Monday Memes

CMash November 15, 2010 14 Comments

MONDAY

Today’s Question:
What do you think about this quote? Do you believe this to be true? If so, why and how? And, if not, why not?
“What counts, in the long run, is not what you read; it is what you sift through in your own mind; it is the ideas and impressions that are aroused in you by your reading.”
(pg. 7-8, “You Learn By Living” by Eleanor Roosevelt)
My Answer:
I love this quote and believe it to be true, at least for me. No matter what genre I am reading, even the mysteries that I usually read 80% of the time, can trigger personal memories. I read for pleasure but I also read to fuel my imagination. When I am reading a really good book and can be, what I call, “transported” into the plot, it is like I am seeing a movie in my mind. The dialogue, traits, emotions and actions of the characters also can be thought provoking for me as to what I would do in the situation. And if it is powerful, the impression stays with me for a very long time. For example, I read The Diary of Anne Frank when I was in elementary school, which was eons ago, but to this day, I can recall the images that I took away from the book. So my answer to today’s question is, I definitely agree with the above quote.

November is being hosted by Julie at Knitting and Sundries

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of The Printed Page 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.”

Tuesday 11/09 Wednesday 11/10

Won Dollycas’s Thoughts The Hachette Book Group

“Meet Me On Monday!” Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old

Blogging is a funny thing…we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, “who is this person!?” I know them…but yet I don’t know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to “meet” each other!
“Its a great way to to meet new friends and for others to get to know me better….one Monday at a time!!!”….as quoted by the Chacogirl!!

Questions:

1. Do you eat Sushi?

Yes but only veggie sushi..not with the raw fish

2. What kind of bath soap do you use?

Most of the time Dove, Tone or Irish Spring or will buy another brand if on sale.

3. How often do you talk to your Mom?

Daily or at least every other day.

4. What TV shows do you watch on a regular basis?

I am a cable news junkie and have the TV on all day long tuned in to Fox News.

5. Did you start Christmas shopping yet?

No…but have started to think about it (lol). Most of my shopping is done online.

Book Review

Review "And One Last Thing" by Molly Harper

CMash November 15, 2010 6 Comments

And One Last Thing by Molly Harper
Published by Gallery Books
A Division of Simon & Schuster
ISBN 978-1-4391-6877-6
At the request of Gallery Books, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (back of book): “If Singletree’s only florist didn’t deliver her posies half-drunk, I might still be married to that floor-licking, scum-sucking, receptionist-nailing hack-accountant, Mike Terwilliger.”
Lacey Terwilliger’s shock and humiliation over her husband’s philandering prompt her to add some bonus material to Mike’s company newsletter: stunning Technicolor descriptions of the special brand of “administrative support” his receptionist gives him. The detailed mass e-mail to Mike’s family, friends and clients blows up in her face, and before one can say “instant urban legend,” Lacey has become the pariah of her small Kentucky town, a media punch line, and the defendant in Mike’s defamation lawsuit.
Her seemingly perfect life up in flames, Lacey retreat to her family’s lakeside cabin, only to encounter an aggravating neighbor named Monroe. A hunky crime novelist with a low tolerance for drama, Monroe. A hunky crime novelist with a low tolerance for drama, Monroe is not thrilled about a newly divorced woman moving in next door. But with time, beer, and a screen door to the nose, a cautious friendship develops into something infinitely more satisfying.
Lacey has to make a decision about her long-term living arrangements, though. Should she take a job writing caustic divorce newsletters for paying clients, or move on with her own life, pursuing more literary aspirations? Can she find happiness with a man who tells her what he thinks and not what she wants to hear? And will she ever be able to resist saying one…last…thing?
My Thoughts and Opinion: WTG Lacey!!!! This is one chick lit that has to be read especially if you have even a little spark of a revengeful B__ch in you, which I am sure the majority of us do. Lacey, the main character, is someone I would love to know and felt that I did. The author did a fantastic job at writing in a way that brought this character to life. She was feisty, impulsive, funny, melancholy, lonesome, hurt, disappointed, hopeful and so many other emotions, that this reader could not help but root for her and found myself thinking “You Go Girl.” But sometimes it can backfire, in this case, it did for Lacey. This book was so enjoyable that I am afraid to even inadvertently include spoilers so I will ask some questions. OK..after writing one last thing and hits enter, her email goes viral. Now what? How can she, the victim, now become the outcast? What does she do when served with a legal document, not only for divorce but damages of slander? How will she manage financially when her husband wanted her to be a stay at home wife taking care of social commitments? Will she take a job writing newsletters for other scorned women like the newsletter that got her in legal hot water? And who is this gorgeous guy renting out the neighbor’s cabin but appears to be a rude, cold, loner? What happens when her husband begs for forgiveness and wants to reconcile? What road does Lacey take? I highly suggest you put this one on your TBR list….it’s a good one!!!

Book Review

Review "And One Last Thing" by Molly Harper

CMash November 14, 2010 6 Comments

And One Last Thing by Molly Harper
Published by Gallery Books
A Division of Simon & Schuster
ISBN 978-1-4391-6877-6
At the request of Gallery Books, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (back of book): “If Singletree’s only florist didn’t deliver her posies half-drunk, I might still be married to that floor-licking, scum-sucking, receptionist-nailing hack-accountant, Mike Terwilliger.”
Lacey Terwilliger’s shock and humiliation over her husband’s philandering prompt her to add some bonus material to Mike’s company newsletter: stunning Technicolor descriptions of the special brand of “administrative support” his receptionist gives him. The detailed mass e-mail to Mike’s family, friends and clients blows up in her face, and before one can say “instant urban legend,” Lacey has become the pariah of her small Kentucky town, a media punch line, and the defendant in Mike’s defamation lawsuit.
Her seemingly perfect life up in flames, Lacey retreat to her family’s lakeside cabin, only to encounter an aggravating neighbor named Monroe. A hunky crime novelist with a low tolerance for drama, Monroe. A hunky crime novelist with a low tolerance for drama, Monroe is not thrilled about a newly divorced woman moving in next door. But with time, beer, and a screen door to the nose, a cautious friendship develops into something infinitely more satisfying.
Lacey has to make a decision about her long-term living arrangements, though. Should she take a job writing caustic divorce newsletters for paying clients, or move on with her own life, pursuing more literary aspirations? Can she find happiness with a man who tells her what he thinks and not what she wants to hear? And will she ever be able to resist saying one…last…thing?
My Thoughts and Opinion: WTG Lacey!!!! This is one chick lit that has to be read especially if you have even a little spark of a revengeful B__ch in you, which I am sure the majority of us do. Lacey, the main character, is someone I would love to know and felt that I did. The author did a fantastic job at writing in a way that brought this character to life. She was feisty, impulsive, funny, melancholy, lonesome, hurt, disappointed, hopeful and so many other emotions, that this reader could not help but root for her and found myself thinking “You Go Girl.” But sometimes it can backfire, in this case, it did for Lacey. This book was so enjoyable that I am afraid to even inadvertently include spoilers so I will ask some questions. OK..after writing one last thing and hits enter, her email goes viral. Now what? How can she, the victim, now become the outcast? What does she do when served with a legal document, not only for divorce but damages of slander? How will she manage financially when her husband wanted her to be a stay at home wife taking care of social commitments? Will she take a job writing newsletters for other scorned women like the newsletter that got her in legal hot water? And who is this gorgeous guy renting out the neighbor’s cabin but appears to be a rude, cold, loner? What happens when her husband begs for forgiveness and wants to reconcile? What road does Lacey take? I highly suggest you put this one on your TBR list….it’s a good one!!!

Slapdash Sunday

Slapdash Sunday Topic: I’m Back….What’s New?

CMash November 13, 2010 9 Comments

SUNDAY

Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

Hi Everyone!!!! Not sure if anyone noticed I was gone for a few days, but if you did, I’m back lol.
Hubby and I took a road trip to PA to visit our youngest son, Mark and his gf, Jess. Mark knows that hubby loves Pink Floyd and there was a sold out concert for all 3 performances, but, he managed to get tickets at a decent price, so we drove down on Thursday. It was our 1st time to visit him since he moved there, couldn’t go sooner because of my surgeries, so we were excited to go. The 5 hour drive was a bit rough on my back but I passed the time reading and finished a book (now need to write the review). I thought that I would, at least, check my emails and blog, but we didn’t even take our laptops out of the trunk. That’s not to say that I didn’t have blog withdrawals lol.
Thursday night the kids picked us up at the hotel and we went to supper. Jess dropped off the boys at the concert (Jess and I aren’t fans of Pink Floyd) and then dropped me back at the hotel. I, was unable to do much else that day because of the discomfort, and we knew that Friday was going to be a long day.
Friday we drove to where Mark and Jess live, and loved it!!!! The complex is huge and its like a resort with everything they have access to. An indoor pool, gym, restaurant, daily activities, huge outdoor pool, etc., etc. They then took us on a tour of Philly, to see many of the historical sites. And of course, we had to see the stairs at the Museum, where Rocky Balboa ran to the top. Hubby said that he was going to run those stairs with no problem, UNTIL he saw them. So instead Mark took a picture of him in front of the statue. Friday night we went to dinner at another historical restaurant that was built around 1850. It was quaint, had a small seating capacity, the fireplace was lit, and the food was delicious. Jess’ mom made the arrangements and the 6 of us, the kids and Jess’ parents had a wonderful evening.
And yesterday, back on the road to come home.
So since I never even took out the laptop, and have so much to catch up on, and it is Slapdash Sunday, My question and topic today is:

How are you? What did I miss while away? What is new with you? Did I miss out on some great reviews of books that you read? Which ones? What is happening in book bloggy land that you think I might be interested in?

I missed everyone!!…and now its time to play catch up…. so will get to work, and TTYS!!!!

Slapdash Sunday

Slapdash Sunday Topic: I’m Back….What’s New?

CMash November 13, 2010 9 Comments

SUNDAY

Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week ‘leftovers.’ Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn’t worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!

Hi Everyone!!!! Not sure if anyone noticed I was gone for a few days, but if you did, I’m back lol.
Hubby and I took a road trip to PA to visit our youngest son, Mark and his gf, Jess. Mark knows that hubby loves Pink Floyd and there was a sold out concert for all 3 performances, but, he managed to get tickets at a decent price, so we drove down on Thursday. It was our 1st time to visit him since he moved there, couldn’t go sooner because of my surgeries, so we were excited to go. The 5 hour drive was a bit rough on my back but I passed the time reading and finished a book (now need to write the review). I thought that I would, at least, check my emails and blog, but we didn’t even take our laptops out of the trunk. That’s not to say that I didn’t have blog withdrawals lol.
Thursday night the kids picked us up at the hotel and we went to supper. Jess dropped off the boys at the concert (Jess and I aren’t fans of Pink Floyd) and then dropped me back at the hotel. I, was unable to do much else that day because of the discomfort, and we knew that Friday was going to be a long day.
Friday we drove to where Mark and Jess live, and loved it!!!! The complex is huge and its like a resort with everything they have access to. An indoor pool, gym, restaurant, daily activities, huge outdoor pool, etc., etc. They then took us on a tour of Philly, to see many of the historical sites. And of course, we had to see the stairs at the Museum, where Rocky Balboa ran to the top. Hubby said that he was going to run those stairs with no problem, UNTIL he saw them. So instead Mark took a picture of him in front of the statue. Friday night we went to dinner at another historical restaurant that was built around 1850. It was quaint, had a small seating capacity, the fireplace was lit, and the food was delicious. Jess’ mom made the arrangements and the 6 of us, the kids and Jess’ parents had a wonderful evening.
And yesterday, back on the road to come home.
So since I never even took out the laptop, and have so much to catch up on, and it is Slapdash Sunday, My question and topic today is:

How are you? What did I miss while away? What is new with you? Did I miss out on some great reviews of books that you read? Which ones? What is happening in book bloggy land that you think I might be interested in?

I missed everyone!!…and now its time to play catch up…. so will get to work, and TTYS!!!!

Guest Author

Guest Author and Giveaway Sheldon Russell

CMash November 11, 2010 2 Comments

As most of you know, mystery and suspense are my favorite genres, and have been for a long time. So when Omnimystery (http://www.omnimysterynews.com/) contacted me, of course the answer was yes. Today we will be introduced to an award winning author, while on virtual tour for his latest book. He has also generously offered for one lucky visitor, a signed copy of his book (giveaway details provided at the end of this posting). Please help me welcome Mr. Sheldon Russell as he stops and visits with us today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, SHELDON RUSSELL

A retired college professor, Russell lives in Guthrie, Oklahoma, with his wife, Nancy, an artist. He has previously won the Oklahoma Book Award and the Langum Prize for Historical Literature.
The Yard Dog, the first Hook Runyon novel, was nominated for the Oklahoma Book Award and earned high praise as Russell’s debut mystery.

ALSO FROM THE AUTHOR

Sidekicks and Animals: Living on the Wild Side by Sheldon Russell

Sometimes I want my readers to understand things about my protagonist that can’t be expressed directly without destroying his image. Hook, in my Hook Runyon mystery series, is one tough dude, and I never want my readers to think otherwise. Hook’s capable of doing all the things most of us want to do but are afraid to. I made him that way on purpose. I wanted him larger than life.

Hook loses his arm and his girlfriend on the same day and in that order. He spends a year bumming trains and learning to survive. He’s reticent, never brags, or takes credit, even when he should. He’s fearless, and you damn sure wouldn’t want to stick your finger in his chest. He lives in a caboose, catches bad guys, and kicks butt without notice.

This is stuff we all enjoy, stuff we imagine ourselves doing. But it can make for a pretty one-dimensional personality. This is not someone you would want to be stranded with on an island.

So my aim is for the reader to discover Hook’s inner complexities— “discover” is the key word here. He’s caring, has a keen sense of justice and a decided preference for the underdog. He prefers strong women and is intellectually curious.

Turns out, there is a way to expose Hook’s softer side without turning him into a weenie, and that’s through the interplay with his sidekick and his dog. Sidekicks and dogs enjoy exceptions to the rules in our society, which allow for considerable latitude within their relationships.

Take Hook’s sidekick, Runt Wallace, for instance. He and Hook banter back and forth, not an uncommon thing among men. Through humor and sarcasm they say things to each other that could never be said in a forthright way. Their affection for each other is disguised by insults and barbs, a process often found to be curious by women.

And then of course there are animals, pets, which are more emotionally accessible than humans. They are nonthreatening, neutral somehow, and you can to respond to them ways not generally permitted with other people, especially with tough guys like Hook.

I learned this secret from a children’s literature professor, who pointed out to me that animal characters in children’s stories are typically the only ones allowed to express anger or aggression. They commit all sorts of transgressions that the rest of us can only dream about.

The interactions between people and their animals can be very revealing. Watch a man with his dog, and you’ve a fair notion about what kind of guy he is beneath that façade.

Consider Mixer, Hook’s dog. He likes to fight and kill and is often in trouble. But he holds a special place in Hook’s life, fills the void that’s been left by too much heartache and disappointment. They live together in the caboose, travel the country, and share adventure. Their loyalty and love for each other are obvious to everyone, but no one considers Hook to be weak because of it. It’s okay for a tough guy to love his dog.

And of course animals can provide an endless source of amusement as well. In my book Dreams to Dust: A Tale of the Oklahoma Land Rush, a Black sergeant inherits an Indian pony. He names this pony, “Pony,” for obvious reasons, and it’s an on-again, off-again relationship, though replete with mutual respect.

In the same book I introduce Flea Bag, the protagonist’s dog. Flea Bag’s determination is remarkable, and his movements are so slow as to be undetectable by the human eye. As a consequence, he’s sooner or later able to steal everything he wants.

In yet a different work, I feature a cat named Precious. He’s near blind and attacks anything that moves, including his owner. Unfortunately, Precious dies, is stuffed, and eventually discarded in the trash. But he has a way of reappearing at the most inopportune times.

And then there is old Blue Tongue, a cow in my book The Savage Trail. She has a foot-long blue tongue and wanders the prairie terrorizing people. It’s a monk, of course, who decides to make her a milk cow for the monastery.

I’ve only recently completed a manuscript in which I’ve a dog named Circle P. Each time a car goes by, Circle P runs in a circle at a high rate of speed, then pees—like a victory dance in the end zone.

Circle P has run in this circle for so long and so fast that only his ears can now be seen above ground. When asked by one of my characters, “Why don’t he run in a straight line like other dogs?” The owner replies, “Because he don’t have to run back that way.”

The point here is a simple one, if not profound: Side kicks and animals provide a way for a writer to develop his main characters to their fullest, to show their “real” feelings and emotions. The end result is great fun for the writer, and with a little luck, the reader, as well.

ABOUT THE BOOK, THE INSANE TRAIN

Synopsis:

   The Baldwin Insane Asylum in Barstow, California, has recently burned to the gound in an inferno that cost many inmates their lives and injured scores. Now, Hook Runyon has been put in charge of security for a train that is to transport the survivors, alongside the head of the asylum, Dr. Baldwin, the attending doctor, taciturn Dr. Helms, and a self-sacrificing nurse named Andrea, to a new location in Oklahoma.
   Hook hires a motley crew of WW II veterans to help, and they set out for the new destination. But things go awry on the Insane Train, as several inmates and attendants are found dead, and Dr.Baldwin seems increasingly disoriented and incapable of running operations.
   With Andrea’s help, Hook begins investigating the suspicious deaths, and uncovers a trail of revenge that has been a long time in the planning … by a person as mentally disturbed as her charges.
MORE ABOUT THE INSANE TRAIN

A story stripped from 1900s headlines

One-Armed Yard Dog Hook Runyon Chaperones a Group of Mental Patients in Sheldon Russell’s The Insane Train

While researching headlines at the historical society, award-winning author Sheldon Russell discovered all the elements for a mystery. In the early 1900s, an Oklahoma mental institution burned to the ground, killing several patients. Having nowhere else to go, the survivors were moved by train to a former military post that had been given to the state. The Insane Train (St. Martin’s Minotaur), the second installment in the Hook Runyon mystery series, launches Nov. 9, 2010.

“In the early 20th century, Fort Supply served as a supply camp for the winter campaign against the Southern Plains Indians in what is now western Oklahoma,” said Russell, an Oklahoma native, whose previous work includes The Yard Dog, Dreams to Dust: A Tale of the Oklahoma Land Rush and Requiem at Dawn. “When Oklahoma was still a young state a fire broke out in a private mental institution in Norman. The fire killed a number of inmates, who were then buried in a mass grave in Norman. About that same time, the federal government donated Fort Supply to the state of Oklahoma. The decision was made to make it a mental institution and to transfer all the patients from the burned-down facility there by train. It struck me as material for a mystery, so I took the situation and expanded it.”

In The Insane Train, one-armed yard dog Hook Runyon, has been transferred from Oklahoma to Needles, Calif. Amidst tackling train-jumping, moonshine-making hobos, Hook is summoned to Baldwin Insane Asylum. The boys’ ward burned to the ground, killing more than 30 youth. The only solution for Dr. Baldwin and Psychiatrist Bria Helms is to relocate the remaining “inmates” to Fort Supply. They need Hook’s help to transport the group, including the secure ward—men who have been deemed criminally insane. While compassionate for those coping with mental illness, Hook questions the practicality of transporting mental patients, including those who have killed others, with few staff. And Hook has a feeling that the fire wasn’t started by poor electrical wiring.

“Inmate was the accepted terminology at the time and explains a lot about how mental patients were viewed,” said Russell, who had toured Fort Supply as a college psychology student. “One of the things I try to do in the book is to show the human side of mental patients.”

With a motley group of World War II vets, each suffering from his own version of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Hook and his dog, Mixer, escort the bunch on the oldest train still running. The trip, already beset with challenges, quickly goes awry. Several inmates and attendants are found dead, and Dr. Baldwin seems increasingly disoriented and incapable of running operations. With Nurse Andrea’s help, Hook begins investigating the suspicious deaths and uncovers a trail of revenge years in the planning.

GIVEAWAY
“Russell Sheldon is giving away a signed copy of his book, Insane Train, to one lucky tour visitor. Go to his book tour page, http://sheldon-russell.omnimystery.com/, enter your name, e-mail address, and this PIN, 4106, for your chance to win. Entries from this blog, CMash Loves To Read, will be accepted until 12:00 Noon (PT) tomorrow. No purchase is required to enter or to win. The winner (first name only) will be announced on his book tour page next week.” Good Luck!!!

Enquiring Minds

CMash November 11, 2010 4 Comments

THURSDAY

I would like to ask a small favor of all that live in freedom. Please take time today, and offer a prayer for or say Thank You to, all that have served and gone before us and another one for those who are currently serving to protect that very freedom. To all the men and women in the military, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you. You truly are heroes!

Hosted by Lori from Dollycas’s Thoughts

From Lori’s site:
It struck me recently how much time I spend on this computer every day, blogging, chatting or playing games on Facebook, emailing friends and relatives, making cards and calendars, etc. etc. etc.
We depend on each other for book reviews, giveaways, encouragement, friendship, but how well do we really know each other?
We depend on each other for book reviews, giveaways, encouragement, friendship, but how well do we really know each other?

So that is what this meme is all about, getting to know each other.

Today’s Questions:

1. Do you have a Veteran in your family? (living or in the past)

Yes. Not only is today Veteran’s Day, it was also my Dad’s birthday. He fought in WWII as a staff sargeant in the Air Force flying B52 Bombers. My father-in-law fought in the Korean War.

Thank you, you are both very much missed.

2. Where were you born?

3. Have you seen an good movies lately, in the theater or on DVD? Recommend one for us to watch.

No….am not a movie person.