Guest Post by D. J. Donaldson: A Forensic/Medical Author’s Take on Ebola and the CDC

Outbreak… Breakdown

A Forensic/Medical Author’s Take on Ebola and the CDC

by D. J. Donaldson

My book, Louisiana Fever, involves the spread of a bleeding disease known as Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever. This is a real disease that, like its close relative, Ebola, is caused by an infectious virus. And having researched this thoroughly (and having come from a forensic/health background) I feel compelled to weigh in on the Ebola outbreak.

When I was plotting Louisiana Fever, I figured I ought to have a character in the book that was once an infectious disease specialist at the CDC. It seemed like a logical idea because the CDC is this country’s unquestioned champion against virulent organisms, an organization staffed with experts that know every nuance of tropical viruses and how they can be controlled.

To make sure my writing about the CDC would have an authentic ring to it, I asked the public relations office of the CDC if I might be given a tour of the place. “Sorry,” I was told. “We don’t give tours.” Considering how many dangerous viruses are stored in the various labs there, that seemed like a good policy, even to me. So there would be no tour. But then I heard from someone in my department at the U. of Tennessee Medical Center that one of our former graduate students now worked at the CDC. I began to wonder if this connection might work to my advantage.

And it certainly did. The former student was now a virology section chief. A SECTION CHIEF…. Holy cow! This could be my way in. But would the man be generous by nature and sympathetic to writers? He proved to be both of those.

On the day of my visit, I reported to the security office as instructed. There, I had to wait until my host came to escort me into the bowels of the place… no wandering around on my own with a visitor’s badge. That day I saw the hot zone in action and spoke with experts in many fields of virology, even spent some time with the world expert on porcine retroviruses. At the end of my visit—including all the cumbersome clinical protocols I had to engage in both before and during said visit—I not only left feeling more educated, but actually more safe and secure that no tropical virus would ever be a threat to this country… not with the meticulous, detail-oriented, security conscious, microbe fighters at the CDC watching out for us.

So, it’s with much regret and… yes, even a little fear, that I witnessed the head of the CDC recently assuring us that the Ebola virus is very difficult to transmit and that we know exactly how to control it. Instead of (what looked like) his clumsy attempts to soothe an ignorant and paranoid public, the CDC head should have given a blunt assessment, educated everyone like adults, and encouraged them to exercise precaution. Then, seemingly in answer, two nurses who cared for the index patient from Liberia become Ebola positive. And the CDC clears one of those nurses to take a commercial airline flight, even though she was in the early stages of Ebola infection…depressing. From a medical professional standpoint, this was practically criminal negligence. At present, the disease is not transmitted by air ("airborne"), but any scientist worth his/her salt cannot account for mutations the virus may undergo. This is why the job of the CDC is to contain harmful microbes, issue protocols to protect the public against them and ultimately eradicate them... period. It is not to be PR professionals for television cameras and fostering carelessness.

I’m still convinced that the combined knowledge and brainpower of the CDC staff will be a major impediment to any virus taking over this country. But Ebola probably has some tricks we haven’t seen yet. That means we may lose a few more battles before we can declare that this particular threat is behind us.

Meanwhile, how is development of that Ebola vaccine coming?

D.J. Donaldson is a retired professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Tennessee, Health Science Center—where he taught and published dozens of papers on wound-healing and other health issues. He is the author of Louisiana Fever, one of the seven in the Andy Broussard/Kit Franklyn series of forensic mystery thrillers.
Don Donaldson Website Link

Louisiana Fever:  http://bit.ly/1u5ohGC

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1tEzXhI

B&N:    http://bit.ly/1tjAQw9

Apple:  http://bit.ly/1zhb3YX

Kobo:   http://bit.ly/1tQODeM

Please see my review post for more information about Louisiana Fever.

Book Review: Louisiana Fever by D. J. Donaldson

This is an engaging, suspenseful, and timely mystery with lots of forensic detail and distinct characters.

Louisiana Fever
by D.J. Donaldson

File Size: 746 KB
Print Length: 301 pages
Publisher: Astor + Blue Editions;
Reprint edition (March 5, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
ASIN: B00L8B7EZO

Genre: Forensic Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
“D.J. Donaldson is superb at spinning medical fact into gripping suspense. With his in-depth knowledge of science and medicine, he is one of very few authors who can write with convincing authority.” --Tess Gerritsen, NY Times best-selling author of the Rizzoli & Isles novels
    Andy Broussard, the plump and proud New Orleans medical examiner, obviously loves food. Less apparent to the casual observer is his hatred of murderers. Together with his gorgeous sidekick, psychologist Kit Franklyn, the two make a powerful, although improbable, mystery solving duo.
    When the beautiful Kit goes to meet an anonymous stranger—who’s been sending her roses—the man drops dead at her feet before she even could even get his name. Game on.
    Andy Broussard soon learns that the man carried a lethal pathogen similar to the deadly Ebola virus. Soon, another body turns up with the same bug. Panic is imminent as the threat of pandemic is more real than ever before. The danger is even more acute, because the carrier is mobile, his identity is an absolute shocker, he knows he’s a walking weapon and… he’s on a quest to find Broussard. And Kit isn’t safe either. When she investigates her mystery suitor further, she runs afoul of a cold blooded killer, every bit as deadly as the man searching for Broussard.
    Louisiana Fever is written in Donaldson’s unique style: A hard-hitting, punchy, action-packed prose that’s dripping with a folksy, decidedly southern, sense of irony. Add in Donaldson’s brilliant first hand knowledge of forensics and the sultry flavor of New Orleans, and the result is first class forensic procedural within an irresistibly delectable mystery.

Review:
Andy Broussard is the true lead in this story. He is not a movie-star character but rather a plump, aging and extremely focused man. He is a unique and eccentric New Orleans medical examiner. He is particular to routine which includes precise procedures and dedication to finding clues to help identify the cause of death and the murderers, when applicable.

Kit is a criminal psychologist who works hand in hand with Andy and the local police, helping to profile and track down killers. Kit is given a cryptic note to meet a mysterious admirer who has been leaving yellow roses for her. She arrives at the restaurant to see a stranger in the corner with a yellow rose. He rises from his seat calling her name and then collapses. The cafe’s indomitable owner, Grandma O, gives CPR with the help of another man until the medics arrive. Unfortunately the man is pronounced dead and there is no identification found. Andy is puzzled by symptoms he discovers during the careful autopsy. Although the man died of a heart attack there is evidence of a more dangerous disease that Andy cannot identify.

Kits boyfriend, Teddy, arrives home just in time to help her begin tracking clues to identify the man. The few clues indicate the man may have spent time on the docks so that is where they begin their search.

Andy is called out to another very gruesome death scene. Walter Baldwin has been found dead, curled in the corner of his closet and with blood splattered throughout his apartment. Some of the symptoms match those of the unknown man and Andy is becoming concerned that a fast acting, contagious disease has hit his town. This fear becomes more than suspicion when one of Andy’s staff becomes ill with the deadly, Ebola-like symptoms.

Kit disappears and after a day of worry and contacting family and friends. the officers learn that she actually was taken in circumstances that indicate a forcible abduction. Andy ardently continues his detailed forensic work, both in the lab and beyond, looking for clues to help uncover the source of the disease and to help find Kit’s kidnappers. Meanwhile he is unwittingly being stalked by Walter’s murderer.

I thoroughly enjoyed the forensic details and clues in this story. It has an beginning hook that provides an unusual lead into the plot.  The mystery of the contagious disease is scary, realistic and wonderfully portrayed with a touch of irony. I especially liked Andy as a character although I found Kit to be self-centered and shallow. New Orleans serves as a great backdrop setting with its colorful cultural elements as well as the surrounding swamp where criminals might seek to hide. The supporting cast, including Homicide Detective Gatlin, Grandma O, Bubba and others are good additional characters of interest. I also appreciate the fact that the language is clean without loosing anything in the offering.

This is the first book I have read by this author and apparently this book is part of a series. This read fine alone but made me want to read the first and subsequent stories. I highly recommend this book and Mr. Donaldson’s other work to readers who love a good mystery, great forensic detail and interesting characters.

(Note: I might have been disturbed that the characters connected with cell phones but the publisher forewarned me that this is a reprint of a book originally published in 1996.)

I am thankful to the author and his publisher for offering the timely guest post by this author and for providing this great forensic mystery for an honest review.

Don't miss the timely guest post by Mr. Donaldson regarding the current Ebola outbreak and CDC.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 14, 2014

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

We are still settling in back home. I still want to go to bed at 9pm everynight as we did in the RV. It seemed easier to get up earlier on the trip too.

How is everyone else? We had a real bit of cold today as we begin a couple of cooler days.

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the November 7 Pick. There were no automatic wins this week.  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.) There was one title blocked, but it was won through the block.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from November 7 Pick:
mariska gets a GC

booklady gets Viking Heat (through the block)

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

This month I give thanks for books and for followers of my blog. :-)

Image found at GoPixPic.

New Book Group #52 October 10, 2014
(Links to be added.)

PAIRS:
Richard Paul Evans, The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Mary Higgins Clark, A Cry In the Night and You Belong to Me
SINGLES
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg
Destiny's Daughter by Rebecca Brandewyne
At The Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava
She's Got the Look by Leslie Kelly
Reliquary by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Behind a Mask by May Alcott
Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman

New Book Group #51 September 12, 2014
10/10 - I just realized I never posted the image for this group.

PAIRS:
Elysa Hendricks, Star Crash (personally autographed copy) and The Sword and the Pen
Anne Stuart, Hidden Honor and The Devil’s Waltz
SINGLES:

Intrepid Encounter by Rebecca Ashley

The Reckoning by Jeanette Baker

Out of This Furnace: A Novel of Immigrant Labor in America by Thomas Bell Reprint Edition

Taylor's Temptation by Suzanne Brockmann

A Painted House A Novel by John Grisham 

Scandalous Virtue Mass by Brenda Hiatt 

Viking Heat by Sandra Hill 

Darkness, Take My Hand (Kenzie and Gennaro Book 2) by Dennis Lehane

Missing Susan by Sharyn Mccrumb

Pandora's Clock by John J. Nance - AUDIO CASSETTES

A Stranger's Wife by Maggie Osborne

The Short Forever (Stone Barrington Novels Book 8) by Stuart Woods - AUDIO CASSETTES

New Book Group #50! August 8, 2014

PAIRS:
William J. Coughlin: The Court and The Judgment
Phyllis J. Whitney: The Ebony Swan and Woman Without a Past
SINGLES:
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
So Hard to Forget by Evelyn Crowe
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
Whirlwind Affair by Jacquie D'Allessandro
Let Darkness Come by Angela Hunt
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione 
ChiefTain by Nan Ryan
A Place Called Home by Lori Wick
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose

New Book Group #49 June 27, 2014

PAIRS:
Sandra Brown:  The Thrill of Victory and Temperatures Rising
Beverly Barton: The Last to Die and Raintree: Sanctuary
SINGLES:
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Down by the Water by Caroline Upcher
Hawkes Harbor by S.E. Hinton
Savage Thunder by Cassie Edwards
Miracle by Deborah Smith
Desperate Alliances by Cory Daniells
Never Walk Alone by Paula Detmer Riggs
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Running Blind by Lee Child

New Book Group #48 May 30, 2014

SINGLES:
Dangerous by Debra Dier
First to Fight Anthology

New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014

SINGLES:
Trey's Secret by Lois Faye Dayer
Once Upon a Honeymoon by Julie Kistler
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy

New Book Group #46 March 15, 2014
SINGLES:
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
The Last Heiress by Bertrice Small (spine creases)

New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014---(All gone)
Out of Darkness by Lynn Erickson

New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013---(All gone)

New Book Group #43 November 1, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013 (All gone)
New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)
New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012---(All gone)

New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012
NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley

New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012--- (All gone)
New book Group #27 April 13, 2012--- (All gone)
New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)
New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)
New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)
New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011---(All gone)
May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20---(All gone)
3/25/11 Group #19---(All gone)
2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in four years I have posted 43 groups of 16 (688) books to find new homes! (as of November 2013).

I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 728+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 $7.00 and $6.00 $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List #17--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown 

List #15---(All gone)
List #14---(All gone)
List #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)
Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)
Pick #3---(All gone)
Pick #4---(All gone)
Pick #5---(All gone)
Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Book Review: What a Lady Needs for Christmas (MacGregor Series) by Grace Burrowes

I really enjoyed this story with warm characters and a sweet building romance.
What a Lady Needs for Christmas (MacGregor Series)
by Grace Burrowes

• File Size: 1325 KB
• Print Length: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (October 7, 2014)
• ASIN: B00L5QGB7O
• Genre: Historical Romance
• My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
The Best Gifts are the Unexpected Ones...
To escape a scandal, Lady Joan Flynn flees her family's estate in the Scottish Highlands. She needs a husband by Christmas, or the holidays will ring in nothing but ruin.
Practical, ambitious mill owner Dante Hartwell offers to marry Joan, because a wellborn wife is his best chance of gaining access to aristocratic investors.
As Christmas—and trouble—draw nearer, Dante and Joan's marriage of convenience blossoms into unexpected intimacy, for true love often hides beneath the most unassuming holiday wrapping...

Review:
Lady Joan returns from a night where she hoped to share her dress sketches with another fashion enthusiast. Instead she was slowly primed with drink so that she doesn’t fully remember what happen. But she thinks that she has been compromised and after a week or so she begins to fear she may be pregnant. She seeks to escape Edinburgh to spend Christmas in Scotland where family are to meet. She is having trouble getting a ticket for the train until Dante Hartwell and his young daughter step up and invite her to join them in their train cars.

Mr. Hartwell is “an unlikely” rescuer. He is a Scotsman and a man in trade as the owner of several mills. He is a widower with two children, Charlie the exuberant child and Phillip the serious plodder. Dante’s sister, Margaret, is along to help and her presence makes it possible for Lady Joan to join their group. Dante had been in town looking to find a wife but felt out of place, not knowing the right protocols of the aristocracy.

Lady Joan longs for more than being a sedentary English aristocrat lady. She loves fabrics and designing and would truly love to work in fashion if only that were permitted and... provided she can deal with a child. Dante is a man in trade who wants an introduction to English aristocrats who might invest in his mills. He also needs a wife for his high spirited children. These might not seem like a likely pair but bit by bit they realize they like each other’s qualities. They decide to marry as a means of fulfilling each other’s needs. But they both hope for more and are excited to discover that love can grow, especially if they stop and communicate with each other.

I enjoyed the diverse views of the main characters and distinct personalities of the lively children. I also loved the descriptions that are rich with textures of touch and color. Grace Burrowes has an amazing ability to develop rich characters and build a warm, charmingly natural story around them. The sexual scenes are beautifully done to be an exploration of newlyweds, one totally innocent and naive and the other seeking to be gentle while finding a way to share passion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful story and recommend this, and Grace Burrowes, to all those readers who love Historical, Victorian Romance.

I received this from Sourcebooks through NetGalley for an honest review.

Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Peace & Goodwill: a contemporary romance, a Christmas Novella (The Minstrel Series Book 4) by Lee Strauss

This is a beautiful, heart warming story.

Peace & Goodwill: a contemporary romance, a Christmas Novella (The Minstrel Series Book 4)

by Lee Strauss

• File Size: 4201 KB
• Print Length: 133 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: ESB Publishing (November 17, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• ASIN: B00O419ZIE

Genre: Christmas Novella, Contemporary

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 17, 2014
*This is a Christmas Novella
**Peace & Goodwill is set in The Minstrel Series world, but can be read alone.
     Belle gets the best Christmas present ever, a man in uniform! Ian is a soldier home on leave. Neither of them have any idea how good it will feel to fall in love or how hard it will be to say good-bye.
     Anna is spending the holidays alone again with only her faithful dog Angel to keep her company. She can’t afford to pay the rent and her landlord is threatening to kick her out. At least she’s finished with her chemo treatments. She can be thankful for that. Plus, there’s Rhys, the handsome visitor with kind eyes.
     One fateful, cold and snowy night a chance encounter changes everything.
Love is lost. Love is found. Life will never be the same.
     Peace & Goodwill, a Christmas novella in The Minstrel Series, grabs the heartstrings and pulls hard.
***includes mp3 link to featured original song.

Review:
Belle took care of her mother as she struggled and died from cancer. Now Belle struggles to make ends meet to keep her small apartment as she works at the local used bookstore. It has been two years since her mom died and she still hasn’t made new friends. She is faced with the humiliation of spending another Christmas with her boss and her reluctant family.

Ian walks into the store and there is an immediate chemistry as they meet. Their romance builds slowly and sweetly. When things heat up Belle has to remind herself that Ian will be going back to the front lines after New Years. She tries to keep her heart contained but there is no use, especially as Ian reminds her to "stay in the moment". Belle will have to say goodbye and hope that Ian will return in eight months.

Anna is suffering from cancer and hoping that she can raise the money for rent before the end of the month. She takes her dog, Angel, and sings with her guitar on the streets trying to earn what she can. She meets a nice, older man, Rhys, who is kind and gentle towards her. As the end of the month nears, Anna is worried about finding a new home for her dog as she knows she will not be able to take Angel into the shelter.

The writing is wonderfully evocative with a gentle story that pulls at your heart-strings. The story alternates between scenes with Belle and scenes with Anna. Throughout the story I knew there had to be some connection but it is not revealed until the end. There is beautiful warmth, heart breaking sadness and a surprise ending that brings joy and hope.

I have not read any of the other books in the series but this story worked fine as a stand alone. I am definitely interested in reading other stories by Ms. Strauss. I highly recommend this as a lovely, quick, Christmas story that will touch your heart and bring hope out of sadness.

I received this for blog tour and an honest review.

On Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23297662-peace-goodwill

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Peace-Goodwill-Minstrel-Series-Volume/dp/192754730X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Lee is also giving away an original Christmas song for every preorder. If you preorder the novella and fill out this form, you’ll get the song. 

Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ksON902RtFDmczGUCEBerwWyW7NxMMNKl9rWAHhhDio/viewform?c=0&w=1

About Lee Strauss: Lee Strauss writes romantic mixed genres set in the past, present and future for YA and adult readers. She also writes light and fun stuff as Elle Strauss. She divides her time between BC, Canada and Dresden, Germany, and enjoys drinking coffee and eating chocolate in both places. Find out more at www.ellestraussbooks.com.

Social Media Links:
The Minstrel Series Facebook page

Lee Strauss Facebook author page

Twitter: @elle_strauss

Pinterest

Blog: www.ellestraussbooks.com

YouTube channel

GIVEAWAY
Ends 11/18/2014

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Monday! What are You Reading? November 10, 2014

This meme starts at Book Journey!

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.

This is very late as I didn't get to do internet on Saturday and Sunday. We had a good vacation with a visit to Savannah on Friday and then on to finish with a visit with my sister and brother-in-law before we came home late Sunday night. 

I did enjoy the reading last week and seemed to get a lot done.   I posted four books, all with giveaways.   I posted the usual memes but SBB was late and I didn't get to do a Sunday post. :-(

I did only a little visiting early in the week and didn't get to do more as we were turning lights out by 8:30 every evening.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? November 3, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday November 3, 2014.

• Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Unleashed (Love to the Rescue) by Rachel Lacey; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25. Ends 11/3/14.

• Book Review and eBook Giveaway: Pushing the Limit (Alpha Ops) by Emmy Curtis; Military Romance; my rating 4.25. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/14/14.

• Book Review and Giveaways: Sealing the Deal (The Ladies Who Lunch) by Sandy James; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/12 and 14/14.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 7, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 11/13/14.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Hilltop Sunset: A Brynn Bancroft Mystery by Joyce T. Strand; Mystery; my rating 4.0. Ends 11/16/14.

• Sharing Beyond Books #176 Comment Giveaway 11/10/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 11/15/14.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Sealing the Deal
by Sandy James
A fun romance; review and giveaways linked above
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Hilltop Sunset: A Brynn Bancroft Mystery
by Joyce T. Strand
This is an interesting mystery; review and giveaway linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/MP3

Ravenhill Court
Written by: David R. Beshears
Narrated by: Karen Krause
Rather odd but interesting story.
I hope to review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

eTreasures Publishing:
A print title released and working on final formats for an eBook release.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kiindle

Peace & Goodwill: a contemporary romance, a Christmas Novella (The Minstrel Series Book 4)
by Lee Strauss
I received this for blog tour and review posting on 11/12.
This looks very sweet.
Book Description
Publication Date: November 17, 2014
*This is a Christmas Novella
**Peace & Goodwill is set in The Minstrel Series world, but can be read alone.
     Belle gets the best Christmas present ever, a man in uniform! Ian is a soldier home on leave. Neither of them have any idea how good it will feel to fall in love or how hard it will be to say good-bye.
     Anna is spending the holidays alone again with only her faithful dog Angel to keep her company. She can’t afford to pay the rent and her landlord is threatening to kick her out. At least she’s finished with her chemo treatments. She can be thankful for that. Plus, there’s Rhys, the handsome visitor with kind eyes.
     One fateful, cold and snowy night a chance encounter changes everything. Love is lost. Love is found. Life will never be the same.
     Peace & Goodwill, a Christmas novella in The Minstrel Series, grabs the heartstrings and pulls hard.
***includes mp3 link to featured original song.

2. Audio Book/MP3

Falling Up: Hours
I have looked but been unable to find a "blurb" or description for this.
It is a paranormal novella that brings the reader to a world of orphans and focuses on 6th graders as they explore a mysterious gym.
I am midway and find it very engaging.

3. eBook/Kindle

Louisiana Fever
by D.J. Donaldson
I was offered a guest post by this author and requested the book to review as it sounded so interesting and timely. I will be posting these later this week.
Book Description
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
“D.J. Donaldson is superb at spinning medical fact into gripping suspense. With his in-depth knowledge of science and medicine, he is one of very few authors who can write with convincing authority.” --Tess Gerritsen, NY Times best-selling author of the Rizzoli & Isles novels
    Andy Broussard, the plump and proud New Orleans medical examiner, obviously loves food. Less apparent to the casual observer is his hatred of murderers. Together with his gorgeous sidekick, psychologist Kit Franklyn, the two make a powerful, although improbable, mystery solving duo.
    When the beautiful Kit goes to meet an anonymous stranger—who’s been sending her roses—the man drops dead at her feet before she even could even get his name. Game on.
    Andy Broussard soon learns that the man carried a lethal pathogen similar to the deadly Ebola virus. Soon, another body turns up with the same bug. Panic is imminent as the threat of pandemic is more real than ever before. The danger is even more acute, because the carrier is mobile, his identity is an absolute shocker, he knows he’s a walking weapon and… he’s on a quest to find Broussard. And Kit isn’t safe either. When she investigates her mystery suitor further, she runs afoul of a cold blooded killer, every bit as deadly as the man searching for Broussard.
    Louisiana Fever is written in Donaldson’s unique style: A hard-hitting, punchy, action-packed prose that’s dripping with a folksy, decidedly southern, sense of irony. Add in Donaldson’s brilliant first hand knowledge of forensics and the sultry flavor of New Orleans, and the result is first class forensic procedural within an irresistibly delectable mystery.

4. Print

The Mystery of the Shemitah: The 3,000-Year-Old Mystery That Holds the Secret of America's Future, the World's Future, and Your Future!
by Jonathan Cahn
My husband and I purchased a stack of these to read with church and family. This is our Ladies Book Club reading for discussion on Saturday 11/15. It is fascinating and I will be offering a copy for giveaway.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 2, 2014
The book you can't afford NOT to read.
It is already affecting your life…
And it WILL affect your future!
Is it possible that there exists a three-thousand-year-old mystery that…
· Has been determining the course of your life without your knowing it?
· Foretells current events before they happen?
· Revealed the dates and the hours of the greatest crashes in Wall Street history before they happened?
· Determined the timing of 9/11?
· Lies behind the rise of America to global superpower… and its fall?
· Has forecast the rising and falling of the world’s stock market throughout modern times?
· Lies behind world wars and the collapse of nations, world powers, and empires?
· Holds key to what lies ahead for the world and for your life?
· And much more….

I am caught up on my daily Bible reading.
I have disciplined myself each morning to read my Bible passage before I pick up print, Kindle or mp3. I am really enjoying the reading.

Line Edits:
We are finalizing several titles now and also formatting all titles to multiple formats for additional distributions.

November I am participating in Sci Fi Month. The first week is full of tour books then I will switch to Sci Fi.
I have a carryover NetGalley title to get reviewed and then this week's titles.

Novenber Scheduled -
11/12 Peace & Goodwill a Christmas Novella (The Minstrel Series Book 4) by Lee Strauss (reading)
11/15 Ladies Book Club - Mystery of the Shemitah w/ Print GW (reading)
11/26 Sugar’s Twice as Nice w/ ebook GW

November Sci Fi Month: Some books I will read (*) and others are choices if I get to them.
Audio: I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas
Audio: Hours by Falling Up (listening)
Audio: The Maze Runner: Maze Runner, Book 1, Written by: James Dashner
*(NG) Exodus 2022, Kenneth G. Bennett
*(NG) The Genome, Sergei Lukyanenko
*(Tour) We Are the Destroyers by D.K. Lindler
(Won Sept?) The Terminals: Spark by Michael F. Stewart
Cinder: Book One of the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
The Tube Riders (The Tube Riders Trilogy #1) (free Kindle)
(eTP)The Wonk Decelerator by John Joseph Doody
(eTP)Valstain by R. J. Jerome


From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - The Terminals: Spark by Michael F. Stewart
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - TBD

Sharing Beyond Books #176 Comment Giveaway November 10, 2014

Hello again on Saturday Monday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

We had a busy last few days of traveling in Georgia. Friday we toured Savannah and then spent an hour or two in the afternoon looking at motor-homes as we are getting ready to trade in our 38' unit for a smaller one. Saturday morning we were on the road again to Warner Robins to visit my sister and brother-in-law. For some reason the internet wouldn't connect. I didn't get internet again till midday Sunday as we were traveling home. Then I was making preparations to move items back into the house and spending the last few hours with my DH.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
We all get spam and, like Sarah said, wouldn't it be great if we really did win those lotteries we supposedly won! nrlymrtl and rubynreba noted too that sometimes subscriptions or important items go into the spam folder so some of us don't just "delete all" (even when tempted to do so). I agree with Mary P that some of the items are funny as "It's like someone just dipped into a thesaurus & got lost in there."

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #175 comments is: #10 Emily who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #176 (One Question.)

Q1. This week bn100 asks: 1. Have you ever read a book and wished it had an epilogue??

A: I know that I have read books where I wished there was an epilogue - either to wrap up loose ends or give just a bit longer with the characters and a peek at their future. I can't think of any right now but I do know that feeling of wanting just a bit more.

Image found at Bite Me!

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 draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:

Q1. bn100 asks: 1. Have you ever read a book and wished it had an epilogue??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books, the Christmas Giveaway Books (this is the new link), or the June 2013 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two 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 through Saturday November 15, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Book Review and Giveaway: Hilltop Sunset: A Brynn Bancroft Mystery by Joyce T. Strand

An enjoyable mystery when you push through the day to day portions.
Hilltop Sunset: A Brynn Bancroft Mystery
by Joyce T. Strand

• Paperback: 299 pages
• Publisher: McCloughan & Schmeltz; First edition (November 12, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0983926298
• Genre: Mystery

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

A mystery set in wine country pitting financial exec Brynn Bancroft against a determined stalker, a troubled love interest, and career clashes. Brynn Bancroft learns that a former employee who beat her nearly to death has returned to stalk her and her friend, Jillian Hillcrest, also a former victim. Recently divorced, Brynn turns to a new love interest only to encounter additional unwelcome issues. Meanwhile, short-timer Brynn, who has resigned from her Silicon Valley company, becomes bored fulfilling her remaining responsibilities there. She begins to prefer supporting the launch of her ex-husband's new hilltop winery while waiting to move to her next position. Between her stalker and her new love interest, Brynn faces a series of life-threatening events.

Review:
Brynn is a mature, professional woman steeped in the details of her corporate duties. She is scheduled to leave her job in California to take another intense position in Alabama. Brynn was raised by an abusive father and she learned to bury her feelings rather than suffer punishment and pain. She has used sex as a distraction and both she and her husband, Liam, have had multiple extra-marital affairs. It has finally come to a point that they have divorced and agreed to be friends.

Liam has longed for Brynn to feel emotions beyond her sexual appetite but it hasn’t happened. He decided that wasn’t enough for him and sought the divorce in hopes of finding a more fulfilling relationship elsewhere. Liam invested in a winery in Sonoma and Brynn has become excited about the operations and gets more and more involved in the preparations for a new grand-opening.

The disturbing issue is that Brynn and her assistant, Jillian, recently were injured, and barely survived, an assault by another employee, Isabel. Isabel escaped authorities and has been seen in California so they are watching over their shoulders afraid of another attack.

Brynn becomes involved with another man, Todd, and meets his seventeen year old son, Josh. She suddenly begins to experience strange feelings of affection and care - feelings which are new to Brynn. Josh’s mother is killed and he seeks shelter and comfort with Liam and Brynn while Todd faces investigations by the police.

Liam and Brynn grow closer again after Liam is injured when they are attacked by a disguised Isabel. During all of this tension the winery opens to tasters and continues forward with the grand opening even as police tighten the net to catch Isabel.

I have to say that I didn’t like Brynn at the beginning of the book as I did not like her promiscuous nature and the infidelity of their marriage. This made getting into the story a bit difficult. I did grow to like her more as she changed far into the book. The mystery and suspense elements of this story were delayed by extensive, unnecessary detail. Much of the first half contains “day in the life” minutia which becomes tedious. (The book seemed longer than 299 pages.) Also there were several POV digressions for a few paragraphs at a time which were awkward and should have been caught and eliminated in editing.

I was glad that I plodded through the first half as I enjoyed the second half of the story as the mystery portion was very engaging. I would be willing to read more by Ms. Strand although I would prefer less of the day to day narrative. I would recommend this to readers who like mystery and especially to those who like a personal view of the character’s life.

I received this from Book Marketing Services for blog tour and an honest review.

About Joyce Strand:

Joyce T. Strand is the author of who-done-it mysteries set in the San Francisco Silicon Valley and Napa-Sonoma wine regions of California.

Her most recent novel, HILLTOP SUNSET, is the first of a new series featuring protagonist Brynn Bancroft, a financial guru in transition to winemaker from corporate executive. Brynn Bancroft is a minor character in Strand’s novels ON MESSAGE, OPEN MEETINGS, and FAIR DISCLOSURE—three mysteries solved by Jillian Hillcrest, a publicist whose boss was Chief Financial Officer Brynn Bancroft.

Much like her protagonist Jillian Hillcrest, Strand headed corporate communications at several biotech and high-tech companies in California’s Silicon Valley for more than 25 years. Unlike Jillian, however, she did not encounter murder in her career. She focused on writing by-lined articles, press releases, white papers, and brochures to publicize her companies and their products.

Strand lives with her two cats and collection of cow statuary in Southern California, and seeks out and attends as many Broadway musicals and other stage plays as possible.

She received her Ph.D. from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and her B.A. from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.

Social Links:

Webpage:           http://joycestrand.com

Blog:                      Http://strandssimplytips.blogspot.com

Facebook:           http://www.facebook.com/JoyceTStrandAuthor

Goodreads:        http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5385246.Joyce_T_Strand

Twitter:                @joycetstrand

Where to Purchase:

Amazon               http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=joyce+t+strand

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/joyce-t-strand?store=allproducts&keyword=joyce+t+strand

Jillian Hillcrest Mysteries 3-Book-Bundle-ebook Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Jillian-Hillcrest-Mysteries-3-Book-Bundle-ebook/dp/B00LMRHU3K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413055975&sr=8-1&keywords=joyce+t+strand

Jillian Hillcrest Mysteries 3-Book-Bundle-ebook Nook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jillian-hillcrest-mysteries-3-book-bundle-joyce-t-strand/1119930565?ean=2940149733217

FAIR DISCLOSURE – Kindle and paperback

http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Disclosure-Jillian-Hillcrest-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00GAPDNVM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1413055975&sr=8-2&keywords=joyce+t+strand 

FAIR DISCLOSURE – Nook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fair-disclosure-joyce-strand/1117273012?ean=2940148839606

OPEN MEETINGS – Kindle and paperback

http://www.amazon.com/Open-Meetings-Jillian-Hillcrest-Mystery-ebook/dp/B008N04ZD2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1413055975&sr=8-4&keywords=joyce+t+strand

OPEN MEETINGS – Nook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/open-meetings-joyce-strand/1111755223?ean=2940016331454

ON MESSAGE – Kindle and paperback

http://www.amazon.com/Message-Jillian-Hillcrest-Mystery-ebook/dp/B007ZU2CV8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1413055975&sr=8-3&keywords=joyce+t+strand

ON MESSAGE – Nook

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-message-joyce-t-strand/1112305205?ean=2940016219691

Giveaway:

1st prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card plus autographed copy of Hilltop Sunset
2nd prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card plus autographed copy of Hilltop Sunset
3rd prize: Autographed copy of Hilltop Sunset

Ends November 16 at 23:00 GMT
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Here is the link to the giveaway on her Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/JoyceTStrandAuthor/app_228910107186452