Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Review Copy Arrival: Don't Look Down by David Laing Dawson

Don't Look Down by David Laing Dawson

I received this from the author for review through Bostick Communications.

Publisher: Bridgeross Communications
Release Date: August 19, 2009
Pages: 194
Binding: Paperback

Four men, age 18 to 81, have murdered, and now share a room in the secure forensic psychiatry ward of a mental hospital. Who better to get inside their heads, and find both the tragedy and comedy of their lives than Canadian psychiatrist and novelist David Laing Dawson. Three of Dawson's previous novels, Last Rights, Double Blind, and Essondale have been published in seven European countries, the US and the UK. Dawson's novels have been described as a cross between Elmore Leonard and Seinfeld and as close to reality as it gets.

Review Copy Arrival: The Cutting by James Haymore

The Cutting by James Haymore

I received this through Pump Up Your Books promotions for a tour date on November 19 - come back then for a review of this exciting book.

Publisher: Minotaur Books
Release Date: June 23, 2009
Pages: 336
Binding: Hardcover

Detective Sergeant Michael McCabe moved from New York City to Portland, Maine, to escape a dark past: both the ex-wife who’d left him for an investment banker, and the tragic death of his brother, a hero cop gone bad. He sought to raise his young daughter away from the violence of the big city . . . so he’s unprepared for the horrific killer he discovers, whose bloody trail may lead to Portland’s social elite.

Early on a September evening, the mutilated body of a pretty teenaged girl, a high school soccer star, is found dumped in a scrap-metal yard. She had been viciously assaulted, but her heart had been cut out of her chest with surgical precision. The very same day a young businesswoman, also a blonde and an athlete, was abducted as she jogged through the streets of the city’s west end. McCabe suspects both crimes are the work of the same man---a killer who’s targeting the young---who is clearly well-versed in complex surgical procedures, and who may have struck before. Just as the investigation is beginning, McCabe’s ex-wife reemerges, suddenly determined to reclaim the daughter she heedlessly abandoned years earlier.

With the help of his straight-talking (and, at times, alluring) partner, Maggie Savage, McCabe begins a race against time to rescue the missing woman and unmask a sadistic killer---before more lives are lost.

Giveaway - Can God Be Trusted by Thomas D. Williams


Can God Be Trusted?: Finding Faith in Troubled Times by Thomas D. Williams

Thanks to Valerie Russo at Hachette Book Group I have three copies of this book to giveaway. I should be receiving my review copy soon and look forward to reading it.

Father Williams explores the most common obstacles that prevent people from trusting God, including personal betrayals, unfulfilled expectations, and seemingly unanswered prayers. He then explains what is reasonable to expect from God and offers practical tips for ways to grow in trust.

Williams is becoming a revered voice in the Christian community for his insightful writings on issues that really matter to Christians. In this new book, Father Williams will help readers understand, not only how to trust God in spite of doubts and confusion, but to truly know God can be trusted. [cl
Giveaway open to the US and Canada (no PO Boxes) and will go through 10/27. To enter simply leave a comment with your email.

Additional entries for
  • following (new or already following) me by google, rss, email, twitter (see sidebar) (+1 per follow)
  • tweeting (+3, 1 entry per day)
  • linking to my contest on your blog or sidebar (+5)
I'll count up all your entries and give you credit for them so you can leave all your entries in one post (or additional posts for tweets).

Thanks!

Review: Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

Dead to the World (Sookie Stackhouse, #4) Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris


My rating: 4.5/5.0
I listened to this one on audio after reading the last one. I think that is how I'm going to do the rest of this series, listen to one, read the next. I must say that I love the reader of this series, her voices are the ones I hear in my head when I actually read the books too.


So this one has Bill gone to South America, Eric can't remember who he is and Jason is missing. Sookie really has her hands full. It definitely brings in some interesting plot twists and some old friends. Eric has been cursed by witches who want to take over Shreveport, so it's up to the wiccans, the weres and shapeshifters, and the vampires to take Shreveport back and get Eric's memory back.

A lot happens in this book and I thought the last one was good, but this one is even better. So much is going on and it's exciting and engaging throughout. The personal storylines take a twist. My favorite were - Alcide Herveaux returns, I now see why everyone likes Eric and of course dependable Sam is around. Some new shapeshifters are introduced and they provide interest too.

All around an excellent book - I am anxious to start the next one to see where Sookie goes next.

Challenges:
100+ Book Challenge
RIP IV Challenge
Countdown Challenge 2010
Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge

Teaser Tuesday - October 13

teasertuesdays31

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
The jamb reluctantly released is hold, billowing forth a cloud of dust. Connie coughed and gagged, waving the dingy haze away from her face. As the door wrenched open, she heard a metallic ker-chunk from just overhead, and something small and fragile clattered to the stones at her feet.
From The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

I'm only a little ways into this one, but it is good so far.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

Monday, October 12, 2009

Giveaway - A Climate for Change by Katharine Hayhoe and Andrew Farley


A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions by Katharine Hayhoe and Andrew Farley

Thanks to Valerie Russo at Hachette Book Group I have three copies of this book to giveaway. I should be receiving my review copy soon and look forward to reading it.

Global warming: it's one of the hottest scientific and political issues of today. And yet we've all found ourselves asking . . .

- It's freezing outside--where's global warming now?
- Climate is always changing--how do we know this isn't just a cycle?
- Why should Christians care about global warming when we know the world won't end that way?

For all the talk about climate change, there's still a great deal of debate about what it all means, especially among Christians. A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE offers straightforward answers to these questions, without the spin. This book untangles the complex science and tackles many long-held misconceptions about global warming. Authored by a climate scientist and a pastor, A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE boldly explores the role our Christian faith can play in guiding our opinions on this important global issue.
Giveaway open to the US and Canada (no PO Boxes) and will go through 10/26. The book releases on the 29th. To enter simply leave a comment with your email.

Additional entries for
  • following (new or already following) me by google, rss, email, twitter (see sidebar) (+1 per follow)
  • tweeting (+3, 1 entry per day)
  • linking to my contest on your blog or sidebar (+5)
I'll count up all your entries and give you credit for them so you can leave all your entries in one post (or additional posts for tweets).

Thanks!

What Are You Reading Monday - October 12


Come post weekly and see what others are reading too just so you can add to your tbr - I always do! For more information see J.Kaye's Book Blog and join in!

Books Completed Last Week:
  • Buffalo Before Breakfast by Mary Pope Osborne (audiobook with DS)
  • Against the Odds by Irene Hannon (booksfree)
  • Stretch Marks by Kimberly Stuart (review)
  • Tigers at Twilight by Mary Pope Osborne (audiobook with DS)
  • Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz (library)
  • Twister on Tuesday by Mary Pope Osborne (audiobooks with DS)
  • Would I Lie to You by Cecily von Ziegesar (booksfree)
  • Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris (audiobook)

Reading Now:
  • Purity in Death by J.D. Robb (audiobook)
  • The Maze Runner by James Dasher (review)
  • Hell's Gate by Stephen Frey (library)
Reviews Completed Last Week

Next:
  • Breaking the Bank by (review)
  • Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (review)
  • The Well-Behaved Child by (review)
  • Love Your Body, Love Your Life by (review)
  • The Last Word by Kathy Herman (review)
Reviews to do:
  • Magic Treehouse books #17-20
  • Against All Odds by Irene Hannon
  • Only In Your Dreams by Cecily von Ziegesar
  • Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning
  • Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • Relentless by Dean Koontz
  • Hunted by P.C. and Kristin Cast
  • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
  • True Colors by Kristen Hannah

Summary - It was a great reading week - I enjoyed all of my books and DS enjoyed a few along with me. I'm looking forward to more great reading this week.