Book Review "Any Color But Beige" by Catherine Larose

CMash November 20, 2011 2 Comments

ANY COLOR BUT BEIGE by Catherine Larose
Published by Friesen Press

ISBN 978-1-77067-490-5

At the request of WOW Tours, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (from back of book): After years of living a beige existence, Cat Larose, international color marketing expert, finally added a little color to her own life. All it took was a Paris sunset and a little red suitcase.

Everyone wanted Cat’s life. She had a handsome husband, a stylish home and a fascinating career as an international color marketing consultant. Work took Cat to some of the world’s most beautiful cities but something was missing: ironically, it was color. One day she found herself in Paris watching a sunset and, in a moment of clarity, she caught a glimpse of her sepia-toned future.

When Cat got home, she did what she’d longed to do for years. She decided to paint her bedroom a magnificent Bordeaux red and put an end to her beige existence and her marriage. That was the beginning of a new life.

Any Color but Beige is a bright, funny, genuine account of one woman’s search for love in the deep end of the dating pool. None of the self-help books prepared Cat for the often funny, occasionally puzzling, sometimes sad but always colorful dating adventures with an international cast of frogs, princes and players. Cat makes the classic female mistake of thinking that love is a life preserver. Until one day she learns to swim.

My Thoughts and Opinion: This was a debut novel by this author so I had no preconceived thoughts as to what type of writing style, talent, interest, character relatability I was in store for. I accepted the request for a book review solely on the synopsis and premise of the book, written as a memoir, and as the synopsis states, also a “bright and funny” account of the author’s life. I was pleasantly surprised once I started reading the book and as I continued. The writing was fluid and flowed as she travels from country to country, and passes through phases of her life. There were some personal issues that I could relate to, even though, there was approximately a decade of an age difference between the author and myself.

However, and not wanting to disclose spoilers and/or nor do I consider myself a prude, the years after her divorce and once again in the “dating arena” her experiences during that time seemed to be a bit much. The underlying moral of the story, though, is true of any woman of any age and whatever stage of one’s life.

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 Review

Review "Lethal" by Sandra Brown

CMash November 11, 2011 Leave a Comment

LETHAL by Sandra Brown

Published by Grand Central Publishing

Hachette Book Group

ISBN-13: 9781455501472

ISBN: 1455501476

At the request of Grand Central Publishing, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (from publisher): When her four year old daughter informs her a sick man is in their yard, Honor Gillette rushes out to help him. But that “sick” man turns out to be Lee Coburn, the man accused of murdering seven people the night before. Dangerous, desperate, and armed, he promises Honor that she and her daughter won’t be hurt as long as she does everything he asks. She has no choice but to accept him at his word.

But Honor soon discovers that even those close to her can’t be trusted. Coburn claims that her beloved late husband possessed something extremely valuable that places Honor and her daughter in grave danger. Coburn is there to retrieve it — at any cost. From FBI offices in Washington, D.C., to a rundown shrimp boat in coastal Louisiana, Coburn and Honor run for their lives from the very people sworn to protect them, and unravel a web of corruption and depravity that threatens not only them, but the fabric of our society.

My Thoughts and Opinion: I have been a fan of Ms. Brown’s for many years, I would even guess since from when I was in college, so we are talking many, years. However, and I don’t know why, but it has been quite a while since I have read one of her novels. So when I saw that this book was up for review, I requested to be one of the lucky reviewers. I doubt there are many avid readers who haven’t heard of this best selling author and/or read one of her many books.

I am so glad that I did because I realized just why it was that I became a fan so many years ago. I have to start with a caveat. Ever since I started book blogging, reviewing, meeting (through emails) and speaking to authors, publishers, and publicists, I have such a different outlook when I now read a novel. Yes, it still is for pleasure, enjoyment and entertainment but I now also think about what and how the author creates the characters, premise, the written words so that the reader can create their own imagery and be transported straight into the story and not even realize what is going on around them or even how much time has passed. How the author can create a cast of characters and weaves them together where they become so life like that you feel as if you know them is pure talent and Lethal had all that and more.

Lethal was a phenomenal read!! A pure adrenaline rush from start to finish. A novel that was a non stop page turning, couldn’t put down, white knuckle read. This reader will not be letting so much time pass in between Sandra Brown books again because I definitely was the one missing out on some great reading.

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 Review

Review "Lethal" by Sandra Brown

CMash November 11, 2011 3 Comments

LETHAL by Sandra Brown

Published by Grand Central Publishing

Hachette Book Group

ISBN-13: 9781455501472

ISBN: 1455501476

At the request of Grand Central Publishing, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (from publisher): When her four year old daughter informs her a sick man is in their yard, Honor Gillette rushes out to help him. But that “sick” man turns out to be Lee Coburn, the man accused of murdering seven people the night before. Dangerous, desperate, and armed, he promises Honor that she and her daughter won’t be hurt as long as she does everything he asks. She has no choice but to accept him at his word.

But Honor soon discovers that even those close to her can’t be trusted. Coburn claims that her beloved late husband possessed something extremely valuable that places Honor and her daughter in grave danger. Coburn is there to retrieve it — at any cost. From FBI offices in Washington, D.C., to a rundown shrimp boat in coastal Louisiana, Coburn and Honor run for their lives from the very people sworn to protect them, and unravel a web of corruption and depravity that threatens not only them, but the fabric of our society.

My Thoughts and Opinion: I have been a fan of Ms. Brown’s for many years, I would even guess since from when I was in college, so we are talking many, years. However, and I don’t know why, but it has been quite a while since I have read one of her novels. So when I saw that this book was up for review, I requested to be one of the lucky reviewers. I doubt there are many avid readers who haven’t heard of this best selling author and/or read one of her many books.

I am so glad that I did because I realized just why it was that I became a fan so many years ago. I have to start with a caveat. Ever since I started book blogging, reviewing, meeting (through emails) and speaking to authors, publishers, and publicists, I have such a different outlook when I now read a novel. Yes, it still is for pleasure, enjoyment and entertainment but I now also think about what and how the author creates the characters, premise, the written words so that the reader can create their own imagery and be transported straight into the story and not even realize what is going on around them or even how much time has passed. How the author can create a cast of characters and weaves them together where they become so life like that you feel as if you know them is pure talent and Lethal had all that and more.

Lethal was a phenomenal read!! A pure adrenaline rush from start to finish. A novel that was a non stop page turning, couldn’t put down, white knuckle read. This reader will not be letting so much time pass in between Sandra Brown books again because I definitely was the one missing out on some great reading.

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 Review

Review "Digital Photography" by Henry Horenstein

CMash November 10, 2011 Leave a Comment

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY by Henry Horenstein

Published by Little Brown and Company

Hachette Book Group

ISBN: 978-0-316-02074-9

At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a TPB was sent at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: This thorough, concise, and easy-to-use guide to capturing digital photographs provides an entire step-by-step course for budding digital photographers. All concepts are fully illustrated with sample work by internationally renowned professionals, representing editorial work, photojournalism, and everything in between. Topics covered include essential information for both film and digital photography, such as exposure controls and shutter speed, as well as digital-specific information on image editing, printing methods, and even file storage. The first digital textbook by legendary photography teacher Henry Horenstein, Digital Photography is the best guide yet for aspiring digital photographers, essential both for photographers transitioning from film to digital and those learning the art of photography for the first time.

My Thoughts and Opinion: I feel that this review needs to start with a few caveats. I know very little about cameras. I sometimes even forget to take it with us to special events, and then even if I do take it, we hardly use it. Why? The pictures do not turn out that great. They are out of focus, off center, fuzzy, etc etc. That’s why I so enjoyed this book. It was a how to for those, like me, that know very little and also for those who are more experienced using different lenses and lighting. How to deal with the dreaded red eye to back lighting. How to copy your pictures to your computer to light meters and shutter speed.

In my opinion, the best way I can describe this book is to compare it to a cook book. There are many “recipes” or in this book, “instructional guides”. You can read it either at the stage of a photographer you are at, a how to, a trouble shooting issue, or like me, who knows very little, where to start. The photographs in the book are beautiful. Now with this manual, I plan on taking my camera wherever I go, and practice taking pictures and hopefully share some with you.

THANKS TO ANNA AND THE AMAZING

PEOPLE AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP

I HAVE TWO (2) COPIES 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 Review

Review "Digital Photography" by Henry Horenstein

CMash November 10, 2011 1 Comment

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY by Henry Horenstein

Published by Little Brown and Company

Hachette Book Group

ISBN: 978-0-316-02074-9

At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a TPB was sent at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: This thorough, concise, and easy-to-use guide to capturing digital photographs provides an entire step-by-step course for budding digital photographers. All concepts are fully illustrated with sample work by internationally renowned professionals, representing editorial work, photojournalism, and everything in between. Topics covered include essential information for both film and digital photography, such as exposure controls and shutter speed, as well as digital-specific information on image editing, printing methods, and even file storage. The first digital textbook by legendary photography teacher Henry Horenstein, Digital Photography is the best guide yet for aspiring digital photographers, essential both for photographers transitioning from film to digital and those learning the art of photography for the first time.

My Thoughts and Opinion: I feel that this review needs to start with a few caveats. I know very little about cameras. I sometimes even forget to take it with us to special events, and then even if I do take it, we hardly use it. Why? The pictures do not turn out that great. They are out of focus, off center, fuzzy, etc etc. That’s why I so enjoyed this book. It was a how to for those, like me, that know very little and also for those who are more experienced using different lenses and lighting. How to deal with the dreaded red eye to back lighting. How to copy your pictures to your computer to light meters and shutter speed.

In my opinion, the best way I can describe this book is to compare it to a cook book. There are many “recipes” or in this book, “instructional guides”. You can read it either at the stage of a photographer you are at, a how to, a trouble shooting issue, or like me, who knows very little, where to start. The photographs in the book are beautiful. Now with this manual, I plan on taking my camera wherever I go, and practice taking pictures and hopefully share some with you.

THANKS TO ANNA AND THE AMAZING

PEOPLE AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP

I HAVE TWO (2) COPIES 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 Review, Guest Author

Guest Author Vincent Zandri

CMash October 29, 2011 1 Comment

Today I am so excited for so many reasons!!! If you have been a follower for a while, you know what I think of today’s guest. If you are new, then you are in for a treat!! Vincent Zandri, my favorite author, is back and this time he is on tour with Partners In Crime Tours. And not only that, there will be a giveaway of his latest book. Just a warning…if you happen to be the lucky winner….be prepared to have found your NEW favorite author. So please help me welcome back author and friend, Vincent Zandri !!

ABOUT VINCENT ZANDRI

Vincent Zandri is the No. 1 International Bestselling Amazon Kindle author of THE INNOCENT, GODCHILD, THE REMAINS, MOONLIGHT FALLS, CONCRETE PEARL and the forthcoming MOONLIGHT RISES. He is also the author of the bestselling digital shorts, PATHOLOGICAL and MOONLIGHT MAFIA. Harlan Coben has described his novels as “…gritty, fast-paced, lyrical and haunting,” while the New York Post called THE INNOCENT, “Sensational…Masterful…Brilliant!” In March, April and May of 2011, he sold more than 100,000 Kindle E-Books editions of his novels, and is rapidly closing in on the 200K mark all totaled. An MFA in Writing graduate of Vermont College, Zandri’s work is translated into many languages including the Dutch, Russian and Japanese. An adventurer, foreign correspondent, and freelance photo-journalist for RT, Globalspec, IBTimes and more, he divides his time between New York and Florence, Italy.

You can visit his website at www.vincentzandri.com or
Connect with Vincent on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VincentZandri,
on Facebook at www.facebooks.com/vincent.zandri?ref=profile
and Myspace at www.myspace.com/vincentzandri.

Read my reviews of his other books:
Scream Catcher
Concrete Pearl
Pathological
Godchild
The Remains
The Innocent

Purchase links for MOONLIGHT RISES or any of the above books:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

GUEST INTERVIEW

After what you went through with the big name publishing house and your success now, do you feel that you have finally “made it”.

Well, I’m about to sign with another major publisher, so yes, I feel like I’ve made it to a certain degree. I make my living as a novelist and journalist right now. I could actually quit the journalism if I do choose, but I enjoy it so I keep my hand in it.

Do you feel secure and enjoying the success you so rightly deserve.

I’m actually never that secure, but then that keeps me hungry. Sure, I enjoy it and thank God everyday that I can wake up and do what I do for a living.

Does this recognition and success seem surreal or has it sunk in that you are in the same league as say, James Patterson, and other big names?

Well, I don’t really think of it like that. I meet some of the biggies like Harlan Coben at conferences and I’m awed by them. At the ITW this past July I shared an elevator with Meg Gardiner and Lisa Gardner and I was tempted to press the STOP button and just stare at them for a while…Ha!

You seem to be even writing like Patterson, churning out best sellers one after another, how many are in the wings?

Ummm, at last count, three new ones waiting to go…I need an assistant. You available???

What and where do you draw the ideas from for your book, some are dark and profound.

They just come to me, that is, unless I rip them off from friends who aren’t writers. I don’t write the ideas down because the good ones always pester you in the middle of the night.

How much actual research do you do for your books, example the jail in The Innocent?

I went to jail. I stayed in a prison cell inside Sing Sing prison for most of the night.

Who is Vincent Zandri the man?

You have to ask my sig other to answer that one…Or my parole officer.

Your hobbies?
Traveling, running, lifting weights, fly fishing, skiing, seedy bars, women, eating, cooking, living the way I want to.

Your favorite authors? What are you reading now?

Hemingway, Mailer, Meg Gardiner, Harlan Coben, Charlie Huston, and too many to mention here.
I’m reading a new book by Dave Zeltserman called The Hunted for a blurb Dave asked me to write. I’m a big fan so I am very honored.

MY REVIEW

MOONLIGHT RISES by Vincent Zandri

Published by StoneGate Ink

ASIN: B005HB16Y6
Genre:Adult Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Publication Date: August 13,2011

At the request of the author, a PDF edition was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (borrowed from Amazon):

“Life sucks. Then you die. Or, if you’re Dick Moonlight, first you die and then you live.”

Dick Moonlight is dead.

Really dead this time, now that three President Obama-masked thugs dressed all in black and communicating only with hand-held voice synthesizers pressed up against their voice boxes have beat the life right out of him inside a dark, downtown Albany alley. What are the thugs after? A box. Size, weight, description unknown. They also want him to stay away from his newest and only client: a handicapped nuclear engineer of dubious Russian heritage by the same of Peter Czech.

But then, now that they’ve killed him, Moonlight’s problems seem to be over. In fact, as he undergoes an out of body experience, his soul floating above his train-wreck of a corpse inside the Albany Medical Center I.C.U., he feels pretty damned good. Great in fact. To make death all the more sweeter, his one true love, Lola, is standing by his bedside. With her long dark hair draping her chiseled face and big round Jackie O sunglasses hiding tear-filled eyes, she appears every bit the grieving sig other. Nothing could make the dead-and-gone Moonlight prouder.

But then something happens. Something bad. A man enters into the I.C.U. Some young guy. He takes hold of Lola’s hand, and pulls her into him. Together, the two share a loving embrace over Moonlight’s dead body. Now, what seemed like a peaceful death is anything but. Moonlight wants back inside his body so he can face-off Some Young Guy and find out if his true love has in fact been cheating on him. At the same time, he wants to find out the true identity of those thugs who killed him so he can exact his revenge. No doubt about it, Moonlight needs to live if he’s going to uncover some pretty painful answers and take care of business.

Like a little kid dropping down a playground slide, Moonlight slides right back inside his bruised and broken body. Opening his eyes the white light blinds him. He feels the pain of his wounds and the pain of his breaking heart.

Life sucks, then you die.

But Moonlight rises.

My Thoughts and Opinion: If you follow my blog you already know what I think of this author. And you probably also know the two words that always come to mind when I finish one of his books are brilliant and genius!!! And you already know what the rating I will be giving this book….you got it….a 5!!!! Another winner!!!

But for those who are new followers, if you like mystery and suspense, this is the author that you HAVE to read!!! This is the sequel to Moonlight Falls, the one that grabbed me, hook, line and sinker. However, it can also stand on it’s own. Zandri. with his masterful writing, brings you up to speed with Moonlight Rises. The quirky P.I., Dick Moonlight is back with his unconventional investigations and sometimes outlandish one liners. Zandri, once again, takes you on a fast paced, action packed ride, filled with twists and turns that the reader never sees coming.

I have read every book that this highly talented author has written. Do I recommend him? ABSOLUTELY!!!!

THANKS TO AUTHOR, VINCENT ZANDRI, I HAVE

ONE (1) EBOOK EDITION TO GIVE AWAY.

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO

THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE.

NEXT STOP: OCTOBER 30th~REVIEW @ TIDBITS FROM A MOM

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.

ADDENDUM

I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com,

Barnes & Noble and/or any other retail/wholesale

outlets either online and/or elsewhere.

I am providing this link solely for visitors

that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.

I do not receive any monetary compensation from any parties

Book Review, Guest Author

Guest Author Vincent Zandri

CMash October 29, 2011 2 Comments