Excerpt from Wife 22: A Novel by Melanie Gideon

Random House has a new novel coming out next month, on the 29th. Wife 22 is about a woman who takes part in an online study and discovers that it changes her life in unexpected ways.

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

For fans of Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary and Allison Pearson’s I Don’t Know How She Does It comes an irresistible novel of a woman losing herself . . . and finding herself again . . . in the middle of her life.

Maybe it was those extra five pounds I’d gained. Maybe it was because I was about to turn the same age my mother was when I lost her. Maybe it was because after almost twenty years of marriage my husband and I seemed to be running out of things to say to each other.

But when the anonymous online study called “Marriage in the 21st Century” showed up in my inbox, I had no idea how profoundly it would change my life. It wasn’t long before I was assigned both a pseudonym (Wife 22) and a caseworker (Researcher 101).

And, just like that, I found myself answering questions.

7. Sometimes I tell him he’s snoring when he’s not snoring so he’ll sleep in the guest room and I can have the bed all to myself.
61. Chet Baker on the tape player. He was cutting peppers for the salad. I looked at those hands and thought, I am going to have this man’s children.
67. To not want what you don’t have. What you can’t have. What you shouldn’t have.
32. That if we weren’t careful, it was possible to forget one another.

Before the study, my life was an endless blur of school lunches and doctor’s appointments, family dinners, budgets, and trying to discern the fastest-moving line at the grocery store. I was Alice Buckle: spouse of William and mother to Zoe and Peter, drama teacher and Facebook chatter, downloader of memories and Googler of solutions.

But these days, I’m also Wife 22. And somehow, my anonymous correspondence with Researcher 101 has taken an unexpectedly personal turn. Soon, I’ll have to make a decision—one that will affect my family, my marriage, my whole life. But at the moment, I’m too busy answering questions.

As it turns out, confession can be a very powerful aphrodisiac.

WIFE 22 by Melanie Gideon (Excerpt)

Give Away & Spotlight On "Day of Demons" Anthology

A few months back, I posted an info piece about a publisher, Anachron Press, that was accepting submissions for dark fantasy and horror stories. Well, the anthology has been released and thanks to the generosity of Colin at Anachron Press, I have 2 copies up for grabs, 1 print and 1 e-book.

Book Blurb (from publisher):

Day of Demons is a collection of powerful stories featuring the conflict of demons and humans over the course of a day.

Read how one woman’s inner-self awakens to unexpected and frightening consequences, or how a charismatic half-breed thief is forced to strike a deal with a pen-stealing imp. Read about a mother as she struggles to cope with a deadly, satanic bargain, and a sword-wielding anti-hero as he returns out of exile to face his demonic fate.

Nine stories, nine demons, nine authors. From fantasy, to horror, to contemporary fiction, this anthology will fright, delight and grip you with tales of daring-do, danger and of course — demons.

 DAY OF DEMONS
Publisher: Anachron Press

ASIN: B007SYEU52
Genre: FICTION, FANTASY, DARK FANTASY, HORROR

Format: PAPERBACK, EBOOK

Length:  314 KB, 128 Pages
Release Date: April 9, 2012

Website

Stories & Contributors: 

• Deal by Karen Davies
• Inheritance by Phil Hickes
• Serpent’s Kiss by Krista Walsh
• Sam & The Spear by Gary Bonn
• Numen by V. Đ. Griesdoorn
• City of Light and Stone by Laura Diamond
• Cost of Glory by Edward Drake
• A Mother’s Love by James M. Mazzaro
• The Devil and Mrs Milton by Sarah Anne Langton 

Buying Links:

Amazon US 

Amazon UK

Anachron Press

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EXCERPT

There is something quite exhilarating about headlong flight. Fear of the unknown is forgotten when that which is behind one is far more dreadful than anything that may lie ahead. It’s liberating, like being a child again, although I was never chased by a dragon when I was a child.

As dire as the situation was, I felt an overwhelming urge to laugh. I gave a wild whoop! It was a challenge; an exultation. Every fibre of my being sang with the sheer joy of being alive at that precise moment in time. Then the skin on my back was lashed by a lick of icy breath and the ground trembled beneath the force of the dragon’s furious roar.

 The trees bore the brunt of the blast, but the merest touch of cold fire had peeled the skin from my shoulder and shattered the bow and quiver that were slung across my back. I staggered; arms wind-milling, feet scrabbling for purchase. I fought to keep my balance—if I fell now, I was dead. I dug my claws into the stony ground and ran like all the demons of hell were chasing me. My thoasan side has blessed me with that races’ speed; alas, I have the meagre stamina of a human. The dragon was reeling me in, devouring my small lead with every beat of its huge, coriaceous wings. Its ice-breath turned trees to frozen splinters and rocks to dust.

 Alas, in this instance, crime had not paid. Something I didn’t think I’d live long enough to regret. The thought occurred that if I discarded the gem, the dragon might forget about me.

“Hope is for fools, and only losers rely on luck—more wine!”

Ah. The wise words of dear old mama came back to me as I ran from the snapping jaws of death. I could just see her; slouched majestically across the Rat Bone Throne, goblet in hand—doling out her knowledge, just before passing out. Throwing the stone away was pointless, an act of desperation. Why would the great, flying, sack of shit stop to retrieve its treasure when it could go back for it after it had turned me into a frozen, bloody pulp? It wouldn’t. Like me, the big ugly bastard was greedy. It wanted everything. And even if the distraction worked, and I escaped from this particular pot of arse-pickle without the gem, I was dead anyway. To return to the Guild empty-handed or worse, try to flee would bring a far harder death than any the dragon could mete out. True enough, the beast was savage and…quite angry, but it was far less terrifying than the Guild blades who had elevated gross brutality to an art form.

The world exploded, shattering my chain of thought.

A wave of ice and snow engulfed me. I struggled to see through the blistering white glare. Jagged fractures opened in the mountainside, and a thousand shards of ice exploded in all directions. I narrowed my eyes against the stinging hail, and stole a glance over my shoulder. The dragon was tearing through the remains of a stand of pines, less than thirty feet away. It fixed its pale, blue eyes on me and bared its sabre fangs. The air was awed to stillness; the thunder of my heart froze. There stood death; sharp and cold. While my eyes were taking in the full measure of my doom, my legs kept running—an attempt by my body to preserve itself while my mind was busy being terrified.

‘Tis a most disturbing feeling: stepping into nothing when you’re expecting something.

I fell from painful brightness into utter darkness. The breath was hammered from my body as I rebounded off the uneven sides of the hole. The steel chapes of my scabbards struck sparking trails off stones. I dug my claws into the frozen soil and managed to slow my descent. The hole opened up. I grabbed at the edge, hung suspended for a moment in the black void. Before I could even attempt to haul myself back up, the stone I was holding onto gave way, and I fell again.

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OK, as I mentioned above, Anachron Press is offering up one print copy and one ebook copy, both open internationally so spread the word! You can try some new to you authors and maybe find a new favorite  or two. 

Please read my Giveaway Policy. 

Review of Breaking Bad by Jodi Redford

Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Series: Midnight Justice
Buying Links: Samhain    Amazon

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

No super deed goes unpunished…

A Midnight Justice story.

It’s been twenty-five years since the last Light Guardian was wiped out. Or so it’s believed. Ruby Winston is about to blow the lid off that theory, even though it’ll bring every Shadow Czar minion down on her ass.

She’s always known she was different from the rest of the evil-dictators-in-training Winstons. Uncovering the secret half of her gene pool proves it. Now she’s out to bring down her late father’s mind-control soda empire—and break the Shadow Czars’ hold on Earth.

Problem is, becoming a superhero overnight isn’t as easy as it looks.

Teague Younger has his own secrets to keep: his heritage, and his fierce determination to exact revenge on his friend and mentor’s murderer. So far he’s kept his cover—until he’s forced to use his Light Guardian powers to save Ruby from a sticky situation.

Thrust together and on the run, Teague and Ruby form a wary alliance as they desperately fight their circuit-blowing attraction. With an army of Shadow Queen minions hot on their tails, they might have a hard time surviving the night, much less ignoring their hearts.

Product Warnings
This book contains mind-controlling beverages, evil dictators and minions, excessive use of spandex, and enough electrifying sex to melt an ice train.  

Teaser: 

"Don't start up on the superhero bullshit again. I already told you I'm not interested ingoing down that path."

"That isn't what I was getting at."

"Really? Could have fooled me, princess."

Scarlet crept across her cheekbones. "Must you always devolve into being a dick?"

Because she was right, he felt the necessity to needle her. "Name-calling, babe? That's not very nice. What will the other do-gooder superheroes think?"

"Go to hell, Teague. Furthermore, you are a dick. No, scratch that. You're the king of dicks. You could rule your own dickdom."

He arched his brows. "Do I get to wear a dick crown?"

Reviewed By: Bea 

Bea's Thoughts: 

"Breaking Bad" has many of Jodi's usual characteristics: laugh out loud humor, detailed sex scenes, snarky characters, and at least one main character who is reluctant to fall in love. Unlike other books of hers that I've read and/or reviewed, this one is a sci fi. Unfortunately, that part felt weak to me. The world building was spotty and left me confused at times. I did love her idea of using soda as a device for mind control, brilliant! I'd have liked to have seen more scenes of humans under the control of the soda and also how did the Shadow, the aliens in control of Earth, distribute it, how did they ensure that all humans had access to it and drank it. But, the concept itself was excellent and more than a little scary.


Teague and Ruby and both fairly likable. They each are on a missions, missions that initially clash but they come to an arrangement and work together to take down the Shadow Queen. Teague, despite his mission, is not an idealist and thinks the whole idea of super heroes is absurd. Ruby is much more idealistic and at times reminded me of a teenager in her search for her identity and her rebellion against her family. 

I enjoyed the story, it's a pleasant read, full of humor and some hot sex scenes, but it wasn't one of Jodi's best. I never really warmed up to Teague or Ruby and the world building, usually something that Jodi does well, was weak.

I received a kindle copy from the author for review.

Excerpt from The Proposal by Mary Balogh

Mary Balogh has a new book out next week, "The Proposal". I love the colors in the cover, so bright and cheerful. I would definitely pick it up at the store and check it out. It's available in mass market paperback and ebook, though I don't know what cover the ebook has.

Book Blurb:

Gwendoline, Lady Muir, has seen her share of tragedy, especially since a freak accident took her husband much too soon. Content in a quiet life with friends and family, the young widow has no desire to marry again. But when Hugo, Lord Trentham, scoops her up in his arms after a fall, she feels a sensation that both shocks and emboldens her.

Hugo never intends to kiss Lady Muir, and frankly, he judges her to be a spoiled, frivolous—if beautiful—aristocrat. He is a gentleman in name only: a soldier whose bravery earned him a title; a merchant’s son who inherited his wealth. He is happiest when working the land, but duty and title now demand that he finds a wife. He doesn’t wish to court Lady Muir, nor have any role in the society games her kind thrives upon. Yet Hugo has never craved a woman more; Gwen’s guileless manner, infectious laugh, and lovely face have ruined him for any other woman. He wants her, but will she have him?

The hard, dour ex-military officer who so gently carried Gwen to safety is a man who needs a lesson in winning a woman’s heart. Despite her cautious nature, Gwen cannot ignore the attraction. As their two vastly different worlds come together, both will be challenged in unforeseen ways. But through courtship and seduction, Gwen soon finds that with each kiss, and with every caress, she cannot resist Hugo’s devotion, his desire, his love, and the promise of forever.

Enjoy!

The Proposal by Mary Balogh

Julie Reviews Show Dog – The Charmed Life and Trying Times of a Near-Perfect Purebred by Josh Dean

Publisher: It Books
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Buying Links: Amazon    The Book Depository    Author's Site


Book Blurb (from cover jacket):

Every weekend, for nearly fifty weeks each year, tens of thousands of Americans pack up their SUVs and minivans with crates and dryers and treats and shampoos and hairsprays and plush toys and fan out for some of the two-thousand-plus dog shows held annually across the United States. More than two million pedigreed dogs, and exponentially more humans who handle and care for them, will take part in these events—for the most part happily—and the world that has grown up to support them is massive and vibrant, and almost impossible to imagine unless you’ve seen it in person. 

By spending a year alongside rising star Jack, a champion Australian shepherd, and his canine and human friends, magazine journalist Josh Dean yanks back the curtain on the dog show world, providing not just a hilarious and often touching portrait of a colorful subculture only slightly exaggerated in the film Best in Show, but also a revealing look at our love affair with the world’s most doted-upon and tinkered-with animal species, examining the colossal array of dog types and humans who love them. 

The book follows Jack as he matures over the course of a year, from still-improving adolescent to seasoned adult show dog. We get to know him and the people around him—his owner, his handler, his breeder—to experience what it’s like to own a show dog and to train one. And we come to appreciate him for what he is, a lovable and intelligent house pet—albeit one with a highly unusual occupation. 

Along the way, Dean takes a close look at the eccentric and fascinating world of breeders and dog show fanciers—exploring the history and science of purebred dog breeding and the evolution of canine perfection via dog show culture, with that pursuit’s many related peculiarities: judging, training, naming, promoting, hairstyling, kennel-owning, RV-driving, hotel-finding, treat-selecting, and more. 

Reviewed by: J.A.Campbell


NOTE: Julie's review is also posted at her blog, see here. While reading the book, Julie was enthusiastic about it, and she wanted to help the author by spreading the word about his book. She and I talked and decided to cross-post her review; it would go up first at her blog, then up at mine. The content is the same, I've just tweaked the format to be consistent with other reviews here. Julie recently did a guest review for us of "The Bitter Seed of Magic" by Suzanne McLeod, and writes YA books, which I've reviewed on here.

Julie's Thoughts:

As the blurb says this is a true story following an Australian Shepherd from a newbie to a champion AKC (American Kennel Club) conformation show dog. Jack, as he’s known to his people, or Grand Champion Wyndstar’s Honorable Mention as the AKC knows him, is a stunning blue merle (look at the cover pic) with a lot of presence and personality. He was bred to be a show dog, but by a strange twist of fate, he was bought by a woman who wanted a pet first, and possibly a show dog second. The breeder took some convincing but finally decided to sell Jack to his human. The rest, as they say, is history.
 
Briefly, the American Kennel Club is a dog registry that recognizes purebred dog breeds and sets the standard for what they feel that breed is supposed to be, from appearance to temperament. AKC conformation shows are designed to judge and showcase the best of the best for breeding and prestige purposes. Many breeds also have their own specific registry along with American Kennel Club recognition. A quick note on Aussies, or Australian Shepard’s—they are actually a dog created for herding and working purposes in the American west.

Mr. Dean deftly tells the story of Jack as he goes from an untried puppy to a champion conformation dog. He followed this dog’s story for just over a year, attending shows, and getting to know the owner, Jack’s handler, and many other personalities in the show world. He also weaves in history of both the AKC, dog shows, the Aussie breed, and many other things in the story, to give a very vivid picture of the show world for both dogs and people. It’s very clear that Jack is first a pet and companion, and second a champion show dog, and that he loves every minute of it. Mr. Dean also gives a very candid look as a newbie outsider (him) turns into a newbie insider and learns the ropes of the very strange world of showing dogs. Not only do we get to follow Jack’s story in detail but we hear about many of the other top dogs in the circuit. We also learn about some of the controversies and find out that “Aussie people” are a lot saner than many other breeds as well as getting a good look at how professional handlers do their jobs. And really… poodles? LOL. He does touch on the hows and whys of poodle showing as well.


Over all I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and highly entertaining. Show Dog did a very good job of introducing me to a world that I only vaguely understood before. My only complaint was that I didn’t feel he did enough wrap up with Jack at the end. I would have liked to see a little more recap on all his accomplishments since the book was about him.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Aussies, the conformation world, or dogs in general.

Julie received the book from the publisher for review. 

Cover Reveal for Westward, Home! by J.A. Campbell

Yes, the lovely Ms Campbell has ANOTHER new cover. The last book in her Into The West series, "Westward, Home!" has been unveiled and Julie is currently working on proofs. There's no release date yet. All I know is that it can't come soon enough! I've been waiting for M O N T H S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So without further ado, the new cover -

The title also pays homage to the first book in this series, "Westward, Yo!", which is a nice way to end the series. I like the purple font, it's eye catching. I also like the shade of purple; if you read my cover reveal for "Summer Break Blues", I was NOT fond of of that purple. Honestly, it was the shade. Purple is one of my favorite colors but that shade, just no. THIS purple above, I like and it's judiciously used.

Anyway, I like this cover and I am bouncing up and down waiting for it to come out. I'll be poking Julie on facebook until it comes out. :P

In My Mailbox #27

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren. It's a way to share and highlight all the books we receive, even if we don't review them. l share books that I buy, that I receive for review, get from the library, borrow from a friend, etc.

My TBR shelf on goodreads currently stands at 485; I started the week at 482, am reading 3, finished 1 and added 3.Yes, I know, the math is off. I can't figure out what the missing book is.

Click on the covers to see the goodreads descriptions.

Kindle Freebies

A quiet week as you can see, but that's good as I'm still playing catch up with my review TBR pile. How was your week?

Cover Reveal for Summer Break Blues by J.A. Campbell

It's no secret that one of my favorite YA authors is J.A. Campbell. Her Into the West series is favorite and I really enjoyed her vampire YA book, "Senior Year Bites". The next book in that series, "Summer Break Blues" now has a cover!

Notice the background - rocky shoreline, lighthouse on a hill? The story is set in Maine, a New England state, and I'm proud to say that one of my co-workers, who often visits Maine, was able to answer questions for Julie and provide some details since Julie had never been to Maine and wanted to be sure that she got the details right. If she messed up, we'll just blame my co-worker! LOL (Sorry C )

I think it's interesting that main color on the cover was changed to purple. Also, kind of funny since "blue" actually appears in the title and the cover for the first book used blue. But then, I have an odd sense of humor. The purple does, I think, give the cover a moodier, slightly edgier feel. What do you think?

What do you think?