Review of Forgive Me, I Meant To Do It: False Apology Poems by Gail Carson Levine

Publisher: Harper
Release Date: March 13, 2012
Buying Links: Amazon    The Book Depository

Book Blurb (from Amazon):

This Is Just to Say


If you’re looking for a nice happy book


put this one down and run away quickly


Forgive me sweetness and good cheer are boring


Inspired by William Carlos Williams’s famous poem ”This Is Just to Say,” Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine delivers a wickedly funny collection of her own false apology poems, imagining how tricksters really feel about the mischief they make. Matthew Cordell’s clever and playful line art lightheartedly captures the spirit of the poetry. This is the perfect book for anyone who’s ever apologized . . . and not really meant it.

Teaser:

You may be jumping around

and skipping

pages

in this book

which

I actually

spent 10 years 

arranging

Forgive me

I put the curse of the mummy

on anyone

who reads out of order

Reviewed By: Bea

Bea's Thoughts:

This book was inspired by a William Carlos Williams poem, which I had not read prior to reading this book. I was intrigued by the idea of humorous false apologies and the idea made me laugh. Who hasn't, at some point in their life, had to offer an apology that they didn't really mean? How many of us have re-written the apology in their head to something funnier, snarkier, or ruder? 

Well, Levine had the opportunity to write those apologies, using the same format that Williams did. The results are mixed; some are spot on, some funny yet strange, and a few miss the mark. Many of the poems are inspired by childrens stories and fairy tales. For instance, there's one about Humpty Dumpty's fall wherein the culprit responsible for knocking him off of the wall apologizes, saying he had to knock Humpty down because the king's men were bored. There's a werewolf apology that reminded me of Kelley Armstrong's story, "Hidden", and how Elena and Clay deal with telling their children about werewolves. 

A few of the poems wouldn't make much sense separated from their illustrations and a poem shouldn't have to rely on artwork for its meaning. Even so, the illustrations are simple but evocative and add to the poems and the readers enjoyment. The book is geared towards the younger school age children and I think that children from about age four and a half up to about eight or nine would enjoy them. Readers who appreciate puns and plays on words will likely enjoy this book.

I received an ARC from the publisher for review.

Excerpt From About Last Night by Ruthie Knox

Romance author Ruthie Knox, whose debut book, "Ride With Me", was released in February of this year, has another romance, "About Last Night", releasing in June of this year. Today I have an excerpt, thanks to Random House, and if you like it, come back on June 14th when Ruthie has a guest post and a giveaway as part of her release celebration.

Book Blurb: 

 Sure, opposites attract, but in this sexy, smart, eBook original romance from Ruthie Knox, they positively combust! When a buttoned-up banker falls for a bad girl, “about last night” is just the beginning.

 Cath Talarico knows a mistake when she makes it, and God knows she’s made her share. So many, in fact, that this Chicago girl knows London is her last, best shot at starting over. But bad habits are hard to break, and soon Cath finds herself back where she has vowed never to go . . . in the bed of a man who is all kinds of wrong: too rich, too classy, too uptight for a free-spirited troublemaker like her.

Nev Chamberlain feels trapped and miserable in his family’s banking empire. But beneath his pinstripes is an artist and bohemian struggling to break free and lose control. Mary Catherine—even her name turns him on—with her tattoos, her secrets, and her gamine, sex-starved body, unleashes all kinds of fantasies.

When blue blood mixes with bad blood, can a couple that is definitely wrong for each other ever be perfectly right? And with a little luck and a lot of love, can they make last night last a lifetime?

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: Because of You, Ride with Me, and Midnight Hour.

ABOUT LAST NIGHT by Ruthie Knox, Excerpt

Spotlight On: Shadow On The Wall by Pavarti K. Tyler

Today I'm pleased to be featuring author Pavarti K. Tyler and her exciting new novel, "Shadow on the Wall", a different, thought provoking take on super heroes. Pavarti K Tyler is an artist, wife, mother and number-cruncher who has been committed to causing trouble since her first moment on this Earth. Her eclectic career has flirted with Broadway, Teaching, Law Firms and the IRS. Author of many short stories, Pavarti spans genres from Horror and Erotica all the way to Fantasy. Currently Pavarti is hard at work establishing her Indie Publishing Company Fighting Monkey Press.

Pavarti K Tyler’s novel Two Moons of Sera is a Fantasy/Romance that began in a serial format in November 2011. Her next novel Shadow on the Wall is scheduled for release this month, May. Shadow on the Wall is Book One of The SandStorm Chronicles, the saga of Recai Osman — businessman, philosopher, Muslim and . . . superhero.

At the end of the post, there's an excerpt from the book,but first, some information about the book.

 Book Blurb (from the author):

Recai Osman: Muslim, philosopher, billionaire and Superhero?

Controversial and daring, Shadow on the Wall details the transformation of Recai Osman from complicated man to Superhero. Forced to witness the cruelty of the Morality Police in his home city of Elih, Turkey, Recai is called upon by the power of the desert to be the vehicle of change. Does he have the strength to answer Allah's call or will his dark past and self doubt stand in his way?

Pulling on his faith in Allah, the friendship of a Jewish father-figure and a deeply held belief that his people deserve better, Recai Osman must become The SandStorm.

In the tradition of books by Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie, Shadow on the Wall tackles issues of religion, gender, corruption and the basic human condition. Beautiful and challenging, this is not a book to miss.

Shadow On The Wall

By: Pavarti K. Tyler

Publisher: Fighting Monkey Press

ISBN: 978-0983876908

Genre: FICTION, GENERAL FICTION

Format: Paperback, kindle

Length: 248 pages, 539 KB

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Book Trailer

Website

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Tumblr (for ages 18+)

Google+ 

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 EXCERPT

     Knock. Just one solid sound.

     Recai sat up too quickly and fell back against his mattress gasping as Rebekah stuck her head into his small room, her face creased with worry and fear.

     “Cover yourself and stay silent,” she whispered before closing the door and rushing back into the living room to retrieve her burqa and open the door. Recai heard the movement of the heavy fabric she wore on top of her house dress as she moved across the room to greet their visitor. He wondered if she had retrieved her father’s gun which he’d overheard Hasad say was under the couch in the living room.

     Before hiding beneath the thin sheet that covered him, he reached down and pulled the rug from the floor and threw it across his legs. He covered his head and melted against the wall with the pillow on top of his upper body. Feeling foolish, Recai laid there, wishing he had his ID, his phone, anything to help bribe his way out of this situation if it was indeed the RTK at the door.

     Perhaps it’s just a neighbor, he thought. A neighbor come to ask after Rebekah’s father’s health or to borrow some salt. His attempt at rationalizing the unexpected visit did not quell his fears. The RTK made a habit of performing home inspections, especially if they suspected a woman alone. It wasn’t a safe time for anyone under the jurisdiction of Mayor Yilmaz.

Review of The Egyptian by Layton Green

Publisher: First Ward

Release Date: August 21, 2011
Series: Dominic Grey #2
Buying Links: Amazon    

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

*Contains spoilers for the first book*

At a mausoleum in Cairo’s most notorious cemetery, a mercenary receives a package containing a silver test tube suspended in hydraulic stasis. 

An investigative reporter tracking rogue biomedical companies is terrified by the appearance of a mummified man outside her Manhattan apartment. 


A Bulgarian scientist who dabbles in the occult makes a startling discovery in his underground laboratory. 

These seemingly separate events collide when Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek, private investigators of cults, are hired by the CEO of an Egyptian biomedical firm to locate stolen research integral to the company’s new life extension product. However, after witnessing the slaughter of a team of scientists by the remnants of a dangerous cult thought long abandoned, Grey and Viktor turn from pursuers to pursued. 


From the gleaming corridors of visionary laboratories to the cobblestone alleys of Eastern Europe to a lost oasis in the Sahara, Grey and Viktor must sift through science and myth to uncover the truth behind the Egyptian and his sinister biotech – before that truth kills them.

Teaser:

"In every myth and legend there's truth to be found. Whether or not the truth behind the myth has anything to do with extraordinary or supernatural forces is a different question entirely. We must separate reality from desire, or truth will forever remain hidden."

"Still the nonbeliever, I see."

"You know my work better than that. I don't discount possibilities, nor do I take my personal beliefs into account."

"The forgotten dungeons of alchemy are not the only source of the legend. The legend of a liquid that grants the gift of immortality is one of mankind's oldest and most persistent myths."

Reviewed By: Bea

*May contain spoilers for the first book* 


My Thoughts:

I greatly enjoyed the first Dominic Grey book, "The Summoner". It was a complex, layered, detailed psychological and religious mystery. "The Egyptian" also delves into religion and psychology in this mystery but it has a more topical theme of bio-technology and a seemingly timeless theme of immortality, or at the least, a greatly extended life span.

This book starts about three months after the events in the first book. Nya is still recovering and has pushed away Grey. He loves her, he thinks, but feels powerless to help her in any way. He is depressed at the start of the book, and is aware of it. It doesn't help that he hasn't had any assignments to work on in the past few months. So, he runs daily and waits for a job.

When he meets with a client, there are oddities about the case, but he decides to take the job. If nothing else, it will keep him busy.

...and if Viktor wanted him to check it out, then he would. At this point he'd investigate a stolen church hymnal in northern Canada.

The investigation, and its after effects occur in the US, Bulgaria and Egypt. With more time spent traveling, Green is less able to give us an in-depth characterization of the countries where the story occurs but you still get a feel for them. Zimbabwe, where "The Summoner", was set, was an important part of the first book and Green gave it depth, so that it was almost another character and not just an exotic locale for the story.

This story is more character driven than the first book, with Grey dealing with depression, a romantic break up, a possible new romance, and a new job. With all of that going on, it's not surprising he's depressed, and it occasionally messes up his thinking on the job. He also takes a chance and trusts someone who initially he thought might be a criminal. Of course, things are rarely simple and before long, nothing is what it seemed.

I admit, I had high expectations for this book and maybe that was not a good idea. "The Egyptian" didn't grip me the same way that "The Summoner" did. I also found, and this is not necessarily a bad thing, that I was more able to put this down and read in intervals, unlike the first book which was best read in a few sittings. I liked that we got to know Grey better in this book and seeing him deal with his problems. There's some character growth in addition to the mysteries, both legal and religious. One thing that slowed the book down for me was Green's tendency to drop massive info dumps on the reader. Much of the recap was unnecessary and the rest of it could have been more smoothly worked in. Also, as in "The Summoner", the language is sometimes over the top. Re-reading my review of "The Summoner", I realized that that story was more chilling; this one was less horrifying to me, perhaps due to the more scientific nature of certain events and the investigation.

Still, it was a delight to see Egyptian mythology used in new and unexpected ways, and mummies too. Green is good at throwing in twists and surprises and I do enjoy the religion and mythology that he works into the stories. It's integral to the mysteries but the stories are not religious in the sense of pushing a particular religion or belief set. Instead, the mysteries are the result of illegal actions people have committed in the name of their religion and the religion itself is integral to the events.

Despite my disappointments and quibbles, "The Egyptian" is still a good, solid, mystery. The characters are intriguing, both the characters and the story are layered and complex, and Green has a real understanding of human psychology and human nature. It's definitely worth your time.

For another perspective, check out the review at Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews.
 
I received a Kindle book from the author for review. 

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

*****************************************************************************************

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.

 *****************************************************************************************

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