Book Giveaways in Blogworld (06-12-10 edition)

Note: A reminder that you are free to email me about any giveaways that you are having, if you want me to blog them, and I'll be happy to try to post them even if I am not entering them. Just include a link to the giveaway, what you are giving away, how many copies are being given away, and the deadline in order to assure being included. Email me at nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com.

Here is a list of some giveaways going on in Blogworld*. Please note that new giveaways that were added this week are indented in Blockquotes:

A Journey of Books is giving away 3 audiobooks of The Bride Collector. Deadline is June 12. US/Canada only.

Butterfly Book Reviews is giving away your choice of 4 bookcases. Deadline is June 12. US only.

Beth's Book Review Blog is giving away 3 copies of The Secrets of Newberry. Deadline is June 12. US/Canada only.

Quinoa and Corn Chips is giving away the cookbook Mark Bittman's Kitchen Express. Deadline is June 13. US only.

A Journey of Books is giving away a copy of Play Dead. Deadline is June 15. US only.

Freda's Voice is giving away 5 copies of Alibi. Deadline is June 15. US/Canada only.

At Home with Books is giving away $100 to CSN stores! Deadline is June 15. US/Canada only.

Book Faery is giving away $70 to CSN stores! Deadline is June 16. US/Canada only.

My Guilty Pleasures is giving away 5 copies of Knight of Passion. Deadline is June 17. US/Canada only.

Martha's Bookshelf is giving away 3 audiobooks of The Bride Collector. Deadline is June 18. US/Canada only.

Consumed by Books is giving away a hardbound copy of Pride and Prejudice and a DVD of Bridget Jones's Diary. Deadline is June 18.

So Many Precious Books, So Little Time is giving away The Castaways. Deadline is June 18. US/Canada only.

The Review Broads are giving away the audiobook Men and Dogs. Deadline is June 19. US/Canada only.

Bookin' with Bingo is giving away 3 copies of Alibi. Deadline is June 19. US/Canada only.

Peeking Between the Pages is giving away 5 copies of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. Deadline is June 19. US/Canada only.

Bookin' with Bingo is giving away 3 copies of the audiobook Fever Dream. Deadline is June 20. US/Canada only.

Book Journey is giving away 3 copies of the audiobook Men and Dogs. Deadline is June 20. US/Canada only.

Book Journey is giving away 3 copies of The Bride Collector. She doesn't list a deadline, but since her other one expires June 20, I thought this one may also. US/Canada only.

In the Hammock is giving away 5 copies of Knight of Passion. Deadline is June 20. US/Canada only.

Readaholic is giving away a copy of The Art of Devotion. Deadline is June 20. US only.

Booklover Book Reviews is giving away your choice of 6 books by Australian authors! Deadline is June 20. Tell 'em that nfmgirl sent you! International!

Anne Riley is giving away your choice of 3 YA novels. Deadline is June 20.

Bella's Novella is giving away a copy of Sizzling Sixteen. Deadline is June 22. International!

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 5 copies of Montana Destiny. Deadline is June 23. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 3 copies of The Secrets of Newberry. Deadline is June 23. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 3 copies of Innocent. Deadline is June 23. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 3 copies of Fever Dream. Deadline is June 23. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 3 copies of War. Deadline is June 23. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 5 copies of Alibi. Deadline is June 23. US/Canada only.

Libby's Library News is giving away 2 copies of The Knight Life. Deadline is June 25. US/Canada only.

So Many Precious Books, So Little Time is giving away a copy of Captivity. Deadline is June 25. US/Canada only.

Libby's Library News is giving away 3 copies of The Cradle. Deadline is June 26. US/Canada only.

Seductive Musings is giving away 5 copies of Desire Me. Deadline is June 26. US/Canada only.

A Journey of Books is giving away a copy of The Devlin Diary. Deadline is June 27. US only.

Radiant Light is giving away 2 copies of April & Oliver. Deadline is June 27. US/Canada only.

Chick with Books is giving away 5 copies of Knight of Passion. Deadline is June 28. US/Canada only.

Radiant Light is giving away 2 copies of Into the Beautiful North. Deadline is June 29. US/Canada only.

The Electrical Book Cafe is giving away $40 to CSN Stores! Deadline is June 29. US/Canada only.

Passages to the Past is giving away $100 to CSN Stores! Deadline is June 29. US/Canada only.

Queen of Happy Endings is giving away your choice of 1 of 3 books. Deadline is June 30. International!

A Journey of Books is giving away 5 copies of Knight of Passion. Deadline is June 30. US/Canada only.

Libby's Library News is giving away 7 gently read books for her 500 follower contest! Up to 3 winners if she gets even more followers! Stop over and wish her a Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary! Deadline is June 30. US only.

The Fiction Enthusiast is giving away 3 copies of Knight of Passion. Deadline is June 30. US/Canada only.

Just Another New Blog is giving away 5 copies of Desire Me. Deadline is June 30. US/Canada only.

The Book Chick is giving away 3 copies of The Castaways. Deadline is July 1. US/Canada only.

The Book Chick is giving away $60 for CSN Stores! Deadline is July 5. US/Canada only.

Three's a Crowd is a new blog trying to reach 50 followers. Win Silver Borne. Contest ends when 50 followers is met.


*Courtesy Note: Please keep in mind the many, many hours of work that goes into me compiling this list each week. Please be courteous and thoughtful, and do not steal my text. Either recreate your own list, or link to this list and direct your readers here for giveaway information. Thank you so much for your consideration.

Introducing...Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Introducing books through the first paragraph (or thereabouts)...

Bella,

I don't know why you're making Charlie carry notes to Billy like we're in second grade-- if I wanted to talk to you I would answer the

You made the choice here, okay? You can't have it both ways when

What part of 'mortal enemies' is too complicated for you to

Look, I know I'm being a jerk, but there's just no way around

We can't be friends when you're spending all of your time with a bunch of

It just makes it worse when I think about you too much, so don't write anymore

Yeah, I miss you, too. A lot. Doesn't change anything.

Sorry.

Jacob

-- Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

What's Releasing? (06-09-10 edition)

Books being released the week of June 14:

The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods Series #4) by Melissa de la Cruz

With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged.

Young, fanged, and fabulous, Melissa de la Cruz's vampires unite in this highly anticipated fourth installment of the Blue Bloods series.

Whiplash (FBI Series #14) by Catherine Coulter

Yale professor Dr. Edward Kender's father is undergoing chemotherapy when the supply of a critical accompanying drug suddenly runs out. Unwilling to accept the drug company's disingenuous excuse of production line problems, Dr. Kender hires private investigator Erin Pulaski to prove there is something more sinister going on at Schiffer Engel's manufacturing facility in Indiana. Pulaski uncovers a bombshell-Schiffer Engel's intentional shortage is bringing in a windfall profit in excess of two billion dollars. When a top Schiffer Engel employee shows up viciously murdered behind the U.S. headquarters, Sherlock and Savich are called in to lend a hand. The murder of a foreign national on federal land can only mean the German drug company has a secret of epic proportions.


Frankenstein: Lost Souls by Dean Koontz

#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz brings his fertile imagination and unparalleled storytelling abilities to one of the most timeless—and terrifying—creations in all of fiction: the legend of Frankenstein. In Lost Souls, Koontz puts a singular twist on this classic tale of ambition and science gone wrong and forges a new legend uniquely suited to our times—a story of revenge, redemption, and the razor-thin line that separates humanity from inhumanity as we consider a new invitation to apocalypse. The work of creation has begun again. Only now things will be different. Victor Leben, once Frankenstein, has not only seen the future—he’s ready to populate it. Using stem cells, “organic” silicon circuitry, and nanotechnology, he will engender a race of superhumans—the perfect melding of flesh and machine. With a powerful, enigmatic backer eager to see his dream come to fruition and a secret location where the enemies of progress can’t find him, Victor is certain that this time, nothing and no one can stop him. It is up to five people to prove him wrong. In their hands rests nothing less than the survival of humanity itself. They are drawn together in different ways, by omens sinister and wondrous, to the same shattering conclusion: Two years after they saw him die, the man they knew as Victor Helios lives on. Detectives Carson O’Connor and Michael Maddison; Victor’s engineered wife, Erika 5, and her companion Jocko; and the original Victor’s first creation, the tormented Deucalion, have all arrived at a small Montana town where their old alliance will be renewed—and tested—by forces from within and without, and where the dangers they face will eclipse any they have yet encountered. Yet in the midst of their peril, love will blossom, and joy, and they will discover sources of strength and perseverance they could not have imagined. They will need all these resources, and more. For a monumental battle is about to commence that will require all their ingenuity and courage, as it defines what we are to be . . . and if we are to be at all.

Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely Series #1) by Melissa Marr

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21^st century faery tale.

Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

Bobby Phillips is an average fifteen-year-old boy. Until the morning he wakes up and can’t see himself in the mirror. Not blind, not dreaming—Bobby is just plain invisible. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to Bobby’s new condition; even his dad the physicist can’t figure it out. For Bobby that means no school, no friends, no life. He’s a missing person. Then he meets Alicia. She’s blind, and Bobby can’t resist talking to her, trusting her. But people are starting to wonder where Bobby is. Bobby knows that his invisibility could have dangerous consequences for his family and that time is running out. He has to find out how to be seen again—before it’s too late.


Also releasing this week:

• The Overton Window by Glenn Beck
• Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank
• Uncharted terriTORI by Tori Spelling
• Naamah's Curse (Naamah's Trilogy Series #2) by Jacqueline Carey
• Spies of the Balkans by Alan Furst
• That Perfect Someone by Johanna Lindsey
• Promises to Keep by Jane Green
  
• Imperial Bedrooms by Bret Easton Ellis
• Between a Heart and a Rock Place: A Memoir by Pat Benatar
• Need by Carrie Jones
• Deathride: HItler vs. Stalin - The Eastern Front, 1941-1945 by John Mosier
• The Lost Cyclist: The Epic Tale of an American Adventurer and His Mysterious Disappearance by David V. Herlihy
• A Fierce Radiance by Lauren Belfer
• Who Do I Lean ON? (Yadda Yadda House of Hope Series #3) by Neta Jackson
• The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews
• Swimsuit by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro
• Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving
• Ink Exchange (Wicked Lovely Series #2) by Melissa Marr
• Watch the Skies (Daniel X Series) by James Patterson and Ned Rust
• Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
• Leaving the World by Douglas Kennedy
  
• The Beginning (Vampire Kisses Series #1) by Ellen Schreiber

REVIEW: School's Out- Forever by (Maximum Ride Series #2) by James Patterson

Synopsis

In this eagerly awaited follow-up, brave bird-kid Max and her flock are discovered by an FBI agent and forced to go to "school." There is no such thing as an ordinary day as Max deciphers how and when she's supposed to save the world, and she faces her greatest enemy--a clone of herself.




About the Author
Biography from Barnes and Noble

James Patterson had been working as a very successful advertising copywriter when he decided to put his Masters degree in English to a somewhat different use. Inspired by bestselling hair-raising thrillers like The Day of the Jackal and The Exorcist, Patterson went to work on his first novel. Published in 1976, The Thomas Berryman Number established him as a writer of tightly constructed mysteries that move forward with the velocity of a bullet. For his startling debut, Patterson was awarded the prestigious Edgar Award for Best First Mystery Novel -- an auspicious beginning to one of the most successful careers in publishing.

A string of gripping standalone mysteries followed, but it was the 1992 release of Along Came a Spider that elevated Patterson to superstar status. Introducing Alex Cross, a brilliant black police detective/forensic psychologist, the novel was the first installment in a series of bestselling thrillers that has proved to be a cash cow for the author and his publisher.

Examining Patterson's track record, it's obvious that he believes one good series deserves another...maybe even a third! In 2001, he debuted the Women's Murder Club with 1st to Die, a fast-paced thriller featuring four female crime fighters living in San Francisco -- a homicide detective, a medical examiner, an assistant D.A., and a cub reporter. The successful series has continued with other numerically titled installments. Then, spinning off a set of characters from a previous novel (1998's When the Wind Blows), in 2005 he published Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment. Featuring a "flock" of genetically engineered flying children, the novel was a huge hit, especially with teen readers, and spawned a series of vastly popular fantasy adventures.

In addition to continuing his bestselling literary franchises, Patterson has also found time to co-author thrillers with other writers -- including Peter de Jonge, Andrew Gross, Maxine Paetro, and Howard Roughan -- and has even ventured into romance (Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas, Sam's Letters to Jennifer) and children's literature (santaKid). Writing at an astonishing pace, this prolific author has turned himself into a one-man publishing juggernaut, fulfilling his clearly stated ambition to become "the king of the page-turners."

My Thoughts

This flying flock of kids is still on the run in the second book in the series, and they never know who they can trust. In this book, they get a taste at normalcy as they go to live with an agent and are forced to...ugh...attend school for the first time!

The Maximum Ride series is always full of twists and turns, and you never know where it will take you. You would think that if I were reading a story about flying mutant kids, I wouldn't have a hard time "suspending disbelief". However it's the little things that I have a tough time with. For instance, this story has a scene where the kids are flying with a "flock" of hawks. As far as I know, hawks don't fly in flocks. They are solitary hunters and not social birds. So I had a really difficult time getting around this, and it remained a sticking point for me.

I enjoyed this book, and I hope to read the rest of the series. However I don't think that I'm enjoying it enough to want to buy the series. So at this point, I think that I will start using the library to read the rest of the series.


My Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Book Giveaways in Blogworld (06-05-10 edition)

Note: A reminder that you are free to email me about any giveaways that you are having, if you want me to blog them, and I'll be happy to try to post them even if I am not entering them. Just include a link to the giveaway, what you are giving away, how many copies are being given away, and the deadline in order to assure being included. Email me at nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com.

Here is a list of some giveaways going on in Blogworld*. Please note that new giveaways that were added this week are indented in Blockquotes:

Butterfly Book Reviews is giving away 2 ARC's of Faithful. Deadline is June 5. US only.

Jo-Jo Loves to Read is giving away 3 copies of The Bride Collector. Deadlines is June 5. US/Canada only.

Readaholic is giving away 3 copies of Men and Dogs (audiobook). Deadline is June 5. US/Canada only.

Bookhounds is giving away an audiobook of The Bride Collector. Deadline is June 6. US/Canada only.

Bookin' with Bingo is giving away 3 copies of Good to a Fault. Deadline is June 6. US only.

Jo-Jo Loves to Read is giving away a copy of The Last Bridge. Deadline is June 8. Us/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 3 audiobooks of Deliver Us from Evil. Deadline is June 9. US/Canada only.

Readaholic is giving away a copy of The Last Christian. Deadline is June 10. US/Canada only.

Frogaritta's Bookcase is giving away 2 audiobooks of Deliver Us from Evil. Deadline is June 11. US/Canada only.

So Many Precious Books, So Little Time is giving away War. Deadline is June 11. US/Canada only.

Martha's Bookshelf is giving away 3 copies of Alex Cross's Trial. Deadline is June 11. US/Canada only.

Froggaritaville's Bookcase is giving away 2 copies of Deliver Us from Evil. Deadline is June 11. US/Canada only.

A Journey of Books is giving away 3 audiobooks of The Bride Collector. Deadline is June 12. US/Canada only.

Butterfly Book Reviews is giving away your choice of 4 bookcases. Deadline is June 12. US only.

Beth's Book Review Blog is giving away 3 copies of The Secrets of Newberry. Deadline is June 12. US/Canada only.

Quinoa and Corn Chips is giving away the cookbook Mark Bittman's Kitchen Express. Deadline is June 13. US only.

A Journey of Books is giving away a copy of Play Dead. Deadline is June 15. US only.

Freda's Voice is giving away 5 copies of Alibi. Deadline is June 15. US/Canada only.

At Home with Books is giving away $100 to CSN stores! Deadline is June 15. US/Canada only.

Book Faery is giving away $70 to CSN stores! Deadline is June 16. US/Canada only.

Martha's Bookshelf is giving away 3 audiobooks of The Bride Collector. Deadline is June 18. US/Canada only.

Consumed by Books is giving away a hardbound copy of Pride and Prejudice and a DVD of Bridget Jones's Diary. Deadline is June 18.

So Many Precious Books, So Little Time is giving away The Castaways. Deadline is June 18. US/Canada only.

The Review Broads are giving away the audiobook Men and Dogs. Deadline is June 19. US/Canada only.

Bookin' with Bingo is giving away 3 copies of Alibi. Deadline is June 19. US/Canada only.

Peeking Between the Pages is giving away 5 copies of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. Deadline is June 19. US/Canada only.

Bookin' with Bingo is giving away 3 copies of the audiobook Fever Dream. Deadline is June 20. US/Canada only.

Book Journey is giving away 3 copies of the audiobook Men and Dogs. Deadline is June 20. US/Canada only.

Book Journey is giving away 3 copies of The Bride Collector. She doesn't list a deadline, but since her other one expires June 20, I thought this one may also. US/Canada only.

Bella's Novella is giving away a copy of Sizzling Sixteen. Deadline is June 22. International!

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 5 copies of Montana Destiny. Deadline is June 23. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 3 copies of The Secrets of Newberry. Deadline is June 23. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 3 copies of Innocent. Deadline is June 23. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 3 copies of Fever Dream. Deadline is June 23. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 3 copies of War. Deadline is June 23. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 5 copies of Alibi. Deadline is June 23. US/Canada only.

Libby's Library News is giving away 3 copies of The Cradle. Deadline is June 26. US/Canada only.

A Journey of Books is giving away a copy of The Devlin Diary. Deadline is June 27. US only.

Queen of Happy Endings is giving away your choice of 1 of 3 books. Deadline is June 30. International!

A Journey of Books is giving away 5 copies of Knight of Passion. Deadline is June 30. US/Canada only.

Libby's Library News is giving away 7 gently read books for her 500 follower contest! Up to 3 winners if she gets even more followers! Stop over and wish her a Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary! Deadline is June 30. US only.

Three's a Crowd is a new blog trying to reach 50 followers. Win Silver Borne. Contest ends when 50 followers is met.


*Courtesy Note: Please keep in mind the many, many hours of work that goes into me compiling this list each week. Please be courteous and thoughtful, and do not steal my text. Either recreate your own list, or link to this list and direct your readers here for giveaway information. Thank you so much for your consideration.