Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop!

Q. Keeping with the dystopian and apocalypse theme that seems to be running rampant on parajunkee.com, I have one very hard question for you: If you were stocking your bomb shelter, what books would you HAVE to include if you only had space for ten?

Only ten?  WOW that's a tough one but here's my list

* Bible

* The Fever Series (5 Books)

* Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

* The Stand by Stephen King

* Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

*Obsidian Butterfly by Laurell K. Hamilton (I think this was the last Anita Blake book that I actually liked!)

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://startingthenextchapterbooks.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

 

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read!  So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog,

"Summer is coming quickly - what 2011 summer release are you are most looking forward to?"

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

A Discovery of Witches: A Novel by Deborah Harkness

Buried Prey - John Sandford

Review: The Advice Girl by L.A. Shaw

Title: The Advice Girl

Author - L.A. Shaw

Format: E-Book

Review:

As a first offering, The Advice Girl by L.A. Shaw really delivers.  The story focuses on the friendship of Kira and Sophia.  Having been friends since childhood, Sophia has always been the one everyone has gone to for advice in love and in life. The story opens with the friends living the postgraduate life: their own apartment at the beach, dating and work.  Everything seems normal but lately Sophia, the eternal optimist, has been have a strong sense of foreboding.

The author presents the friendship realistically.  Nothing seems forced and you really get the sense of the deep bond between the girls. After the mysterious death of Sophia, you really go through the emotions and depression with Kira.  The sense of loss on the pages cut so deep!  However, after getting a cryptic note, Kira begins to wonder if she knew Sophia at all.

But WAIT!  This book offers so much more!  There is a love story and a dark and sinister group out to destroy those who would do good and so much more!  The author deftly ties the parallel stories together into a seamless, wonderful read.  You can’t help but wonder what is going to happen next and keep turning pages.  The suspense is great and as more things are revealed, there are moments of absolute surprise.

Now, there were a few things that took away some of my joy.  The ending was rather abrupt but at the same time, it made me eager for the sequel (coming soon I hope!).  In addition, the romance portions of the story happened rather quickly and while I am saying it couldn’t happen, it still was rather quick.

I hope in the sequel, we can find out more about the various characters.  I would love to know some background on some of them (especially Markus!) and I’m eagerly waiting to see what happens to everyone! 

Grab this one up!  You will not regret it!

Feature Author AND Giveaway!!

Writing today's blog post is author Kathryn Lively, the author of "Little Flowers" and "Pithed".  I am so thrilled to feature Kathryn AND to offer a copy of her latest mystery "Dead Barchetta" as a free gift to a lucky blog reader!  Check out the post and giveaway details follow!  ENJOY! 

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The Men in My Writing Life - Kathryn Lively

Every time I agree to guest post on a blog about my latest mystery novel, DEAD BARCHETTA, I feel I should insert an apology somewhere. This work represents about six years of my life. I began outlining the story sometime in 2005, and while attending a RushCon - the largest annual gathering of Rush fans in the world - I offered up for their charity auction the opportunity to become a "guest character" in the book. The winning bidder, thankfully, was very patient with me, considering I had told him I expected to have a draft for him within the year. Six years later...

The draft I had promised him, too, was to have been markedly different from the book that is available now. In the early stages of planning DEAD BARCHETTA, I had a different title in mind...and a different character. Since my last mystery, PITHED featured a male protagonist/sleuth, I wanted a female character for my next work - specifically a female musician. Around this time I'd read so many kick-ass, tight-pants wearing heroines that left me awed, and I wanted to create a persona readers would enjoy along with the likes of Stephanie Plum. I'd cross Joan Jett with Anita Blake and really turn the mystery genre on its back!

Problem was, I'd get a chapter or two into the first draft and...nothing. I'd hit walls and blockades, I'd fine something on television, then the baby would need my attention and I set Kick-Ass aside to pursue other ventures. Yet for years, the book remained in the back of my mind and I'd occasionally jot down a line of possible dialogue in my work notebook, and keep sticky notes that reminded me to steer the plot in this direction and that.

After a few years of this procrastination (and thankfully that winning bidder never checked up on me), I came to accept that the reason I could not get the book off the ground was because the main character didn't suit the story. More than that, the character's gender didn't suit. Now, this is not to say that I have trouble writing female characters, but I find perhaps I have an unconscious tendency to take on challenges. I am not male, therefore I find more comfort writing male leads because I enjoy learning from readers whether or not I did it correctly.

After my first novel, LITTLE FLOWERS was published, an interviewer remarked to me how well I had personified a supporting player, a detective investigating the crime that happens in the first chapter. I thought at first he had complimented me on getting all the procedural activity correct, but he implied that the character seemed real to him, and he was surprised that a woman had written him so well!

Same with PITHED. Granted, the sleuth Andy Farmer is based upon my father, so I had 30 years of knowledge base to work with there, but again people let me know how much they loved Andy.

As for DEAD BARCHETTA's Lerxst? He is probably the son I never had. He emerged slowly from my writing subconscious and came into character as I began working with younger men in my day job. Having the environment to inspire me helped shaped Lerxst as a man, while conversations with my closest friend (a sometime musician, who is also male) took care of the nuances. Once Lerxst came to life, the story followed rather quickly.

Does this mean I should only write male sleuths? I don't know. I do find, however, it is getting easier to do, and that means the next challenge in my writing career is to write a lead female. I'll let you know how that turns out.

Kathryn Lively is an author of mystery. Please visit her online at http://www.kathrynlively.com or view her author page at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-Lively/e/B004FW06U8/) and friend her at Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/kathrynlively).

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Contest!! Rules & Details: Dead Barchetta by Kathryn Lively! 

1. Post a Comment below with your Email Address for entry to win a copy of Dead Barchetta

2. One entry per person.

3. Contest is open worldwide; you just need computer access to receive the e-book.

4. Each winner will receive an electronic copy of Dead Barchetta. This is an e-format from Amazon Kindle. You do NOT need to own or use a Kindle ereader; simply download the Kindle Application on your phone, computer, iPod or other compatible device.

5. Contest will be open through Sunday, May 1, 2011.

6. Winners will be chosen randomly through Random.org.

7. Must include email address in comment so that I can contact you should you win. (I will NOT use your email for any other purpose.)

To read my review of "Dead Barchetta", just click HERE. 

Follow Friday and Book Blog Hop

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://thecaitfiles.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

 Today's Question:

Q. What is on your current playlist right now?

My choices are all over the board!  I like so many different artists

Pretty Girl Rock - Keri Hilson

Moment for Life - Nikki Minaj

Love The Way You Lie - Eminem and Rihanna

Like A G6 - Far*East Movement Featuring Cataracs & Dev

 

 In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! 

RULES:
Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

1.  Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below, including the genre that you review!

In your link, please state the main genre that you review:  eclectic, contemp. fiction, ya, paranormal, mystery, non-fiction, etc.

Example:  Crazy-for-Books (contemp. adult fiction) 

2. Post about the Hop on your blog.  Spread the word about the book party!  The more the merrier!  In your blog post, answer the following question (new question each week!).  

This week's question comes from Christina who blogs at The Paperback Princesses.  She asks:

 "If you find a book you love, do you hunt down other books by the same author?"

OMG YES!  I like to finish out a series if possible but I'll admit to being disappointed sometimes because other books by some authors didn't live up to the book I fell in love with.   Reading is always a gamble! :)

Blog Tour De Force Cage Match!

What is a "Cage Match", you ask?

Two authors - two books - waiting for you to decided who is the best!  The Cage Match Starts today

Visit Blog Tour De Force Cage Match website to see who is up for the daily rounds.  Visit the authors' blogs for free books (yes, free!!!), give them a read and hit the authors blogs to let them know who you think was the best!  There are prizes from the authors and each comment is an entry to win a Kindle loaded with all the books in the Cage Match!

Here's a chance to show Indie Authors some love and grab some really good books while your at it!


Round One starts Monday (April 18).  That's today, folks!

Books up tomorrow are:

Plain Jane: Brunettes Beware by Cristyn West 

VS

Fierce Dawn by Amber Scott

Check out the reviews for both books on my site then hop over to the Cage Match and weight in!!

Review for Plain Jane:Brunettes Beware

Review for Fierce Dawn

Review: Plain Jane:Brunettes Beware by Cristyn West

Title: Plain Jane:Brunettes Beware

Author: Cristyn West

Format: Paperback and Ebook

Found at: Amazon and Smashwords

This book keep me captivated from beginning to end!  The story was wonderful and repulsive at the same time.  The hunt for this serial killer took so many twists and turns yet left you wondering who was more insane, the killer or the profiler on their trail!



I loved the main female character in Nicole.  She was a strong and smart woman yet vulnerable in affairs of the heart.  Her job is first and foremost in her mind except when it comes to dealing with her ex, Kent.  He brilliant, deranged and obsessive, all the hallmarks of a top profiler.  He was an ass to her and their co-workers and I cheered at the times she found her moxie and let him know how she felt.  Their relationship is as intriguing as the mystery of the serial killer and I was totally satisfied with the way it played out in the end. 


The serial killer was spooky and the reveal was a total surprise  There were several viable suspects and the author really kept you guessing until the end.  The suspense lasted the entire novel and I came away from the novel with a  sense of "WOW". There is definitely a gross factor with the more visits and the "prize" that the serial killer took from it's victims.  This story may bother you a little if you are a touch squeamish.



A few things I would have like to have seen was more of the back story of the characters.  There was discussion in the book about previous cases and previous relationships but since this was the first book, I only know what was mentioned.  It would be nice to see a prequel book showing how Nicole and Kent wound up together in the first place.  I hope there will be more with these two!  They work together well and it'll be interesting to see another case with them! 


Check out this book at the Blog Tour De Force Cage Match!!

Follow Friday

Today's Question:

Q. Do you have anyone that you can discuss books with IRL? Tell us about him/her.


As a teacher, I have several people to discuss book with but I must say my favorite is the librarian.  She is a paranormal junkie and she has bought so many interesting books into the library.  She is the reason I have even read some of the YA titles out there.  She points books that she thinks I'll like (and I do!) and she always keeps up with new releases and helps to build series of books for everyone to read.  How can you go wrong with a Kresley Cole fan? :)

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:


(Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list

(Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://romance-around-the-corner.blogspot.com/

Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.

Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments

Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"

If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

TBR Thursday

This meme was based off TBR Thursday orginally hosted by Book Love Blog where they announce the books in all forms and from all sources that they received/bought/picked up to read.  I didn't see a reason to change a good thing, so here is my version!   Leave a link to your TBR in comments...

Title: The Advice Girl
Author: L.A. Shaw

Description (Amazon): Kira and Sophia have been best friends since they were five years old. They share an apartment together, and tell each other everything.

Everyone loves Sophia, and she is often called the advice girl by people who know her. Kira believes she knows her friend better than anyone. But in a mysterious accident, Sophia loses her life.

Kira is mourning the devastating loss when she finds a note addressed to her from beyond the grave. Kira realizes she doesn’t know her friend as well as she thought, as she starts to uncover the truth. She falls into a deep depression, confused and lost, until a visit from a strange man puts her in the middle of a war between two secret societies.

Kira soon understands that she is in danger, and doesn’t know who to trust. She has to fight for her own life now.

Excerpt:

When I finally arrived home that evening there were so many blue and red flashing lights that I couldn’t even see where to park my car.  I eventually found a spot but for some reason the sudden sick feeling in my stomach made me stay where I was.  Then realization hit me like a brick, and the name unwillingly escaped my lips in a hushed whisper, “Sophia.”  No, I thought, they aren’t here because of her, surely not her.

Giveaway: All Things Urban Fantasy

All Things Urban Fantasy is cleaning out their shelves and giving away 64 urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and paranormal YA books.  Some are brand new, some are well read, some are ARCs, and one is an MP3 audio book. It's a book bonanza!  Go to the site to check out the extensive list and enter the contest!

Review: Dead Barchetta by Kathryn Lively

Title: Dead Barchetta
Author: Kathryn Lively
Format: Paperback and Ebook
Available at Amazon and Smashwords

From Amazon: “Lerxst” Johnston doesn’t have an enemy in the world…so he thinks. Armed only with a guitar and endless questions, Lerxst escapes the discomfort of his beach home and hides out in New York City to learn the true identity of his would-be assailant. Instead he learns more about himself and what he needs to do to survive the next attempt on his life. What a long, strange trip it is.

Review:

I read this one from beginning to end!  The story started off with the simple question of "Why was the mysterious woman was trying to kill him?" to a bigger plot that no one saw coming until it sprang up!  The story was engaging and you couldn't help but love Lerxst and the characters he meets along the way.

It had plenty of musical references and a great deal of dark humor but the book didn't bogged down at any point.  Instead, it moved at a quick pace and had you looking for answers as if you were Lerxst!  The characters were also wonderful.  There's the grandma who grows "medical herbs", a brother that has a huge secret and the female bass player that becomes his partner in the hunt for answers.   In spite of everything going on, Lerxst keeps a level head as he searches for the truth.

This was a wonderful read!  I read it from beginning to end and I wouldn't mind picking up again to discover any wonderful nuances I may have missed the first time around!  Music fans will also enjoy the rock references (especially for Rush) but you don't have to be a music fan to enjoy it.  It's great to see an ordinary, unexpected guy be the detective for a change.  Grab this one!  You'll enjoy it!

Blog Design Giveaway!!

Siobian over at The Owl Bookmark Blog is having a free blog design giveaway!  Just hop over to her blog for rules and regulations and take a chance on winning a nifty FREE blog design!!  Oh yea, check out her blog while you're there!  It's really cute!!

Follow Friday

Today's Question:

Do you judge a book by it's cover?

I do sometimes!  I can't help but be drawn in by the great cover art or a hunky man!


To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://mykeepershelf.blogspot.com
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

Title: Karma and Melodies
Author: Katie Salidas

Teaser:

“Look, blood bond or not, I know you, Kendra. I remember you from Enigma. You were so beautiful, so sexy. You still are. I wanted you then, but I didn’t take the opportunity. Let’s not waste that chance now.” He rolled towards her. “I want to taste your lips. Your neck, your—” He bit his lip and groaned. 

“Go ahead, say it. You want my blood. Vampires are ruled by our instincts,” Kendra said matter-of-factly, repeating the words she had heard Hector say before. “We’re hedonists with a finite limit of control. Wants, needs, desires are all amplified.” She looked down at Marcus. “You see? It’s so easy to give in. To become the beast we’re known to be. I’ve cursed you to this fate. Already you’re acting on your desires. You want my blood.”

Review: An Atlas of Impossible Longing by Anuradha Roy

Title: An Atlas Of Impossible Longing
Author: Anuradha Roy
Format: Print and E-Book
Found at: Free Press(Simon and Schuster.com) and Amazon


An Atlas of Impossible Longing is a hauntingly beautiful story about a family in India.  The author explores love and loss through the years of this family and the longing of hearts separated by class and circumstance.  I was taken into the caste system of India and the author showed regardless of feelings, status had to be maintained.  It was so easy to get lost in the pace of the book and the author wove the story in such a way that you could actually feel as if you were in India viewing the story.

This is a beautifully written book and the love story of Mukunda and Bakul will touch you deep in your heart.  To know they were kept apart because of their Mukunda's unknown caste was heartbreaking and to see how their lives unfolded was tragic, in a sense, and you can't help but want them to find each other again but you realize that their circumstances will keep them apart.  Other family members live with longings and regrets and you can't help be become drawn into the family story, one member at a time.

This makes a wonderful rainy day read.  Curl up with a cup of tea, a blanket and get lost in India for the afternoon.

*This book was a pre-release copy from Free Press.  The review is my own honest opinion.*

Review: Fierce Dawn by Amber Scott

Title: Fierce Dawn
Author: Amber Scott
Found at : Amazon
Format: E-Book

When I was sent the ARC copy, I admittedly was eager.  I read Irish Moon by the author and I truly enjoyed it!  I am overjoyed to say Fierce Dawn met and exceeded my expectations.  It had all the elements that I really enjoy: supernatural, sexual tension and a great story!

Starting off, we meet the young Sadie Graves, who is taking care of a mentally ill mother and her little sister, Heather.  Her mother is obsessed with her rambling journals and all Sadie wants is to be a normal teen.  Little does she know her life is going to be anything but.

Flashing forward to adulthood, we find Sadie and her sister's positions reversed.  With their mother dead, Heather has turned caretaker to the now broken Sadie.  Sadie is trying to find herself again while convincing her sister and the psychiatrist she's OK.  What she doesn't mention is the dreams of a gorgeous man that have been haunting her for the past 6 months.  Imagine her shock to discover the man of her dreams coming to the library where she works!

It's not a coincidence that has Elijah there.  Something is after Sadie and her life is getting ready to change in ways she never dreamed.  He is there to protect her and try to fight the strong physical attraction that has developed between them.  He keeps telling her (and himself) the attraction is not real but it sure feels like it is!

This book was so wonderful!  The story is gripping and entertaining.  The realization there's another world in the shadow of this one is compelling.  I also LOVED the sexual tension between Elijah and Sadie as they tried to fight the strong mutual attraction between them while trying to get to the bottom of the conspiracy to destroy the human world.

I read this book in one day, it was just that good!  It's up for Blog Tour De Force author Cage Match on April 18 and Bestseller For A Day on May 18, but don't wait that long!  Download this now!  You'll be glad you did!

Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://books-ahoy.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Happy Follow Friday!

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read!  So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun!  This is a weekly event! 

This Week's Question:

 "Since today is April Fool's Day in the USA, what is the best prank you have ever played on someone OR that someone has played on you?"

I'm not much of a prankster.  I always got mad about being tricked and after awhile, friends stopped doing it.  I was kind of a bratty spoil sport! LOL