Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Manufactured Identity Trilogy Giveaway

 
 
 
 
***Giveaway***

 
2 Winners
 
US and International
 

***Giveaway ends Dec 1st***
My Reviews
 

 
The Human Obsession 

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Teaser Tuesday - We Need to Talk about Kevin

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

Just do the following to participate:
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!
Share the title &; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


 

 
Teaser from 40% on Kindle

"What could he conceivably regret?  Now he's somebody, isn't he?  And he's found himself, as they said in my day.  Now he doesn't have to worry about whether he's a freak or a geek, a grind or a jock or a nerd.  He doesn't have to worry if he's gay.  He's a murderer.  It's marvelously unambiguous.  And best of all,: I took a breath, "he got away from me."


A few of us are going to discuss this one on the release date of the movie, December 9.  I am 75% done and the word I would use to describe it is INTENSE........

Want to join in the discussion, go here.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Review - Death Notice by Todd Ritter




Book Summary from Amazon

Perry Hollow, Pennsylvania, has never had a murder. At least not as long as Kat Campbell has been police chief. And the first is brutal. George Winnick, a farmer in his sixties, is found in a homemade coffin on the side of the highway with his lips sewn shut and his veins and arteries drained of blood and filled with embalming fluid. Chilling as that is, it becomes even more so when Kat finds that the Perry Hollow Gazette obituary writer, Henry Goll, received a death notice for Winnick before he was killed.

Soon after, the task force from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Investigation shows up and everything takes an irreversible turn for the worse. Nick Donnelly, head of the task force, has been chasing the “Betsy Ross Killer,” so named because he’s handy with a needle and thread, for more than a year. Winnick seems to be his fourth victim. Or is he?

My Review - 3 1/2 More Sugar Please

Overall a good debut, I can see Todd Ritter becoming an author that has a formula and gets his execution down to perfection.  There was one scene, (cemetery) a total edge of your seat, not breathing moment.  That was up there with the best authors in my opinion, definite potential.

There were some areas of the story that felt like the norm, I had read it before and other times the tension was built up nicely.  A small town dealing with a serial killer, this was done well but when you read lots of thrillers like me you begin picking things a part so I figured out a huge part and a clue was so in the readers face it almost gave it away.  I find this to be a similar style to Mary Higgins Clark or even a cozy mystery, the main difference is Todd Ritter threw in some brutal description.

If you love the whodunit mysteries, you will really enjoy this one.  The death notices arriving and then the race against the clock to save the person was good tension.

The prologue didn't grab me, I think this could have been left out.  Mainly I felt I have read this before but I look forward to seeing where Todd Ritter takes us next.  Bad Moon was recently released, I will read that soon.

Thanks to Kaye Publicity for both Death Notice and Bad Moon, I appreciate it.  She also supported Thrill Week and gave away Death Notice and other books.




Saturday, November 26, 2011

New Challenge - 2012 Serial Killers Reading Challenge




Welcome to Tea Time with Marce


I have a love for reading about Serial Killers and during my Thrill Week Blogging Event I got the idea to host this Challenge.

Serial Killers Reading Challenge 2012:

When you read a book about a serial killer, are you fascinated, scared, intrigued, paranoid........ then join the Serial Killers Reading Challenge and share the best of the best.  It may be the detectives, profilers or the serial killer that keep you up reading long into the night. 

This Challenge is not about how many you read but finding the best of the best and 'remembering' to link your review.

Here are 2 links to use to help you choose but any book from any genre involving a serial killer counts towards the challenge.

NPR Audience - Top 100 Killer List
Goodreads Listopia - I like Serial Killers

Details:

 
* Challenge Dates: January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

* All Genres are Welcome

* All forms of books will count - eBooks, Audiobooks, etc

* You do not have to list the chosen books ahead of time and your choices can crossover into other challenges you have joined.

* If you participate in this challenge please sign up below. Either post and link back here with your direct link to your intro challenge post or put Challenge Button on sidebar linking back here please.

* Surprise Giveaways - Only those that have posted review(s) will be entered

* NO LEVELS - The more participation to find the best of the best is the Challenge.

In the comments below, tell us what serial killer book you have found to be the best.  This is one of my favourite books and movie - Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris.

Note - I will keep a list of all favourites and 5 star reviews to create a 'Personalized Bloggers List' for future years.

Thank you for joining - Review Post will go up first week of Jan











Wednesday, November 23, 2011

WOW - Fifty Shades Freed by EL James

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming releases we are highly anticipating. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.


The first in the trilogy is also up on Goodreads as a nomination for Best Romance of the year.  I think it is a great cross over genres book(s).

Seductive, shocking, sad and funny, Fifty Shades Freed is the compelling final volume in the Fifty Shades trilogy.


Book III of the Fifty Shades Trilogy coming January 2012.





Fifty Shades Freed

When unworldly student Ana Steele first encountered the driven, damaged young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both their lives irrevocably.  Shocked, intrigued, and ultimately repelled by Christian’s singular sexual tastes, Ana demanded a deeper commitment; determined to keep her, Christian agreed.

Now, together, they have more – love, passion, intimacy, and a world of infinite possibilities.  But Ana always knew that loving her Fifty Shades would not be easy, and being together poses challenges neither of them ever anticipated.  Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own integrity, identity or independence; Christian must somehow overcome his compulsion to control, and lay to rest the horrors that blighted his past and haunt his present.

Just when it seems that together their love can conquer any obstacle, misfortune, malice and fate combine to make Ana’s worst nightmares come true.  Alone and desperate, she must face down the poisoned legacy of Christian’s past.

My Reviews

Fifty Shades Darker 4 1/2 stars

This trilogy knocked me out, I LOVED the first one, Fifty Shades of Grey and continued to enjoy Fifty Shades Darker.  This is promoted in the erotica genre but the mystery of Christian, the suspense of what will become of the couple, Ana and Christian, the thrill of the newness and journey of their relationship, just wow, so much more, their love story totally kept me on the edge of my seat.

I highly recommend.


Monday, November 21, 2011

Excited about my next read

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while continuing to add to your 2011 Wishlist.


I am going to start tonight - a few of us are going to discuss on Dec 9, let me know here if you are interested in joining.
 
  I'm excited, sounds like an intense read. 



I just completed - review up this week


 


Do you have holiday reading planned?  Here are my two choices.

    and  







Sunday, November 20, 2011

Interview and Giveaway with Favourite author Heath Sommer on Mental Illness



Please welcome Dr. Heath Sommer to Tea Time with Marce.  You may remember Manufactured Identity was my favourite book last year. The trilogy is in my all time favourite, so thought provoking with lessons about mental health and at times an edge of your seat thriller.  The Human Obsession will be on my favourite list this year.

As a blogger when a book(s) move you I think its important to try and connect with the author for deeper understanding and Heath has been wonderful with communicating with me.

I hope you enjoy the interview.


Marce – What would you like to drink Heath, of course I am having Earl Grey tea.


Heath - The psychologist in me realizes that this is the kind of question that makes people either instantly connect or disconnect with someone! Nonetheless I have to be honest and confess that despite it making me look like a twelve year old I am still a sucker for an ice cold glass of lemonade. You can see why I had trouble dating in high school.

Marce - When did you decide to become an author and where did the inspiration come from to incorporate your profession in the stories?

Heath - Probably like many authors I had numerous early teachers and later key professors in college who really pushed me to discover my passion for writing, for which I am grateful and indebted. But my father spent his life chasing the arts and died with the consequences of never finding success. For me, the psychology degree had to come first, and what I discovered is that psychology and fiction are joined siblings that need each other. To diagnose a character, and then develop a plot for that character to me is as satisfying and thrilling as to diagnose and help people discover themselves.

Marce - How does it feel to write characters with mental health illnesses?

Heath - It feels natural. In fact, so much of literary work distances me from characters because too often characters are not human enough. The protagonist is often too chivalrous, the antagonist too evil to be human. This seems foreign to me. I have discovered in clinical work that pedophiles and rapists—as creepy as it is--attract people for the reality that there is a side to them, when they choose to use it, that has frailty and appeal. So characters with mental illness are the ones I feel most comfortable creating, because they are us and our families, to different extremes.

Marce - I believe you write for a bigger purpose, do you agree and what is that Bigger Purpose?


Heath - Up to eighty percent of people who are suffering-- not just a little but really hurting--never see a therapist for various reasons. I thought maybe I could write a series that brings therapy to people attached to hopefully intense storylines. So in therapy I usually hit about seven different areas; for example usually I start out with meaning of life issues, then relationship/sex issues, then am I doomed to be who I was born to be issues, et cetera. Likewise The Manufactured Identity series is a group of loosely related stories that have undertones of who am I (the Grand Delusion), relationships and sex (The Manufactured Identity), and am I doomed to be who I was born to be (The Human Obsession).

Marce - What made you choose the style of Parts in the books and the titles of each part?

Heath - Well, in movies I like method actors and so in writing I attempt to write in as authentic a way as my editing team will allow. The language structure, fragmented sentences, and prose are all meant to read like individuals with mental illness think. There is a rhythm, I think, to depressed thoughts, that is different from anxiety. And schizophrenia in real life is odd so the narrative and thoughts of a schizophrenic should be odd.

Marce - My goal in all of the books is to make a reader experience the story like a therapist experiences a new patient. In therapy, you are presented with wild, overarching histories that involve too many characters that seem initially impossible to figure out, but by listening and sticking with the story the complexities become more overt and simple than could be imagined as it all comes crashing together. I like taking readers on that same journey to therapeutic insight.  Marce - Heath, this is exactly why I love your books, I felt like I could be a counselor, my 'dream'.  The characters were so real and complex, I loved that.

Heath - The sub titles and titles themselves--as well as the beginning quotes--are always long contemplated double entendras or descriptors that have meaning to the story for me. For instance, the subtitles in The Human Obsession are largely taken from Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’s stages of grief. The Manufactured Identity subtitles are a way to describe the phases of coma-to-consciousness enlightenment.

I like to insert things that with a little subtlety may change the re-readers entire experience, focusing them on different aspects of the same story. I also like titles that try to tease the reader, from the title alone, to figure out the story—nothing is more annoying than mysteries without fair clues along the way!  Marce - This is why I love the trilogy as a whole.  I think together they were executed amazingly well.  I didn't love The Grand Delusion but when finishing The Human Obsession I understood and had a better appreciation.

Marce - Did you choose gray and black covers on purpose? There is something with how colored covers can affect mental illness, correct?

Heath - That is true. The cover’s images are more depictive of the scenes of the books, while the colors are more, to me, reflective of the emotions or sobriety of the topics—plain, but then complicated; mood setting, yet also neutral….readers in my opinion should be guided, not marched down a storyline.

Marce - Which one of your books speaks most to you and why?

Heath - I had the most fun writing The Human Obsession. In fact the inspiration for the Thomas character came to me in the middle of the night when the book was already halfway through post production. I couldn’t sleep until I wrote him in! Overall--though I suspect it will be the readers least favorite--I like the philosophical complexities of The Grand Delusion, which also reminds me of my saddest sets of patients. As far as favorite characters I like Lory Latchely from TMI and Chief Murphy from TGD and THO.

As a side note, a large number of readers have emailed me with rants about how annoyed they are with Addy—I find that interesting as I really like her!

Marce - Who are your favorite authors? Recommend a book to my followers that you think is a must read.

Heath - Cliché or not I like Mary Higgins Clark. In fact her short chapters are an inspiration! My favorite mystery of all time however is Bob Randall’s The Fan. Also, hardboiled fiction enthusiasts might try the Leo Haggerty series by Benjamin Schutz.  Marce - Mary Higgins Clark is who started my love for mysteries, I buy her new one every release date.  I will have to look for The Fan.

Marce - What is on your bookshelf/ereader now?

Heath - I am almost ashamed to admit I have not yet read The Hunger Games Series….they look great! For nonfiction I am reading American Revolution Histories from multiple sources and studying sleep disorders.  I am in the minority for not enjoying The Hunger Games, gasp.......

Marce - Bloggers sometimes find themselves in reading slumps, do you ever have writing slumps or writing block?

Heath - I am a mood writer. I try not to force it. Sometimes I write continuously for three weeks, and sometimes wait months in between chapters. I feel that like a woman with pregnancy cravings I should listen to my body when it says it is not time to write, as if it knows me better than I know myself. When do I know when it is time to write? I am a weirdo who first gets a song or picturesque scene in my mind and then after picking the song out on the piano and letting the scene develop in my head for a few days, then I try to transcribe what I felt and saw into a storyline. So I kind of wait for the story to find me first, then I try my best to describe it.

Marce - How do you deal with social networking, bloggers, interaction with fans etc?

I think anyone who develops fans goes through the human process of being unsure how to feel about that. The first time someone came to my work and asked for an autograph, I almost asked, “Are you really sure?” Doing book tours, meeting fans and critics, all of that is so fascinating. You find there are a lot of people who still feel so human toward the world, who really support and love the arts. It really is energizing, and almost starts to feel like the world is small with family throughout.

Marce - In 10 years time what would you want readers to know about you?

Heath - I am not sure I care what is known about me. I am a pretty boring guy, I think. The Manufactured Identity Series is as real, in my opinion, as stories come. The events may seem extraordinary but they are so much more common than people realize. I once had someone read TGD and say to me, “There are only like two guys like this crazy guy in the world.” I responded that in my little town alone there were statistically likely to be over a thousand. I hope in ten years people remember the stories I wrote and wonder two things: (1) what in the world does he think about all the controversial issues he brings up in his books, and (2) what in the world do I think about all the controversial issues he brings up in his books.

Marce - Any upcoming events that you would like to share with us?

Heath - For the last year I have taken a moratorium from writing and book signings, but am now getting irritable for not writing, so… I have recently put in another 60 pages of the fourth book in the Manufactured Identity series, tentatively entitled Psychopaths, and also am about halfway through an independent story about a mall shooting entitled Next to Die.

Marce - Thank you so much Heath.  I am a forever fan and truly appreciate you taking the time to share with my followers.


Bio - Clinical Psychologist, CEO, Author

Heath_Sommer

Dr Sommer earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Idaho State University and an additional Bachelors degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. He has enjoyed opportunities to present his research at national & state conventions, publish in recognized Journals such as The Journal for Child and Adolescent Psychology, and have his work cited in both Prevention and Best Life magazines.

Dr. Sommer’s fiction writing career formally began in June 2009 with the publication of his first suspense/mystery novel The Manufactured Identity. Surprising critics with its intense plot twists and thoroughly human characters, Sommer was contracted to produce two more books in The Manufactured Identity series. The first of these, The Grand Delusion, will be released in the summer of 2010 with the third novel, The Human Obsession, to be released a few months after. Dr. Sommer is currently working on an independent fiction storyline about a mall shooting, as well as some nonfiction work.

***Giveaway***

Please leave your email address with comment to be included for giveaway
US Followers for Trilogy giveaway from Heath Sommer
The Manufactured Identity giveaway from me for anyone, International
That is 2 winners, please state if you are US or International

***Giveaway ends Dec 1st***


$27.50 for his trilogy, all 3, free shipping (US Only)

My Reviews

The Human Obsession 



Thursday, November 17, 2011

Review - Cinderella Ate my Daughter by Peggy Orenstein



Book Summary from Amazon

The acclaimed author of the groundbreaking bestseller Schoolgirls reveals the dark side of pink and pretty: the rise of the girlie-girl, she warns, is not that innocent.

Pink and pretty or predatory and hardened, sexualized girlhood influences our daughters from infancy onward, telling them that how a girl looks matters more than who she is. Somewhere between the exhilarating rise of Girl Power in the 1990s and today, the pursuit of physical perfection has been recast as a source—the source—of female empowerment. And commercialization has spread the message faster and farther, reaching girls at ever-younger ages.


Cinderella Ate My Daughter is a must-read for anyone who cares about girls, and for parents helping their daughters navigate the rocky road to adulthood.

My Review - 3 1/2 More Sugar Please (in this case, More Pink Please)


I thought this was an interesting read. I have a 4 year old daughter that is all about pink. At night after I read a story to her I pull out my Kindle and read with the kindle light, well the ironic funniest comment she made while reading this book was.  "Mommy when I get older I am going to get a Kindle too but mine is going to be pink with a pink light."  It took everything in me to not laugh.  I think PeggyO may have been appalled, lol.

This book was much more than the pink phase girls go through.  It was the pink vs blue, the girl toys vs boy toys, female celebrities, girly girl vs tomboy, the Princesses of course and the dolls, American Girl, Barbie, Bratz, Spice Girls etc., sexy in young girls, toddler pageants and Facebook, the overall social media which was my favourite chapter.

Social media scares me for sure and I agree young children are techie so they are on it at young ages.  I can let my 4 year old be on the computer alone, nickjr.com owns her and 'gives me quiet time' ;-)  The thought of texting, online associates that she will call friends, all the life that I will no nothing about scares me.
As Parents we make decisions every day that will affect our children, that is our responsibility as a parent.  Even though the Princess movies and others are for children, we should still be watching them to see if we agree with the morals, every one's values are different.  I believe we have to respond to questions, there is the style - "no they don't watch or do it home so they don't know" but as Peggy found out, that is the biggest myth or thought. 

I remember once, my daughter was pretending and said 'is my butt big' if I hadn't watched Chipmunks with her I would have gasped and thought what the hell.  Oh ya, Chipmunks are funny but they can be rude but they are also irresistible.  Peggy discussed the uproar over Beyonce's song, Single Ladies, put a ring on it, lol, but guess what, it is right out of the Chipmunks movie, hahahahaha.
Did you know pink and blue is a 'new' concept?  A favourite quote When nursery colors were introduced, pink was actually considered the more masculine hue, a pastel version of red, which was associate with strength.  Blue, with its intimations of the Virgin Mary, constancy, and faithfulness, symbolized femininity.  Peggy makes the conclusion that maybe that is why Cinderella is in Blue.

A few quotes I loved, made me think and want to share:

I thought, maybe I should see princess mania as a sign of progress, an indication that girls could celebrate their predilection for pink without compromising strength or ambition; that at long last they could "have it all":  be feminist and feminine, pretty and powerful; earn independence and male approval. Then again, maybe I should just lighten up and not read so much into it - to mangel Freud, maybe sometimes a princess is just a princess.

It tells girls that how you look is more important than how you feel. More than that, it tells them that how you look is how you feel, as well as who you are.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.  I would recommend to moms and women that consider themselves girly girls.  I am a girly girl and my daughter is fully into the pink phase, wants to wear a skirt but I have to put leggings or shorts under because she will be climbing, jumping in the sand right with the boys.

The main thing missing for me was Peggy giving examples specific to her daughter, I did wish it could have been more memoir than just non fiction.  This would have made it more real in a sense.  I think everyone that reads this will choose a different favourite chapter, they were pretty good.


I added this to my TBR List after reading over at Christa's blog Mental Foodie.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Another Monday - what did you read last week

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while continuing to add to your 2011 Wishlist.

I'm currently reading

















I completed my first and last Urban Fantasy, just not my cup of tea - my review


















Melissa Foster's Tour book Come Back to Me



















I think this is next


















And if you haven't read We Need to Talk about Kevin, let me know here if you are interested in joining us.



















Saturday, November 12, 2011

Review - Dark Descendant by Jenna Black




Book Summary from Amazon

From the acclaimed author of the Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist books comes the gripping first novel in a new series about a private eye who discovers, to her surprise, that she’s an immortal huntress.


Nikki Glass can track down any man. But when her latest client turns out to be a true descendant of Hades, Nikki now discovers she can’t die. . . . Crazy as it sounds, Nikki’s manhunting skills are literally god-given. She’s a living, breathing descendant of Artemis who has stepped right into a trap set by the children of the gods. Nikki’s new “friends” include a descendant of Eros, who uses sex as a weapon; a descendant of Loki, whose tricks are no laughing matter; and a half-mad descendant of Kali who thinks she’s a spy. But most powerful of all are the Olympians, a rival clan of immortals seeking to destroy all Descendants who refuse to bow down to them. In the eternal battle of good god/bad god, Nikki would make a divine weapon. But if they think she’ll surrender without a fight, the gods must be crazy. . . .


My Review - 2 1/2 Not My Cup of Tea

My first taste of Urban Fantasy, it was an ok read, but not my cup of tea.  Not sure if I will try more or continue the series, I doubt it. 

I love kick ass females and mythology so I thought I will give this one a try. I keep trying YA, why I don't know, I always want more.

This was a story of the Gods, the Descendants, children of the gods and the Olympians. A battle of entitlement and power.  I felt the whole story glossed over, gave a little of everything but not enough to feel fully engaged.  The characters were just ok.

My main issue with this YA was that I felt words were immature, geez.., woo-woo..., I rolled my eyes.  Also at times I felt like the author was spoon feeding me as if I didn't have a brain.  Especially considering that beforehand I'd been seriously injured in a car accident, then been kicked in the face, then nearly perished from exposure.  I said to myself, hello, I just read that.  So it wasn't repetitive, I can't think of the word but you know when someone is talking down to you as if you won't understand, I got that feeling.

I also didn't enjoy Nikki not understanding or finding out more information about being immortal.  This was just never answered to my liking.  And I know that is why it is part of a series but still I wished I knew more.

Overall this was an easy read.  I didn't struggle or want to give up but did force myself to read faster so I can be done with it faster. 

My regular followers, this is not for us.  It was not a bad read, executed ok but it really wasn't my cup of tea.

Is all Urban Fantasy YA?  Jenna Black is also a favourite in this genre, I definitely didn't get the 'hype'.  I wouldn't begin to think who to recommend this to.




Friday, November 11, 2011

We Need to Talk about Kevin

 

This has been on my Wishlist since last year after I read a review over at Jacki's blog Lovely Little Shelf.  I recently read that it is about to be released as a movie.

Anyone interested in reading and discussing with me? To read by December 9th.



Currently $8.79 on Kindle

Book Summary from Amazon

The gripping international bestseller about motherhood gone awry.

Eva never really wanted to be a mother—and certainly not the mother of the unlovable boy who murdered seven of his fellow high school students, a cafeteria worker, and a much-adored teacher who tried to befriend him, all two days before his sixteenth birthday. Now, two years later, it is time for her to come to terms with marriage, career, family, parenthood, and Kevin's horrific rampage in a series of startlingly direct correspondences with her estranged husband, Franklyn. Uneasy with the sacrifices and social demotion of motherhood from the start, Eva fears that her alarming dislike for her own son may be responsible for driving him so nihilistically off the rails.


In theatres December 9, 2011





Thursday, November 10, 2011

Review - Come Back to Me by Melissa Foster


Book Summary from Authors site
(NOTE - I edited down as I felt the summary gave to much away)

Tess Johnson has it all: her handsome photographer husband Beau and a thriving business. When Beau accepts an overseas photography assignment his helicopter crashes in the desert.
Tess struggles with the news of Beau’s death and tries to put her life back together. Alone and dealing with life only reminds her of what she has lost, Tess is adrift in a world of failed plans and fallen expectations. When a new client appears offering more than just a new project, Tess must confront the circumstances of her life head on.
Meanwhile, two Iraqi women who are fleeing honor killings find Beau barely alive in the middle of the desert, his body ravaged by the crash. Suha, a doctor, and Samira, a widow and mother of three young children, nurse him back to health in a makeshift tent. Beau bonds with the women and children, and together, with the help of an underground organization, they continue their dangerous escape.
What happens next is a test of loyalties, strength, and love.
Go here to READ AN EXCERPT
My Review - 4 1/2 Great to the last Drop
Powerful, engaging, heartbreaking with an emotional grace.  Melissa Foster has captured my heart and attention, definitely an author I will continue to watch and support.  If you like Kristin Hannah, you will enjoy her books.
Every character is able to capture your heart and make you feel connected to them.  When they hurt, you hurt, when they are conflicted, you understand and when someone dies you grieve as if you were family. Melissa has a special way of including a plot with great characters, creating a special story, no need to choose one over the other.   
I enjoyed the style of the chapters going between Iraq and Maryland, back and fourth with what Beau is going through and Tess back home grieving for him.  Dealing with loss and grief when you do not have a body to make it final was the fight Tess had and her family and friends trying to convince her to move on and allow them this process to grieve.  Tess was unable to abide or share their belief, she continued to say Beau promised to 'come back to me'.  This was used one to many times in my opinion but also effective.
There were so many delightful moments in this book.  I had a gasp out loud moment at midnight, totally woke me, I got up and emailed Melissa immediately, subject line OMG.......  Melissa happened to be online and emailed me right back.  Got to love authors that connect with their fans.  She made me cry, laugh and totally pissed off with characters at times.  I enjoyed the emotional roller coaster.
When I first started to read I said oh no a war story, this is not of interest to me.  I'm so glad I accepted to review this because I would have lost out on a remarkable story.  Iraq and the flight from war felt true and the nationals authentic.
I have found Melissa's books to be the perfect book club reads and definitely for those that love adult fiction that pulls at your emotions.  Highly recommend.
A favourite quote - He battled the dilemma within the confines of is mind, desperately trying to convince himself that the feeling, the pull to protect, was driven by circumstance, not by desire.
I enjoyed her book, Megan's Way but loved this one, I think I will remember these characters for a long time to come.
At times I was reminded of one of my top ten books from last year After You by Julie Buxbaum.
 
 
 

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I'm on Goodreads, any tips



I decided to join Goodreads.  I wanted to join in on the voting for 2011 and there have been a few quiz or discussions I have came across with interest.

Another bonus, a favourite blogger that threw in the towel is still on Goodreads so that is a plus to reconnect.

There ratings are very different from mine, will have to think about that, Amazon is closer to my thinking.

5 it was amazing
4 really liked it
3 liked it
2 it was ok
1 didn't like it


So my question is, are you on Goodreads?  Leave me your email address in comments please.  Or send me a request at marceblogspot(at)hotmail(dot)com

Any tips for me?

Voting is up - go here to participate

WOW - New from Kristin Hannah, Home Front





HOME FRONT will be available in Hardcover January 31, 2012



Book Summary from Kristin Hannah's site

In her bestselling novels Kristin Hannah has plumbed the depths of friendship, the loyalty of sisters, and the secrets mothers keep. Now, in her most emotionally powerful story yet, she explores the intimate landscape of a troubled marriage--with this provocative and timely portrait of a husband and wife, in love and at war.

All marriages have a breaking point. All families have wounds. All wars have a cost…

Like many couples, Michael and Jolene have to face the pressures of everyday life—children, careers, bills, chores—even as their twelve year marriage is falling apart. Then an unexpected deployment sends Jolene deep into harm’s way and leaves defense attorney Michael at home, unaccustomed to being a single parent to their two girls. As a mother, it agonizes Jolene to leave her family, but as a soldier she has always understood the true meaning of duty. In her letters home, she paints a rose-colored version of her life on the front lines, shielding her family from the truth. But war will change Jolene in ways that none of them could have foreseen. When tragedy strikes, Michael must face his darkest fear and fight a battle of his own--for everything that matters to his family.

At once a profoundly honest look at modern marriage and a dramatic exploration of the price of war on an ordinary American family, HOME FRONT is a story of love, loss, heroism, honor and ultimately, hope.


Kristin Hannah is one of my favourite Adult Fiction authors.  I have only reviewed one since blogging:

Night Road - a favourite this year


Want to participate in the Meme:

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming releases we are highly anticipating. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Met my Goal - 50 books





I never considered how many books I read or could read before blogging.  I possibly read 4 books before, gasp.  :-0

Last year I said go for 50 and I read 54, I wanted to stick to the same this year and I just completed my 50th book, yaaaaay me.

I work full time, teach twice a week (a fusion class - mix of Pilates and Yoga) and have a 4 year old daughter, so life is busy.  I only get to really read late nights and weekends which is approximately 1 book a week for sure.

I am not going to stretch myself for more, I think 50 will be the yearly goal, allowing me to continue to enjoy life and reading without it becoming overwhelmed.  I do try to read a mix of genres even though Thriller, Suspense and Mystery are my favourites by far.   The main reading goal is to try new authors in these genres.

Here is the list so far. - Title, Author, Rating and Month read


Monday, November 7, 2011

Review - Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink (Book 3)





Book Summary from authors site

With time dwindling but her will to end the Prophecy stronger than ever, Lia sets out on a journey to find the remaining keys, locate the missing pages of the Prophecy, and convince her sister Alice to help–or risk her life trying. Lia has her beloved Dimitri by her side, but Alice has James, the man who once loved her sister–and maybe still does. James doesn’t know the truth about either sister, or the prophecy that divides them. And Alice intends to keep it that way.

My Review - 4 Great to the last Drop

I thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy.  It felt like a beautiful escape from the world.  Michelle Zink takes me on a visual journey with her words.  I do not like excessive description, Michelle has a exotic way on telling a story with the perfect amount.  I think this trilogy would be beautiful as audio, if Michelle Zink was reading portions of her book somewhere I would love to be present and experience that.

This is a story outside of my normal genre, a Gothic adventure with Otherworlds, Souls, Keys and Victorian history.

The beginning of the story was my favourite, Prophecy of the Sisters.  The journey on finding the prophecy, interpreting it while fighting off those that do not want you to succeed.  Lia and Alice are twin sisters but on opposite sides of the prophecy, in this one you see the fight in both of them, trying to find their place and make the best decision.

I enjoyed Lia's dreams, they were so real she didn't know if she was dreaming or it was reality, this gave the book an eerie edge of your seat feeling.

Circle of Fire was a great ending to the trilogy, I was starting to think there may not be a true ending but the journey and discoveries is what really made these books magical in a charming way. 

All the characters were a success in the trilogy.  I enjoyed meeting all the keys, the women with the same secretive tattoo like symbol on their wrists.  The men that captured the hearts of Lia and Alice, this was executed well. There was ohh la la moments for sure, in such a hot perfect way.

The Circle of Fire is the perfect ending to a magical trilogy that is the perfect reading escape.

The covers are gorgeous and the inside of the book has a beautiful leaf like border with a snake face, very relevant to story.  This was a nice added touch.



My Reviews




It's Monday - What are you reading, this is what I'm reading.....

It's Monday, What are You Reading  Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while continuing to add to your 2011 Wishlist.

Currently Reading

It is Melissa Foster's Blog Tour for her 3rd book Come Back to Me, good so far
















Completed

I just finished Circle of Fire - loved the writing in this trilogy













RIP Challenge

My wrap up post for RIP if interested





What is next 

I'm considering trying my first Urban Fantasy
















Friday, November 4, 2011

TGIF at GReads - Trying New Genres




If you would like to participate go over to Ginger's blog - GReads

Which particular book(s) opened you up to a new genre?


 

Memoir
I didn't have to think about my answer, immediately I thought of Glass Castle, a memoir by Jeannette Walls.  I read this in 2009 just before blogging and was amazed with the story.  I never had interest in reading memoirs but it intrigued me and I gave it a try.  I have read approximately 6 since then and for the most part have enjoyed this genre.

What I wrote in my comments on LibraryThing before I did reviews:

A remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. The Glass Castle is truly astonishing - a memoir permeated by the intense love of a peculiar but loyal family.


Verse Novels - they have became my Simple pleasure


And the genre I tried but realised I definitely do not like is Dystopian.  I'm sure i'm in the minority for this one.

I tried Hunger Games and Uglies








Happy Friday, enjoy the weekend.




Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Coming Soon..... 2012 Challenges I am hosting

Can you believe it is that time of year again, the planning and joining of reading Challenges. WOW

I think I will complete all the challenges I joined this year, I'm almost there.  My own personal goal is to read 50 books and I am currently reading #50 now, I'm happy about that.


The new Challenge I will be hosting is Serial Killers Reading Challenge 2012.
More details end of the month.

This Challenge idea came after my Thrill Week Blogging Event.




And hosting for the 2nd year - I Want More 2012 Book Challenge
More details end of the month.





Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Launch Party with Melissa Foster - 36 books -- 99¢ -- 3 days only!

 

Today starts the launch party and release for Melissa Foster's new book, Come Back to Me.  My review will be up next week Thursday.

November 1 - 3rd Melissa is hosting a HUGE launch party for 35 authors to celebrate her release of COME BACK TO ME.


What does this mean to you?

36 books (which includes COME BACK TO ME) will be available for 99 CENTS EACH for three days only!

Go check it out.



Click Here for special, many genres available - Women's Literary Cafe
Where readers and authors unite