In My Mailbox - July 17, 2011

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

I get a number of books that come in that I don't get to right away but deserve to be recognized on the blog so that is what I plan on doing.

I received some great books this week.  Tell me which one you are most interested in for a chance to win one of these books! (US/Canada only, ends 7/25/2011, book may be shipped later so I can read it)  The ARC tour books are not part of the giveaway, sorry.

Winner from week #2:   Mona who wanted Full Moon Bride but still has her choice from any books here.

Winner from  week #3:  Margaret (singitm@...) who I believe wants In Search of Rose Notes, but still has search has her choice of any books here.

I forgot to link up week 2 so there were no entries.  Those books are open to win this week as well so you can post those as a win this week, the post can be found here.

For Review:

It's the First Day of School . . . Forever! by R. L. Stine

Publication Date:  July 19, 2011

On the first day of school, Artie falls out of his bed and hits his head. Hard. He tells his mom he’s dizzy and she says:
“You’re just worried about your first day in a new school.”

At breakfast, his little brother, Eddie, splashes syrup in his hair, and there’s no time to wash it. Artie has to go to school with syrup-hair. And then, on the way there, he gets splashed by a puddle that makes him look like he wet his pants. It’s not just the first day of school; it’s the worst day of school.

On the second day of school, Artie falls out of bed and hits his head. Hard. He tells his mom he’s dizzy and she says:
“You’re just worried about your first day in a new school.”

Huh? Today is just like the day before. Can Artie find a way to change it, before it’s the first day of school…forever?

To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boelyn by Sandra Byrd

Publication Date: August 9, 2011

To Die For, is the story of Meg Wyatt, pledged forever as the best friend to Anne Boleyn since their childhoods on neighboring manors in Kent. When Anne’s star begins to ascend, of course she takes her best friend Meg along for the ride. Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling at first, but as Anne’s favor rises and falls, so does Meg’s. And though she’s pledged her loyalty to Anne no matter what the test, Meg just might lose her greatest love—and her own life—because of it.

Meg's childhood flirtation with a boy on a neighboring estate turns to true love early on. When he is called to follow the Lord and be a priest she turns her back on both the man and his God. Slowly, though, both woo her back through the heady times of the English reformation. In the midst of it, Meg finds her place in history, her own calling to the Lord that she must follow, too, with consequences of her own. Each character in the book is tested to figure out what love really means, and what, in this life, is worth dying for.

Though much of Meg’s story is fictionalized, it is drawn from known facts. The Wyatt family and the Boleyn family were neighbors and friends, and perhaps even distant cousins. Meg’s brother, Thomas Wyatt, wooed Anne Boleyn and ultimately came very close to the axe blade for it. Two Wyatt sisters attended Anne at her death, and at her death, she gave one of them her jeweled prayer book—Meg.

Tout Sweet: Hanging Up My High Heels for a New Life in France by Karen Wheeler
Publication Date: August 1, 2011

 In her mid-thirties Karen has it all: a career as a fashion editor, a handsome boyfriend, a fab flat in west London and an array of gorgeous shoes. But when her 'plus one' leaves, she wonders if there is more to life than high fashion. So, she hangs up her Manolos and waves goodbye to her city lifestyle, deciding to go it alone in a run-down house in rural Poitou-Charentes, western France. Once there, she encounters a host of new friends and unsuitable suitors, soon learning that true happiness can be found in the simplest of things - a bike ride through the countryside on a summer evening, or six glasses of Pinot in a neighbour's garden. If you've ever dreamed of chucking away your BlackBerry and downshifting, "Tout Sweet" is perfect summer reading.

The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz
Publication Date: August 1, 2011


In 1779, when genteel Virginia spinster Roxanna Rowan arrives at the Kentucky fort commanded by Colonel Cassius McLinn, she finds that her officer father has died. Penniless and destitute, Roxanna is forced to take her father's place as scrivener. Before long, it's clear that the colonel himself is attracted to her. But she soon realizes the colonel has grave secrets of his own—some of which have to do with her father's sudden death. Can she ever truly love him?

Readers will be enchanted by this powerful story of love, faith, and forgiveness from reader favorite Laura Frantz. Her solid research and deft writing immerse readers in the world of the early frontier while her realistic characters become intimate friends.

The Lost by Caridad Pineiro
Publication Date: August 1, 2011


Adam Salvatore is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . .

Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. She's drawn to his strength of mind and body; he's attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam's powers rage out of control-destroy them. But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can save them.

Cover Interview: Janet Ruth Smith and The Babysitter Murders

 Today I have Janet Ruth Young who is here to answer questions about her book cover for The Babysitter Murders.  So check it out and come back tomorrow and see my review of The Babysitter Murders.

1. What were your first thoughts when you saw the cover the first time?

I liked the role reversal. Normally, the babysitter would be throwing the child in the air.  Here the child seems to be throwing the sitter in the air, which suggests that the child is more stable than the adult. That’s unsettling in a good way.

2. Did you have any say in your cover?

Yes. Originally I thought Dani would have to be shown as a strawberry blonde. But once you’ve read the story and look at the cover again, this image makes more sense. I discussed the hair color with my editor and we decided to leave the image as is.

3. If you could add one thing to the cover what would it be?

A subtitle. Originally the whole title was “The Babysitter Murders: A Tale of Obsession.”  The subtitle fell by the wayside, and although I didn’t much care about losing it, it would have given readers a hint about Dani’s illness and conveyed some of the themes. Dani has her own obsessions, but nearly everyone in the book is obsessed with something. And as the story builds, hundreds—perhaps thousands—of people become obsessed with Dani.

4. What do you think is most eyecatching about your cover?

As I said above, the role reversal. I also liked the color of the type and the fact that the word MURDER is under the ground like a dead body. In terms of catching the book buyer’s eye in bookstores, the type treatment on the spine really jumps out, too.

5. What do want the cover to tell people picking up your book?

“Something is wrong here, and it will take you a while to learn what that is. So suspend your assumptions.”

Thanks Janet Ruth Young for joining us today - make sure and check out this great book!

Book Review: The Babysitter Murders by Janet Ruth Young

The Babysitter Murders by Janet Ruth Young

Publisher: Atheneum

Publish Date: July 26, 2011

Hardcover, 304 pages 
Fiction, Young Adult
 ISBN: 978-1416959441

My Review:
First thoughts, this book is different.  This is not your average, everyday young adult novel.  This deals with some pretty heavy stuff and no it's not the first to take on heavy stuff.  There is suicide, abortion and other difficult situations, but this takes on mental health from the angle of the teenager realizes something is not right with herself.  And then add in the very scary fact of today's social media and how it can blow a situation out of proportion very quickly and make things very scary for a person.

I think Ms. Young does a wonderful job with this book.  I think she really hits the mark with the creation of Dani.  I immediately liked Dani and even when things looked grim for her I still liked her and wanted things to work out.  I also think Ms. Young did a great job handling the situations in this book, her research is stellar and the book comes across as being real feeling while still being entertaining.

If you are in the mood for a young adult book that is just "different", that is just the best way to describe The Babysitter Murders, then this is the book for you.  It reads very quickly and is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon or evening reading.

My Rating: 4.0/5.0


About the Book:
Everyone has weird thoughts sometimes. But for seventeen-year-old Dani Solomon, strange thoughts have taken over her life. She loves Alex, the little boy she babysits, more than anything. But one day, she has a vision of murdering him that's so gruesome, she can't get it out of her mind. In fact, Dani's convinced that she really will kill Alex. She confesses the thoughts to keep him safe, setting off a media frenzy that makes "Dani Death" the target of an extremist vigilante group. 


Through the help of an uncoventional psychiatrist, Dani begins to heal her broken mind. But will it be too late? The people of her community want justice . . . and Dani's learning that some thoughts are better left unsaid.


About the Author: 
Janet Ruth Young is the author of The Opposite of Music. She lives in Gloucester, MA.

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FTC Information: I received this book through Teen Book Scene 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 Review: Savor the Danger by Lori Foster

Savor the Danger by Lori Foster

Publisher: HQN

Publish Date: June 28, 2011

Paperback, 411 pages 
Fiction, Romantic Suspense
 ISBN: 9780373775828
Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor #3

My Review:
Why I read this: I've read the first two in this series and I was intrigued by Jackson who has made his appearances but who was rather mysterious, like Trace was before we got to know him in his book, so I was itching to learn about Jackson.


My thoughts:  Wow, this book was just amazing.  I loved the first two books but this has to be my favorite in the series.  So much was going on in the book, yet it seemed so simple in ways.  It all took place over a period of a few days.  A lot of it was the tension between Jackson and Alani, but it was good tension and what was cool was they already knew each other and the book opens with them knowing each other really well. ;)

Ms. Foster never ceases to amaze me in her creation of chracters.  Jackson is another amazing alpha male with a soft side for the right female in his life.  Alani is a soft female with a strong backbone with needed.  She won't be walked on, but she knows when it's best to back off as well.  I loved Alani.  She's been through a lot, but she's making her way back to a normal life and then she's thrown into a big mess with Jackson but she takes it in stride and just sticks right to Jackson's side.  She's in love with Jackson and doesn't know what to do about that but decides to enjoy the relationship as long as she can.  But then there is the conflict of who is shooting and stalking them.

Jackson has been wanting Alani forever and now he's had her and can't remember it but he's got her again and he wants more, but can't get Alani to make the confession of love and he can't figure out his feelings.  Add in the person shooting at them and his little secret that Trace is breathing down his neck about and Jackson is stretched pretty thin.  But he handles himself, staying cool.  I loved Jackson, he is the ultimate man, and so perfect for Alani.

The suspense was great, but definitely took a backseat to the romance, but was there enough for those who like suspense in their romance.  I was always wondering what would happen next and was never disappointed.  A lot went on in this book and it was tied up really nice.  It was hard to put down, so you might want to block out an afternoon if you pick this one up because you might not want to put it down.  I found myself reading while cooking and sneaking reads while waiting for stuff while working as well - it's that good.  I actually finished this several days ago and I still feel like Jackson and Alani are with me - it's that good.  And the ending is great because it leads into at least one book next year and hopefully more.  I won't say more because I don't want to spoil anything.


My Rating: 5.0/5.0


About the Book:
She may be aloof, and more pretty than gorgeous, but Alani Rivers is the kind of woman a hot-blooded mercenary can't forget, no matter how hard he tries. So when Jackson Savor wakes up next to the naked, sleeping beauty—with no memory of what happened— he knows he's been drugged…even if Alani doesn't.


After she was kidnapped, Alani vowed never to trust another man again. Still, something about this strong, sexy hero with the tender touch makes her want to believe him. As Jackson hunts down a mysterious intruder, he swears he'll move heaven and earth to keep Alani safe. But what really happened that night? And will the truth bring them closer than they ever thought possible—or put Alani squarely in harm's way again?


About the Author: 
Lori Foster first published with Harlequin in January 1996. Her second book launched Temptation Blaze and her 25th book launched Temptation Heat. Since those early days, Lori has routinely had 6 to 10 releases a year. She's a Waldenbooks, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly and New York Times bestselling author with over 50 titles published through a variety of houses, including Berkley/Jove, Kensington, St. Martins, Harlequin and Silhouette.

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FTC Information: I received this book from Tricia Carr at Media Muscle (Meryl L. Moss Media Relations) for an honest review. 

This or That with author Christine E. Schulze (The Gailean Quartet)

Today I have Christine E. Schulze, author of The Gailean Quartet joining me sharing whether she likes this or that.  I love these lists, because they are fun quick looks into the author's personality.  Also be sure to checkout Christine's giveaway going on her blog.

Tacos or Hamburgers? Hamburgers! But only if they are cheeseburgers. I actually pride myself on the un-
American oddity that I have never really ever had a taco.

Dogs or Cats? Both. While Mum and I always had dogs, this is only because I was allergic to cats.
Otherwise, we might have added a few to our menagerie.

Travel by car or by airplane? This is going to make me sound very boring after the taco remark, but I’ve
never gotten to ride an airplane. That’s why I’m a writer though; while I hope to travel someday, I get to
write about awesome places until I do.

Sports car or sedan? Umm, I’m really not that into cars and can’t properly answer this one. My mum
fancies a sports car though, only she says it would get her in trouble.

Regular soda or diet soda? Neither; I never fancied soda, except as a child I loved orange soda. But,
since discovering my allergies to milk and processed sugar, I don’t drink that either. I have though found a
brilliant replacement, an all-natural carbonated drink: Clementine Izze!

English or Math? Is this even a valid question for an author? English trumps, obviously, though Math isn’t
nearly as bad a bane as it was in grade school.

Tragedies or Comedies? Tragedy! Sometimes in my own works as well. My sweetheart finds it a bit
morbid at times how I like to off people…

Twitter or Facebook? Honestly, I’m not very into the whole social networking thing. However, I am a
member of both Twitter and Facebook. More so though, as an author, I prefer Goodreads.

Middle School Teacher or High School Teacher? Well, if you’re referring to teaching, probably neither; I
prefer Elementary where the children are not taller than I.

Movie in Theater or in home? I do love going to the theatre but only do so when it’s a movie I really want
to see because of the expense. Being at home is nice because one can be comfortable, and I can also
have snacks that cater to my food allergies of milk and sugar.

High Heels or Sneakers? Ha! If you catch me in high heels, I am either under the Imperious Curse or am
being impersonated by someone taking Polyjuice Potion (sorry, but my sweetie and I have been engaging
in a Harry-Potter-a-thon). I try to look nice but also must be comfy at the same time.

Bracelets or Necklaces? Necklaces; I’ve always loved pendants and use the magical kind a lot in books,
especially my older works. Perhaps it’s also the fact I have such tiny wrists; I have a 4.5 size ring finger,
so don’t where many of those either.

X-Men or Pirates of the Caribbean? PIRATES! I loved one; two had retarded characters and was just
plain weird with that squid man; in three, the characters finally come to their senses, and the story with
Elizabeth and Will was so tragically beautiful! And my sweetheart and I just saw four and loved it. There
was something in it for everyone. I’m still going on about the side story between the missionary and the
mermaid…

Chosen Scavenger Hunt

Today is my day for the Chosen Scavenger Hunt - I am right in the middle of this book and hope to finish it today and review it over the weekend but I must say it has sucked me right in.  So here is my excerpt for the day:

It also acted as white noise, blocking the sound of cars that stopped and started at the corner of the street directly below her bedroom window.

The hallucination began twenty minutes later, obviously the first stage in the effects of the pills.

More information about the tour can be found at: Book Sake



About the Book
When Mariah Adele Carpenter attempted to end her own life with a handful of pills, she thought
she had left the cares of the world behind. Somehow, her act of self-destruction became one of
redemption when a mysterious figure healed her – and set her on a journey that would test her
faith, her perceptions and ultimately her sanity in Paula Bradley’s heart-pounding debut novel
CHOSEN (Fiction Studio, 2011).

Mariah soon realizes that the deathbed visitation by an otherworldly figure has magnified
the nascent extrasensory gifts she’s had since childhood. Desperate to understand what has
happened, she reaches out to non-denominational minister Michael Jenkins. The gentle
Englishman becomes her spiritual guide and bedrock support when she is drawn against her will
into the minds of abducted children.

Her role in the rescue of these innocents draws the attention of FBI Special Agent Frannie
Manzetti, who sees Mariah as a path to promotion and heightened status within the department.
But can Manzetti keep her prize to herself once the women become friends? And can the agent
protect her charge once the media gets hold of a stolen tape showing her psychic ability?

When her fourth Finding hits the airwaves, all hell breaks lose. Blessed and reviled in equal
measure, she finds herself on trial for murder while another government agency develops its
own covert agenda to control her and her abilities.

As her outer turmoil intensifies, Mariah is plagued by a series of terrifying nightmares,
culminating in the discovery of an ingenious serial killer who somehow prevents her from
finding out his identity and location. His elusive nature tortures her, driving her to frightening
excesses as she becomes obsessed with finding him before he kills again.

Paula Bradley has created a heroine who is remarkably complex and achingly human in a
thriller that bristles with the tension of implicit danger and the draw of the unexplained. It will
keep readers turning pages and challenging their own long-held beliefs on the nature of faith
and the value of discovery.

Book Feature: Chasing Amanda by Melissa Foster

Chasing Amanda by Melissa Foster

Publisher:  Solstice Publishing

Publish Date: April 12, 2011

Paperback, 377 pages

ISBN: 9780615477527

***  My Review will be coming later today *** 

About the Book:

Living in a rural Maryland community, Molly Tanner and her husband are enjoying their newly empty nest. But when a seven-year-old girl disappears from a local park it brings back memories of what brought the Tanners to Maryland a decade ago. Molly unknowingly witnessed another young girl’s abduction in Philadelphia and was almost destroyed by the guilt after the girl was killed. Unwilling to ignore the visions she sometimes has any longer, Molly sets out to find the young girl, jeopardizing the marriage she’d fought so hard to hold together. While unearthing clues and struggling to decipher her visions, Molly discovers another side of Boyds, where the residents--and the land itself--hold potentially lethal secrets.

About the Author:

Melissa Foster is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women. Melissa has written a column featured in Women Business Owners Magazine, and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa is currently working on her next novel and collaborating with a director to create a script for Megan’s Way. Melissa's interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, and helping women see the positive side of life. Although Melissa lives with her family in Maryland she uses ever and anything as an excuse to visit one of her favorite spots: Cape Cod.

Author's Websites:                                       

Melissa Foster’s websites:

http://thewomensnest.com/

http://melissafoster.com/

Melissa Foster’s blog:

http://melissafoster.com/blog/1

I received this book from Angela and Jodi at Team WOW for an honest review.