Sunday Book Share #9

 

I'm participating in both The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Each meme allows book bloggers the chance to share books they've received, and different posts and events at their blog.

Just when life was calming down again, Hurricane Sandy came along. I was fortunate, my state and the area of the state I live in were lightly hit. We had minor flooding, and some downed trees and power poles. My heart goes out to everyone in the US and Haiti who were less fortunate.

It was a fairly busy week at the blog - 

Reviews  What the Cat Saw by Carolyn Hart

The Purple Shroud: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stella Duffy

Excerpts  Dangerous Affairs by Diana Miller

Healing Notes by Maggie Jaimeson 

News  Gunslingers & Ghost Stories

New Edition of The Shining by Stephen King

Giveaways  Hades for President Swag Giveaway (ends 10/6)

Ashes and Wine by Taryn Elliott (now ended)

The Devil's Thief by Samantha Kane (now ended)

Book Trailer  The Devil's Thief by Samantha Kane

BOOKS

Won

This was a goodreads First Read giveaway. 

I won this one from the author in a Twitter giveaway.

Review

Kindle Freebies

Yes, I broke down and got some this week. But! I didn't get many, so that's ok, right? Right?!

How was your week? Leave a link in your comment and I'll come for a visit.

The Devil's Thief Book Trailer

The Devil's Thief by Samantha Kane releases soon, on November 12th, so Random House kindly sent out this book trailer to pique out interest. You may recall that I recently interviewed Ms. Kane and I also posted an excerpt.

What did you think? I didn't love it, I wish they had used real people in it and the music maybe could have been a little sassier but I think it gives a good idea of what the book is about.

Review of What the Cat Saw by Carolyn Hart

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: Nela Farley #1
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Buying Links:  Amazon   Barnes & Noble   The Book Depository

Book Blurb (from goodreads):


National bestselling author Carolyn Hart presents an original new novel about a woman with a curious ability that drops her headfirst into a world of intrigue and murder…

Ever since the death of her fiancé, Nela Farley has found herself plagued by a sixth sense: she understands the thoughts of cats when she looks into their eyes. Nela knows that what she’s experiencing is completely irrational and tries to convince herself that she is simply transferring her own thoughts that she doesn’t want to face. 

When her adventurous sister, Chloe, goes on a trip and asks for a favor, Nela welcomes the distraction and agrees to substitute at Chloe’s job at a charitable foundation. Chloe has arranged a place for her sister to stay, but when Nela shows up, she encounters the previous tenant’s cat and gets a flash of thought: “. . . dead . . . dead and gone . . . She loved me . . . board rolled on the second step . . .” 

Nela wants to ignore what the cat saw, but the idea that the death of former tenant Marian Grant wasn’t an accident is something she can’t ignore. As Nela begins to do some research into Marian’s life, strange events begin to occur, all seeming to lead back to the Haklo Foundation. But when a detective becomes suspicious of Nela’s sister and a second murder occurs, Nela realizes she’ll have to make the most of her unwanted ability to figure out what’s really going on, before she meets her own untimely end… 

Quote:

Steve liked Nela's voice. Not high. Not low. Kind of soft. A voice you could listen to for a long time. She looked small in an oversize chintz-covered chair, dark hair still tangled by the wind, face pale, dark shadows beneath her eyes. Bu she no longer seemed remote as she had in his first glimpse at Hamburger Heaven.

His eyes slid from her to a photograph on the table next to her chair. A dark-haired laughing man in a tee and shorts stood near an outcrop of black rocks on a beach, the wind stirring his hair. Across the bottom of the photograph was a simple inscription: To Nela-Love, Bill. A red, white and blue ribbon was woven through the latticed frame.

Steve was accustomed to figuring from one fact to another. The picture had to belong to Nela. To carry the photograph with her as she traveled meant that the man and place mattered very much to her. He was afraid he knew exactly why the ribbon was in place and that would account for the undertone of sadness that he'd observed.

 But tonight, she was fully alive, quick intelligence in her eyes, resolve in her face, a woman engaged in a struggle to survive. The brown tabby nestled next to her. One slender hand rested on the cat's back. As she spoke, she looked at him with a direct stare that said she was in the fight for as long as it took.

Reviewed By: Bea

Bea's Thoughts:

When I first read the blurb for this book I thought, "This could be really good or really awful." Hearing cat's thoughts? That's sci fi or paranormal, depending on how it's handled. Would she anthropomorphize the cat? I hadn't read Hart before but I knew she had a good reputation so I took a chance and agreed to review it. I'm glad I did and I'll read the next book in this series and seek out some of her other books.

Nela is grieving the death of her fiance and also the loss of her job as an investigative reporter. When her sister Chloe goes on a vacation, Nela flies in to cover her at her job; while that sets up the story, I had a hard time finding it believable. Chloe works for a reputable philanthropic foundation, how likely is that they'd agree to this arrangement? Surely there's someone who could fill, or they could use a temp agency. That bothered me on and off throughout the story.

The first night Nela is at Chloe's apartment, someone breaks in and trashes the place. The police investigate and believe Nela did it herself. In the meantime, Nela has heard the cat's thoughts and this isn't the first time it has happened. What she hears, combined with what she learns about Marian's death, lead her to believe that Marian was murdered. Meanwhile, there are problems at the foundation where she's filling in and  soon she's investigating Marian's death and the problems at Haklo while dealing with the police, who are investigating her. In the midst of all this, she meets Steve, a reporter for the local paper. There's mutual interest, though there are trust issues and both have been hurt emotionally, Steve by his ex-wife and Nela by her fiance's death.

I had some qualms about how the psychic part of the book would be handled. The story is basically a straight contemporary story with just a hint of paranormal. Nela doesn't know how or why she can pick up cat's thoughts; at first she thought she might be having mental problems and she still isn't completely sure she's not but she becomes more willing to give credence to what she hears. Hart doesn't try to have cats think in full human fashion. Nela does pick up words but it's scattered words, not complete sentences, and the cats don't seem to be able to read Nela's thoughts. Hart doesn't give us an explanation for Nela's thoughts, which works in this book, but could get annoying if the series continues.  Overall, I thought she handled it well.

I liked "What the Cat Saw". Nela and Steve are likable, flawed but decent people. The mystery is tightly written and the story flows, my only gripe about it was the implausibility of Nela filling in for Chloe. The book is as much as about Nela coping with all of the changes in her life as it is about the mystery and Hart blends the two seamlessly for an emotional, gripping story.

I received a hardcover for review from Bab's Book Bistro.

Spotlight & Excerpt: Dangerous Affairs by Diana Miller

Another excerpt today, this time from a new romantic suspense, "Dangerous Affairs" by Diana Miller (is it just me or does she look like actress Shelley Long?). When she was eight, decided she wanted to be Nancy Drew. But no matter how many garbage cans she dug through, conversations she “accidentally” overheard, and attics she searched, she never found a single cryptic letter, hidden staircase, or anything else even remotely mysterious. She worked as a lawyer, a soda jerk, a stay-at-home mom, a hospital admitting clerk, and a conference host before deciding that the best way to inject suspense into her otherwise satisfying life was by writing about it. 

Diana is a five-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award and winner of a Golden Heart for Dangerous Affairs—a romantic suspense novel that shows not everyone in her home state is Minnesota Nice. She lives in the Twin Cities with her family.

Find her online:

website
twitter

Dangerous Affairs
Author: Diana Miller
Publisher: Montlake Romance
ASIN: B0089NUE8I
Format: Kindle, paperback
Genre: Romance, Mystery
Length: 536 KB, 356 pages

Release Date: October 30, 2012
Buying Link:  Amazon    Barnes & Noble     The Book Depository

Book Blurb (from author): When soap opera star Abby Langford leaves Los Angeles for her Minnesota hometown, she’s hoping to give her nine-year-old daughter the peaceful childhood she never knew. But instead of tranquility, Abby finds an old knife hidden between the walls of her new house. Then the nightmares start: a blood-soaked victim and a killer’s arm slicing through the air, again and again. 

 Abby wonders if she’s having the nervous breakdown the tabloids claim she already had, especially when sexy, skeptical police chief Josh Kincaid questions her story. When menacing hate mail arrives, Josh’s professional concern for Abby soon evolves into an intense attraction, and the feeling is mutual. And now Josh wonders if her psychic visions are of crimes past—or a premonition of terrors to come. To survive, Abby and Josh must uncover the truth and stop a killer . . . before Abby’s worst nightmares come true.

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Excerpt 

The doorbell rang, shooting a fresh blast of cold panic through Abby. She opened her mouth, but swallowed her scream—it had to be the police. Bad guys didn’t use doorbells. She unlocked and opened the front door with frozen fingers.

Josh was standing on the front porch, dressed in black jeans and a burgundy polo shirt, his hand on the doorjamb and his eyes narrowed. “What’s such a damn emergency?”

“I got another message. From the person who hates me.”

Josh expelled a clearly exasperated breath, running his fingers through his dark hair. “Look, I know I told you to take the letters seriously, but since the mail carrier delivered it hours ago, this isn’t exactly an emergency. Bring it to the station tomorrow. I’d like to get back to my date.”

 

“It didn’t come in the mail this time.” Abby’s voice rose an octave, her words tripping over each other. “It’s on my bathroom mirror, written in lipstick. Someone got into my house, and they could get in again.” She sounded half hysterical, but she couldn’t help it. This was in a different category from her normal hate mail.

Josh stepped into the house, closing the door behind him. “You were gone tonight?”

She slumped against one wall of the foyer, hugging herself and struggling to regain her control.

“Maddie and I were at a birthday party for Laura’s youngest son. At Pizzaville. We got home around nine thirty, and I put Maddie to bed. I read in the family room for a while, then went back upstairs. And found it.”

“Show me.” Josh grabbed her forearm and directed her up the stairs.

The message was short and to the point, capital letters written in red lipstick on the wall-size mirror:

LEAVE OR DIE BITCH. FROM YOUR BIGGEST FAN

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The author will be awarding one $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. 

Follow her blog tour:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/09/super-book-blast-dangerous-affairs-by.html

Gunslingers and Ghost Stories

A few weeks ago I shared the cover for a forthcoming anthology, "Gunslingers and Ghosts Stories". One of the contributors, J.A. Campbell, shared an excerpt from her story, and some information about the book, with me but didn't have a complete listing of the authors or stories. Well, she emailed me recently with that information, so, for your enlightenment and reading pleasure, a complete listing of the stories.

Blurb and Author Lineup For Gunslingers and Ghost Stories:

Ghosts are not just found in haunted houses. They have a disturbing
tendency to turn up where you least expect them: like saloons,
brothels, Indian ruins–and sometimes even in the middle of a gunfight.
Saddle up for a haunted ride through the Wild West. Featuring spooky
stories by Joel Jenkins, Dana Bell, Laura Givens, Henrik Ramsager, Kit
Volker, Kenneth W. Cain, Adrian Ludens, C. J. Killmer, Darla Upchurch,
John Howard & J. A. Campbell.

1. Old Mother Hennessy - Joel Jenkins
2. The Ruins - Dana Bell
3. Chin Song Ping and the Hungry Ghosts - Laura Givens
4. Gentleman Caller - Henrik Ramsager
5. Smoke People - Kit Volker
6. Avenged - Kenneth W. Cain
7. Ghost Soup - Adrian Ludens
8. The Empty Holster - C. J. Killmer
9. Forever in Oro - Darla Upchurch
10. Mountain Man - John Howard
11. The Saloon of Doom - J. A. Campbell 

Publisher: Timescape Books, an imprint of Science Fiction Trails
Editor: David Riley
Release Date: December, 1st 2012
Formats: Print, possibly ebook

Only a month to go until it's released!

Hades for President Giveaway

Here in the US, it's time for us to elect a new president. Though only two candidates, Mitt Romney and President Obama, get the bulk of the coverage, there are in fact other names on the ballot and one who wants to be. Who is that you wonder? Why Hades, Lord of the Underworld and star of the Sirenz series by Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman. Now, why he wants to rule a country when he already has the entire underworld and the dead, I can't fathom. But hey, he's a Greek God and, well, they're known for being bugnuts. :D

Still, Hades wants to be president and he's even playing by the rules and running a campaign instead of using his powers to steal the presidency. As part of that campaign he had some swag made up and he's generously shared some with me on the condition that I share it also. I suspect a trap as he didn't make me hand over my soul or set any other conditions. But, if you're willing to take your chances, enter below.

How do you enter? Decide if you're voting for or against Hades and then enter via the appropriate rafflecopter widget. You MUST choose one; if you enter both, both entries will be disqualified. Now, unlike the real presidential election, there will be 2 winners. I'll choose one from each side. Each winner gets the prize shown below.

Spotlight & Excerpt: Healing Notes by Maggie Jaimeson

Today I have an excerpt from Maggie Jaimeson's romantic womens fiction novel, "Healing Notes". Maggie writes romantic women’s fiction and romantic suspense with a near future twist. She describes herself as a wife, a step-mother, a sister, a daughter, a teacher and an IT administrator. By day she is “geek girl” – helping colleges to keep up with 21st century technology and provide distance learning options for students in rural areas. By night Maggie turns her thoughts to worlds she can control – worlds where bad guys get their comeuppance, women triumph over tragedy, and love can conquer all.

Find her online:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter 

Healing Notes
Author: Maggie Jamieson
Publisher: Windtree Press
ISBN: 978-0983594321
Format: paperback, ebook
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Womens Fiction
Length: 360 pages, 468 KB
Release Date: July 26, 2012
Series: Sweetwater Canyon #2
Buying Links:   Amazon    Barnes & Noble

Book Blurb (from author):  

Forgiving yourself is the first step, but helping others forgive may be just too hard. 

Rachel Cullen grew up in Scotland with a fiddle in her hand from the age of four. She couldn't imagine life as anything but a musician. When her husband brought her to America she was immediately embraced by the Celtic and Bluegrass communities. But after her divorce, Rachel's life is a mess. 

A year of trying to prove to herself that she's woman enough for any man, and then a vicious rape while on tour with the band, leaves Rachel reeling. When she meets Noel Kershaw, an English teacher who is poetry in motion, she is definitely attracted. But he has a young child and he's suffering from his own divorce. The last thing Rachel needs in life is more baggage. 

First, Rachel must reconcile who she is, what she wants, and how to get there. Maybe then she'll know how to be a part of the family she's always wanted.

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Excerpt 

Claire crawled onto a stool on the other side of the island and smiled.  Neither of them talked for several minutes as they listened to the water in the pot heat.

“When I grow up, I’m going to play with Sweetwater Canyon all the time.”

“Are you sure you want to hang out with all us old folks?”

“You’re not all old. Well maybe a little old. But Kat isn’t old.”

Rachel smiled. “That’s true. She’s only seventeen.” And going on twenty-five it seemed sometimes.

“Oh, seventeen? That is old.” Claire put a finger to her lips and furrowed her brow. “How old do I have to be to play in the band all the time?”

“Probably at least eighteen.”

“But, you just said Kat—”

“Kat is different, because her mother plays in the band and can watch her all the time.”

“Well, you can watch me all the time. You can be my mother.”

Rachel gulped.

“Well, can’t you?”

“Can’t she what?” Noel walked in the room and lifted Claire off the chair in a big hug, swinging her around the room. “Can’t she what? She can do anything she wants.”

“See,” Claire leaned forward and looked at Rachel over Noel’s shoulder. “See, even Daddy thinks you can be my mother.”

“Whoa.” Noel set Claire back on the stool. “I’m not sure what I walked in on here.” He sent an accusing glance to Rachel. “You already have a mother, Claire.”

“I know. Not my real mother. My second mother. You know, like my friend, Megan. Her mommy and daddy got divorced and her daddy married a new mommy. So, Megan has two mommies now.  See?  Rachel can be my second mommy. Okay?”

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Maggie will award one autographed cover flat to a randomly drawn commenter at each blog stop. In addition, she will award a $25 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner's choice) as a grand prize to one randomly selected commenter on this tour. You must leave an email address to be entered into any of the drawings.

Follow Maggie's tour:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/09/super-book-blast-healing-notes-by.html

Dusty Reads Link Up

Dusty Reads is a meme started by Giselle at Xpresso Reads featuring a book that has been sitting unread on your shelf for some time. Books don't have to be 'x' years old. If you've had the book for a few months without reading it, it's dusty! :D You can post on any day but Giselle and I usually post or put up a linky on Tuesdays. If you don't use the button, try to link back to this post or Giselle's so others will know how/where to link up. You can use the above button, the one below or create your own if you prefer.