Month: October 2013

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

starry night 1

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Carrie, a young reporter working for the Chicago Sun Times, is tired of her society column. She yearns to write new stories with power and heft- not the fluffy society pieces she has been writing. Her boss keeps telling her to pay her dues and her time will come; but Carrie is ready for a change. She tells her boss she’s going to quit if she does not get moved off the society beat. Instead of moving Carrie immediately or accepting Carrie’s resignation, Carrie’s boss counter offers an interesting plan. Find Finn Dalton, the best selling author of ALONE, get an interview with him for the Sun Times and Carrie can write what she wants to write. Carrie hungrily accepts the offer-dying for a chance to prove herself. Her editor informs her that it won’t be easy- Finn is a person everyone wants to find and interview, but no one has had luck.

Carrie begins the search for Finn and within a few days has managed to track his whereabouts down. With a little help from a friend of Finn’s, she makes it to the cabin in Alaska- where she is met with a chillier response than the weather. Finn is not happy to find that a reporter has found him and he makes his feelings very clear. Due to the weather, Carrie has to stay with him, though. As they get to know one another, both are surprised at the attraction they feel- yet neither act on it. Right before Carrie leaves, Finn kisses her and tells her to not write the story.

Back home in Chicago, Carrie weighs the pros and cons- and decides she will not write the story. Finn and Carrie begin emailing and talking to each other daily- falling in love even though there is miles between them. Both recognize they are very different, and yet; the feelings the city girl and the rustic outdoorsman have for each other are real. Their relationship is like a fairy tale, until a misunderstanding causes them to question everything that has happened between them.

Can Finn and Carrie find common ground? Will Carrie decide to write the article on Finn? Will Finn step out of his comfort zone and into an unknown world with Carrie?

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Debbie Macomber writes a cute, fun, fluffy and sweet book to get her readers ready for the holidays. Romance is there and the allure of 2 people in love, trying to overcome the odds to be together is sure to be a holiday pleaser! Make a cup of hot chocolate, sit back, and enjoy a Starry Night!

 

*This book was provided to me through Netgalley. The above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Zeke- 1 year later..

It’s been 1 year since my beloved boxer, Zeke, passed away. Life goes on- but I still miss that funny dog. His bunny-hop down the driveway, looking in at the window when he wanted me to come outside, pushing his bowl around as he ate his food. I miss our walks around the land- taking pictures. Miss buying him bones and watching him throw the bone in the air and grin. He brought joy and happiness to so many- and all he really ever wanted was a good ear rub and an enthusiastic voice saying “That’s a good Zeke-y boy!”

418442_10100422962845926_1856589351_n

Having a dog for 10 years changes you- makes you a better person. Seeing him grow from puppy-hood to adult-hood is something else. Sometimes he would cock his head at me and I could ALMOST think he understood exactly what I was saying.

Other days, I would be playing music- and you could see by his steps when it was a song he liked.

Sitting outside reading, he would slide up near me and investigate my books. He sometimes would look over my shoulder as I read. Or nose my books- saying “T, read this 1 next!”

The last day Zeke was alive was hard. I knew it was coming. I hated there was nothing I could do. But I loved on him, petted him and provided him with Smartwater as we sat together- both knowing our time together was drawing to an end.

But today, I want to celebrate Zeke. The cuteness of Zeke. My love for my sweet dog.

Zeke

This was taken during a lovely Thanksgiving day. I’d just gotten a new camera and wanted to play with the features. Who better to be a model than my dog?

533843_10100506820210096_1292536658_n

A spring day. A day with no plans- except to enjoy the breeze in the air, the smell of flowers, and the pitter-patter of feet running behind me, investigating the land on our spring day walk.

Zeke

                                                        So cute in sunglasses!

zeke collage fb

My sweet dog. Missing you.  Wish you were here today.

To Zeke- the greatest dog. You were and always will be loved.

To read more about Zeke- read Zeke, Zeke- “my you tell your dog first dog”, Good-bye Zeke, and Dog + Reading A book = Adorable

Book Lovers Unite Week 3 Questions for The Life List discussion

IMG_1491_2_4

Photo Credit: Goodreads

 

This is it- the last week of discussion for The Life List.  It’s been a great month of discussion and I’m so proud and pleased! 🙂

Here is the previous weeks discussion- Week 1 and Week 2. And join us for November as we discuss Hush Little Baby!

Questions for Week 3

1. Brett and Brad- did you root for them to couple up? Or was there always a friend vibe between them?

2. Meeting Herbert (Dr. Moyer)- at first Brett is hesitant. The more she gets to know him, though, the more she likes him.  Is Dr. Moyer the kind of man that Brett would be happy with?

3. Sanquita dies and makes Brett promise to take care of her baby. Why did Brett promise? Could you promise?

4. Brett meets her father. And as they get to know each other, Brett wonders why he did not come back after her parent’s divorce? Can you understand John’s reasons? Why didn’t Elizabeth reach out to him?

5. Joad is not happy about Brett adopting Austin. Why? Should Joad’s reaction to the adoption give Brett pause about adopting Austin? When her own flesh and blood thinks it’s a bad idea- does that mean anything? Or does it mean that Elizabeth failed Joad in some way? Did Elizabeth fail Joad in some way?

6. What did you think of the ending? Was it a good ending?

Giveaway: The Night is Forever by Heather Graham

the night is forever

Photo Credit: Goodreads

 

Thanks to Harlequin books, I have a copy of The Night is Forever to give away to a lucky commenter!

Here is the synopsis from Goodreads:

What happened here, on a historic ranch outside Nashville, during the Civil War? And what’s happening now?

Olivia Gordon works at the Horse Farm, a facility that assists patients with mental and physical recovery; her specialty is animal therapy. She’s always loved her job, always felt safe ;until now.

People are dying, starting with the facility’s founder, whose body is discovered in a ravine on the property and site of a massacre in 1862. And before every death, Liv sees a horse and rider, wearing a soldier’s garb, in the night sky. Warning? Omen? Or clue?

Liv calls in her cousin Malachi and his Krewe, an FBI unit of paranormal investigators, to discover the truth. New Krewe member Dustin Blake knows they need Liv’s involvement in the case, yet he’s worried about her safety. Because he and Liv quickly become more than colleagues and he doesn’t want to lose her to the endless night.

Want to win this book? Comment below (please leave your email- you may use the AT and DOT). The giveaway runs from October 25th-October 30th at 11:59pmEST. Winner will be announced October 31st. Giveaway is open to US/Canada!

Interview with David Deutsch, author of Sh*t Falls Up

sh falls up

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Today I have an interview with David Deutsch, author of Sh*t Falls Up– a chick lit book from the male perspective.

1. Sh*t Falls Up is your first published book (Congratulations, by the way!) As a debut author- how are you using social media to connect with the book community? Have you been able to use social media in a positive way to connect with people who have read your book?

One of my favorite things to do it to connect with people that read my book.  Today, we have so many options to connect with fans, readers and authors.  I think Twitter is the most effective way to connect with everyone and anyone.  It allows people to direct message to ask questions about my book, tell me their favorite parts or just to say hi!   People can follow me or message me @gslacks

I also follow publishers, authors and book lovers.  I enjoy hearing about new books, reading reviews, joking around and chatting with other book lovers.

2. Sh*t Falls Up is described as a romantic comedy/chick lit from a male perspective. I have to ask: Why? Many men write books about murders, mysteries, and the like- not so many write a book like this. What compelled you to write this book?

Very funny!  I didn’t start out trying to write a romantic comedy/chick lit book but as I started writing the novel the characters took on a life of their own and before I knew it they were getting into all sorts of funny romantic situations.  In addition, the main character’s life has all the hallmarks of a chick lit story. My novel tells the story of David from a first person point of view with him focused on finding the right job, his soulmate, fame, friendship and all while living in New York City, tackled in a funny way.

 

3. How are fans of chick lit reacting to your book? Are they enjoying it? 

 My female fans, that traditionally read chick lit, love the book!  I think it is refreshing to see a male character stumble through the same problems that a female lead character typically experiences in a chick lit novel.  There are strong female characters in Sh*t Falls Up that occupy traditional male roles.  So, the main character has his world turned upside down when it comes to love.  I think my female readers enjoy that role reversal.

 

4. Do you have a writing space? A writing routine?

 Believe it or not I write at my kitchen table.  Usually with my three year old and my five year old running around.  I think I like chaos or there’s something wrong with me!  When I’m writing a book, I try to write a couple of hours a day, editing my prior day’s work first.

 

 

5. Do you have a #literaryconfession?   

My #literaryconfession is that I loved the Hunger Games Trilogy!  Most guys my age aren’t bragging about loving a young adult novel series.  Now that I’m saying this out loud, I think I might be in immediate need of some help.

 

 

6. Do you have a #literarycrush?
 

I have a few #literarycrush(es). I’ve got a crush on Katniss Everdeen.  But more like Katniss when she turns a fictional 30.  I also love most of the femme fatales from whatever Elmore Leonard book I happen to be reading.  And I would probably be attracted to Lisbeth Salander, from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, if she didn’t scare me so much!

Summary from Goodreads about Sh*t Falls Up:

One morning, David Michaels awakens at his sister’s studio apartment and ponders how it all went wrong for him. Three weeks earlier, he had a beautiful girlfriend, a fabulous sub-let apartment in Manhattan and a seemingly secure job at a top, New York investment bank. After losing everything, including his hair, all he has now is a place to sleep, albeit on a twin-size mattress that he must inflate every night. However, this is better than his other, only true option – returning for a third time to his parent’s house.

David’s life-long aspiration is to be a writer, and he has notebooks filled with stories and ideas. One story – the only story he has published – won him a prize while in law school. Unlucky at love, his friends set him up with a woman who bases her life on insights gained from reality TV, and he reluctantly (and hilariously) joins an online Jewish dating service. Frustrated with his career choice of law, he happily accepts a job as a lowly sales clerk at a women’s shoe store. When he becomes manager, he decides once and for all to regain control of his life. On a daily basis, he shuts himself in his office, keeps the booze flowing and pounds out a short story on the absurdity of his life.

When his short story suddenly garners high acclaim, he is left again to pondering. Does he settle down with his hot, volatile, socialite girlfriend, who helped him get his story published? Or does he pursue a woman whom he believes is his soul mate, though he can’t stop lying to her?

At times, gut-wrenchingly funny, other times, soulful and touching, Sh*t.Falls.Up. places the reader in the mind of a man who does his best thinking on an inflatable air mattress.(

To connect with David Deutsch, please visit his Twitter page.

 

Tuesday Mashup

Tuesday Mashup has a couple of giveaways and an article about mistakes authors make when approaching book bloggers!

#giveaways

1. Book-Alicious Mama is giving away a copy of Killer Image by Wendy Tyson.

2. Bewitched Bookworms is also giving away a copy of Killer Image by Wendy Tyson.

3. Two giveaways still happening at Traveling With T– Hush Little Baby and Weak at the Knees!

#bookbloggertalk

Molly Greene posted an article that Anne Chaconas wrote about 5 Mistakes Authors Make When Approaching Book Bloggers.    After reading the article, I just have to say that Anne was spot-on.

Being still a relative newbie- I’ve only been blogging for almost 2 years- I’ve been lucky. I’ve managed to get into some great groups of bloggers, and on to a couple of publishers list. Since, though, I started accepting review inquiries from outside those avenues- I’ve had review requests that were fantastic and some that I could tell were mass-emailed. Most people do personalize their request- and I appreciate that. I’ve not really run into many authors who are making the mistakes that Anne is talking about- but, I encourage people to read this article.

Bloggers- what do you think? Are there mistakes that authors make that harm the blogger/author relationship?

Inherit the Dead- Twenty Thrilling Writers, 1 Chilling Mystery

inherit the dead

Photo Credit: Goodreads

 

Inherit the Dead is a collaborative effort amongst 20 great and fantastic mystery writers in their own right. They teamed up to write this book to help benefit the group Safe Horizon– a victim assistance agency that provides a multitude of options and support for victims of various crimes.

With each author writing a chapter, one might wonder if the book flows nicely- and I’m here to say, it does. The mystery is good, the plot interesting. Some chapters are a bit better than others- but that’s just my opinion. Overall, a good book to read for mystery/crime buffs.

Inherit The Dead

Meet Perry Christo- a PI that has a checkered past. Once a police officer, until he was forced to retire- Perry is a broken man. Perry’s job was part of his identity- and being accused of being a dirty cop is something that haunts him daily.  He laments about the loss of his marriage and daughter, the loss of his former job as a police officer- and often wonders how things could have been different.

Perry has been hired to find a girl. A daughter of a wealthy woman, Julia Drusilla, is looking for her daughter, Angelina. Angelina or Angel as she likes to be called- is almost 21, a fun and spirited woman- and has a difficult relationship with her mother. Her mom wants her found because on her 21st birthday, Angel will inherit a great deal of money- but only if she signs on her 21st birthday. Perry is a bit skeptical about Julia- but he decides to help her find Angel.

The search for Angel is not going to be easy, though. Her father hasn’t seen her and is not worried, her best friend doesn’t want to help Perry and Angel’s lover is 10 kinds of shady.  When Perry finds out information about the last night anyone saw Angel, his feelings of dread rise- as Perry thinks that someone might have been stalking Angel. The question is- who? And why? Because she was about to inherit a great sum of money? An inheritance that no one is supposed to know about? Or did Angel make an enemy that had nothing to do with her inheritance?

Perry is not sure who to trust. Or where to look. He only knows that finding Angel is his top priority- he feels that this girl needs him. Even though she’s had a life of privilege, she’s in trouble. Can Perry find Angel? Will Angel inherit the money? Or has Angel’s fate been determined before Perry was hired?

A twist and turn of a tale- mystery and suspense- some family drama, some police procedure- all creates a story that is sure to entertain.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

Entertaining. Enjoyable. At first, I was unsure how 1 book written by 20 authors was going to work- would the story flow? Would it be enjoyable?  Yes and Yes. While some chapters, in my opinion, are better than others- overall, the book is a nice piece of work. The plot and the characters are thought-out, the ending is fast  and intense- and there are enough clues and red-herrings dropped through-out the book to entice a reader and keep them guessing.

 

*This book was sent to me by Touchstone Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Linky Love Party hosted by Love at First Book!

 

SpreadTheLove150

Rebecca at Love at First Book is the mastermind behind the Spread the Love Linky Party! A relatively new feature for her, I’ve got to say that I’m a HUGE fan- I love seeing what other bloggers are linking to the party- and I’ve already found a couple of new blogs to follow (This week’s new blog is A Date With a Book!)

Link up your post to Rebecca’s page- comment and share the linky love!

The post I chose to link up: Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn. Why? It’s my review of this thrilling book- a book that has twists and turns- and takes a very real, very scary situation many women face-and tells it in a way that is thoughtful and highly discussable. Plus, there’s a giveaway! And everyone likes a giveaway!

Go. Link up. Check out the other posts. Find something great! Expand your blogging world.

 

Literary Friday ya’ll…

It’s Friday. I have a head-cold. Ugh.

 

1. Deep South Mag and their #literaryfriday: Giveaway of Rita Leganski’s The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow, Lee Smith news, Jesmyn Ward interview and Ann Hite news- plus much more!

 

2. Traveling With T now has a GIVEAWAY page- just visit it and see what I’m giving away on my blog! Please note: this is only for my own blog giveaways- to keep up with other giveaways- please continue to read my Mashup posts and Literary Friday!

 

3. In case you missed yesterday’s Mashup, here it is! Lots of giveaways listed!

 

4. What is your #fridayreads? I’ve been reading some good books lately and some that have bummed me out- suggestions for my #fridayreads?

 

5. Love at First Book has a giveaway that I missed mentioning yesterday-  Mind Without a Home by Kristina Morgan.

 

6. I’m going to see Lisa Patton and Susan Gregg Gilmore next week! Beyond excited 🙂

 

Happy Reading!

 

 

Thursday Mashup…. (giveaway, giveaway, giveaway!)

Gosh it seems like FOREVER since I’ve had a mashup!

 

Here’s a few #giveaways you need to know about:

1. The Book Wheel is giving away a SIGNED copy of The Fifth Assassin by Brad Meltzer! SIGNED folks- you don’t want to miss out!

 

2. Read Baby Read  is giving away Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn- again, it’s SIGNED. Get thee over there to enter!

 

3. Luxury Reading is giving away The Good Wife by Jane Porter!

 

4. She Reads is giving away all 3 of Jojo Moyes books- The Last Letter To Your Lover, Me Before You, and The Girl You Left Behind.

 

5. Traveling With T has 3 giveaways going on this week: Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn, Weak at the Knees by Jo Kessel, and So Tough to Tame by Victoria Dahl.

 

6. Book-Alicious Mama is giving away Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn!

 

7. River City Reading is giving away Cartwheel by Jennifer Dubois!

 

Pssssst…. Book Lovers Unite just announced that Hush Little Baby will be the November Book Club Selection! So, you might want to head over and enter Read Baby Read, Book-Alicious Mama’s or stay here and enter my giveaway! I’d be trying to triple my odds- though, if I were you!