Year: 2012

And the winner is……..

…….of THE OBAMAS by Jodi Kantor

43 pamela james Be a Public Follower of ‘CMASH Loves to Read’

An email has been sent to the winner and she has 48 hours to respond with her mailing address or another winner will be chosen.  Thank you to all that entered.

Book Review “The Good Father” by Diane Chamberlain

THE GOOD FATHER by Diane Chamberlain
Published by Mira Books
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
ISBN-10: 0778313468
ISBN-13: 978-0778313465
At the generosity of the publisher, Mira Books, an ARC Digital Version was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

    Synopsis (borrowed from Amazon):   A beloved daughter.    A devastating choice. And now there’s no going back.
Four years ago, nineteen-year-old Travis Brown made a choice: to raise his newborn daughter on his own.   While most of his friends were out partying and meeting girls, Travis was at home, changing diapers and worrying about keeping food on the table.       But he’s never regretted his decision.   Bella is the light of his life. The reason behind every move he makes.And so far, she is fed. Cared for.  Safe.
But when Travis loses his construction job and his home, the security he’s worked so hard to create for Bella begins to crumble….
Then a miracle.    A job in Raleigh has the power to turn their fortunes around.    It has to.    But when Travis arrives in Raleigh, there is no job, only an offer to participate in a onetime criminal act that promises quick money and no repercussions.
With nowhere else to turn, Travis must make another choice for his daughter’s sake.

   My Thoughts and Opinion:  I feel I need to start this review off with a caveat and a huge THANK YOU to author, Ms. Diane Chamberlain.   A few weeks ago, we became “friends” on GoodReads.   And it started me thinking.   Last year when my husband and I went on vacation, one of the books that came along with us was The Midwife’s Confession, which I reviewed for Meryl L. Moss Media and gave it a 5/5.   I had become a fan of her’s when I read The Lies We Told, which I also rated a 5/5.   Since we are going away again, same time, same place, I have already started a mental priority packing list, which is, what books will be packed this year.   So I garnered up the courage, emailed her, and asked if she had a new book coming out and would it be on an ARC tour?   She responded saying she would check with her publisher, but in the meantime, much to my surprise, honor, and delight, her publisher sent me a copy. Unfortunately, knowing it was in my possession, I could not wait until our vacation to read it.

The prologue steals your heart with the introduction of a 4 year old little girl, Bella, in which the other main characters are brought into the story line and come to life. There is so much to this book, and I apologize for being vague at times, but I do not want to include spoilers.   There was suspense, relationship dynamics, betrayals, grief, guilt, desperation, good, evil, secrets, lies, friendships, innocence, terror, blame, and above all a parent’s unconditional love.   The author writes in such a way that is so brilliant, detailed and descriptive, what I call a “transport” read, where I was so engrossed that I actually felt that I was part of the story and could create such realistic imagery of the entire book.   Each chapter alternates and is told through the perspective of 3 main characters, which made this reader want to read ahead to find out the outcome of the previous chapter’s situation the author leaves you with.   It was a page turning read.   I could not put this book down and read it in 2 days.   This is a book that will stay with you long after reading the last word.   A powerful, compelling, heartfelt, and passionate read.   Highly recommend, matter of fact, preorder it!!

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:Romantic Suspense, EBooks, ARC, Off The Shelf, Free Reads, Where Are You?, A-Z, 52 in 52, Outdo Yourself, 100+)

Booking Through Thursday

HUGE FAVOR TO ASK:  Due to the move to WordPress, I had to re-register my account with NetWorkedBlogs.  If you are interested in following me in that manner, please join (right sidebar).  If you were already following me that way, you need to rejoin as it is now a different feed.  I would greatly appreciate it.  Thank you.

http://btt2.wordpress.com

Today’s question:
A while ago, I interviewed my readers for a change, and my final question was, “What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask?” I got some great responses and will be picking out some of the questions from time to time to ask the rest of you. Like now.
Yvonne asks:
What do you look for when reading a book blog? Does the blogger have to read the same genre? Do you like reviews? Personal posts? Memes? Giveaways? What attracts you to a book blog?
And–what are your favorite book blogs?
My answer:
My answer is easy…yes to all of the above  lol.  I visit blogs for the whole package.  I definitely read reviews, which is why my TBR list has now been named “hopefully in my lifetime tbr list, but I do have a preference for detailed concise reviews more so than lengthy ones.   I enjoy participating in memes and reading personal posts because I think a little bit of the “real person” behind the screen comes through and because of that I have met some wonderful friends.  The blogs I will revisit are the ones that aren’t hard to navigate or have a lot going on.  I will enter giveaways only if it is a book that I really, really want as I have too many books already.  And as far as my favorites, that’s like asking me which one is my favorite son.  On that question, too many to answer

What do you look for in a blog?

GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE “LITTLE GIRL GONE” by Drusilla Campbell ENDED

FEBRUARY 22nd to MARCH 7th, 2012

 

LITTLE GIRL GONE
by DRUSILLA CAMPBELL

SYNOPSIS:
   Madora was seventeen, headed for trouble with drugs and men, when Willis rescued her. Fearful of the world and alienated from family and friends, she ran away with him and for five years they have lived alone, in near isolation. But after Willis kidnaps a pregnant teenager and imprisons her in a trailer behind the house, Madora is torn between her love for him and her sense of right and wrong. When a pit bull puppy named Foo brings into Madora’s world another unexpected person–Django Jones, a brilliant but troubled twelve-year-old boy–she’s forced to face the truth of what her life has become.
   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.
THANKS TO BRIANNE,  AND THE AMAZING
PEOPLE AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP
I HAVE THREE ( 3 ) COPIES OF THIS
EMOTIONAL BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN.
*USE THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW
IN ORDER TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GIVEAWAY
*
BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
*LEAVE COMMENT: AS THE SYNOPSIS STATES, DO YOU
THINK GOOD PEOPLE CAN DO BAD THINGS?*
*U.S.  RESIDENTS ONLY*
*NO P.O. BOXES*

**PER PUBLISHER**
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 7th 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

YOUR JAVA SCRIPT MAY NEED TO BE UPDATED
IF YOU AR EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY
USING THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM

Continue reading “GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE “LITTLE GIRL GONE” by Drusilla Campbell ENDED

Book Review “Little Girl Gone” by Drusilla Campbell

 

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.

  Synopsis (from publisher):  Madora was seventeen, headed for trouble with drugs and men, when Willis rescued her. Fearful of the world and alienated from family and friends, she ran away with him and for five years they have lived alone, in near isolation. But after Willis kidnaps a pregnant teenager and imprisons her in a trailer behind the house, Madora is torn between her love for him and her sense of right and wrong. When a pit bull puppy named Foo brings into Madora’s world another unexpected person–Django Jones, a brilliant but troubled twelve-year-old boy–she’s forced to face the truth of what her life has become.

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!!

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: Off The Shelf, Free Reads, Where Are You, A-Z, 52 in 52, Outdo Yourself, 100+)

W.W.W. Wednesdays

    

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

       
What do you think you’ll read next?

                                          

Teaser Tuesday

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)

And the winners are…….

……….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!