FEBRUARY 22nd to MARCH 7th, 2012

LITTLE GIRL GONE
by DRUSILLA CAMPBELL

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LITTLE GIRL GONE by Drusilla Campbell
Published by Grand Central Publishing,
Division of The Hachette Book Group
ISBN-10: 0446535796
ISBN-13: 978-0446535793
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

An intensely emotional and provocative story, Little Girl Gone explores the secret hopes and fears that drive good people to do dangerous things . . . and the courage it takes to make things right.

  My Thoughts and Opinion:  Unfortunately, this story reminded me of some real life stories that we hear on the news too often.  And because of that, the characters, the settings, the emotions, the “brain washing” techniques, read like a true story by the writer’s descriptive words.  I read this book in a matter of days because it felt so real and I HAD to know how it would turn out.   There is also a psychological subplot of parallel lives, that have similar beginnings, damaged psyches and different outcomes.  This is the second book I have read by this author, the first being, The Good Sister, and she is a master at writing about relationship dynamics that grips the reader from deep within the heart and mind.  A poignant, heart wrenching, disturbing at times, read.  Definitely recommend!!

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

       

Hosted by Miz B at 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!

  After another long period of silence, she asked, “Are you sure I didn’t kill him?”

page 266

( watch for my review in the next day or two and there will also be a giveaway due to the kindness of The Hachette Book Group)

]]> http://cmashlovestoread.com/2012/02/21/teaser-tuesday-82/feed/ 2 http://cmashlovestoread.com/2012/02/20/and-the-winners-are-200/ http://cmashlovestoread.com/2012/02/20/and-the-winners-are-200/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:14:16 +0000 CMash http://cmashlovestoread.com/?p=4365 ……….of THE SNOW CHILD by Eowyn Ivey

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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.

]]> http://cmashlovestoread.com/2012/02/20/and-the-winners-are-200/feed/ 1 http://cmashlovestoread.com/2012/02/20/guest-author-nelle-davy/ http://cmashlovestoread.com/2012/02/20/guest-author-nelle-davy/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:03:24 +0000 CMash http://cmashlovestoread.com/?p=4519 ↓ Read the rest of this entry...]]> 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.

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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.”

                    The Hachette Book Group             ARC–Author

Signed copy from Author for Partners In Crime Tours

Signed limited edition copy from Author for Partners In Crime Tours

CROSS FIRE by James Patterson

A murderer returns

The case explodes, and the FBI assigns agent Max Siegel to the investigation. As Alex and Siegel battle over jurisdiction, the murders continue. It becomes clear that they are the work of a professional who has detailed knowledge of his victims’ movements–information that only a Washington insider could possess.

Caught in a lethal cross fire

As Alex contends with the sniper, Siegel, and the wedding, he receives a call from his deadliest adversary, Kyle Craig. The Mastermind is in D.C. and will not relent until he has eliminated Cross and his family for good. With a supercharged blend of action, deception, and suspense, Cross Fireis James Patterson’s most visceral and exciting Alex Cross novel ever.

   My Thoughts and Opinion:  Who doesn’t like a classic James Patterson book with it’s 2-4 page chapters, especially his long running Alex Cross series?    I got hooked on his books many years ago, and Cross Fire was true to form.   Dr. Alex Cross, Nana and the kids are all a central part of the story line and his devotion to his family makes the character even more likable.    And in this book he finally gets married.   The action is fast paced and as stated above, because of the short chapters, it is very easy to say “just one more chapter” and you find that you have read ten.   A very quick read.    Even though I enjoyed this novel because it was an “Alex Cross book”, I found it to be predictable and lacking the high drama of investigation that one could find in his earlier books.    Will I read another Patterson book?    Yes….I still like his writing style.

(2012 Challenges:  TBR, Romantic Suspense, Bucket List, Mystery/Suspense, Off The Shelf, Serial Killers, Free Reads, Where Are You, A-Z, Merely Mystery, 52 in 52, Outdo Yourself, 100+)