Review: Downward Dog, Upward Fog by Meryl Davids Landau

After reading the summary and some other reviews of this novel, Downward Dog, Upward Fog by Meryl Davids Landau, I was super excited to get this one to review!!

The Summary:

Lorna Crawford has a great boyfriend, longtime friends, and a well-paying job as a special-events coordinator at a premium ice-cream manufacturer. But, out of sorts and filled with self-doubt, the 33 year old realizes that what she really wants is to stay on the spiritual path she keeps diving off of. Lorna jump starts her efforts at a silent yoga retreat. But after returning from the mountain, she quickly loses her connection in the face of scheming coworkers, judgemental girlfriends, and especially, her overly critical mother. Lorna also wrestles over her future with her boyfriends, a hot guy who takes her to the hottest places, but who can't discern a meditation cushion from a toad stool. Reading spiritual books and visiting a channeler and energy healer move Lorna forward, but her confusion remains.

Lorna's seeking is put to the ultimate test when personal tragedy strikes. Will she come to truly understand that living spiritually has little to do with how you pretzel yourself on the yoga mat (although she gets plenty good at that), and everything to do with embracing the twists in every day life?

Review:

Downward Dog, Upward Fog by Meryl Davids Landau really dives into Lorna's spiritual journey. It really isn't all about just the poses on the yoga mat and learning how to breathe. Lorna, who supposedly has it all, is so stressed out and is really searching for some calm and perspective in her life. As she reads several spiritual books, we also get to learn some interesting spiritual concepts and quotes from new-age spiritual leaders that make total sense for daily life. Will she be able to apply these teachings in the face of all the distractions - especially her mother?!

I really enjoyed this novel. I thought it was interesting and out of the box. I also think it will give you a perspective on spirituality. Though this book may not be for everyone, if you are open to just reading a really good novel, then it just might open your eyes to something different. I'm definitely trying to look at things differently - even if I am not going full tilt and creating a meditation altar.

I want to thank Meryl Davids Landau for sending me a copy of her novel. I highly enjoyed it, and thanks for helping me put some things in perspective.

To read more about the novel, check out DownwardDogUpwardFog.com!!

Review: The Hazards of Hunting While Heartbroken

I am really excited to review The Hazards of Hunting While Heartbroken by Mari Passananti. This book completely held my attention, and I didn't want to put it down!!

From the Book Jacket:

Zoe Clark thinks her world will implode when her fiance dumps her on the eve of their splashy wedding. After nearly a decade with her college sweetheart, Zoe feels like a teenager about to be eaten alive by the New York dating scene. And her problems don't end there. Zoe works a less-than-ideal jobs, managing other people's careers while her own ambitions wither.

Enter Oscar Thornton. He's handsome, charming, attentive and rich - the perfect boyfriend. But does he harbor a dark secret? Or will Zoe torpedo her newfound happiness by indulging a far fetched suspicion?

My thoughts:

Zoe has been with her fiance for ten years. He breaks off the wedding the night before, with a pretty huge confession. Now, Zoe is questioning her instincts and judgement. Add in her job as a headhunter for a very well known, yet mostly crazy boss, and some interesting things start to happen!!

Enter Oscar Thornton, a gorgeous, successful and incredibly romantic man who is crazy about her. Since she has started to doubt her instincts, she suspects bad things of Oscar. Is she just paranoid, or is Oscar hiding something?!

The characters in this book were fabulous. The relationships that Zoe has with her best friends, Angela and Kevin are totally believable and it really seemed that they had been friends for a decade. Also, Zoe's coworkers were great additions to the story. Carol, the crazy boss who you can tell her mood by the state of her make-up, is appalling, yet incredibly intriguing.

The dialogue is witty and clever, and everything adds something special to the story. It is filled with twists that I just didn't expect. Mari Passananti crafted something that included romance, suspense and even a little thrill.

I especially loved the ending - Zoe figures it all out for herself. She finds what is going to be best for herself, and follows her heart. I wasn't expecting this ending, and it really works for the novel.

The Hazards of Hunting While Heartbroken was a great read, and I definitely think you should check this one out!!!

Thanks to Jocelyn at Kelley and Hall Book Publicity and Promotion for sending me a copy of this book to review!!

Review and Giveaway: The Journey of the Noble Gnarble

I don't often review children's books, but I am really glad that I decided to take a look at The Journey of the Noble Gnarble by Daniel Errico.

Description from the book:

A gnarble left his cozy bed along the ocean floor.
He dreamt about a place that he had never seen before!

He headed to the surface for a glimpse of sun and sky.
The trip was so impossible, he'd be the first to try.

Gnarbles can't swim far with little fins and floppy tails.
What makes the gnarble noble isn't written on his scales.

You won't believe the new fantastic creatures that he found.
But did he reach the top or did he quit and turn around?

The thrilling tale of the noble gnarble, accompanied by vibrant, four color illustrations, will delight ages 3-6 - and their parents, too!!

My thoughts:

Well, I just have to say that this was just a great story!! The rhyming text flows perfectly throughout the book, and it kept the pace moving along nicely! It is the perfect length - not too long for wiggly youngens. I wanted to keep reading faster to find out what happened, and if the noble gnarble succeeded in his quest!!

I was very involved in the story, but I can't not talk about the illustrations. The full page illustrations in this story are amazing!!! The colors really pop and are so vibrant!! These visually stimulating pictures will seriously captivate the kids, and they really add something wonderful to the story.

All in all, this is a very sweet book with a nice message and beautiful pictures. An all around winner!!! Be sure to check out the website to learn more about the author and illustrator, see more examples of the illustrations, and even print out some coloring pages for the kids!!

I am also holding a giveaway for this awesome book!!! All you have to do is fill out the form below by Friday, October 28, and I'll choose a winner on Saturday, October 29!!! US entries only, please!!

Thanks to Marissa from JKS Communications for sending me a copy of this book!!! It was highly enjoyable, and - hey, I might just have to work it into my story time collection!!!

Review: Until Again by Lou Aronica

At the beginning of the year, I reviewed Lou Aronica's novel Blue (read my review here). I was very impressed by the story and I still feel it is one of the best books I have read all year.

Mr. Aronica put a lot of heart and soul into that novel, and now he has come out with a prequel novella, Until Again. This novella is just as heartfelt. It tells of two major events that change the lives of everyone involved - not only Chris Astor and his 10 year old daughter, Becky, but also Meia, the princess in the made up land of Tamarisk.

If you have read Blue, then reading Until Again is a necessity. This short novella gives you more insight on how these endearing people lived and loved in Blue. If you haven't read Blue yet, then both of these books should be in your TBR pile!!

Thanks to Lou Aronica for sending me Until Again. It was a pleasure to revisit these very beautiful characters, even for a short and emotional time. Also, I just wanted to say, it grabbed at my heart that Chris calls his daughter 'Babe' - because that's what my dad calls me!

Review: Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell their Stories

It didn't take much for me to say yes to reading and reviewing the very timely compilation, Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell their Stories. This book compiles the stories of 70 successful and brave authors as they tell young adults of their own struggles with being bullied, being the bully, or watching as others were bullied. Authors like R.L. Stine, Rachel Vail, Carolyn Mackler, Daniel Waters and Eric Luper all participate in sharing their stories.

I feel like I can't review this book without sharing some of my own story. I, too, was the subject of bullying when I was in elementary school. I had 3 strikes against me - I was fat, I had glasses, and I had braces. Not only was I four-eyed metal mouth, but the kids also yelled BOOM, BABA, BOOOM, BABA, and pretended they were in an earthquake as I ran during forced games of kickball on the playground.

I remember the day in the 4th grade that I, all of a sudden with no explanation, wasn't even good enough to sit at the same lunch table with. In my class of 20, in my tiny little school - if I sat down first, then they all sat at the other end of the table. It was horrible and I went home from school every day in tears.

I remember the girl who used to be my best friend calling me up after school one day and telling me that she can't be my friend at school because of the other kids, but she would throw me a bone and talk to me on the phone after school. I remember crying with relief and being willing to let that be enough.

High school was better. I stopped caring as much what all my classmates thought of me. We traveled to other towns a lot for sports (I was a cheerleader for basketball and football and volleyball player), and I started making friends in other towns. I wasn't terribly athletic, but going to those games and being able to make (REAL) friends really got me through those years.

Wow - all these memories. Funny, I'm Facebook friends with most of these people. I doubt they even remember the torment they put me through...

After reading this book, and also seeing all the news media about bullying, I just want to shake all the kids who are tormenting others, and cry for the kids who have to deal with it. I personally think that this book should be required reading for all kids in the 7th grade. I'd even be so bold as to say a compilation for younger kids should be written as well.

One of the main themes running through the stories is "it will get better." In my experience, that's true. You find new circles of friends (REAL friends) to hang out with. You stop caring as much what those bullys think of you. You become a stronger you.

There are also lots of resources listed at the end of this book so one has access to the help they need. For more information, please visit the Dear Bully website. And while the book doesn't actually come out until September 6th, please know that a portion of the book’s proceeds will go to STOMP Out Bullying, a national anti-bullying and cyber bullying program for kids and teens.

Jane Was Here by Sarah Kernochan - Review and Giveaway!!

I have been meaning to write this review for weeks. In fact, I read the book in one sitting on a random day off weeks ago, but have since been (excuse, excuse, excuse, excuse), and have not had a chance to write the review.

Seriously, though - this summer has been insane. I have had a crazy number of visitors, my library moved in to a spankin' new building (did I mention that? Yeah - it's been an intense couple of weeks!), and since the move, our numbers at work have more than tripled. I've been running around like a crazy librarian, and have totally slacked off on my blogging and reviewing duties. Please forgive.

Back to the task at hand, though. As I said, I read Jane Was Here by Sarah Kernochan in one sitting.

From the Book Jacket:

A mysterious young woman calling herself Jane turns up in a small New England town. She claims a fragmentary memory of growing up in this place, yet she has never been here before in her life. Upon her arrival, strange and alarming things begin happening to some of the town's inhabitants. As Jane's memories awaken piece by piece, they carry her back to a long-buried secret, while the townspeople hurtle forward to a horrific event when past and present finally collide.

Now isn't that an intriguing synopsis? That is what initially grabbed me when I decided to review this novel. Ms. Kernochan, a screen writer known for such films as What Lies Beneath, knows how to paint an amazing, and sometimes creepy, picture.

While I don't know if I really felt a lot for the characters, they all played a significant part in the story. It felt to me like everything was intertwined and all the characters intersected not only in the present, but in the past as well. The whole idea of reincarnation and past lives is really intriguing to me, and this book really dives in to one woman's search for answers about her past life.

And, since Ms. Kernochan is a film writer, I can totally see how it would translate into an awesome movie. There were some great twists, and it really kept me guessing to the end. Who knows, we just might see it one day!

But, if that happens, then I want you to be prepared!! I'm going to give away a copy of Jane Was Here to one lucky reader!!! All you have to do is fill out the form below by Thursday, July 28, and I'll pick a winner using Random.org on Friday, July 29!!! And, what the heck, let's include International readers as well!!! Good luck, everyone!!!

Also, a big thank you to Kelley and Hall Book Publicity for sending me a copy of this book!!!

And the winner is...

First of all, I have to apologize for not announcing the winner to my War and Watermelon giveaway sooner!! I can't believe I'm a week late with this!! In my defense, work has been terribly crazy, and I haven't even had a chance to breathe. Not to mention I had some amazing friends in town this past weekend and didn't do much more than sit by the pool, enjoy some adult beverages and ROCK OUT to Poison and Motley Crue (insert 'rock out' face here!).


Did I mention we were 3rd row...from the back?!?! Yeah - STILL AWESOME!!!!!

Anyway, excuses, excuses. But we now have a winner - HOOOORAY!!!

Congratulations to Ann!!!!

I've sent you an email requesting your snail mail address, and I'll forward it on to the publisher. Thanks again to everyone who entered - I hope to have another giveaway soon!!!

Winner was chosen using Random.org Sequence Generator.

TLC Book Tour and Giveaway!! War and Watermelon by Rich Wallace

War and Watermelon by Rich Wallace is a fantastic novel about Brody, a young teenager in 1969.

The setting is an amazing time. Brody is at an age now where he's starting to notice girls. He and his best friend have just made the football team. The Vietnam War was in everyone's thoughts, and Brody's brother Ryan was in danger of being drafted when he turned 18 soon.

Brody is lucky enough to be taken by his brother and friends to the first night of Woodstock. The description of the crowds and the setting was amazing. Brody also chronicled the top music of the summer, so it was fun to be reminded of the songs of the age. It would be great to encourage the readers to listen to some of that music!!!!

Ryan is in danger of being drafted into the war if he doesn't enroll in college before he's 18. Ryan and their father disagree on the war. But even though the disagreements are frustrating and difficult for the family, you can tell that they all love each other. The family interactions between the brothers and the parents were believable and well written.

It turns out that this novel parallels the authors life. In 1969, Rich Wallace was 12, living in New Jersey. He had a brother who was eligible for the draft. He was also starting to notice music and becoming aware of things that were going on in the world. Maybe that's why it's so well written - he's writing what he knows.

I really loved War and Watermelon, and definitely think it should be on the summer 'Must Read' list!! I really think readers will like reading about the time when their parents or grandparents grew up. And they will probably relate to Brody more than you'd think!

I want to thank TLC Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book!! And, they're letting me have a giveaway!!! So, all you gotta do is fill out the form below, and we'll get you entered!! Sorry, US/Canada only. You have until Thursday, June 30th, and I'll announce the winner on Friday, July 1st!! Good luck, everyone!!!!

Review: Everyone Loves You When You're Dead by Neil Strauss

I have to be honest, I don’t really follow music journalism. However, reading Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead by Neil Strauss was more entertaining that I had imagined!

Neil Strauss has interviewed countless celebrities for the likes of The New York Times and Rolling Stone Magazine. This book is a collection of some of the more gritty scenes from some of his interviews. Most of this material has never before been published.

This is a compilation of interviews from Snoop Dogg, who had to run to the store to buy Pampers, to Curtis Mayfield, who talks about his perspectives on life after he was paralyzed in a freak accident.

One of my favorite lines was from an interview with Lady Gaga:

Neil Strauss: Your fans seem to really like what you stand for, because some people need to be reminded that it’s okay to be different.

Lady Gaga: I love what they stand for. I love who they are. They inspire me to be more confident every day. When I wake up in the morning, I feel just like any other insecure twenty-four-year-old girl. But I say, “Bitch, you’re Lady Gaga, you better f*cking get up and walk the walk today,” because they need that from me. And they inspire me to keep going.

The subjects of these interviews share some amazing things. From stories of inspiration to tales of drug use and crazy sex adventures. They talk about time spent in jail and their constant worrying about what people will think about their music. Neil uncovers some intimately personal details from the lives of these celebrities, and of course, I devoured every word.

If you are even remotely interested in music journalism, or like following the lives of celebrities, then I highly recommend this book. It is almost hard to believe that one person has interviewed the likes of Brian Wilson, Dolly Parton, the Wu-Tang Clan, Otha Turner, Rick James, Ben Stiller, Marilyn Manson, Cher, Chuck Berry, Merle Haggard, Sacha Baron Cohen, Tom Petty and countless others!!

Review: Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon

From the Book Jacket:

One soft, summer night in a small Vermont town, twelve-year-old Lisa went into the woods behind her house and never came out again. Before she disappeared, she told her little brother, Sam, about a door - hidden among the ruins of an old town long forgotten - that led to a magical place. A place where she would meet Teilo, the King of the Fairies, and become his queen.

Sam didn't believe in fairies, ghosts, or anything supernatural back then, and now, fifteen years later, he still doesn't. It's one of the many things that his girlfriend, Phoebe, loves about this practical, sensible man. But a series of eerie occurrences challenges Sam's hard-headed realism. As events spin out of control, the couple finds themselves questioning their reality and Sam is reminded of a terrible promise he made years ago...a promise that could destroy them all.

After reading the description of Jennifer NcMahon’s novel Don’t Breathe a Word, I knew I couldn’t turn down this review. From the minute I picked it up, I didn’t want to put it down. It has a mystery that won’t let you rest until you know what happens next. This novel was unpredictable, and actually had me second guessing the existence of fairies.

Written in two points of view, this novel follows Pheobe, modern day Sam’s girlfriend, and Lisa just before the fateful time when she went missing. Strange things start happening to Pheobe and Sam as they are reminded of Lisa’s disappearance in the form of a mysterious phone call. Having these different perspectives allow us to be let in to Lisa’s family and the events that lead up to her disappearance, as well as see how events unfold to reveal the dark secrets of this mystery.

Each of the characters added depth to the story. They were all well written and carried with them interesting and easy to relate to characteristics. I felt like each one brought something different to the story and they were all having to deal with turbulent pasts.

I really enjoyed this book! It was creepy in a way that kept you guessing. It was a great mystery, and I promise it will keep you hooked!!

Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon for review!!

Review: Sons and Princes by James LePore

I was first introduced to James LePore when I was asked to review Blood of My Brother. I highly enjoyed that novel (read my review here!), so I was excited to have the chance to review his newest, Sons and Princes.

Book Summary

Chris Massi has been running from his world his entire life. The son of a Mafia assassin and the former son-in-law of a mob kingpin, Massi has tried to stay on the right side of the law, building a prestigious career as an attorney, and insulating his children as much as possible. But now a series of tragedies have left him without a law license and without several of his loved ones. And at the same time, his teenaged son is beginning to gravitate toward the gangster world Chris has tried so hard to protect him from. Michele Mathias has been running away from her life for more than a decade. Once a promising young woman with a future, she’s now a drug addicted street player living with the knowledge that her daughter, the only bright thing in her life, was taken away from her. When her roommate is murdered in a mob-related hit, her life intersects with Chris’s life, and their worlds change forever. For Chris, a showdown is coming. The only way for him to save his son and regain his future is to face, and maybe even embrace, the demon he’s always avoided. For Michele, her last chance at redemption has arrived. How their journeys collide with the dark New York underworld is the stuff of the kind of suspenseful, passionate drama we’ve come to expect from James LePore.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chris, who had been trying to keep out of the business of the Mafia despite his ties, gets sucked back in after the murder of his father, Joe Black Massi. He is offered a chance at revenge, and struggles with the decision to avenge his father, or stay out of the ‘life.’ A series of related events spirals around Chris, and his attempt to stay away from the Mafia is challenged beyond what he imagined.

We are introduced to a great cast of characters, from Chris’s drug addicted brother Joseph, to a tortured priest who made a major impact in Chris’s life. With the addition of Michele Mathias, the drug addict who has lost her daughter, and has been approached to star in a porn film, this book plays host to several remarkable players.

James LePore really knows his stuff. I found myself really pulling for Chris as he struggled with his dilemma, and hoping that he would find the best way to protect his family. I was also pulling for Michele, trusting that she could overcome the life that led her to lose her daughter.

If you are into a good thrilling read, then you should definitely check out Sons and Princes by James LePore. You will NOT be disappointed!!

Review: Formula for Murder: A Maternal Instincts Mystery

Hoooooooray!!!!! I've been (im)patiently waiting for Diana Orgain's next installment of her Maternal Instincts Mystery series, and it's finally here!!! If you recall, I've already read and reviewed the first two books in the series: Bundle of Trouble and Motherhood is Murder, and loved them both. When I got the email from Ms. Orgain letting me know that the third novel was out, I (of course!!) asked quite politely if I might have the opportunity to read it and review it for my blog.

Actually, it was more like "OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!! I can't WAIT TO READ IT!!!! GIMME GIMME GIMME!!! WHOOOOOOOOT WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!" And I'm not even really exaggerating.

Yeah, I'm what we like to call a 'professional.'

Anyway, back to the important issue at hand. Formula for Murder: A Maternal Instincts Mystery was just as good - if not better!! - than the previous two!!

Kate has been known to get herself (and her now 3 month old baby, Laurie) into some...interesting situations. At the beginning of this novel, she is involved in a hit and run with Laurie in the car!!! This causes the Lioness mother that she is to track down the driver of the SUV and brings her and her husband to the French Consulate. There she is met with some stiff resistance to their questions about the accident. While at the French Consulate, Kate sees a couple local news reporters. Later, when one of the reporters ends up dead, Kate wonders if there is a connection between the French Consulate, the death of the reporter, and her accident.

All the regular players are back, including Paula, Kate's (very pregnant!) best friend and Kate's mom, both witty and interesting characters that add lots of entertainment. Inspector McNearny is also back, though his annoyance with Kate butting into his crime fighting seems to be lessening!! They all pitch in to help Kate find the murderer. As she gets closer to finding the truth, the more dangerous the situations she finds herself in.

As with the other novels, this one is peppered with To-Do lists and poor Kate worrying about what kind of mother she is. Kate is stubborn and is always managing to stir things up - but one thing you never wonder about is her love for her child and her family.

Way to go, Diana!! Thanks for giving us another fun installment to the Maternal Instincts Mystery series!! It was a fast, fun, page-turning read, and I can't wait for the next one!!!

Review and Giveaway!! Drinking Closer to Home by Jessica Anya Blau

Summary: They say you can never really go home again. Adult siblings Anna, Portia, and Emery are about to discover just how true that is.-- Harper Perennial

The summary of the book, Drinking Closer to Home by Jessica Anya Blau, barely gives you even a mini peek into this novel. I was excited about this one, because I like reading about interesting and maybe a little dysfunctional families. I think that while this family had some pretty over the top dynamics, everyone will be able to relate in some way to this special family.

I found myself enjoying all of the main characters, Buzzy, Louise, Anna, Portia and Emery, but also the supporting cast as well. Even though some of the decisions they made were questionable (at BEST), I found them to be very likable. When I say questionable, I mean Louise, the ‘mom,’ decides one day that she is done being a mother. She leaves Anna and Portia to cook, clean and take care of Emery, their little brother.

But instead of being shocked by their behavior, I found myself shaking my head and saying “oh, Louise, that’s so like you.” I am sure that’s because of the Ms. Blau’s writing style. The dialogue between characters was never forced and always flowed naturally. The characters were all very well developed, and she managed to bring humor into some high drama situations. I found myself laughing at several points in the story. And I KNOW I shouldn’t have been laughing, but the family was so crazy that you just had to sometimes.

I highly recommend Drinking Closer to Home to anyone who wants a good story. This is also good for book clubs and discussion groups, because it comes with a reading guide, too!!

I’d like to give away my copy of Drinking Closer to Home to the highest bidder. No, no, I'm just kidding!! But I do want to give away my gently read copy to one of my readers!! Simply fill out the form below by Friday, April 7, and I’ll choose a winner using Random.org on Saturday, April 8! This give is open to anybody!! Good luck!!

****UPDATE****

I just have to let you know that Jessica Anya Blau herself just emailed me (WOW!!) and offered a SIGNED copy to the winner of my giveaway!! How exciting and super generous of her!!! So, now I'll be choosing TWO winners - the top winner will receive a special signed copy, and the runner up will receive a gently read (and loved!) copy of Drinking Closer to Home!! HOOOORAY!!!!!

Thank you to the publisher, who sent me a copy of this novel!!!

**There is still time to enter my last giveaway, too!!**

Review and Giveaway!! The Shepherd by Ethan Cross

From the Book Jacket:

Marcus Williams and Francis Ackerman Jr. both have a talent for hurting people. Marcus, a former New York City homicide detective, uses his abilities to protect others, while Ackerman uses his gifts to inflict pain and suffering. When both men become unwilling pawns in a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of our government, Marcus finds himself in a deadly game of cat and mouse trapped between a twisted psychopath and a vigilante with seemingly unlimited resources. Aided by a rogue FBI agent and the vigilante’s beautiful daughter -a woman with whom he’s quickly falling in love- Marcus must expose the deadly political conspiracy and confront his past while hunting down one of the most cunning and ruthless killers in the world.

First of all, I have to thank author Ethan Cross for contacting me about reviewing his novel, The Shepherd. I am always up for a good thriller, and that's exactly what I got.

I was hooked from page 1, the action started immediately. And it didn't let up! There were twists and turns that I totally wasn't expecting - a great asset for a thriller!

The book stars Marcus Williams, a former NYC detective who is trying to leave a troubled past behind him. His journey takes him to a small Texas town after he inherits a ranch from his aunt who recently passed away.

Francis Ackerman, Jr is a demented serial killer on the loose in Texas. He lies in wait in his victims homes until he can subdue them. Once his victims are in his hands, he invites them to "play a game" with him. Though, the killer knows how each game will end.

Combine these two men with a surprising conspiracy, and non stop action and suspense ensue.

Once I really got going on this novel, I didn't want to put it down. Both of the main characters had story lines that were very captivating. Cross comes up with intriguing and disturbing pasts for both men, and one might wonder about the blurred lines between doing good and causing harm. The novel comes to a surprising conclusion, but still leaves us hanging, as this is the first book in a new series. I am definitely looking forward to the next installment!!

Be sure to check out the Book Trailer for The Shepherd!!

Now, I think you should read this thriller, too!! So, it's time for another giveaway!! All you have to do is fill out the form below!!! Last day to enter is Wednesday, March 23, and I'll announce a winner using Random.org on Thursday, March 24! Good luck to you all!! This giveaway is open to anyone!!

Review and Interview: Eminent Gangsters by James Fentress

A special thank you to Carol Fass Publicity & Public Relations for sending me Eminent Gangsters: Immigrants and the Birth of Organized Crime in America by James Fentress to review!

From the Book Jacket:

“This American system of ours,” observed Al Capone, “call it Americanism, call it capitalism, call it what you like, gives to each and every one of us a great opportunity if we can only seize it with both hands and make the most of it.” Capone spoke as a member of a generation who, seizing the opportunities offered by the Eighteenth Amendment of the US Constitution, which prohibited the manufacture, transport, or sale of alcoholic beverages, enriched himself and laid the basis for modern organized crime in America. Yet if the story of the eminent gangsters is not the orthodox, rags-to-riches story, a morality play where evil doers are brought to justice by the forces of law and order. Their story, rather, is a central and significant chapter in the social and economic history of modern America.

Check out this recent interview with James Fentress!!

A Q&A with James Fentress (provided by Carol Fass Publicity and Public Relations):

Q: You use gangsters as sources extensively in Eminent Gangsters. Do you think the information they provided is reliable?

A: I’ve never imagined that, as testimony, the word of the gangsters is particularly reliable. They are, after all, criminals and therefore almost by definition men with something to hide. But this is hardly a problem limited to writing about gangsters. Historians are used to dealing with people’s memories, and they are aware, or at least they ought to be aware, that human memory is at best selective and sometimes a total confabulation. In all cases, memory is liable to rationalization, self-justification, and often enough, downright prevarication. Thus, lack of reliability is no reason for a historian not to use the gangsters as sources.

Q: Is there a danger that you end up justifying these gangsters’ behaviors by taking on the criminals’ perspective?

A: Making sense of a series of events is one thing; morally justifying them is quite another. I do not think for a moment that any of the killings were morally justified in the least. But I do not think they were random acts of violence either. I think it’s my job as a historian to put these objectives, the illegal businesses and underworld wars into a perspective in which they make sense.

Q: How did you get involved in this line of research?

A: I was studying to get a doctorate in anthropology and thinking of moving to Rome because of my wife’s career in archaeology. I asked my department if I could do my research on an Italian subject. They were somewhat nonplussed, but eventually came up with the Mafia.

Q: After you were assigned the Mafia as your research topic, how did you go about collecting data? Wander on down to Sicily and walk into a Mafia club house or whatever and say, ‘Hi guys, I’m your anthropologist’?

A: It was almost like that, at least at first. I barely spoke Italian and couldn’t make much sense out of the Sicilian dialect. But eventually, I began to make some progress. Sicily is a big island, and it took me a long while to understand what Sicilians were talking about, to get tuned in so to speak. But that’s what anthropology is supposed to be about, getting tuned in, understanding the way that other peoples speak.

Q: I understand that you wrote another book on the Mafia. Was that book based on these conversations?

A: The book was called Rebels and Mafiosi, and Cornell University Press published it a few years ago. It was really a historical study of the origins of the Mafia in Sicily. There’s a lot of rubbish written in this subject and I thought that there needed to be a book that set it all out in a well-documented way.

Q: Wandering around Sicily looking for Mafiosi to talk to must have been unsettling for the Mafia. Did they ever threaten you in any way?

A: The remark I kept hearing was ‘Your eyes are too blue; you’ll never understand anything.’ In fact, one of the reasons I wrote a history was that I found that Sicilians were much more willing to open up to me if I kept away from current events. As long as I asked questions about the period before World War II, or, at most, the years just after the war, they were happy to talk to me. With events closer to the present, people who could have told me things tended to shut up.

Q: After your first book was published, you found out that Sicilians generally liked the book while northern Italians didn’t. Why was that?

A: I took a very Sicilian perspective. I made sense of the Mafia in terms of Sicily’s political history, as a reaction to some of the misconceived policies that the new Italian state tried to impose on Sicily. I got the same reaction in the US. Some critics made analogies between the rise of the Mafia in Sicily and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the South or the rise of the IRA in Ireland. I thought there was some validity in these analogies. In all these cases, the criminal conspiracies/political terrorist groups are not just rising up out of nothing; there is a historical context that goes a longs way to explaining why they emerged.

Q: Eminent Gangsters focuses mainly on the Italians and the Jews. Why?

A: The answer is that they, like the Mexicans today, happen to have been standing at the right place at the right time (or perhaps the wrong place at the wrong time). The Italians and the Jews arrived in American and settled in the poorest urban districts precisely when the previous inhabitants, the Irish, well on their way to assimilation, were leaving these same districts. They became the loyal clientele of the corrupt, big-city political machines; they ran the big-city honkytonks, which, as much as they were criticized by the mugwumps and by various church groups, were always extremely popular with both the middle and the working classes. Thus when Prohibition rolled around, the Italians and the Jews were in a good position to capitalize on the opportunities it presented.

Promo 101 Virtual Book Tour - Emotion Freedom by Judith Orloff

“Emotional Freedom is a must-read for anyone who's tired
of feeling frustrated, lonely, or stopped by fear."
-Deepak Chopra

**Book Review by Caroline Myss **

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life (Harmony, $24) written by Judith Orloff MD is the perfect book to come along at the perfect time. I couldn't put it down!

We live in a tumultuous, fear-dominated period in history and must become masters at overcoming fear and other negative emotions so they don't sabotage our power. With skill and compassion, Dr. Judith Orloff shows us how to become heroes in our own lives by transforming anger, loneliness, and envy and more rather than simply “reacting” when our buttons get pushed.

An Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA and intuition expert, Dr. Orloff shares her wealth of personal and professional knowledge to illuminate the field of emotions. She draws on wisdom from traditional medicine but goes light years beyond it by presenting emotions as a path to spiritual, energetic, and intuitive awakening. Why is this leap so important? The intellect has restricted vision about emotions, but bringing intuition into the feeling realm lets us go deeper within. Dr. Orloff asks us to see every success, every heartbreak, every loss, every gain as vehicles for transformation. She teaches readers to view emotions in a non-ordinary way, rather than simply making you happy or miserable. Everyone will benefit from the insightful instructions that continually guide us and also from the author's intimate personal journey and well-earned life wisdom. Judith is the kind of doctor we wish we all had.

Part One of the book introduces you to the four components of emotions: their biology, spirituality, energetic power, and psychology. Understanding each component in yourself will lead to inner breakthroughs that aren't possible without seeing the whole picture. It offers a self-assessment test to evaluate your current level of emotional freedom so you can increase it practicing this book's principles. Dr. Orloff invites you into her romance with sleep and dreams as revolutionary states of consciousness. She also helps readers determine their “emotional type” including “the intellectual,” and “the empath. “so they can make the most of their own finest qualities. As an empath, Dr. Orloff knows the gigantic challenges of being an “emotional sponge” and teaches other empaths who've been labeled “overly sensitive” how to stay grounded in an often-overwhelming world.

You'll enjoy the “emotional vampire survival guide”--specific advice for dealing with emotional drainers. We've all met them. You're talking to someone, when suddenly you feel anxious, depressed, or tired. She describes the narcissist, the victim, the controller, and other types of vampires. Plus, there are quizzes to help you determine “Are you in a relationship with an emotional vampire?” or if you might be one yourself. Sometimes, we all have the capacity to be draining, but with mindful compassion we can catch ourselves early and make a shift.

Part Two of the book offers a hands-on approach for facing the most prevalent negative emotions and building positive ones Each chapter is called a “transformation” in which you learn how to transform a negative emotion into its counterpoint. For instance, fear is transformed with courage, frustration with patience, and jealousy with self-esteem.

You learn to do this in your life by taking a wealth of quizzes, from Dr. Orloff's patient studies, and her own intimate journey with each emotion.

Emotional Freedom is the rare book that can open your mind and your heart to more empowerment. Give yourself a gift and read it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I'd like to tell you about my friend and colleague Judith Orloff MD - a UCLA psychiatrist and a pioneer who bridges mainstream medicine with intuition, energy medicine, and spirituality. She invites you on a remarkable journey where you can embrace more happiness and mastery over negativity than you may have ever known. Our world is in the midst of a meltdown. She describes how to stay intuitively and spiritually centered in our times.

Dr. Orloff celebrates the exciting paperback launch of her New York Times bestseller Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life. She is treating you to an incredible one-time book-launch offer with special gifts from herself and friends such as Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Joan Borysenko, Dr. Michael Beckwith, and more!

To purchase the book and receive your "Celebrate Joy" special gift collection go to:

http://www.drjudithorloff.com/emotional-freedom-paperback/

In Emotional Freedom Dr. Orloff states:

“I’m presenting the unique process I use with patients and in my own life to view emotions as a path to spiritual and intuitive awakening (not EFT). I synthesize traditional medicine with energy medicine to offer you new tools to master emotions and become heroes in your own life. Inner peace leads to outer peace in the world.”

Publisher's Weekly’s review of Emotional Freedom says:

“Superbly written..Dr. Orloff regards emotions as a training ground for the soul, and views ‘every victory over fear, anxiety, and resentment as a way to develop your spiritual muscles.’”

Emotional Freedom has rave reviews from USA Today, Dr. Candace Pert, Christiane Northrup, M.D., Caroline Myss, Dean Ornish, M.D., and Mary Oliver, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. They call it “spectacular,” “a must-read,” “a heartfelt, accessible guide,” and “resolutely compassionate.”

In the book, you will discover:

• Four questions to transform fear with courage

• What your emotional type is

• How to stop absorbing the emotions of others

• How to combat emotional vampires with compassion

• The spiritual meaning of depression and hope

Purchase book and claim your "Celebrate Joy" special gift collection at:

http://www.drjudithorloff.com/emotional-freedom-paperback/

If you'd like to liberate yourself from negative emotions and compassionately own the moment in all situations instead of just reacting when your buttons get pushed go to:

http://www.drjudithorloff.com/emotional-freedom-paperback/

Nelson Mandela said: “As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Help liberate others and please share this announcement with them. Your support makes us happy and grateful!

For more inspiration and to learn about the Emotional Freedom book tour schedule and sign up for our affiliate program visit DrJudithOrloff.com.

Review: Blue by Lou Aronica

I am terribly excited to review the novel Blue by Lou Aronica. The world that was created for this book is so vivid and creative, and I read it in 3 sittings (but only because I had to go to work. I did NOT want to put this one down)!!

The story mainly focuses on Becky, a 14 year old girl dealing with the divorce of her parents, and Chris, Becky’s father. When Becky was 5, she was diagnosed with leukemia. Throughout her illness, Chris and Becky made up a ‘bedtime story’ about Princess Miea and the kingdom of Tamarisk. These stories become a nightly ritual all the way up until the divorce of her parents, almost 10 years later.

One night, Becky is pulled into the world of Tamarisk, where she actually meets Princess Miea (who has since become the Queen). This is where she finds that not only is Tamarisk real, but they are in danger from a blight that is killing off plants and animals within the kingdom. Becky becomes determined to save Tamarisk, and enlists her father to help.

This novel is so well written. I was immediately pulled in to Becky’s story and found a connection to the characters. I felt for Becky while she was dealing with the contention between her parents. The relationships between Becky and each of her parents were realistic, as was the relationship between Chris and Becky’s mom, Polly. I also felt like the transitions from the real world to Tamarisk were seamless. The descriptions of the fantasy world that Chris and Becky made up were colorful and imaginative. A whole new world was created – with new creatures and made up colors, but it was still similar enough to the real world. Tamarisk evolved as Becky grew up, and became an inspired world of imagination.

As I understand, Blue is a labor of love for Lou Aronica. Every detail of this novel was carefully thought through and enhanced the story. I can’t say enough about this amazing novel, it is definitely the best book I have read so far this year - and probably even the last half of 2010, too!!!!

Thank you to Lou Aronica for sending me a copy of this amazing novel. And, I do have to apologize for it taking so long for me to post this review.

Review: Blood of my Brother by James LePore

I love a good suspense novel, and that's exactly what I got with James LePore's Blood of my Brother.

Summary:

When Jay Cassio's best friend is murdered in a job clearly done by professionals, the walls that he has built to protect himself from the world of others begin to shatter. Dan Del Colliano had been his confidante and protector since the men were children on the savage streets of Newark, New Jersey. When Dan supports and revives Jay after Jay's parents die in a plane crash, their bond deepens to something beyond brotherhood, beyond blood. Now Jay, a successful lawyer, must find out why Dan died and find a way to seek justice for his murder. Isabel Perez has lived a life both tainted and charmed since she was a teenager in Mexico. She holds powerful sway over men and has even more powerful alliances with people no one should ever try to cross. She desperately wants her freedom from the chains these people have placed on her. When Jay catapults into her world, their connection is electric, their alliance is lethal, and their future is anything but certain.

My Review:

I have to admit, I was totally grabbed instantly...by the cover. What an intense picture!! I know better than to judge a book by it's cover, but I couldn't help but think this one was going to be awesome.

Luckily, I was right! This book takes you inside a friendship that began back in a turbulent time in the lives of two young boys, during the riots in Newark, New Jersey. This friendship between Jay Cassio and Daniel Del Colliano bordered on brotherhood, and lasted through adulthood until Daniel's murder. Jay, determined to find his best friend's killer, launches into an investigation that will either lead to Daniel's killer, or get himself killed for looking.

This is a fast paced novel that will catch you right from the beginning. LePore seamlessly moves back and forth from the past (how the young boys met, as well as other important times in the boys' lives), to the present. The plot grows deeper and deeper throughout the novel, involving a host of characters and some scary bad guys in high places. All of the characters bring something different and intriguing to the table, and you'll follow some twists and turns as you are introduced to each of them.

James LePore has delivered a great novel for those who love thrillers and suspense!! Definitely check this one out!!!

And the winners are...

And the winners of The 30-Second Commute by Stephanie Dickison are...

Kat Bryan
leeswammes

Congratulations to you both!!! I've sent you an email asking for your snail mail address!

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway!!! I've got another one going on right now, so please, stop by my review and enter!!

Review and Giveaway!! Heart with Joy by Steve Cushman

Synopsis:

In Heart With Joy, fifteen-year-old Julian Hale’s life is turned upside down when his mother suddenly moves from North Carolina to Venice, Florida under the pretense of running her parents’ motel and finishing the novel she has been working on for years. While Julian has always been closer to his mother and wants to go with her, she tells him he has to stay with his father until the end of the school year.

Six weeks after his mother leaves, Julian’s father decides to run a marathon. This surprises Julian because he has never seen his father exercise, but once he agrees to help him train the two develop the sort of close relationship they’ve never had before. Also, with the help of an elderly neighbor, Julian learns that the most important thing in life is to follow your heart. And Julian’s heart leads him to a passion for cooking and a young cashier at the local grocery store. By the end of the novel, Julian is forced to choose between staying with his father and going to live with his mother.

My Review:

This book begs the question, "What fills your heart with joy?" This is what Julian Hale needs to figure out while he deals with his mother leaving, and living with a father he barely knows.

This novel seems to have a natural flow to it, and it read easily and quickly. It was interesting to read how Julian finds his joy, but also to look back at my own life and think about what fills my own heart with joy, and what fills my life with passion. I wasn't expecting the inward reflective outcome from this novel, but I welcomed it!!

Julian is hit with some major life changes in this coming of age novel. Not only is he dealing with his mother leaving, possibly for good, but also other sensitive issues, like death, teenage friendship, new love and parental relationships. The evolution of these issues, especially the evolution of the relationship between Julian and his father, make for a smooth and heart felt story.

I am excited to host a giveaway for Heart with Joy by Steve Cushman!! Just leave a comment on this post, with a valid email address, by Friday, December 2nd. I'll choose a winner using Random.org Sequence Generator, and announce on Saturday, December 3rd! Good luck to everyone and happy reading!!

A special thank you to Steve Cushman for sending me a copy of his touching novel!!