Mailbox Monday - Septmber 14th

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. To see this weeks list of participants go here.

ARCs of:



From Booksfree I received:


Another great week! What did you get in your mailbox this week.

Book Review & Tour: Night of Flames by Douglas J. Jacobson

Join Douglas W. Jacobson, author of the historical fiction novel, Night of Flames: A Novel of World War Two (McBooks Press), as he virtually tours the blogosphere in September and October on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion!



Douglas W. Jacobson is an engineer, business owner and World War Two history enthusiast. Doug has traveled extensively in Europe researching stories of the courage of common people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. His debut novel, Night of Flames: A Novel of World War Two was published in 2007 by McBooks Press, and was released in paperback in 2008. Night of Flames won the 2007 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD from the Wisconsin Library Association. Doug has also published articles on Belgium’s WW2 escape organization, the Comete Line; Poland’s 1st Armored Division; and the liberation of Antwerp. Doug has just completed his second novel set in Europe at the end of WW2. You can visit his blog at www.douglaswjacobson.blogspot.com.



In 1939 the Germans invade Poland, setting off a rising storm of violence and destruction. For Anna and Jan Kopernik the loss is unimaginable. She is an assistant professor at a university in Krakow; he, an officer in the Polish cavalry. Separated by war, they must find their own way in a world where everything they ever knew is gone.

Anna’s father, a prominent intellectual, is deported to a death camp, and Anna must flee to Belgium where she joins the Resistance. Meanwhile, Jan escapes with the battered remnants of the Polish army to Britain. When British intelligence asks him to return to Poland in an undercover mission to contact the Resistance, he seizes the opportunity to search for his missing wife.

Through the long night of Nazi occupation, Anna, Jan, and ordinary people across Europe fight a covert war of sabotage and resistance against the overwhelming might of the German war machine. The struggle seems hopeless, but they are determined to take back what is theirs.


My Review (4.5/5.0):

This story is so much more that I expected. I wanted to read it and requested it from Pump Up Your Book Promotions. I knew it was a novel of WWII and I knew it involved Poland which I knew little about. I believe reading this have given me a better understanding of some of the lesser known, yet very important battles of WWII. The story moves along at a wonderful pace, always moving forward and it kept me turning the pages.

Anna and Jan are the main characters in this novel, a married couple separated by the war, but always thinking of each other and searching each other out. They never give up even when hopes seem dim. Jan is in the Polish Army when the German occupation takes place and Anna is trying to return from Warsaw to Krakow. The book starts before the occupation and then resumes four years later in Begium and other areas of Europe. I learned a lot of the everyday person in the war. This was not a story of the battles so much as a story of life in an occupied country during the war and the hopes and fears of the people who were the resistance.

A fascinating read with wonderful characters. It’s heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Mr. Jacobson’s characters show what the true human spirit is capable of even in times of true horror. It is well researched and well written. Night of Flames is a book that will stay with you long after reading it. I have recommended it to my husband who is a huge WWII buff and he will be reading it next.

Anna’s eyes snapped open and she sat bolt upright. The shrill sound blasted into her brain, penetrating through the fog of sleep like an icy wind. She blinked and looked around the dark room, trying to focus on shadowy images as the sound wailed on and on.

She ran to the window. It was still dark but the night sky held a hint of gray. An early morning mist shrouded the street lamps casting a gloomy, almost spooky glow along the deserted sidewalk below. The grating noise of the air-raid siren raised the hair on the back of her neck and suddenly she was shivering. Anna crossed her arms over her chest and stared into the dull, charcoal sky. Then she heard another sound.

It came from the west, a deep angry drone like a swarm of giant bees, growing louder by the second. Anna tried to move but her feet didn’t respond.

Immobilized, riveted in place, she stared out the open window as the pounding vibration of a hundred propellers enveloped her. The thunderous roar of the bombers drowned out the air raid sirens and the entire building seemed to sway in rhythm with the oscillations.

Anna snapped out of the spell and instinctively reached out to pull the window closed. A flash of light blinded her and an ear-shattering blast threw her backwards amidst a shower of glass and falling plaster. She fell heavily against a small wooden night table and collapsed on the floor.

Watch the trailer!






Pump Up Your Book Promotion would like to thank the following sponsors of Douglas W. Jacobson's NIGHT OF FLAMES VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '09:

(to be announced)

Douglas W. Jacobson NIGHT OF FLAMES VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on September 1 and end on October 30. You can visit Douglas' blog stops at www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com during the month of September and October to find out more about this great book and talented author!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.

Countdown Challenge 2010

I'm such a sucker for challenges and when I saw the Countdown Challenge 2010 from 1 More Chapter I knew I had to join. The rules are:

1. The goal of this challenge is to read the number of books first published in a given year that corresponds to the last digit of each year in the 2000s — 10 books from 2010, 9 books from 2009, 8 books from 2008, etc. The total number of books required, therefore, is 55.
2. This challenge lasts from 9/9/09 through 10/10/10.
3. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and your lists may change at any time.
4. Sign up using Mr. Linky.
5. Have fun reading!

This should be interesting. The total number of books is not a problem, but covering all the years will make it more of a challenge. I look forward to embarking on this one. I'll list my books here as I finish them and mark down my countdown!

You can join in by going here.

2001

1. When Lightning Strikes by Meg Cabot

2002

1. Purity in Death by J.D. Robb - review
2. Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
   

2003

1. Blind Sight by James H. Pence - review
2. Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb
   

2004

1. The Clique by Lisi Harrison - review
   
2. Best Friends For Never by Lisi Harrison - review
3. ttyl by Lauren Myracle
   

2005

1. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris - review
2. Revenge of the Wannabes by Lisi Harrison - review
3. Invasion of the Boy Snatchers by Lisi Harrison - review
4. Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson

2006

1. Only in Your Dreams by Cecily von Ziegesar
2. Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz - review
   
3. Would I Lie to You by Cecily von Ziegesar - review
4. The Pretty Committee Stirkes Back by Lisi Harrison 
5. L is for Loser by Lisi Harrison
6. Private by Kate Brian

2007

1. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
2. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - review
3. Austenland by Shannon Hale - review
4. Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz - review
5. Wisdom Hunter by Arthur Randall
6. Good Ghoul's Guide to Getting Even by Julie Kenner
7. It's Not Easy Being Mean by Lisi Harrison
   

2008

1. Night of Flames by Douglas W. Jacobson - review
   
2. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher - review
3. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson - review
   
4. Maze of Bones (39 Clues Book #1) by Rick Riordan - review
5. I Heart Bloomberg (86 Bloomberg Place #1) by Melody Carlson - review
6. Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz - review
7. The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox - review
8. Nailed by Jennifer Laurens
   

2009

1. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - review
   
2. Relentless by Dean Koontz
3. Century: Ring of Fire by P.D. Baccalario - review
   
4. Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe - review
   
5. Evil at Heart by Chelsea Cain - review
   
6. Luv Ya Bunches by Lauren Myracle - review
   
7. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen - review
   
8. Stretch Marks by Kimberly Stuart - review
   
9. Hell's Gate by Stephen Frey - review
   

2010

1. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
2. Camp Club Girls and the Mystery of Discovery Lake by Renae Brumbaugh
3. Sydney's D.C. Discovery by Jean Fischer
4. The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth by Shelly Adina
5. Shadow by Jenny Moss
   
6. Becoming Lucy by Martha Rogers
7. Conflicts With Interest by Michael Ruddy
8. Screen Play by Chris Coppernoll
9. The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher
10. A Black Tie Affair by Sherrill Bodine
    

Review: Nothing Can Keep Us Together by Cecily von Ziegesar (Gossip Girl)

Nothing Can Keep Us Together by Cecily von Ziegesar (Gossip Girl)




rating: 4.0/5.0






From Goodreads:

Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side, where my friends and I get everything and everyone we want. Snagging the latest Marc Jacobs bag or your best friends boyfriend isn't pretty, but it's always hot . . . It's almost graduation and our lives are really heating up. Everybody's into college and it's obviously time to party - as if we hadn't been doing that already! Will Blair and Nate's love affair continue? More importantly, will Blair finally get into Yale? Or will Nate and Serena hook up in New Haven and leave Blair alone in the city? And as for the juiciest scoop of all, what's this we hear about Jenny leaving Constance Billard to go to boarding school? Only time will tell how everyone will end up, but one thing's for sure: love is in the air, and it smells a lot like Gucci Envy.

For some reason I am absolutely addicted to this series. I need to check out the tv show too, but right now the books are enough for me.

Nothing Can Keep Us Together is another deliciously decadent installment in the Gossip Girl series following primarily Serena, Nate and Blair, but an additional cast of friends and misfits too. I love how this series has the different types and how this one book in particular shows that all the types no matter the outward display pretty much feel the same towards graduation.

There's more speculation about Nate, Serena and Blair, a new boyfriend for Blair and other breakups and hookups. Add in Jenny looking for a boarding school and it's another wild ride through the lives of those teens who I love to read about.

Light and fluffy is how I describe this - it's my go to book series to put me in a good mood.

Binding: Paperback
On-sale Date: 1998
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Pages: 240

Winner - Dancing with Ana by Nicole Barker

Thanks to everyone who entered in this giveaway and thanks to Nicole for sending me a copy to review. The winner of Dancing with Ana by Nicole Barker is:

Marjorie!

Marjorie has been notified by email and I'm awaiting her address.

My review is here.

Have a great Friday!

Win Arrival: Since the Surrender by Julie Anne Long

Since the Surrender by Julie Anne Long

I won this from The Season, a wonderful website for information about historical romances during their recent giveaways.

From the back cover:

A man of action . . .

Fearless. Loyal. Brilliant. Ruthless. Bold words are always used to describe English war hero Captain Chase Eversea. But another word unfortunately plays a role in every Eversea’s destiny: trouble. And trouble for Chase arrives in the form of a mysterious message summoning him to a London rendezvous...where he encounters the memory of his wickedest indiscretion in the flesh: Rosalind March—the only woman he could never forget.

A woman of passion . . .

Five years ago, the reckless, charming beauty once craved the formidable Captain’s attention. But now Rosalind is a coolly self-possessed woman, and desire is the last thing on her mind: her sister has mysteriously disappeared and she needs Chase’s help to find her. But as their search through London’s darkest corners re-ignites long-smoldering passion and memories of old battles, Chase and Rosalind are once again challenged to surrender: to the depths of a wicked desire, and to the possibility of love.

ARC Arrivals: Avalon December Romances

I received four December romances from Avalon books in the mail yesterday. So here's a sneak peak at the upcoming lineup.

Everything But a Christmas Eve by Holly Jacobs

For years, Nana Vancy Bashalde Salo believed that she’d cursed her own family to bad weddings. Now that the curse is broken, she’s bored. Her best friends, the ‘Silver Bells,’ convince her to try her hand at matchmaking. And Nana has just the person in mind, Salo Construction’s new office manager, Eve Allen.

Eve is coming out of a bad relationship and longs for a little quiet and order. That’s definitely not in the cards with Nana Vancy around. And it’s even less possible when Nana tries to hook her up with TC Potter, a boy who broke her heart in kindergarten when he told her there was no Santa, and then broke it again in 9th grade when he stood her up for a dance. Eve’s heart still healing from her last bad relationship, she doesn’t need it broken by TC for a third time.

Freelance writer, TC Potter makes his living by writing articles about Every American Man. His life was pretty much perfect until he was named one of America’s most eligible bachelors last year. He’s spent the last twelve month hiding out from women who’d like to de-bachelor him. Now he’s finally met someone he’d really like to date, but Eve’s not interested. But maybe with a Hungarian grandmother’s help, and a little Christmas magic, he can convince her that they have something too special to ignore?

Rejoin the Salo family in Everything But a Christmas Eve and discover if Nana Vancy really does have some Hungarian magic!

Outback Hero by Elisabeth Rose

Jonathan Knight can't believe his eyes when singer Stella Starr appears in tiny outback town Koologong. Stranded when her car breaks down, she is the answer to his prayers. If he can convince Stella to model the cotton clothing his company Koolwear produces, the struggling local industry will be saved. One problem. Stella is in disguise, calling herself Sue Starkey.

After a humiliating divorce, Stella flees the media spotlight. A celebrity since fifteen, she is desperate to be liked for who she is not what she is. Convinced no-one in Koologong recognises her, she enjoys the attention of local hero, Jonathan. What could he want from ordinary Sue? Nothing.

Lady Eugenia's Holiday by Shirley Marks

Even though she missed her London Season debut, Lady Eugenia Abbott's dreams of attending exciting parties and meeting dashing young gentlemen comes true as she travels with her aunt to the seaside city of Brighton for some post-Season gaiety.

Lady Eugenia becomes a social success, making the acquaintance of a handful of new close friends and befriending an eccentric Austrian musician. She even catches the attention of an elusive duke, whose curious behavior causes her to question his intentions.

In her pursuit of the duke, Lady Eugenia stumbles upon a deadly plot that places her life and that of the man she loves in danger. Given time, Eugenia can forgive the duplicity, but it's quite another thing to forget the betrayal of her heart.

The Madcap by Nikki Poppen (could not find a picture, sorry)

As unconventional as she is rich, American heiress Marianne Addison isn't exactly the kind of girl an Englishman takes home to his mother. no wonder Alasdair Braden is smitten.

By age nineteen, Marianne has conquered the nouveau riche circles of San Francisco, surveyed the males on offer, and decided to look elsewhere. Armed with her daddy's millions, a dazzling smile and western fortitude, she sets out to take England by storm.

Alasdair Braden has seen Marianne Addison's brand of mischief before. She waltzes too fast, rides too recklessly, and eats too much at dinner (sometimes with the wrong fork). Worst of all, she speaks her mind freely and without restraint, perhaps the quality that persuades Alasdair to take a rowdy wager after Marianne's latest social oversight. Could he turn her into a genteel lady ready to be accepted by English Society?

Alasdair's wild bet to tame the Season's madcap takes on far more personal importance than he'd intended. What started out as a lark to divert attention from his financial situation now turns dire. He needs to marry well and quickly to sustain his family's influence and finances. His mother has had the neighboring earl's perfect English daughter picked out for him since he was twelve. She has the breeding and fortune necessary to sustain the family's needs . . . unless Alasdair can come up with an alternative. Marianne is his last best hope of escaping this marriage of convenience. But it just may be that Marianne is also his only hope for love.