IN MY MAILBOX (6)

In My Mailbox

For Review

Shelter by Harlan Coben (his debut in YA)

Out of Control by Mary Connealy

Library

DemonGlass by Rachel Hawkins (I loved Hex Hall)

Won

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare  Thank you so much  Courtney at Fuzzy. Coffee. Books.

Bought (I forgot when I took the pic)

Blameless by Gail Carriger

Changeless by Gail Carriger

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

The Hollow by Jessica Verday

Some other books for future giveawaways to be named later!  I didn't know that Waldenbooks was a Borders store til this week and when I went everything was at 60 % off or more...and well...I have no WILLPOWER!  Thinking of going back this week and not spending money. 

Netgalley

You are my Only by Beth Kephart

Slayers by C.F. Hill

The Way we Fall by Megan Crewe

That's it for me!  What a week!  If you leave me a link to your mailbox I'll come and visit!  I love getting new book ideas (the reason I bought Blameless and Changeless and Sisters Red)

Craft Activism {non-fiction book review}

Title:  Craft Activism

Author: Joan Tapper, Gale Zucker
Publisher: Crown Publishing
Available:  September 27
Source:  netgalley

About the Book:
Handmade items are making a BIG comeback.  Etsy and Ebay and cottage shops all over the world are showcasing various talents and people are coming together because of these handmade items.  This book is all about sharing, giving, making and connecting.  Crafters all over come together in this grassroots phenomenon and  share their experiences, tips, and advice on living, teaching, and promoting a more meaningful DIY lifestyle. With this book you can learn to use your talents to further a cause, connect with others and make a difference in the world. 
My Take:
This book is huge!  Even if you have no idea how to hold a knitting needle or how to sell your items this book will teach you.  Some of the projects are pretty simple that a beginner can pick them up and a talented artisan can still find something new and original.  I especially enjoyed the chapter on making a difference with your craft.  Therewere even links to various organizations to help the reader make that difference.  This would be a to buy book, because of all the great pictures and instructions. 
About the authors:
JOAN TAPPER was the founding editor of National Geographic Traveler and editor of the award-winning Islands magazine. She is the author of seven books, including Shear Spirit, which she co-authored with Gale.

GALE ZUCKER is an award-winning location photographer and avid knitter. Her work has appeared in TV Guide, the New York Times, USA Weekend, Mason-Dixon Knitting: Outside the Lines, and other commercial, editorial, and corporate projects.
7 thumbs up!


I was given a copy of this book to review by netgalley.  No other compensation was given and I was not required to give a positive review.  All reviews are my own thoughts!

BACK TO THE BOOKS GIVEAWAY HOP!

It's time for another I am a Reader, Not a Writer giveaway hop.  This is for all followers and I would like to say thank you to I am Reader and Buried in Books for hosting this giveaway!  I'm sure there will be hundreds of fun giveaways and I hope everyone wins!  I'm doing my part by giving followers a choice of any of the three books.

 So..  to enter... simple .... Be a GFC follower and leave a comment on the best book of 2011 that you've read this year. 

Mine is one yet to be published by debut author Jennifer Rogers Spinola!  Awesome read.  A very close second is Double Crossing by Meg Mims.  For YA, I'd have to go with Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris, but there have been a lot of good YA reads this year.  For middle school, Carl Hiaasen and Chomp (still not released either)

The fine print:

• Ages 13 and up please (have your parents sign up)
• US only
• All entries must be in by 12:00 pm CST Sept 7, 2011
• E-mail must be on the comment post or easily found when clicking on your icon

And the prizes you ask?  Please post with your choice of book. 

Adult book

Young Adult

   

Middle School or YA

The YA and Middle School books are both Hardcover.  Canary List is paperback.   And...if you would really really really rather have..  I have a $10 gift card to Amazon.  Don't forget to mark what you want to win.

Hope you have fun on the blog hop..  keep going with the blog with the linky!

Cherished

Title: Cherished
Author: Kim Cash Tate
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Available: 8/30/11
Source: NetGalley

About the book:
Our pasts somehow seem to find a way to sneak up on us even if we really try to hide from it. God knows us better and what we need so why do we feel the urge to do it our way? The women (and men for that matter) are no different than we are and have to find their way to forgiveness through God. Kelli London wanted to be a songwriter, but settled for another life, but because of unforeseen things happening she ended up back in her hometown with the one person she thought she would never be in touch with again. But will the pain of the past force them farther apart? Kelli forms a bond with another unlikely stranger, Heather Anderson who is running from her own demons and knows God could never forgive such a sinner as she. With the help of a wise mentor and Kelli, can she learn to love? Can they both learn what it is like to be cherished as no other?

My take:

This is a book full of regrets and past mistakes. There was a lot of meat in this book, not a quick read by any means. It really makes you take a step back and look at your own past failures and see if they are holding you back from becoming closer to God or maybe even identify with one of the characters. The characters could be some of my own friends and family and Ms. Tate makes them come to life through her descriptions. I recently learned that her first book, "Faithful" has the love story of some of the minor characters in this book. Guess I'll have to pick it up! This is a Christian fiction story with a romance, but romance is not the focus, it is much more in depth than a simple love story. There are some choices made that seem a bit weird, but the author does a wonderful weaving of all storylines that it makes sense. I really enjoyed this book while on the beach in MI this summer and encourage you to pick it up and get involved in the lives of these lively friends!

6 out of 7 thumbs up...

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. No other compensation was given in exchange for a review. All thoughts are mine!

Title: Horse Dreams
Author: Dandi Daley Mackall
Publisher: Tyndale Kids
Source: NetGalley
Pub. Date: 9/1/11

About the book:
This is part of the backyard horses series. Ellie James has always dreamed of owning a black stallion. Her friends own horses and have won allot of trophies, but Ellie has never been able to have her own horse. Ellie has a hard time seeing an answer to her prayer, not realizing that maybe God doesn't always say yes.

My take:
What school age girl hasn't dreamed of owning her own horse? This is a great beginning chapter book for Christian girls to not only read about horses and horse shows, but also a great source to learn about answered prayers. Sometimes God does say yes, sometimes no and sometimes in a different way in what we expect. This is an important lesson for everyone. I'm really glad to see a series for Christian kids. I didn't realize these books were out there and I think my daughter will really enjoy it when it comes out!

The author:
She has written over 400 books for all ages. She has a few series for beginning readers and even
teens and adults. She has won many awards for her books and has books with secular as well as Christian publishers. You can find more about the author and her books here.

Five thumbs up out of five!

I was given this book to review by NetGalley and Tyndale kids. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine and I was given no other compensation for a good review.

Very First Author Interview....of....

MEG MIMS

and her Debut Novel

Double Crossing!

Meg Mims was the featured debut author last Monday, August 13, 2011 . She is the author of Double Crossing, a historical novel that I couldn't put down and lost hours of sleep over and told her so. She has agreed to come and answer some burning questions for her adoring fans and I am totally grateful!

Question #1
Tell us something about Double Crossing that didn't make the cut. ....

Well, I actually had the opposite problem. I had the beginning down pat, the early middle and the Dale Creek bridge scene, plus the end pretty well set. Things dulled down after Dale Creek. I would fall asleep trying to revise. That's a real problem, LOL! I knew something major had to happen, and then consulted with my long-time CP (a genius, by the way, about logic and plotting.) We generally don't line edit -- just brainstorm at various points - for
each other. She gave me a nudge in a new direction (no spoilers, SORRY!) that really seemed to be *the key* to make the entire puzzle fall together. The manuscript was much stronger once I added that 2/3 of the way through the book! It really worked. But I have had other manuscripts where I've had to cut -- usually research, the best details that may have NO point to add to the story! That's tough to slice off, but it's gotta be done. Ouch.

Question #2
Where do you usually do your writing?

Don't laugh - on my living room couch. If you watch The Big Bang Theory, I have "Sheldon's spot" too, LOL. I cannot, cannot, for the life of me, write much anywhere else! And I've tried. No idea why. I first started writing as a hobby at my dining room table, long ago... graduated to an "office" bedroom, which needs major reorganization... and then switched to the couch. I can see out of the picture window - birds, squirrels, etc. I like it.


Question #3
Since I know you love to research....how do you decide on what to research? I mean there are a couple million things to focus on.


For Double Crossing, I started with Evanston since I knew I wanted to begin there - and I'd visited years ago. Then I just progressed westward, right along with Lily (although I already knew Chicago's history) through Illinois and Iowa, to Omaha's history, the Union Pacific and Central Pacific RR history (which was the bulk of my research, truly!) and California. For Double or Nothing, I'm researching more in California - I haven't decided if there
will be as much travel except between Sacramento and San Francisco, plus the mining camps. But there's plenty yet to do! I really love to add realistic details about settings, cities and towns, food, clothing, etc. I really hope readers enjoy that too.

I have been to some of the locations that you mentioned in IL and IN and I think you did pretty good with the descriptions.


Question #4
I know we share favorite childhood books....Trixie Belden and Little House on the Prairie, but who are some of your current favorites? (I still like LHOP books..glad my girls are old enough to enjoy them now)


I read primarily historical or contemporary mysteries. Charles Todd, Will Thomas, Cleo Coyle, S.J. Rozan to name a few... but I also love big juicy historicals with romantic elements and mystery blended in... Judith Merkle Riley and Sharon Kay Penman, Margaret Lawrence stand out. I juggle several books at once -- I just finished Jonathan Maberry's 3rd Joe Ledger book in his thriller series, I'm reading Trophies by J. Gunnar Grey and also Lee Allen Howard's The Sixth Seed, plus Jason Jack Miller's The Devil and Preston Black. And I've got Steig Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo book after that. Call me an eclectic reader? Definitely!

Well...if you check out this blog...I think I'd be called an eclectic reader too! So nothing wrong with that!

Question #5
What part of writing and getting published were you the most surprised about?


I think it's how much time promotion takes. I enjoy it, especially talking about Double Crossing - but it's hard to get myself in a regular schedule to make real progress on the next book, my freelance writing job, other articles I have to write, etc. I think the whole "I'm published now!" basking period is hanging on by its claws, and it's time to "get over" myself and get back to serious work. ;-D

Please get back to work, I eagerly await the sequel! But on the plus side, I love all the promotion work you are doing because I may have not happened upon your book without that win!

Question #6
Do you reach for the sweet or the salty for snacking?


Hmm. I try to stick to crunchy peanut butter on apple slices (both) or crackers and cheese, but at times I do like a bit of salty taco chips! But cookies are my absolute downfall. I try NOT to buy them. Except for one box of Girl Scout Thin Mints, of course. LOL

Mmmmm Girl Scout Cookies!!!!

Question #6
I know you blog and facebook and tweet (because I stalk, oops I mean follow, you on all three), which is your favorite form of social media?


LOLOL!! I really enjoy writing my blog posts. I consider that my "jumpstart" freelance fun stuff -- it's totally free to readers, too. ;-D I think FB is getting to be more of a chore to keep up with everything, but I love seeing people's pictures and funny posts. Twitter can be work, but there's something about 140 characters -- sort of "flash" fiction, and also fun. It's sweet of you to stalk -- er, follow me. Not sure I deserve that, but
I'll dub you my #1 FAN! ;-D


Oh me Oh my!!! I'm #1!!! I'm doin' the happy dance and my kids think I'm totally psycho now!
Question #7
I've seen a snippet of a new book to come out....can you talk about it yet or is it still a WIP (work in progress)


My snippet of FIRE POINT? Ah, yes. It's complete - I wrote it for my Master's Thesis program at Seton Hill University. Artist Sydney Sinclair finds the half-burned, strangled female keeper at the lighthouse. Sydney draws a sketch from a plaster death mask to help verify the woman's identity, but her efforts prove the victim is not the keeper after all. Sydney faces betrayal from friends and uncovers village secrets that lead to a second murder -- and sets her directly in the killer's path. FIRE POINT is on an editor's desk now. I have started Double or Nothing - the research, the backgrounds (for new characters), the plot points, the character arcs, etc. etc. I spend at least two weeks on pre-writing.

Great another book to buy and devour and get no sleep over! Actually it sounds great...can't wait to read it!

And finally...Question #8...
Anything else you want to tell us about Double Crossing?


I'm curious if people think it's anything close to "True Grit" on a train (or the Iron Horse) -- I started promoting it using that "tease" but I am not sure if that helped or not. I know readers may have wanted more romance, but Lily is very cautious, and in reality her father's murder took precedence over starting any relationship with anyone. I think book two, Double or Nothing, may give her a little more leeway. Hope that helps to satisfy some of the readers who finish Double Crossing!

If you have finished the book and think it is close to "True Grit", why don't you let her know, either comment below or you can find Meg Mims on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or her own website. Please let me know what kind of questions you would like to see from future author interviews.

I would like to thank Meg Mims for her time in doing this for my small blog!! I really did enjoy the book and you can read the review for it here. I really appreciate her taking the time out to do this and she is fun to talk to! So Thank You again from your #1 Fan! (insert big scream here)

Misfit {review)

Title: Misfit
Author: Jon Skovron
Publisher: Abrams
Available: Now
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: NetGalley

About the book:

Jael always knew she wasn't like the other kids. Hr mom was a demon and her dad, a priest. She thought maybe they could finally stay in one place, but then she turned 16 and learned the truth. She was 1/2 demon herself, well as her mom liked to say all demon and all human. To another world she was trouble. She had to fight for her life and others with the help of her fingers crossed, hoped to be boyfriend and Uncle Dagon (who she never met before she learned the secret).







My take:



After I finished it I had no clue as to if I liked it or really hated it. Besides the awkwardness of reading in whatever tense it happened to be in at the moment, there were some randomness in the storyline that didn't make sense or made the heroine look completely stupid. However...I couldn't stop reading it, not because it was a train wreck waiting to happen, because I really liked the whole storyline. The heaven and hell concept was a little strange, but because I knew this was a book of fiction, I was okay with the concept. I did enjoy the 'history' lessons and the family dynamics were quite the interesting read. I can see this as a series, because it left off that way..but maybe a prequel with her parents' story might soften the awkwardness of the reading. I will recommend this book for those that like the paranormal/horror genre and for older teens and up and like some other reviews have stated....the first few pages are slow, but it will pick up!







4 thumbs...







I was given a copy of this book by the publisher through netgalley for no compensation except my honest opinions.