Please Welcome a New Reviewer!

I am so excited to let you all know that I will periodically have reviews written by my son, Patrick.  He really seems to have gotten bit by the reading bug lately....and I am happy.  He is very athletic and most of the books he is reading involve sports.  I am just excited he is enjoying a good book.  I tell all of my kids, I will always buy books for as long as you read them.  Once we are done, they get donated to their school or our local library.

Patrick's first review will post Monday!  I am so excited for him!

Y: A Novel

My Rating:  Oh, this is so good and I have about 100 pages left to read.  It is driving my crazy that I can't find time to read this time of year.  

Synopsis:  “Y. That perfect letter. The wishbone, fork in the road, empty wineglass. The question we ask over and over. Why? . . . My life begins at the Y.” So opens Marjorie Celona’s highly acclaimed and exquisitely rendered debut about a wise-beyond-her-years foster child abandoned as a newborn on the doorstep of the local YMCA. Swaddled in a dirty gray sweatshirt with nothing but a Swiss Army knife tucked between her feet, little Shannon is discovered by a man who catches only a glimpse of her troubled mother as she disappears from view. That morning, all three lives are forever changed.

Bounced between foster homes, Shannon endures abuse and neglect until she finally finds stability with Miranda, a kind but no-nonsense single mother with a free-spirited daughter of her own. Yet Shannon defines life on her own terms, refusing to settle down, and never stops longing to uncover her roots—especially the stubborn question of why her mother would abandon her on the day she was born.

Brilliantly and hauntingly interwoven with Shannon’s story is the tale of her mother, Yula, a girl herself who is facing a desperate fate in the hours and days leading up to Shannon’s birth. As past and present converge, Y tells an unforgettable story of identity, inheritance, and, ultimately, forgiveness. Celona’s ravishingly beautiful novel offers a deeply affecting look at the choices we make and what it means to be a family, and it marks the debut of a magnificent new voice in contemporary fiction.

My Review:  I will post a review as soon as I finish Y.  I really wish I could stay awake more than 5 minutes at night....this book is too good!  

Meet the Author:  Marjorie Celona received her MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she was an Iowa Arts Fellow and recipient of the John C. Schupes fellowship. Her stories have appeared in Best American Nonrequired Reading, Glimmer Train, and Harvard Review. Born and raised on Vancouver Island, she lives in Cincinnati.

Marjorie - I moved from the Cincinnati area to NY four years ago.  I still want to move back.  I miss it so much.

Purchase it:  You can purchase Y a novel online at Amazon for $24.99 (Kindle version $11.99).

Goodnight, Brian Guest Post

Brief Synopsis: 
Fate was working against little Brian Mauretti. The food that was meant to nourish him was poisoning him instead, and the doctors said the damage was devastating and absolute. Fate had written off Brian. But fate didn’t count on a woman as determined as Brian’s grandmother, Angela DiMartino – who everyone knew as Mama. Loving her grandson with everything she had, Mama endeavored to battle fate. Fate had no idea what it was in for.

An emotional tale about the strength of family bonds, unconditional love, and the perseverance to do our best with the challenging gifts we receive, Goodnight, Brian is an uplifting tribute to what happens when giving up is not an option. 

Author Bio:  Steven Manchester is the published author of the #1 best seller, Twelve Months, as well as A Christmas Wish (the holiday prequel to Goodnight, Brian). He is also the Pressed Pennies, The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy and Jacob Evans, as well as several books under the pseudonym, Steven Herberts. His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS'sThe Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Recently, three of his short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. 

Connect:  You can connect with Steven Manchester online, at Sunlife and Facebook.  

Purchase It:  You can purchase Goodnight, Brian online at Amazon (paperback and kindle version available) or Barnes and Noble/Nook version.

Release Me Guest Post & Giveaway!

Synopsis:

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes an erotic, emotionally charged romance between a powerful man who’s never heard “no” and a fiery woman who says “yes” on her own terms. 
 


He was the one man I couldn’t avoid. And the one man I couldn’t resist. 
 


Damien Stark could have his way with any woman. He was sexy, confident, and commanding: Anything he wanted, he got. And what he wanted was me. Our attraction was unmistakable, almost beyond control, but as much as I ached to be his, I feared the pressures of his demands. Submitting to Damien meant I had to bare the darkest truth about my past—and risk breaking us apart.
 
But Damien was haunted, too. And as our passion came to obsess us both, his secrets threatened to destroy him—and us—forever.



Release Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

Meet the Author:  J. Kenner is the pen name of USA Today bestselling author Julie Kenner (who also writes as J.K. Beck).  Release Me, an erotic romance, goes on sale today in the U.S. and the U.K., and in over a dozen other countries later in 2013. 

Julie writes a range of stories including quirky romances, sexy contemporaries, young adult novels, suspense, paranormal mommy lit, and (soon!) darker urban fantasy.

Guest Post from Julie:  Comfort Reads and Comfort Food

Thanks so much to Seaside Book Nook for hosting me on today’s stop of the Release Me blog tour.  Thanks to everyone who’s bought the book or told their friends about it!  I’ve been thrilled by the response so far and really appreciate all the support and the great word of mouth.  Thank you!

About a week ago, I was fighting a cold and decided to spend the day on the couch reading.  I went up to our game room where we have two walls covered with Ikea bookshelves and started to peruse the titles to find something to read.  We have zillions of books, many of which I haven’t yet read, but none appealed to me.  No, I was feeling crappy and I wanted a comfort read.  Something tried and true.  Something I knew with absolute certainty that I would enjoy.

I feel the same thing about food.  If I feel truly awful, then food’s not going to be on the agenda at all.  But if I’m just having a lazy day or a crappy day, then it’s not about fancy meals or expensive cuisine.  I want comfort food.  Ice cream slathered in chocolate sauce.  Chips and salsa.  Or my absolute favorite, frozen blueberries thawed for 30 minutes and then drenched in heavy cream (try it…it’s yummy!).

So what did I end up eating and reading on that day when I decided to veg and pamper my cold?  Well, I went with my berries, because, well, yum.

And as for the book – I couldn’t decide.  So I ended up snuggled on the couch with Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.  Thick enough to last all day; fun enough to keep me comfy and happy!

How about you? What are your comfort foods? Your comfort reads? 

Connect:  You can hang out with J.K., learn more about Release Me and her other novels, or just poke around and see what catches your eye at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

Win It:  You can win your own copy of Release Me!  Complete the Rafflecopter form below!  Contest ends 1/14/13 at midnight EST!  Good Luck!

Buy It: You can buy Release Me online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Indie Bound for $8.98.

The Book of Animal Poetry

My Review: I LOVE THIS BOOK!  It was after 8 pm when we got home from all my kids activities and there was the package at the front door!  Not knowing exactly what was inside, I opened it and couldn't believe my eyes.....National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry arrived already!  I sat the book on the counter and ordered the kids to put on pjs and brush their teeth.  The next thing I know, it is 9:30 pm and we are all on the couch having just finished the book....still in our practice clothes and no teeth brushed.  We all LOVE the National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry.  

The photographs in National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry are AMAZING.  They are down right gorgeous.  That is something you can always count on with National Geographic.  The poems are too cool.  As an added bonus, in the back of the book, is a description of the different types of poems (Couplet, Shape poem, Haiku, Limerick and Free Verse).  I loved that it ties what my kids have learned in school to such a cool book.  

My kids fought over who got to take the book to school first.  They couldn't wait to share it with their teachers and classmates.  I took it into work and shared it with several co-workers.  Everyone LOVED it.  Seriously....National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry is fantastic.
I have to share with you all one of my favorites (I am ALWAYS late and can relate!): 

Turtles

Turtles sit. Turtles wait. Turtles never think they're late.

Turtles crawl. Turtles snap. Turtles take a long, long nap.

Turtles listen. Turtles hide. Turtles like to stay inside.

-Charles Ghigna

Check out the book trailer for a sneak peak:  

Sneak Peak! 

Purchase It: You can buy National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry online at Amazon for $24.95 (Prime members $16.47), Barnes & Noble for $19.19, and IndieBound for $28.90. 

The Boy Next Door

Synopsis:  Through middle school, high school, bad dates, and an ill-advised punk phase, Tasha has always been able to count on Jason. Since the day he moved in next door, he’s gone from the weird kid in a wheelchair to Tasha’s most trusted friend. But lives change and the friends are going in different directions. When Jason and Tasha rekindle their friendship, sparks fly. After years of being a wild soul, now the ex-lead of a band turned music teacher is just looking for a relationship to last.

When none other than Jason introduces her to a man who can give her what she wants, Tasha is on the verge of throwing passion and love away just so she can forget her troubled past and settle down. But Jason isn’t ready to give her up just yet.

My Review:  I enjoyed The Boy Next Door.  It was a very quick read.  For a complete review, check out my guest post at Chick Lit Central!  I was THRILLED to be a guest reviewer at a blog I love!  Make sure you check it out for a chance to win The Boy Next Door.  The giveaway at Chick Lit Central ends January 7th at midnight EST.  Hurry over there!

Purchase It:  You can buy The Boy Next Door online at Amazon for $12.99 ($4.99 Kindle version).

Thank You:  Thanks ladies at Chick Lit Central for allowing me to be a guest reviewer!

Dead Running - Dying to Run Book Tour

Dead Running

Cassidy Christensen is running.
Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.
Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.
Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.

With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she'll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.

Dying to Run

Cassidy Christensen wants to run.

Captured by the traffickers who killed her mother, her only hope is Dr. Tattoo, a man she loves but nobody trusts. When she finally gets a chance to run, someone else she cares about is taken. Running might be her only chance at survival, but she won’t allow another family member to be killed in her place.

This must-read sequel to Dead Running will have you laughing, biting your nails, and hoping for more.

Purchase

Dead Running * Dying to Run

Blog Tour Schedule

Author Cami Checketts

Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.

Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. Cami teaches strength training classes at her local rec and shares healthy living tips on her fitness blog: http://fitnessformom.blogspot.com.

Cami and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn't snowing, she enjoys swimming, biking, running, and water-skiing.

Links

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Fitness Blog

#BookBlast Giveaway


Details
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
$50 Gift Card to Running Chics
Ends 1/31/12
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



a Rafflecopter giveaway