DK'S BOOK REVIEWS

MY THOUGHTS ON "THE RADLEYS BY MATT HAIG

2011-01-06T19:05:00.001-06:00

"THE RADLEYS"

Published: December 28th 2010 by Free Press

Details: Hardcover, 384 pages

Isbn: 1439194017 (Isbn 13: 9781439194010)

DESCRIPTION (from Goodreads)

Just about everyone knows a family like the Radleys. Many of us grew up next door to one. They are a modern family, averagely content, averagely dysfunctional, living in a staid and quiet suburban English town. Peter is an overworked doctor whose wife, Helen, has become increasingly remote and uncommunicative. Rowan, their teenage son, is being bullied at school, and their anemic daughter, Clara, has recently become a vegan. They are typical, that is, save for one devastating exception: Peter and Helen are vampires and have—for seventeen years—been abstaining by choice from a life of chasing blood in the hope that their children could live normal lives.

One night, Clara finds herself driven to commit a shocking—and disturbingly satisfying—act of violence, and her parents are forced to explain their history of shadows and lies. A police investigation is launched that uncovers a richness of vampire history heretofore unknown to the general public. And when the malevolent and alluring Uncle Will, a practicing vampire, arrives to throw the police off Clara’s trail, he winds up throwing the whole house into temptation and turmoil and unleashing a host of dark secrets that threaten the Radleys’ marriage.

The Radleys is a moving, thrilling, and radiant domestic novel that explores with daring the lengths a parent will go to protect a child, what it costs you to deny your identity, the undeniable appeal of sin, and the everlasting, iridescent bonds of family love. Read it and ask what we grow into when we grow up, and what we gain—and lose—when we deny our appetites.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MATT HAIG
from book

Matt Haig was born in Sheffield in 1975 and grew up in Nottinghamshire. He has lived in London and Spain. His writing has frequently appeared in the UK press. He is the author of The Last Family in England, a UK best seller narrated by a Labrador; The Dead Fathers Club, an update of Hamlet featuring an eleven-year-old boy; and The Possession of Mr. Cave, a horror story about an overprotective father. All three are being developed for film by Heyday/Film Four, Brad Pitt/Plan B, and Parallel Productions, respectively. He has also written two children's novels, bothe critically and commerciallyh successful. His work has been translated into twenty four languages. He lives in York, England, with the writer Andrea Semple and their two children. His website is http://www.matthaig.com/.

MY THOUGHTS

This is the first book that I have read by Matt Haig. When I started out reading this book I really didn't know what to expect. The beginning of the book goes into good details about the characters and you get to know them well. You understand what is happening to this family and the reasons why. I was very surprised really at how much I enjoyed this read. I would say that it is a very interesting and well thought out story that doesn't get all out of control with the paranormal and is more of a real to life and what could happen with the teenagers and how the kids treat each other and the way the parents feel for their kids. It doesn't get all confusing and talking in languages that you don't understand and everyone has real names. I did think that it had more sexual content in it than maybe a YA read should have but as far as good books go I think that it is one that a wide range of readers can enjoy. It is a very good book and I would recommend it.

I was provided this book from the author Matt Haig, Free Press, A division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. and Free Press Blog Tours group through Book Blogs. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have recieved free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinion.

MY THOUGHTS ON "THE REMAINS" BY VINCENT ZANDRI

2010-12-07T21:27:00.000-06:00

"THE REMAINS"

BY VINCENT ZANDRI

Published: November 30th 2010 by StoneHouse Ink

Details: Paperback, 375 pages

Isbn: 0982770502 (Isbn 13: 9780982770504)

DESCRIPTION (From Publisher)

Thirty years ago, teenager Rebacca Underhill and her twin sister Molly were abducted by a man who lived in a house in the woods behind their upstate New York farm. They were held inside that house for three horrifying hours, until making their daring escape . Vowing to keep their terrifying experience a secret in order to protect their mother and father, the girls tried to put the past behind them. And when their attacker was hunted down by police and sent to prison, they beleived he was as good as dead.

Now, it's 30 years later, and with Molly having passed away from cancer, Rebecca, a painter and art teacher, is left alone to bear the burden of a secret that has only gotten heavier and more painful with each passing year. But when Rebecca begins receiving some strange anonymous text messages, she begins to realize that the monster who attacked her all those years ago is not dead after all. He's back, and this time, he wants to do more than just haunt her. He wants her dead.

A BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vincent Zandri is an award-winning novelist, essayist and freelance photojournalist. His novel As Catch Can (Delacorte) was touted in two pre-publication articles by Publishers Weekly and was called “Brilliant” upon its publication by The New York Post. The Boston Herald attributed it as “The most arresting first crime novel to break into print this season.” Other novels include Godchild (Bantam/Dell) and Permanence (NPI). Translated into several languages including Japanese and the Dutch, Zandri’s novels have also been sought out by numerous major movie producers, including Heyday Productions and DreamWorks. Moonlight Falls is his fourth novel. He is the author of the blogs, Dangerous Dispatches and Embedded in Africa for RT ( Russia Today TV) which have been syndicated and translated in several different languages throughout the world. He also writes for other global publications, including Culture 11, Globalia, Globalspec and more. Zandri’s nonfiction has appeared in New York Newsday, Hudson Valley Magazine, Game and Fish Magazine and others, while his essays and short fiction have been featured in many journals including Fugue, Maryland Review and Orange Coast Magazine. He holds an M.F.A. in Writing from Vermont College and is a 2010 International Thrillerl. Writer’s Awards panel judge. Zandri currently divides his time between New York and Europe. He is the drummer for the Albany-based punk band to Blisterz. You can visit his website at www.vincentzandri.com or his blog at http://www.vincentzandri.blogspot.com./

MY THOUGHTS

I was so glad to get a chance to read this book for review. I actually had been waiting for it since I read "Moonlight Falls" in May. "The Remains" is the second book by Vincent Zandri that I have read and so far I have loved them both. He is a great writer and really knows how to keep you in suspense. The characters have plenty of detail and the story is told well. This book is easily read and moves along at a pretty fast pace and is suitable for young adults as well. I started reading this book late in the evening and I ended up staying up way too late because I couldn't put it down. I kept telling myself, just close the book and go to sleep it would be there in the morning but I just had to keep reading. Vincent Zandri knows how to get your attention from the very beginning and will keep it there till the very end. I just love a great late night read especially an excellent suspense such as this one.

I would like to thank Vincent Zandri, StoneHouse Ink, and Dorothy from Pump Up Your Books for supplying me with this great book to read.

I was provided this book from the author Vincent Zandri, StoneHouse Ink and Dorothy Thompson from Pump Up Your Book. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have recieved from this company free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinions.

MY THOUGHTS ON "THE QUIET ROAD" BY ANNIE FRAME

2010-11-02T05:24:00.003-05:00

"THE QUIET ROAD"

BY ANNIE FRAME

Published: November 27th 2009 by Vanguard Press (first published 2009)
Details: Paperback, 313 pages
Isbn: 184386567X (Isbn 13: 978183865674)

DESCRIPTION (from Goodreads)

Frankford Lucas is the chief superintendent in the police force. He is well respected and well thought of... however, he has a secret. Ever since childhood he has visited The Quiet Road in his dreams. He thought it was a good place, this Quiet Road, but events unfold to prove otherwise. Gruesome murders are being carried out on his patch and trophies turning up in his flat with no rational explanation. Who is slaughtering the innocent victims and why? Profiler Lenny Docker introduces a clairvoyant into the investigation and The Sarsaparilla Duchess, seems to know more about Frankford Lucas than she should - even more than he does himself! In time Frankford Lucas learns the true secret of The Quiet Road and realises he is dealing with a force beyond his control. Can he save his soul from darkness, and can he save the souls of others who cannot help themselves? The Road is long as is the investigation leading the reader on an intense journey they will not forget in a hurry!

MY THOUGHTS

This book was good not great for me but still good. I think that the book has a good story line but maybe needs to focus more on just a couple areas as it seems to go off in too many directions. There is a bit of everything in this book, you have spirits, demonic possession, murder and mystery. I felt that I could have done without some of the characters and things that happened as I didn't get enough of a background and details on the characters as I needed to get a real good feel for them. There is enough detail to know what is going on but not enough to get the (I feel like I am there) in the discriptions. Annie is a new writer and has great ideas as this story goes along and I think has great potential for future books. Frank is a good character and I did feel like I knew him more and throughout the first chapters I got some of that creepy, skin crawling feelings with the spirits and his seeing the quiet road and I wasn't sure if he was insane or if it was something else. The author wrote at the beginning of the book that she is a medium and uses her fiction writing as a way to express herself and give us the "opportunity to enjoy the story without the duty to believe". I felt this was a good story, well written and that she is a good medium knowing about the spirit world in depth and I did enjoy this read. One thing that would have made it better for me is if she would go into more depth on the areas that she is best at and make me not just enjoy the story but believe as she believes. I really like a story that makes me believe and watch over my shoulder as though I am there.

I would like to thank the author for giving me the chance to read her book.

I was provided this book from the author Annie Frame to review. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have recieved from this author free of charge and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinions.

MY THOUGHTS ON "LIVE TO TELL" BY LISA GARDNER

2010-08-23T10:38:00.000-05:00

"LIVE TO TELL"

BY LISA GARDNER

Published: July 8th 2010 by Bantam

Details: Hardcover, 400 pages

isbn: 0553807242 (isbn13: 9780553807240)

DESCRIPTION (from Goodreads)

He knows everything about you—including the first place you’ll hide.

On a warm summer night in one of Boston’s working-class neighborhoods, an unthinkable crime has been committed: Four members of a family have been brutally murdered. The father—and possible suspect—now lies clinging to life in the ICU. Murder-suicide? Or something worse? Veteran police detective D. D. Warren is certain of only one thing: There’s more to this case than meets the eye.

Danielle Burton is a survivor, a dedicated nurse whose passion is to help children at a locked-down pediatric psych ward. But she remains haunted by a family tragedy that shattered her life nearly twenty-five years ago. The dark anniversary is approaching, and when D. D. Warren and her partner show up at the facility, Danielle immediately realizes: It has started again.

A devoted mother, Victoria Oliver has a hard time remembering what normalcy is like. But she will do anything to ensure that her troubled son has some semblance of a childhood. She will love him no matter what. Nurture him. Keep him safe. Protect him. Even when the threat comes from within her own house.

In New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner’s most compelling work of suspense to date, the lives of these three women unfold and connect in unexpected ways, as sins from the past emerge—and stunning secrets reveal just how tightly blood ties can bind. Sometimes the most devastating crimes are the ones closest to home.

A BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Gardner is the New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels. Her Detective D. D. Warren novels include The Neighbor, Hide, and Alone. Her FBI Profiler novels include Say Goodbye, Gone, The Killing Hour, The Next Accident, and The Third Victim. She lives with her family in New England, where she is at work on her next D. D. Warren novel, Save Me, which Bantam will publish in 2011.

You can find Lisa online at http://www.lisagardner.com/

MY THOUGHTS

I must say that I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read any of Lisa Gardner's books before and OMG what a great suspense. I felt that this book was very well written and has great details and wonderful characters. I was drawn into this story from the very beginning and it just kept getting better and better. There are parts that just make your skin crawl with the details of some of the things she describes. You get caught up in this story and feel as if you are there and that is one of the things I like about this book. Another thing I like about this book is it has many twists and turns and I didn't have it figured out in the first two chapters. This story keeps you thinking and on the edge of your seat and then at the end of the story I just had to think about what a great mind she must have to come up with a story like this.

I would like to thank the Author Lisa Gardner for a great book, Bantam Books and Cheryl from Pump Up Your Books for supplying me with this book to review.

I was provided this book from the author Lisa Gardner, Bantam Books and Cheryl from Pump Up Your Book. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have recieved from this author free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinion.

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER

2010-07-25T18:57:00.000-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS

to the winners

I have chosen the winners through random.org. I have sent out e-mails and I will need your name and address within 72 hours or I will need to choose another winner.

Ron

UrbanL

Benita

Thanks for entering my contest and I hope you enjoy your audio book. I havn't written my review yet but I just finished listening to this one a couple days ago and thought it was very good.

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER

2010-07-25T18:41:00.000-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS

To the winners

I have chosen names through random.org. I have sent out e-mails and will need a return e-mail with

your name and address within 72 hours or I will need to choose another winner.

Renee G

nfmgirl

Kalea_Kane

Thanks for entering my contest and I hope you enjoy your audio book.

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER

2010-07-25T18:31:00.000-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS

to the winners

Winners are picked from random.org and I have sent out e-mails that need to be returned

with a name and street address within 72 hours or I will need to choose another winner.

Cindy W.

Linda

Emily Leeds

Thanks for entering my contest and I hope you enjoy your audiobook.

MY THOUGHTS ON "THE LAST TRACK" BY SAM HILLIARD

2010-07-15T20:46:00.000-05:00

"THE LAST TRACK"

BY SAM HILLIARD

Published: Buddhapuss Ink LLC (February 13, 2010)

Details: paperback, 286 pages

isbn: ISBN-10: 0984203516 ISBN-13: 978-0984203512

DESCRIPTION (from publisher)

Imagine if being late meant a child disappeared forever. That is the fear that drives Mike Brody--the man you want, when the one you love is missing. Mike is more than just a master tracker. An ex-Special Forces operative, smoke jumper, and now extreme adventure tour guide, he also possesses a unique ability to tap into the memory and emotional state of those he pursues. In The Last Track, a police detective recruits Mike to help find an asthmatic boy lost in the dense woods surrounding a dude ranch in Montana. An unwitting murder witness, the boy burrows ever deeper into the rugged terrain, fearful of being found. As Mike and a local officer search for the boy, the killer follows them. While the investigation expands, Mike's ex-wife, a well-connected journalist, uses her contacts to unravel the truth behind the murder. Her discoveries threaten to snare them all in a treacherous conspiracy . . .

A BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in Kansas City, MO, near the center of the United States, I arrived during a very scary period of the 1970s. According to many noted historians, that included nearly every moment between 1970 and 1979.

I was baptized on five different occasions--once in the back of a speeding Dodge Satellite--before reaching the age of six months. The final baptism--an official ceremony--happened in a quiet Midwestern church. Family members who had taken matters into their own hands had worried my father's procrastination and daredevil driving would prevent the ceremony from ever happening. Apparently someone had my back.

After the first six months, childhood was pretty typical. That is, if typical means a mother who served books like they were warm cookies and a kid who had abysmal eyesight and even less athletic ability. This combination resulted in a slightly introverted boy who spent a lot of time inside reading, looking terribly pasty. Not saying that was me. Only that it was someone who resembled me. That pallor cleared up around 27. I still avoid the sun, though.

My parents had the sort of jobs that required frequent moves. Those relocations happened often enough that I thought saying good-bye forever to friends was just something one did for fun.

Along the way we lived in Hannibal, MO, where Mark Twain wrote some of his finest work, plus a collection of suburbs in Missouri, Kansas, Southern California, Utah, Upstate New York, Maryland and New Jersey. Looking back, maybe we were actually in the witness protection program. Sorry, Mom and Dad, for blowing your cover after all these years.

During high school, I earned the distinction of being the student who cared the least about being there, yet had the most anxiety ever recorded about doing well.

Fortunately there was life after 18. I played bass and drank a lot of beer. Changed majors in college a few times. Drank some more beer. Learned to take black and white photographs--before the age of digital cameras. Then one day, as a sophomore in college, I locked myself in the study lounge and came out with a ten page story. I hadn't felt that alive in a very long time. I promptly drank some more beer and forgot all about writing.

About a year before finishing college, my family moved to Red Bank, New Jersey, which at the time was rated the hippest town in the Garden State. I worked in a convenience store and sold cigarettes to Kevin Smith. At that moment I knew what kind of writer I wanted to be: the sort who never admitted to living in New Jersey. Thanks to Jersey Shore, I have another reason.

I graduated. I worked a bunch of jobs, got married and divorced. Suddenly I was back in that dorm study lounge, ( except this time it was an apartment ) and a book came out of it. Roughly one out of every four waking hours for the next two years was spent writing The Last Track. The feeling from college came back--and, with it, a lot more empty beer bottles.

Now I live outside New York City with my girlfriend and an army of four cats--one feline under the legal limit. When I'm not writing, I'm the Director of IT at an all-girl boarding school and witness world class drama first-hand. It's also the reason I study Krav Maga and Tai Chi.

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoyed this read even though I really didn't know what to expect. I thumbed through it first and noticed it all takes place in a few days and then was wondering how can you get this much book in a few days and keep my attention? I was surprised to say the least. I found that this book was very interesting and I really liked Mike Brody as he turned out to be a great character. I found that I liked the way the book was laid out by the days and minutes it makes it all come together pretty good. This was a great story and had good characters with nice details, just enough to keep you reading on and not too much to over do it I thought that it was a nice mix. The story had several twists and turns and a couple times I thought I new who was doing what and I was wrong. I like that in a book. One other thing I thought was good was the cover design which is done by Elynn Cohen I thought it fit perfect as I was reading along and came to the part where Mike Brody is placing his hand in the footprint with the details and the picture it just fit together nicely. This book was well written and put together nicely. If you like a good mystery and one that is believable then you should try this one. I will be waiting for the next one.

I would like to thank the author Sam Hilliard and Jaime through Pump Up Your Book for supplying me with this book to review.

I was provided this book from the author Sam Hilliard, Buddhapuss Ink LLC and Jaime from Pump Up Your Book. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have recieved from this author free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinion.

MY THOUGHTS ON "REWRITTEN LIVES" BY J. ELLIOT HOWARD

2010-07-14T20:00:00.001-05:00

"REWRITTEN LIVES"

BY J. ELLIOT HOWARD

Published: March 16th by Xlibris Corporation

Details: paperback, 106 pages

isbn: 1450022693 (isbn13: 9781450022699)

DESCRIPTION (from Goodreads)

Rewritten Lives is a book of poetry that touches the cycle of life. As on lives life, letting go, learning lessons, rough times, standing again, rebuilding, loving, and completion are the facets that keep repeating. As the heart grows, the spirit gets stronger, and these poems are the "notes" of development.

A BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I was born in Findlay, Ohio. At the age of 16, my family moved to Sugar Land, TX. Shortly after moving, I began to write. No matter where I went, my writing followed. I wrote while attending University Of Houston, transferring and graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, graduate school at Bowling Green State University, marriage, fatherhood, and all points in between. Poetry is my snapshot in time because words mean more than pictures to me. They allow me to look, remember, and truly embrace each new experience.

I love the city of Houston. Houston is where I met my wife, and where my son was born. Writing has enabled me to express myself thoroughly and creatively. Life is more than "happy love." At times, I have had to say good-bye. Sometimes, I have had to give chase. In other situations, I have had to sit still. Nevertheless, in all of the places I have lived, and moments I have experienced, all are worthwhile.

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed reading this poetry book. I especially like the first poem about his grandma I loved the way it just grabbed me from the start but there are so many more from this book that does the same thing. These poems are so meaningful and personal and I was able to relate to them as they kept making me think back about my grandma and different things that have happened in my life. GENUINE was another that just makes you kind of think and I really liked COMING HOME and MY ROSE. I just had the feeling throughout this book that it is just so heartfelt and just down right get the emotions flowing. If you love poetry and even if you don't read it much I feel that you would enjoy this read. I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end.

I would like to thank the author J. Elliot Howard for giving me this great book to review. I did enjoy every minute of it.

I was provided this book from the author J. Elliot Howard. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have recieved from this author free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinion.

MY THOUGHTS ON "THE BRIDE COLLECTOR" BY TED DEKKER

2010-07-10T18:27:00.000-05:00

"THE BRIDE COLLECTOR"

BY TED DEKKER

Published: April 13th 2010 by Hachette Audio

Details: Compact Disc

isbn: 160788187X (isbn13: 9781607881872)

DESCRIPTION (from publisher)

THE BRIDE COLLECTOR

He loves them because they are beautiful. He kills them because he loves them.

A virtuoso killer is carving a path of death across the west, intent on killing only the most beautiful women, all in the name of love. He has claimed six victims and slipped through the FBI’s fingers, each time leaving behind a handwritten note and a bridal veil.

Now, with the help from an unlikely group of four, special agent Brad Raines must enter the killer’s deadly game. But the Bride Collector is supremely gifted and he has a distinct advantage over them all: this is his game.

A BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ted Dekker (born October 24, 1962) is a New York Times best-selling author of more than twenty novels. He is best known for stories which could be broadly described as suspense thrillers with major twists and unforgettable characters, though he has also made a name for himself among fantasy fans.

Early in his career he wrote a number of spiritual thrillers and his novels were lumped in with ‘Christian
Fiction’ a surprisingly large category. His later novels are a mix of mainstream novels such as Adam, Thr3e, Skin, Obsessed and BoneMan’s Daughters, and Fantasy thrillers that metaphorically explore faith. Best known among these is his Circle Series: Green, Black, Red, White and The Paradise Books: Showdown, Saint, and Sinner.

Biography

Dekker was born to missionaries who lived among the headhunter tribes of Indonesia. Because his parents’ work often included extended periods of time away from their children, Dekker describes his early life in a culture to which he was a stranger as both fascinating and lonely. It is this unique upbringing that forced him to rely on his own imagination to create a world in which he belonged.

After leaving Indonesia, Dekker graduated from a multi-cultural high school and took up permanent residence in the United States to study Philosophy and Religion. Upon earning his Bachelor’s Degree, he entered the corporate world and proceeded to climb the proverbial ladder. But his personal drive left him restless and, after many successful years, he traded corporate life for wide range of entrepreneurial pursuits that included buying and selling businesses, healthcare services, and marketing.

In the early nineties while visiting a friend who had just written a book, Dekker decided to pursue a long held desire to be a novelist. Over the course of two years he wrote two full length novels before starting from scratch and rewriting both. Now fully enamored by the the process and the stories, he realized that storytelling was in his blood and a new obsession to explore truth through story gripped him anew.

He sold his business, moved his family to the mountains of Western Colorado and began writing full-time on his third novel. Two years and three novels later his first novel, Heaven’s Wager, was published.

Now, eight years from the publication of his first novel, Dekker’s novels had sold over 3.4 million copies worldwide. Two of his novels, Thr3e and House, have been made into movies with more in production. Dekker resides in Austin, Texas with his wife Lee Ann and two of their daughters.

MY THOUGHTS

I was amazed at how well I liked this audiobook. I thought this story line was very good and different from what I was expecting. I have to give some credit to John Glover as I thought he was a great reader for this story and I liked it even more with just the way his voice sounded (Great job John). There is so much detail that has been put into the characters you really get a good feel for them and can get to know each and every one of them. I really liked the fact that the author has chosen intellegent mentally ill patients for this book. As this story moves along it really starts to make you think and second guess what is happening. There are many different twists and turns to this book and you can tell that there has been some good research done and I just love that in a book. The way that religion and how some mentally ill patients may perceive it was wonderful also and it just makes you wonder how he can come up with a great story such as this. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a good thriller and I will definitely be looking forward to reading some more of Ted Dekker's books.

I would like to thank the author Ted Dekker, Hachette Book Group and Anna Balasi from Hachette Audio Books Group for supplying me with this audiobook to review.

I was provided this book from the author Ted Dekker, Hachette Audio Group and Anna Balasi from Hachette Audio Books blog. This review is of my own honest opinion on the audiobook that I have recieved from this author free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinions.

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER

2010-07-10T09:43:00.000-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS

To the winners of "The 9th Judgment" by James Patterson.

I have sent e-mails to the winners and I will be needing a return e-mail with your name and address within 72 hours or I will need to pick another winner.

I use random.org to pick winners.

Pamela Keener

janetfaye

pderi11

Thanks for entering my contest and I hope you enjoy your audiobook.

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER

2010-07-10T09:23:00.000-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS

To the winners of "Deliver Us From Evil" by David Baldacci.

I have sent e-mails to the winners and I will need a return e-mail within 72 hours or I will need to pick another winner.

I use random.org to pick winners.

Midwestern Gone Idahoan

grannyvon

Linda

Thanks for entering my contest and I hope you enjoy your audiobook.

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER

2010-07-10T08:49:00.000-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS

To the winners of "The War Lovers" by Evan Thomas.

The winners have been e-mailed and I will need a reply e-mail within 72 hours with your name and address or I will need to draw another winner.

Winners are picked with random.org.

rhapsodyinbooks

nfmgirl

Martha Lawson

Thanks for entering my contest and I hope you enjoy your audiobook.

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER

2010-07-10T08:12:00.000-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS

To the winners of "The Bride Collector" by Ted Dekker.

I have sent out e-mails to the winners and will need a response within 72 hours or I will draw another winner.

I use random.org to pick winners.

Anne-Marie T

Renee G

Jaime

Thanks for entering my contest and I hope you enjoy your audiobook.

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER

2010-06-27T00:35:00.000-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE WINNER

I have picked a winner through random.org.

post #2 Martha Lawson

I have sent an e-mail and I will be needing your name and address so I may send it to the author and he will send you your book.

Thanks for entering my contest and I hope you enjoy your book.

GUEST POST FROM THE AUTHOR OF "WELCOME TO HARMONY"

2010-06-08T01:13:00.000-05:00

AUTHOR

JODI THOMAS

WELCOME TO HARMONY is hitting the stands as we speak. Sometimes I feel like one of those dime novel writers from a hundred years ago. They’d write their stories, mail the book off to a press back east and wait at the train station for the first copies to come in with the newspapers. It’s a kick to know that people all over the country will be stepping into my world in a few days.

I began the book at a Bed and Breakfast built in 1851 near Tyler, Texas. I was the only guest at the huge old plantation house and thought as soon as the housekeeping staff left I would wander, but as soon as the door was closed and I realized I was alone, I ran to my room and locked the door. That night, with ghosts (I was sure) just outside my door I began the story of a small town called Harmony.

Harmony is a place we all wish we were from. You’ll fall in love with not only the Fire Chief who tries to take care of all the women in his life—a mother, two widowed aunts, two divorced sisters and a four year old niece—but you’ll also understand the Funeral Director who loves his job of helping people in crisis. Everyone in town knows him, but he can’t remember names. He’s lonely but can’t see himself ever leaving his home or his responsibilities. He’s kind to everyone, but has no one to love him.

The thread that holds them all together is a runaway who hits town one night. She’s really not looking to stay, but just wants to visit Harmony so she’ll have a place to be from. What she finds is a place to belong.

The settings are pulled from my memories of small town rodeos and families who argue for generations but fight to help one another when trouble comes. The prairie fires of 2006 that burned a million acres of land near my home in the Texas Panhandle influenced the plot as did the funny ways that small town folks are so very unique.

I hope Harmony and its people touch you as deeply as they did me. The last month of writing the book I found I had trouble making myself write the ending because I didn’t want to leave Harmony.

So, come along with me to a town you’ll feel like you are from by the time you finish reading. You’ll laugh, maybe cry a little and fall in love.

Thanks for reading,
Jodi Thomas
http://www.jodithomas.com/

MY THOUGHTS ON "WELCOME TO HARMONY" BY JODI THOMAS

2010-06-08T00:54:00.003-05:00

"WELCOME TO HARMONY"

BY JODI THOMAS

Published: June 1st by Berkley (first published 2010)

details: paperback, 384 pgs.

isbn: 0425235106 (isbn13: 9780425235102)

This story is about many different characters but there are three main families in this book the Truman's, McAllen's and the Matheson's. The story begins with a sixteen year old named Reagan who is a runaway. She becomes friends with an elderly lady named Beverly Truman while working at a nursing home. Miss Beverly Truman tells Reagan of how wonderful it is in this small town called Harmony and all about the people that live there. After Beverly passes away Reagan decides to go to Harmony and call it her home since she has never had anywhere to really call her home before. She begins her new life as Reagan Truman the granddaughter of Beverly Truman. This story unfolds into a wonderful tale about all these families and a small town that they all love even though none of them get along and haven't for years.

MY THOUGHTS

I would like to start by saying that I have never read anything by Jodi Thomas before and I just loved this book. This is the first in a series and now I will be waiting for the next one for sure after reading this one. This story has many main characters and one of the things I really like about it is the author has gone into great detail to describe each character and the families and I got a feel for each and felt I really got to know them all. Each character is special in their own way and just makes this small town the great place that it is. After the prairy fires start you really get to know what each family is made of and the lengths they will go to save their homes and the people they love. This book is a love story that is very well written and I am able to say that it is written in a way that you get the point of what happens without any bad language it is a pretty clean book. I would definitly recommend this book to anyone who just loves a great read.

I would like to thank the author Jodi Thomas for giving me this great book to read and for being so nice and helpful when needed.

I was provided this book from the author Jodi Thomas, The Berkley Publishing Group and was provided information through The Product Review Place to review this book. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have recieved from this author free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinions.

"WAR" BY SEBASTIAN JUNGER AUDIOBOOK GIVEAWAY 3 WINNERS

2010-05-31T04:54:00.004-05:00

"WAR"

BY SEBASTIAN JUNGER

DESCRIPTION (from publisher)

In his breakout bestseller, The Perfect Storm, Sebastian Junger created "a wild ride that brilliantly captures the awesome power of the raging sea and the often futile attempts of humans to withstand it" (Los Angeles Times Book Review). Now, Junger turns his brilliant and empathetic eye to the reality of combat--the fear, the honor, and the trust among men in an extreme situation whose survival depends on their absolute commitment to one another. His on-the-ground account follows a single platoon through a 15-month tour of duty in the most dangerous outpost in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley.

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FROM HACHETTE BOOK GROUP & ANNA BALASI THROUGH BOOK BLOGS TO GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES OF THIS AUDIOBOOK

TO ENTER FOR A NEW FOLLOW ITS 1 ENTRY AND FOR AN EXISTING FOLLOWER 2 ENTRIES. PLEASE POST EACH ENTRY SEPERATE.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES

3 EXTRA ENTRIES GRAB MY BUTTON AND LEAVE THE LINK TO IT IN YOUR POST

Each entry must have its own post. I use Random.org to pick my winners. If you don't have your email displayed on your profile please leave it in your posts so I can contact you by email if you are the winner. One winner per household. Winners must contact me within 72 hours of being notified or I will need to pick another winner.

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING CONTEST.

GOOD LUCK

CONTEST ENDS JUNE 30TH

"INNOCENT" BY SCOTT TUROW AUDIOBOOK GIVEAWAY 3 WINNERS

2010-05-31T04:45:00.002-05:00

"INNOCENT"

BY SCOTT TUROW

DESCRIPTION (from goodreads)

The sequel to the genre-defining, landmark bestseller Presumed Innocent, INNOCENT continues the story of Rusty Sabich and Tommy Molto who are, once again, twenty years later, pitted against each other in a riveting psychological match after the mysterious death of Rusty's wife.

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FROM HACHETTE BOOK GROUP & ANNA BALASI THROUGH BOOK BLOGS TO GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES OF THIS AUDIOBOOK

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CONTEST ENDS JUNE 30TH

"FEVER DREAM" BY PRESTON & CHILD AUDIOBOOK GIVEAWAY 3 WINNERS

2010-05-31T04:28:00.003-05:00

"FEVER DREAM"

BY PRESTON & CHILD

DESCRIPTION (from publisher)

At the old family manse in Louisiana, Special Agent Pendergast is putting to rest long-ignored possessions reminiscent of his wife Helen's tragic death, only to make a stunning-and dreadful-discovery.

Helen had been mauled by an unusually large and vicious lion while they were big game hunting in Africa. But now, Pendergast learns that her rifle-her only protection from the beast-had been deliberately loaded with blanks. Who could have wanted Helen dead...and why?

With Lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta's assistance, Pendergast embarks on a quest to uncover the mystery of his wife's murder. It is a journey that sends him deep into her past where he learns much that Helen herself had wished to keep hidden.

Helen Pendergast had nursed a secret obsession with the famed naturalist-painter John James Audubon, in particular a long-lost painting of his known as the Black Frame.

As Pendergast probes more deeply into the riddle-the answer to which is revealed in a night of shocking violence, deep in the Louisiana bayou-he finds himself faced with an even greater question: who was the woman he married?

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FROM HACHETTE BOOK GROUP & ANNA BALASI THROUGH BOOK BLOGS TO GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES OF THIS AUDIOBOOK

The winners audio book will be shipped direct to you by Hachette Book Group. They have a couple of guidelines... (1) US Residents & Canada only & They can't ship to P.O. Boxes if you win I would need your physical address.

TO ENTER FOR A NEW FOLLOW ITS 1 ENTRY AND FOR AN EXISTING FOLLOWER 2 ENTRIES. PLEASE POST EACH ENTRY SEPERATE.

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CONTEST ENDS JUNE 30TH

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER

2010-05-30T12:09:00.000-05:00

"THE CRADLE"

BY PATRICK SOMERVILLE

CONGRATULATIONS

to the winners

I used Random.org to draw the winners in this order

post #16 Carolina Girl Mommy

post #15 janetfaye

I have e-mailed the winners and will be needing you to contact me within 72 hours or I will need to pick a new winner.

Thanks for entering my contest and I hope you enjoy your book.

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER

2010-05-30T00:10:00.000-05:00

"THE LANGUAGE OF SECRETS"

BY DIANNE DIXON

CONGRATULATIONS

The winners have been chosen using random.org. The winners in the order drawn are post #3 and post #7.

POST #3 MARJORIE

POST #7 HOLLY

I have sent out an e-mail. Please contact me within 72 or I will have to draw another winner.

Thanks for entering my contest. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.

MY THOUGHTS ON "MY HEART AND SOUL" BY MARILYN RANDALL

2010-05-27T23:24:00.079-05:00

"MY HEART AND SOUL"

BY MARILYN RANDALL

Published: September 3rd 2009 by Lulu.com (first published 2009)

Details: Paperback, 146 pages

isbn: 0557087570 (isbn13: 9780557087570)

DESCRIPTION (from author )

From life's varied experiences, these words are an expression of my beliefs, deep feelings and emotions and a documentation of surviving sexual abuse, alcoholism, loosing a spouse to cancer, then learning through faith to trust and love completely at a more mature time in my life and finally finding that perfect soul mate.

ABOUT MARILYN RANDALL

Marilyn has always had an artistic ability, which she has used both professionally and personally over her lifetime. She was an art major in high school receiving a Penny Arts Scholarship award for her first oil painting and a Hallmark Honorable Mention award for her second oil painting which was exhibited in an art show in Portland, Oregon. She began her professional career as a graphic artist in 1976 when she was hired by Gandee Printing, a printing company in Medford, Oregon. She learned her craft quickly and thoroughly and within two years she became the Graphic Art Director and then the Graphic Production director for Moore Publications in Belleview, Washington after spending a year as a graphic artist for Seattle Menu Specialists in Seattle, Washington. During her time as graphic production Director, she was assigned major accounts and spent time traveling to different parts of the country to co-ordinate large art projects for wholesale clients. Later she moved to North Idaho where she again became the Art Director for a printing company in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Upon moving back to the Seattle area in 1985, she continued to work for printing companies as both art director and graphic production director until in 1990 when she opened her own graphic design business called Personal Touch Designs by Marilyn. Her business consisted of designing silkscreen art for ladies sweatshirts and other garments and free lance business logo design. She designed the “I’m Proud To Be An American” shirt that was purchased by NAS Whidbey, the Navel Air Station on Whidbey Island, during Operation Desert Storm. In 1993 she retired from her business and her professional career and started writing and illustrating for her own pleasure. Her first published book was titled “Feelings” and it was published in the early 1990’s, but it was a limited edition printing and because it was well received, it inspired her to pursue her dream of writing and illustrating her children’s books. Four of the children’s books were written and illustrated in 1995, yet they are being published for the first time today. Her newest books, “My Heart and Soul” and “Elmer The Christmas Elf” are a continuation of her earlier endeavors.

Her writings reflect her life story as she uses her craft to express her thoughts and feelings about not only her life events, but also about social issues in today’s world. She is a recovering alcoholic with 19+ years of sobriety, which she attributes completely to the success and many achievements she has accomplished. Her life struggles range from sexual abuse issues beginning in her childhood to the devastating loss of family members and eventually the loss of her spouse who succumbed to cancer after a long, seven year battle with that dreaded disease, which took it’s toll on her life and health as well. Remaining steadfastly faithful and God inspired has been the key to carry her through some very difficult life experiences. She maintains a positive attitude today with an open and loving heart and when life becomes difficult as it sometimes does, she continues to stay upbeat and positive, always expressing her message of hope and steadfastness and never giving up.

Her children’s books especially reflect a strong morale attitude with positive answers to today’s life situations, which are faced daily by today’s youth. Teaching children about faith and learning to cope with troubles in a positive and healthy way are inspirations she hopes to help instill in our families struggling with today’s issues. Her stories are about coping with fear, greed, vanity and patience, always with a positive outcome to the story and in ways that children can understand and put to use with their own situations. The poetry format of all her children’s stories retains the charm and rhythms which children love to both read for themselves or hear read to them. These delightful stories have been well received by those who have read them, while they and others anxiously await the publication of her newest story, written and illustrated this year. All are charming in their own right and will delight any child as well as some adults.

MY THOUGHTS

This book is written well and has many, many poems that are about Marilyn Randall's personal experiences in life. I feel that there is probably something in this book for everyone. All of the poems are very good. There are a few of them that I just didn't really understand but I am sure others will relate to them and understand them fine. I read this book a little bit at a time while relaxing with my morning coffee. It is a relaxing read and something that can be read over and over and you won't get tired of it. I think that each time a read a poem and many I have read several times I find something I just didn't see the first time that I read the poem. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes poetry and also to anyone who is just needing a little bit of a spiritual boost from life difficulties. There is a little bit of everthing in this book and I think that it is great that she has used this to help her recover from so many difficult times in her life.

I would like to thank the author Marilyn Randall and Dorothy Thompson from Pump Up Your Book Promotion for giving me this opportunity to read and review this book.

I was provided this book from the author Marilyn Randall and Dorothy Thompson from Pump Up Your Book Promotion. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have recieved from the author free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinions.

MY THOUGHTS ON "MOONLIGHT FALLS" BY VINCENT ZANDRI

2010-05-26T00:03:00.001-05:00

"MOONLIGHT FALLS"

BY VINCENT ZANDRI

DESCRIPTION (from publisher)

In MOONLIGHT FALLS, novelist and photo journalist Vincent Zandri asks the question "If you knew your life could end at any moment, how far would you go to prove you murdered your lover? "

Albany, New York, is the setting of Zandri's paranoid thriller (in the Hitchcock tradition) about Richard "Dick" Moonlight, former APD detective turned private investigator/massage therapist, who believes he killed Scarlet Montana - his illicit lover and wife of his ex-boss, Chief of Detectives Jake Montana. The problem is ... Moonlight doesn't remember what happened because he’s got a small fragment of a .22 hollow point round buried inside his brain, lodge directly up against his cerebral cortex. It's the result of a botched suicide attempt four years prior to the novel’s start, and an operation to remove the bullet fragment would be too dangerous.

But the bullet causes Moonlight lots of problems, the least of which are the occasional memory loss and his rational ability to tell right from wrong...

A BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MY THOUGHTS

I have never read anything by Vincent Zandri before and didn't really know what to expect but I totally didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I was hooked from page 1 literally and it's in the first sentence of the book that cought my attention so quick. I love the way that Vincent Zandri goes into such detail about the characters and you really get to know Moonlight and understand him and feel what he feels. I have to say that I wasn't expecting some of the details explained in the beginning of the book so well and in such a way that I really never would have dreamed that it is being explained by a man. Please don't take that the wrong way, I just mean that it was very good and unexpected and that is another thing that drew me into this story.

Another reason I liked this book is that it's kind of a murder/thriller/suspence/romance all rolled into one. I liked the fact that I was kept guessing throughout this book. Just when you think you know who did it you realize you don't and it has lots of twists and turns to go along with it. It is a fast paced book with plenty of action in it to keep you going. I thought that this book was well written and easily read. All in all I would have to say that I would recommend this book and I can't wait till the next one comes out in print. His next book is coming out in July on Kinle and is called "The Remains" it looks like it is going to be a good one also. I can hardly wait till it comes out in the fall in print.

I would like to thank the author Vincent Zandri, R.J. Buckley Publishing and Dorothy Thompson from Pump Up Your Book for giving me the opportunity to review this great book.

I was provided this book from the author Vincent Zandri, R.J. Buckley Publishing and Dorothy Thompson from Pump Up Your Book. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have recieved from this company free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinions.

ANOTHER BOOK HOP

2010-05-14T02:41:00.000-05:00

JUST A PLACE TO FIND MORE BOOK BLOGGERS

Bookaddict4real

"THE 9TH JUDGEMENT" BY JAMES PATTERSON (ABRIDGED AND UNABRIDGED) 3 WINNERS

2010-05-12T12:01:00.002-05:00

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FROM HACHETTE BOOK GROUP & ANNA BALASI THROUGH BOOK BLOGS TO GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES OF THIS AUDIOBOOK

TO ENTER FOR A NEW FOLLOW ITS 1 ENTRY AND FOR AN EXISTING FOLLOWER 2 ENTRIES. PLEASE POST EACH ENTRY SEPERATE.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES

3 EXTRA ENTRIES GRAB MY BUTTON AND LEAVE THE LINK TO IT IN YOUR POST

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING CONTEST.

GOOD LUCK

CONTEST ENDS JUNE 2OTH

"DELIVER US FROM EVIL" BY DAVID BALDACCI (UNABRIDGED) AUDIOBOOK 3 WINNERS

2010-05-12T11:49:00.003-05:00

DESCRIPTION (from publisher)

Evan Waller is a monster. He has built a fortune from his willingness to buy and sell anything… and anyone. In search of new opportunities, Waller has just begun a new business venture: one that could lead to millions of deaths all over the globe.

On Waller’s trail is Shaw, the mysterious operative from The Whole Truth, who must prevent Waller from closing his latest deal. Shaw’s one chance to bring him down will come in the most unlikely of places: a serene, bucolic village in Provence.

But Waller’s depravity and ruthlessness go deeper than Shaw knows. And now, there is someone else pursuing Waller in Provence—Reggie Campion, an agent for a secret vigilante group headquartered in a musty old English estate—and she has an agenda of her own.

Hunting the same man, unaware of each other’s mission, Shaw and Reggie will be caught in a deadly duel of nerve and wits. Hitchcockian in its intimate buildup of suspense, and filled with the kind of breathtaking plot turns and remarkable characters that are David Baldacci’s hallmark, Deliver Us From Evil is the most gripping thriller of the year.

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FROM HACHETTE BOOK GROUP & ANNA BALASI THROUGH BOOK BLOGS TO GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES OF THIS AUDIOBOOK

The winners audio book will be shipped direct to you by Hachette Book Group. They have a couple of guidelines... (1) US Residents & Canada only & They can't ship to P.O. Boxes if you win I would need your physical address.

TO ENTER FOR A NEW FOLLOW ITS 1 ENTRY AND FOR AN EXISTING FOLLOWER 2 ENTRIES. PLEASE POST EACH ENTRY SEPERATE.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES

3 EXTRA ENTRIES GRAB MY BUTTON AND LEAVE THE LINK TO IT IN YOUR POST

Each entry must have its own post. I use Random.org to pick my winners. If you don't have your email displayed on your profile please leave it in your posts so I can contact you by email if you are the winner. One winner per household. Winners must contact me within 72 hours of being notified or I will need to pick another winner.

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING CONTEST.

GOOD LUCK

CONTEST ENDS JUNE 2OTH

"THE WAR LOVERS" BY EVAN THOMAS (UNABRIDGED) AUDIOBOOK 3 WINNERS

2010-05-12T11:31:00.005-05:00

DESCRIPTION (from publisher)

On February 15, 1898, the USS Maine exploded in the Havana Harbor. Although there was no evidence that the Spanish were responsible, yellow newspapers such as William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal whipped Americans into frenzy by claiming that Spain's "secret infernal machine" had destroyed the battleship. Soon after, the blandly handsome and easily influenced President McKinley declared war, sending troops not only to Cuba but also to the Philippines, Spain's sprawling colony on the other side of the world.

As Evan Thomas reveals in his rip-roaring history of those times, the hunger for war had begun years earlier. Depressed by the "closing" of the Western frontier and embracing theories of social Darwinism, a group of warmongers that included a young Teddy Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge agitated loudly and incessantly that the United States exert its influence across the seas. These hawks would transform American foreign policy and, when Teddy ascended to the presidency, commence with a devastating war without reason, concocted within the White House--a bloody conflict that would come at tremendous cost.

Thrillingly written and brilliantly researched, THE WAR LOVERS is the story of six men at the center of a transforming event in U.S. history: Roosevelt, Lodge, Hearst, McKinley, William James, and Thomas Reed, and confirms once more than Evan Thomas is a popular historian of the first rank.

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FROM HACHETTE BOOK GROUP & ANNA BALASI THROUGH BOOK BLOGS TO GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES OF THIS AUDIOBOOK

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING CONTEST.

GOOD LUCK

CONTEST ENDS JUNE 2OTH

"THE BRIDE COLLECTOR" BY TED DEKKER (UNABRIDGED) AUDIOBOOK 3 WINNERS

2010-05-12T11:06:00.013-05:00

DESCRIPTION (from publisher)

FBI Special Agent Brad Raines is facing his toughest case yet. A Denver serial killer has killed four beautiful young women, leaving a bridal veil at each crime scene, and he's picking up his pace. Unable to crack the case, Raines appeals for help from a most unusual source: residents of the Center for Wellbeing and Intelligence, a private psychiatric institution for mentally ill individuals whose are extraordinarily gifted.It's there that he meets Paradise, a young woman who witnessed her father murder her family and barely escaped his hand. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Paradise may also have an extrasensory gift: the ability to experience the final moments of a person's life when she touches the dead body.In a desperate attempt to find the killer, Raines enlists Paradise's help. In an effort to win her trust, he befriends this strange young woman and begins to see in her qualities that most 'sane people' sorely lack. Gradually, he starts to question whether sanity resides outside the hospital walls...or inside.As the Bride Collector increases the pace and volume of his gruesome crucifixions, the case becomes even more personal to Raines when his friend and colleague, a beautiful young forensic psychologist, becomes the Bride Collector's next target. The FBI believes that the killer plans to murder seven women. Can Paradise help before it's too late?

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FROM HACHETTE BOOK GROUP & ANNA BALASI THROUGH BOOK BLOGS TO GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES OF THIS

AUDIOBOOK

TO ENTER FOR A NEW FOLLOW ITS 1 ENTRY AND FOR AN EXISTING FOLLOWER 2 ENTRIES. PLEASE POST EACH ENTRY SEPERATE.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES

3 EXTRA ENTRIES GRAB MY BUTTON AND LEAVE THE LINK TO IT IN YOUR POST

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING CONTEST.

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CONTEST ENDS JUNE 2OTH

**WINNERWINNERWINNER**

2010-05-07T11:05:00.001-05:00

"PRESUMED INNOCENT"

BT SCITT TYROW

CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE WINNERS

THE 3 WINNERS WERE PICKED ON RANDOM.ORG IN THIS ORDER

POST #19 Coleen

POST #13 Terri

POST #9 Jeff

I HAVE E-MAILED THE WINNERS AND WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO E-MAIL ME BACK WITHIN 72 HOURS WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE.

**WINNERWINNERWINNER**

2010-05-07T11:00:00.001-05:00

"ALEX CROSS'S TRIAL"

BY JAMES PATTERSON

CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE

WINNERS

THE 3 WINNERS WERE PICKED ON RANDOM.ORG IN THIS ORDER

post #7 ChrisyJan

post #1 Bookie

post #10 katsrus

I HAVE E-MAILED THE WINNERS AND WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO E-MAIL ME BACK WITHIN 72 HOURS WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE.

THANKS FOR ENTERING MY CONTEST

I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR BOOK

**WINNERWINNERWINNER**

2010-05-07T10:55:00.004-05:00

"THE HOST"

BY STEPHENIE MEYER

CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE

WINNERS

THE 3 WINNERS WERE PICKED ON RANDOM.ORG IN THIS ORDER

POST # 28 Carolina Girl Mommy

POST # 12 Luvdaylilies

POST #15 SkyReads

I HAVE E-MAILED THE WINNERS AND WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO E-MAIL ME BACK WITHIN 72 HOURS WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE.

THANKS FOR ENTERING MY CONTEST

I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR BOOK

INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT BOICH AUTHOR OF EXCUSE ME, YOUR LIFE IS WAITING!

2010-05-06T02:23:00.012-05:00

EXCUSE ME, YOUR LIFE IS WAITING!

A Bridge from Addiction to Early Recovery

by Robert Boich

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ROBERT BOICH

Robert Boich was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado and attended Ohio Northern University where he graduated with a law degree. The author also received his LLM in taxation from Boston University. In his free time, Boich enjoys golfing, skiing, reading and traveling. He is married with four children and practices law in Ohio.

Please read my REVIEW of EXCUSE ME, YOUR LIFE IS WAITING!

Description (from publisher)

Making a resolution to address an alcohol or substance abuse issue is only the beginning. The real work begins when the alcoholic or addict acknowledges that something has to be done. In Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting! Author Robert Boich details his battle with substance abuse and his decision to lead a sober lifestyle. He realized if he didn't change his life, he would be incarcerated or die all alone. In this compelling, personal narrative, Boich shares his personal struggles and insights encountered during his first six months of recovery. A counselor once told him, "An addict only has to change one thing: everything." Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting! describes the many changes Boich made in his life. More than just eliminating certain people and places from a daily routine, he illustrates how a successful recovery requires a brand-new approach in dealing with life. Blending personal thoughts with helpful information, Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting! discusses the ideas and tools used in an addict's early recovery. It shows that sobriety is much more than mere abstinence and that alcohol and drug use is a sign of deep personal problems that only true sobriety can address.

INTERVIEW

WITH

ROBERT BOICH

I really commend you for what you have done not only for yourself but for your family. I know from experience the hardships and what it does to a family to have someone be addicted to alcohol or drugs but it must have been twice as hard with you and your wife both addicted and having children involved. I think that it is wonderful that you were able to do what seems to be too hard for many to do and tell about it to help others get through their recovery.

There was a few things that really caught my eye in your book. As a reader who wants to understand what the addict is going through and what an addict thinks I got so much from this book. There were things you said in this book that just took me back in time to things my dad had done or told us that was word for word. I can't believe how exact some things are and to be told the reasons why and the thoughts behind them are wonderful.

Q: I just wanted to know if you thought this book could mean so much to a person who isn't an addict just a person with questions?

A: When I started this project, I really wasn't giving much thought to anyone other than the addict and alcoholic; that was my goal, to try and lend a hand to others out there suffering with a substance abuse problem. As the story began to take shape, I realized that due to the personal nature of the subject matter --- the fact that I was telling my own personal story --- I was also attempting to explain how and why certain things happened the way that they did. There were a lot of people in my life: family, friends, business associates, and such, that I completely lost contact with. When I got sober, when I reentered the real world and started living again, it was only natural that these individuals had questions about what had happened to me. To a certain extent, I began to take this into consideration when I was working on certain sections of the book. Wherever possible, I tried to explain things in a manner that would give the non-addict/alcoholic an idea of what the substance abuser is going through. I was in no way trying to justify my actions; I was merely trying to explain them.

As a child growing up with an alcoholic there were so many disappointments through life, ballgames missed because he couldn't drink while he was in the school and friends I was afraid to bring around because I didn't want them to see what it was like in my home and some of the abusive situations and family arguments that were always just a comment away. As an adult now I can look back and forgive but some family members can't yet do that.

Q:What would you say might be useful in helping a family get through some of the tough times while the addict is getting help?

A: That is a very good question, one which is neglected in many situations. An addiction, whether it is to alcohol or drugs, is a disease that affects the entire family. I think that is important for family members to gain as much information about the disease as possible. It is also important for them to take part in the recovery process. There are some wonderful organizations out there, Al-Anon being one of them, that are designed to help family members and friends take part in the recovery process. The treatment centers that I have been involved with have sessions that are designed to incorporate the family members into the recovery process as well. Be proactive and get involved, because addictions affect the entire family, not just the addict

Q: How did your children and family cope with both you and your wife going through therapy? Did they hold anything against you later for things you did while you were at your worst? If so, How did you work past that?

A: Both my wife and I are very fortunate. We both come from very supportive families. When we were out there, active in our addictions, they did everything they could do to reel us in, but we weren't ready. As I explained in my book, treatment isn't going to work, unless the addict is ready for a change. We were forced into our first rehab facility by our families. It was more or less an ultimatum type of situation. Well, you read my book, so you know how that turned out. The second time around was different. Both my wife and I were ready to make changes in our life. Treatment was our decision, and we did it on our own. I can only speak for myself, but aside from my mother, I don't believe I told any other family members that I was going to try and get clean again. In addition, I gave it some time, my recovery, before I started contacting family members and friends. I wanted to be sure that I was committed to the process. One thing that alcoholics and addicts are good at is apologizing. After a while, after numerous relapses and binges, those apologies don't mean much. As far as I am aware, there’s no one holding my past against me; but even if someone was it doesn’t matter---it doesn’t matter as long as I am trying to do the next right thing. As long as I can look in the mirror each day and say that I did the best that I can--- than that’s it, case closed. I just have to keep working on myself and my defects of character and time will take care of the rest.

After I had finished reading your book I grew to understand so much more than I ever did before and now feel that I can understand my father a little more. I don't like that he is an alcoholic but I have learned to live with the fact that this is the life he has chosen and we are not going to bother him about it anymore.

Q: What kind of advise could you give a person who wants to help a person with addiction without getting them on the defensive about it?

A: There’s really not much you can do aside from detaching yourself from the situation and don’t do anything that will enable the addict. As long as you’re enabling them it’s going to take them longer to reach their bottom---the point where they may decide that it’s finally time for a change. If you have offered to help them and they refuse, let it go. If they are willing to speak with a fellow addict or alcoholic who is in recovery; that could be a potential starting point, but it’s a difficult situation. Unfortunately not everyone can be saved.

I know that you have done so much with your life and I feel that you have so much to be proud of and such a strong family and support groups.

Q: What do you consider to be your proudest moment since you have been clean from drugs/alcohol?

A: For the most part I don’t think of my sobriety as something to be proud about. In a way, I feel that I am only trying to do what most of the world is trying to do: be a productive member of society and to be a good person. I feel fortunate, and I am tremendously thankful for the professionals, and most importantly for the twelve –step programs that have helped me to turn my life around. It is a day to day effort and I have a lot of support. I can find that support on a daily basis at any number of meetings, or by picking up the phone and calling any number of my new friends---friends that are all familiar with where I have been and where I want to be in life.

All that being said, I had a very special moment two nights ago: I was with my father and we had just wrapped up several days of meetings at a conference we were attending. I was feeling a little intimidated. Here I am three years into my sobriety and I am surrounded by some very influential and powerful individuals. My father put his arm around at the end of the evening and told me that all of the deals and all of accomplishments that had taken place in the business arena were nothing compared to what I was doing. He told me that he was extremely proud of me and my accomplishments. It was one of the high points of my life. I will never forget the moment.

I felt this book was a great help in understanding things that I feel a lot of people have questions about.

Q: Is this your first book and will you be writing another?

A: I am currently working on my first novel, a story based on World War I and the Battle of Verdun. It’s a lot different than writing a first-person narrative, like my first book, but I am truly enjoying the process. There’s a lot of history involved, which is an area I have always been drawn to.

I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Robert for his time and honesty in answering my questions. Good luck with your novel Robert I am sure it will be great.

MY THOUGHTS ON EXCUSE ME, YOUR LIFE IS WAITING! BY ROBERT BOICH

2010-05-06T02:23:00.011-05:00

EXCUSE ME, YOUR LIFE IS WAITING!

A Bridge from Addiction to Early Recovery

by Robert Boich

DESCRIPTION(from publisher)

Making a resolution to address an alcohol or substance abuse issue is only the beginning. The real work begins when the alcoholic or addict acknowledges that something has to be done. In Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting! Author Robert Boich details his battle with substance abuse and his decision to lead a sober lifestyle. He realized if he didn't change his life, he would be incarcerated or die all alone. In this compelling, personal narrative, Boich shares his personal struggles and insights encountered during his first six months of recovery. A counselor once told him, An addict only has to change one thing: everything.? Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting! describes the many changes Boich made in his life. More than just eliminating certain people and places from a daily routine, he illustrates how a successful recovery requires a brand-new approach in dealing with life. Blending personal thoughts with helpful information, Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting! discusses the ideas and tools used in an addict's early recovery. It shows that sobriety is much more than mere abstinence and that alcohol and drug use is a sign of deep personal problems that only true sobriety can address.

MY THOUGHTS

I would really like to begin by saying the reason I wanted to review this book I guess is really a little bit on the selfish side. It is a subject much to familiar to my family and to be honest when I began reading this book I had no idea that I would be able to relate so much to it. I was raised in an alcoholic home and was very curious about this book as this is Robert Boich's story of his struggles and what he had to deal with while recovering. I had no idea that I would really gain a large understanding about what it is really like for the alcohol or drug abuser.

Growing up in an addiction home is very hard. As a child growing up and even as an adult you tend to be angry at the fact that the person that you love really only exists for their next fix and they don't care about you. Well I do know that that isn't true now but when I was younger it was very hard to learn to look past that and realize it is just the alcohol or the drugs making them act and talk in that way.

One reason I really liked Robert's book so much is the fact that he explains so many personal things and tells what worked for him and how to get the help you might need. I have to admit that when I got this book I thought it was just geared for the person that has an addiction but it ended up being so much more for me and I was just a person wanting to learn about it. I honestly have to say I have learned something from every chapter of this book. This book is very well written and a very helpful tool to the person who would like to learn about what it is like for an addict to get cleaned and stay that way. I feel that this book is well worth the purchase and am very thankful that I happened to come across this and was able to read this book for review.

Please check out my INTERVIEW with ROBERT BOICH.

I would like to thank the author Robert Boich, the publisher iUniverse and Dorothy from Pump up Your Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was provided this book from the author Robert Boich and the publisher iUniverse through Pump Up Your Books. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have received free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinions.

ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF "EXCUSE ME, YOUR LIFE IS WAITING!" BY ROBERT BOICH

ENDS MAY 30TH

EXCUSE ME, YOUR LIFE IS WAITING! BOOK GIVEAWAY

2010-05-06T00:01:00.006-05:00

EXCUSE ME, YOUR LIFE IS WAITING!

A bridge from addiction to Early Recovery

by Robert Boich

1 COPY TO GIVE AWAY

I have been given a wonderful opportunity to give 1 copy of this book away.

To enter this giveaway all you need to do is become a follower or be one already and post that you are below.

Thank you for entering my contest.

Contest ends May 30th.

Good Luck

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER

2010-05-01T15:22:00.004-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO

KNIFTY THRIFTY

SHE IS THE WINNER OF MY BLOGMANIA GIVEAWAY
FOR THE HAND SEWN

PERSONALIZED BOOK COVER

I used random.org to pick the post number and it was post

#52

I have sent an e-mail and will be needing a response as soon as possible

so I may begin the book cover.

Thanks to everyone who entered my contest. I don't know about you but I had lots of fun with Blogmania.

**BLOGMANIA GIVEAWAY APRIL 30TH ONLY*

2010-04-29T14:14:00.153-05:00

BLOG 70 OF 123

BLOGMANIA GIVEAWAY (For One Day Only – April 30th) .

You’ve arrived at exactly the right time to explore lots of new blogs, all of which, ARE GIVING AWAY A VERY SPECIAL BLOGMANIA GIVEAWAY (For One Day Only – April 30th) . We’ve done all the work for you. No hunting or surfing. Each blog will have a number and each new blog link will have a number. These numbers will allow you to keep track of which blogs you’ve visited and how many are left to visit. Why not take a moment to make a list of blog numbers 1-123 and check off the blogs as you go.

I know you’ll want to visit as many blogs today as you can. So, if you see something that interests you on any of our participating blogs, why not bookmark that site. Later, when you have more time, you can discover all its fabulous treasures.

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

MY GIVEAWAY and RULES:

My giveaway is for a hand sewn personalized book cover. Made with your favorite colors and your name or name of your blog just whatever you want and also made to the size you will be using the most.

Just a peek at the one I am making for Chrissy and hers is going to have her

blog name Chrissy's World of Books

hers will fit a regular size 300-600 page paperback when finished

Just a few of the colors available

ALL YOU NEED TO DO TO ENTER IS

BECOME A FOLLOWER OR

ALREADY BE ONE

POST THAT YOU ARE AND PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR E-MAIL IF NOT ON YOUR PROFILE

I will pick a winner from random.org and e-mail you for your address and get the details needed to make your bookcover. Please contact me within 24 to 48 hours so I may begin making the pattern for the front cover.
U.S. AND CANADA ONLY

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR ENTRY.

CONTEST ENDS AT 11:59 PM APRIL 30TH.

MASTER LIST IS AT BLOG 1 THE HOST OF BLOGMANIA
LINDA AT BETWEEN THE PAGES

(Blog- 1 – HOST OF BLOGMANIA) Between The Pages - http://betweenthelinesandmore.blogspot.com/

(Blog -2 – CO-HOST OF BLOGMANIA) The Black Sheep Dances - http://www.theblacksheepdances.blogspot.com/(Blog-43 - CO-HOST OF BLOGMANIA) Books, Books Everywhere - http://bookywooks.blogspot.com/(Blog-99) LB and J - http://lbandj.blogspot.com/

(Blog-78) Stiletto Storytime - http://www.stilettostorytime.wordpress.com/

(Blog-37) Babbling Brooke - http://www.caracita.com/

(Blog-19) Star Shadow - http://www.starshadowblog.com/

(Blog-10) Romance With an Attitude - http://debbiewallace.blogspot.com/

(Blog-96) Lovin and Livin Life in the 808 - http://lll808.blogspot.com/

(Blog-52) Sky Purington Writes - http://www.skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com/

(Blog-49) Tethered Mommy - http://www.tetheredmommy.com/

TEASER TUESDAY

2010-04-27T09:06:00.006-05:00

To sign up go to Should Be Reading

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

*Grab your current read

*Open to a random page

*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser: "Spooked I glanced over my shoulder and saw a small, deformed figure standing in the corner of the room. It wasn't a person of this world, and I knew immediately it was someone who had died."

~page 67~ "THE QUIET ROAD" BY ANNIE FRAME

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your 2 ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

WINNERS, WINNERS, WINNERS

2010-04-26T00:35:00.001-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF

ABRAHAM LINCOLN VAMPIRE HUNTER

BY SETH GRAHAME-SMITH

THE 3 WINNERS WERE PICKED ON RANDOM.ORG IN THIS ORDER

POST #9 WISE OWL, EDITOR

POST #5 DILEM*MAMA

POST #8 CHRISTYJAN

I HAVE E-MAILED THE WINNERS AND WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO E-MAIL ME BACK WITHIN 72 HOURS WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE.

THANKS FOR ENTERING MY CONTEST AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR AUDIO CD.

BLOG HOPPING ON FRIDAY

2010-04-23T22:11:00.008-05:00

HELLO EVERYONE I HOPE YOUR HAVING A GREAT DAY

CLICK ON CRAZY FOR BOOKS
TO SIGN UP AND MEET BOOK BLOGGERS AND

CHECK OUT ALL THE GREAT SITES.
DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR MY GIVEAWAYS.

IT'S TIME FOR FRIDAY FOLLOW ALREADY

2010-04-16T01:10:00.002-05:00

DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR MY GIVEAWAYS. FOR AN ENTRY YOU ONLY NEED TO POST UNDER THE GIVEAWAY YOU WANT THAT YOU ARE FROM FRIDAY FOLLOW.

I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

HERE

"THE CRADLE" BY PATRICK SOMERVILLE BOOK GIVEAWAY

2010-04-13T17:37:00.006-05:00

THE CRADLE

BY PATRICK SOMERVILLE

I CAN GIVE 3 COPIES AWAY

DESCRIPTION (from publisher)

In the summer of 1997, a newlywed couple, Matt and Marissa, are living in Wisconsin and expecting their first child. With the baby almost due, Marissa sends Matt on a quest to recover an antique cradle from her mother, who claimed it when she abandoned her family years earlier. Ten years later, a middle-aged couple, Bill and Renee, are living outside Chicago and preparing to see their only son, Adam, off to war in Iraq. Adam's departure brings to the surface deeply personal memories of Renee's first love, and forces the confession of a long-held secret that brings the two stories together in the novel's powerful climax. Elegant and surprising, THE CRADLE tells a story that is warm, wise, and full of wonder.

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FROM HACHETTE BOOK GROUP & VALERIE THROUGH BOOK BLOGS TO GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES OF THIS BOOK

The winners book will be shipped direct to you by Hachette Book Group. They have a couple of guidelines... (1) US Residents & Canada only & They can't ship to P.O. Boxes if you win I would need your physical address.

TO ENTER FOR A NEW FOLLOW ITS 1 ENTRY AND FOR AN EXISTING FOLLOWER 2 ENTRIES. PLEASE POST EACH ENTRY SEPERATE.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES

3 EXTRA ENTRIES GRAB MY BUTTON AND LEAVE THE LINK TO IT IN YOUR POST

Each entry must have its own post. I use Random.org to pick my winners. If you don't have your email displayed on your profile please leave it in your posts so I can contact you by email if you are the winner. Winners must contact me within 72 hours of being notified or I will need to pick another winner.

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING CONTEST.

GOOD LUCK

CONTEST ENDS MAY 23RD

THE LANGUAGE OF SECRETS BY DIANNE DIXON BOOK GIVEAWAY

2010-04-13T16:28:00.002-05:00

THE LANGUAGE OF SECRETS

BY DIANNE DIXON

I CAN GIVE 2 COPIES AWAY

DESCRIPTION (from publisher)

From a fresh and exciting new voice in women's fiction, The Language of Secrets unflinchingly examines the lifelong repercussions of a father's betrayal.

Justin Fisher has a successful career as the manager of a luxury hotel, a lovely wife, and a charming young son. While all signs point to a bright future, Justin can no longer ignore the hole in his life left by his estranged family. When he finally gathers the courage to reconnect with his troubled past, Justin is devastated to learn that his parents have passed away. And a visit to the cemetery brings the greatest shock of all—next to the graves of his father and mother sits a smaller tombstone for a three-year-old boy: a boy named Thomas Justin Fisher.

What follows is an extraordinary journey as Justin struggles with issues of his own identity and pieces together the complex and heartbreaking truth about his family. With great skill and care, Dianne Dixon explores the toll that misunderstandings, blame, and resentment can take on a family. But it is the intimate details of family life—a mother's lullaby for her son, a father's tragic error in judgment—that make this novel so exceptional and an absolute must for reading groups everywhere.

The Language of Secrets is the story of an unspeakable loss born of human frailty and an ultimate redemption born of human courage.

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY FROM DOUBLEDAY & JUDY THROUGH BOOK BLOGS TO GIVE 2 COPIES OF THIS GREAT BOOK AWAY ON MY BLOG.

TO ENTER FOR A NEW FOLLOW ITS 1 ENTRY AND FOR AN EXISTING FOLLOWER 2 ENTRIES. PLEASE POST EACH ENTRY SEPERATE.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES

3 ENTRIES~POST THIS GIVEAWAY ON YOUR SITE AND LINK TO THIS SITE.
3 EXTRA ENTRIES GRAB MY BUTTON AND LEAVE THE LINK TO IT IN YOUR POST

Each entry must have its own post. I use Random.org to pick my winners. If you don't have your email displayed on your profile please leave it in your posts so I can contact you by email if you are the winner. Winners must contact me within 72 hours of being notified or I will need to pick another winner.

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING CONTEST.

GOOD LUCK

CONTEST ENDS MAY 15TH

MY THOUGHTS ON "THE LANGUAGE OF SECRETS" BY DIANNE DIXON

2010-04-11T23:04:00.006-05:00

THE LANGUAGE OF SECRETS
BY DIANNE DIXON

published:           March 23rd 2010 by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group (first published 2010)
details:                Hardcover, 272 pages
isbn:                    0385530633 (isbn13: 9780385530637

DESCRIPTION( from publisher)

From a fresh and exciting new voice in women's fiction, The Language of Secrets unflinchingly examines the lifelong repercussions of a father's betrayal.

MY THOUGHTS

I have to start by saying that I was a bit confused at the beginning of the book until I realized how the author was writing and how indepth that she gets with the characters which is one of the things I liked about this book. I started reading it with the kids around and then realized pretty quick it was a book to pay closer attention to. I like to get a good feel of the characters through the authors writing and I definitely got that with this book. I feel the book was well written and had a great story line. I really liked the fact that I was thinking about everything that could happen and still didn't have it figured out and was very surprised at the end. I would recommend this book and would definitely get the next book that Dianne Dixon writes. I really enjoyed this read.

I would like to thank Dianne Dixon, Doubleday and Judy for the opportunity to review this book.

I was provided this book from Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc. through Book Blogs. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have recieved from this company free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinions.

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT

2010-04-11T14:40:00.000-05:00

Stephenie Meyer, author of the “Twilight” books, has added a bonus chapter to a new edition of her novel “The Host.

READ ALL ABOUT IT AT

SPEAKEASY

WOW! IT'S FRIDAY FOLLOW TIME ALREADY

2010-04-09T02:34:00.001-05:00

WOW! ANOTHER FRIDAY
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND
Another week has just flown by. If you are following from Friday Follow don't forget to enter all my giveaways on all my sites. To qualify you only need to be following from Friday Follow. Leave that in the comments section on each giveaway and you are entered. You can enter every Friday.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY

ENTER GIVEAWAYS FOR THIS BLOG

CLICK

DK'S BOOK REVIEWS

SPONSORED BY:

ALEX CROSS'S TRIAL BY JAMES PATTERSON (3 COPIES TO GIVEAWAY)

2010-04-06T09:29:00.005-05:00

ALEX CROSS'S TRIAL

BY JAMES PATTERSON

& Richard Dilallo

DESCRIPTION (from publisher)

The year is 1906, and America is segregated. Hatred and discrimination plague the streets, the classroom, and the courts. But in Washington, D.C., Ben Corbett, a smart and courageous lawyer, makes it his mission to confront injustice at every turn. He represents those who nobody else dares defend, merely because of the color of their skin. When President Roosevelt, under whom Ben served in the Spanish-American war, asks Ben to investigate rumors of the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in his home town in Mississippi, he cannot refuse.

The details of Ben's harrowing story--and his experiences with a remarkable man named Abraham Cross--were passed from generation to generation, until they were finally recounted to Alex Cross by his grandmother, Nana Mama. From the first time hear heard the story, Alex was unable to forget the unimaginable events Ben witnessed in Eudora and pledged to tell it to the world. Alex Cross's Trial is unlike any story Patterson has ever told, but offers the astounding action and breakneck speed of any Alex Cross novel.

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FROM HACHETTE BOOK GROUP TO GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES OF THIS BOOK

TO ENTER FOR A NEW FOLLOW ITS 1 ENTRY AND FOR AN EXISTING FOLLOWER 2 ENTRIES. PLEASE POST EACH ENTRY SEPERATE.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES

3 EXTRA ENTRIES GRAB MY BUTTON AND LEAVE THE LINK TO IT IN YOUR POST

Each entry must have its own post. I use Random.org to pick my winners. If you don't have your email displayed on your profile please leave it in your posts so I can contact you by email if you are the winner. Winners must contact me within 72 hours of being notified or I will need to pick another winner.

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING CONTEST.

GOOD LUCK

CONTEST ENDS APRIL 30TH

THE HOST BY STEPHENIE MEYER (GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES)

2010-04-05T23:33:00.005-05:00

THE HOST

BY STEPHENIE MEYER

http://www.thehostnovel.com/

http://readinggroupguides.com/content/index.asp

Stephenie Meyer just happens to be one of my favorite authors and I have been given an opportunity through the Hachette Book Group to give 3 copies of The Host away.

Description: (from publisher)

The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. But Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves--Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.--From publisher description.

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

PLEASE POST EACH ENTRY SEPERATE

1ST ENTRY YOU MUST BECOME A FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG

2 ENTRIES IF YOU ALREADY FOLLOW 1 OF MY BLOGS AND THEN FOLLOW THIS ONE

EXTRA ENTRIES

3 ENTRIES GRAB MY BUTTON AND PUT IT ON YOUR BLOG AND LEAVE YOUR BLOG URL IN ONE OF THE 3 POSTS.

PLEASE POST EACH ENTRY SEPERATE AS I USE RANDOM.ORG TO PICK THE WINNERS

I will email each winner and you will have 72 hrs. to respond with an email with your name and mailing address (street address only no P.O. boxes) so I can give it to Hachette Book Group and they will send you your book. Please only U.S. and Canada entries.

THANKS FOR ENTERING MY GIVEAWAY

CONTEST ENDS APRIL 30TH

PRESUMED INNOCENT BY SCOTT TUROW 3 WINNERS ENDS APRIL 30TH

2010-04-03T13:17:00.002-05:00

PRESUMED INNOCENT

BY SCOTT TUROW

DISCRIPTION (from publisher)

Now available in trade paperback, "Presumed Innocent" brings to life our worst nightmare: that of an ordinary citizen facing conviction for the most terrible of crimes. Prosecutor Rusty Sabich is transformed from accuser to accused when he is handed an explosive case--that of the brutal murder of a woman who happens to be his former lover.

About Author: Scott Turow is a writer and attorney. He is the author of seven best-selling novels: Presumed Innocent (1987), The Burden of Proof (1990), Pleading Guilty (1993), The Laws of Our Fathers (1996), Personal Injuries (1999), Reversible Errors (2002) and Ordinary Heroes (2005). A novella, Limitations, was published as a paperback original in November 2006 by Picador following its serialization in The New York Times Magazine. His works of non-fiction include One L (1977) about his experience as a law student, and Ultimate Punishment (2003), a reflection on the death penalty.

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FROM HACHETTE BOOK GROUP TO GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES OF THIS BOOK

TO ENTER FOR A NEW FOLLOW ITS 1 ENTRY AND FOR AN EXISTING FOLLOWER 2 ENTRIES. PLEASE POST EACH ENTRY SEPERATE.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES

3 ENTRIES~POST THIS GIVEAWAY ON YOUR SITE AND LINK TO THIS SITE.
3 EXTRA ENTRIES GRAB MY BUTTON AND LEAVE THE LINK TO IT IN YOUR POST

Each entry must have its own post. I use Random.org to pick my winners. If you don't have your email displayed on your profile please leave it in your posts so I can contact you by email if you are the winner. Winners must contact me within 72 hours of being notified or I will need to pick another winner.

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING CONTEST.

GOOD LUCK

CONTEST ENDS APRIL 30TH

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER BY SETH GRAHAME-SMITH AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY 3 WINNERS CONTEST ENDS APRIL 18TH

2010-03-30T20:34:00.008-05:00

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FROM HACHETTE BOOK GROUP TO GIVEAWAY 3 COPIES OF THIS AUDIO BOOK

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
by Seth Grahame-Smith
Compact Disc

DESCRIPTION : (From Publisher)
Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."

"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.

Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire. When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.

The winners book will be shipped direct to you by Hachette Book Group. They have a couple of guidelines... (1) US Residents & Canada only & They can't ship to P.O. Boxes if you win I would need your physical address.

TO ENTER FOR A NEW FOLLOW ITS 1 ENTRY AND FOR AN EXISTING FOLLOWER 2 ENTRIES. PLEASE POST EACH ENTRY SEPERATE.

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Each entry must have its own post. I use Random.org to pick my winners. If you don't have your email displayed on your profile please leave it in your posts so I can contact you by email if you are the winner. Winners must contact me within 72 hours of being notified or I will need to pick another winner.

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CONTEST ENDS APRIL 18TH

MY REVIEW OF BURIED ALIVE BY ROY HALLUMS A TRUE STORY

2010-03-16T09:59:00.010-05:00

By Roy Hallums with help from Audrey Hudson

Published: January 12th 2010 by Thomas Nelson
details: Hardcover, 256 pages
isbn: 1595551700 (isbn13: 9781595551702)

1st of all I was drawn to this book for several different reasons I chose this book because it was written by Roy Hallums, a retired U.S. Navy Commander and also because he was held captive in Iraq and it is his true story of what happened to him. I was born on a base and raised on one and I definitely respect the fact that he served our country and had to endure all of the beatings and torture that he did and survived.

Roy Hallums, a retired U.S. Navy Commander, worked as a civilian contractor in Iraq. He was taken captive and his life as he knew it was over in just a matter of minutes. He was taken from his office and thrown into a car, a black mask was put over his head and this begins his 311 days of torture.

Roy Hallums was taken captive, beaten, tortured and never knew when it was going to happen or if he would survive it. His story takes us through a journey with him and explains to us what he went through and how he felt on a daily basis and how he was buried alive and rescued by Special Forces.

I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The book is written in a manner that takes you into his life and explains everything in a way that makes you feel you are there. It is easy to read and understand. At first I thought I might have a problem with understanding some of it as I don't know the different types of guns and some of the lingo used. He explained the words used and what they meant. I loved that aspect about the book. I didn't have to look up what an arabic word meant or words used by the military because I think he just realized most people don't use those words in civilian life and just explains them to us.

I found myself wondering what I would do in his situation and how a person could survive some of the things he explains. He never complained about what was happening to him he was worried about everyone else and how his family was holding up. My heart just sank when he had his hopes up to being saved and then he was just beaten again and again. I felt scared when he did and joy when I knew the special forces were there to get him it brought tears to my eyes. I found myself feeling for the family as he was going through this. I was raised in the military and I know what it feels like to have a loved one overseas. I know what it is like to not know. But to know that he was kidnapped, seeing what he is going through and not being able to do anything about it. That has to be so much worse.

I am very glad that I have had this opportunity to read his book. It brings a lot of things to light. You might think when you see the news about how someone is kidnapped over there how bad it must be but to really know and understand what really happens is totally different. Everything is told in a matter that you understand and with details that are not gruesome in anyway. I will look at the news of kidnappings over there in a different way now. I feel this book was a great learning experience as well as a wonderful read. I do recommend this book to anyone.

I would like to thank Roy Hallums for his service to our country and a big thanks to the military forces that go into these hostile areas to save our loved ones in their time of need. I just think that they should be recognized more for what they do for us. Thanks again.

I was provided this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing Company as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. This review is of my own honest opinion on the book that I have recieved from this company free of charge to do this review and that in no way influences the way I do my reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive or negative review. All reviews are of my own thoughts and should not influence a non-purchase on any item soley based on my reviews as these are only my own opinions.

JUST A BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT ROY HALLUMS

2010-02-20T13:05:00.000-06:00

ROY HALLUMS

Here are some pictures some of which are in the book where Roy Hallums had been held prisoner for 311 days. ROY HALLUMS' UNDERGROUND CELL. How he did it I don't know but I was glad he was brought home and now I have the privilage of reading his book. I have found a bit of video I thought I would post. Buried Alive By ROY HALLUMS. VIDEO IS AT THE TOP OF THE SITE.

2010-01-07T09:49:00.000-06:00

I will be reading Buried Alive and writing a review after I receive this book from Thomas Nelson book reviews.

DK'S BOOK REVIEWS

MY THOUGHTS ON "THE RADLEYS BY MATT HAIG

MY THOUGHTS ON "THE REMAINS" BY VINCENT ZANDRI

MY THOUGHTS ON "THE QUIET ROAD" BY ANNIE FRAME

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INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT BOICH AUTHOR OF EXCUSE ME, YOUR LIFE IS WAITING!

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MY REVIEW OF BURIED ALIVE BY ROY HALLUMS A TRUE STORY

JUST A BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT ROY HALLUMS

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