
Monday, November 7, 2011
Rafflecopter Giveaway Hop!

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Labels: rafflecopter
Fate of the Muse by Derrolyn Anderson
After graduation, Marina is to fly to Paris and meet with the council. Being a hybrid, half mermaid and half human, she has gifts that not many, if any, have. She's scared of the imminent trip, but her Aunt Evie assures her all will be well. Be that as it may, Marina doesn't want to leave Ethan. The two have plans to marry and be together forever, even if they have to wait until Marina is of age to do so.
But not all is at it seems. Someone wants Marina's help in acquiring a baby mermaid. They believe the baby's blood is the key to immortality. Marina's the only person they know who knows the whereabouts of the child. They will stop at nothing to acquire Marina's help, even taking the life of one of her loved ones.
Marina begins to question her choices. Ethan is working so hard she barely sees him. Also, his ex-girlfriend Amber has returned to town. Marina begins to believe that maybe Ethan is better off without her, even though she loves him with all of her heart. As her friends begin to realize their dreams, she struggles between two worlds, that of the sea and that of her heart. Will she realize where she belongs before it is too late?
Fate of the Muse is a thrilling addition to the series. As the group of friends’ graduation and move onto their lives, Marina questions her choices. She loves Ethan but is she burdening him? She wants her mermaid sisters to be safe, but at what cost? Romance, intrigue, mermaids and high fashion shows highlight this page-turning young adult novel. I can't wait for the next installment! Derrolyn Anderson is a must read author!
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Labels: review
Friday, November 4, 2011
Amsterdam Personalized Pen Giveaway
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Labels: giveaways, rafflecopter
The Strangers on Montague Street by Karen White
I loved this! Karen's writing style sucks you in from the very first page. I stayed up all night because I couldn't stop reading long enough to sleep. There's just enough of the paranormal to keep you guessing what's going to happen next. The characters are fun and fresh. The creep-factor just kept piling up higher and higher. There were a few parts of the book where I found myself becoming a bit paranoid and wondering if I was being haunted. So delicious!
The only problem I had with the book was the cliffhanger at the end. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful there's going to be another Melanie and Jack book. I'm thankful I have two previous books to go back and read. What I'm not thankful for is that I'm going to have to wait a minimum of months to find out what happens next! Definitely pick this one up!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen currently writes what she refers to as ‘grit lit’—southern women’s fiction—and has recently expanded her horizons into writing a mystery series set in Charleston. Her twelfth novel, On Folly Beach, was released in trade paperback by New American Library, a division of Penguin Publishing Group, in May, 2010 and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for five weeks.
Karen hails from a long line of Southerners but spent most of her growing up years in London, England and is a graduate of the American School in London. She currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two teenaged children, and a spoiled Havanese dog (who appears in several of her books), Quincy. When not writing, she spends her time reading, singing, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. Her next book, Falling Home, will be published on November 2nd, 2010 and she is currently contracted with Penguin for three more novels.
http://www.karen-white.com/
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Labels: review
Winners - Marco, Best Left Buried & Trick or Treat Halloween Hop
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Hell to Pay by Wendy Corsi Staub
Unknown to Jeremy and Lucy, someone is watching them. Jeremy's grandmother's death may have looked accidental, but it wasn't. Someone from their past, whom they believe to be dead, is set on members of the Walsh and Cavalon families to pay for their sins. Lucy Walsh was kidnapped when she was a child but eventually was freed. Jeremy was also kidnapped but was taken from his loving foster home and sent overseas. He spent his childhood years with a pedophile.
Both with a haunted and tragic past, their love for one another and the hope of their new baby gives them hope for the future. But someone is determined that Jeremy will perish and convinced that the child is the new messiah. Anyone that gets in the way will meet a tragic fate. Action-packed, emotional and suspenseful, HELL TO PAY is an adrenaline pumping read.
Posted by Minding Spot Team at 9:58 AM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: review
Bon Appétit, a Jim Money Story by Glenn Gamble
Jim calls his best friend Steve to go collect from Chuck. Meanwhile, Jessica explains to Jim that although she loves the money he makes from illegal gambling and hustling, she wants a normal life. Jim thinks about it awhile and then decides why not? He and Jessica can get married, have kids and buy a house - normal. But before Jim can share the good news, Jessica gets a phone call and shuts Jim out.
The next day, Jim gets a frantic phone call from Carla, Steve's wife. She insists that her husband and Jessica are having a fling and she wants to kill them. Jim denies that Jessica or Steve would do that to him, but he humors Carla. He picks her up and they go to Jessica's house. But when they arrive, they are greeted with something that neither one of them expected. It is horrific.
Bon Appétit is a fast-paced thrilling novella with a lot of foul language that really sets the tone for this character driven novella. Gamble spins a novel that is riveting, suspenseful and delicious. I look forward to reading more about Jim Money!
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Labels: review
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Fyodor Dostoevsky by Peter Leithart
Anyone who has read Dostoevsky will find this a must-read. Even if you've never heard of him, though, this is an excellent book. Not only do we travel Dostoevsky's life, we get to find out where his principles came from and why he held onto them so strongly. This book is complete with everything from romance to a prison sentence in Siberia. It's gritty in parts and poetic in others.
This book is not for someone looking for light entertainment. Though it's definitely interesting, there are some deep philosophical issues that require you as a reader to open your mind. Both political and religious philosophy were a large part of Dostoevsky's life and are treated as such in the book.
Personally, I adored this book. It was awesome to me to get to see both the light and the dark side of an author I've revered since an early age.
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Labels: review
Accused (Pacific Coast Justice) by Janice Cantore
Carly's ex-husband and fellow police officer, Nick, appears to be on her side. He's determined to show Carly that he's a changed man and win her back, but she isn't convinced he won't betray her again.
As the investigation progresses, Carly suspects a cover-up and strikes out on her own, uncertain whom she can trust. But when danger mounts, she begins to wonder if she made the right choice.
MY THOUGHTSThis was a great read. There was just enough action and mystery to keep me turning page after page. Pulling in several different areas of the police department as well as civilians made this more interesting. I loved not being able to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys until they were revealed at the very end.
I felt that the crime/mystery portion of the book was definitely overshadowed by the religious aspects of the book. Carly is a nonbeliever since the death of her father and finds herself surrounded by people with great faith who want her to have the same beliefs she does. Carly's personal struggle overpowered the main plot of the book, although I definitely believe it was worth it. Carly's struggle alone would have made for a good book. Strong conflict and well-written characters, you won't want to put this one down!
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Labels: review
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Lethal by Sandra Brown
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Labels: review
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Spooktacular Giveaway Winner
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Guest Post: Theresa Meyers, Author of Shadowlander + Giveaway
I’ve always been kind of annoyed how faeries are portrayed by Disney as these light and bright little bits of fluff, or plump little fairy godmothers. The truth is they’re a whole lot darker, more powerful and more dangerous than they’ve been portrayed. It’s that darker aspect of the fae that got me thinking. You see, unlike other supernatural beings, the fae aren’t just limited to Halloween. They can come out at any time. And when they are annoyed—you don’t want to mess with them.
Many cultures go out of their way to make friends and allies with the fae. If you look for a moment at the artwork of Brian Froud, you can see why. Sometimes they can be so very human-looking, but there’s always something darker, more ancient that runs beneath the surface.
Even by some of the oldest cultures, there were fae, sometimes thought to be spirits. And given how dark they can be at times, thought to be demons or djinn. They aren’t malevolent so much as they don’t share our same sense of worth or value what we value. To them we’ve botched things up badly and they are seeking to reestablish balance before their world suffers too. I can’t blame them there.
My first introduction to fae was when I was very young. My mother read us stories, fairytales, and in many the elves or fae were very helpful, but in some they came to punish by turning milk sour or ruing crops or stealing children. I can see why people ascribed to such superstitions as not wanting to step into a “fairy ring” or circular formation of mushrooms that might grow in a field or they might set out a gift of milk sweetened with honey on Midsummer’s Eve, when the veil between our world and the fae realm is thought to be easily passed.
In my Shadow Sisters series, starting off with the novella SHADOWLANDER, I look a little deeper at the dark fae realm, letting my imagination run amuck. There’s giant cats, fae of all kinds and an intrepid set of sisters determined to make a difference and protect humanity. But even they learn not everything is as it seems. Sometimes you have to trust and step into the unknown.
So, now it’s your turn. What’s something you always thought was darker than Disney portrayed it?
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