American Rust Winner!

The winner of American Rust, by Philipp Meyer is Geri.

Congrats to Geri.

Please see my review here.


Thanks to everyone for entering, blogging, tweeting. Please see my side bar for more giveaways.

Bel Canto, by Anne Patchett - A Review by Toni

I read this book with my book club for our January read. I actually listened to the audio. It is a book about a hostage situation that takes place in South America. It takes place in the home of the Vice-President of the country, where a Japanese business man has been invited to celebrate his birthday. A world famous opera singer has been invited to perform at the occasion. The event is taken over by terrorists. So we have a multi-culture, multi-gender hostage situation that takes place for several months in large home.

I believe the writing is eloquent and descriptive. Even quite beautiful at times. The beauty of the writing didn't seem to match the story. I don't know if I read this book at the wrong time in my life or what, but it didn't click for me. I wonder if listening to the audio changed my view of the story? For me the story was far fetched. I believe I am too sensitive in nature to turn a hostage situation into an event where true love can blossom. I believe the story could have happened with a stranded cruise ship on an island, or people stuck in an airport. I find it hard to believe that if I was held by gunpoint, in fear of my life, kept away from my family and friends, that I would have an open heart to love and acceptance of my captors. Since I have never been a hostage, I was unable to "step into the shoes" of the hostages that soon become "friends" with their captors. Even though I know there is a documented syndrome where this happens. Examples: (Patty Hearst and Jaycee Lee Dugard).

I didn't bond with the characters. Sometimes within a story, I can see little glimpse of myself in a character or at least relate. I couldn't seem to relate to these characters, and actually didn't even really care about the leading lady. It all seemed too casual and sugar-coated. The bad guys were not bad enough and the victims didn't act like victims. I did experience some enchantment from time to time. I was touched by a governess who stitched up the cheek of the Vice President. It was a moving scene that I found believable. The descriptive writing supported this scene well and I was moved.

I didn't hate the book but rarely found myself wanting to read on and to know more. The end seemed to be realistic and yet, not what I was wanting or expecting. That being said, it is definitely a book that I would say read for yourself and see if it takes hold for you. I have read numerous wonderful reviews. One of my book club members said it is one of her all time favorite books. She had a lot of wonderful points to share about the book. She found a lot of beauty in the everyday events of the story and life of the situation.

I would definitely read more from this author.

Giveaway Postcards from a Dead Girl, by Kirk Farber

Thank you Erica from Harper Perennial (Olive Edition Blog) and (Twitter)

I have another great book to offer:

Postcards from a Dead Girl, A Novel by Kirk Farber

This book goes On Sale 2/16/10

A Bit about the book

Postcards from a Dead Girl is the story of Sid, who is slowly but surely becoming unhinged by the postcards he receives in the mail from his ex, Zoe. They’re coming from locales as exotic and varied as Barcelona, London, Paris, and New Jersey, and they’re taunting him. So embarks on a journey of his own, chasing Zoe and her postcards, looking for the answers that will help him move on and let himself fall in love again. Awesome fact about this one: Kirk Farber, the author, works as a librarian in Colorado as his day job.

Please leave a comment here if you are interested in a chance to win. I need a valid email so I can contact you if you win.

Followers receive an extra entry. It doubles your chance to win!

US and Canada Only. The contest ends on 2/17/2010

Have to share ...and it's not Monday!!

Hello everyone!
I missed Mailbox Monday this week. It is my favorite meme. It is hosted by Marcia at the Printed Page. I can't wait until next Monday to share so I am sharing on Wednesday. It is just too dang exciting. I will be popping by your mailboxes this week also. If you want to leave a link to your mailbox, please feel free to do so.

So this week I received:

Knock Out Interviews with Doctors Who Are Curing Cancer and How to Prevent Getting it in the First Place, by Suzanne Somers. This was a gift from a friend at work. What a nice gift, don't you think?

Love in Mid Air, a novel by Kim Wright. Thank you Miriam from Hachette Book Group. Stay tuned in March for a blog tour of this one.

Keeping the Feast by Paula Butturnini. Thank you Lydia Hirt from Riverhead Books. (Riverhead books on Twitter)

The Crazy School, a novel, by Cornelia Read. Thank you Valerie from Hachette Book Group. Check out my Giveaway!!!

Reading Group Guide

Paris Under Water: How the City of Light Survived the Great Flood of 1910, by Jeffrey H. Jackson. Thank you Michelle Fitzgerald from Palgrave Macmillan (Shelf Awareness Promotion). I already delved into this one a bit, and I am loving it.

Have a fantastic week.

**edited...this was supposed to post tomorrow (2/3).oh I guess it is tomorrow somewhere right? and edited to include a forgotten book. Oh dear...where is my mind?

Winner - The Little Giant of Aberdeen County - Tiffany Baker

Hello and good evening!

I'd like to announce the winner of a beautiful hard cover copy of The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker. Thank you to Valerie from Hachette books for sending me this lovely book. If you would like more information on this book please click here for more information.

The winner is: Sheri @ A Novel Menagerie. If you haven't ever checked out this blog... oh you will be so glad you did. Congrats to Sheri. (I will be emailing you !!)

I have once again been MIA for about 7 days. That is about 25 days in blogland when it comes to catching up. I will be checking on on my favorite blogs and of course leaving my comments soon. I have a lot going on personally and ...well ... "it is what it is." But I continue to blog free of guilt this year.

I missed Mailbox Monday this week....but I can't wait to share so you will find my awesome books on another post this week. Another blessed week for sure.

If you can believe it I still am finishing up Bel Canto, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and A Reliable Wife. I admit to having a week of NO reading. It is what happens when I can't focus. That also..."is what it is." I am excited for the upcoming blog events and blog tours. I have a pretty cool treat in March. (shhhhhh...it's a secret)

My book club started reading Cane River, by Lalita Tademy this month. It promises to be a good if not great read. Many of the club are sailing right through it and loving it already.

Have a great rest of the week. I love reading all the comments. For those that popped in to say hi on this giveaway ...."just to say hi." Well... thank you. That is sweet and you can be sure I will blabbing away with comments soon.

The Crazy School, by Cornelia Read - GIVEAWAY

***Edited to correct a mortifying spelling/typo on 2/2/2010.

A bit about the book

From the acclaimed author of A FIELD OF DARKNESS comes another compelling novel featuring the acerbic and memorable voice of ex-debutante Madeline Dare. Madeline Dare has finally escaped rust-belt Syracuse, New York, for the lush Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts. After her husband's job offer falls through, Maddie signs on as a teacher at the Santangelo Academy, a boarding school for disturbed teenagers. Behind the academy's ornate gates, she discovers a disturbing realm where students and teachers alike must submit to the founder's bizarre therapeutic regimen.

A bit about the Author

Cornelia Read grew up in New York, California, and Hawaii. She describes herself as a reformed debutante who currently lives in Berkeley. This is her second novel. Her website is www.corneliaread.com.

Thanks to Valerie at Hachette Books, I have three copies of this book to offer. Give it a shot and recommend it to your reading group! There is a great reading group guide for this book. It is always a great feature to have for your group reading.

Rules: US/ Canada Only
Will not ship to P.O. Boxes

For one entry leave a comment with your email address.
For two entries leave a comment and follow this blog.
For five entries do the above and leave a comment on a reading group. Do you have one? Would you like one? Let's talk about book clubs.

Good Luck
This giveaway ends on February 15th, 2010.

The Last Song by Nicolas Sparks

Hachette Book Giveaway
A bit about the book

Seventeen year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church.

A bit about the author

Nicholas Sparks is the author of 15 books. He lives in North Carolina with his wife and children. You can visit the Author Website

This would be such a great February read for your book club. Check out the
reading group guide for the book. It is a great way to stimulate book talk in your club.


Thank you Valerie at Hachette Books! I have three paperback copies to offer!

The rules:
US/Canda Only.
No P.O. Boxes.
Contest ends 2/14/2010

For one entry leave a comment with your email address.
For two entries, follow this blog and leave a comment.
For Five entries, follow this blog and Tweet about the contest.

I do allow anonymous comments, but please use your real name, with a valid email. I reserve the right to toss out comments.

The Swan Thieves, by Elisabeth Kostova - Audio Giveaway

The Swan Thieves, by Elisabeth Kostova

Read by Treat Williams, Anne Heche, Erin Cottrell, Sarah Zimmerman and John Lee

A bit about the audio book

Psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe has a perfectly ordered life--solitary, perhaps, but full of devotion to his profession and the painting hobby he loves. This order is destroyed when renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes his patient. In response, Marlowe finds himself going beyond his own legal and ethical boundaries to understand the secret that torments this genius, a journey that will lead him into the lives of the women closest to Robert Oliver and toward a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism.

Ranging from American museums to the coast of Normandy, from the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth, from young love to last love, THE SWAN THIEVES is a story of obsession, the losses of history, and the power of art to preserve human hope.

A bit about the Author

Elizabeth Kostova is the author of the international bestseller The Historian. She graduated from Yale and holds an MFA from the University of Michigan, where she won the Hopwood Award for the Novel-in-Progress.

I have three copies of the unabridged audio to offer. Thank you Anna at Hachette Books.

Rules:
US and Canada Only
Will not ship to P.O. Boxes.

How to Enter:
Leave a comment on this blog with your email (It is okay if it is on your profile).
Followers of this blog get an extra entry.
Tweet about the comment and get five entries.
Anonymous comments are allowed but if you'd like a shot at winning please include your real name and email address.

This Giveaway ends on February 13th, 2010. Winners Announced Shortly after.

Check out the links to find out more of this great book.
Listen to an Excerpt
Watch the Video
Read an Excerpt
Grab the OpenBook™ Widget

Giveaway - Selling in Tough Times, by Tom Hopkins

Selling in Tough Times, Secrets to Selling When No When No One is Buying

About the book

We've all heard it before: when times are tough, go back to the basics. It seems simple, but the reality is that in good times, many of us let some of the most important principles of selling go by the wayside, which leaves us scrambling when a downturn hits. That's why world-renowned sales expert Tom Hopkins is here to remind us that challenges are a constant aspect of selling and that the key to success is to keep your attitude positive and to never stop striving for excellence. What's more, Hopkins distills the four key practices to help you get your creative juices flowing and discover and exploit business opportunities that you may not even know existed, including:
Success Is In Who You Know: Effectively working with existing clients to generate new leads for business is crucial.

Retaining (and Rewarding) Customers: Excellent service and consistent follow-up ensure happy customers and ongoing success.

Reducing Sales Resistance: In tough times, people put off making buying decisions. Help them overcome their fears in order to thrive.

Converting Clients from the Competition: With fewer new business start-ups for you to pursue, you need strategies for getting clients to consider you over their current providers Don't just survive, learn how to thrive by turning your challenges into advantages today.

About the Author

Tom Hopkins is the founder and president of the renowned sales training service Tom Hopkins International. He is a member of the National Speakers Bureau and is the author of the national bestseller How to Master the Art of Selling. Today, over 35,000 corporations and millions of professional salespeople throughout the world utilize his professional sales training materials.

Find him on Twitter
Find him on Facebook
Author Website


I have five copies to Giveaway Courtesy of Valerie at Hachette. Thank you Valerie.

Details:
Leave a comment on this post with your email address, if it is not in your profile. I do allow anonymous comments but please leave a name, and an email. And feel free to comment on the book or my blog.

One entry for one comment
Two entries for a comment if you follow my blog
Three entries if you comment, follow, and Tweet about this giveaway.

US and Canada ONLY and the book cannot be shipped to a P.O Box.

You have until February 12th 2010 to leave a comment. Winners announced after that date. Good Luck