Friday, September 14, 2012

Tour & Giveaway: Primal by D. A. Serra

Today is the start of a book tour of Primal by D. A. Serra.  To start things off, I am holding a giveaway of the ebook thanks to D. A. Serra!  Be sure to follow the tour for extra entries for this giveaway and to enter in other giveaways of the ebook.  There will be lots of opportunities to win!!

Book Description:

Publisher: Perry Street Pictures, Inc., May 13, 2012
Category: Crime Thriller
Available in PDF & Kindle: 191 Pages
PRIMAL by D.A. Serra (screenplay originally purchased by James Cameron)
The most dangerous place on Earth is between a mother and her child…
With everything at stake – what are you capable of?  What if the worst happens and you’re not a policeman, a soldier, or a spy with weapons training and an iron heart?  What if you’re a schoolteacher – a mom?  In this gritty crime thriller a family vacation takes a vicious turn when a fishing camp is invaded by four armed men.  With nothing except her brains, her will, and the element of surprise on her side, Alison must learn to kill or watch her family die.
And then, things get worse.
Praise for Primal:

“I honestly loved Primal. It is incredibly well-written with deep, emotionally-charged characters and a storyline punctuated with fear and adrenaline. I found Primal to be an incredibly quick read, mostly because I had a hard time putting it down. I also liked the fact that author D.A. Serra delved into the emotional spiral eclipsing Alison’s life after the horrifying events on the island and wasn’t content to simply go for all-out action, although there’s action a-plenty. I highly recommend Primal if you are looking for a thriller to read this summer. You won’t be disappointed.”-Psibabe, GameVortex Communications (AKA Ashley Perkins )

“To some, Minnesota’s North Woods are a soothing antidote to the stresses of civilization. But to others, all that unpaved, unpeopled wilderness is just plain unnerving. And therein lies the seed of some very spooky storytelling.”- Amy Goetzman, MinnPost

“The book was originally written as a screenplay and there is certainly a cinematic quality to it, with moody descriptions, lively dialogue and a relentless sense of pace. The writing, however, is unexpected, poetic and philosophical by turn, without impinging on the action. The description of a mother hiding a gun in her son’s Batman pyjamas must be one of the most moving, yet ominous, passages of crime fiction I have read in a long time, while the use of household props to distract a rampant killer is ingenious.  A very confident debut novel, highly recommended as a summer read, although perhaps not if you are planning a camping trip.”- Marina Sofia, Crime Fiction Lover

“”Primal” the new book by D.A. Serra is a page turner. The story line and the characters engage you, and once you start you won’t put it down until you are finished. The story reminds us that no matter how carefully we craft the “bubble” around our every day existence, no matter how safe and secure we make our environment and our lives, a chance encounter with evil can shatter that bubble and change our very persona forever. This is a great read.”- Michael C Bertin, Amazon Reviewer
“Better than PD James. An astonishingly gripping tale, but more than that, it is full of insights, and wonderfully well written. The voice is unique, but it has that PD James quality.”- Patricia S. Churchland “Neurophilosopher”, Amazon Reviewer

“Mary Higgins Clark, watch out!  I downloaded Primal and the new Mary Higgins Clark at the same time, and of the two, to my surprise, although I am a big MHC fan, I really enjoyed Primal best. If you love a good thriller, like I do, this is the book to read! A real page turner, riveting suspense, – well conceived and beautifully written – this author should to be on every thriller lover’s ‘to read’ list!- Amazon Reviewer

“”Wow.” It might be an hour or two before my breathing slows down and my stomach unwinds itself from a tight knot. I only put the book down twice since I started reading it. The book was so vivid.  With confidence I can say Primal has brought out the most emotion of any book I have ever read. I have never been so consumed by a book before. The book is honestly one of the best I have ever read.”- Laura, Amazon Reviewer

“I love a great story, one that is packed with explosive action. Primal is right on top when it comes to a suspenseful thriller. I was always anxious to get to the next chapter. I wanted to read fast, but the dialog was so good I didn’t want to miss any of it. I was sad when I realized that I was coming to the end of the story.  The characters in this thriller came to life for me. I couldn’t help but put myself into the plot and to wonder what I would do if put into their same situation. If you love nail biting, explosive action that will not disappoint, Primal is it.” Max- Amazon Reviewer

About D. A. Serra:

Deborah Serra was a screenwriter for twenty years and recognized by the Writer’s Guild for her long term continuous employment. She has written ten TV movies, four feature films, and numerous TV episodes including two years as a staff writer for NBC.  She worked for top producers, directors, and actors.  She has taught writing at the University of California, San Diego, Wofford College and at writers’ conferences nationwide.  Serra has now turned her attention to novels, and she was honored as a recent recipient of the prestigious Hawthornden Literary Fellowship, and as a semi-finalist for the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Award given by the Faulkner Society in New Orleans, LA.
Deborah’s  Website.
Buy it at Amazon.com

Tour Stops:
Tea Time With Marcie Sept 4 Giveaway
So Many Precious Books, So Little Time Sept 15 Feature & Giveaway
Tea Time With Marcie Sept.17 Review
Over a Cuppa Coffee Sept 18 Review & Giveaway
Alchemyofscrawl Sept 18 Interview
MN Girl in LA Sept 19 Review
Black Hippie Chick Sept  20 Review
Black Hippie Chick Sept 21 Guest Post
Darlene’s Book Nook Sept 21 Guest Post and Giveaway
Thoughts of Joy Sept 26 Review
Succotash Reviews Sept 27 Review & Giveaway
Thoughts in Progress Sept 30 Review
Thoughts in Progress Sept 28 Guest Post
The Top Shelf Oct 1 Review
Dark Haven Maven Oct 1 Review
Dark Haven Maven Oct 2 Interview & Giveaway
Rhodes Review Oct 2 Review & Giveaway
I’d Rather Be Reading Oct 3 Review & Giveaway
Cheryl’s Book Nook Oct 3 Interview & Giveaway
Bloggin bout Books Oct  4 Review
Gina’s Library Oct 5 Review
Earth’s BookNook Oct  5 Feature
Moonlight Gleem Oct 5 Guest Post & Giveaway
Offbeat Vagabond Oct. 6 Review & Giveaway
Joy Story Oct 8 Reivew
Novel d’ Tales Oct 8 Review
The Wormhole Oct 9 Review
The Wormhole  Oct 10 Interview & Giveaway
Book Faery Reviews Oct 10 Review
Book Faery Reviews Oct 12 Guest Post & Giveaway
Books & More Books Oct 11 Review

This giveaway is for a PDF or Kindle copy of the book and is open internationally.  It ends on October 11th.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway




Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:30 AM 5 comments  

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Thursday, September 13, 2012

Giveaway: Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan by Robin Maxwell


Thanks to Babs  Chandrasoma of PR by the Book - Austin, I am giving away 3 copies of  Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan.

Book Description:

Cambridge, England, 1905. Jane Porter is hardly a typical woman of her time: the only female student in Cambridge University’s medical program, she is far more comfortable in a lab coat dissecting corpses than she is in a corset and gown sipping afternoon tea. A budding paleoanthropologist, Jane dreams of traveling the globe in search of fossils that will prove the evolutionary theories of her scientific hero, Charles Darwin. Little does she know she is about to develop from a well-bred, brilliantly educated Edwardian young woman to a fierce, vine-swinging huntress who meets and falls in love with Tarzan.

 And so begins JANE: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan (A Tor trade paperback; September 18, 2012; $14.99), the first retelling of Tarzan written by a woman and authorized by the Edgar Rice Burroughs Estate. This renowned love story of the ultimate strong female protagonist, by award-winning author and screenwriter Robin Maxwell, deftly entwines real people and events with archaeology and ancient civilizations based on Maxwell’s research into Darwinian evolutionary theory and the historical discoveries of paleoanthropologist Eugene Dubois.

 When dashing American explorer Ral Conrath invites Jane and her father to join an expedition deep into West Africa, she can hardly believe her luck. Africa is every bit as exotic and fascinating as she has always imagined, but Jane quickly learns that the lush jungle is full of secrets—and so is Ral Conrath. When danger strikes, Jane finds her hero, the key to humanity’s past, and an all-consuming love in one extraordinary man: Tarzan of the Apes.

About Robin Maxwell:

ROBIN MAXWELL is the national bestselling author of eight historical fiction novels featuring powerful women, including Signora da Vinci and the award-winning Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, now in its 24th printing. She lives in the high desert of California with her husband, yogi Max Thomas. Visit her online at www.robinmaxwell.com.

This giveaway ends on September 27, 2012 and is for Canada and the U.S.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 14 comments  

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Friday, September 7, 2012

Giveaway: THE KINGMAKER'S DAUGHTER by PHILIPPA GREGORY


Thanks to Kaitlyn McCrystal of Touchstone Publicity/Simon & Schuster, Inc, I am giving away 2 copies of The Kingmaker's Daughter.

Book Description:

At the York court of Edward IV and his beautiful queen, Elizabeth Woodville, young Anne is at first dazzled by the handsome royal family whose quest for the throne was bolstered by her father’s wealth and armies.  Yet intimacy and friendship quickly turn into something more sinister, as Warwick’s power is eclipsed by the queen’s ambition for her own grasping family.  Powerful offices and opportune marriages are granted to Woodville kin, and the king inflicts one final insult with his unexpected refusal to wed his brothers, George, Duke of Clarence, and Richard, Duke of Gloucester, to Anne and Isabel.  Anne grows ever more fearful and desperate when her father arranges a high stakes secret marriage and then wages war against his former allies.  Her will is at a breaking point when she is left widowed and fatherless, with her mother in sanctuary and Isabel married to the enemy. Anne manages her own escape by marrying Richard, Duke of Gloucester, but her choice will set her on a collision course with the overwhelming power of the royal family and place the lives of those she loves best in peril.

About Philippa Gregory:

PHILIPPA GREGORY is the author of several bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl.  She studied history at the University of Sussex and received a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh.  Visit her website at http://www.philippagregory.com/.   

This giveaway is for Canada and the U.S. and will end on September 21, 2012.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 18 comments  

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Monday, September 3, 2012

Giveaway & Tour: Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know by Jeff Johnson & Hy Conrad


Today is the start of a month long book tour of Things Your Dog Doesn't Want You to Know by Jeff Johnson & Hy Conrad.  To start things off, I am holding a month long giveaway of the book thanks to Jeff and Hy!  Be sure to follow the tour for extra entries for this giveaway and to enter in other giveaways of the book.  There will be lots of opportunities to win and it is going to be a very fun tour!!

Book Description:
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Category: Dogs, Essays, Fiction, Humor
Tour Dates: September, 2012
Available in Print and eBook, 232 Pages
Why do dogs eat furniture when there are endless chew toys nearby?
Why do they always dash to a rug when they have to throw up?
And why are they always absolutely starving?
Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Knowanswers the questions that dog owners have asked for centuries. The book is a collection of 115 humorous essays that reveal the truth behind some of the most baffling canine behavior, their hopes and dreams, their grudges and pleasures, and what they really think about us humans.  Peppered with lively, clever stories and visually appealing photographs, Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know is a verbal and visual delight that is laugh-out-loud funny.  

If you have dogs, love dogs, or have ever been baffled by a dog, this book is a must-have.

Topics include:
§  My Life in Your Purse by Tinkerbell, the Chihuahua
§  Waiting by the Table (for food scraps, of course!) by Orson, the bulldog
§  The Bed Rules (Rule #1—It’s my bed) by Dimples, the boxer
§  The Reason I Ate the Sofa (leather tastes a lot like rawhide) by Axelrod, the yellow lab
§  I  Can Poop the Second I Start My Walk (but choose not to) by Sophie, the cocker spaniel

Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo, Target, on e-books and at independent bookstores everywhere.  For more information, go to www.ThingsYourDog.com where you can also ask questions about your own dog’s behavior and learn the secrets they have been keeping from you!

PRAISE FOR THINGS YOUR DOG DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW:

“A whimsical delight for dog lovers everywhere, this book will charm and remind readers why they fell in love with Rover to begin with.” (Publishers Weekly Starred Review)

“I laughed, my dog howled.” (Steve Martin)

“This is the perfect book for anyone who owns a dog, has ever owned one, or knows what a dog is. These guys made me laugh out loud—and captured my heart at the same time. The book is simply irresistible.” (Tony Shalhoub, star of the TV series Monk)

“If you love dogs and enjoy humor, you’ll love Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know. I did. Dog lovers will go crazy with this book!!” (Kah Cherub, Not Just Nonsense)

“ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!  Overall, this fun read is perfect to leave on your coffee table and it is easy to pick up, read a few pages and then come back to it, sort of like your dogs attention span when food isn’t involved.” (Mary, BookHounds)

“We LOVE this book. Written by 11 dogs to their owners, each dog’s personality shines through on colorful, journal like pages. This is the perfect book for dog lovers of all ages. Even my kids have started asking me to read the book to them. A+ for a fun, beautifully crafted book.” (M. G. Gagliano “Maria”, Amazon Reviewer)

“This book was delightful to read because it was so accurate to the many breeds described. It would make a great gift for anyone considering a dog to help pick the breed. It was a funny, easy-to-read, laugh-out-loud book that dog owners will enjoy, yet dogs may have a cause of concern as now their secrets are out to us humans.” (Motivevotives, Amazon Reviewer)

About Hy Conrad:

Best known for his work in mysteries, Hy was one of the original writers for the groundbreaking series, Monk, working on the show for all eight seasons, the final two as Co-Executive Producer. In a related project, Hy was Executive Producer and head writer of Little Monk, a series of short films featuring Adrian Monk as a ten-year-old.  His latest TV work was as writer and Consulting Producer for White Collar.
Hy is also the author of hundreds of short stories and ten books of short whodunits, which have been sold around the world in fourteen languages.  Hy’s first mystery novel series, Abel Adventures, will debut in 2012 with the publication of Rally ‘Round the Corpse.  And his first full-length comedy/mystery play, Home Exchange, premiered at the Waterfront Playhouse in May 2012.  He lives in Key West with his partner and two miniature schnauzers. (www.hyconrad.com)
 About Jeff Johnson:

Jeff spent most of his working life in advertising agencies, currently as General Manager of Cramer-Krasselt in New York City.  He is the author of The Hourglass Solution:  A Boomer’s Guide to the Rest of Your Life and co-authors (with Paula Forman) a national online advice column called Short Answers, which also appears in newspapers all along the east coast (from Massachusetts to Florida).  Jeff lives in Vermont and Key West and is on the Board of Directors of the Waterfront Playhouse and the Florida Keys SPCA.
Tour Stops:
So Many Precious Books Sept 3 Feature & Giveaway
Colloquium  Sept 4 Review
Colloquium  Sept 5  Giveaway & Guest Post
Carol’s Notebook Sept 5 Review & Giveaway
The Bookworm Sept 5 Review & Giveaway
Bookvisions Sept 6 Review
I’d Rather Be at the Beach Sept 7 Review &Giveaway
Samthebookaholic  Sept 8 Review
Babs Book Bistro Sept. 8 Interview & Giveaway
Allison’s Book Bag Sept 8  Review
Pragmatic Mom Sept 9  Review
She Treads Softly Sept 10 Review
She Treads Softly Sept 11 Guest Post
Giveaway Lady Sept 11 Review & Giveaway
One A Day Y.A. Sept 12 Review
Books and Beyond Sept 13 Review
Books and Beyond Sept. 14 Interview & Giveaway
MN Girl in LA Sept 14 Review
VW Stitcher  Sept 15 Review
Luxury Reading Sept 16 Review
A Book Lover’s Library Sept 17 Review & Giveaway
Allison’s Book Bag Sept 17 Interview
Joy Story  Sept 18 Review & Giveaway
Brunette Librarian Sept 19 Review
Brunette Librarian Sept 20 Interview & Giveaway
Book Cover Justice Sept 20 Review & Giveaway
Colletta’s Kitchen Sink Sept 21 Review
A Patchwork of Books Sept 22 Review & Giveaway
Teacher Writer Sept 22 Guest Post & Giveaway
Teacher Writer Sept 23 Review
Sweeps4Bloggers Sept 24 Review & Giveaway
Turning the Pages Sept  25 Review
Turning the Pages Sept. 24 Guest Post
Toothy Books Sept 26 Review
Moonlight Gleam Sept 26 Guest Post & Giveaway
Library of Clean Reads Sept 27 Review
The Wormhole Sept 28 Review & Giveaway
4 the LOVE of BOOKS Sept 29 Review
4 the LOVE of BOOKS Sept 30 Guest Post & Giveaway

This giveaway ends on September 30, 2012 and is for the U.S. and Canada. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway




Posted by Teddy Rose at 7:00 AM 11 comments  

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The Zenner Trophy by Gore Vidal



I thought I would review another story from the short story collection Clouds and Eclipses, today.  

In the Zenner Trophy two students of a boys school, Sawyer and Flynn, are caught doing something.  Sawyer has run off without even packing up his belongings, while Flynn sticks around to hear what will happen. 

The Principal and Flynn's advisor, Mr. Beckman,  discuss the problem.  They need to expel him but there is a slight complication.  Flynn is the star athlete of the school and it was already announced that he would win the Zenner Trophy this year.  He was also supposed to be graduating in two weeks.  Nonetheless, it is decide he must not receive the trophy and will be expelled.

It is clear that Mr. Beckman has mixed feelings about it but he is given the unpleasant task to tell Flynn.

The entire time I was reading this story, I was wondering what actually happened between Sawyer and Flynn.  I guessed a couple scenarios but it was never made clear to me.  I finally had it confirmed when I read the back cover of the book.  Even though I couldn't confirm what had happened from reading the story, I really enjoyed the story and it was easy enough to guess.  It was a  well written in the sense of plot and characters.




Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:30 AM 3 comments  

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Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday now has it's very own blog, Mailbox Monday. It is also on tour and is being hosted by  BookNAround in August. 

 I didn't receive any books in the mail last week but I did feed my ereader:
Harper Perennial had an ebook sale a couple of weeks ago and I forgot to post these books before now.

What He's Poised to do by Ben Greenman
 Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin
The Ruins of Us by Keija Parssinen












I also got the following classics for free from various sources.

 North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
 South by 
 The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy
 In Morocco by Edith Wharton 










Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 6 comments  

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Saturday, September 1, 2012

September Reviews For the 2012 ARC Reading Challenge


In August, we collectively read and reviewed 42 ARC's for a total of 374 ARC's, so far in 2012!
Here are the standings so far:

Level Bronze (up to 12 Arcs):
Amodini 12
Beth 8
Tiffany 4

Working on Silver:
Jo-Jo 13 
Heather 17
Teddy 16

Silver (24 ARCS):
Book Loving Mommy 24

Working on Gold:
Kristi 27

Gold ( 30 ARCS):

Working on Platinum:

Platinum (35 ARCS):
Amber 68
Andrea 52
Nicola 114

If you don't see yourself in the standings above, it is because you didn't leave a comment telling me how many books you read so far. You need to do this at the end of each month.

Please post the books you read in September for the challenge in Mr. Linky, below:

If you forgot to post book in any previous months, please post them in Mr. Link below as well.

Please enter your name and the name of the book in this format: Name: (Your Name, Book Title and Author's Name) for example: (Teddy, Obsessive Reading by Helen Reader).




Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:50 PM 6 comments  

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September Reviews for the 2012 Books Won Reading Challenge

The standings so far: 

Honorable Mentions: Read 1-3 books won: 
Darlene 2
Teddy 2
Tiffany 1

Silver: Read 7-9 Books you won:

Gold: Read 10 or more books you won:
Freda 10- Challenge Completed!  Congratulations!

Reminder: If you don't see yourself in the standings above, it is because you didn't leave a comment telling me how many books you read so far in 2012. You need to do this at the end of each month in the comments.

Please post the books you read in September for the challenge in Mr. Linky, below:

If you forgot to post book in any previous months, please post them in Mr. Link below as well.

Please enter your name and the name of the book in this format: Name: (Your Name, Book Title and Author's Name) for example: (Teddy, Obsessive Reading by Helen Reader).




Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:40 PM 0 comments  

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