Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Mailbox Monday/In My Mailbox 2-8-10



Mailbox Monday is hosted at The Printed Page or In Your Mailbox at The Story Siren on Sunday. Please stop by those posts and take a look at what packages everybody else got this week!





Corked
by Kathryn Borel


"When it comes to champagne and our family, my father has only one absolute rule: We do not drink it when we are sad."

Meet Philippe Borel, retired hotelier, former chef, and eccentric genius, and his daughter Kathryn Borel. Kathryn is a clone of her father in every way except one: he is a wine expert and she couldn't care less. Philippe has dedicated the better part of his life to researching, collecting, and studying wine. And since Kathryn's birth, he has dedicated the better part of his parenting to teaching her about wine, to no avail.

After an accident and a death, Kathryn realizes that by shutting herself off to her father's relentless wine-stained orations, she has shut herself off from an integral part of him. And so, she proposes a father-daughter road trip. Corked is her no-holds-barred account of their tour through Alsace, Burgundy, Cotes du Rhone, and the Languedoc.

Though Corked is a book for anyone who has never understood how wine can taste like beetroot, wet dog, cigar smoke, coffee bean, or anything other than "winey," it is, above all, for anyone who has awoken one morning glove-slapped by the realization that his or her parents will die one day, and in the name of love and genes and existential insight and friendship, has wanted to figure out who they are. (inside cover)



Yesterday's Promise
by Linda Lee Chaikin

He fought to seek his fortune. Would he lose a greater treasure: the love he left behind?

As the son of the squire of Grimston Way, aristocrat Rogan Chantry has fought hard to win his independence form Sir Julien Bley and the British South Africa Company. Now, his pursuit of a mysterious deposit of gold, marked on a map willed to him by his murdered uncle, Henry Chantry, is challenged by a new complication: the impending British colonization of South Africa. Can Sir Rogan find the gold in the midst of escalating tensions among the native tribesmen, the missionaries sent to win them, an the new colonists?

Meanwhile, Evy Varley, the woman Rogan loves back in England, is headed for a brave yet dangerous confrontation with Henry's killer -- but at what price? With so much against Rogann and Evy, a reunion seems improbable, if not impossible. Can yesterday's promise hold them faithful to the hope of future freedom and a victorious love? (back cover)



Beneath a Southern Sky
by Deborah Raney


Her second husband healed the sorrow of a tragic loss. Her first has just returned from the dead. Which man has the right to claim Daria's heart?

After two years of serving as a missionary in a remote area of South America, Daria Camfield has returned to the States to mourn her husband, reportedly killed while providing medical aid to a neighboring Colombian village.

One family discovers how God can redeem any tragedy.

At first, Daria finds comfort only in the daughter born to her after Nate's tragic death. As she begins to heal, she also finds a listening ear and a tender heart in her new boss, veterinarian Colson Hunter. Determined to move forward with life, Daria ignores the still small voice calling her to wait and accepts Cole's marriage proposal. But after the wedding, Daria's new dream life turns into a nightmare following the arrival of an unbelievable telegram: "Nathan Canfield found alive. Flying int K.C. Int'l via Bogota. . ."

Now, two men have the right to her daughter, her life, and her love. Will Daria return to her beloved first husband, abandoning Cole? Or will she reject Nate and choose the only man her daughter has ever called "Daddy" -- a man she has come to cherish with all her heart? (back cover)


Starting Over
by Andy Serwer


Bookended by 9/11 at the beginning and an epic financial meltdown at the end, the first decade of this century will surely go down as one of the most difficult in American history. We were plagued by a series of catastrophes and major missteps, from the convoluted presidential election in 2000, to the invasion of Iraq, to the devastation of Katrina as well as all manner of financial shenanigans such as Enron, the tragedy of GM and Bernie Madoff.

It wasn't just coincidence that this carnage all occurred over the past ten years though. Rather, much of it was brought about by years of neglect and deferral of responsibility. In this book, FORTUNE Magazine Editor Andy Serwer explains how we fell into this national hole and more importantly how we can and will pull ourselves out of it as we head into what could well be another most promising decade for America. Critical to this rebound is a learning of the lessons of the recent past such as accepting responsibility, punishing financial alchemy and excess, and refocusing on our core strengths like innovation and a political system which is a beacon to the rest of the world. Now is the time for Starting Over. (inside cover)



Kids, Wealth, and Consequences
by Richard A. Morris and Jayne A. Pearl


How to make the financial rewards of one generation the starting point for the dreams of the next generation.

Kids, Wealth, and Consequences provides an iterative, chapter-by-chapter process that leads parents to a deeper understanding of themselves and what their choices and actions mean for their children.

The book describes how parents can impart to their children the skills they need for successful, happy lives. Morris and Pearl help parents evaluate how their choices in spending, financial management, and estate planning affect the wealth and the legacy they will leave behind. The authors offer ways for parents to discuss money with their children, teaching them how to spend, invest, and manage it responsibly. Parents also learn how to avoid the unintended consequences of inherited wealth, such as uncontrolled spending, lack of direction, lack of self-esteem, and dependency.

In addition, the authors address the key financial, intellectual, and emotional issues of wealth. The book tackles such "hard" issues as investing and estate planning as well as such soft" issues as values, family, and communication in a way that underscores the interplay among all three areas.

Morris and Pearl cite experts to illustrate key points and also include insights into how recent economic difficulties have affected decision making. (inside cover)




Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione (Book Review)


Title: Ecstasy Unveiled
Author: Larissa Ione

Publisher: Forever/Hachette Books

About the book: Lore is a Seminus half-breed demon who has been forced to act as his dark master's assassin. Now to earn his freedom and save his sister's life, he must complete one last kill. Powerful and ruthless, he'll stop at nothing to carry out this deadly mission.

Idess is an earthbound angel with a wild side, sworn to protect the human Lore is targeting. She's determined to thwart her wickedly handsome adversary by any means necessary-even if that means risking her vow of eternal chastity. But what begins as a simple seduction soon turns into a passion that leaves both angel and demon craving complete surrender.


Torn between duty and desire, Lore and Idess must join forces as they battle their attraction for each other. Because an enemy from the past is rising again-one hellbent on vengeance and unthinkable destruction.
(back cover)

My thoughts: This is book 4 in the Demonica series - I have only read the 1st one - and I enjoyed this one as much as I did the first one. I really wish I had read them in order though, as there was some back story that I believe would have made this more enjoyable. Sometime in the future I am going to have to go back and fill in the blanks! Larissa Ione has a way of creating chemistry between characters that just sizzles off the page. For paranormal romance lovers, this one is a must!

Ecstasy Unveiled
Publisher/Publication Date: Forever, Feb 1 2010
ISBN: 978-0-446-55682-8
432 pages


Friday, February 5, 2010

Searching for Tina Turner Blog Tour and Review

Title: Searching for Tina Turner
Author: Jacqueline E. Luckett
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

About the book: On their first date more than 30 years ago, Randall Spencer took Lena to an Ike and Tina Turner concert. From the minute they sat down in the fifth row, Lena knew that Randall wanted to impress her even though he didn't need to -- she would have gone anywhere just to be close to him. Yet now, after twenty-three years of marriage, Lena is missing one important thing. . . happiness.

On the surface it looks like she has everything a woman could wish for: a rich husband, two wonderful children, and a life of luxury. The reality is that her husband is emotionally distant, her son has developed a drug habit, and her daughter is disgusted by her mother's "overbearing behavior."

Determined to save her failing marriage, Lena suggests going to a marriage counselor to get to the root of her unhappiness and to find the gem they once called love. But in the sessions Randall doesn't understand Lena's frustrations and makes it clear that she is the one with the problem. When the counseling seems futile, he offers his wife an ultimatum: Be grateful for all I've done for you or leave. Embracing her fear of wasting her life, Lena chooses the latter and leaves behind everything she's known.

Drawing on the strength of Tina Turner's life story, Searching for Tina Turner is Lena's struggle to find herself after twenty-three years of being Randall's wife.

My thoughts: This book started out slow for me but gradually picked up speed. I didn't really like Lena - I felt like she had created her own existence. She is the one that had accepted her role for so long and just continued to blame everyone else for not taking ahold of her dreams. At the same time, I didn't like her because it reminded me of a time in my past - except I was only 29 when I "woke up" and realized that I had lost who I was and that I wasn't happy.

I couldn't stand Randall! Selfish, overbearing, thinking that money will be able to solve anything - and that his wife should be happy just because she had all material things that she could want. I don't think he gave it a second thought that she would actually leave him - it went beyond his understanding that someone would willingly give that all up.

Even though it may sound like I didn't enjoy this book - it was able to illicit strong feelings from me, so that would give it a plus in my book.

Searching for Tina Turner
Publisher/Publication Date: Grand Central Publishing/Jan 27, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-446-54296-8
320 pages




Please visit some of these other blogs on this tour:
February 1
http://my-book-views.blogspot.com
http://aseaofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/
http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com/
http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/
http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com
http://ilratb.blogspot.com
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/

February 2
http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com
http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com
http://www.frommipov.blogspot.com
http://jensbooktalk.blogspot.com/
http://www.thedivinemissmommy.com
http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com
http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com
http://ojoyofmylife.blogspot.com

February 3
http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/
http://brokenteepee.blogspot.com
http://www.crazy-for-books.com
http://www.buuklvr81.blogspot.com
http://www.jeannesramblings.com
http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com
http://thecajunbooklady.blogspot.com/

February 4
http://www.rundpinne.com
http://www.madeleineatbooksandphotos.com/
http://myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com
http://www.geekgirlreviews.com
http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
http://sumanam.wordpress.com/
http://dixie-afewofmyfavoritethings.blogspot.com/
http://reviewfromhere.com
http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com

February 5
http://www.libslibrary.blogspot.com
http://thebooktree.blogspot.com
http://booknerdextraordinaire.blogspot.com
http://www.psychoticstate.blogspot.com/
http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/
http://www.kballard87.blogspot.com
http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com

The Friday 56: 2-5-2010


Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.



Never, ever, talk about your sex life right before or after having sex. Before is way too stressful, especially if one of the partners is trying to share from the heart and the other one has the obvious air of: "Yeah, yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah. Less talk and more action please." (The Marriage Project by Kathi Lipp, p56)









The Marriage Project
Publisher/Publication Date: Harvest House Publisher, Dec 2009
ISBN: 978-0-7369-2528-0
232 pages


Friday Finds: 2-5-2010

Here are my finds this week! (And I didn't plan the color theme with the covers ahead of time!)


A Dark Matter
by Peter Straub

ABOUT THIS BOOK

The incomparable master of horror and suspense returns with a powerful, brilliantly terrifying novel that redefines the genre in original and unexpected ways.

The charismatic and cunning Spenser Mallon is a campus guru in the 1960s, attracting the devotion and demanding sexual favors of his young acolytes. After he invites his most fervent followers to attend a secret ritual in a local meadow, the only thing that remains is a gruesomely dismembered body—and the shattered souls of all who were present.


Years later, one man attempts to understand what happened to his wife and to his friends by writing a book about this horrible night, and it’s through this process that they begin to examine the unspeakable events that have bound them in ways they cannot fathom, but that have haunted every one of them through their lives. As each of the old friends tries to come to grips with the darkness of the past, they find themselves face-to-face with the evil triggered so many years earlier. Unfolding through the individual stories of the fated group’s members, A Dark Matter is an electric, chilling, and unpredictable novel that will satisfy Peter Straub's many ardent fans, and win him legions more. (Random House)


Read the first chapter of A Dark Matter.



Just Kids
by Patti Smith

It was the summer Coltrane died, the summer of love and riots, and the summer when a chance encounter in Brooklyn led two young people on a path of art, devotion, and initiation.

Patti Smith would evolve as a poet and performer, and Robert Mapplethorpe would direct his highly provocative style toward photography. Bound in innocence and enthusiasm, they traversed the city from Coney Island to Forty-second Street, and eventually to the celebrated round table of Max's Kansas City, where the Andy Warhol contingent held court. In 1969, the pair set up camp at the Hotel Chelsea and soon entered a community of the famous and infamous—the influential artists of the day and the colorful fringe. It was a time of heightened awareness, when the worlds of poetry, rock and roll, art, and sexual politics were colliding and exploding. In this milieu, two kids made a pact to take care of each other. Scrappy, romantic, committed to create, and fueled by their mutual dreams and drives, they would prod and provide for one another during the hungry years.

Just Kids begins as a love story and ends as an elegy. It serves as a salute to New York City during the late sixties and seventies and to its rich and poor, its hustlers and hellions. A true fable, it is a portrait of two young artists' ascent, a prelude to fame.




Just Kids
Publisher/Publication Date: Ecco, Jan 2010
ISBN: 978-0066211312
304 pages


A Dark Matter
Publisher/Publication Date: Doubleday, Feb 2010
ISBN: 978-0385516389
416 pages






Thursday, February 4, 2010

Much Overdue Winners!


If you see your name here I have either already emailed you, or one is on the way - seems I have been ending up in spam folders lately, so we may be changing to just notifying winners through a blog post - but until then, I will try to still do it through email also. Please feel free to email me your mailing info if you are listed (kherbrand at comcast dot net) - Here we go!

When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson (all winners confirmed)
1. Misusedinnocence (#69)
2. janetfaye (#80)
3. twifanheather (#117)

Dear John (audio) Nicholas Sparks (all winners confirmed)
1. roswello (#8)
2. Anna (#49)
3. Lori (#72)

Cleaving (audiobook) by Julia Powell
1. Amanda18228 (#30)
2. Hill (#41)
3. BusyBee (#49) - only one confirmed

A Christmas Carol
1. darlanpaulsmomma (#24) - confirmed

The One Day Way by Chantal Hobbs
1. gahome2mom (#6)

The Survivor's Club
1. misusedinnocence (#45)
2. Jane (#19)
3. Jaime (#23)
4. LeeP (#14)
5. ossmcalc/Christine (#72)

A Black Tie Affair
1. elaing8 (#29)
2. Sweet Vernal Zephyr (#49)
3. booklover0226/Tracey D (#67)
4. donnas (#19)
5. Billy Jack (#55)

Seduced By a Rogue
1. Linda Henderson (#34)
2. scottsgal (#2)
3. rubynreba (#24)
4. Sue A (#73)
5. Deborah (#45)


Sleep No More
1.janetfaye (#71)
2. Sue (#40)
3. cherdon (#97)
4. misusedinnocence (#55)
5. HODGEPODGESPV (#18)

Corked by Kathryn Borel
1. rubynreba (#14)
2. AmandaSue (#7)
3. Martha Lawson (#17)
4. ossmcalc/Christine (#42)
5. Beth (BBRB) (#35)

That's its until tomorrow at midnight! I should have some new giveaways going up next week! I am gearing up for a huge one - spread the word - when I hit 500 followers I am going to be giving away 5 boxes of books - each containing at least 10 books!

Ecstasy Unveiled - My review is late!


Today is my day to post my review for Ecstasy Unveiled - but I am not done with the book yet (and it is a good one - oh la la!) But I wanted to post something - so I will remind you that I have a giveaway for this book right now - ends tomorrow at midnight - so hurry! The giveaway post also contains a blurb about the book, so I am not going to repost that here - but I would like to share with you Five Fun Facts from Larissa Ione!

1. Ecstasy Unveiled was written in seven states; Virginia, Florida, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Yes, much of it was written on the road during a move from Virginia to Wisconsin. (Florida was a vacation!)

2. Idess, the heroine of Ecstasy Unveiled, shares my love of fine Italian chocolate. And fine Italian leather. And Italian food. And Italy.

3. In previous books, characters moved around the world and Sheoul via the Harrowgates, but we never got to actually visit the demon realm. In Ecstasy Unveiled, we get to travel there, and it’s nothing like Italy…

4. The original three brothers in the Demonica series are purebred Seminus demons, a rare breed of incubi. But the hero of Ecstasy Unveiled, Lore, is a half-breed whose human blood has caused his Seminus demon gifts to go wacky. Where his brothers can use their abilities to heal, Lore can only kill, something that puts him at odds with his newfound siblings – and something that was fun to write!

5. In Ecstasy Unveiled, Lore reveals that he made much of his fortune during Prohibition by making and running moonshine. My inspiration for Lore’s choice of career came from my grandfather’s stories of growing up in the south and watching the exciting activities around him.


For some really great reviews - please see some of these participating blogs - and I will have my review up before the blog tour is over on the 7th!

http://seductivemusings.blogspot.com/ Feature, Giveaway, Q&A 1/25/2010
http://reesspace.blogspot.com Feature, Review, Giveaway 1/25/2010
http://passive-agressiva.blogspot.com/ Review, Giveaway 1/25/2010
http://www.auntpamscloset.com Feature, Review, Giveaway, Q&A 1/25/2010
http://digiscrapping.net/blog Review, Giveaway 1/25/2010
http://zestynachos.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway 1/25/2010
www.vhubler.blogspot.com Feature, Review, Giveaway 1/25/2010
http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/ Review, Giveaway 1/25/2010
http://stacievaughansblog.blogspot.com/ Review, Giveaway 1/25/2010
http://tbfreviews.net Feature, Giveaway 1/26/2010
http://sexywomenread.blogspot.com Giveaway 1/26/2010
http://razloversbookblog.blogspot.com/ Review, Giveaway 1/26/2010
booksoulmates.com Review, Giveaway 1/27/2010
http://patricias-vampire-notes.blogspot.com/ Feature, Giveaway 1/27/2010
http://thriftyjinxy.blogspot.com/ Feature, Review, Giveaway 1/28/2010
http://smexybooks.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway 1/28/2010
www.thebookgirl.net Review, Giveaway 1/29/2010
http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com Feature, Review, Giveaway, Q&A 1/29/2010
http://www.froggaritasbookcase.net Review, Giveaway 1/29/2010
http://chaoticbookobbsession.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway, Q&A 1/30/2010
http://redheadedbookchild.blogspot.com Review 1/31/2010
http://brokenteepee.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway 2/1/2010
http://confessionsofanover-workedmom.blogspot.com/ Review, Giveaway 2/1/2010
http://annavivian.blogspot.com/ Giveaway 2/2/2010
http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com Giveaway 2/2/2010
http://www.readingwithmonie.com Review, Giveaway 2/3/2010
http://www.findthetimetoread.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway 2/3/2010
www.bibliophilicbookblog.com Feature, Review, Giveaway, Q&A 2/4/2010
http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com Feature, Review, Giveaway 2/4/2010
http://www.eclecticbooklover.com Review, Giveaway 2/4/2010
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com Giveaway 2/4/2010
www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway 2/5/2010
http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com Feature, Review, Giveaway, Q&A 2/5/2010
http://www.kballard87.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway 2/5/2010
http:thisbookforfree.com Review, Giveaway, Q&A 2/5/2010
booksandmakeup.blogspot.com Feature, Review, Giveaway 2/5/2010
http://myoverstuffedbookshelf.blogspot.com/ Feature, Review, Giveaway 2/6/2010
http://thecajunbooklady.blogspot.com/ Feature, Review, Giveaway 2/7/2010
http://www.renees-reads.blogspot.com/ Review, Giveaway 2/7/2010
http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com Feature, Giveaway 2/7/2010
www.mgpblog.com Review, Giveaway 2/7/2010
http://reviewfromhere.com Review 2/7/2010
http://mamaof3munchkins.blogspot.com/ Feature, Review 2/7/2010
Global Arts Feature, Review, Giveaway, Q&A 2/7/2010
http://www.bridget3420.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway 2/7/2010
http://stacievaughansblog.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway 2/7/2010
http://www.mindingspot.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway 2/7/2010
www.stephthebookworm.blogspot.com Review 2/7/2010

Sticking Your Neck Out (Guest Post by Nikki Stone)


Sticking Your Neck Out: Discover the Top 7 Ways to Reach Your Peak Performance
By Nikki Stone
Author of When Turtles Fly: Secrets of Successful People Who Know How To Stick Their Necks Out

As a motivational speaker for Fortune 500 companies and an Olympic gold medalist, I have seen what makes an individual most successful in the boardroom and on the slopes. Over the last five years, I have researched the similarities of forty different highly-successful individuals -- including the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Prince Albert of Monaco, Dr. Stephen Covey, Shaun White and many more. And no matter the field or endeavor, I have found The Turtle Effect philosophy at the core of everyone's success.

This philosophy was taught to me by my mother, who told me that I could achieve anything I wanted. I always held it close and adapted it to every situation I encountered. I'd like to help people breathe in this confidence and share the secrets that are common to those at the top of their given field.

1. Have a Soft Inside -- let your heart drive your actions

Find Your Passion: Do the things you hate first so you can truly get pleasure from the parts of your job and day that you are most passionate about. First thing in the morning write down five things you don't like to do. Do each before 11:00 a.m., and check off that you've done them. Doing the thing you hate most will allow you to spend the rest of the day or week focusing on the things you enjoy the most.

2. Develop Your Hard Shell -- stay strong against life's challenges

Enhance Your Focus: Try to complete a task or project today as well as you can -- without looking at others for approval. Can you bring something to fruition without worrying about the outcome? If you do feel you have to see your "results", compare them to your own past efforts rather than to what someone else has achieved.

Be Committed:
Either give yourself a challenge or challenge a colleague, teammate or friend to decide on a certain goal with you. Write the challenge down on an index card and tape it to the wall to remind yourself of your goal. This commitment will make you accountable to your goals and responsible for your actions.

Overcoming Adversities:
Ask yourself, "If I knew I couldn't fail, what would I try?" After you answer this question, ask yourself why it would be so awful to fail at the task or activity. We learn much more from our failures than we learn from our accomplishments.

3. Be Willing to Stick Your Neck Out -- put yourself out there and find the support to make sure you follow through

Build Your Confidence: We all have our strong points and we need to remind ourselves of these attributes. Create a list today of all the personal traits that give you confidence. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and knowing your strengths will help you compensate for your shortcomings.

Start Taking Risks: We can't be afraid of failure. If you don't try, you have already failed. Why not give yourself the chance to succeed? Pick something that scares you a bit, and decide you are going to take the risk to follow through with it today.

Find Your Teamwork: A support system is crucial in helping you develop a strong character. Go out today and ask a few close friends how they would describe you. If they define you only in terms of your accomplishments, take the time to show them who you are in terms of your relationships. Think about the things you may be doing to project a title rather than a personality, and correct that.

I find that the same factors work to put someone at the top of their game, whether you are a triumphant athlete, Fortune 500 CEO, an accomplished politician, successful educator, or even an effective parent.

I hope these tips help you find your Turtle Effect and encourage you to strive for levels once thought impossible.

©2010 Nikki Stone, author of When Turtles Fly: Secrets of Successful People Who Know How To Stick Their Necks Out

Author Bio
At the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, Nikki Stone became America's first-ever Olympic champion in the sport of aerial skiing. What made this performance so unbelievable was the fact that, less than two years earlier, a chronic spinal injury prevented her from standing, much less walking or skiing off a twelve-foot-tall snow jump that launches aerialists fifty feet into the air. She overcame the injury and went on to earn 35 World Cup medals, 11 World Cup titles, 4 national titles, 3 World Cup titles, a World Championship title, and membership in the Ski Hall of Fame. Nikki is also a magna cum laude graduate of Union College and a summa cum laude masters graduate of the University of Utah. Her aerial retirement is less than restful as she trains Olympic athletes and business professionals in speaking/media skills, coaches personal and professional development courses, hosts group skiing adventures, sits on five different charitable committees, and writes articles and columns for many magazines, newspapers, and websites. Nikki's career focus is now on traveling around the world working as a sought-after motivational speaker, sharing her secrets to success by inspiring her business audiences to "Stick their necks out." Every spare moment is spent with husband, Michael Spencer, and daughter, Zali, in Park City, Utah.

Nikki is the author of When Turtles Fly: Secrets of Successful People Who Know How To Stick Their Necks Out. For more information, please visit www.WhenTurtlesFly.com.

If you knew you couldn't fail - what would you try today? I would start a craft store and go back to school!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Hero's Tribute by Graham Garrison (Book Review)


Title: Hero's Tribute
Author: Graham Garrison

Publisher: Kregel Publications

My synopsis: Michael Gavins has selected Wes Watkins to give the eulogy at his funeral. He has never met Wes, but only knows of him through his sports features in the local newspaper and an "anonymous" blog called Back Words. Michael is dying of cancer and has seemed to have led an exemplary life. He wants someone to do his eulogy who won't sugar coat everything and will not approach the task with a bias. He feels that Wes is the perfect one for the job.

It isn't until after Michael dies that Wes learns of this last request. Confused yet intrigued, he accepts this "assignment" and begins the daunting task of getting to know the man that Michael was. Michael conveniently left Wes a list of people to interview to get to know him. On the surface Michael was a high school football star, an Iraqi war hero who received the Medal of Honor, and now ran a retreat for foster kids. Wes feels that since Michael wanted him to do the eulogy, that there must be a bigger story there. The more he digs, the more pieces of the puzzle fall into place.

Many in the town, including Wes' boss, do not want him digging into Michael's past. In many ways this just makes Wes look a little harder, because he feels that there must be a story there somewhere. As he continues to uncover Michael's story though, he realizes that there are some things in his own life that he must change.

My thoughts: I think Graham Garrison is a great storyteller! I was crying through the first 15 pages and finally turned the book over to see if it was fiction or non-fiction! (Fiction) I really enjoyed this book and loved the way that he would introduce us to one more piece of Michael's story. Wes would be interviewing some one and as a question would be revealed at the end of a chapter, the next chapter would be the actually retelling of that the incident in question. It was very smooth and really kept me reading. I really liked Michael's family - his wife Lynn and the grief that she was not afraid to show, and the strength that came after; his mom and dad - Betty and Paul - they played a large part in his life - larger than just being his parents; Addy - his young daughter - a typical and lovable 6 year old.

He kept me reading right up to the last chapter to get the lesson/message of this book. While there are many smaller lessons along the way, the final one is pretty big - but I am not going to spoil it for you.

Read the first chapter of Hero's Tribute.

~I was provided this book for review by First Wild Card Tours.~

Hero's Tribute
Publisher/Publication Date: Kregel Publications, Sept 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8254-2685-8
240 pages





First Wild Card Tour: Hero's Tribute by Graham Garrison

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!





Please stop by later today for my review!

Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:


Hero’s Tribute

Kregel Publications (September 21, 2009)

***Special thanks to Danielle Douglas of Douglas Public Relations for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Graham Garrison is a writer and editor who lives in suburban Atlanta. He has covered high school and college football games as a newspaper reporter, completed an internship with the U.S. Army at its National Training Center in the Mojave Desert and tested WaveRunners and Runabouts as the managing editor of a national boating magazine. He’s written about battlefields for America’s Civil War, interviewed medical innovators for Georgia Physician and even penned an editorial for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. When he’s not writing, he’s chasing his two-year old son Nicholas and their Beagle, Baxter around the backyard with his wife, Katie.

Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications (September 21, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0825426855
ISBN-13: 978-0825426858

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


Prologue

There were no famous last words from Michael Gavin. Nothing like George Washington’s “I die hard, but am not afraid to go,” or General Lee’s “Strike the tent.” When Michael stopped talking late in the night, he simply held Lynn’s hand. When he was too weak for even that, she took the weight of his pale left arm in hers and gently rubbed his palm. She watched his chest as it registered, however faintly, the struggle for each final breath, until she could barely tell if the battle was still joined. Finally, his eyes, once steely and strong, faded to a dull, dark black. Thirty-nine short years after his arrival, Michael Gavin, American hero, was gone.

It was a Monday.

Lynn Gavin sat by the bedside for fifteen minutes, with Michael’s lifeless hand still in hers, before reaching for the phone to call his parents. She felt selfish for taking that time to mourn alone while the rest of the family was unaware of his passing, but she had lost this fight with cancer as much as he had.

That horrible day when Michael was diagnosed.

The trips to chemo.

The sleepless nights as Michael shivered against the disease.

The day-by-day erosion of the strongest man she’d ever known.

Lynn dampened her sobs to a persistent, ragged groan that seemed to settle deep in her chest, and she started thinking as a parent instead of simply a wife. Addy, their six-year old, had slept over at Michael’s parents’ house last night, at Lynn’s request. She hadn’t wanted to expose Addy to the final throes of death, or to anything more than she had already experienced in the last few months. Even before Michael’s cancer, Addy had seen more from this world than any child should have to. A six-year-old should be singing along to Veggie Tales and laughing at Sesame Street, not tiptoeing around IV lines and smelling of disinfectant after hugging her daddy.

Guilt crept in. Shouldn’t everyone be here? Why did I want this time with him to myself? What kind of person am I?

She felt an impulse to ask forgiveness, as if Michael had died in the early morning hours only because there was an empty household for the first time in three weeks. She reached for the telephone on the nightstand and dialed Michael’s parents.




Chapter 1

Betty Gavin answered on the second ring. Only one person would be calling this early.

“Mom, Michael’s gone.”

Betty had braced herself for those words, but they still struck like a hammer to the ribs. She stifled a reflexive sob. “Oh dear,” she said, dropping the spoon she had been using to stir her tea. “I’ll be right over.”

“What should I do?” Lynn asked.

“You just sit tight, honey. I’ll be right there.” There was no correct protocol for times like these. Lynn had been so good about making the tough decisions during Michael’s illness. When friends or family stopped by to offer prayers or a kind word, Lynn would be consoling and encouraging them by the time they left. Now it was time for others to lift Lynn up.

Betty had just enough presence of mind to tell Lynn not to worry; that they would figure out what to do next, together. Then she found herself at the front hall closet, fumbling with the buttons on her coat.

If things took a little longer with arrangements, then that’d be fine. Addy would be fine at their place until they sorted things out. There was always someone around the neighborhood to help in a pinch, and this was one of those pinches the entire town would come around for.

She covered her face with her hands, her body convulsing. “Oh Lord, oh Lord.”


Paul Gavin didn’t have the best hearing in the world after sixty-seven years, but he had a sixth sense about when his wife needed him. At the crack of dawn on Monday, he was where he always was, sitting on the front porch, sipping coffee and tying his shoes for a morning jog down the same street where he’d beaten the pavement for years. He was religious about his morning constitutional: five days a week, rain or shine, he’d circle the neighborhood cul-de-sacs and wave to the commuters embarking on their forty-five-minute commute from town to city. He didn’t need to be at work at the local college until nine, the reward of tenure from teaching graduate-level business courses for more than a decade, following his service in the Army. This morning, instead of going for his jog, Paul opted to enjoy the sunrise and read the city paper. He’d make it up this evening, he told himself.

Paul didn’t hear the phone ring, or see Betty collapse onto the sofa, but he had a feeling he was needed inside.

As Paul stood to his feet and folded the paper under his arm, the front door opened and Betty stepped out onto the porch, ashen faced, the key to the Volvo dangling absently from her hand. Paul instantly knew what had happened.

Tossing the paper onto the rocker, he reached for Betty, wrapped her in his arms, and hugged her for all he was worth.

“Could you—” Betty’s words dissolved into a sob, and she tried to catch her breath.

“Don’t worry, sweetie, I’ll take care of Addy. You go.”

After Betty drove away, Paul returned to the front porch and sat in his rocking chair to sort through his thoughts and make sense of everything that would now be required.

Phone calls to relatives and friends. A Call to the newspaper to have an obit made so out-of-towners would know the details of the funeral. The family had made some of the arrangements in advance but still needed to finalize a few things with the funeral home.

Then there was the package he promised Michael he’d deliver.

A promise was a promise.

Analyzing decisions was Paul’s way of getting through tough times. Like Michael, he had a knack for remaining calm under duress, making snap decisions that others found too difficult or too emotional. But even now, as he sat in his rocking chair ticking off the preparations to make before saying good-bye to his son, his eyes retreated to a certain spot on the front lawn. The clearer the green became, the less he thought about the arrangements, and the more he walked through memories of Michael’s childhood.

He envisioned a ten-year-old boy with dirty knees, a Braves cap, and a big, broad grin on his face, winding up to toss the baseball back. Or sprinting for all he was worth toward the far corner, football helmet askew and arms outstretched for “just one more pass, Dad, before we head in.”

Paul stopped his mental checklist and just stared at the grass.


Word traveled fast in a town like Talking Creek, with or without cell phones. Granted, cell phone towers had popped up in this corner of northwest Georgia like in every other part of the country, and a cell phone company had put a store over on Main Street five years ago, but it’s not like the residents needed all that. You could shout from one end of Main Street to the other and someone could easily hear you, it was so small. And with a population of just under six thousand, everybody knew everybody, and probably knew everybody’s relatives, too. Only about a thousand of those folks came and went, those being out-of-town students of Tributary University, the local liberal arts college.

The west end of Main started with a hamburger joint and a pizza place, then proceeded through town, passing two banks, the grocery store, a busy café, the drug store, a combination book and coffee shop, the barber shop, hair stylist, and post office. On the east side, the town’s two big churches, United Methodist and First Baptist, sat on opposite sides of the street, close enough for parishioners to wave to one another before walking into their respective Sunday services.

Talking Creek’s claim to fame was the annual fall firemen’s parade. As home to one of the finest volunteer fire departments in the state—and possibly the entire Southeast, the town rolled out its big red engines every year and invited towns near and far to bring theirs too.

Gene Woods, one of Talking Creek’s volunteer firemen, lived three streets down from Paul and Betty in the town’s lone subdivision. Like Paul, he was a creature of habit. Up at the same time every morning, he showered, put on a dress shirt and tie, brewed a cup of black coffee, read the paper, and hit the road at 6:30 sharp for his job at the local power plant. Gene’s routine coincided with Paul’s run, and the two usually exchanged waves halfway between their two homes. Today, however, Gene noticed that Paul wasn’t running.

Gene knew Michael, and about his fight with cancer. Well, everybody in Talking Creek knew Michael. Many remembered him as the kid who’d broken all the state passing records in high school. Others still half-expected to see him hiking the Georgia mountain trails with those kids from the foster care retreat. Everyone knew what he’d done in the war; about the big, shiny medal he’d earned, and how quiet he’d been about it when he returned.

Gene’s wife, Mary, was in Betty’s prayer group at the Methodist church, and she had relayed Betty’s prayer concerns as Michael’s cancer had worsened. Each time Mary brought bad news, Gene would just shake his head. How could a strong kid like that get beat by something that starts so small? The power and frailty of the human body never ceased to amaze Gene. How in the world could a person live on pizza, beer, and cigarettes all their life and make it to eighty, while some middle-aged marathon runner has a heart attack at fifty? Or what about some stupid kid who drives drunk as a skunk and crashes head-on into a Suburban. He survives, with a few scratches and a bump on his head, but the family in the SUV doesn’t? And how can something no bigger than a speck when it starts cut down a tree trunk like Michael? It just didn’t make any sense.

Gene slowed as he neared the Gavins’ property. To most folks, spotting Paul on the front porch wouldn’t be cause for concern, but Gene’s heart sank. He knew his friend should be getting his laps in before work. Guys like Paul and Gene didn’t mess with their routine just for the heck of it. Maybe the polite thing to do would have been to keep on driving and let Paul be; but that didn’t set right with Gene, and he was in the business of doing the right thing. He pulled his Dodge Ram into the driveway and hopped out.

Paul and Gene were part of a close-knit fraternity. Both were combat veterans, Paul in the Army, Gene as a Marine sergeant. Their rival service loyalties elicited jabs and good-natured jokes between the two, but not today.

Paul stood and nodded as Gene got out of his truck. Gene took three steps down the walkway and paused. What should he say? He was always at a loss for words at times like these. He clenched his right first, frustrated at his lack of words. Then it hit him. He pivoted slightly toward Paul and in a crisp, forward motion, lifted his right hand to his temple.

Paul returned the salute.

“This town won’t ever forget your boy,” he said.

Ten minutes later, Gene was doing what he always did in a crisis: taking charge. He walked into the fire station storage room and grabbed Big Glory, the biggest American flag you’ve ever seen. Then, climbing the steps of the tallest landmark in Talking Creek, the fire tower they used for drills, he unfurled the flag and attached it to the brass hooks along the edge of the parapet. It seemed the right thing to do.

“Hey Gene, what in the world are you doing?” It was one of the paramedics on shift, looking up from the ground below. “Parade ain’t for another two weeks.”

Gene mulled over what to say. “You’re needed at the younger Gavins.”

“Oh.”

Gene watched as his words sank in.

“Okay, we’re on our way.”

After securing the flag at half mast, Gene went down to the dispatch room and called the chief of police.

“What’s up, Gene, is there a fire?” a groggy Heath Jackson muttered into the phone. He wasn’t due at the police station until three cups of coffee from now.

“No, no fire,” Gene said. “Paul’s son passed away this morning.”

“Oh, I hate to hear that, Gene.”

“Yeah, listen, you think you should send some of your boys down to the house to make sure everything’s all right?”

“Consider it done. Thanks for letting me know.”


A few miles away, Betty and Lynn tried to collect themselves. The shock was wearing off, but numbness crept in. That’s when Betty decided to call the funeral home to come and take Michael, and they received the first of many surprises from the town of Talking Creek.

“Yes, ma’am, the police department asked permission to handle your request,” the funeral home receptionist said. “And we’re really very, very sorry.”

She probably shouldn’t have been, but Betty was taken aback at how fast word had traveled. “Thank you,” she managed. “When do you think they will get here?”

“Ma’am, it should be there already.”

Skeptically, Betty looked out the window. Sure enough, parked by the fence was an ambulance, flanked by two squad cars. By the time Betty and Lynn walked out the front door, two more police cars had arrived. Police Sergeant Mark Lovejoy met them halfway, head slightly bowed. Betty didn’t bother asking him how they knew.

“We’re here to escort Michael,” Lovejoy said.


The ambulance and police procession through downtown to the funeral home proved more effective than any newspaper headline. One glance at the convoy set off a firestorm of discussion up and down Main Street. Once the people who knew—mainly Gene walking into Reese’s Café for his second morning coffee—gave the news to a few of the town’s movers and shakers, word spread quickly to shops like Smith’s Pharmacy, into the faculty offices of the university, and among parents in the carpool lane at the elementary and middle schools.

Talking Creek High School assistant principal Gus Hilliard caught wind of Michael’s passing from the front office workers. As Sue Holton was about to press the talk button on the school microphone for the daily announcements, Gus gently tapped her shoulder.

“I’ll take this one,” he said.

Gus never did the announcements. He hated public speaking. He did most of his talking behind closed doors, lecturing kids busted for chewing gum in class or running amok on school property. He was good at cracking skulls without touching them; just forcing the fear of God into misfits with his deep voice, broad shoulders, and harsh scowl.

The front office folks immediately hushed their conversations when Gus wrapped his knuckles around the microphone.

“This is Assistant Principal Hilliard,” he began. “We’ll be doing announcements differently today. Before we say the Pledge of Allegiance, I want to have a . . . a . . . moment of silence.”

The front office ladies let out a sigh, thankful he hadn’t said “moment of prayer.” Someone no doubt would have raised a fuss at the next school board meeting.

“And if you want to pray,” Gus continued, “well go ahead and do that too. And if anyone is offended by that . . . well, they can come and talk to me about it.”

Eyes rolled behind his back.

“A former Talking Creek High student died this morning. Michael Gavin. If you didn’t know him—and that’s probably just one or two of you—you missed out on knowing a good man and a true hero. He did a lot for this community, and a lot for this country, and we here at Talking Creek High are all going to miss him. Please take a moment or two now to remember him.”


Ralph Frink, owner of Southern Décor, got the news around lunchtime from one of his production managers. Southern Décor, a manufacturer of outdoor decorations, was Talking Creek’s largest employer, outside of Tributary University. Yesterday, the company had put the finishing touches on some Christmas decorations for a central Alabama town, and the production line was up and running. Frink didn’t have to think too hard about this one. He called a company-wide meeting in the plant, asked for a vote, and it was unanimous. The next day, Southern Décor would shift the line over to making large yellow ribbons and American flag decorations to wrap around every sign and streetlight from here to the county line. He’d foot the bill.

The churches geared up early. Mondays were Bible study days at both the Methodist and Baptist churches, and two group leaders who did their grocery shopping in the morning before class bumped into each other in the produce section, like they always did. Joanne Reed, a lifelong Methodist and friend of Lynn’s and Michael’s, was noticeably shaken.

Naturally, Liz Montgomery was concerned. She gave Joanne a warm hug and asked her what was wrong. When Joanne told her about Michael and Lynn, Liz’s eyes welled with tears. Then she got determined.

“Call your group leaders, and I’ll call mine, and we’ll figure out what to do.” By the afternoon, there wasn’t a cold oven in the city limits.

Smith’s Pharmacy ran out of Hallmark cards by 3 p.m. The first to go were condolences. Then encouragement. Then thank you cards; because by that point the only other cards in the racks said “Happy Birthday” or “It’s a girl.”

Mondays were also soccer days at Glenn Park. Kids walked out of the elementary school with their cleats and shin guards in hand, down the hill to Glenn Park and over to the soccer fields. The parents pulled up a few minutes before game time, helped their kids into uniforms, and then plopped lawn chairs on the sidelines to catch up on the latest news while cheering on a mass of children circling a ball for an hour.

The games couldn’t start without the national anthem. A Boy Scout or Cub Scout from one team would be in charge of raising the flag up the pole at the edge of the field while everyone saluted. Jesse Blackmon, a Tenderfoot, and by far the smallest kid on his team, got the assignment this time. His coach whispered something in his ear, and although he was a little confused by the request, Jesse dashed to the flagpole and, as everyone began singing, did exactly what his coach had told him to do. He raised it to half-staff.


Talking Creek football coach Bud Lawler didn’t let the news pass his team by. The current Eagles were a far cry from the glory days of Michael’s run at quarterback. Coach Lawler would know that better than anyone else; he’d been a tight end on those teams. He’d been back at his alma mater for seven years now, and was trying to rekindle some of the old magic. His resume included five winning seasons and two playoff berths, largely because of the Summers boys: Tripp, Taylor, and Travis. None of the three was very big, or had an arm like Michael’s, but man could those kids run. A few brave souls in town had even suggested—whispered is more like it—that they were as fast, if not faster, than Michael. During their respective senior years, Tripp, Taylor, and Travis had each led the county in rushing. Times had been good again for the Eagles with the Summers boys in school. During Taylor’s senior year, they’d even found themselves in the Georgia Dome for a semifinal game against powerhouse Buford. But that was three years ago, and now, in order to get the “Summers over” tag off his back, Coach Lawler needed to do something with this latest crop of boys.

The Eagles were 3–1 and preparing for their first regional game, against archrival Calhoun, which was ranked fifth in the state and had a three-game winning streak going against Talking Creek. A win against Calhoun and the Eagles would be in the driver’s seat of Region 5-A. A loss, and they’d be right back in the middle of the pack, where they’d been since the Summers boys graduated.

Fifty teenagers in blue and gold trotted out of the fieldhouse and onto the practice field across from Grady Stadium. It used to be that Talking Creek squads practiced on the stadium field, but seeing as how everybody else had a practice field for practice and a playing field for playing, Talking Creek boosters had chipped in to pay for some nearby brush to be cleared and a field to be readied. The team broke off into offensive and defensive squads. Coach Lawler limped out of the fieldhouse a minute later, game plan in hand and a scowl on his face.

“Boys, hats off and huddle up,” he said. The Eagles squeezed together amid sounds of chinstraps unsnapping and helmets coming off. “You know this week’s a big week with Calhoun. Well, it just got a lot bigger.”

He paused, checking to make sure he had everyone’s attention. “Michael Gavin died this morning. He put all those trophies in our gym. He brought a lot of great memories to this town, and now it’s our turn to make some more memories.”

“On Friday, that place”—he pointed behind his shoulder to Grady Stadium—“is going to be packed tighter than a can of sardines. And it ain’t just ’cuz we’re playing big, bad Calhoun. It ain’t ’cuz they’ve whipped us the last three years and their blood is up; and it ain’t ’cuz they want to shut you seniors out a fourth and final time.” He pointed to his two team captains.

“It’s ’cuz a lot of people are going to come to the game to remember what Michael Gavin did on that field years ago. And you know what? We’re gonna give them something to remember him by! So, you ain’t just playin’ for yourselves or for this team this week. It’s bigger than that. We need to do him proud.”

Waiting on Wednesday: She's So Dead to Us

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:



She's So Dead to Us
by Kieran Scott

Publisher/Publication Date: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing/May 25, 2010

About the book: Perfect, picturesque Orchard Hill. It was the last thing Ally Ryan saw in the rear-view mirror as her mother drove them out of town and away from the shame of the scandal her father caused when his hedge fund went south and practically bankrupted all their friends -- friends that liked having trust funds and new cars, and that didn't like constant reminders that they had been swindled. So it was adios, Orchard Hill. Thanks for nothing.

Now, two years later, Ally's mother has landed a job back at the site of their downfall. So instead of Ally's new low-key, happy life, it'll be back into the snake pit with the likes of Shannen Moore and Hammond Ross.

But then there's Jake Graydon. Handsome, wealthy, bored Jake Graydon. He moved to town after Ally left and knows nothing of her scandal, but does know that he likes her. And she likes him. So off into the sunset they can go, right? Too bad Jake's friends have a problem with his new crush since it would make Ally happy. And if anyone deserves to be unhappy, it's Ally Ryan.

Ally was hoping to have left all the drama in the past, but some things just can't be forgotten. Isn't there more to life than money?


About the author: Kieran Scott is the author of the Non-Blonde Cheerleader series along with many other books for teens. She also writes the New York Times bestselling series Private under the pen name Kate Brian for Alloy Entertainment. She resides in New Jersey with her husband and son.





Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Rambling

I just wanted to give everyone an update - I was supposed to start an exercise program yesterday using Denise's Daily Dozen. Unfortunately I have had a flair up of Wegener's and have been very short of breath - to the point that I finally went to my doctor today and was started on Prednisone... again... It has been over a year since I was finally able to get off the steroid, so I am hoping that a quick burst of steroids will be all that I need. It has put a hold on my plans for an exercise program though.

I am also behind on posting any winners - I am going to post them here hopefully some time in the next 24 hours, but emails may not go out immediately - so if you see your name in any of the winner's posts, please feel free to email me.

Happy Reading everyone!

Kid's Korner: Tornadoes (Book Review)


Title: Tornadoes
Author: Mari Schuh

Publisher: Capstone Press

Another great non-fiction book from Capstone Press! My son loves anything that causes destruction - Destroyed in Seconds is one of his favorite shows.

Tornadoes has some amazing pictures of funnel and storm clouds and breaks them down into easy to understand bite size statements. We always have to read this book more than once!

Other titles in this series include: Avalanches, Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tsunamis and Volcanoes.


Tornadoes
Publisher/Publication Date: Capstone Press, August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4296-3434-2
24 pages


Teaser Tuesday: 2-2-2010


TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you have given!
Please avoid spoilers!






Without anyone noticing I reach my hand back and rest it on the sill, enjoying the freezing air and the sensation of a hundred pinpricks of rain. I close my eyes and promise myself I'll never forget this moment: the sound of my friends' laughter and the heat from so many bodies and the smell of rain. (Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, p67 - Advanced Reader's Edition)








Before I Fall
Publisher/Publication Date: HarperCollins, March 2010
ISBN: 978-0-06-172680-4
480 pages


Monday, February 1, 2010

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 2-1-2010


What are you reading on Mondays? is hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog. If you would like to participate, please leave your link with Mr. Linky at J.Kaye's blog - but you can also leave me a comment - I would love to know what you are reading! Happy February everyone!

Books waiting for review:
1. Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day: 100 New Recipes Featuring Whole Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Gluten-Free Ingredients by Dr. Jeff Hertzberg
2.
What Your Mother Never Told You: A Teenage Girls Survival Guide by Richard Dudum

Children's Books Read - waiting for review:
1. Tornadoes (Pebble Plus)by Mari Schuh
2. Building a Bridge (Pebble Plus)by JoAnn Early Macken
3. Demolition (Pebble Plus)by JoAnn Early Macken
4. Dump Truck Day (My First Graphic Novel)by Cari Meister

Current Audio Book
1. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks - This one is so good it is killing me only getting to listen to it about 20 minutes a day - but it has really been fun seeing my daughter get caught up in it also!

Read and Reviewed Last Week:
1. Denise's Daily Dozen by Denise Austen - Watch out for my posts the next few weeks on how I am doing with her workouts - I expect you all to hold me accountable!
2. Tales For Delicious Girls by Barbora Knobova
3. A Highlander's Destiny by Melissa Mayhue
4. A Black Tie Affair by Sherrill Bodine

Still Reading:
1. Samson's Walls by Jud Niremberg- I am still determined that I am going to finish this one!
2. A Hope and a Future: Overcoming Discouragement by Don Wilton
3. The Swan Thieves: A Novel by Elizabeth Kostova - I really want to get back to this one and am disappointed that I have not been able to!
4. The Marriage Project: 21 Days to More Love and Laughter by Kathi Lipp - not so much still reading this as getting my husband to read it so we can put together a game plan!


Want to start reading:
1. The Sacred Cipher: A Novel by Terry Brennan
2. The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Kidnapped by Yxta Maya Murray
3. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters
4. All About Us #6: The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth: An All About Us Novel by Shelly Adina

New this week:
1. Hero's Tribute: A Novelby Graham Garrison
2. Ecstasy Unveiled (The Demonica Series)by Larissa Ione
3. Before I Fallby Lauren Oliver
4. Catch of a Lifetime by Judi Fennell - already started
5. Legend of the White Wolf by Terry Spear - already started

Ready - Set - Read!


LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...