Review "Lethal" by Sandra Brown

CMash November 11, 2011 3 Comments

LETHAL by Sandra Brown

Published by Grand Central Publishing

Hachette Book Group

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.

Friday Memes

CMash November 11, 2011 Leave a Comment

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:

When was the last time a stranger did a kind deed for you?

MY ANSWER:

I apologize in advance for this lengthy answer but I wanted to share because these days it seems that kind acts are far and few between. The day of my Mom’s wake, I picked up my sister as we had to be at the funeral home an hour before visiting hours to have our private time. Being nervous and not focused, I got into an accident on the way. It was 100% my fault. I rear ended a pick up truck. I made sure my sister was ok, then got out of the car to check on the other driver, he was ok. I started to cry as I explained where I was headed to. He said there was no damage to his truck but much damage to my car. He patted me on the back, gave me his condolences and said not to worry but to go be with my mother. He never asked for my name, insurance, registration. I cried even more, there are still kind and compassionate people in this world.

Friday Memes

CMash November 11, 2011 9 Comments

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:

When was the last time a stranger did a kind deed for you?

MY ANSWER:

I apologize in advance for this lengthy answer but I wanted to share because these days it seems that kind acts are far and few between. The day of my Mom’s wake, I picked up my sister as we had to be at the funeral home an hour before visiting hours to have our private time. Being nervous and not focused, I got into an accident on the way. It was 100% my fault. I rear ended a pick up truck. I made sure my sister was ok, then got out of the car to check on the other driver, he was ok. I started to cry as I explained where I was headed to. He said there was no damage to his truck but much damage to my car. He patted me on the back, gave me his condolences and said not to worry but to go be with my mother. He never asked for my name, insurance, registration. I cried even more, there are still kind and compassionate people in this world.

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.

Giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE "DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY" BY HENRY HORENSTEIN ENDED

CMash November 10, 2011 Leave a Comment

NOVEMBER 10th to NOVEMBER 25th, 2011

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
A BASIC MANUAL

by HENRY HORENSTEIN

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.

THANKS TO ANNA AND THE FANTASTIC PEOPLE
AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP

I HAVE TWO ( 2 ) COPIES OF THIS
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN.

*ALL COMMENTS TO BE SEPARATE*
AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
*LEAVE COMMENT: DO YOU TAKE A LOT OF PICTURES?*

*EXTRA ENTRIES*

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU PUBLICLY FOLLOW THIS
BLOG (IF NOT, GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT ON RIGHT SIDE).
*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK.
*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER.
*REMEMBER TO INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ALL ENTRIES.

*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 NOVEMBER 25th AT 6PM EST*

WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG 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

Booking Thru Thursday

Booking Through Thursday

CMash November 10, 2011 Leave a Comment

http://btt2.wordpress.com

Today’s question:

E-readers like the Kindle and iPad are sweeping the nation … do you have one? Do you like it? Do you find it changes your reading/buying habits? If you don’t have one, do you plan to?

My answer:

I have 2 EReaders, a Sony and a Kindle. I originally wanted a Kindle, but when we found out I was having the double day spinal surgery, my husband surprised me with a Sony Ereader (he is a fan of Sony products). Approximately a year later I purchased a Kindle too due to some of the features that the Sony didn’t have but the Kindle did. As far as the IPad, I think that will be my next big purchase, but because of the price, it will be a while before that happens.

When it comes to buying habits involving EBooks and Print, since I receive most of books for free because of requested reviews, I will answer this question as if I didn’t. Again due to the price of books, I would buy mainly in EBook editions as I find them much less expensive then print and I like the feature of having them in hand within seconds and without even having to leave the house.

What about you? What gadgets doe you own? Are you planning to ask Santa for one?

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.

Giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE "DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY" BY HENRY HORENSTEIN ENDED

CMash November 10, 2011 35 Comments

NOVEMBER 10th to NOVEMBER 25th, 2011

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
A BASIC MANUAL

by HENRY HORENSTEIN

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.

THANKS TO ANNA AND THE FANTASTIC PEOPLE
AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP

I HAVE TWO ( 2 ) COPIES OF THIS
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN.

*ALL COMMENTS TO BE SEPARATE*
AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN
*LEAVE COMMENT: DO YOU TAKE A LOT OF PICTURES?*

*EXTRA ENTRIES*

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU PUBLICLY FOLLOW THIS
BLOG (IF NOT, GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT ON RIGHT SIDE).
*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK.
*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER.
*REMEMBER TO INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ALL ENTRIES.

*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 NOVEMBER 25th AT 6PM EST*

WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG 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