Monday Memes

CMash October 24, 2011 Leave a Comment

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today’s question:

Do you listen to audiobooks? Why, or why not?

My answer:

No and for a few reasons. I have this misconception, and I don’t know why, that it would put me to sleep listening to someone speak for hours. Would it take away from me creating my own vivid images? Would I truly pay full attention? I’m not a multitasker. For example, while I am blogging and/or doing paperwork in my home office, I always have the TV turned on to a cable news station , but I wouldn’t be able to tell you what the anchors had been talking about. See my point? However, I see that a lot of bloggers do seem to enjoy this mode of reading so maybe someday I will give it a try.

October is being hosted by Serena from Savvy Verse & Wit

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.”

Hachette Book Group Author Media Muscle

Guest Author

Guest Author Kim Kircher

CMash October 24, 2011 1 Comment

Today Lindsay from Media Muscle (The Book Trib) is stopping by with an AMAZING, and you will soon see just how amazing she is, author today to share with us about her book, The Next 15 Minutes. I ask that you help me welcome Kim Kircher to the CMash blog!!

KIM KIRCHER

Ski patroller, author, traveller, Kim Kircher is still learning how to get through life in small increments. Sometimes just fifteen minutes at a time. She has logged over six hundred hours of explosives control, earning not only her avalanche blaster’s card, but also a heli-blaster endorsement, allowing her to fly over the slopes in a helicopter and drop bombs from the open cockpit, while uttering the fabulously thrilling words “bombs away” into the mic. An EMT, she has received both a National Ski Patrol Purple Merit Star for saving a life as well as a Green Merit Star for saving a life in arduous conditions. Before working in the ski industry, she received her BA and teaching certificate from the University of Washington, and taught high school English for five years. She is a current member of the Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association and the North American Ski Journalists Association. Kim also writes about her job at Crystal Mountain Ski Area at www.blogcrystal.com. Kim starred in a reality show about ski patrollers on the cable channel TRU-TV. Her husband’s family owns and operates ten ski areas in the United States and Canada, including Crystal Mountain, where she has worked for twenty-two years.

GUEST POST

Managing A Crisis of Any Size

Written by Kim Kircher, author of

THE NEXT 15 MINUTES:

STRENGTH FROM THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

Apparently, I’m an expert in calamity. I used to be the kind of person that avoided conflict, wanting to bury my head under the pillow when things got rough. Life can be like that sometimes, offering circumstances to learn the lessons we most need. My job as a ski patroller and Emergency Medical Technician has certainly taught me how to deal with crisis. For the most part, however, these are other people’s crises, and I’m there to help them get through it. When my husband needed a liver transplant, I learned how to use what I’d learned on the slopes and apply it to my own ordeal. For the first time, I had to get through my own crisis.

Here’s how you can do it too:

1. Breathe. When faced with stress, our natural reaction is to inhale. We gulp down a sharp breath and often hold it, willing the problem to go away. During a stressful situation, focus, instead, on exhaling. Expel all the air from your lungs for three large breaths. Then return to normal breathing. This response calms you down and helps you focus. It also fuels your brain with oxygen, which is important in any crisis.

2. Remember your training. In emergency medicine, practitioners use memory aids to help them function in serious situations. When faced with an unconscious patient, an EMT can rely on the ABC’s (airway, breathing, and circulation) to remind her the order of care if the tension becomes overwhelming. Use this same technique to handle any crisis. Stick with your routines. Order the tasks necessary to get through the situation and tick them off, one by one. Not only will you work towards a solution, you will also feel an important sense of accomplishment.

3. Look to your past accomplishments. Life constantly offers us lessons for growth. Remind yourself of the difficult hurdles you’ve previously overcome. Use these trials for strength; assuring yourself that you’ve been through hard times before, you can get through this. Adversity is unavoidable. Instead of running away from it, face it head on. Not only can hardship offer valuable lessons, it can also prepare you for even bigger challenges to come.

4. Focus only on small increments of time. Do not try to solve the entire crisis at once. In fact, try to avoid thinking of the big picture or the “what ifs” that might happen down the road. I broke time down into 15-minute intervals, telling myself I could get through the next 15 minutes, then the next. When the fear and stress threaten to swallow you, just get through the next 15 seconds.

Learning to handle a crisis comes with practice. Unfortunately, life consistently gives us new occasions to improve. Whether dealing with a partner’s illness, your own disease management, relationship issues, financial concerns or the myriad of other opportunities life presents, you, too, can learn to slow down and take it just fifteen minutes at a time.

ABOUT THE BOOK

SYNOPSIS (borrowed from B&N):

Kim Kircher’s husband’s illness wasn’t something she could blow up as she had done countless times on the ski slopes during avalanche control. Instead, Kim faced the biggest double black diamond ski run of her life as she listened to the doctors put her husband on the transplant list while he fought bile duct cancer.
The Next 15 Minutes is Kim’s high octane story of how she drew strength from her life among the ski slopes and of the daring world that showed her how to survive and fight back.

THANKS TO LINDSAY AND MEDIA MUSCLE,

I HAVE TWO (2) BOOKS 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 "THE NEXT 15 MINUTES" BY KIM KIRCHER ENDED

CMash October 24, 2011 36 Comments

OCTOBER 24th to NOVEMBER 7th, 2011

THE NEXT 15 MINUTES

by KIM KIRCHER

SYNOPSIS:

Kim Kircher’s husband’s illness wasn’t something she could blow up as she had done countless times on the ski slopes during avalanche control. Instead, Kim faced the biggest double black diamond ski run of her life as she listened to the doctors put her husband on the transplant list while he fought bile duct cancer.
The Next 15 Minutes is Kim’s high octane story of how she drew strength from her life among the ski slopes and of the daring world that showed her how to survive and fight back.

THANKS TO LINDSAY, AND THE
GENEROUS PEOPLE AT MEDIA MUSCLE

I HAVE TWO ( 2 ) COPIES OF THIS
MEMOIR 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: HAS CANCER BEEN FOUGHT
BY SOMEONE YOU LOVE?*

*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. RESIDENTS ONLY*
*NO P.O. BOXES*
**HONOR SYSTEM**
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 7th 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

Monday Memes

CMash October 24, 2011 8 Comments

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today’s question:

Do you listen to audiobooks? Why, or why not?

My answer:

No and for a few reasons. I have this misconception, and I don’t know why, that it would put me to sleep listening to someone speak for hours. Would it take away from me creating my own vivid images? Would I truly pay full attention? I’m not a multitasker. For example, while I am blogging and/or doing paperwork in my home office, I always have the TV turned on to a cable news station , but I wouldn’t be able to tell you what the anchors had been talking about. See my point? However, I see that a lot of bloggers do seem to enjoy this mode of reading so maybe someday I will give it a try.

October is being hosted by Serena from Savvy Verse & Wit

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.”

Hachette Book Group Author Media Muscle

Misc

Halloween Special "God’s Eye" by A.J. Scudiere

CMash October 23, 2011 Leave a Comment

I know you are probably wondering why I have an image of Halloween on my blog today…right? Well…it’s almost that time again, but the real reason why, is that since Halloween is right around the corner, A.J. Scudiere’s publisher, Griffyn Ink Publishing, is giving everyone a treat, and I didn’t want you to miss out on it!!!

Back in July A. J. Scudiere had stopped by to tell us about her book God’s Eye. You can see that visit here.

A.J. SCUDIERE

eBook version of A.J. Scudiere’s GOD’S EYE on killer Halloween deal!

A.J. Scudiere’s newest book God’s Eye takes readers right in the middle of a demon and angel’s fight for Katharine, an impressionable woman who has lived a golden life. A mere pawn who can’t even comprehend the rules and stakes of the game, Katharine must make a choice between the two, even though both angel and demon roam the earth disguised as human.

And her publisher is doing a killer deal for Halloween – from 10/24 to 10/31, you can download the eBook version of God’s Eye for only $2.99!

On Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Eye-ebook/dp/B005QDTA3E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1319226284&sr=8-2
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gods-eye-a-j-scudiere/1030948883?ean=9780979951077&itm=2&usri=god27s%2beye

ABOUT THE BOOK

(From the back cover)

A demon . . .

Every soul he claims is another chance to advance.

Until he can walk among us, look like us, make us believe in him. The only thing holding him back is . . .

An angel. . .

The rules of the realm bind him from fighting

on the demon’s terms. But this is his chance

to steal something away from the demon,

to steal the thing the demon wants most . . .

A woman who must choose . . .

A woman who has been chosen.

Katharine is suddenly a pawn in a game

where the rules and the stakes are beyond her comprehension.

She must take a side even though she can’t tell angel from demon.

And in the end, they will all be judged.

God’s Eye

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

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

Misc

Halloween Special "God’s Eye" by A.J. Scudiere

CMash October 23, 2011 2 Comments

I know you are probably wondering why I have an image of Halloween on my blog today…right? Well…it’s almost that time again, but the real reason why, is that since Halloween is right around the corner, A.J. Scudiere’s publisher, Griffyn Ink Publishing, is giving everyone a treat, and I didn’t want you to miss out on it!!!

Back in July A. J. Scudiere had stopped by to tell us about her book God’s Eye. You can see that visit here.

A.J. SCUDIERE

eBook version of A.J. Scudiere’s GOD’S EYE on killer Halloween deal!

A.J. Scudiere’s newest book God’s Eye takes readers right in the middle of a demon and angel’s fight for Katharine, an impressionable woman who has lived a golden life. A mere pawn who can’t even comprehend the rules and stakes of the game, Katharine must make a choice between the two, even though both angel and demon roam the earth disguised as human.

And her publisher is doing a killer deal for Halloween – from 10/24 to 10/31, you can download the eBook version of God’s Eye for only $2.99!

On Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Eye-ebook/dp/B005QDTA3E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1319226284&sr=8-2
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gods-eye-a-j-scudiere/1030948883?ean=9780979951077&itm=2&usri=god27s%2beye

ABOUT THE BOOK

(From the back cover)

A demon . . .

Every soul he claims is another chance to advance.

Until he can walk among us, look like us, make us believe in him. The only thing holding him back is . . .

An angel. . .

The rules of the realm bind him from fighting

on the demon’s terms. But this is his chance

to steal something away from the demon,

to steal the thing the demon wants most . . .

A woman who must choose . . .

A woman who has been chosen.

Katharine is suddenly a pawn in a game

where the rules and the stakes are beyond her comprehension.

She must take a side even though she can’t tell angel from demon.

And in the end, they will all be judged.

God’s Eye

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

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

Review "Anything" by Michael Baron

CMash October 22, 2011 Leave a Comment

ANYTHING by Michael Baron

Published by The Story Plant

Print ISBN-13: 978-1-61188-021-2

EBook ISBN-13:- 978-1-61188-022-9

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

Synopsis (from back of book): With Anything, Michael Baron again draws readers into a world of deep emotion, compelling relationships, and heartfelt humor, and this time he adds a touch of fantasy. Ken and Melissa are at the dawn of a magnificent life together. A passionate romance has led them to the doorstep of marriage. While searching for the perfect wedding present for Melissa, Ken stumbles into a mysterious shop. There, he is given an extraordinary opportunity – to look in on Melissa when she was a girl. Ken has always wished he could have known Melissa from the day she was born and this seems like an incredible blessing. Until he discovers a terrible secret in Melissa’s past, one so awful she has found it impossible to mention to him.

Now Ken has another extraordinary opportunity. He can go back in time and change the horrible event that has left an indelible mark on Melissa. He can free her of this burden – but doing so could change things so completely that they might never meet.

Ken has repeatedly told Melissa that he would do anything for her. But would he truly do anything?

My Thoughts and Opinion: I was introduced to this author back in December of 2009 when I read and reviewed his novel, Crossing The Bridge, and instantly became a fan. Since that time, I have read the majority of his books and have yet to be disappointed. Matter of fact, his books are like a fine wine, they seem to get better with time. I was a bit skeptical when asked to review Anything, especially after reading his last book Spinning, which I rated 5/5. Could he do it again?

This novel had all the “Michael Baron elements” that first grabbed me, but then it also had a slight spin that had this reader wondering about once the last word was read (do not want to include spoilers). Mr. Baron’s tender, masterful and descriptive writing style allows the reader to be transported and become part of the story line. The characters come to life with the ability not to just read their emotions but actually feel and experience them. The vivid descriptions of the scenes provides the reader the ability to create their own life like story line that carries the reader side by side with the characters, like a mind’s movie.

As for the premise. Haven’t we all said at one time or another these words, I would do anything for (fill in the blank)? But would we? At what cost? Not only is this book poignant, emotional, with a little suspense, and even a bit of fantasy but it is also thought provoking long after the book has ended and the reader is sitting there and now wondering, Would I do anything? Just like a perfect performance by a concert pianist, I say to Mr. Baron, BRAVO!!!!!!

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 "Anything" by Michael Baron

CMash October 22, 2011 2 Comments

ANYTHING by Michael Baron

Published by The Story Plant

Print ISBN-13: 978-1-61188-021-2

EBook ISBN-13:- 978-1-61188-022-9

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

Synopsis (from back of book): With Anything, Michael Baron again draws readers into a world of deep emotion, compelling relationships, and heartfelt humor, and this time he adds a touch of fantasy. Ken and Melissa are at the dawn of a magnificent life together. A passionate romance has led them to the doorstep of marriage. While searching for the perfect wedding present for Melissa, Ken stumbles into a mysterious shop. There, he is given an extraordinary opportunity – to look in on Melissa when she was a girl. Ken has always wished he could have known Melissa from the day she was born and this seems like an incredible blessing. Until he discovers a terrible secret in Melissa’s past, one so awful she has found it impossible to mention to him.

Now Ken has another extraordinary opportunity. He can go back in time and change the horrible event that has left an indelible mark on Melissa. He can free her of this burden – but doing so could change things so completely that they might never meet.

Ken has repeatedly told Melissa that he would do anything for her. But would he truly do anything?

My Thoughts and Opinion: I was introduced to this author back in December of 2009 when I read and reviewed his novel, Crossing The Bridge, and instantly became a fan. Since that time, I have read the majority of his books and have yet to be disappointed. Matter of fact, his books are like a fine wine, they seem to get better with time. I was a bit skeptical when asked to review Anything, especially after reading his last book Spinning, which I rated 5/5. Could he do it again?

This novel had all the “Michael Baron elements” that first grabbed me, but then it also had a slight spin that had this reader wondering about once the last word was read (do not want to include spoilers). Mr. Baron’s tender, masterful and descriptive writing style allows the reader to be transported and become part of the story line. The characters come to life with the ability not to just read their emotions but actually feel and experience them. The vivid descriptions of the scenes provides the reader the ability to create their own life like story line that carries the reader side by side with the characters, like a mind’s movie.

As for the premise. Haven’t we all said at one time or another these words, I would do anything for (fill in the blank)? But would we? At what cost? Not only is this book poignant, emotional, with a little suspense, and even a bit of fantasy but it is also thought provoking long after the book has ended and the reader is sitting there and now wondering, Would I do anything? Just like a perfect performance by a concert pianist, I say to Mr. Baron, BRAVO!!!!!!

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.