New Year's Resolution Blog Carnival Giveaway

Hauling & Trucking, Medical Transcription Source and Makobi Scribe Present New Year’s Resolution Blog Carnival. My New Year's Resolution is to read more books from my tbr this year :)  We'll see how that goes, I think I planned on doing that last year and didn't succeed.  So in honor of my New Year's Resolution, I would love to add to your TBR pile.

 

For my giveaway I'm giving away an ARC of Cinder by Marissa Meyer which came out today (Tuesday) and I'm reading it right now and it is excellent.  All the reviews I have read so far rave about it as well. Enter using the Rafflecopter below, the only required entry is your name and email which if you are signed into Rafflecopter with Facebook are entered automatically.  If you have any problems with the Rafflecoopter, please email me at crystalfulcher(at)ec.rr.com.  Open to US/Canada only. 

About Cinder:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

In this thrilling debut young adult novel, the first of a quartet, Marissa Meyer introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine and a masterfully crafted new world that’s enthralling.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway: My Favorite Bible by Rondi DeBoer and Christine Tangvald

With the vibrant illustrations and engaging text in this Bible storybook, you can enjoy sharing the best-loved stories of the Bible with the children in your life and encourage a life-long love for the Word of God. My Favorite Bible is a book of exciting Bible stories and activity pages that guide children through the foundational truths of Scripture.

Each story is fully illustrated and includes a simple narrative full of things kids love: repetition, rhythm, and energy, along with a key biblical theme, a key Bible verse, and discussion questions to help adults introduce children to the Bible.

The colorful illustrations will capture the imaginations of children ages 4–8, and the stories will help adults to pass along the most important truth in life—the Gospel. Families will cherish this time as they read, listen, learn, and love, growing closer to one another even as they grow closer to God.

Thanks to the kind people at Revell I have one copy of My Favorite Bible to giveaway.  It will ship directly from the publisher and hopefully arrive in time for Christmas (if you are in the US or Canada it should, International, give it a little more time).  I will send my winners address as soon as I get it to hurry the process along for you.  This giveaway is open International.  It will end next Friday 12/9 so I can get the winner to Donna in plenty of time (her deadline is the 15th).  Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter.  The only required entry is your name and email.

Some other notes from questions that were raised:

• If you would like to view the inside of the book, you can view it on Amazon here.
• This is not a children’s Bible. It is a Bible story book that includes key verses and parent pages called “Family Talk” and “Family Fun” to assist adults in discussing the stories with children.

Book Giveaway: Weight of Stone by Laura Anne Gilman

Thanks to the wonderful Publicity Manager at Gallery Books, Melissa Gramstad I have three weeks of giveaways leading up to the release of The Shattered Vine by Laura Anne Gilman on October 18th.

Last week the publisher gave away Flesh and Fire, the first installment, and the winner was:

 Anita Yancey who I will be notifying later today

I will also have reviews coming up as well as I get my copies of the book.  This week I have the second book in the Vineart War series, Weight of Stone up for grabs.  I received my copies this weekend and I cannot wait to start this series.

Here's a little more about the book:

An island nation has vanished. Men of honor and magic have died unnatural deaths. Slaves flee in terror. . . . Are the silent gods beginning to speak? Or is another force at work in the Lands Vin? Laura Anne Gilman’s critically acclaimed, Nebula Award–nominated Flesh and Fire introduced a brilliantly imagined world where the grapevine—cultivated by the Vinearts who know the secrets of wine magic—holds together disparate lands. Now, confusion, violence, and terror are sweeping over the Lands Vin. And four people are at the center of a storm.

Jerzy, Vineart apprentice and former slave, was sent by his master to investigate strange happenings—and found himself the target of betrayal. Now he must set out on his own journey, to find the source of the foul taint that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. By Jerzy’s side are Ao, who lives for commerce and the art of the deal; Mahault, stoic and wise, risking death in flight from her homeland; and Kaïnam, once Named-Heir of an island principality, whose father has fallen into a magic-tangled madness that endangers them all.

These four companions will travel far from the earth and the soul of the vine, sailing along coastlines aflame with fear, confronting sea creatures summoned by darkness, and following winds imbued with malice. Their journey will take them to the very limits of the Sin Washer’s reach . . . and into a battle for the soul of the Lands Vin. For two millennia the Sin Washer’s Commandment has kept these lands in order: Those of magic shall hold no power over men and those princes of power shall hold no magic. Now, that law has given way. And a hidden force seeks the havoc of revenge.


So do you want to win it?  It's simple, enter through the Rafflecopter below, all that is required is your name and email.  Open to the US only, the book will come straight from the publisher.  Ends 10/15 at 11:59pm EDT.  Thanks!

BTT - Loud + Giveaway

You can find this weeks BTT here.

1. What do you think of reading aloud/being read to? Does it bring back memories of your childhood? Your children’s childhood?
It does bring back memories of my childhood when Mom read me Trixie Belden and Little Golden Books.  It also reminds me of my youngest son's nightly ritual - he's in the first grade and they have 15-20 minutes of reading every night.  He loves it, we're working on the Magic Tree House books.

2. Does this affect the way you feel about audio books?
In a way yes, it's like coming home.  I love a well-done audio book - it's a way to pass my commute to work after I drop the kids off at school with a book.  It's also a way to pass time when I'm sewing and sometimes when I'm at the gym, or taking a walk or even when I'm cooking.  That said, I have taken an audio book back to the library when the reader didn't mesh with me (a bad southern accent is one thing to put me off since I'm southern).

3. Do you now have times when you read aloud or are read to?
Only when it's my son if it's not an audiobook.

Giveaway

What do you think about audiobooks?  I have an unabridged copy of Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent on CD unopened up for grabs today if you share you answer in the comments.  Enter through Rafflecopter because it's easy for me to draw a winner.  Giveaway open for 3 days so it ends at midnight 10/1.  US/Canada only.

Book Tour + Giveaway: Broken Wings by Carla Stewart

 

Broken Wings by Carla Stewart

Publisher: Faithwords

Publish Date: June 3, 2011

Paperback, 320 pages 
Fiction, Inspirational Fiction
 ISBN: 978-0446556569

***My review will be coming later today or tomorrow***

About the Book:
Onstage, the singing duo of Gabe and Mitzi Steiner captured America's heart for more than two decades. Offstage, their own hearts have throbbed as one for sixty years. Only now, Gabe has retreated into the tangles of Alzheimer's, leaving Mitzi to ponder her future alone.

On the other side of Tulsa, everyone believes Brooke Woodson has found the perfect man--a handsome lawyer with sights on becoming Tulsa's next District Attorney. If only Brooke felt more sure. If only her fiancé could control his anger. If only love didn't come with so many scars.

When an accident lands Brooke in the hospital where Mitzi volunteers, the two women quickly develop an unlikely friendship birthed by providence and bathed in grace. And with Mitzi's help, kindness, and insight, Brooke learns how to pick up the broken pieces of her life.

About the Author: 
Carla Stewart is the author of Chasing Lilacs. Her writing reflects her passion for times gone by, cherished relationships, and the mysteries of God in our skid-marked world. She and her husband have four adult sons and delight in the adventures of their six grandchildren.

Website
Twitter
Facebook
Blog

Twitter Party


WHEN: Friday, June 3, 2011 - All day.
WHERE: Wherever you are.
HOW TO FIND THE PARTY: Follow @Chasing Lilacs (that's the author) and @FaithWords (they're throwing the party) on Twitter. Use the hashtag #brokenwings and join in the conversation!
LIVE Q &A from noon to 1pm Central time! Chime in with your questions, and she'll do her best to answer.

A "birdie" told me there might be giveaways!!


Giveaway
Thanks to Sarah Reck, I have one copy of Broken Wings to giveaway.  Open to US/Canada only, no PO boxes, this will ship directly from the publisher. Ends 6/9/2011.  Simply fill out the form below to enter.  For an extra entry leave a comment below telling me whether you have read Carla Stewart before and if you plan to read Broken Wings.

FTC Information: I received this book from the Sarah Reck at Faithwords for an honest review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Book Feature and Giveaway: My Dear I Wanted to Tell You by Louisa Young

My Dear I Wanted To Tell You by Louisa Young

Publisher:Harper

Publish Date: May 31, 2011

Hardcover, 336 pages
Fiction, Historical
ISBN: 978-0061997143

About the Book:
The lives of two very different couples are irrevocably intertwined and forever changed in this stunning World War I epic of love and war.

From the day in 1907 that eleven-year-old Riley Purefoy meets Nadine Waveney, daughter of a well-known orchestral conductor, he takes in the difference between their two families: his, working-class; hers, "posh" and artistic. Just a few years later, romance and these differences erupt simultaneously with the war in Europe. In a fit of fury and boyish pride, Riley enlists in the army and finds himself involved in the transformative nightmare of the twentieth century.

While Riley and his commanding officer, Peter Locke, fight for their country and their survival in the trenches of Flanders, Peter's lovely and naive wife, Julia, and his cousin Rose eagerly await his return. But the sullen, distant man who arrives home on leave is not the Peter they knew. Worried that her husband is slipping away, Julia is left alone with her fears when Rose joins the nursing corps to work with a pioneering plastic surgeon treating wounded and disfigured soldiers.

Only eighteen at the outbreak of the war, Nadine and Riley want to make promises to each other—but how can they when their future is out of their hands? Youthful passion is on their side, but then their loyalty is tested by terrible injury, and even more so by the necessarily imperfect rehabilitation that follows.
Moving among Ypres, London, and Paris, this emotionally rich and evocative novel is both a powerful exploration of the lasting effects of war on those who fight—and those who don't—and a poignant testament to the power of enduring love.

About the Author:

Louisa Young grew up in London in the house in which Peter Pan was written. She studied modern history at Cambridge and was for many years a freelance journalist, working mostly for the motorcycle press, Marie Claire, and the Guardian. She lives in London and Italy with her daughter and the composer Robert Lockhart.

Giveaway:

I am trying my hardest to work my way through this and I'm giving myself about 75 more pages to see if it clicks.  Whether it does or not, I would like to get this into the hands of a blogger or reviewer (if you post reviews on Goodreads, Amaon or another website like those).  I would love to get reviews out for this book , but I'm just not sure it's going to work for me.  So if you are a reviewer or a blogger and think you could get to reviewing this one in the next month, fill out the form below and I'll get it out to you.  Open to US/Canada, ends 6/5/2011.  Thanks!


FTC Information: I received this book from the publisher, Harper Collins for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Book Tour, Review & Giveaway: Nickel Plated by Aric Davis

Nickel Plated by Aric Davis

Publisher: Amazon Encore

Publish Date: March 22, 2011
Paperback, 172 pages

Fiction, Young Adult, Suspense

My Review:
Why I read this: The blurb caught me - one it has a boy protagonist and I am always looking for these books to share with my sons when they get older and two it's a suspense-type book - that sold me.


My thoughts: Very interesting and very different.  It's kind of like John Grisham's Theodore Boone but without a family to support the budding PI/sleuth plus it's grittier.

The thing that pleases me the most is that the protagonist is a male. I have two sons and it just doesn't seem like there is as much for YA males as for females and my oldest son loves to read.  My younger son is just learning but I'm hoping he will share our love as well.

The protagonist, Nickel is young but he's much older in most ways.  He does some things to support himself that aren't the best, but his heart is in the right place and the thing he most wants is to get rid of pedophiles.  Nickel was amusing to me - I loved his sense of humor and the teenage boy that he is.  I like his sense of right and wrong even if it can be slightly skewed, it's still mostly right.  I like also that he wants to help and I hope to see more stories involving Nickel.  Mr. Davis does an excellent job of letting the reader get to know Nickel little by little, showing a little more of his backstory while continuing with the story of Nickel Plated.

The suspense line is well done with several plot lines going at the same time, but they are different enough that it is not confusing.  One gets solved early and the other spans the length of the book.  But they both intersect in a way that makes the book even more interesting.  The secondary characters are very interesting, I enjoyed Arrow and the various sidekicks that Nickel has who help him out without even saying much.

The book reads quickly and is very enjoyable.  It has some tough subjects but I still wouldn't hesitate to let my ten-year-old read it and have some discussion about the subjects that I feel may need discussing.  There is no language, there is alcohol and drug use, but not by the main characters.  There is fighting.  But I did not feel any of it was gratuitous.  We all don't live in one of those perfect life bubbles and I think this book portrays the slightly darker side of life while still remaining a solid young adult novel.  And it's a YA novel that I think kids and adults who love suspense will enjoy. 

My Rating: 4.5/5.0


About the Book:
Nickel is a survivor. He has to be. For as long as he can remember, his life has hinged on the flip of a coin. Or, rather, the scribble of a social worker’s pen. He’s been through the system, even had a good dad for a few years, until he was gone, too. But Nickel remembers everything he taught him, and since the day he escaped from foster-care hell, he’s put that knowledge to good use. Just twelve years old, he makes a steady living by selling marijuana to high schoolers, blackmailing pedophiles he ferrets out online, and working as a private investigator. When a beautiful girl named Arrow hires him to find her little sister Shelby, Nickel figures at best the kid’s a runaway; at worst, some perv’s gotten a hold of her. He scours the internet and the streets of Arrow’s suburban neighborhood, and what he finds there is as ugly a truth as he’s ever seen. For beyond the manicured lawns, Nickel discovers children for sale, and adults with souls black as the devil. And people like that aren’t about to let some kid ruin their game. This edgy thriller introduces a canny, precocious anti-hero, the likes of which young-adult readers have never seen


About the Author: 

Aric Davis is married with one daughter and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he has worked for the past fourteen years as a body piercer. A punk rock aficionado, Davis does anything he can to increase awareness of a good band. He likes weather cold enough to need a sweatshirt but not a coat, and friends who wear their hearts on their sleeves. In addition to reading and writing, he also enjoy roller coasters and hockey. Nickel Plated is his second novel. His first, From Ashes Rise, was self-published in 2008. 

Website/Blog

Giveaway:
Through the Teen Book Scene Tour, I have one copy up for grabs to one of my US readers, just fill out the form below. US only, ends 4/8/2011.  If you can't see the form, you can find it here.
 

FTC Information: I received this book from the publisher through Teen Book Scene for a honest review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

ARC Giveaway: Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell

In an effort to get some of my review books read and into others' hands before the release date, I am going to start doing some giveaways.  This will motivate me to get the book read so I can mail it to you.

This installment of this giveaway starts today and is Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell.  It releases in January 2011 from Houghton Mifflin Books for Children so here is your chance to read it before it comes out.  Please note this is an ARC.  Haven't heard of the book yet?  Here is some more information:

In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die.

The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but  human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying.

Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet.

Sounds interesting doesn't it - I can't wait to read it and it's next up on my pile.  Review won't be coming until the end of the year to generate buzz at the best time for the author.

Rules for the giveaway:  Simple, just comment and leave an email address where to contact you.  Nothing more.  No additional entries, just keeping this one completely simple.  Open to the US/Canada only.  Ends 12/12/2010.