Book Review with Giveaway: Nipped in the Bud by Susan Sleeman

This is a very fun read with a Biblical message on trying to control things with our own abilities.

Nipped in the Bud 
by Susan Sleeman

• File Size: 370 KB
• Print Length: 259 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1602605734
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006QZHYAM

Print copies of this book may be available at Christianbook.com
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2010

Prepare to attend the Pickle Fest in Serendipity, Oregon, along with Paige Turner and Adam Hayes. But first you must help them unravel the mystery of how the city manager wound up dead in a mound of mulch in the city park that Paige was hired to landscape. Can Adam’s knowledge of the law keep her out of jail and win her love?

Review:

Paige Turner (oh yes, there are puns like that throughout the book!) lost her parents when she was a child of ten. She doesn’t trust God to take care of her and seeks to control all aspects of her life.

Paige has her own nursery business in Serendipity, OR. She is expanding to include landscaping services and wants to make a good showing on a city project to win other jobs. Unfortunately, the city manager, Bud Picklemann, doesn’t like Paige.  But even Bud wouldn’t go so far as to get himself killed on her project site just to get her fired.  Paige is the number one suspect considering she made rash threats in an argument with Bud shortly before she found him toes up in a mound of dirt with her shovel as the apparent murder weapon. It doesn’t help Paige’s position that the local sheriff holds a grudge against her.

Paige’s best friend, Lisa, and her husband, a local commercial attorney, call in a criminal attorney. Adam is convinced he can help Paige but he would like to hire an investigator. Paige claims she can’t afford to hire anyone and, besides, she can do it herself.  Adam and Paige are attracted to each other but he is determined to keep her at a distance as long as she is his client.

Bud had several enemies in town and Paige soon has numerous other possible suspects. She refuses to pass the information on to the sheriff until she can clear her own name.  Will she be able to weed (sorry - couldn’t resist) through the clues in time to prevent going to jail?

This was our Ladies’ Book Club book and everyone agreed it was an easy and fun read. Paige hosts a radio program called “Through the Garden Gate” providing gardening tips.  Most  chapters begin with a blurb from a  prior radio episode and these are great ‘shake your head’ jokes.  Also Paige gives people flower names, like “shasta daisy”, “globe thistle” or “sedum.” This adds another layer of fun to the reading.

Ms. Sleeman does a good job providing many plausible suspects for the mystery plot and Paige gets help from a surprising source in the end. Between the word association, jokes and mystery clues there is not a dull moment in the book. Paige isn’t the most likeable character due to her extreme stubbornness and control issues but she does mellow out by the end. Adam and Lisa are nice characters and Lisa gets her own crazy moments. The Biblical message of trusting in God is woven into the story and not set out in a preachy manner.

The ending did seem a little rushed and might have been more neatly resolved. There is a second book in the series so perhaps that picks up to wrap up the trailing branches. (These puns are just too catching.)  One of our book club ladies wondered if the location name wasn’t also a purposeful pun by the author. Serendipity means a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it.

If you are ready for a light, fun mystery, perfect for the summer garden or other times of the year, I recommend this book.  I see some other series at her website and hope to read more of her work.
{Note- the Kindle version of this book had some good reading questions at the end that are not in the print book.}

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Examples of Paige’s control problem:

Controlling my life kept me safe. Let me sleep at night. If that meant Adam moved on after this was all over, so be it. I would, as usual, be in charge of my life, and everything would be fine. Location 2453.

I needed to work harder. Smarter. Faster. Location 3373.

I purchased this book for my local Ladies' Book Club. I have two copies left over so I am adding one to my Review box for giveaway selection and offering one now for giveaway.

This book is set in Oregon for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my New Author and Cozy Mystery challenge lists.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a Print Copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Two total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on August 24, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on August 25, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.  

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 12, 2012

This morning we had a good service with our Pastor sharing scripture on joy...fullness and completion of joy.
I may use those in a future post but today I am posting a video based on the Sunday School lesson that was shared this morning.  It seems in our lessons we are being given repeated wake up calls for America. Interesting that there are parallels with Israel - 'If you obey God, nations will hear of your greatness; if you turn away from God, nations will sneer at your destruction.' 2 Chronicles 7.

This was a message given by Paul Harvey in 1965! It seems a bit prophetic to me even though he may not have intended it as such. (You may need to turn your volume up to hear this better because of the older recording.  I liked this video best even though it is missing Paul Harvey's signature ending: "good day!".)

Verses for Today:

2 Chronicles 7:21-22 (NIV)

21And though this temple is now so imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ 22People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why he brought all this disaster on them.

As we prepare to vote in some local elections this week, and mindful of the national conventions to take place in a few weeks, I am praying for wisdom in America's leaders and guidance on election choices.

Sharing Beyond Books #61 Comment Giveaway August 11, 2012

Welcome to another SBB!

Happy Saturday Night! Hope you have all had a nice summer week. I've been enjoying my reading when not working. (I couldn't get Random.org to work this evening so I put numbers in a bowl and picked.)

Thank you to all who shared last week.

The majority of commenters prefer to read the book before seeing the movie. Four will see the movie, one so they won't miss what the movie script didn't cover, and two have no preference.  As for favorite romance movie: the most picked was Pride and Prejudice. I guess I need to see that ...I do like Emma but haven't seen PandP. The second most picked was The Notebook, another movie I haven't seen.
Tore mentioned several good movies I didn't think of like Lady Hawk. Birgit's favorite is Pillow Talk which reminded me that I used to love to watch Glass Bottom Boat with Doris Day. :-)

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #60 comments is: #13 Tore  There are still 6 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Tore please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, OR pick from the Updated ARC/Review List and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #61 Questions

Q1. Birgit asks: 1. Apart from reading them, have you ever repurposed old books? Eg used old hardcovers as base for a bedside lamp or got crafty and made a mobile out of a picture book??

A: Other than giving away old books, I have not done 'repurposing.' However I do have some old law books and I keep thinking of making one of those designs like the picture below. Or maybe I can think of a way to make a table out of them... that would be cool too.

  Image found at Klingpost

 

Q2. My question: Have  you watched any of the summer Olympics? What is your favorite sport to watch?

A:  I usually enjoy watching gymnastics and swimming. However, we haven't watched more than a very few minutes this summer.   

Image found at Cult of Mac

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask.  Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions but some of you others might want to get in a question or two as we have a few people submitting most of the questions so far.  Either way - it works for me. :-)  The question list is being replenished!  Thanks for sending in questions!  



Your turn to share:

1. Birgit asks: 1. Apart from reading them, have you ever repurposed old books? Eg used old hardcovers as base for a bedside lamp or got crafty and made a mobile out of a picture book??

2. My question: Have  you watched any of the Summer Olympics? What is your favorite sport to watch??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 8 books available to choose from. Also I have added the Updated ARC/Review List now.

SBB Rules: 
a) Must be a follower; 
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.

I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, August 10, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Audible Book Review: The Watchman of Ephraim

This is a solid, engaging thriller.  I especially recommend it to readers who enjoy counter-terrorism, action novels. 

The Watchman of Ephraim: Cris De Niro, Book 1

• UNABRIDGED
• by Gerard de Marigny
• Narrated by Elijah Alexander
•   Series: Cris De Niro, Book 1
• LENGTH
•  8 hrs and 46 mins
•   AUDIBLE RELEASE DATE 05-25-12
•   PUBLISHER JarRyJorNo Publishing

Available in Print and Kindle

Genre:  Thriller 

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Cris De Niro worked his way up to the top of the hedge fund world. Yet, all of his money couldn't protect him from losing his wife on 9/11. Ten years passed since the tragedy. De Niro and his sons relocated to a sprawling ranch near Las Vegas. Turning to his faith to overcome his anguish, De Niro now lives for a higher purpose. From a biblical passage, he reads about the "Watchman of Ephraim", a defender who kept watch over the land. De Niro decides to acquire a lackluster counter-terrorism agency in order to transform it into a modern-day version of The Watchman for the United States but there's not a moment to lose.

Aref Sami Zamani is planning a terrorist attack on American soil - codenamed "Antioch", a plot to detonate a nuke over the city of Las Vegas. The Watchman uncovers a connection between Zamani and a Mexican drug cartel but their agent goes missing before they can learn more. That's because Zamani has a spy working for The Watchman.

Strange events start to unfold near the Nogales border crossing. References are discovered to something the Mexicans are calling "Noche Del Espantada" ...Fright Night", but can it mean something else?

September 11, 2011 and the sun hasn't risen yet in Las Vegas or Nogales. Antioch is in motion! At the border, Noche Del Espantada has begun and there are intruders at De Niro's ranch. De Niro has to protect his sons and someone new in his life, Dr. Moriah Stevens. She too, lost her spouse on 9/11. Moriah finds herself in love with De Niro but his devotion to his wife is proving too powerful for him, even after 10 years.

 It's the 10th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on American soil and unless De Niro and his new team are successful, the day will be known as "The 2nd 9/11".

Review:
In 2001 Cris De Niro is a wealthy man with a beautiful wife and young sons to raise.  Then terror and tragedy struck.  On 9/11 Cris realizes his wife is trapped in one of the Twin Tower buildings.  He has already been injured himself but he struggles to climb the stairs to reach her. When he would drop to the stairs and allow himself to die a firefighter steps in and makes him think of his young sons.  He chooses to live and raise his sons in a godly fashion as his wife would want.

Ten years later Cris and his sons are living on a massive ranch compound near Las Vegas.  There he has built a hidden, underground bunker to help in the fight against terrorism.  Cris has  purchased a counter- terrorism company and is determined to establish it as a Watchman against terrorism.  He brings along his brother-in-law, Richard, a tough ex–marine, to head the security details.  As they develop a strong team they uncover rumors of a terrorist attack and go into action to stop the threat.

There is conspiracy and betrayal to face. Even though the recruited expert operatives are well trained the agency is scrambling to prepare for the battle with little confirmed information. It is soon clear that someone is leaking the team assignments, undermining the defense and putting lives in danger. Stumbling a step behind the terrorists, it may take more than skill alone to stop another 9-11 attack.  I particularly enjoyed the plot with its conspiracy and greedy traitor creating more danger. There is plenty of action and excitement.

I liked several of the characters created by Mr. de Marigny.  De Niro is strong, reclusive, quiet and clearly  dedicated to his sons and his vow to fight terrorism.  Other characters are the silent but tough military characters.  I liked the good mix of action and emotional drama. The possible development of a love interest with Dr. Moriah Stevens, a 9/11 widow, is only a small part of the story. The relationship is awkward mostly because De Niro isn’t ready to move on from the love he lost.

The narrator does a good job trying to include different accents for the polished Cris, the tough brother-in-law, Richard, and the foreign terrorists. Mr. Alexander delivers a steady pace on the reading with a good balance of intensity to convey emotion and action.  I had no distractions with the narration.

The plot has twists to keep you actively moving forward. There is an underlying strength or foundation of faith without any direct preaching.  I would be glad to read/listen to more of these stories for the strong action plot.  I recommend this book to readers who like counter terrorism action.

I received the Audible version of this book for review from JarRyJorNo Publishing through Audiobook Jukebox.

I am choosing the setting near Las Vegas, Nevada for my Where are You Reading challenge. I will also add it to my New Author and Audio challenge lists.

Book Review with Kindle Giveaway Link: Bloodline (The Samsara Chronicles Book 10)

Watch out for dark, slimy creatures, human-type and beastly-type, in this book.

Bloodline (The Samsara Chronicles Book 10)

by Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley 

• File Size: 128 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: eXtasy Books (May 25, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0086FQP6Y

Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: May 25, 2012
Intrigue and betrayal plague both Nirvana and Klatria, prompting Aislinn to call a tribunal of all Nirvanan nations to address the crisis.

While Vark, Soulmaster and corrupt ruler of Klatria, plots with the Nirvanan traitor to acquire the skull and kill the royals, insurrection grows from within the ranks of his own people. His intention to use Aislinn’s parents as pawns to lure Aislinn to Klatria conceals his true intentions to destroy them all.

Review:

This installment of this engaging science fiction series shows us the darkness of Aislinn’s enemies.  Shakan is disdainful of the ‘good’ royal family and their limiting ways. Although he hides his dark persona in the public halls of Nirvana, on his own he revels in his rebellion and hatred for the royal family.  He plans his conspiracy with the Klatrian leader, Vark, and the attack on Aislinn and her family. He will seek out Aislinn’s sister, Princess Nashira as his bride, even if he must force her as he destroys her family.

Shakan is not alone in is hatred and planning. He has visions of his ancient ancestor, Janvhar, locked in a cell by Her Royal Highness, Alaya. Shakan wrestles the icon from Janvhar’s cell so that he can release the long buried evil that will help him terrorize the royal family.

Meanwhile, on the foreign planet of Klatria, Vark, the cruel, barbaric leader, contemplates the stubbornness of his royal hostages who refuse to eat the meat offered to them.  He barely cares for their condition except that he is reminded by Rodorus that they are to be bartered for the skull promised to Vark by Shakan. Vark doesn’t realize that Shakan plans to retain the power of the skull for himself.

There is a group of leaders who object to Vark’s dark leadership. Anelda and Rodorus plan to sneak into the presence of Aislinn’s royal parents to ask them to help the plight of the remaining good Klatrians before their whole people is destroyed.

I was engaged by this alien world of fearsome creatures sharing the caverns with the disheartened people. The authors have created a terrible, dark and gruesome world where the society is dying because the infants cannot survive.  I felt empathy for the suffering and desperation of the good Klatrians. The authors have also made very dark and evil characters in Janvhar, Shakan and Vark. Just the type of villains you like to hate. 

This book ends with Aislinn and Dylan breaking free from an attack by Janvhar who tries to suck them into the overlap of time.  Aislinn is able to escape with the power of the skull.  Now they must return home to battle Shakan and figure out how to save her parents from the clutches of Vark. To be continued in Book 11, The Entity.

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Aislinn’s destiny:

Your bloodline until now has used the powers, but only you can become one with them. Events have come to a full circle and await completion. Location 616.

Thank you to the authors for providing this book for review as part of a Pump Up Your Book Tour event with Kindle Giveaway link.

~ ~ ~ KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book and The Samsara Chronicles are teaming up to give you a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

Here’s how it works:

Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour.  If your blog isn’t set up to accept the form, we offer another way for you to participate by having people comment on your blog then directing them to where they can fill out the form to gain more entries.
This Kindle Fire promotion will run from June 1 – August 31. Winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on September 1, 2012.
Each blogger who participates in The Samsara Chronicles virtual book tour is eligible to enter and win.
Visit each blog stop below to gain more entries as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog for the duration of the tour.
If you would like to participate, email Dorothy at thewriterslife(at)gmail.com. Last day to sign up is July 27. What a great way to not only win this fabulous prize, but to gain followers and comments too! Good luck everyone!

Click on the graphic below to find out how you can win!

[If the picture link doesn't work, go to this page].

~ ~ ~WIN $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE ~ ~ ~

One lucky person who comments the most on The Samsara Chronicles’ blog stops will receive a $50 gift certificate. The blog host who receives the most comments through the tour will also receive a $50 gift certificate!