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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Audio Book Review and Giveaway - Two Copies: Hell's Corner by David Baldacci

There's lots of detail, many twists and fast paced action in this gripping mystery thriller.
Hell's Corner (The Camel Club) by David Baldacci
Read by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy
    Hell's Corner (The Camel Club)
  • Audio CD
  • Publisher: Hachette Audio; Com/MP3 Un edition (November 9, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 160788657X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1607886570
Price: Audio $26.99; Mass Market $9.99; Kindle $12.99
Genre: Mystery Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
Publisher’s Summary

John Carr, aka Oliver Stone—once the most skilled assassin his country ever had—stands in Lafayette Park in front of the White House, perhaps for the last time. The President has personally requested that Stone serve his country again on a high-risk covert mission. Though he’s fought for decades to leave his past career behind, Stone has no choice but to say yes.

But Stone’s mission changes drastically before it even begins. It’s the night of a State Dinner honoring the British Prime Minister. As he watches the Prime Minister’s motorcade leave the White House that evening, a bomb is detonated in Lafayette Park, an apparent terrorist attack against both the President and the Prime Minister. It’s in this chaotic aftermath that Stone takes on a new, more urgent assignment: find those responsible for the bombing.

British MI-6 agent Mary Chapman becomes Stone’s partner in the search for the unknown attackers. But their shadowy opponents are elusive, capable, increasingly lethal, and worst of all, it seems that the park bombing may just have been the opening salvo to their plan. With nowhere else to turn, Stone enlists the help of the only people he knows he can trust: the Camel Club. But that may be a big mistake.

In the shadowy worlds of politics and intelligence, there is no one you can really trust. Nothing is what it seems to be. And Hell’s Corner truly lives up to its name. This may be Oliver Stone and the Camel Club’s last stand.
Review:   I hadn’t read any of the prior Camel Club books but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of this audio.

Former assassin, Oliver Stone, and MI-6 agent Mary Chapman are dissecting clues to try to find out why a bomb was detonated in Lafayette Park, also known as Hell’s Corner.  They begin to work with the FBI as they investigate the four people who were in the park at the same time as Oliver, when the bomb exploded.  The second and third discs are full of minutia on the bomb evidence, bomb sniffing dogs, and conjecture of why, what and how.  Those details are interesting even if it seems the story is going very slow. It is worth getting past those discs because the puzzle picks up with twists and action.

They follow lead after lead that run to dead ends or worse result in more deaths, but no answers.  As the search goes on they learn that evidence is being withheld by other security arms of the government. So they don’t know whom they can trust and they don’t know which evidence is real or has been set up as a red herring. It all shows a lot of detailed planning so they are sure they must figure out what is at stake before more deaths.  Initially Oliver rejects the help of his Camel Club friends but, when they persist, he realizes he can use their individual skills.

They finally figure out why the bomb occurred and who set it up.  Then the chase begins with the traitor using Stone’s own history and techniques to lead him on a merry chase.  Members of the Camel club are kidnapped and the whole crew is trapped with plans to entomb them and frame them as the terrorists. But the surprises aren’t finished until the very end! 

I like the added sound effects.  If you like Baldacci, you won't want to miss this twisting thriller. My DH listened to the whole book too.

THANK YOU TO HACHETTE FOR PROVIDING TWO AUDIO CD BOOKS FOR GIVEAWAY.
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
1. Tell me if you like detailed evidence explanations (worth one entry) and/or let me know if you have a favorite Baldacci book (worth an additional entry).
Please leave your email!

2.  Two extra entries: Visit the Author Website and tell me something you found there of interest.

3.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For three entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Eight total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL!

THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS!
* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* Limit one win per household.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on February 4, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Winners of Dreaming Books Giveaway Hop!

CONGRATULATIONS 
TO THE WINNERS 
OF DREAMING BOOKS GIVEAWAY HOP!
Thank you to everyone who participated and to new followers.
I hope you enjoy the reviews and the few memes as well as all the giveaways.
And Thank you for the condolences on the loss of our sweet Bear.  He had the BEST disposition.

The winners need to select book choices from Amazon or Book Depository with the word "dreaming" or "dream" in the title!

First Winner $20.00 toward "dreaming" books
#191 GABY

Second Winner $10.00 toward "dreaming" books 
#31 Throuthehaze

Visit next month for the FOLLOWER LOVE HOP!

Book Review and Giveaway, Three Copies: Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

I loved the characters with this interesting plot.
Sins of a Highland Devil (Highland Warriors) by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

    Sins of a Highland Devil (Highland Warriors)
  • Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Forever; Original edition (January 1, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0446561789
  • ISBN-13: 978-0446561785
     Price: Print $7.99; Kindle $7.99
     Genre: Historical Romance
     My Rating:  3.75 of 5.0

Product Description
The first book in the Highland Warriors trilogy, in which three heroes make a pact to insure that a rival clan does not take over their Glen of Many Legends. At the same time, three women plot to marry these heroes to insure peace.

In SINS OF A HIGHLAND DEVIL, James Cameron is concerned when the King's decree states all three neighboring clans must have a battle to the death in order to lay official claim to the scared Glen of Many Legends. James attempts to make a pact with the heads of the other clans to fight this decree. But he ends up fighting his own fierce desire when coming head-to-head with Lady Catriona of the opposing MacDonald clan, who has her own plan for peace.

Review:   Since I particularly liked many of the characters in this book I thought it was a shame that two thirds of the book was sensual play instead of focusing on the interesting plot.

James Cameron is a sinfully sexy highlander chieftain, known as “The Devil”. Too bad for Catriona MacDonald that bonnie James is in the wrong highlander clan.

There is a long history of disagreements, often murderous, of the three clans who occupy the Glen of Many Legends.  The King has ordered the clans to submit 30 of their best warriors to battle to the death.  The clan with the most men standing after the battle will win the authority to reign the Glen.

Catriona is a flame haired beauty who is feisty, proud and bit reckless.  She met James Cameron when she was young and their encounters have gendered sparks ever since. No other man interests or excites her although she knows she shouldn’t have anything to do with a man from another clan.

James knows that he shouldn’t lust after the sister of an enemy chieftain. But he can’t help the consistent sizzling pull towards Catriona and what mere mortal man could resist her seductive provocations?

These characters are really wonderful as are their siblings who, I am sure, will offer their own headstrong battles in other books in the series. I also thought the challenge to find peace instead of slaughtering each other presented an interesting plot although it didn’t work out as I had hoped. I do not mind battle, blood and gore but this type of forced battle for spectacle wasn’t to my liking.  Although I prefer the battle results to the alternative they were not consistent with the King’s decree of “to the death.”

I did like the mystical aspects with ghosts, a great spirit stag and an ancient couple who add their riddled fortune telling wisdom and meddling spells to the story.  I also liked "the fate thread" pulling characters together. What annoyed me, although I am sure many romance readers would not be bothered by it, were the pages and pages of sensual imaginings with James fantasizing about Catriona and Catriona, not so innocently, imagining the things James might show or teach her.  A little sensual tension goes a long way for me and I thought that two thirds of the story devoted to that lustful chase was a bit much.  I was ready to get on with the mystery of the cloaked trouble maker stirring up each of the three clans and what tragedy or sacrifices would have to occur to achieve peace.

This is the first book I have read by this popular author and I have to wonder if other stories have the same ratio of sensual chase to interesting plot.  Yes the characters are grand and the plot is interesting but the book could easily have been seventy five pages shorter by cutting out the repetitive lustings. That would have made it more enjoyable for me.


THANK YOU TO HACHETTE FOR PROVIDING THE BOOK FOR MY REVIEW AND FOR PROVIDING THREE BOOKS FOR GIVEAWAY.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
1. Visit the Author's website or check out Five Fun Facts and tell me something you found interesting;
One of these is required for entry.  If you do both it will count as two entries.

Make sure you leave your e-mail address!

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For three entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Six total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL!

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!
* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* Limit one win per household.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on February 2, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Book Review and Giveaway: The Queen of Last Hopes by Susan Higginbotham

Here is an author's theory of the life of Margaret of Anjou during the War of the Roses.
The Queen of Last Hopes: The Story of Margaret of Anjou by Susan Higginbotham

    The Queen of Last Hopes: The Story of Margaret of Anjou
  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (January 1, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402242816
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402242816
Price:   Print $9.19; Kindle $8.73
Genre: Historical Fiction
My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0
Product Description

A man other than my husband sits on England's throne today.

What would happen if this king suddenly went mad? What would his queen do? Would she make the same mistakes I did, or would she learn from mine?

Margaret of Anjou, queen of England, cannot give up on her husband-even when he slips into insanity. And as mother to the House of Lancaster's last hope, she cannot give up on her son-even when England turns against them. This gripping tale of a queen forced to stand strong in the face of overwhelming odds is at its heart a tender tale of love.

Award-winning author Susan Higginbotham will once again ask readers to question everything they know about right and wrong, compassion and hope, duty to one's country and the desire of one's own heart.
Review: This is a strikingly emotional fictionalized story from a volatile time in history: the civil wars known as the War of the Roses.

Marguerite of Anjou is a niece to Charles VII, King of France.  She is betrothed at 14 to young King Henry VI with conditions for a truce between England and France.  Marguerite comes to England with hopes that she may help her young husband achieve a more lasting peace. Henry VI is a young King who is more willing to rely on prayer than war.  He is kind and loving but not an Alpha leader. Based on the requests from her French relatives, Marguerite talks Henry into ceding the city of Maine.  From that point on the English leaders encourage the view that Marguerite as a French woman and not a true queen of England.  She is never able to win over the English people although she does garner some true friends.

Even before Henry suffers from a time of madness, the House of York and other families of the nobility are jockeying for allies and weaknesses to take over the throne.  Brothers and cousins betray each other and when battles are lost the victors tend to wipe out the leaders of the losing armies with varying degrees of brutality.  Sometimes leaders are imprisoned for ransom or leverage but not always.

The author creates a compelling and emotional story for the 26 years of Margaret’s never failing efforts to keep or regain the throne for Henry VI and their son, Edward, Prince of Wales. The opposing forces spread rumors that Margaret had numerous lovers and that Edward is not Henry’s son. It is difficult to read the betrayals, frustrations and ultimately the heart aches that Margaret experiences.

The author did such a good job of pulling me into the lives of the characters that I had to remind myself this was a fictionalized version of events. I don’t cry often at stories but this had me fighting back tears over the last several chapters.  I would certainly read more by this author. If you enjoy historical fiction you should love this book.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there.
Please leave your e-mail!

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Four total entries possible.)
It is not necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on February 1, 2011. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
CymLowell

Monday, January 17, 2011

A Week of Winners

Congratulations to the following Winners
Wolf Fever by Terry Spear
Wolf Fever
Laura
Laura gets my copy of Wolf Fever




Enquiring Minds Comment Week #19
Michelle
Michelle gets to pick a book from the Christmas list or a $5.00 GC.



Help Me Pick the Next Read January #2
The second round of voting went for 
Blood Prophecy by Stefan Petrucha
Blood Prophecy 
Meredith
Meredith gets to pick a book from the ARC box/lists.

I will email Laura, Michelle and Meredith.

It's Monday What are You Reading January 17, 2011?

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I finished three books last week and posted three reviews, two book Giveaways; one blog hop; and a couple of announcement and winner posts.

As noted before, for this feature I will only be giving a rating and a short summary comment on books I read from my TBRs or as fillers - which aren't many :).

I did a little better early last week replying to posts and visiting a bit. Still lots of room for improvement.
These were last week's posts plus Winner posts not listed.

Finished Reading:

Queen of Last Hopes: The Story of Margaret of AnjouPrint/Kindle: The Queen of Last Hopes: The Story of Margaret of Anjou by Susan Higginbotham. Emotionally sad and stirring Historical Fiction. Review and Giveaway will be posted this week.Rating: 4.25.



Coming Back (Sharon Mccone Mysteries)Audible/Print: 
by Marcia Muller.
Interesting Mystery;
Review & Giveaway linked above.




The Bricklayer's HelperKindle: The Bricklayer's Helper by Amy Corwin.  
A very enjoyable sweet Historical Romance. I am reading this for the author; Review and interview later this month. Rating: 4.5.

Line Edits/Releases: Two books ready for release this week I hope.


Currently reading:

Sins of a Highland Devil (Highland Warriors)Print: Sins of a Highland Devil (Highland Warriors) by Sue-Ellen Welfonder.  I am two thirds completed on this and have mixed feelings. I will post the Review and Hachette Giveaway for this on Wednesday.
Product Description
The first book in the Highland Warriors trilogy, in which three heroes make a pact to insure that a rival clan does not take over their Glen of Many Legends. At the same time, three women plot to marry these heroes to insure peace.

In SINS OF A HIGHLAND DEVIL, James Cameron is concerned when the King's decree states all three neighboring clans must have a battle to the death in order to lay official claim to the scared Glen of Many Legends. James attempts to make a pact with the heads of the other clans to fight this decree. But he ends up fighting his own fierce desire when coming head-to-head with Lady Catriona of the opposing MacDonald clan, who has her own plan for peace. 
Print:  Blood Prophecy by Stefan Petrucha. I am midway in this and liking the story and hero.
Blood ProphecyMan and monster are in his blood. . .
His name is Jeremiah Fall. A soldier of fortune, he has been fighting his own war for 150 years--ever since the beast in him was born.
Desperate to restore his lost humanity, Fall crosses the sands of Egypt, discovers a lost city off the coast of France, and finally arrives at the birthplace of all mankind. Shunning daylight and feeding only when he must, he battles the monster who transformed him forever. He can share his deepest secret with no one . . . not even the beautiful woman he starts to love, the only human who grasps the mysteries of an ebony stone as old as creation itself.
Across the world, across time, Fall seeks the stone's secret. But has he found a cure for himself or unleashed a final curse on all mankind?
Hell's Corner (The Camel Club)Audio: Hell's Corner (The Camel Club) by David Baldacci.  I did get my DH to listen along for part of our drive to and from NC.  We are on disc 8 or 12. Some slow spots and good intense spots.  I will post a review and Hachette giveaway probably next week.
Product Description:
Oliver Stone and the Camel Club return in #1 bestselling author David Baldacci's most stunning adventure yet.

An attack on the heart of power . . .
In sight of the White House . . .
At a place known as . . .

HELL'S CORNER

John Carr, aka Oliver Stone-once the most skilled assassin his country ever had-stands in Lafayette Park in front of the White House, perhaps for the last time. The president has personally requested that Stone serve his country again on a high-risk, covert mission. Though he's fought for decades to leave his past career behind, Stone has no choice but to say yes.

Then Stone's mission changes drastically before it even begins. It's the night of a state dinner honoring the British prime minister. As he watches the prime minister's motorcade leave the White House that evening, a bomb is detonated in Lafayette Park, an apparent terrorist attack against both leaders. It's in the chaotic aftermath that Stone takes on a new, more urgent assignment: find those responsible for the bombing.

British MI-6 agent Mary Chapman becomes Stone's partner in the search for the unknown attackers. But their opponents are elusive, capable, and increasingly lethal; worst of all, it seems that the park bombing may just have been the opening salvo in their plan. With nowhere else to turn, Stone enlists the help of the only people he knows he can trust: the Camel Club. Yet that may be a big mistake.

In the shadowy worlds of politics and intelligence, there is no one you can really trust. Nothing is really what it seems to be. And Hell's Corner truly lives up to its name. This may be Oliver Stone's and the Camel Club's last stand.
Alas, BabylonAudible:  Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank. This is a classic book I still have on my shelves from the 1970s. When I saw it on Audible I decided to listen to it before reading another more recent disaster survival story.  I am half way.
Product Description
The classic apocalyptic novel that stunned the world.

Line Edits: I am finalizing two more releases. Then edits to two more are due.


January 2011 books coming up:  
Print:

1/26 - My Immortal Assassin by Carolyn Jewel. Hachette review, giveaway and guest post.
Unscheduled:

Review Books from Sourcebooks: Kiss at Your Own Risk by Stephanie Rowe;
then I Dream of Genies by Judi Fennell.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Blog Tour: My Immortal Assassin by Carolyn Jewel - January 17 to 28

Please visit with me on this tour schedule for review, giveaway and Author Guest Post.


MY IMMORTAL ASSASSIN
By Carolyn Jewel

TEMPTED BY REVENGE...

Grayson Spencer is hellbent on killing the dark mage who destroyed her life. But when her attempt fails, she is forced to turn to Durian, a feared demon and expert assassin. Newly armed with powerful magic she's barely able to control, she'll do whatever it takes to complete her mission--even surrender to a dangerous fiend whose eyes promise unimaginable pleasure.

BOUND BY DESIRE...
Sworn to protect all mages, Durian can't let Gray threaten the uneasy peace among demons, humans, and mages. So he proposes a deal: He'll train Gray to master her gift if she'll bind herself magically to him, submitting to his control. As Gray's powers intensify, so too does Durian's hunger for this fierce, irresistible woman. When the dark mage makes a final play for Gray, will the passion she and Durian share be the key to their survival or the seed of their destruction?

Author Photo and Info

Five Fun Facts

Original Short Story: Future Tense

Visit CarolynJewel.com

Carolyn on Facebook

Follow @CJewel on Twitter

Friend Carolyn on MySpace


FULL BLOG SCHEDULE:

1/17/2011            http://www.saveyspender.com               Review, Giveaway
1/17/2011            http://maryinhb.blogpsot.com  Review, Giveaway
1/17/2011            http://www.libslibrary.blogspot.com     Feature, Giveaway
1/17/2011            http://simplystacie.net Giveaway
1/17/2011            rexrobotreviews.com    Review, Giveaway
1/17/2011            http://thebooktree.blogspot.com           Feature, Giveaway
1/17/2011            http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com                Giveaway
1/18/2011            http://threeboysandanoldlady.blogspot.com/   Feature, Review, Giveaway, Guest Post
1/18/2011            http://onebookshy.blogspot.com            Review, Giveaway, Q&A
1/18/2011            http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com             Review, Giveaway
1/18/2011            www.seductivemusings.blogspot.com  Feature, Giveaway
1/19/2011            www.booksoulmates.blogspot.com       Giveaway, Q&A
1/19/2011            http://bridget3420.blogspot.com             Review, Giveaway
1/19/2011            http://cuzinlogic.wordpress.com              Feature, Giveaway
1/21/2011            mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com         Feature, Review, Guest Post
1/21/2011            http://mindingspot.blogspot.com            Feature, Giveaway
1/22/2011            www.smexybooks.com                Review, Giveaway
1/25/2011            http://paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com        Feature, Review, Giveaway
1/25/2011            http://chrissysworldofbooks.blogspot.com/       Review, Giveaway
1/25/2011            http://asthepagesturn.blogspot.com/   Feature, Giveaway
1/25/2011            justjenniferreading.blogspot.com            Feature, Giveaway
1/26/2011            http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/              Feature, Review, Giveaway, Guest Post
1/27/2011            http://simplyali.blogspot.com    Giveaway, Q&A
1/27/2011            http://www.urbangirlreader.com            Review, Giveaway, Q&A
1/28/2011            http://bookslikebreathing.blogspot.com              Review
1/28/2011            http://ashleysbookshelf.blogspot.com  Review, Giveaway
1/28/2011            http://www.renees-reads.blogspot.com/           Review, Giveaway
1/28/2011            http://www.kballard87.blogspot.com    Review, Giveaway
1/28/2011            http://j-rabbits-corner.blogspot.com     Review, Giveaway
1/28/2011            http://dkay401-challenges.blogspot.com/           Review, Giveaway
1/28/2011            www.tarmyblogspot.blogspot.com         Review, Q&A
1/28/2011            http://thefictionenthusiast.blogspot.com/          Review, Giveaway
1/25/2010            http://bookofsecretsblog.com  Feature, Giveaway, Q&A
1/24/2010            http://cuzinlogic.wordpress.com              Feature, Giveaway

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 16, 2011

We have our new puppy and are on the way home - I'll post pictures later this week. We decided to stop at my sister's again to break up the 9-10 hour drive so I am taking a few minutes to make a Sunday post.

This song seems appropriate for a new year.
A Verse for Today:
Philippians 3:13
...forgetting these things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.

I give thanks this weekend for save travels and for allowing us to find a sweet puppy to sooth our loss.

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