Thursday Memes (2 of 2)

CMash March 3, 2011 12 Comments

http://btt2.wordpress.com/

This week’s question:

Do you cheat and peek at the ends of books? (Come on, be honest.)

My answer:
Honestly…..No…Not Now!!! I read purely for pleasure and entertainment so I don’t understand what purpose peeking would have. But as I’m sitting here thinking about this question, there may have been times, while in school many years ago, that I skimmed through the body and peeked at the ending of a mandatory book that was of no interest to me.

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

1. How many cookbooks do you own?

I own 7+ but my favorite is a spiral notebook filled

with my grandmother’s recipes written in her handwriting,

she passed away at 101 years old and was such a

great cook and baker, everything from scratch

2. What is the most used electrical appliance in your kitchen?

3. How many nights per week do you have take-out, delivery or fast food?

Unfortunately, more times than I cook. It is

difficult for me to stand, bend, etc etc due to

the restrictions/limitations from the surgery. I

am lucky that I have an understanding hubby.

Guest Author

Guest Author and EBook Giveaway Stacy Juba

CMash March 3, 2011 4 Comments

As avid book readers, reviewers, bloggers, we know that there is a big discussion taking place about this new era of technology and publishing. What do the consumers, authors and publishing houses want? What does the future hold? What is the answer? Is there one?

I was recently contacted by an author on this very subject asking if I would read and review one of her books and “possibly participating in a new experiment to examine how powerful blogging and book reviews might be in helping a small press book to gain attention”. Her experiment would be in the time frame of March 3-7, 2011. Both books sounded like my “type of books” but was honest and said I was back logged and knew there I couldn’t promise a review in that that time but invited her to come and visit so that maybe you could and would share your thoughts with her on this subject. I will be providing all links so that you can contact her and leave your comments. She is also generously offering the chance for three (3) of my visitors the chance to win an EBook edition of Twenty-Five Years Ago Today. So please help me welcome Ms. Stacy Juba.

ABOUT STACY JUBA

Stacy Juba is the author of the mystery novels Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim (Mainly Murder Press), as well as the patriotic children’s picture book The Flag Keeper. Her young adult paranormal thriller Dark Before Dawn will be released by Mainly Murder Press in January 2012. She is a former journalist with more than a dozen writing awards to her credit. Stacy is also one of the moderators at Bestseller Bound, a site that connects indie and small press authors with readers, reviewers and book bloggers.

Web site: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/

Blog: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/blog/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacy-Juba/100155471301

ABOUT TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY

Should we dig for the truth when Pandora’s Box is a coffin of buried secrets?

Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence. Now an editorial assistant and obit writer, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling “25 Years Ago Today” items from the microfilm. Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology. Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana’s suspicious nephew, Eric Soares – until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them. She soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday’s headline is tomorrow’s danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris’s present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.

Visit http://stacyjuba.com/blog/books-2/twenty-five-years-ago-today/ for more about the book, including an excerpt, Reader’s Guide, and book trailer. Stacy’s second mystery novel, Sink or Swim, is newly released. After starring on a hit game show set aboard a Tall Ship, personal trainer Cassidy Novak discovers that she has attracted a stalker. Soon, she will need to call SOS for real…

Both books available in trade paperback and multiple e-book formats.
Amazon links:
**Twenty-Five Years Ago Today: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615290116?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwstacyjubac-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615290116
**Sink or Swim: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098279522X?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwstacyjubac-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=098279522X
**Other buy links: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/store/

I will be posting my review in the coming weeks.

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.

ADDENDUM

I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com.

I am providing this link solely for visitors

that may be interested in purchasing this EBook.

I do not receive any monetary compensation from any parties

Giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE EBOOK "TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY 03/03/ to 03/17 ENDED

CMash March 3, 2011 17 Comments

MARCH 3rd TO MARCH 17TH, 2011

ImageChef.com - Custom comment codes for MySpace, Hi5, Friendster and more

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY

by STACY JUBA

SYNOPSIS:

Should we dig for the truth when Pandora’s Box is a coffin of buried secrets?

Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence. Now an editorial assistant and obit writer, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling “25 Years Ago Today” items from the microfilm. Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology. Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana’s suspicious nephew, Eric Soares – until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them. She soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday’s headline is tomorrow’s danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris’s present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.

THANKS TO THE AWESOME

AUTHOR, STACY JUBA

I HAVE THREE (3 ) EBOOK EDITIONS

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 THINK IT WOULD

BE INTERESTING OR FRUSTRATING TO

TRY AND SOLVE A COLD CASE?*

*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.

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT LETTING ME KNOW THAT YOU
VISITED STACY JUBA’S BLOG, THAT YOU LEFT A COMMENT,
AND BECAME A FOLLOWER VIA GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT
(LEFT SIDE OF HER BLOG).

*FOR CHANCE OF SECOND GIVEAWAY (AMAZON GC) RETWEET
MY GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE COMMENT HERE:
http://stacyjuba.com/blog/2011/02/25/enter-for-one-possibly-two-10-amazon-gift-cards-in-buzz-my-books-giveaway/

*LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENT IF YOU GRAB MY BUTTON AND

PLACE IT ON YOUR BLOG’S SIDEBAR.

*REMEMBER TO INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ALL ENTRIES.

*GIVEAWAY ENDS MARCH 17th AT 6PM EST*

WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG

AND NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL AND WILL

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,

agent and/or author. This blog hosts 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

Thursday Memes

Thursday Memes (2 of 2)

CMash March 3, 2011 12 Comments

http://btt2.wordpress.com/

This week’s question:

Do you cheat and peek at the ends of books? (Come on, be honest.)

My answer:
Honestly…..No…Not Now!!! I read purely for pleasure and entertainment so I don’t understand what purpose peeking would have. But as I’m sitting here thinking about this question, there may have been times, while in school many years ago, that I skimmed through the body and peeked at the ending of a mandatory book that was of no interest to me.

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

1. How many cookbooks do you own?

I own 7+ but my favorite is a spiral notebook filled

with my grandmother’s recipes written in her handwriting,

she passed away at 101 years old and was such a

great cook and baker, everything from scratch

2. What is the most used electrical appliance in your kitchen?

3. How many nights per week do you have take-out, delivery or fast food?

Unfortunately, more times than I cook. It is

difficult for me to stand, bend, etc etc due to

the restrictions/limitations from the surgery. I

am lucky that I have an understanding hubby.

Book Review

Review "These Things Hidden" by Heather Gudenkauf

CMash March 2, 2011 9 Comments

THESE THINGS HIDDEN by Heather Gudenkauf

Published by Harlequin Mira Books
ISBN 9780778328797
I received an ARC-EBook Bound galley Edition from NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): Allison Glenn tried to hide what happened that night…and failed.
The consequence? Five years in prison. Now she’s free. But secrets have a way of keeping you imprisoned.
When Allison Glenn is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind her reputation as Linden Falls’s golden girl forever. Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child. Her former friends exult in her downfall. Her sister, Brynn, faces the whispered rumors every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school. It’s Brynn—shy, quiet Brynn—who carries the burden of what really happened that night. All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her.
But then Allison is released to a halfway house, and is more determined than ever to speak with her sister.
Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy. And if the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.
My Thoughts and Opinion: Could not put this book down!!! One fateful night, five years ago, a secret of a sixteen year old, many lives of those associated with her will change. This story follows four of the women that are most affected by what happened that night at Druid River and how it comes to be that they all have something in common and the one thing that they are trying to protect. The novel alternates chapters with each of the characters’ perspectives of then and now. A heart wrenching novel whereas I was so engrossed it felt that I was transported into the storyline. Each and every character relatable. The suspense was constant but on many different levels and for different reasons (do not want to include spoilers). The ending was shocking. This is the first book I ever read by this author but she is definitely going on my tbr author list.

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.

W.W.W. Wednesdays

W.W.W. Wednesday

CMash March 2, 2011 7 Comments

With much thought, I have decided to make my blog an award-free blog. I truly do get that “warm and fuzzy feeling” when one of my blogging peers presents me and has presented me with an award, but I have found that it takes too much time away from reading and a lot of time at the computer. And since one of my goals for 2011 was to cut back on computer time, I feel this is one place to start. However, if you think my blog is special in some way, please leave your thoughts in a comment, it will still give me that “warm and fuzzy feeling” and it will be greatly appreciated. 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?

Book Review

Review "These Things Hidden" by Heather Gudenkauf

CMash March 2, 2011 8 Comments

THESE THINGS HIDDEN by Heather Gudenkauf

Published by Harlequin Mira Books
ISBN 9780778328797
I received an ARC-EBook Bound galley Edition from NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): Allison Glenn tried to hide what happened that night…and failed.
The consequence? Five years in prison. Now she’s free. But secrets have a way of keeping you imprisoned.
When Allison Glenn is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind her reputation as Linden Falls’s golden girl forever. Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child. Her former friends exult in her downfall. Her sister, Brynn, faces the whispered rumors every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school. It’s Brynn—shy, quiet Brynn—who carries the burden of what really happened that night. All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her.
But then Allison is released to a halfway house, and is more determined than ever to speak with her sister.
Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy. And if the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.
My Thoughts and Opinion: Could not put this book down!!! One fateful night, five years ago, a secret of a sixteen year old, many lives of those associated with her will change. This story follows four of the women that are most affected by what happened that night at Druid River and how it comes to be that they all have something in common and the one thing that they are trying to protect. The novel alternates chapters with each of the characters’ perspectives of then and now. A heart wrenching novel whereas I was so engrossed it felt that I was transported into the storyline. Each and every character relatable. The suspense was constant but on many different levels and for different reasons (do not want to include spoilers). The ending was shocking. This is the first book I ever read by this author but she is definitely going on my tbr author list.

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.

W.W.W. Wednesdays

W.W.W. Wednesday

CMash March 2, 2011 7 Comments

With much thought, I have decided to make my blog an award-free blog. I truly do get that “warm and fuzzy feeling” when one of my blogging peers presents me and has presented me with an award, but I have found that it takes too much time away from reading and a lot of time at the computer. And since one of my goals for 2011 was to cut back on computer time, I feel this is one place to start. However, if you think my blog is special in some way, please leave your thoughts in a comment, it will still give me that “warm and fuzzy feeling” and it will be greatly appreciated. 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?