Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Giveaway: Lets Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson


Thanks to Jessica Butler of Berkley Books, I am giving away one print copy of Let's Pretend This Never Happened!

Book Description:

LET’S PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED (A Mostly True Memoir) is a hilarious account of her redneck childhood, anxious adolescence and ever-eventful life with her long-suffering husband and their daughter. Come along with Lawson as she tells about Jenkins, her menacing and reluctant pet turkey, about getting stuck in a cow’s vagina (and you thought your high school years were awkward), or working in HR (where she learned how to say “Is this your penis?” without giggling.)  Her arguments with husband Victor—sometimes in her head, occasionally via Post-Its—are priceless. And the stories of her engagement and wedding are topped only by her story of giving birth. 

 “There’s something wrong with Lawson – magnificently wrong.  I defy you to read her work and not hurt yourself laughing,” says NY Times best-selling author Jen Lancaster, and Let’s Pretend This Never Happened finds her at her irrepressible best.

About Jenny Lawson:

Jenny Lawson is a columnist and one of the most popular humor bloggers in America with over 200,000 followers. Her blog, www.thebloggess.com, gets millions of page views per month. Jenny lives in the Texas Hill Country with her husband and daughter.  You can also follow her on Twitter @thebloggess.

This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on March 26, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Saturday, March 9, 2013

Giveaway: The Crooked Branch by Jeanine Cummins

Thanks to Fiona Brown From Penguin, USA, I am giving away one copy of The Crooked Branch.

Book Description:

From the national bestselling and highly acclaimed author of The Outside Boy comes the deeply moving story of two mothers—witty, self-deprecating Majella, who is shocked by her entry into motherhood in modern-day New York, and her ancestor, tough and terrified Ginny Doyle, whose battles are more fundamental: she must keep her young family alive during Ireland’s Great Famine.

After the birth of her daughter Emma, the usually resilient Majella finds herself feeling isolated and exhausted. Then, at her childhood home in Queens, Majella discovers the diary of her maternal ancestor Ginny—and is shocked to read a story of murder in her family history.

With the famine upon her, Ginny Doyle fled from Ireland to America, but not all of her family made it. What happened during those harrowing years, and why does Ginny call herself a killer? Is Majella genetically fated to be a bad mother, despite the fierce tenderness she feels for her baby? Determined to uncover the truth of her heritage and her own identity, Majella sets out to explore Ginny’s past—and discovers surprising truths about her family and ultimately, herself.

About Jeanine Cummins:

Jeanine Cummins is the bestselling author of the groundbreaking memoir A RIP IN HEAVEN and award winning novel THE OUTSIDE BOY. She worked in the publishing industry for ten years before becoming a full-time writer. She was born in Spain , and has lived in California , Maryland , Belfast , and New York City , where she remains now with her Irish husband and growing family. THE CROOKED BRANCH is her second novel.

This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on March 23, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter. 
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Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:30 AM 15 comments  

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Friday, March 8, 2013

Giveaway Winners Galore

Thanks to everyone who entered the following giveaways! Winners, please reply to the email I sent you today within 48 hours to claim your books. After 2 days you will be disqualified and a new winner will be picked. Rafflecopter picks all winners using Random.org. 

Thanks again to Art Maines for making this giveaway possible!  
The winner is:
Linda K.








Thanks again to Benjamin Berkley for making this giveaway possible.

The winner is:
Angela H.







Thanks again to Kimberly Young for making this giveaway possible!

The winner is:
Julia H.







Thanks again to Benjamin Berkley for making this giveaway possible.
The winner is:
Anne S.







Thanks again to Gabriele Wills for making this giveaway possible.

The winner is:
Marjorie T.







Thanks again to Bobbie Pyron for making this giveaway possible.

The winner is:
Carrie







Thanks again to Kelley & Hall Book Publicity for making this giveaway possible.

The winner is:
Julia H.




Posted by Teddy Rose at 11:57 PM 4 comments  

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Giveaway: The Holder's Dominion by Genese Davis

Book Description:

After her father’s death on a mountain rescue mission, Kaylie Ames watched her family shatter. When Kaylie fled Tacoma for college in faraway Austin, she figured that even the worst campus drama would be a relief. But when her old friend Elliott turns up on his knees in the grocery store aisle, raving about something called a morphine, Kaylie feels compelled to enter Elliott’s unfamiliar world.

Guided by Elliott and his friends, Kaylie signs on to the massively popular online game Edannair. There she discovers a world of beautiful vistas and magical creatures, where people from all over the globe step into the roles of warriors on fantastical quests. But a real world evil threatens the players; the mysterious Holder, leader of the elite team known as Sarkmarr, is coercing his followers into traumatic offline dares known as “morphine assignments.” To save her friends, Kaylie must infiltrate Sarkmarr and survive the Holder’s tests. Will she find the courage there to keep her own family from falling apart?

Genese Davis has written a poetic and thrilling adventure story set in the world of online games. She explores the unpredictable and influential ways that video games affect our lives. The Holder’s Dominion is a book with a message of hope and support for anyone experiencing grief or who has been separated from family.

 About Genese Davis:

Genese Davis holds a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Austin. Davis is also the owner of The Gamer In You, an online movement offering new meaning to the word ‘gamer.’ She lives in Irvine, California. 

Thanks to Kelley & Hall Book Publicity, I am giving away one copy of  The Holder's Dominion.  Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on March 22, 2013.
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Thursday, March 7, 2013

Giveaway: A Place for Us by Liza Gyllenhaal

Book Description:

Brook and Michael Bostock abandoned their fast-paced lives in Manhattan after 9/11, trading in the city for the more relaxed atmosphere of Michael’s small hometown in western Massachusetts . Brook, the daughter of an extremely prominent and wealthy New York family, is able to continue operating her event planning business, while Michael is finally able to build his own business making high-end furniture. But their seemingly peaceful lives are turned upside down when a teenager is sexually assaulted at a party their son throws while they are away.

 The scandal receives national attention—not only because of Brook’s family name, but also because of the lawsuit looming against Brook and her husband, that alleges they are responsible for what happened that night. Suddenly, the small Massachusetts town they call home seems to turn against them, revealing the simmering jealousies and resentments that have been lurking under the surface all along.

 With their once-perfect family in danger of falling apart, Brook and Michael must find a way to get through this together—or risk losing everything they love.

About Liza Gyllenhall:

Author Liza Gyllenhaal spent many years in publishing and advertising. She founded her own advertising agency in the late 1980s, built it into a highly successful business, and then sold it a few years back to devote herself full-time to her first love: writing. A graduate of the University of Iowa Writing Workshop, she is a published poet, and former chairperson and current board member of The Academy of American Poets, which sponsors National Poetry Month. She and her husband divide their time between New York City and the Berkshires. Visit Liza at www.lizagyllenhaal.com.

Thanks to Jessica Butler of Berkley/NAL, Penguin Group USA, I am giving away one copy of A Place for Us.  Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on March 21, 2013.
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Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 14 comments  

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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Review & Giveaway: Where the Light Falls by Katherine Keenum

Book Description:

Inspired by actual events in author Katherine Keenum’s family history, this novel originated when she learned that her great-grandmother had been expelled from Vassar College for helping her roommate elope, and thereafter went to Paris to study art with Corolus-Duran. Coming across a Vassar catalogue for 1879, which contained proof of the dismissal, Keenum realized the depth of this story; so full of adventure, love, and scandal, that she began writing her own story which was to become WHERE THE LIGHT FALLS.

In WHERE THE LIGHT FALLS protagonist Jeanette Palmer gets kicked out of Vassar College in the winter of 1878 for the scandal of the century, her life is turned upside down. With her dreams of becoming an artist rapidly deteriorating, she decides to risk everything and move to Paris at the dawning of the Belle Époque, where her ignominious behavior is likely to be less damaging to her family’s reputation. Paris attracts artists from everywhere, including Jeanette, the daughter of a prominent Ohio family. Amid the city’s great bohemian neighborhoods and studios, Jeanette meets an American Civil War veteran named Edward Murer. As she beings to achieve artistic success, Jeanette’s relationship with Edward begins to flourish—but he is plagued by addiction and personal demons. Just as the world opens its arms to Jeanette, she finds herself torn between pursuing a burgeoning career and following her heart.

My Thoughts:

Over all, I really liked this book.  The characters are well written and the writing was like poetic prose and descriptive.  This is a fairly long book 480 pages.  I do happen to like chunky books as long as they need that to tell the entire story.  However, I felt this book could have done with some tighter editing.

I found Jeanette's longing to have a career versus a married home life to ring true for the time.  I'm not much into romance stories so the light romance between Jeanette and Edward was a good balance for me.  The only thing that didn't really work for me or perhaps was just too rushed was the ending and how Jeanette made her decision.  To be fair, it could just me.  It just seemed a bit to neat and tidy at the end. 

I loved the backdrop of 19th century Paris and the Belle Époque era .  It seemed well researched and authentic, the way I love historical fiction to be.  

This is Katherine Keenumfirst book and I hope it wont be the last.  I recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers.  Please not I am taking a bit off my score, mostly for the need for tighter editing.

3.5/5

About Katherine Keenum:

Katherine Keenum holds a Ph.D in Medieval Studies from the University of Texas . She is a former editor of the Publications Program for the Council on East Asian Studies at Harvard University and has also taught writing at Yale. She lives with her husband in Worcester , Massachusetts . WHERE THE LIGHT FALLS is her debut novel.  Visit her at http://www.katherinekeenum.com.

Thanks to Jessica Butler of Berkley/NAL, Penguin Group USA, I am giving away one copy of this book.  Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on March 20, 2013.
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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Giveaway: The Miracle at St. Bruno's (Daughters of England #1) by Philippa Carr

Thanks to Caroline Eisenmann of Open Road Integrated Media, I am giving away one ebook version of  The Miracle at St. Bruno's (Daughters of England #1) by Philippa Carr.

Book Description:

The first book in Philippa Carr’s celebrated Daughters of Englandseries is at once a love story, a mystery, and an epic historical saga set during the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII.

Damask Farland, named after a rose, is captivated by the mysterious orphan Bruno. Discovered upon the abbey altar on Christmas morning, then raised by monks, Bruno becomes the great man whom Damask grows to love—only to be shattered by his cruel betrayal. This dramatic coming-of-age novel is set in sixteenth-century England, during the chaotic years when Henry VIII stunned the royal court by setting his sights on Anne Boleyn. It’s also the tale of a man whom many believed to be a holy prophet . . . until a shocking truth is unearthed in the shadows of a centuries-old abbey.

About Philippa Carr:

Philippa Carr (1906–1993) was one of the twentieth century’s premier authors of historical fiction. She was born Eleanor Alice Burford, in London, England. Over the course of her career, she used eight pseudonyms, including Jean Plaidy and Victoria Holt—pen names that signaled a riveting combination of superlative suspense and the royal history of the Tudors and Plantagenets. Philippa Carr was Burford’s last pseudonym, created in 1972. The Miracle at St. Bruno’s, the first novel in Carr’s acclaimed Daughters of England series, was followed by nineteen additional books. Burford died at sea on January 18, 1993. At the time of her death, there were over one hundred million copies of her books in print, and her popularity continues today. 

This giveaway is open internationally and ends on March 19, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Monday, March 4, 2013

Review & Giveaway: Appearances and Other Short stories by Margo Krasne

Book Description:

Publisher: Wasteland Press, October 23, 2012
Category: Fiction- Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Relationships
Available in: Print & Ebook, 160 pages
In this debut collection, Krasne wields insightful irony and cathartic black humor to illuminate her themes of loss, yearning and survival, bringing to it a biting female perspective. An adept stylist with an ear for dialogue and an eye for personal foibles, Krasne cleverly captures the distinct voices of her characters as they strive to negotiate the subtle and not-so-subtle minefields of family obligation and personal conflict. She has a knack for getting inside her characters’ heads as they strive to keep up appearances. Readers will most surely recognize themselves, their friends and family members in all of these beautifully rendered stories.
My Thoughts:
I loved this book!  Most of the stories are linked so they read like a novella. Part of the reason I loved it so much is that I could personally relate to some of the characters in the linked stories.  They were about a Jewish family,  The Wallachs, living in New York.  I lived in a Jewish family in Minneapolis, often referred to as the "Mini Apple".  Some of the things the parents would say to their youngest daughter, Alice, my parents said to me. Alice is the narrator, so we see the family dynamics through her eyes.
Another reason I loved Appearances is for the poetic prose of Margo Krasne.  The characters leap off the page and invite you in.  It felt like I was Alice while I was reading.  She wanted to be heard and I heard her loud and clear. It was like riding an emotional rollercoaster. There is also a lot of black humor.  All of the stories are stories that will stay with me.  You don't have to be from a Jewish family to appreciate Appearances and Other Short Stories  I highly recommend this book to those who love literary fiction and family sagas.  It is a true gem!
5/5
About Margo Krasne:
Margo Krasne, born and raised in Manhattan, has always led two lives. As a radio advertising producer, she sculpted; as a sculptor, she was an extra in commercials, and for the past 24 years, as a communications coach and author of Say it with Confidence, she writes fiction whenever possible.
Thanks to Margo, other tour hosts and myself are giving away one print copy of the book.  Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. Only and ends on March 27, 2013
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Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Books Mar 4 Review & Giveaway
Love at First Book Mar 5 Review
Love at First Book Mar 6 Interview & Giveaway
Walk on Words Mar 7 Review
Walk on Words Mar 8 Interview & Giveaway
West Metro Mommy Mar 11 Review & Giveaway
She Treads Softly Mar 12 Review
Stephanie’s Book Shelf Mar 12 Review
Raging Bibliomanania Mar 13 Review
Sweeps for Bloggers Mar 15 Review & Giveaway
Reading for Sanity Mar 18 Review
Lost in Books  Mar 19 Interview & Giveaway
Saving for 6 Mar 20 Review & Giveaway
Joy Story Mar 21 Review
In This World of Books Mar 22 Review & Giveaway
Bookworm Brandee Mar 25 Review
Bookworm Brandee Mar 26 Interview & Giveaway

Buy Appearances and Other Short Stories at:


Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 6 comments  

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Saturday, March 2, 2013

Giveaway: The Next Time You See Me by Holly Goddard Jones

Thanks to Kaitlyn McCrystal of Touchstone Publicity: Simon & Schuster, Inc, I am giving away one copy of The Next Time You See Me by Holly Goddard Jones.

Book Description:

“The Next Time You See Me is an astoundingly good novel. Holly Goddard Jones writes with authority and a deep generosity about a large swath of humanity within a small town: Outsiders and insiders, middle-schoolers and the middle-aged, the violent and the violated, the lost and the found—and all those in between. The result is simply mesmerizing.”-Gillian Flynn

 Thirteen-year-old Emily Houchens doesn’t quite fit in.  She is more at home playing make-believe in the woods near her house in Roma, Kentucky, than with her classmates. When she happens upon a dead body hidden in the woods one day, she decides not to tell anyone about her discovery—a choice that begins to haunt her.  Susanna Mitchell has always been responsible.  She keeps a neat house, a respectable job, and is a dutiful wife and mother.  But when her hard-drinking unpredictable sister Ronnie goes missing, Susanna starts to question the value of her quiet life.

Connected in ways they cannot begin to imagine, Emily and Susanna’s stories converge with others like Tony Joyce, the failed baseball prodigy now detective in the town he tried so hard to get away from; and Wyatt Powell, a 55-year-old factory worker living alone with his dog Boss, tortured by a past he can’t change and a love he doesn’t think he deserves resulting in a violent climax that reveals not just the mystery of what happened to Ronnie but all of their secret selves.   

About Holly Goddard Jones:

Holly Goddard Jones is the author of the critically acclaimed short story collection Girl Trouble. Her work has appeared in The Best American Mystery Stories, New Stories from the South, Tin House magazine, and elsewhere.  She was a 2013 recipient of The Fellowship of Southern Writers’ Hillsdale Award for Excellence in Fiction and a 2007 recipient of a Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award.  She teaches in the creative writing program at UNC Greensboro and lives in Greensboro with her husband, Brandon, and two rowdy dogs.                                                                       

This giveaway is open to the U. S. and Canada ends on March 16, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Friday, March 1, 2013

Giveaway: A Plain Scandal by Amanda Flower

Thanks to Michelle Nelson of Shelton Interactive, I am giving away one print copy of A Plain Scandal by Amanda Flower.

Book Description:

A PLAIN SCANDAL follows computer specialist Chloe Humphrey into the heart of Ohio's Amish Country where the quiet Appleseed Creek community is under attack. An unknown assailant is cutting off the long hair of Amish women and the beards of Amish men. Chloe is alarmed over the crimes against the Amish and worries how the events will impact her close friends.

When she discovers an Amish man dead, Chloe decides to take matters into her own hands and find the culprit before someone else pays the ultimate price. As she seeks help from her friends who are more connected to the Amish way of life, together they attempt to restore Appleseed Creek to its natural peaceful state.

About Amanda Flower:

Amanda Flower is an Agatha Award-nominated mystery author who started her writing career in elementary school. She knew in sixth grade that she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. Her debut mystery, Maid of Murder (2010), was an Agatha Award Nominee for Best First Novel. When she can, Flower thoroughly enjoys traveling, having been to places such as Slovakia, Ireland, Israel and Great Britain. Amanda is currently an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland. For more information, please visit www.amandaflower.com.

This giveaway is open internationally and ends on March 15, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 11 comments  

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