Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Tour & Giveaway: Deep Connections by Rebecca Graf


Thanks to the author, Rebecca Graf, I am giving away one copy of Deep Connections.

Book Description:

Publisher: Silver Tongue Press, August 23, 2012
Category: Paranormal/Suspense/Romance
Tour Dates: January, 2013
Available in: Print, PDF, and Kindle , 298 pages
Deep Connections is the story of a woman who finds herself caught in a love-triangle with a stalker closing in on her. Brenna sees herself just as a high school English teacher. Slaton sees her as his soulmate. Eaton sees her as a serious girlfriend. To someone in the shadows, she is the fulfillment of a prophecy. Through her, he will exact his revenge. Through her, he will conquer those around him. Someone has to die in order for him to have her. Brenna has to make a decision that will forever change of life and that of everyone around her.
Praise for Deep Connections:

” Deep Connections is a riveting romantic suspense thriller that will captivate you from the beginning and hold you captive until the end. If you like a scary novel with a twist of paranormal and romance in the mix, then this is the book for you. This is the first book in a series, and the end will leave you hanging and wanting more, only to make you wait for it to be continued in the next book of the series, Dark Connections.”- Kathleen Higgins-Anderson, Jersey Girl Book Reviews

” Deep Connection is a unique thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. Who is stalking Brenna and why? As the layers of mystery unfold, you will be pulled into the twists and turns Ms. Graf has so wonderfully written. Wrapped around the mystery is a love triangle between Brenna, the cute sheriff’s deputy and the handsome Native American lawyer. Who will win her heart and save her from the evil stalking her? Read the book and find out. I had a hard time putting this one down. I am waiting for the sequel as I am sure it will also be a fantastic read.”- Marianne Spitzer, Goodreads.com Reviewer

” This is not a story to read by yourself at night, in a dark and quiet house. Believe me, I tried it, and I actually got a little nervous. It has a good amount of suspense and scariness, and I just couldn’t put it down. I had to know what happened. “-Monica, The Readathon

” This was one of those books that I read in 2 days when I could steal time away from life. And when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about when I’d be able to get back to reading it.  The biggest disappointment, however, comes at the VERY end: When I discovered the story will continue in “Dark Connections” and that I have to wait for it to be released Winter 2013-2013! I want it NOW!”-L. Ocko, Amazon.com Reviewer

About Rebecca Graf:

Rebecca Graf is a wife and mother of three when she is not writing. From writing online for various companies to book reviews to her own novels, Rebecca spends most of her days reading and writing.
She worked as an accountant for 20 years before taking a chance and trying to make it as a writer. She has been published on sites such as BellaOnline.com, HubPages, and Natural Family Today. She also freelances where she writes for several different companies.
She is an avid reader and has found a love of writing all types of genres. She self-published her first children’s book, A Gift for a Mouse two years ago. Since then, she has started her own publishing company with a friend. Deep Connections is their first publication.
Website: www.rebeccagraf.com
Twitter: @rebeccagraf
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RebbecaGraf

This giveaway is open internationally.  Winner from the U.S. and Canada has the choice of print, Kindle, or PDF.  International winner has the choice of Kindle or PDF.  Please Use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Follow the Tour:
So Many Precious Books  Jan 8 Feature & Giveaway
Talk Supe Jan 7 Review
Lovey Dovey Books Jan 8 Review
Lovey Dovey Books  Jan 9 Guest Post
Celtic Lady Jan 10 Review
Heck of a Bunch Jan  11 Review & Giveaway
Book Lover Stop Jan 14 Review
Books à la Mode Jan 15 Spotlight & Giveaway
Paperback Pursuer  Jan 15 Guest Post
Swept Away by Romance Jan 16 Review
Rainy Day Reviews Jan 16 Guest Post : Spotlight & Excerpt
Sweet Southern Home Jan 21 Review
Every Free Chance Jan 22 Review
Every Free Chance Jan 23 Guest Post & Giveaway
The Top Shelf Jan 24 Review
My Guilty Obsession  Jan 24 Review
My Guilty Obsession Jan 28 Guest Post
Wolf Majick Jan 28 Review
Sweeps4Bloggers Jan 29 Review & Giveaway
Em Sun Jan 30 Review
Every Day Is An Adventure  Jan 31 Interview
Over a Cuppa Coffee Jan 31 Review & Giveaway
Peaceful Wishing Feb1 Review
Angels are Kids & Furkids Feb 4 Review
Angels are Kids & Furkids Feb 5 Guest Post
MN Girl in LA Feb 5 Review & Giveaway
Melissa’s Midnight Musings Feb 6 Review
Melissa’s Midnight Musings  Feb 6 Interview
Rainy Days & Mondays Feb 6 Review
Rainy Days & Mondays  Feb 7 Guest Post
VW Stitcher  Feb 8 Review & Giveaway
Acting Balanced Feb 11 Guest Post
Musings of an Addicted Reader Feb 12 Review
Just Another Rabid Reader Feb 13 Review
Just Another Rabid Reader Feb 14 Guest Post & Giveaway




Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 7 comments  

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Monday, January 7, 2013

Book Tour and Giveaway, with Guest Post: Khanh Ha


Please give a warm welcome to my guest today, Khanh, author of Flesh.

The Great American Novel

Today I read a fellow author’s post on this subject. She wondered if the desire to write ‘The Great American Novel’ has been superseded by the desire to write the next million-dollar bestseller. She asked, ‘Is Anyone Really Writing the Great American Novel?’

What makes a novel great? Frankly, a novel can be set in any locale, real, or imaginary like the Yoknapatawpha County from which William Faulkner created his fictional worlds. Even more frankly, to be great a novel has to be literary. I never know any great novels in the genre of Sci-Fi, Romance, YA, or that sort. Do you? Why literary? 

Because literary fiction deals with characterization more deeply, more intensely. Not to mention the power of its descriptions of moods, scenes, and human characterization. Don’t yawn! Read The Sound and The Fury, especially the first two chapters on Benjy and Quentin, where human minds verging on insanity were skillfully wrought to the point of surrealism. Read Paris Trout by Pete Dexter. I don’t know about you but I felt a tingling in my spine just following this Trout character around. If you’re taken over by such a villain in a novel, like Trout, or Lester Ballard in Cormac McCarthy’s Child of God, then that novel must be literary.

But I don’t think any writer would intend to write ‘The Great American Novel’ when he conceives the thought of writing. Any writer who says ‘I want to write the great such and such novel’ is illusionary. A novel that can successfully examine human flaws and humiliation and racial bigotry usually transcends any locale it’s set in and becomes a global recognition in the literary world. It could be set in Pago-Pago as in Rain by W. Somerset Maugham, or in a small Cajun community in Louisiana as in A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines, but these works rise above their locales to become classics.
But don’t concern yourself with such a lofty ambition to write ‘The Great American Novel.’ Every day when you sit down to write, try to stay true to yourself.

Also keep this verity in mind: ‘Most live writers do not exist. Their fame is created by critics who always need a genius of the season, someone they understand completely and feel safe in praising, but when these fabricated geniuses are dead they will not exist.’— Ernest Hemingway

And if you still obsess about writing a classic, be merciless on yourself as if you have just been told by a demon: ‘I have to write to be happy whether I get paid for it or not. But it is a hell of a disease to be born with. I like to do it. Which is even worse. That makes it from a disease into a vice. Then I want to do it better than anybody has ever done it which makes it into an obsession. An obsession is terrible. Hope you haven’t got any. That’s the only one I’ve got left.’ — Ernest Hemingway

So, do I want to write ‘The Great American Novel?’ No. Just write!

Thanks Khanh! Please be sure to read my review of Flesh, also posted today!

 About Khanh Ha:

 Khanh Ha was born in Hue, the former capital of Vietnam.  During his teen years he began writing short stories which won him several awards in the Vietnamese adolescent magazines.  He graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism.  He is at work on a new novel.

 Now for the giveaway!  Khanh has agreed to offer one lucky winner a print copy of his book.  This giveaway is open to Canada and the U.S. and will end on February 7, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

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Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Books Jan 7 Interview & Giveaway
Eclectic Books & Movies  Jan 8 Review
Eclectic Books & Movies  Jan 9 Interview
She Treads Softly  Jan 10 Review
Book Lover Stop  Jan 11 Guest Post & Giveaway
Broken Teepee Jan 14 Review
MK McClintock  Jan 15 Interview
Joy Story  Jan 16 Review
From L.A. to LA  Jan 17 Review
Books à la Mode Jan 17 Guest Post & Giveaway
A Book Lover’s Library Jan 22 Review
A Book Lover’s Library Jan 23 Interview & Giveaway
Relentless Reader  Jan 23 Review
Joy Story Jan 25 Guest Post
The Wormhole  Jan 25 Interview
Sweeps 4 Bloggers  Jan 25 Review & Giveaway
Ordinary Girlz Reviews  Jan 28 Review & Giveaway
Cuzinlogic Jan 29 Interview & Giveaway
Belle of the Literati Jan 30 Review
Overflowing Bookshelves  Feb 1  Review
Overflowing Bookshelves   Feb 4 Interview
Gina’s Library  Feb 4 Spotlight/Giveaway
Crossroads  Feb 5 Review
Broken Teepee  Feb 5 Guest post & Giveaway
So Many Precious Books   Feb 6 Review
Book Bird Dog  Feb 6 Guest Post

Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:30 AM 5 comments  

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Review: Flesh by Khanh Ha


Book Description (From book jacket):

Publisher: Black Heron Press, June 15, 2012
Category: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
Tour Dates: January, 2013
Available in: Print Only , 368 pages
Set in Tonkin (now northern Vietnam) at the turn of the 20th century, Flesh tells the story of a boy who witnesses the execution, by beheading, of his father, a notorious bandit, and sets out to recover his father’s head, and then find the man who betrayed his father to the authorities. A coming-of-age story of brutal self-awakening and also a tender love story, Flesh takes the reader into places, both dark and wonderful, in the human condition where allies are not always your friends, true love hurts, and your worst enemy can bring you the most solace.

Khanh Ha writes of the physical world with such sensuousness that he will make the reader’s heart ache. At the same time, though Flesh is his first novel, his knowledge of the human psyche is that of a fully mature writer. The title refers to temptation—the temptation of the flesh. But it refers equally to the obligations of kinship, the connections between us and those to whom we are related, even if we would choose not to be.

My Review:

Flesh is not just a great book, it is a masterpiece!  The characters spring to life on the very first page and stay with you way after reading the very last page. Both the characters and landscape are unforgettable!  I completely forgot that I live in 2013 Canada.

Ha writes with such poetic prose that it is sensuous, as the book jacket says.  There are secrets to be drawn out that the reader does not suspect.  They make perfect sense and explain a lot.  They also add even more value to the story.

I highly recommend this book for either historical fiction lovers or literary fiction lovers.  This literary work deserves a prize!

5/5

Be sure to check out the guest post today by Khanh Ha and enter to win this masterpiece!



Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 5 comments  

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Sunday, January 6, 2013

On Tour & Giveaway: Rally Round the Corpse by Hy Conrad


Thanks to the author, Hy Conrd, I am giving away one copy of Rally Round the Corpse.

Book Description:

Publisher: Seven Realms Publishing, May 29, 2012
Category: Mystery
Tour Dates: January, 2013
Available in: Print, Kindle, Nook, Sony ereader, & iTunes, 348 pages
“Abel Adventures” is a brand new mystery series, penned by Hy Conrad, writer and producer of the landmark TV show “Monk.”
In the series debut, “Rally ‘Round the Corpse,” we meet Amy Abel, two years after the death of her fiancé.
Amy needs a fresh start.  And what better way for a shy, risk-averse woman to start over than to sink her savings into a travel agency specializing in adventure.  Her first project?  A mystery road rally through the European countryside.
At the starting line in Monte Carlo, Amy finds herself attracted to Marcus Alvarez, the most mysterious of her two dozen game-loving clients.  But the rally gets off to a rocky start when an eccentric writer, the only person who knows the game’s solution, is himself murdered back in New York.
Weird accidents begin happening along the route and Amy discovers that this fictional mystery was based on a real, unsolved case, one that Marcus knows too much about.  Now she has no choice but to join forces with Fanny, her domineering mother, before the killer strikes again.
About Hy Conrad:

Best known for his work in mysteries, Hy was one of the original writers for the groundbreaking series,Monk.  He worked on the show for all eight seasons, the final two as Co-Executive Producer, and received three Edgar Nominations from the Mystery Writers of America for “Best TV Episode.”

 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 forWhite 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 full-length comedy/mystery play, Home Exchange, premiered at the Waterfront Playhouse in Key West in May 2012.  And, in a different vein, he recently authored a humor book calledThings Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know.
Hy splits his time among Key West, Vermont and New York City.
Author Website: http://www.hyconrad.com/

This giveaway is open internationally. The winner will have the choice of print or ebook if in the U.S. or Canada and ebook only for an international winner.
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Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Books  Jan 6 Giveaway & Feature
Minding Spot  Jan 7 Review
Book Lover Stop  Jan 8 Review & Giveaway
Thoughts in Progress Jan 9 Review
Thoughts in Progress Jan 10 Giveaway & Interview
Book Dilettante  Jan  11 Review
Tabula Rasa Jan 11 Review
Tabula Rasa  Jan 12 Interview
Sweeps4Bloggers Jan 12 Review & Giveaway
The Bookworm  Jan 13 Review
Book Lover’s Library Jan 14 Review
Book Lover’s Library  Jan 14 Guest Post & Giveaway
Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks Jan 15 Review
Celtic Lady Jan 16 Review
Book Angels Jan 17 Review
Book Angels Jan 18 Guest Post $ Giveaway
Ann’s Reading Corner   Jan 19 Review
Booksie’s Blog Jan 20 Review
Socrates Book Reviews Jan  21 Review
Socrates Book Reviews Jan 21 Guest Post & Giveaway
How Mysterious Jan 22 Review
Library of  Clean Reads Jan 23 Review & Giveaway
Turning the Pages Jan 25 Review
Turning the Pages  Jan 25 Interview
Bookvisions  Jan 26 Review
I’d Rather Be Reading  Jan 27 Review & Giveway
Paperback Pursuer  Jan 28 Review
Writing Daze  Jan 29 Guest Post
Back To Books Jan 29 Review & Giveaway
Heck of a Bunch Jan 30 Review & Giveaway
Books à la Mode  Jan 31Guest Post & Giveaway
Review Room Feb 1 Review
Freda’s Voice Feb 2 Review & Giveaway
Man of LaBook Feb 3 Review
Man of LaBook  Feb 4 Interview & Giveaway
Melissa’s Midnight Musings  Feb 5 Review &  Giveaway
Peaceful Wishing  Feb 6 Review
Peaceful Wishing  Feb 7 Guest Post & Giveaway
Dark Haven Maven  Feb 8 Review
Butterfly-o-Meter Books  Feb 9 Guest Post & Spotlight
MN Girl in LA Feb 11 Review
MN Girl in LA  Feb 12 Interview & Giveaway
Bea’s Book Nook   Feb 12 Review
Romancing the Book Feb 13 Review
Romancing the Book  Feb 14 Guest Post & Giveaway





Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 13 comments  

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Thursday, January 3, 2013

Giveaway: THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME by Allison Winn Scotch




Thanks to Jessica Butler, Associate Publicist/Berkley/NAL I am giving away one print copy of The Song Remains the Same.

Book Description:

A Library Journal  Selection for Best Women's Fiction of 2012

One of only two survivors of a plane crash, Nell Slattery wakes in the hospital with no memory of the horrific experience-or who she is, or was. Now she must piece together both body and mind, with the help of family and friends, who have their own agendas. She filters through photos, art, music, and stories, hoping something will jog her memory, and soon, in tiny bits and pieces, Nell starts remembering. . . .
It isn't long before she learns to question the stories presented by her mother, her sister and business partner, and her husband. In the end, she will discover that forgiving betrayals small and large will be the only true path to healing herself-and to finding happiness.

About Allison Winn Scotch:

Allison Winn Scotch is the bestselling author of Time of My Life. A former freelance magazine writer, she has written for Glamour, Parents, and Men’s Health, and has a robust online presence with more than 15,000 Twitter followers. She lives in New York City and is currently at work on several screenplay projects, as well as her next book. 

Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on January 17, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 10 comments  

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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Giveawawy & Review: Bruce by Peter Ames Carlin


One of my New Year's resolutions is to catch up on writing and posting my book reviews.  My reading speed has increased so much this year that I can't seem to keep up with reviewing all of the books I have read.  However, this book review is right on time.  I thought it would be fun to welcome 2013 with a review and giveaway of epic proportions.  So, here it is..

About Bruce by Peter Ames Carlin (description from GoodReads.com):

This sweeping biography of Bruce Springsteen is the first in 25 years to be written with the cooperation of Springsteen himself. With unfettered access to the artist, his family, band members and longtime manager/producer Jon Landau, acclaimed music writer and critic Peter Ames Carlin presents an intimate and vivid portrait.

My Review:

Wow, were to start.  First I must say that I am a huge Bruce Springsteen fan!  When Kaitlyn McCrystal of Touchstone Publicity/Simon & Schuster, Inc asked me if I wanted to review this title I jumped!  That said, as with other biographies I have read of people I adore, there was a thread of disappointment.  I find out the person I idolize is actually human and has faults, just like the rest of us.  Okay, so I knew Bruce was human but I guess I don't look for faults in those I love.

Told in mostly chronological order, Peter Ames Carlin starts with Bruce's childhood in working class New Jersey.  His father was an alcoholic and not there through much of his childhood.  It was tough but he grew up and knew he wanted to write and perform music. Carlin goes through Bruce's road stardom, which was quite rough to begin.

As I read this biography, there were moments where I felt that I was there, experiencing what Bruce experienced.  Then there were times I felt I was reading a biography.  Both good things, IMO.  I couldn't put this book down and finished it in two days. 

I found Bruce a riveting read and highly recommend it!

4.5/5

Now for So Many Precious Books first giveaway of 2013! 

Thanks to Kaitlyn McCrystal of Touchstone Publicity/Simon & Schuster, I am giving away one print copy of Bruce by Peter Ames Carlin!  This giveaway is open to Canada and the U.S, and ends on January 17, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 13 comments  

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Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2013 ARC Reading Challenge


This is the original ARC Challenge That I created in 2010,I hope all of you ARC Readers will join me again in 2013 for the ARC Reading Challenge.  I welcome old and new participants.  I don't know about you, but my ARC pile is way too big. 

Note:  I use the term "ARC" loosely, any book a publisher or author gives you with the expectation that you review it, counts for this challenge.
The Levels

Level Bronze: .a. All of us who have or will have less than 12 ARCS must read all of the ARCS we have. Note, that if you have 11 ARC's and then receive a 12th one you will be bumped up to category b.

b. All of us who have or will have 12 or more than 12 ARCS  must read and review at least 12.

Level Silver: Read 24 ARCS

Level Gold: Read 30 ARCS

Level Platinum: Read 35 or more ARCS
Rules:
To sign up, leave a direct link to your blog post about this challenge.  Please leave a comment as well.
  
  • You Can join this challenge at anytime throughout the year. 
  • You don't have to make a list of which ARC's you plan to read, but you can if you want.
  • If you choose a lower level, you can always change it to a higher level if you like.  However, you cannot go from a higher level back down to a lower level.
  • Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and Audio-books and ebooks are allowed as long as they are ARC's.
  • Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don't have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Powells, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. 
  • Please subscribe to my blog, as I will be doing a monthly post with MR Linky.  Please add your reviews for each month in MR Linky in the monthly post.  For your Name, please use this format Name: (Your Name, Book Title and Author's Name) for example: (Teddy, Obsessive Reading by Helen Reader).  Please be sure to use the direct link to your review, not just to your blog.  Then please leave a comment. 
  •  HAVE FUN!



Posted by Teddy Rose at 11:25 PM 14 comments  

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Friday, December 21, 2012

Giveaway: Culp Innata by B. BARMANBEK

Thanks to +Babs Chandrasoma of PR by the Book, I am giving away one copy of Culp Innata.

Book Description:

Following a decisive Global Economic Collapse, a mighty "World Union" emerges, where only the smartest, healthiest and wealthiest are deemed worthy to live. Here, everybody uses advanced electronic communications that are rumored to numb the user's feelings. As Phoenix Wallis – who has just been hired as a peacekeeping agent for the World Union – discovers, these devices do far more than destroy personal relationships: placed into the wrong hands, they draw a very fine line between what is real … and what is not.

About B. Barmanbek:

B. BARMANBEK is creator, writer, and producer of Culpa Innata, a video game released in 2007 and hailed as the “adventure game of the decade” by reviewers. He is also the co-founder and chairman of Momentum, the company that developed the game. An electric & electronics engineer and an MBA graduate of Wright State University, Barmanbek is currently working on a sequel book to Culpa Innata, titled Chaos Rising. To learn more, visit culpainnata.com.

This giveaway is open to Canada and the U.S. and ends on January 4th.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 5 comments  

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