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!

Book Review: Lucky Girl by Cate Lord

Lucky Girl by Cate Lord

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC

Publish Date: September 4, 2011

Paperback, 268 pages 
Fiction, Chicklit, Romance
 ISBN:  978-1937044213

My Review:
I really enjoyed Lucky Girl as pure entertainment.  Jess's exploits from leaving Orlando to returning were highly entertaining and the true essence of classic chicklit to me.  There is humor, self-depreciation, girlfriends, makeovers, great clothes and shoes, friendly pets, good men, bad men, bad women and so much more.  While some plot lines were a little glossed over for me, overall the main plot lines were covered well and the characters rang true.  I loved Jess and her stay true to your girl friend cousins.  I also like Nick who showed himself to be a very good man.

Lucky Girl as I said pretty much has it all.  There are explanations into previous exploits in characters lives to make it obvious why they have acted that way in the past.  There is Jess on vacation who is sure she is going to act different to attract a man and get over her engagement gone bad and her self-esteem that is in the toilet.  And who better to do that with than hot, sexy spy guy, Nick?  Reading Lucky Girl, I want a Nick of my own.  He sounds amazing and so sweet to.  I really liked him as he and Jess begin to fall for each other, he's so sweet.  Of course some of what happens is predictable, but the end is great so that is all that matters, and that part wasn't predictable.

My only qualm was a couple of the story lines became glossed over through the book.  I'm guessing the author ran out of space and eventually they were really backseat to the main story so I understand.  The main story was resolved and I was happy, though I did still wanted to know a few other things, but truly that was my only gripe with the book.  Otherwise I found the book to be a great read.  It read quickly, kept me entertained.  It was sweet, romantic and was just one of those great books that takes you away for the day and romances you and reminds you there are great men out there (and for me reminds me I have one of them).  I loved Jess and Nick's story and look forward to more of Ms. Lord's writing.  There was a definite fun voice to this story and hopefully we'll get to see maybe one or two of the cousins in their own story in the future.

My Rating: 4.25/5.0


About the Book:
Jessica Devlin isn't looking for love. Heartbroken after being dumped by her unfaithful ex-fiancé, she's determined to have a fabulous time during her vacation in England where she'll be maid-of-honor at her cousin's wedding. After working overtime as beauty editor of Orlando's O Tart magazine, avoiding dating, and putting on ten pounds, Jess is ready to toss her past like an empty lipstick tube and party like a single gal.

But when she steps into the church on her cousin's wedding day, she sees the one man who could sabotage her plan:  James-Bond-gorgeous Nick Mondinello. She's never forgotten the London marketing exec who held her in his arms after her beloved grandfather's funeral two years ago. Ambitious, and lusted after by women everywhere, Nick is completely wrong for guarded, Plain Jane Jess.

Could Spy Man Nick ever fall for her? Nope. Not unless Jess is one lucky girl.

About the Author: 

Cate Lord is the contemporary pen name of multi-award-winning historical romance author Catherine Kean. Writing stories as soon as she could wield a pencil, Cate penned her first novella at age twelve and her first full-length manuscript at sixteen.

After completing a B.A., double major (first class), in English and History from the University of Victoria, B.C., Canada, she was accepted into the post-graduate Works of Art Course run by Sotheby's auctioneers in London, England, where she studied centuries of history, antiques, and fine art. During her year abroad, she also met the charming Brit who later became her husband. She worked in Canada for several years as an antique and fine art appraiser.

Her previous novels have garnered numerous accolades, including two Reviewer's Choice Awards and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Her books also finaled in the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the 2008 National Readers' Choice Awards.

Grateful for her wildly active imagination and plenty of story ideas, Cate is busy working on her next book. When she's not writing, she enjoys cooking, baking, antiquing, shopping with her daughter, and gardening. She lives in Central Florida with her husband, daughter, and a very spoiled cat.

Website
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FTC Information: I received this book from the publisher for an honest review. 

In My Mailbox - October 10

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. To see this weeks list of participants go here.

Another busy week.  It was made even better when I won a $25 GC to Amazon from Fantasy Cookie.  I promptly spent that on books for my Kindle :)

I received two trilogies that the third book is coming out in the coming weeks from Simon and Schuster.

 The Iron Elves Trilogy by Chris Evans (Ashes of Black Frost releases October 18)

The Vineart Trilogy by Laura Anne Gilman (The Shattered Vine releases October 18)

Some of the other books that have come into my house this week are:

Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh

A Plain and Fancy Christmas by Cynthia Keller
 Burned by Thomas Enger

The Winters in Bloom by Lisa Tucker

The World We Found by Thirty Umbar

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Need You Now by James Grippando (no image yet)

Hospice Tails by Debra L. Stang

The Power of a Praying Wife Devotional by Stormie Omartian

 Dark Eden by Patrick Carman (Amazon Vine)
You Against Me by Jenny Downham (Amazon Vine)
In Too Deep by Amanda Grace (Teen Book Scene tour) 

Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz (win from Chrissy at YA Book of the Day)

Weekly Preview and Giveaway

Welcome to a new feature I'm trying out at My Reading Room.  It's a feature where I preview what I will be reviewing this week and also where you get a chance to enter to win one of the books I am reading this week plus two books from my giveaway page.  All you have to do to enter is leave your name and email in the Rafflecopter below.  All other entries are optional.  Open to US/Canada only, ends 10/15.  Please note Monday and Friday's review books are not part of the giveaway - I read the ebook version.

Up for Review:

 Monday:  Lucky Girl by Cait Lord (not for giveaway - I read the ebook)

Jessica Devlin isn't looking for love. Heartbroken after being dumped by her unfaithful ex-fiancé, she's determined to have a fabulous time during her vacation in England where she'll be maid-of-honor at her cousin's wedding. After working overtime as beauty editor of Orlando's O Tart magazine, avoiding dating, and putting on ten pounds, Jess is ready to toss her past like an empty lipstick tube and party like a single gal.
But when she steps into the church on her cousin's wedding day, she sees the one man who could sabotage her plan-James-Bond-gorgeous Nick Mondinello. She's never forgotten the London marketing exec who held her in his arms after her beloved grandfather's funeral two years ago. Ambitious, and lusted after by women everywhere, Nick is completely wrong for guarded, Plain Jane Jess.
Could Spy Man Nick ever fall for her? Nope. Not unless Jess is one lucky girl.

Tuesday:  Diary of a Teenage Girl: Caitlin #1 - Becoming Me by Melody Carlson

In the fictional Diary of a Teenage Girl, sixteen-year-old Caitlin O'Conner reveals the inner workings of a girl caught between childhood and womanhood...an empty life without Christ and a meaningful one with Him. Through Caitlin's candid journal entries we see her grapple with such universal teen issues as peer pressure, loyalty, conflict with parents, the longing for a boyfriend, and her own spirituality. Readers will laugh and cry with Caitlin as she struggles toward self-discovery and understanding God's plan for her life. And they'll be deeply moved by her surprising commitment regarding dating.

Wednesday:  The Vision by Jen Nadol

Cassie Renfield knows the mark tells her when someone is going to die and that she can intervene and attempt to change fate. But she still doesn't understand the consequences, especially whether saving one life dooms another. With no family left to offer guidance, Cassie goes in search of others like her. But when she meets Demetria, a troubled girl who seems to have the power of the Fates, Cassie finds the truth isn't at all what she expected. And then there's her heady new romance with bad boy Zander. Dating him has much graver repercussions than she could ever have imagined, forcing Cassie to make choices that cut to the essence of who she is and what she believes.

Thursday:  The Kingdom of Childhood by Rebecca Coleman

The Kingdom of Childhood is the story of a boy and a woman; sixteen-year-old Zach Patterson, uprooted and struggling to reconcile his knowledge of his mother's extramarital affair, and Judy McFarland, a kindergarten teacher watching her family unravel before her eyes. Thrown together to organize a fundraiser for their failing private school and bonded by loneliness, they begin an affair that at first thrills, then corrupts each of them. Judy sees in Zachthe elements of a young man she loved as a child, but what Zach does not realize is that their relationship is, for Judy, only the latest in a lifetime of disturbing secrets.

Rebecca Coleman's manuscript for The Kingdom of Childhood was a semifinalist in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Competition. An emotionally tense, increasingly chilling work of fiction set in the controversial Waldorf school community, it is equal parts enchanting and unsettling and is sure to be a much discussed and much-debated novel.

Friday:  Ashfall by Mike Mullin (not for giveaway - ebook)

Under the bubbling hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone National Park is a supervolcano. Most people don't know it's there. The caldera is so large that it can only be seen from a plane or satellite. It just could be overdue for an eruption, which would change the landscape and climate of our planet.

Ashfall is the story of Alex, a teenage boy left alone for the weekend while his parents visit relatives. When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts unexpectedly, Alex is determined to reach his parents. He must travel over a hundred miles in a landscape transformed by a foot of ash and the destruction of every modern convenience that he has ever known, and through a new world in which disaster has brought out both the best and worst in people desperate for food, water, and warmth. With a combination of nonstop action, a little romance, and very real science, this is a story that is difficult to stop reading and even more difficult to forget.

Saturday:  Falling Together by Melissa de los Santos

What would you do if an old friend needed you, but it meant turning your new life upside down? Pen, Will, and Cat met during the first week of their first year of college and struck up a remarkable friendship, one that sustained them and shaped them for years - until it ended abruptly, and they went their separate ways. Now, six years later, Pen is the single mother of a five-year-old girl, living with her older brother in Philadelphia and trying to make peace with the sudden death of her father. Even though she feels deserted by Will and Cat, she has never stopped wanting them back in her life, so when she receives an email from a desperate-sounding Cat asking her to meet her at their upcoming college reunion, Pen goes. What happens there sends past and present colliding and sends Pen and her friends on a journey across the world, a journey that will change everything.

READ PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness

When I received this press release I realized this was one I really had to post because this is a cause near and dear to my heart. 

You see in April 1996, over 15 years ago, I came home from college to find both my parents waiting to talk to me. I knew this wasn't a good thing. It was on that day I found out that my Mom had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and would be having surgery the very next week. It was all so speedy and sudden I honestly didn't have time to think, but I had time to feel. I remember putting on the strong face for them and falling apart to my then boyfriend who would a year and a half later become my husband. It was a difficult weekend and week, but my Mom stayed strong. We had a wonderful church family behind us and we felt God's presence with us as well. My Mom was a true beacon of strength through her surgery, and through the subsequent chemo treatments. Through the nausea, the hair loss and the fatigue, I remember her staying strong and positive and because she did, I was able to as well. And thankfully 15 years later I still have my Mom with me. She's a Grandmother now, watching her two grandsons grow up and helping me take care of them when I work during the summer and now enjoying retirement with my Dad.  Thank you God for giving me another 15 years with Mom and I hope I have many more!

It's through research funded by The Breast Cancer Research Foundation mentioned below that treatments are developed and surgeries are perfected so that people like my Mom can be 15-year Breast Cancer survivors. And hopefully one day a cure will be found for this disease that still claims many lives each year. 

PENGUIN GROUP (USA) IS IN THE PINK FOR

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

It’s time to think pink to shrink cancer

What’s black and white and pink all over? The initiative by the Penguin Group (USA) called Read Pink™ in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This literary embrace of a life-saving cause last year resulted in nearly 400,000 best-selling romances shipped with Read Pink seals and information about the charity it supports – the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. In 2010 and 2011, some 12,000 floor displays also carried the Read Pink message. The result raised awareness for BCRF, the only cancer organization to receive A+ from the Institute for Philanthropy.

“We are delighted to be able to continue this initiative in support of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation for a second time.  We hope that awareness for the Foundation’s work will only grow by bringing more attention to this important cause,” said Leslie Gelbman, President of Mass Market Publishing, Penguin Group (USA). To mark the occasion, Penguin Group (USA) is again making a $25,000 donation to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

“The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is very grateful to be part of Penguin’s Read Pink program again this year,” said Myra J. Biblowit, President, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  “This visible initiative will certainly raise awareness about BCRF.”

The donation provides vital funds to support the mission of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.   As Dr. Laura J. Esserman, director of the Carole Franc Buck Breast Cancer Center at the University of California at San Francisco said,. “[BCRF] awards support leaders in translational science and assume that they will be able to best dispense the funds. This is invaluable. Most grants require a year’s lead time before ideas can be funded. The BCRF funds allow you to plan ideas a few months ahead, and are flexible in support. The awards also come with the promise of continuity to explore new ideas as they arise. I also really appreciate the annual awards ceremony and the expression of thanks to the scientists. We don’t often get that and it really is rewarding and inspiring to see that people appreciate us, even if we don’t come up with all of the answers. It is an expression of thanks for the efforts we put forward to try to find answers.”

The novels chosen for Read Pink 2011 are eight bestselling mass market titles by some of Penguin Group (USA)’s most beloved female authors. Included this year are Nora Roberts, Catherine Anderson, Christina Dodd, Jillian Hunter, Lynn Kurland, Amanda Quick, Bertrice Small and Lauren Willig.  More than 300,000 copies of the special editions will be printed featuring Read Pink seals on the covers.  In addition, Penguin Group (USA) is including information in the back of each book in an effort to make readers aware of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and encourage them to become actively involved in supporting the organization.

For more details about the Read Pink initiative and to view a complete list of the participating retail outlets, please visit www.penguin.com/readpink. 

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About The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and translational research. In October 2011, BCRF will award $36.5 million to 186 scientists across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and China. Currently, more than 90 cents of every dollar donated is directed to breast cancer research and awareness programs. With exceptionally low administrative costs, BCRF continues to be one of the most efficient organizations in the country. BCRF has received an“A+” from The American Institute of Philanthropy.  For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

About Penguin Group (USA)

Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group.  Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (www.penguin.com) is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.

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