Book Tour and Review: Shedrow by Dean DeLuke

Join Dean DeLuke, author of the thriller novel, Shedrow (Grey Swan Press), as he virtually tours the blogosphere September 7 – October 29 ‘10 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

My Review

Why I read this book: It sounded interesting and I don't know much about horse racing or the business of raising horses so I thought that would make it more interesting.



How is the novel driven?: It's a suspense novel - there is good character development, but the action and plot drive this one.


My thoughts:  Dean DeLuke took writing what you know to heart when he wrote Shedrow.  Read his bio on his website and then read the book.  Dr. Anthony Gianni is a lot like Dean DeLuke sounds in his bio, with differences obviously, but knowing the character well helped Dean DeLuke to write a winner of a novel with Shedrow.


First up the suspense.  The suspense and plot of Shedrow is tightly written and the twist in the plot, I did not see coming.  I was left guessing right up until all was revealed.  I did feel a little lost at times, like a little too much was chopped out of the book, but then everything would make sense and I would understand and continue to enjoy the book.  The choppiness in a few parts only took a little away from my reading pleasure of this book.


Next the characters.  There are definitely an interesting array of characters in the book.  First Dr. Anthony Gianni, who is a plastic surgeon, volunteers his skills in third world countries, and owns stakes in various horses which he takes very seriously.  I liked Dr. Gianni - he comes off accessible, not a high and mighty rich doctor.  There are also various characters in the horse racing world, my favorite being Dr. Gianni's friend and the horse vet.  He's a great character as well.  Then add in Dr. Gianni's wife, three strange characters at a dump, a hermit, and mobsters to round it all out.  There are all types of characters in this book and sometimes it's hard to figure out who the real bad guys are - that is what makes it fun.

The horse-racing aspect.  Really interesting, I found myself enthralled with this world, how they work with the horses and decide which ones to race and how to race them and the thrill of being a part of a winning horse and the pain of the injuries that occur.  Dr. Gianni was deeply immersed in the horse-racing world and what was great about him was he really cared about the horses.  They weren't just money-makers to him, they were more and I liked that.  I would definitely read more books set in the horse-racing world books now that I have gotten a taste.


Overall I found Shedrow to be a quick thrilling read.  I read it easily over two nights and could have read it all in one night if I hadn't gotten really sleepy (Lunesta, not the book).  It's a great thriller and I hope Dean DeLuke has more in store for Dr. Gianni in the future.

My Rating: 4.25/5

About Dean DeLuke

Dr. Dean DeLuke is a graduate of St. Michael’s College, Columbia University (DMD) and Union Graduate College (MBA). He completed residency training at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and also participated in a fellowship in maxillofacial surgery at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, England.
He currently divides his time between the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery and a variety of business consulting activities with Millennium Business Communications, LLC, a boutique marketing, communications and business consulting firm. An active volunteer, he has served on the Boards of the St. Clare’s Hospital Foundation, the Kidney Foundation of Northeast New York, and the Albany Academy for Girls. He has also performed medical missionary work with Health Volunteers Overseas.
He has a long history of involvement with thoroughbred horses—from farm hand on the Assunta Louis Farm in the 1970s to partner with Dogwood Stable at present.
His latest book is Shedrow, a medical thriller with a unique twist.
You can visit his website at www.shedrow1.com or connect with him at Facebook at www.facebook.com/deandeluke.

About Shedrow

From rolling pastures in Lexington, KY to darkened alleyways in Newark, NJ, from Manhattan’s posh ‘21’ Club to a peculiar and mysterious landfill in Eastern Kentucky, and from Saratoga Springs, NY to the tiny island of St. Lucia, Shedrow portrays a collision of characters from many divergent worlds. High society and the racing elite, medical and veterinary specialists, mob figures, and Kentucky hill folk become entangled in this unique twist on the medical thriller.
Dr. Anthony Gianni, a prominent Manhattan surgeon, becomes involved in a racing partnership as a diversion from a thriving surgical practice and an ailing marriage. The excitement builds when the partnership acquires Chiefly Endeavor, a two-year-old colt with the breeding, the spirit, and enough early racing success to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.
When a new partner with an unsavory background appears and a breeder’s nightmare becomes real, Dr. Gianni and a dedicated veterinarian must confront organized crime and solve a complex mystery that threatens to destroy both of their careers, and possibly a great deal more.

Read the Excerpt!

Gianni was seated at a metal table, his hands bound behind his back. At one end of the table stood Sal Catroni. Unlike the other man, he wore no disguise. His longish hair was slicked back neatly, white at the sides, darker on top. His brow was furrowed in a scowl, amplifying the deep frown lines between his black-looking eyes. Catroni spoke first. “You know who I am?” he said.
Gianni shook his head.
“I’m Sal Catroni, of the Catroni family, and this here is Hector. Hector was a medic in the marines. He’s here to help you with some medical treatment.”
Hector stood at least six-two, all of it solid muscle. He wore a tight white dress shirt, its silk sleeves rolled neatly to the middle of his massive forearms. A ski mask, open at the forehead, concealed his face, and his closely cropped black hair stood mostly on end. It reminded Gianni of a 1960s style flat-top cut, only not as stiff.
“Hector has some tools for you, Doc,” Catroni said.
Hector opened a clean white linen cloth, the texture of a dishrag but with a starched white appearance. Inside were surgical instruments. Dr. Gianni instantly recognized them—there was a blade handle and several large #10 blades, the kind a surgeon would use to make a long incision. It was not a delicate blade, but one meant to cut hard and fast through a lot of tissue with a single swipe. Next to the blades was a bone cutting forceps, which Gianni knew to be a Rongeurs forceps. Then there was a large pile of neatly folded gauze pads.
“Recognize those tools?” Catroni asked.
Gianni nodded
.“Well, Hector here is prepared to do a little surgery today.”

Watch the Book Trailer!

Shedrow Tour Schedule

Tuesday, September 7
Book reviewed at Gelati’s Scoop
Wednesday, September 8
Book spotlighted at Virginia Beach Publishing Examiner
Thursday, September 9
Interviewed at The Writer’s Life
Friday, September 10
Interviewed at Pump Up Your Book
Interviewed at Let’s Talk Virtual Book Tours
Monday, September 13
Interviewed on A Book and a Chat Radio Show
Tuesday, September 14
Guest blogging at The Book Boost
Wednesday, September 15
Guest blogging at Gelati’s Scoop
Thursday, September 16
Interviewed at Working Writers
Friday, September 17
Interviewed at Beyond the Books
Monday, September 20
Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking
Tuesday, September 21
Interviewed at Blogcritics
Thursday, September 23
Book trailer spotlighted at Down Under Views
Monday, September 27
Guest blogging at The Writer’s Life
Tuesday, September 28
Book reviewed at Pump Up Your Book
Wednesday, September 29
Book reviewed at Bags, Books & Bon Jovi
Thursday, September 30
Book reviewed at Marta’s Meanderings
Monday, October 4
Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking
Tuesday, October 5
Interviewed at Examiner
Wednesday, October 6
Interviewed at As the Pages Turn
Thursday, October 7
Guest blogging at As the Pages Turn
Friday, October 8
Book reviewed at Arms of a Sister
Monday, October 11
Interviewed at The Hot Author Report
Tuesday, October 12
Guest blogging at Thoughts in Progress
Wednesday, October 13
Book reviewed at Thoughts in Progress
Thursday, October 14
Book reviewed at Reading at the Beach
Friday, October 15
Book reviewed at Books R Us
Monday, October 18
Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking
Tuesday, October 19
Book reviewed at Books and Movies Reviews
Wednesday, October 20
Guest blogging at The Book Connection
Thursday, October 21
Interviewed at My Reading Room
Friday, October 22
Book reviewed at My Reading Room
Monday, October 25
Interviewed at A Moment With Mystee
Tuesday, October 26
Book reviewed at A Moment With Mystee
Wednesday, October 27
Interviewed at Broowaha
Thursday, October 28
Book reviewed at Sherri’s Jubilee
Friday, October 29
Interviewed at Review From Here

Book Blogger Hop - Oct 22-25

To check out other answers and join the hop go and check out Crazy-For_Books.com for the Mr. Linky for the Blog Hop. 

This week's question:

"Where is your favorite place to read? Curled up on the sofa, in bed, in the garden?"

I have several places.  When the weather is nice (meaning spring and fall) I sit on the front porch swing or out back in my special double adirondack chair set with table between them that my hubby got us (but I use more).  When the weather is not so nice or at night I read in my chair in the corner of the living room and have my laptop beside me.  I also love to read in bed, and I have been threatening to go upstairs and read in my kids room since they are never there except to sleep.  They are always in the living room and my chair is in there and our bedroom is right off the living room, so upstairs would be quieter.  :)

Author Interview: Dean DeLuke (Shedrow)

Please join me in welcoming author, Dean DeLuke to My Reading Room today as part of his Pump Up Your Book tour.  Dean is the author of Shedrow, which is a fascinating book that takes a look into the world of breeding horses and horseracing.  It's a great suspense read.  For now though I have Dean for an interview, thank you so much Dean for joining us today!

How would you describe Shedrow to others?

Shedrow has been dubbed a cross between Dick Francis and Robin Cook, because it is a racetrack thriller in the spirit of Dick Francis, but there is a medical mystery at the heart of the story—surrounding the mysterious death of a multimillion dollar stallion on a supposedly secure farm in Lexington KY. And because the principal character happens to be a surgeon, there is a good deal of medical drama throughout the book.

Where did the idea for Shedrow come from?

I came up with the story concept by drawing on both my medical background as well as a longstanding interest in thoroughbred racing. The “what if” concept behind Shedrow was this: what if a multimillion dollar stallion dies under very mysterious conditions on a supposedly secure farm near Lexington, KY? From that starting point comes a compelling story of “murder, sabotage, infidelity, and a whole lot more,” as one recent reviewer commented.

I saw on your website that you met Robert Dugoni, Michael Palmer and Tess Gerritsen, all authors that practiced in professions before embarking on writing novels, how did that come about and what was the one most important thing you came away with from meeting with them?

All three take part in the SEAK Writing Seminars, designed to teach physicians and lawyers how to write fiction. That mentoring experience was invaluable, and it’s difficult to single out one thing that was most important. But I can mention one key point that I recall from each. From Robert Dugoni, I learned the importance of pacing in writing a thriller. From Tess Gerritsen, I learned that it’s not always necessary to outline. Start with good characters and a “what if” concept and the characters can take on a life of their own. And Michael Palmer always reminded us to “be fearless” in our writing.

You have a pretty impressive resume of work and volunteer work, what would you say was the favorite thing you have done?

Writing Shedrow rates right up there. My medical mission work was very gratifying. I also enjoy the challenge of offshore navigation.

Did you plan this book out or do you just write and see where it took you?

I am not a great outliner. I tend to start with a big “what if,” something that will drive the plot. In Shedrow it was, “what if a multimillion dollar stallion dies under very mysterious conditions in a supposedly secure farm in Kentucky.” For me, the characters and the question at the heart of the story then drive the plot. One of the most fascinating and enjoyable things in writing fiction is how the story can, in fact, take on a life of its own. I am sometimes in the middle of a scene, and suddenly a diversion or twist takes place—and it turns out to be a really interesting one. I may look back a day or so later and wonder where that came from.

Do you get time to read? What are your favorite types of books to read?

I like a pretty eclectic mix on the fiction side: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Salinger, Vonnegut, Ayn Rand, Robert Parker, Richard Russo, Stephen Hunter. Then I have to add three more that personally helped me to learn the craft: Tess Gerritsen, Michael Palmer and Robert Dugoni.

What is your favorite room in your house?

I do most of my writing in a second story den or office. It overlooks a wooded area, so there is greenery in the summer and snow scenes in the winter.

What is your favorite season?

I like the four seasons, but summer is my favorite time.

Do you have a schedule for writing each day or do you just do it when you can?

I write whenever and wherever I can. In writing Shedrow, I tended to think in terms of a weekly word count goal, because I wasn’t able to write every day. Some days it might be nothing, or a few hundred words, other days I might write 1500 words.

Did you find writing Shedrow to be difficult or did the book just take off with no problems?

I certainly wouldn’t say it took off with no problems, but once I had the “what if” concept, the chapters flowed rather freely. But I am a relentless editor, so I refined, and revised, and re-ordered chapters until I was satisfied that I had it right. Then I sent it out for critique and revised it even more.

Do you have a new book in the works?

I have a general idea and an opener for a sequel to Shedrow.

Anything else you would like to say?

Thanks for asking. I think I should mention that I have arranged to donate a portion of all sales proceeds to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, which saves horses that can no longer compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, or slaughter. It is a cause that I have donated personally to and one I obviously feel strongly about.

Thanks for joining us today Dean!

CSN Stores Giveaway - Win a $65 Gift Certificate

Remodeling your home or just need something new?  Check out CSN Stores over 200+ stores for just about anything you could think of.  Looking for a new style of bar stool?  They have it.  I have been debating adding some bar stools to my kitchen bar area for awhile and really like this one, it's basic but nice looking:

So, tell me what bar stool you like best that they have available here and you are entered to win a $65 gift certificate for any of the over 200 CSN stores.  (Note shipping is not included with the gift certificate, but there are lots of items with free shipping and other promotions).  Make sure to include an email address so I can contact you if you win.


Additional entries for tweeting, 1 per day or posting on your blog/website (1 per giveaway).  Just leave a separate comment for what you do.

Open to US/Canada only, ends 11/5/2010.

Thank you to Eileen at CSN Stores for allowing to me to do this giveaway.

Book Review: I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Publisher: Harper

Publish Date: August 3, 2010

Hardcover, 448 pages
Young Adult, Lorien Legacies #1

My Review:
Why I read this: It sounded like a fascinating premise so I signed up for the book tour.

How is the novel driven:  Plot - the characters are important, and setup of the world is needed, but the plot drives the novel.

My thoughts: Very interesting book.  I like the take on alien people coming to Earth to escape destruction on their planet and just trying to blend in here.  It's a sci-fi book but doesn't feel completely sci-fi.  It's definitely hard to put down and I found myself moving quickly through the pages to see what would happen next to John and Henri.

What I really enjoyed more than fight scenes or the alien story-line was simply the interactions between the characters, and John's high school life.  I liked seeing how he fit in and how he fell for the girl.  This is what made the story for  me.  The fight scenes are great and the suspense is wonderful, but the characters really sold me on this book.

John is just trying to fit in after moving again.  His life has been a series of moves because he cannot be found.  The three before him have been found and he is next.  When John arrives at his new school he endures the normal fitting in problems and this is what I liked.  I also liked Sara's character.  She was once at the top of the high school food chain, but a summer away made her re-evaluate herself and she grew and became a different person and the person she is in the book.  I find that fascinating.  She was an interesting charater in her own right.  Then there is Sam, he doesn't fit in and he doesn't try to, but he and John become friends and Sam really comes into his own in the book.  As I said before, the characters make this book for me.

That said, the suspense is what keeps you reading.  Will John be found?  Will he get to stay with Sara?  What is hunting him and how can he beat it?  All of this gets answered in a very action-packed way.  A great book for teen boys as well as girls.  It's nice to see a good book out there for boys.  There are so many for girls, and girls will surely enjoy this one as well, but with the action and suspense and sci-fi angle I think this will really draw boys as well as girls.

Hard to put down and great characters made this a winner for me.  I am excited for the second book in the series and look forward to hopefully seeing more of John and his gang in that one.

My Rating: 4.5/5.0

About the Book:

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.
I am Number Four.
I am next.

About the Author:

Pittacus Lore is Lorien's ruling Elder. He has been on Earth for the last twelve years, preparing for the war that will decide Earth's fate. His whereabouts are unknown.

Website
Facebook

FTC Information: I received this book through Book It Forward Tours 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 Review: Somewhere Along the Way by Jodi Thomas

 

Somewhere Along the Way by Jodi Thomas

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: November 2, 2010

Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages

Romance, Fiction

  
My Review:
Why I read this:  I read the first book, Welcome to Harmony and loved it so much that I begged the author to include me on her second tour.  Okay she invited me, but I think I did beg after I read the first book - I loved it so much!

How is the novel driven:  Characters are front and center in this one, though there is a nice suspense plot that runs through the book.

My thoughts:  Somewhere Along the Way did not disappoint.  When I started reading this one I fell right back into the wonderful town of Harmony along with it's inhabitants.  Somewhere Along the Way is the story of Liz and Gabe and the town of Harmony, but it's so much more than that as well.

One thing I particularly love about these novels is the fact that they don't focus just on the couple who will be getting together in that novel.  This isn't just about Liz and Gabe.  We get to go back and visit with Hank and Alex from Welcome to Harmony.  We see more of Reagan, Preacher, Tyler and others.  We get to meet new people in Harmony and find out more about them.  It's fun to see the town come to life with it's inhabitants.  I absolutely love the way Ms. Thomas writes about Harmony and the people, it makes me feel like I am a part of the town and watching what is going on from my front porch.

There are a couple of romances in this one and Tyler is still pining away as well.  Reagan is also still central to the story and I really like her and her uncle and the colorful townsfolk.  Ms. Thomas tells a beautiful story of how a town comes together each time there are problems.  I think I would love to live somewhere like Harmony and I definitely wouldn't mind a Gabe, Hank or Denver to come to my rescue.

If you like small town romances, with a touch of suspense, some humor and great characters, then I highly recommend Somewhere Along the Way.  It's a book you will pick up and not want to put down and as soon as you finish you will be eagerly awaiting the next novel in this series.

Wondering whether you need to read the first in the series before you read this.  It's not a must, but it will give you background on this book.  I do believe you can pick Somewhere Along the Way and get to know the folks of Harmony, but trust me when I say you want to read Welcome to Harmony as well.

My Rating: 5.0/5.0

About the Book

In the two years since she claimed Harmony, Texas, as her home, eighteen-year-old Reagan Truman has found herself drawn to others who have made their way there, too. Gabe Leary, for instance, whose plan to hide out in Harmony is dashed when he becomes the town hero. Then there's Liz Matheson: Vulnerable and fresh out of law school, Liz has never been needed by anyone—until an unsettling encounter with Gabe changes everything. And there's Liz's brother, volunteer fire chief Hank Matheson, who's starting to wonder where the town's sheriff, Alex McAllen, will ever set the date to marry him.

As for Reagan, who's been shaped by the loneliness she's know most of her life, she's finally found a place she belongs—and doesn't want anything to get in her way. But when her life is put in jeopardy and the whole town comes together to save her, she'll discover that trusting the love that's come into our hearts is the greatest gift of all…

About the Author

Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of 31 novels and 8 short story collections.
As of July 2006, she was the 11th woman to be inducted in to RWA Hall of Fame. She is also currently serving as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. 

Jodi’s website

Enter my giveaway here, post on this review for 5 bonus entries in the giveaway.  Giveaway ends 10/26.  Open to US/Canada only.

FTC Information: I received this book from the author 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. 
 

Guest Post and Giveaway: Somewhere Along The Way by Jodi Thomas

Please join me in welcoming author, Jodi Thomas to My Reading Room this morning.  Jodi has visited in the past and I am thrilled to have her here again.  Thank you Jodi!

Good morning everyone.  Thanks for inviting me to drop by and visit.  I’d like to welcome you to step into my second book in the Harmony Series.  SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY.  This is my 30^th book and what I believe will be one you’ll keep and read again and again.

 

My story begins with Reagan, a runaway who found her home in Harmony two years ago.  An old man took her in as his niece and gave her the first home she ever had.  The story opens with her working a shift in the town’s diner for a friend.  The last thing she has to do is take a take-out out the back door to the town hermit.  He speaks to her and as the weeks pass they form a friendship.

Gabe Leary wants nothing but to be left alone.  After five years of living on his land he’s managed to earn a living as a graphic artist without speaking to anyone in town.  He’s shattered from the war and sees himself as a man without friends.  About the time he’s comfortable with his life, he meets Liz.

With a mixture of characters you’ll fall in love with and a treat that gets everyone involved, I think you’ll love this story.

Thanks for letting me drop by and thank you for reading.  Writing is a fascinating journey, but if it wasn’t for readers coming along with me it wouldn’t be any fun.

About Jodi
Jodi Thomas is the NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of 31 novels and 8 short story collections.
As of July 2006, she was the 11th woman to be inducted in to RWA Hall of Fame. She is also currently serving as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. 

Jodi’s 30th Novel
NY Times and USA Today best-selling author Jodi Thomas is pleased to present her 30th novel, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY. Thomas proves once again that she is one of mainstream romance genre’s most compelling writers with her highly anticipated sequel to WELCOME TO HARMONY, which captured America’s heart.

Jodi’s website
 

My review of the first book in the series, Welcome to Harmony is here.

My review of Somewhere Along the Way will be coming later this afternoon.

Giveaway:
Jodi has sent me along a second copy of Somewhere Along The Way to give to one of my readers.  Open to the US/Canada only, and it ends on 10/26.  How to enter?  Simply comment and leave a way for me to reach you.  Additional entries for following (rss, email, GFC Friend, Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, etc.).  Other entries for tweeting and sidebar or blog posts (+2, 1/day).  You can place all your entries in one post if you like.  5 extra entries for posting a comment on the review that posts later this afternoon.  Just post on the review and I'll add your entries. 

For today, 10/19, you can get a bonus 10 entries if you ask Jodi a question on the blog, she'll be around, I won't guarantee she'll answer, since hopefully she's busy writing more books :)