So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Giveaway: THE AGE OF ICE by J.M. Sidorova

Thanks to Mel Grover-Schwartz of Scribner Publicity, I am giving away one print copy of The Age of Ice.

Book Description:

An epic, debut novel spanning more than two centuries, THE AGE OF ICE follows the quest of a lovelorn, 18^th century Russian noble cursed with longevity while he navigates the chilling world of a changing Russian aristocracy.

Steeped in Russian history, THE AGE OF ICE has already been praised by authors as “mesmerizing,” and “everything you could want in a novel” (NYT-Bestselling Author Tea Obreht;Author Karen Joy Fowler), and owes clear debt to the Russian masters in its luminous prose and sweeping exploration of romance, warfare, science, and history.

About J.M. Sidorova:

J.M. Sidorova was born in Moscow when it was the capital of the USSR, to the family of an official of the Ministry of Foreign Trade. She attended Moscow State University and the graduate school of the Russian Academy of Sciences. She moved to Seattle, Washington, in 1990 and works as a research professor at the University of Washington, where she studies cellular biology of aging and carcinogenesis.

Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on August 6, 2013. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

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Labels: My Past Giveaways

Monday, July 15, 2013

Giveaway: THE KNIGHTMARE by Deborah Valentine

Thanks to the author, Deborah Valentine I am giving away one ebook copy of The Knightmare.

Book Description:

When Scottish Formula 1 driver Conor Westfield is injured in a racing accident, could it be mere coincidence that as he recovers from his injuries his childhood nightmare recurs — a strange jumble of terrifying images that feel more like memories than dreams? Or that he is soon informed a mysterious woman with whom he had very brief affair has died and left him as her heir? But this was no ordinary woman and no ordinary affair.

Dogged by a niggling feeling of déjà vu, Conor reluctantly travels to Amsterdam to identify the body. At her home he finds an illuminated book that transports him back in time to a past life as a Knight Templar where he rediscovers the woman he left behind and a life lived in the shadow of a tragedy that cries out across 800 years for resolution.

About Deborah Valentine:

Deborah Valentine is a British author, editor and screenwriter who once lived in California but far preferred the British weather and fled to London, where she has resided for many years. She is the author of three books published by Victor Gollancz Ltd in the UK, and Bantam and Avon in the US. Unorthodox Methods was the first in the series, followed by A Collector of Photographs and the Ireland-based Fine Distinctions.

A Collector of Photographs was short-listed for an Edgar Allan Poe, a Shamus, a Macavity and an Anthony Boucher award. Fine Distinctions was also short-listed for an Edgar. They are soon to be available as eBooks on the Orion imprint The Murder Room.

With the publication of The Knightmare she has embarked on a new series of books with a supernatural edge. For more visit her website

http://www.deborahvalentine.co.uk/ or The Knightmare Facebook page. She is a Goodreads author.

This giveaway is open internationally and ends on July 29, 2013. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

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Labels: My Past Giveaways

Friday, July 12, 2013

Giveaway: GODIVA by Nicole Galland

Thanks to Kaitlyn Kennedy of HarperCollins Publishers, I am giving away two copies of Godiva.

Book Description:

Everyone knows the legend of Lady Godiva-the woman who (in)famously rode naked on horseback through Coventry to relieve her people from unfair taxation. But why would a lady of the court take it all off and risk everything, including husband, home, and well-being?

In this richly imagined retelling of an oft-told ancient tale, Nicole Galland gives us Lady Godiva in all her, um, glory, as she and her best friend (the Abbess Egdiva) and husband (Leofric, Earl of Mercia) embark on an adventure filled with courtly intrigue, deceit, back-stabbing, and romance.

About Nicole Galland:

Nicole Galland is the author of four previous novels: The Fool’s Tale, Revenge of the Rose, Crossed: A Tale of the Fourth Crusade, and I, Iago. She is also a coauthor of the three-volume epic The Mongoliad.

After growing up on Martha’s Vineyard and graduating with honors from Harvard, she divided most of the next 16 years between California and New York City before returning to the Vineyard to stay. During those 16 years she variously made her living in theatre, screenwriting, magazine publishing, grad-schooling, teaching, temping, and random other enterprises. She is the co-founder of Shakespeare for the Masses, a project that irreverently makes the Bard accessible to the Bardophobics of the world. She is married to actor Billy Meleady.

To learn more, please visit Nicole’s website at www.nicolegalland.com

Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on July 26, 2013. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Thursday, July 11, 2013

Giveaway: Sweet Nothings by Janis Thomas

Thanks to Caitlin Valenziano of Berkley/NAL, Penguin Group USA, I am giveaway one copy of Sweet Nothings.

Book Description:

Life’s sweetest moments happen when you least expect them . . .

When Ruby McMillan’s husband announces one morning that he’s dumping her for another woman, she’s unable to decide which indignity stings the most: the dissolution of their eighteen-year marriage or the deflation of her white-chocolate soufflé with raspberry Grand Marnier sauce. Without a good-bye to their two teenaged children, Walter leaves Ruby to cope with her ruined dessert, an unpaid mortgage, and her failing bakery.

With only royal icing holding her together, Ruby still manages to pick herself up and move on, subsidizing her income with an extra job as a baking instructor, getting a "my-husband’s-gone” makeover, and even flirting with her gorgeous mortgage broker, Jacob Salt. For as long as she can remember, Ruby has done what’s practical, eschewing far-fetched dreams and true love in favor of stability. But suddenly single again at the age of forty-four, she’s beginning to discover that life is most delicious when you stop following a recipe and just live.

About Janis Thomas:

Photo Credit: Lenard Thomas

Janis Thomas lives in Orange County with her husband, their two children, and their dog Ruby. Janis has written over fifty songs, two children’s books, and is an avid baker. She is also the author of Something New. She can be found online at janisthomas.com

Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on July 25, 2013. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Book Tour/Spotlight: Arce by George Johnson

Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Publication Date: April 7, 2103
Genre: Historical fiction

In Acre, George Johnson takes readers back to a nostalgic time in America's history.

Remember When Baseball Really Was America's Past Time?

Acre Thomas Tulley proved to be a product of his time. In the late forties and early fifties, back before laptops and computer games, he was outside more than indoors. He spent hours on the railroad tracks hitting cinders with a stick. Afternoons were meant for swinging at corn cobs or having cob battles between the barn loft and the cow pound with his friends. Acre, George Johnson's debut novel, is about a boy from the heartland of America, who grows up to become baseball legend. It is a story that takes readers back to a time when family was everything, contracts were sealed with a handshake, and a man was as good as his word.

From swinging sticks at cinders, Acre grew up to hit baseballs with his bat. From the beginning, Acre Thomas Tulley set his goals high. He was still a teenager when he accomplished feats in major league baseball never achieved by any other player in the history of the game.

Keeping to his good family roots, Acre never forgot a promise he made early in his career. But now, after achieving a legacy that will remain a benchmark for many years to come, will Acre Thomas Tulley walk away to keep that promise? Can he?
About the Author

George Johnson is a retired elementary school teacher from Prince George's County, Maryland.

He thought about Acre for two years before he finally put it in writing.Then, it took him three years, off and on, to complete it and put it in print. Being a late starter, the author completed his second book of fiction calledTimber. Acre and Timber are brother and sister. Timber took him two years to complete.

At the present time, he is compiling a collection of short stories he has composed over the years. George Johnson lives in Hagerstown, Maryland with Sharon, his wife of fifty-four years.

Head on over to Celestial Book Promotions for a chance to win the ebook, here: http://www.celestialbookpromotions.com/3/post/2013/06/acre-book-tour-june-21-july-21.html
Follow the Tour:

June 21 - Celestial Book Promotions
June 21 - paperthoughts (Guest Post)
June 22 - Cassandra M's Place (Review)
June 24 - Kelsey's Book Corner (Guest Post)
June 26 - readalot blog (Book Review)
June 28 - Ali's Books (Guest Post)
June 29 - Iread (Book Review)
July 5 - 2 bibliophiles guide (Review and Interview)
July 10 - Too Many Precious Books, Too Little Time (Feature)
July 18 - deal sharing aunt (Book Review and Interview)
July 19 - A Book Lover's Library (Feature)
July 21 - Fay Moore: I want To Be a Writer (Guest Post)

Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 1 comments

Labels: Book Tours

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Giveaway: The Great Divide by Janet Goss

Thanks to Caitlin Valenziano of Berkley/NAL, Penguin Group USA, I am giveaway one copy of The Great Divide.

Book Description:

Can One Summer Change Your Life Forever?

For the past ten years, Vera Van Loon has been beating the city heat at her friend’s idyllic lakeside guest cabin. There, she’s Aunt Loony to Kit Garrett’s teenagers, a kayaker instead of a straphanger—and a million miles away from the complications of real” life in Manhattan.

If only she didn’t have to alternate weekends with one of the Garretts’ relatives, everything would be perfect—until she discovers the truth: Uncle” Cyrus is hardly the man she thought he was. He’s just her type, wildly appealing—and a worthy Scrabble opponent. All of a sudden, everything is perfect…until Labor Day. Because Cyrus prefers the rural life, and Vera could never give up New York.

Back in town, a chance encounter with a seductive local convinces her she’s where she belongs—but Cyrus has other ideas. With choices, and crises, coming from all directions, it’s time for Vera to make a life-or-life decision that will be anything but a day at the beach.

About Janet Gross:

Janet Goss is the author of Perfect on Paper (NAL, 2012). A long-term resident of Greenwich Village, she lives with her husband, Edgar, and a succession of massive orange-and-white felines.

Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on July 23, 2013. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

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Labels: My Past Giveaways

Monday, July 8, 2013

Review and Giveaway: The Story of Sassy Sweetwater by Vera Jane Cook

When I read the description of The Story of Sassy Sweetwater, I knew I had to read it! I love southern fiction, especially when it takes place during the critical civil rights movement.

Book Description:

Publisher: Musa Publishing (January 20, 2012)
Category: Southern fiction, Contemporary fiction, Women’s Fiction
Tour Date: July, 2013
Available in: eBook, 289 Pages

Finalist for the ForeWord Book of the Year Awards for 2012! Won the Eric Hoffer Award for Sassy Sweetwater for 2013 – Honorable Mention Best ebook Fiction!

After thirteen years on the run Violet McLaughlin returns to Carter’s Crossing, South Carolina, in 1962, with her young daughter, Sassy. The Crossing is right outside of Beaufort and the turmoil of the Civil Rights movement will forever leave its scars on the young and impressionable girl. As Sassy stands before the imposing white farmhouse for the first time, with no knowledge of her history but that the McLaughlin’s are her kin, Sassy begins a journey that will tear her apart before it heals her. Growing up among secrets that will forever damage her relationship with her mother, she attempts to make sense of her past. But will her passion for art and her love for Thomas Tierney be enough to sustain her future? Will the puzzles she must solve to discover who she is be worth the journey?

My Thoughts:

The Story of Sassy Sweetwater exceeded my expectations! I reminded me of southern saga and I could not stop turning the pages until the end.

Sassy Sweetwater was born in the thick of a family with many problems. Unwed, Violet gives birth to Sassy with the help of her sister, Elvira, on the bank of the Sweetwater river. They were able to hid her pregnancy. Violet takes Sassy away right after to start her life as an young unwed mother. She works as a waitress among doing other things to put food on the table.

When things finally get too tough, she returns home with Sassy, who is now 10 years old. It is there that all hell breaks loose! I can't tell too much without the risk of spoilers.

The characters are all colorful and quirky and just pop off the page and come to life. Steeped in family secrets, the south, and a bit of romance, Vera Jane Cook's poetic prose put me in a trance. While reading it, I was living among the characters and seeing everything take place, first hand. Sassy narrated but the narration seemed to slip off into the distance.

I did not want this book to end! Cook took me on a real southern journey through the saga of one southern family with many secrets. I highly recommend you go on this amazing journey yourself.

5/5

I received this ebook for my honest opinion.

About Vera Jane Cook:

Vera Jane Cook, writer of Award Winning Women’s Fiction, is the author of The Story of Sassy Sweetwater, Lies a River Deep, Where the Wildflowers Grow, Dancing Backward in Paradise and Annabel Horton, Lost Witch of Salem.

Jane, as she is known to family and friends, was born in New York City and grew up amid the eccentricity of her southern and glamorous mother on the Upper West and Upper East Side of Manhattan.

An only child, Jane turned to reading novels at an early age and was deeply influenced by an eclectic group of authors. Some of her favorite authors today are Nelson DeMille, Calib Carr, Wally Lamb, Anne Rice, Sue Monk Kidd, Anita Shreve, Jodi Picoult, Alice Walker and Toni Morrison. Her favorite novels are too long to list but include The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, Cheri and The Last of Cheri, The Picture of Dorian Grey, Wuthering Heights, Look at Me, Dogs of Babel, The Bluest Eye, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Body Surfing, Lolita, The Brothers Karamazov, She’s Come Undone, Tale of Two Cities, etc., etc., etc.,

The Story of Sassy Sweetwater is a finalist for the ForeWord Book of the Year Awards for 2012. Her first novel, Dancing Backward in Paradise won the Eric Hoffer Award for publishing excellence and the Indie Excellence Award for notable new fiction, 2007. The Story of Sassy Sweetwater and Dancing Backward in Paradise received five stars from ForeWord Clarion Reviews. The Story of Annabel Horton, Lost Witch of Salem is her first paranormal novel.

The author works by day for an education publishing company as an account manager and lives on the Upper West side of Manhattan with her long term partner, her Pomeranian, Daisy, her Basenji/Chihuahua mix, Roxie, her Chihuahua, Peanut and her two pussy cats, Sassy and Sweetie Pie.

Vera Jane Cook’s Website: http://www.verajanecook.com/

Vera Jane Cook on Twitter: https://twitter.com/verajanecook
Vera Jane Cook on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vera.j.cook

Thanks to the author, Vera Jane Cook, I will be giving away one ebook copy of The Story of Sassy Sweetwater at the end of the tour. The giveaway is international and ends on August 10, 2013. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

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Buy The Story of Sassy Sweetwater:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Books July 8 Review & Giveaway
Library of Clean Reads July 9 Review
Library of Clean Reads July 10 Interview
From Isi July 10 Review
I Feel So Unnecessary July 11 Review
Silver’s Reviews July 12 Review
Girl Who Reads July 15 Interview
A Book & A Lattee July 16 Review
Romance & Inspiration July 17 Review
The Eclectic Reader July 19 Review & Giveaway
Joy Story July 22 Review
Faerie Tale Books July 23 Review
Faerie Tale Books July 23 Guest Post & Giveaway
Reading Renee July 25 Review
Book Lover’s Library July 26 Review
Book Lover’s Library July 29 Interview
VW Stitcher July 30 Review
Maniac Mama of 2 July 31 Review
M. Denise C. Aug 1 Review
Books, Books & More Books Aug 5 Review
Books, Books & More Books Aug 6 Interview
The Self Taught Cook Aug 8 Review
Wall to Wall Books Aug 9 Review & Giveaway

Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 6 comments

Labels: Book Tours, Books Read in 2013, My Past Giveaways, Southern Fiction

Sunday, July 7, 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.