single one of them, I am using a clipboard to upload images of the products I find.

You can create a clipboard for any topic you like. If you are an avid reader, you can make a clipboard that has the covers of all your favorite books and easily share it with friends and family. If you like to share different articles with the people in your life, you can make a clipboard for that. The possibilities are endless.

This is a free service that you can use as often as you like. You can set your boards to private or share them with the clipix family. If you are addicted to your iPhone, you will be happy to know that there is an app for clipix!

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For The Love Of Books #Giveaway - The Last Blind Date by Linda Yellin

2012-02-13T14:15:00.000-05:00

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A fun, charming memoir about a woman who falls in love, packs her bags, and starts over in the city that eats its young.

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Disclosure: I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.