Contest reminder!

My contest for The Host by Stephenie Meyer ends tonight, 5/31 at 11:59. Sign up for your chance to win one of three copies.

Happy Memorial Day!

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday at The Printed Page is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

What a variety I got this week! I can't wait to get started. I look forward to reading, relaxing and remembering those who gave everything for us this Memorial Day weekend and I wish you the same.

The Lion
by Nelson DeMille

From Hatchette Books for review

John Corey, former NYPD homicide detective and now a special agent for the Anti-Terrorist Task Force, is back. Unfortunately for Corey, so is Asad Khalil, the notorious Libyan terrorist otherwise known as "The Lion." When last we heard from him, Khalil had claimed to be defecting to the U.S. only to unleash the most horrific reign of terror ever to occur on American soil. While Corey and his partner, FBI agent Kate Mayfield, pursued him across the country, Khalil methodically eliminated his victims one by one and then disappeared without a trace. Now, three years later, Khalil has returned to America to make good on his threats and take care of unfinished business. "The Lion" is a killing machine once again loose in America with a mission of revenge, and John Corey will stop at nothing to achieve his own goal - to find and kill Khalil.

Shade
by Jeri Smith Ready

Won from The Cozy Reader

When her boyfriend dies a most untimely death, Aura--who can see ghosts--is forced to reconsider her relationship with the living and dead in SHADE.

[close] When her boyfriend dies a most untimely death, Aura--who can see ghosts--is forced to reconsider her relationship with the living and dead in SHADE.

Godmother
by Carolyn Turgeon

Received from Marcia at The Printed Page

Lil is an old woman who spends her days shelving rare books in a tiny Manhattan bookstore and lonely nights at home in her apartment. But Lil has an intriguing secret. Tucked and bound behind her back are white feathery wings-the only key to who she once was: the fairy godmother responsible for getting Cinderella to the ball to unite with her Prince Charming. But on that fateful night, something went terribly and beautifully wrong. Lil allowed herself the unthinkable: to feel the emotions of human beings and fall in love with the prince herself, going to the ball in place of Cinderella in her exquisitely gorgeous human guise. For her unforgivable mistake, she was banished to live among humans, far from her fairy sisters and their magical underwater world. But then one day she meets Veronica, a young, fair-skinned, flame-haired East Village beauty with a love of all things vintage and a penchant for falling in love with the wrong men and suddenly it becomes clear to Lil that she's been given a chance at redemption. If she can find a soul mate for Veronica, she may right her wrong and return to the fairy world she so deeply longs for. . . .

Ravenous
by Sharon Ashwood

PaperBack Swap

Vampires, Werewolves, and other creatures have emerged from the shadows. And some of them have sinister THINGS on their minds... Holly Carver is a witch who sometimes relies on the help of Alessandro Caravelli for her family’s preternatural investigations business. Alessandro is the oldest and strongest vampire in Fairview—and he’s made no secret of his desire for Holly. But while she aches to succumb to his suggestive wiles, she knows it would be an invitation to trouble. Then Alessandro’s queen, Omara, complicates matters when she turns up in Fairview to enlist his help. Sultry and manipulative, she is jealous of Alessandro’s feelings for Holly, and demands he use Holly to trap Geneva—the most evil demon of all.

Review: Run For Your Life by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

One man struggles to save a city.

A calculating killer who calls himself The Teacher is taking on New York City, killing the powerful and the arrogant. His message is clear: remember your manners or suffer the consequences! For some, it seems that the rich are finally getting what they deserve. For New York's elite, it is a call to terror. Only one man can tackle such a high-profile case: Detective Mike Bennett. The pressure is enough for anyone, but Mike also has to care for his 10 children-all of whom have come down with virulent flu at once! Discovering a secret pattern in The Teacher's lessons, Detective Bennett realizes he has just hours to save New York from the greatest disaster in its history.

Patterson books always seem to be quick reads with plenty of action and this one was no exception. Detective Mike Bennett and his family of ten children are back from the previous book Step On a Crack. This time he is battling a house full of sick children and a maniac lose in N.Y. City. The Teacher has set his plan into motion and is on a killing spree, hunting down rude, obnoxious people who need to be taught a lesson. He is intelligent and fearless with no plans to stop. Mike has recently lost his wife and is struggling to care for his family and maintain a career. Now he is under even more pressure to catch a killer and time is running out.

The pages flew by and it was an easy read. I liked Mike as the main character and enjoyed the chapters that included his family and personal life. His children kept him busy yet grounded and helped him through the loss of his wife. I didn't care for The Teacher but he did provide action. His story wasn't believable and the ending was far-fetched but it was suspenseful. I don't seem to enjoy Patterson books as much as I use to but I still find them entertaining and probably will continue to follow this series.

I also got the audio version from the library so I could listen to it while I was driving. It was well done and the characters came to life. I liked switching back and forth between reading and listening and it was very convenient.

Thank you to Hatchette Books for a copy of this book.

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Release date: 2/09
Pages: 304
Price/format: $27.99/hardcover
Type: mystery/thriller

Water For Elephants movie

I meant to post this last week but obviously didn't get around to it. I really enjoyed this book though so I had to share. I knew that a movie was being made from the novel Water For Elephants by Sarah Greun but I didn't know many details before this. Rob Pattinson (Twilight movies) and Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde movies) will play the lead roles. More details here at Summer Movie Guide.

So, I was just wondering…

I’ve had a lot of things weighing heavily on my mind lately. I have many blessings for which I am very grateful but it seems like we’ve had one major family crisis after another. You all were so kind to me last year as I gave updates on my 35 year-old cousin’s fight against brain cancer. She ultimately lost that battle last June. Last week my aunt was admitted to the hospital for tests concerning her chronic but worsening back pain. She was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to her spine and fractured 3 vertebra. What a shocker that one was. She is feeling better now that the pain is under control and will start radiation tomorrow.

She’s so tough and in good hands so that lends some comfort but my mind is reeling and I feel helpless and scared. It’s the late evenings when the house is quiet and everyone else is asleep that I start to think too much. I’m a night owl anyway and I usually use that time to catch up on laundry, reading, reviewing and blogging. I haven’t had much desire or focus to do those things lately though. (Well, that excuse doesn’t work for the laundry so that still gets done.) I’ve missed visiting with you all but I’ll get back to it soon I’m sure. Of course the TV is handy for noise and comic relief so that’s a good distraction. Unfortunately my reading tends to suffer too, at least for a time. While it’s a fantastic distraction I just can’t pay attention and find myself rereading page after page. I did recently finish a James Patterson book and those are always full of action and short chapters. It was an enjoyable story and it kept my mind occupied. The book I’m trying to read now is very well written and has a great sense of humor so that is also a good choice for me. Humor is always a good choice for me. I’ll have to pick carefully from my overflowing shelves for my next selection. I need that distraction.

So I was just wondering, when times are tough in your own life are you able to read? We all have different ways of coping but books seem to be a common thread for most of us so I thought I’d keep the topic about reading. How do your habits change, if at all, and what works for you? May your blessings be many and your troubles be few. Happy reading to all.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Miz B of Should Be Reading and asks you to :

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page
3 . Share 2 "teaser" sentences also citing the title of the book and the author and in that way people can have great recommendations if they like the "teaser".
4. Please avoid spoilers!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

When daybreak found him he would be no more. Amy, he thought as the stars began to fall, everywhere and all around; and he tried to fill his mind with just her name, his daughter's name, to help him from his life.
Amy, Amy, Amy.

~page 246 (ARC)
The Passage by Justine Cronine

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday at The Printed Page is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Only one book again but it sounds very inspirational. And how cute is that puppy on the cover? I hope you had a good week with a full mailbox!

Huck
by Janet Elder

From Broadway Books for review

Huck is a page-turning, unforgettable true story of the tenacity of one small dog, the unexpected, extraordinary kindness of strangers, and a family’s devotion to each other.

Michael was four when his relentless campaign for a dog began. At seven he made a PowerPoint presentation, “My Dog,” with headings like “A Childhood Without a Dog is a Sad Thing.” His parents, Janet and Rich, were steadfast; bringing a dog into their fast-paced New York City lives was utterly impractical. However, on a trip to Italy, a chance happening leads Janet to reconsider, a decision then hastened by a diagnosis of breast cancer. Janet decides the excitement of a new puppy would be the perfect antidote to the strain on the family of months of arduous treatments for her illness. The prospect of a new puppy would be an affirmation of life, a powerful talisman for them all. On Thanksgiving weekend, soon after the grueling months of treatments are over, Huck, a sweet, mischievous, red-haired, toy poodle joins the family and wins everyone’s heart. A few months later the family ventures to baseball’s spring training, leaving Huck with Janet’s sister in Ramsey, New Jersey. Barely twenty-four hours into the trip, Janet receives the dreaded phone call: Huck has slipped through the backyard fence and run away. Broken-hearted and frantic, the family catches the first plane to New Jersey to begin a search for their lost puppy. It is a race against time, for little Huck is now lost in an area entirely unfamiliar to him, facing the threat of bears and coyotes, swamps and freezing temperatures, rain and fast cars. Moved by the family’s plight, strangers – from school children to townspeople to the police lieutenant – join the search, one that proves to be an unyielding test of determination and faith. Touching and warm-hearted, Huck is a spirit-lifting story about resilience, the generosity of strangers, and hope.

Giveaway: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

To celebrate the April release of the paperback edition of The Host I get to give away some books! This edition also includes a Reading Group Guide, new "bonus chapter", an interview with author Stephanie Meyer, discussion topics and questions and the author's playlist.

The Host
My review

THE HOST debuted at #1 on The New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list and remained there for more than a year. Meyer’s first adult novel was not only a huge commercial success with more than 2 million copies sold, it also brought a whole new audience of readers to Stephenie Meyer. Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOST, appeals to rabid Twilight Saga fans and readers of classic literary suspense alike. Movie rights to THE HOST have been optioned by Nick Wechsler and Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz, the team that produced the film of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. Andrew Niccol of Gattaca and The Truman Show will write the script and direct. In less than five years, Stephenie Meyer has become an international literary phenomenon. Her Twilight Saga has sold 100 million copies worldwide. If you missed the opportunity to review THE HOST in hardcover, now is the time to bring this unforgettable story to the attention of your readers.

Thanks to Hatchette Books I have three copy of this book to give away.

Rules:
- Simply fill out the form to enter
- US and Canada only, no PO boxes
- Winners chosen by Random.org

Extra entries:
+1 new followers
+2 old followers
+2 promote the contest and leave a link

Contest ends 5/31/10 at 11:59 p.m. EST

So, I was just wondering…

It’s always nice to see someone’s hard work get the praise and acknowledgement it deserves and we all know that it takes a lot of work to maintain blogs. It take a heckuva lot of my time and I don’t do nearly as much as most people do. (I wouldn’t be able to anyway with this damn dial-up connection but that’s a topic for another day.)  One thing that I have learned to enjoy during this journey is that each blog is truly unique. Even though many of us share a love of reading and reviewing books we don’t do it the same way and that’s not all we write about. It’s so nice to find out tidbits about others and get a little glimpse into their world. It’s amazing how close you can feel to people you’ve never really “met” but have shared so much with.

One things I’ve learned for certain is that I could never do this alone. I’ve had to ask so many questions along the way and often turned to others for help and advice. When I started my own blog on October 12, 2008, Lenore of Presenting Lenore was the very first person to comment on my first post. I was so thrilled that someone was visiting me!  I’ve been very fortunate to have many kind people take pity on me and stop by for a visit. I’ve been even luckier to actually have many of them come back again too! I’m sure there’s a way to figure out who has commented the most and all of that but I’m not exactly sure how to do that yet and it doesn’t really matter anyway. Each and every person is very much appreciated. I know for a fact that there is one person who does stand out above all the rest though. We were first in book clubs together and then started our blogs at the same time. Although we’ve only chatted on the computer, she’s someone I’ve gotten to know over the last few years and I am lucky to have found her. Kaye of Pudgy Penguin Perusals is a very special person and has a terrific blog too. I wish I could mention everyone by name but there are just too many of you, but I do thank you all!

So I was just wondering, who is the person who has been the most supportive of your blogging/reviewing/reading/writing career? Is there someone that you would like to name here, that really deserves to be recognized? Come on people – this is your chance to give that special person a shout out! We’re a friendly bunch and would love to hear all about them. And thanks again for stopping by!

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Miz B of Should Be Reading and asks you to :

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page
3 . Share 2 "teaser" sentences also citing the title of the book and the author and in that way people can have great recommendations if they like the "teaser".
4. Please avoid spoilers!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

As a kid, I imagined lots of different scenarios for my life... Never once did I see myself standing under the window of a house belonging to some druggie named Carbine, waiting for his yard gnome to steal his stash so I could get a cab back to a cheap motel where my friend, a neurotic, death-obsessed dwarf, was waiting for me so we could get on the road to an undefined place and a mysterious Dr. X, who would cure me of mad cow disease and stop a band of dark energy from destroying the universe.

~page 257
Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday at The Printed Page is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I only got one book this week but it sounds very touching. I hope you received lots of goodies in your mailbox!

The Council of Dads
by Bruce Feiler

From LibraryThing Early Reviewers

Bestselling author Bruce Feiler was a young father when he was diagnosed with cancer. He instantly worried what his daughters' lives would be like without him. "Would they wonder who I was? Would they wonder what I thought? Would they yearn for my approval, my love, my voice?"

Three days later he came up with a stirring idea of how he might give them that voice. He would reach out to six men from all the passages in his life, and ask them to be present in the passages in his daughters' lives. And he would call this group "The Council of Dads."

"I believe my daughters will have plenty of opportunities in their lives," he wrote to these men. "They'll have loving families. They'll have each other. But they may not have me. They may not have their dad. Will you help be their dad?"

The Council of Dads is the inspiring story of what happened next. Feiler introduces the men in his Council and captures the life lesson he wants each to convey to his daughters--how to see, how to travel, how to question, how to dream. He mixes these with an intimate, highly personal chronicle of his experience battling cancer while raising young children, along with vivid portraits of his father, his two grandfathers, and various father figures in his life that explore the changing role of fathers in America.

This is the work of a master storyteller confronting the most difficult experience of his life and emerging with wisdom and hope. The Council of Dads is a touching, funny, and ultimately deeply moving book on how to live life, how the human spirit can respond to adversity, and how to deepen and cherish the friendships that enrich our lives.

My Mother’s Day

My wonderful hubby surprised me with a gorgeous necklace for Mother’s Day. He is so incredibly thoughtful and he planned and designed it himself. It has his and my birthstones at the top and our three boys birthstones below them. It is one of many things that he has done for me over the years that has truly touched my heart. He knows me so well.

I have to say this is one of my favorite holidays. Not for the gifts or recognition, just for the fact that I am blessed to be a mother. Having children was always my biggest dream and greatest honor. I have amazing sons and raising them has been the hardest yet most rewarding job ever. I can’t even describe the fierce love I have for them. I know it won’t be long before they are out of the house and on their own (they better make a great living too because they will be supporting dear old mom and dad!) and I treasure every hectic day we share together. I only hope that they will have fond memories and will always know how much I love them.

I have also been blessed to have the perfect role model in my own mother. She is everything I strive to be and sets such a good example. She works so hard but always find time to take care of everyone else. She’s fought some hard battles over the years and come out stronger and better than ever. She gave my brothers and I the best childhood possible. We had some bumps in the road as everyone does but mom taught us how to cope well and always gave us her love and support. We are an extremely close family and we have her to thank for that. Now my children are lucky enough to have her for a grandmother, possibly the only job she does even better than mothering. Possibly.

So I count my blessings this Mother’s Day and every day.  For the mother I have, for the husband who shared my dream of parenthood and for my children who gave me my greatest joy as I became a mother myself. Thank you to all of you. You are my everything.

Special Day

Scene of the Blog at Kittling Books

Every Wednesday Cathy from Kittling Books hosts a great feature called Scene of the Blog. She highlights a blogger and and this week she was kind enough to feature little old me!! I've been a bit of a scatterbrain lately and life has gotten in the way of blogging but I am so honored that Cathy invited me to participate. I know I am always fascinated to learn more about the people I meet here so this is a little window into my world. If you get the chance hop on over and check out Scene of the Blog and all of the other amazing things Cathy has to offer at Kittling Books!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Miz B of Should Be Reading and asks you to :

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3 . Share 2 "teaser" sentences also citing the title of the book and the author and in that way people can have great recommendations if they like the "teaser".
4. Please avoid spoilers!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Finally the deed was done. He was the Teacher, the world was his students, and class was about to begin.

~page 35
Run For Your Life by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday at The Printed Page is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Only two books this week but that's plenty!


The Secret Speech
by Tom Rob Smith

For review from Hatchette

Soviet Union, 1956: Stalin is dead. With his passing, a violent regime is beginning to fracture - leaving behind a society where the police are the criminals, and the criminals are innocent. The catalyst comes when a secret manifesto composed by Stalin's successor Khrushchev is distributed to the entire nation. Its message: Stalin was a tyrant and a murderer. Its promise: The Soviet Union will change. Meanwhile, former state security officer Leo Demidov is facing his own turmoil. Three years ago he put his life on the line to stop a killer and as a reward for heroic service he was granted the authority to establish a homicide department in Moscow. He now strives to see justice done, while at the same time working to build a life with his wife, Raisa, and their adopted daughters.

But the dark legacy of his past career cannot be forgotten so easily. The two young girls he and Raisa adopted have yet to forgive him for his involvement in the death of their parents. They are not alone. Now that the truth is out, Leo, Raisa and their family are in grave danger from someone with a grudge against Leo. Someone transformed beyond recognition into the perfect model of vengeance.From the streets of Moscow in the throes of political upheaval, to the wintry Siberian gulags and to the center of the Hungarian uprising in Budapest, The Secret Speech is another stunning thriller from the author of Child 44.

Nightworld
by L. J. Smith

From PaperBack Swap

Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters -- they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is their secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World.

In Secret Vampire, Poppy thought the summer would last forever. Then she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Now Poppy's only hope for survival is James, her friend and secret love. A vampire in the Night World, James can make Poppy immortal. But first they both must risk everything to go against the laws of Night World.

Fugitives from Night World, three vampire sisters leave their isolated home to live among humans in Daughters of Darkness. Their brother, Ash, is sent to bring the girls back, but he falls in love with their beautiful friend.

Two witch cousins fight over their high school crush. It's a battle between black magic and white magic in Spellbinder.