Monday, July 12, 2010

Mailbox Monday (07-12-10 edition)



Mailbox Monday is brought to us by The Printed Page. Haven't done this for a few months. Some of the books I've received over the last few weeks:


Men and Dogs by Katie Crouch
Won from Bridget at
Readaholic

When Hannah Legare was 11, her father went on a fishing trip in the Charleston harbor and never came back. And while most of the town and her family accepted Buzz's disappearance, Hannah remained steadfastly convinced of his imminent return.

Twenty years later Hannah's new life in San Francisco is unraveling. Her marriage is on the rocks, her business is bankrupt. After a disastrous attempt to win back her husband, she ends up back at her mother's home to "rest up", where she is once again sucked into the mystery of her missing father. Suspecting that those closest are keeping secrets--including Palmer, her emotionally closed, well-mannered brother and Warren, the beautiful boyfriend she left behind--Hannah sets out on an uproarious, dangerous quest that will test the whole family's concepts of loyalty and faith.


The Last Bridge by Teri Coyne
Won from
Jo-Jo Loves to Read

For ten years, Alexandra “Cat” Rucker has been on the run from her past. But a sudden call from an old neighbor forces Cat to return to her Ohio hometown—and to the family she never intended to see again. Cat’s mother is dead, and she’s left a disturbing and confusing suicide note that reads: Cat, He isn’t who you think he is. Mom xxxooo
Seeking to unravel the mystery of her mother’s death, Cat must confront her past to discover who “he” might be: Her tyrannical father, now in a coma after suffering a stroke? Her brother, Jared, named after her mother’s true love (who is also her father’s best friend)? Or Addison Watkins, Cat’s first and only love? Taut, gripping, and edgy, The Last Bridge is an intense tale of family secrets, darkest impulses, and deep-seated love.


Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
Won from Steph Su Reads

Steel Magnolias meets The Help in this Southern debut novel sparkling with humor, heart, and feminine wisdom Twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt is in trouble. For years, she has been the caretaker of her psychotic mother, Camille-the tiara-toting, lipstick-smeared laughingstock of an entire town-a woman trapped in her long-ago moment of glory as the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen. But when Camille is hit by a truck and killed, CeeCee is left to fend for herself. To the rescue comes her previously unknown great-aunt, Tootie Caldwell. In her vintage Packard convertible, Tootie whisks CeeCee away to Savannah's perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricity, a world that seems to be run entirely by women. From the exotic Miz Thelma Rae Goodpepper, who bathes in her backyard bathtub and uses garden slugs as her secret weapons, to Tootie's all-knowing housekeeper, Oletta Jones, to Violene Hobbs, who entertains a local police officer in her canary-yellow peignoir, the women of Gaston...



Alibi by Teri Woods
Won from Just Jennifer Reading

Two men think they've found the perfect opportunity--a chance to rob the stash house of Simon Shuller, one of Philadelphia's biggest drug lords. But their plans are spoiled when one of Shuller's men catches them as they break into the stash house. Temperatures flare as the men capture Shuller's worker, Poncho, and force him to show them the goods. What they didn't expect was for Poncho's partner to be armed and very dangerous. An altercation breaks out and when the smoke clears, Nard, Poncho's accomplice, is the only one left standing. Thinking quickly, Nard cleans shop and makes his escape, but not before being spotted by a few neighbors. Not wanting to kill anyone else, he makes a mad dash for the streets but wonders if the witnesses will give up his identity. What he needs now is a plausible alibi. If he doesn't come up with one fast, it could mean life in prison, or death on the streets.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Book Giveaways in Blogworld (07-10-10 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:

Knitting and Sundries is giving away 3 copies of Sugar. Deadline is July 10. Anywhere the Book Depository ships!

Freda's Voice is giving away 5 copies of Barely a Lady. Deadline is July 10. US/Canada only.

Seductive Musings is giving away 5 copies of Barely a Lady. Deadline is July 10. US/Canada only.

Peeking Between the Pages is giving away both Shiver and Linger to one winner! Deadline is July 10. US/Canada only.

Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks is giving away 3 copies of Dangerous Desires. Deadline is July 10. US/Canada only.

Lori's Reading Corner is giving away 5 copies of A Killer Plot. Deadline is July 11. US only.

Crazy for Books is giving away 5 copies of A Killer Plot. Deadline is July 11. US only.

A Journey of Books is giving away 5 copies of Desire Me. Deadline is July 12. US/Canada only.

A Journey of Books is giving away 5 copies of To Surrender to a Rogue. Deadline is July 12. US/Canada only.

Bookhounds is giving away a copy of Delivering Happiness. Deadline is July 12. US/Canada only.

Bookin' with Bingo is giving away a copy of For the Eyes of Willie McGee. Deadline is July 12. US only.

Reading with Tequila is having a huge 750 follower contest! Lots of books up for grabs, and lots of winners! Deadline is July 13. International!

Bookin' with Bingo is giving away 3 copies of Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English. Deadline is July 13. US/Canada only.

Readaholic is giving away a copy of Her Fearful Symmetry. Deadline is July 13. US/Canada only.

A Sea of Books is giving away 3 copies of the audiobook Innocent. Deadline is July 14. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 3 copies of Wrong. Deadline is July 14. Tell 'em nfmgirl sent you! US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 3 copies of The Castaways. Deadline is July 14. Tell 'em nfmgirl sent you! US/Canada only.

Radiant Light is giving away 2 copies of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. Deadline is July 14. US/Canada only.

Bookin' with Bingo is giving away 3 copies of April & Oliver. Deadline is July 15. US/Canada only.

Bookin' with Bingo is giving away 3 copies of The Barbery Pirates. Deadline is July 15. US only.

Libby's Library News is giving away 3 copies of Delivering Happiness. Deadline is July 15. US/Canada only.
Chocolate and Croissants is giving away a copy of The King's Mistress. Deadline is July 15. International!

Tales and Treats is giving away at least one book for her 50 followers contest. Deadline is July 17. US only.
A Journey of Books is giving away a copy of Masked by Moonlight. Deadline is July 17. US only.

Jo-Jo Loves to Read is giving away up to 3 copies of the audiobook Private. Deadline is July 17. US/Canada only.

A Good Addiction and La Femme Readers are holding a joint Summer Bash with six books up for grabs by 6 winners! Deadline is July 18. International!

So Many Precious Books, So Little Time is giving away up to 3 copies of Queen Pin. Deadline is July 18. US/Canada only.

So Many Precious Books, So Little Time is giving away up to 3 copies of The Disappearing Spoon. Deadline is July 18. US/Canada only.

Bookin' with Bingo is giving away 3 copies of the cookbook Farm to Fork. Deadline is July 19. US only.

A Musing Reviews is giving away a copy of The Nobodies Album. Deadline is July 19. US only.

Broken Teepee is giving away 3 copies of Dangerous Desires. Deadline is July 20. US/Canada only.

In the Hammock is giving away 5 copies of Barely a Lady. Deadline is July 20. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 3 sets of five Rita nominees! Deadline is July 21. US/Canada only.

Just Jennifer Reading is giving away 5 copies of Barely a Lady. Deadline is July 21. US/Canada only.

Bookin' with Bingo
is giving away 4 copies of Cowboy and Wills. Deadline is July 21. US only.

Simply Stacie is giving away a copy of Hidden Wives. Deadline is July 21. US/Canada only.
Readaholic is giving away 3 copies of The Calligrapher's Daughter. Deadline is July 21. US/Canada only.
Bookin' with Bingo is giving away 3 copies of Between Two Worlds. Deadline is July 22. US only.
The Book Chick is giving away up to 3 copies of Cold Rock River. Deadline is July 23. US/Canada only.
So Many Precious Books, So Little Time is giving away up to 3 copies of Hitch 22. Deadline is July 23. US/Canada only.

So Many Precious Books, So Little Time is giving away up to 3 copies of The Broom of the System. Deadline is July 23. US/Canada only.

Thoughts From an Evil Overlord is giving away a copy of Hidden Wives. Deadline is July 24. US/Canada only.

Books R Us is giving away 3 copies of Queen Pin. Deadline is July 25. US/Canada only.

Simply Stacie is giving away a copy of The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook. Deadline is July 25. US/Canada only.

Simply Stacie is giving away 5 copies of Dangerous Desires. Deadline is July 25. US/Canada only.
All Ruby Cakes is giving away 2 copies of The Disappearing Spoon. Deadline is July 26.
Library Girl Reads is giving away your choice of nine books (gently read). Deadline is July 26. US only.

Yankee Romance Reviews is giving away 3 sets of the Rita Awards Nominees. Deadline is July 28. US/Canada only.

Simply Stacie is giving away 3 sets of six books each of Rita Awards Nominees. Deadline is July 30. US/Canada only.

All About {n} is giving away 3 copies of April & Oliver. Deadline is July 31. US/Canada only.

Library Girl Reads is giving away $70 to CSN Stores. Deadline is July 31. US/Canada only.

Giveaways and More is giving away 3 sets of six books each of Rita Awards Nominees. Deadline is July 31. US/Canada only.

The Fiction Enthusiast is giving away 5 copies of Barely a Lady. Deadline is July 31. US/Canada only.
Wicked Good Books is giving away a copy of Twenty Boy Summer in celebration for her 1st blogiversary! Deadline is July 31. US/Canada only.

The Eclectic Reader is giving away your choice of four books. Deadline is July 31. International!

Reading with Tequila is giving away up to 4 gently read books. Deadline is July 31. US only.

Queen of Happy Endings is giving away your choice of three books. Deadline is July 31. International!

A Journey of Books is giving away 5 copies of Barely a Lady. Deadline is August 1. US/Canada only.
Ellz Readz is giving 2 winners their choice of a book from the Book Depository. Deadline is August 2. International!
Pure Imagination is giving away 4 books in a summer celebration. Deadline is August 8. International!

Peeking Between the Pages is giving away a 5 book collection from Hatchette Book Group! Deadline is August 8. US/Canada only.

Bookin' with Bingo is giving away a 5 book collection from Hachette Book Group! Deadline is August 12. US/Canada only.
A Journey of Books is giving away 2 copies of Cold Rock River. I can't find any deadline mentioned. US/Canada only.

*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.

Friday, July 9, 2010

I Wanna...Daemon by Daniel Suarez

Daemon by Daniel Suarez

Synopsis by Publishers Weekly:

Originally self-published, Suarez's riveting debut would be a perfect gift for a favorite computer geek or anyone who appreciates thrills, chills and cyber suspense. Gaming genius Matthew Sobol, the 34-year-old head of CyberStorm Entertainment, has just died of brain cancer, but death doesn't stop him from initiating an all-out Internet war against humanity. When the authorities investigate Sobol's mansion in Thousand Oaks, Calif., they find themselves under attack from his empty house, aided by an unmanned Hummer that tears into the cops with staggering ferocity. Sobol's weapon is a daemon, a kind of computer process that not only has taken over many of the world's computer systems but also enlists the help of superintelligent human henchmen willing to carry out his diabolical plan. Complicated jargon abounds, but most complexities are reasonably explained. A final twist that runs counter to expectations will leave readers anxiously awaiting the promised sequel.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Introducing...Rooms by James L. Rubart

Introducing books through the first paragraph or so...

Why would a man he never knew build him a home on one of the most spectacular beaches on the West Coast?

Micah Taylor stared out the windows of his corner office overlooking Puget Sound, rapping his palm with an edge of the cryptic letter. Cannon Beach, Oregon. Right on the ocean and built by his great-uncle Archie, at least that's what the letter claimed. But of all the towns up and down Highway 101, why there? A place that repulsed him. A place he cherished. Both at the same time. Fate wouldn't be that cruel.

-- Rooms by James L. Rubart

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

REVIEW: The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell

Synopsis

Zombies have infested a fallen America. A young girl named Temple is on the run. Haunted by her past and pursued by a killer, Temple is surrounded by death and danger, hoping to be set free.

For twenty-five years, civilization has survived in meager enclaves, guarded against a plague of the dead. Temple wanders this blighted landscape, keeping to herself and keeping her demons inside her heart. She can't remember a time before the zombies, but she does remember an old man who took her in and the younger brother she cared for until the tragedy that set her on a personal journey toward redemption. Moving back and forth between the insulated remnants of society and the brutal frontier beyond, Temple must decide where ultimately to make a home and find the salvation she seeks.

About the Author
from MacMillan's website

Alden Bell is a pseudonym for Joshua Gaylord, whose first novel, Hummingbirds, was released in Fall '09. He teaches at a New York City prep school and is an adjunct professor at The New School. He lives in New York City with his wife, the Edgar Award-winning mystery writer, Megan Abbott
.


My Thoughts

It is a bleak and desolate world, with pockets of humanity scattered around the country. The world is inhabited by both humans and zombies (referred to in the book as "meatskins" or "slugs"), although these zombies really aren't quite as terrifying as in most zombie stories. They're sorta slow and meandering, and relatively easy to defeat. I'm really surprised at how many people get killed or attacked by them and how feared they are, all things considered!

In this desolate world, it is the humans that are far more dangerous than the zombie population. And alone in this world is a young, tenacious fifteen-year-old girl, being chased by her own demons.

I love Temple. She's haunting, but strong and courageous and smart and sympathetic. There is really something of a kinship between her and the character of Moses Todd. They really "get" one another. It's as if they are playing by the same rules in the same game, while everyone else in the world is playing by a different set of rules. The two of them are the reapers in a world of saints and sinners , and Temple is a little uncomfortable with her role in this world.

I also love the cover of this book! It transfixes me everytime my eyes fall on it.

Oh, please someone make this into a movie! What a fun movie this could be! I can see the scenes playing out in my head. However I also have a bit of an alternate ending playing out in my head as well.

There is definitely some "suspension of disbelief" required, beyond that required for a basic zombie/post-apocalyptic story. For instance, the fact that this is supposed to be something like 25 years after zombies appeared on the scene and the breakdown of government and society and life as it was known, and yet there is still gas available in working gas stations, and the gas hasn't gone bad after sitting for decades. Shoot! The gas can go bad in a weed-eater or lawn mower after just sitting for one season!

I really enjoyed this story! If you like post-apocalyptic, give this one a tumble. It's a quick and easy read, very well-written, with some fun, rip-roaring moments. And it also increased my vocabulary! Here's a few of the words that I was introduced to:

mizzle, page 155

Definition: to rain in a fine mist; drizzle
Usage: "She rises to her feet and blinks, and her eyes are like bleached wafers set against the brown mizzle of blood already drying in flakes on her cheeks and lips and neck."


residuum, page 155

Definition: Something remaining after removal of a part; a residue
Usage: "She raises no hand to cleanse herself, marked as she is with a violence ritualistic and primitive as those hunters who would decorate themselves with the ornamental residuum of their prey."


tintamarre, page 165

Definition: a clangor or din; merry noisemaking
Usage: "The low tintamarre of thunder in the distance sounds like a medieval cannon reaching them not just over a stretch of miles but over a stretch of centuries-- as though they are following the river back into their own primitive pasts."


shivaree, page 165

Definition: a noisy mock serenade for newlyweds
Usage: "That shivaree ain't gonna hurt you. It's just God makin a spectacle of himself at the marryin of earth and heaven."

(I love this one!)


appurtenances, page 200

Definition:
1: an incidental right attached to a principal property right and passing in possession with it
2: a subordinate part or adjunct
3 plural: accessory objects: Apparatus

Usage: "Some of the garage doors stand open, and she can see the appurtenances of suburban life lined up along the inside walls: mowers and lawn chairs and kayaks, gardening implements whose functions she cannot interpret, hammers and saws and drills hanging from hooks on large holed boards suspended over workbenches."


muzzy, page 200

Definition:
1: Mentally confused; muddled.
2: Blurred; indistinct

Usage: "The rain has tapered off, but the windshield wipers still clear away a thick muzzy moisture like dew that blurs her view."


I look forward to more from Alden Bell! And, thanks to his biography and list of favorite books, I've now added two new books to my Wish List. From the synopsis for Smonk, I can see where he got his inspiration for The Reapers are the Angels!


My Rating: 9 out of 10

(UPDATED 8/5/10: I've found that this book has really stuck with me and sort of haunted me in ways. Therefore I have bumped my rating up from an 8.5 to a 9. Fantastic!)

(My thanks to Jason of Henry Holt Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.)