Monday Memes

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Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

This week’s question:
What is your favorite romantic book –or book that includes a love story? (an adult romance, young adult, kids’ story, anything)
My answer:
Two books came instantly to mind, even though, they aren’t your so callled “happily after after romantic love stories”.  One of them, I’m not even sure if it falls in to the aforementioned categories but both novels are of unconditional love.

They are Spinning by Michael Baron andCome Back To Me by Melissa Foster

      

I’m not a romance genre reader unless there is some suspense within the pages.  But these two books were so different, maybe that’s why I enjoyed them.  They were also the type of books that have “stayed with me”  long after I have read them.  To this day, I can vividly recall the imagery I created within those pages. (I have provided links to my reviews if anyone is interested in putting them on your tbr lists, I suggest  that you do).

February is being 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 Story Plant         Personal library


Guest Author and Review Vincent Zandri

He’s baaaaack!!   Yes, my paisan from the old neighborhood is back.   For those who aren’t Italian, paisan means pal and/or buddy.   I don’t think I ever told the story how we virtually met.   So before he starts telling us about his latest book, I will digress and share.

He sent me an email via GR asking me if I lived anywhere near Providence College, which is where he attended college and in which he mentions in his Moonlight novels.  And then he happens to mention…..”Oh and btw I just wrote a book that you might enjoy.”  I explained I would put it on my TBR list but that I review for several publishers and publicists and when I had a lull I would pick it up.  It just so happened, that a week later a tour company that I was reviewing for put a call out for his book so I jumped at the chance, and as they say the rest his history.

As I said, he is returning today to talk about his latest book, which should be quite interesting since this is definitely not in the genre that he hooked me with.  But I will let him explain.  So I am happy to have Vincent Zandri here once again!!!

ABOUT VINCENT ZANDRI

Vincent Zandri is the No. 1 International Bestselling author of THE INNOCENT, GODCHILD, THE REMAINS, MOONLIGHT FALLS, CONCRETE PEARL, MOONLIGHT RISES and SCREAM CATCHER. 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-Book editions of his novels. In September 2011, he signed a major deal with Thomas and Mercer of Amazon for the publication of his new novel, Murder by Moonlight, and the re-publication of many of his back-list titles, including The Innocent and The Remains. Zandri’s list of publishers also include Delacorte, Dell, StoneHouse Ink and StoneGate Ink. 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 lives in New York. For more go to WWW.VINCENTZANDRI.COM

You can find Vin at the following locations:
WebsiteBlogAmazon Author PageFacebookTwitter

Or at his next 2 stops:

2/14/2012 Misty Rayburn Reviewhttp://www.the-top-shelf.com This event has invited guests.
2/15/2012 Molly Edwards Review of Love at First Sight – reviewsbymolly.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

A young U.S. Army officer who’s served in Afghanistan finds himself suffering from intermittent bouts of “hysterical” temporary blindness due to impossible and deadly orders he was forced to obey by high command in the field. When he’s reunited with his fiancée in a military hospital in Germany after being separated for more than year, the couple are encouraged by doctors to travel to Venice, Italy together. There, amongst the canals and the cafes, they try to rekindle their love and fight off their personal demons while trying to comprehend the enormity of the heartbreaking role they now must play in love and war.

Amazon buy link

Barnes and Noble Buy Link

Addendum:  In case you don’t see it, Vin just left a comment that his novel Scream Catcher is a free download all weekend!!!!  What a deal!!!  Don’t miss out!!!

 

MY REVIEW

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT by Vincent Zandri

Published by  StoneGate Ink

ASIN: B0060MB5JM
At the request of his Virtual Publicist a digital short edition, was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Synopsis (borrowed from Amazon):  A young U.S. Army officer who’s served in Afghanistan finds himself suffering from intermittent bouts of “hysterical” temporary blindness due to impossible and deadly orders he was forced to obey by high command in the field. When he’s reunited with his fiancée in a military hospital in Germany after being separated for more than year, the couple are encouraged by doctors to travel to Venice, Italy together. There, amongst the canals and the cafes, they try to rekindle their love and fight off their personal demons while trying to comprehend the enormity of the heartbreaking role they now must play in love and war.
  My Thoughts and Opinion:  The mystery, the suspense, the engrossing roller coaster twists and turns, white knuckle ride to the very last word is what put this author on my radar when I read Moonlight Falls.  And as I kept reading his subsequent novels (all of them) it moved him right on up to the Number 1 spot for mystery/suspenseful reads.  Then I read Scream Catcher and instantly saw a difference in his writing style.  Not in a bad way, but in a way that proved that this author has a lot to give, that he is most definitely a master at storytelling.  And then something happened, that I can honestly say, I was blown away.  I never thought these 2 words would be in the same sentence, Zandri and romance.
OK..another test..could he pull this one off?  Even though it was a digital short, which disappointed me because I wanted to get the whole package, but I will be patient until the sequel is out), he transported me to the sidewalk cafe in Italy sitting next to this American couple that seemed to be quite uncomfortable with each other.  Yes, he made the characters come to life, he allowed the reader to form a vivid imagery of the scene, feel the emotions, see the sights and sounds.  If this digital short is any indication what the novel will be, I have something to look forward to.  He just raised the bar even higher!!!
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
(2012 Challenges: EBook, Off The Shelf, Free Reads, Where Are You, A-Z, 52 in 52, Outdo Yourself, 100+)

And the winner is……….

…….of NET SWITCH by Denise Baer

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

18

Timestamp: 2012-02-11 13:44:59 UTC

Maureen  I follow on twitter

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

Aloha Friday

Hosted by An Island Life 

From An Island Life:
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
 If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!


MY QUESTION:
Do you burn candles? Any particular brand?
Do you have one lit now? What scent?

MY ANSWER:
I always have a Yankee Candle lit. Today it is White Chocolate Mint.

GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE “THE OBAMAS” by JODI KANTOR ENDED

FEBRUARY 9th to FEBRUARY 23rd, 2012

THE OBAMAS

by JODI KANTOR

SYNOPSIS:
   When Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election, he also won a long-running debate with his wife Michelle. Contrary to her fears, politics now seemed like a worthwhile, even noble pursuit. Together they planned a White House life that would be as normal and sane as possible.
Then they moved in.
In the Obamas, Jodi Kantor takes us deep inside the White House as they try to grapple with their new roles, change the country, raise children, maintain friendships, and figure out what it means to be the first black President and First Lady. Filled with riveting detail and insight into their partnership, emotions and personalities, and written with a keen eye for the ironies of public life, THE OBAMAS is an intimate portrait that will surprise even readers who thought they knew the President and First Lady.
THANKS TO ANNA, AND AWESOME PEOPLE
AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP
I HAVE ONE ( 1 ) COPY OF THIS
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN.
*ALL COMMENTS TO BE ENTERED ONTO
THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW*
AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
*I WILL ASK THE SAME QUESTION THAT WAS 
ASKED WHEN HE WON.  DID YOU THINK THAT
YOU WOULD SEE A BLACK PRESIDENT IN YOUR LIFETIME?*
*U.S. AND CANADA 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 FEBRUARY 23rd 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 ARE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY USING THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM

Continue reading “GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE “THE OBAMAS” by JODI KANTOR ENDED

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 had been following me this way, you need to rejoin as it is now a new feed.  I would greatly appreciate it.  Thank you.

 

http://btt2.wordpress.com

This week’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.
shelovestoread asks:
If you had to pick only 5 books to read ever again, what would they be and why?’
My Answer:
Such a hard question!!!    I sit here and try to recall from so many years ago and push aside the cobwebs in my mind lol.

I just finished a book the other day that reminded me of a book I read in 1979 that I would like to read again and that would be A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford.  Some others would be The Ring by Danielle Steel, The Other Side of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon,  Kiss The Girls by James Patterson, and a more recent one, Spinning by Michael Baron.

The fact that I remember these four books from such a long time ago that they left a lasting impression.  In the last 5-10 years I started keeping track of the books I read because I found myself buying books that I had already read.  The above books were read before that time, matter of fact, they were read when I was in HS and/or college.  Seeing that they came to mind, it would be interesting to see if I had the same reaction now as I did then.  And as for Spinning, it was such a moving and poignant story that pulled at my heart strings, I could really do a reread while waiting for this author’s next book if I needed a Michael Baron “fix” lol.

And the winner is……..

……of LIFE IN DEATH by Harlow Coban

The author has just revealed that her favorite color
is black, so the first person who guess it correctly is………

January 28, 2012 at 10:30 am 
Harlow’s favorite color is black. Thank you for the chance to win this book. It sounds great.
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 those that entered.

W.W.W. Wednesday

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).  And if you had followed me through NetWorkedBlog in the past, you will need to rejoin as it is a new feed.  I would greatly appreciate it.  Thank you.

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?