Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Silver & Gold


Title: Silver & Gold
Author: David Sakmyster
Publisher: Dragon Moon
ISBN: 978-1-896944-98-2
Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges:  Horror/Urban Fantasy, 100 Books in a Year

Thoughts: This is a wonderful historical fiction account of the Alaskan gold rush, reminiscent of the storytelling of Jack London. The beginning, as the story bounced back in time, was a little confusing, but once it started focusing on only Delin’s life, it really picked up. The Sesquats added some interest, but I think the story would have been stronger without them.
Rating: 3 stars

Believing the Lie


Title: Believing the Lie
Author: Elizabeth George
Publisher: Penguin Audio
ISBN: 9781611760408
Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges:  Mystery/Suspense, Audio Book, British, 100 Books in a Year

Thoughts: I loved the setting of this story, and the secrets that the family was keeping were highly intriguing. The ending, though, left me wanting. It was an entertaining listen overall.
Rating: 3 stars

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Stacking the Shelves: 8/5-8/11

For possible review (on Bookloons):
Every Day by David Levithan
The Dead Season by Christobel Kent

Won:
Journey in Time by Chris Karlsen
Heroes Live Forever by Chris Karlsen
Beautiful Lies by Jessica Warman

Swaps on Swap-Bot:
No Ordinary Child by Darlene Graham

Requested on Paperbackswap:
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Bought at Barnes & Noble:
The Devil's Puzzle by Clare O'Donohue

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Summer Giveaway Hop - WINNER!

Rafflecopter has spoken and a big congrats go out to...

Melissa T.!

Email has been sent. Winner has 48 hrs to respond before a new winner is chosen.

Didn't win?  Check out my spotlight and giveaway of Immigration and Adaptation - low entries, so great chances!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Immigration and Adaptation Spotlight and Giveaway

Today we are spotlighting Immigration and Adaptation by Haskell G. Edwards, D Min.  Also, Tribute Books is offering a copy to one lucky winner!  Scroll down to read more about Immigration and Adaptation and to enter the giveaway.

Immigration and Adaptation Book Summary
Adaptation is a must. But how does one go about doing this? It takes great planning, finances, and courage to leave one's homeland; but then finding support and comfort or anything of familiarity in a new land presents a whole new set of challenges. The stress is overwhelming. How do you gain the happiness and success you dreamed of attaining in the new land?

Immigration and Adaptation is here to help you navigate through these challenges. With the information herein, immigrants coming to North America will be prepared to identify and resolve social, family, and personal challenges with confidence. Mr. Edwards' vast professional experience with diverse immigrant families, as well as his own personal journey and genuinely encouraging approach, not only help immigrant families adapt to new surroundings, but grow stronger together in their journey.

This book includes:
- A family wellness test
- Step-by-step guidelines
- Real-life examples
- Inspirational stories
- Family, parenting, and spousal exercises
- Illustrations
- Single-parenting advice

Immigration and Adaptation also includes tips on: building self-confidence, resolving conflicts, tuning communication skills, networking and building social supports, budgeting, parenting, enhancing spousal relationships, helping teenagers adjust, communicating effectively, and more.

Excerpt Link (Chapter 1):
http://www.myauthorwebsite.net/haskell-g-edwards/files/2011/06/Chapter-1.pdf

Haskell G. Edwards, D. Min. Bio:

Haskell G. Edwards, D. Min. has vast professional experience for more than forty years as pastor, administrator, family therapist, and director of a family therapy center. His extensive experience gained from working with immigrant families in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic setting, as well as his own personal journey and genuinely encouraging approach, positions him not only to help immigrant families adapt to new surroundings, but grow stronger together in their journey.

He has successfully held immigrant seminars, workshops, and lectures throughout North America. Now a retired pastor, he continues to help immigrant families of a wide cultural heritage transition into their new homeland.


Amazon buy: ($16.95)

Barnes & Noble buy: ($16.95)

Books-A-Million buy: ($16.95)

Ebook PDF ($8.99)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, August 4, 2012

The Crimson Z


Title: The Crimson Z
Author: Robert Cloud, Lee Rush, Richard Savage, Abby Blythe, & Kara Elsberry
Publisher: Black Velvet Seductions
ISBN: 0-9774682-8-3
Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges:  Horror & Urban Fantasy, Immortal, Free Reads, Paranormal Fantasy, Short Story, 100 Books in a Year

Thoughts: I love the idea of a frame story involving a jewelry story that sells magical objects and I like that different authors told the object's stories.  The big reason that I did not like the story was that Melanie and "Papa" Zach's relationship was just creepy, and Melanie's backstory seemed very unrealistic.
Rating: 2 stars

Stacking the Shelves: 7/20-8/4

For Review (here and on Bookloons):
The Shadow Man by Mark Murphy
The Boy Recessions by Flynn Meaney
Fifteen One-Act Plays by Sam Shepard

Won:
The Indigo Notebook by Laura Resau

Requested from Paperbackswap:
Yarn Harlot by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Downloaded from Discover a New Love:
A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious by Mary Wine

The Picture by Stephanie Taylor