And the winners are…….

CMash February 20, 2012 1 Comment

……….of THE SNOW CHILD by Eowyn Ivey

59 Kelly Terwin Like Me on Facebook

71 James Coyne Like Me on Facebook

46 Susan Varney Like Me on Facebook

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond wi their mailing address or another winner will be chosen. Thank you for all that entered.

ADDENDUM

Due to the non response of 2 winners in said amount of time according to giveaway rules/regulations 2 new winners are chosen. An email has been sent and they now have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. They are:

52 Susan Deuel Schleicher Public Follower of Blog

28 debbie Answer A Question!

Guest Author

Guest Author Nelle Davy

CMash February 20, 2012 1 Comment

When the ladies at The Book Trib contacted me regarding today’s author and her book and then reading the synopsis, I just couldn’t say NO. So without further ado, please help me in welcoming Ms. Nelle Davy to the CMash blog today.

ABOUT NELLE DAVY

Nelle Davy was born in Grenada in 1984 and was raised in London within an Anglo-Caribbean family. She studied English with creative writing at the University of Warwick and then undertook a master of philosophy degree in creative writing at Trinity College Dublin. She currently lives in London with her husband, where she works in publishing. THE LEGACY OF EDEN is her first novel and she is currently working on her second.

GUEST POST

An Insider’s Look at the Publication Process

The only thing that surprised me during the publishing process was how hard I found it. Of course I knew what would happen, the pitfalls and the difficulties but going through it yourself is something else entirely. It is hard and horrible and personally cutting, especially as I was surrounded by a litany of authors either watching their own dreams come true or fall away. I also was determined that I would be published on my own merit and not because of who I knew or where I worked. Because of that I did not say where I worked in any of my submission letters and it was also partly why I wrote under my married name to separate me from my work life and that way if my manuscript was called in by an agent it was really because they wanted to read it and not because they were intrigued by who I worked for or what I did. Because of that however I had to experience what it was like coming up through the slush pile (the term publishers and agents give to unsolicited manuscripts) of which they get tons every single day. It was incredibly harsh. It took me just under a year to get an agent and then 4 months to get a publisher so in total the process was 18 months. This is actually by no means the average. And it was also doubly awkward when publishers I was working with started rejecting my book. But I think things happen for a reason, because what I learned going through all that has made me kinder and more understanding to my own authors. It still does. I can really empathise with their worries and concerns but I have been incredibly lucky with my own publishers who have been nothing but enthusiastic and supportive throughout.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Synopsis:

An epic, sweeping tale of a dynasty rotten to the core, driven by ambition, lust – and hatred.

For generations, Aurelia was the crowning glory of more than three thousand acres of Iowa farmland and golden cornfields. The estate was a monument to matriarch Lavinia Hathaway’s dream to elevate the family name—no matter what relative or stranger she had to destroy in the process. It was a desperation that wrought the downfall of the Hathaways—and the once-prosperous farm.
Now the last inhabitant of the decaying old home has died—alone. None of the surviving members of the Hathaway family want anything to do with the farm, the land or the memories.

Especially Meredith Pincetti. Now living in New York City, for seventeen years Lavinia’s youngest grandchild has tried to forget everything about her family and her past. But with the receipt of a pleading letter, Meredith is again thrust into conflict with the legacy that destroyed her family’s -great name.

Back at Aurelia, Meredith must confront the rise and fall of the Hathaway family…and her own part in their mottled history.

THANKS TO THE LADIES AT THE BOOK TRIB
I HAVE ONE (1) COPY OF THIS BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO
THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

in exchange for my honest review.

No items that I receive

are ever sold…they are kept by me,

or given to family and/or friends.

Book Giveaway, Giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE “THE LEGACY OF EDEN” by NELLE DAVY ENDED

CMash February 20, 2012 17 Comments

FEBRUARY 20th to MARCH 5th, 2012

THE LEGACY OF EDEN

by NELLE DAVY

SYNOPSIS:

An epic, sweeping tale of a dynasty rotten to the core, driven by ambition, lust – and hatred.
For generations, Aurelia was the crowning glory of more than three thousand acres of Iowa farmland and golden cornfields. The estate was a monument to matriarch Lavinia Hathaway’s dream to elevate the family name—no matter what relative or stranger she had to destroy in the process. It was a desperation that wrought the downfall of the Hathaways—and the once-prosperous farm.
Now the last inhabitant of the decaying old home has died—alone. None of the surviving members of the Hathaway family want anything to do with the farm, the land or the memories.
Especially Meredith Pincetti. Now living in New York City, for seventeen years Lavinia’s youngest grandchild has tried to forget everything about her family and her past. But with the receipt of a pleading letter, Meredith is again thrust into conflict with the legacy that destroyed her family’s -great name.
Back at Aurelia, Meredith must confront the rise and fall of the Hathaway family…and her own part in their mottled history.

THANKS TO LINDSAY, ERIN, KATE AND

THE SUPER PEOPLE AT THE BOOK TRIB

I HAVE ONE ( 1 ) COPY OF THIS
EPIC TALE TO GIVE AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN.

*ALL COMMENTS AND ENTRIES TO BE

ENTERED ON RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW*
AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
*LEAVE COMMENT: FROM THE SYNOPSIS, WOULD

YOU RETURN AS MEREDITH HAS CHOSEN TO?*

*U.S. AND CANADA RESIDENTS ONLY*
*NO P.O. BOXES*

**HONOR SYSTEM**
ONE WINNING BOOK PER HOUSEHOLD
PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF YOU HAVE
WON THIS BOOK FROM ANOTHER
SITE, SO THAT SOMEONE ELSE MAY
HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN
AND READ THIS BOOK.
THANK YOU.

*GIVEAWAY ENDS MARCH 5th AT 6PM EST*

WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY RAFFLECOPTER AND NOTIFIED
VIA EMAIL AND WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO RESPOND
OR ANOTHER NAME WILL BE CHOSEN

DISCLAIMER / RULES

Giveaway copies are supplied and shipped to winners via publisher,
the giveaway on behalf of the
above. I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in
exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are
ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.

I am not responsible for lost or damaged books that are shipped
from agents. I reserve the right to disqualify/delete any entries
if rules of giveaway are not followed

Continue reading “GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE “THE LEGACY OF EDEN” by NELLE DAVY ENDED“ →

2012 Challenges, Book Review, Challenge

Review The Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davy

CMash February 20, 2012 2 Comments

THE LEGACY OF EDEN by Nelle Davy

Published by Mira

ISBN-10: 0778329550

ISBN-13: 978-0778329558

At the request of Meryl L. Moss Media, an ARC TPB was sent, at no charge to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: An epic, sweeping tale of a dynasty rotten to the core, driven by ambition, lust – and hatred.

For generations, Aurelia was the crowning glory of more than three thousand acres of Iowa farmland and golden cornfields. The estate was a monument to matriarch Lavinia Hathaway’s dream to elevate the family name—no matter what relative or stranger she had to destroy in the process. It was a desperation that wrought the downfall of the Hathaways—and the once-prosperous farm.
Now the last inhabitant of the decaying old home has died—alone. None of the surviving members of the Hathaway family want anything to do with the farm, the land or the memories.

Especially Meredith Pincetti. Now living in New York City, for seventeen years Lavinia’s youngest grandchild has tried to forget everything about her family and her past. But with the receipt of a pleading letter, Meredith is again thrust into conflict with the legacy that destroyed her family’s -great name.

Back at Aurelia, Meredith must confront the rise and fall of the Hathaway family…and her own part in their mottled history.

My Thoughts and Opinion: I remember reading, and some of you may too, a Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford in 1979. It was with that book that I sought others of the same premise. How the role of the matriarch came to be. Usually with ruthlessness, revenge, lack of remorse, greed, and hatred but in the end, was always alone. Family members emotionally destroyed along the way. Secrets kept hidden. But memories never die.

The Legacy of Eden was just that book. The author, Nelle Davy, in her debut book, pulled you in from the start. Meredith, one of three grand daughters, who had tried so very hard to forget those years living at Aurelia, was located and notified that the farm was to be sold. The writer alternates between the present and past as stories that were related to Meredith from her dieing grandmother. The family members come to life but are products of their upbringing that at times you feel sorry for them. I could actually feel the lack of emotions between family members. There were hints of secrets within the family throughout the book, which one could figure out but then it still made the family what it truly was. A figment of their own imagination. A very engrossing saga, especially for a debut novel.

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

in exchange for my honest review.

No items that I receive

are ever sold…they are kept by me,

or given to family and/or friends.

(2012 Challenges: ARC, Off The Shelf, Just For Fun, Free Reads, Where Are You, A-Z, 52 in 52, Out Do Yourself, 100+)

Mailbox Monday, Meme, Monday Memes, Musing Mondays

Monday Memes

CMash February 20, 2012 7 Comments

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

This week’s question:
What is the last book that you learned something from? What book was it, and what did it teach you?
My answer:
Since I read mostly fiction, there are some books that I come away with thought provoking thoughts from, but learning? I’m not that sure. The only book that comes to mind is a book I read back in September, matter of fact, I looked at my spreadsheets and I finished it on September 18th. And even then I can’t say I learned a lot from it, but what it did do, was verify what I already believed and gave me strength at that particular time when I needed it most. It was 90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper. A true story by a minister of his horrific car accident where he was pronounced dead, however, another person on the scene prayed over his body. And he tells of his journey to the afterlife. I mentioned the date that I finished the book for a reason. I read this book while I sat by my Mom’s bedside and I started to see her journey begin and on September 22nd she passed away in my arms.

Being a former nurse, unfortunately this process was not new to me, but when it is your own, it is totally different. What I did learn from the book and see with my Mom was the start of her journey. Where and when she saw those who had gone before her. Who and when she was talking to those who were waiting for her. And the second she left here to be reunited with those that she longed to see and where she will wait for us someday.

February is hosted by Metro Reader

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A girl and her books and is now on tour. According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”