Willing Spirits: Promo 101 Virtual Blog Tour

When MaAnna from Promo 101 Virtual Blog Tours contacted me about hosting a tour for Phyllis Schieber’s book Willing Spirits, I immediately jumped at the chance. I read and reviewed Schieber’s last book Sinner’s Guide to Confession a couple months ago, and LOVED it (read my review!), so I was excited to see what she had to offer this time. I was NOT disappointed!!!

This story has so much to offer! It really is a strong novel about different relationships, friendships between women, relationships between lovers, and the relationship between parents and their children. Schieber has a gift when it comes to portraying women’s friendships. The primary characters in this novel are long time friends Jane and Gwen, and Schieber does an amazing job in relaying the comfort that comes with having a friend who knows you and has been there through the good and bad. There is no judging, just unconditional love and support. Sometimes these relationships can come across as fake and unbelievable, but I felt that these characters, as well as the supporting characters, were real people dealing with real life situations.

We also get to spend some time with both Jane and Gwen in their pasts, so see how they came to be the women they are. Their relationships with their own parents, their relationships with their husbands and insight in to how they grew up are all introduced in order to give the reader a better understanding of their current decisions and reactions to what is going on around them.

Phyllis Schieber has written a beautiful novel about the importance and significance of female friendships. I highly recommend this novel!!

Please feel free to leave a comment!! Each comment on any of the blogs in the tour will offer a chance to win a free copy of Willing Spirits or The Sinner’s Guide to Confession. A couple of people who make a real impression on Phyllis during the tour will be chosen to win a free book.

To follow this tour, click here!!

About Phylis Schieber:

The first great irony of my life was that I was born in a Catholic hospital. My parents, survivors of the Holocaust, had settled in the South Bronx among other new immigrants. In the mid-fifties, my family moved to Washington Heights. The area offered scenic views of the Hudson River and the Palisades, as well as access to Fort Tryon Park and the mysteries of the Cloisters. I graduated from George Washington High School. I graduated from high school at sixteen, went on to Bronx Community College, transferred to and graduated from Herbert H. Lehman College with a B.A. in English and a New York State license to teach English. I earned my M.A. in Literature from New York University and later my M.S. as a developmental specialist from Yeshiva University. I have worked as a high school English teacher and as a learning disabilities specialist. My first novel , Strictly Personal, for young adults, was published by Fawcett-Juniper. Willing Spirits was published by William Morrow. My most recent novel, The Sinner’s Guide to Confession, was released by Berkley Putnam. In March 2009, Berkley Putnam will issue the first paperback publication of Willing Spirits.

Review: The Red Leather Diary

I am excited to tell you about The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages of a Lost Journal, by Lily Koppel. The book has such an interesting premise – a long lost diary, found when a young author for the New York Times happens upon a large stack of trunks that are being moved from the basement of the building she lives in. After rummaging through the trunks and finding a number of treasures, a red leather diary found it’s way into Lily Koppel’s hands. In a time of her own life where she is trying to find her way in the journalism world, this diary found her.

The diary once belonged to a young Jewish girl living in Manhattan from 1929 to 1934. Florence Wolfson was given the diary for her 14^th birthday, and didn’t miss a day until the diary ended 5 years later. She was an ambitious teenager who was moved by such thing as art, theater and books. She strives to reach her full potential in all of these things. She loved attending the theater, going to museums, and reading literature. “There’s so much to do — music, art, books, people,” Wolfson writes in her diary. “Can one absorb it all?”

Also, like most girls her age, Florence was very focused on her looks. She took great pride in her appearance, and the clothes that she wore (which were made by her mother, who owned a clothing shop). She was also a very adventurous and curious teenager, experimenting intimately with both boys and girls. It is interesting to hear about the different views on relationships from that era, and the views from someone who was so young and inquisitive during that time.

I enjoyed this book for a number of reasons. First, it gave me some insight into a life that I couldn't even dream of. Living in a Manhattan long past, living as a teenager in a big city in general (my hometown has around 400 people in it!), and living in a world where such experiences as going to the theater, hitting up museums, and getting other amazing opportunities are available. Also, Florence's experiences and desires make me want to find different opportunities for myself, to achieve my full potential, since that was what she always seemed to strive for.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be transported into the life of a teenage girl in the early 30's, life her life and have her adventures. If you are looking to achieve greatness or looking to live up to everything you can live up to, then you should read this book.

Thank you to Lily Koppel for finding me, allowing this book to find it's way into my hands. I appreciate the opportunity you have given me, and I am excited to strive for greatness!!

Additional Information:

To purchase this book from Amazon, click HERE.

Click HERE to visit the website of The Red Leather Diary.

Click HERE to visit Lily Koppel's website.

The Red Leather Diary book trailer:

Has it really been that long?!

So, I have just realized that it's been FOR-EVAH since I updated my blog! I feel like such a slacker - but life has been getting in the way. Too bad for me with no internet at home, it makes things a lot harder. I used to be such a good little blogger, but not so much anymore... Is anyone still out there?!

Things have been rough... I am still looking for a library job (seriously, if anyone knows anyone who needs a good librarian - I'm your girl!!!). Unfortunately, my hubby was the victim of company restructuring due to the economy, and lost his job last week. We are hanging in there, and are full of positive energy and good hopes and all that good stuff. Things will look up soon, I can feel it!!!

I do have some things on the horizon, though. I have a review to post about the book The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a life through the pages of a lost journal by Lily Koppel. I'll give you a preview: this was an entirely engaging story!! I can't wait to tell you all about it, because it truly rocked my face off!! I also have another book that I am currently working on for review - Do I Dare Disturb the Universe? From the projects to prep school by Charlise Lyles. So far, so good!!!

And now I'll leave you with a Dear Customer letter. This is a good one, I promise...

Dear Customer,

I am so happy you chose to return these items to our store. I am sorry that they didn't work out for you, and would be pleased to take them back. Next time you want to return something, however, I do have some advice for you.

Please don't put them in a bag, and then proceed to blow a carton's worth of cigarette smoke onto them. The stench from the clothes caused my eyes to water from 10 feet away. I understand the need to smoke, as I was a smoker for quite a number of years (quit 6 months ago - whoot whoooooot!!), but DAMNATION. If you and everything you touch smells like that, it's a wonder how you have any human contact at all. Even soaking them in Fabreeze didn't allow us to put them back out on the racks.

Thanks for your consideration.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Customer Service Specialist.

And the winners are...

I have to apologize for being a day late with the winners of my "The Laws of Harmony" contest!! This whole not having internet access at home is really annoying!! But, without further adieu...

Alyce
AmandaSue
MrsTrooper
The Giveaway Diva
Amanda K

I have sent you all an email to forward me your home addresses. I'll then pass them along to HarperCollins, and you should be getting your book in the mail soon!!!

Thanks to everyone who entered!! I was shocked to see 100 entries for this contest. I also want to say thanks for reading my blog - it's so amazing to know that y'all are out there and share my love for good books!!! WHOOOT WHOOOOOOOOT!!!!!

Winners chosen at random using Random.org Sequence Generator.

• 11
• 14
• 96
  
• 61
• 40
• Timestamp: 2009-02-11 16:59:04 UTC

Mind of a Genius - Promo 101 Virtual Blog Tour

Promo 101 Virtual Blog Tours has invited me to review an espionage thriller, The Mind of a Genius by David Snowdon! Here is some info about the book:

The Mind of a Genius by David Snowdon

(The Formula That Could Change The World)

Special Agent, Jason Clay from the MI4 is hired to find a secret formula that was invented by the famous British scientist, Malcolm Prince. The only weak element in Clay’s strategy to accomplish his mission is Laura Prince, the beautiful wife of the scientist, who Clay has to seduce in order to obtain the formula.

But the CIA, the Denmark Intelligence, the Australian Intelligence and many other very determined individuals are also after that formula, and can’t wait to get their hands on it. The competition is fierce, but who’s going to win?

The story develops as a travel through the world; with the action starting in London, then moving onto Copenhagen, Hong Kong and Australia.

Clay appears to be the right man for the job; extremely handsome and a natural charmer, nothing could be easier for him than seducing a beautiful woman in order to obtain a top secret.

For more information visit www.the-mind-of-a-genius.com

This book has an interesting premise - a scientist has figured out a formula that could change the world as we know it, but dies before he has a chance to release it to the public. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has heard that the formula exists, and wants to get their hands on it. This leads to robbery attempts, around the world travel, seduction and a cast of characters all trying anything they can to get this formula.

While I found the book to have a good idea, I felt that the author focused on some unusual elements. I found there to be a lot of description of things that wouldn't have made much difference to the story line (such as a complete description of the characters clothing, songs that were playing, and what characters ordered at restaurants). I also thought that some of the dialog between characters was a little off - not entirely believable in some places.

That being said, there were twists and turns that I wasn't expecting, and those were the things that kept me reading. I wanted to find out what the formula was (which isn't revealed until the end of the book), and I was spurred on by the twists to find out what happened next.

If you like espionage and spy type novels, then definitely give this one a try!!

About the book:

The Mind of a Genius by David Snowdon

Publisher: Pentergen Books

Pages: 288

S.R.P £6.99/ $13.56

Available from Waterstone’s, Blackwells, Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com and from the author at his website http://www.the-mind-of-a-genius.com/order.html

About David Snowdon -

British thriller writer, David Snowdon was born in London, and lives in London. He started writing in 1983, and wrote his first book, which hasn’t been published in 1984. His first published work, Too Young To die, was published in August 2006. And his second novel, The Mind of a Genius, was published in November 2007.

To learn more about David Snowdon and The Mind of a Genius, visit http://www.the-mind-of-a-genius.com and to learn more about his virtual tour in early 2009, http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/12/mind-of-genuis-by-david-snowdon.html

Post comments on any of the blog tour stops and be entered in a drawing for a copy of The Mind of a Genius.

Dear Customer...

So, if you used to read my blog when I used to actually work in a library, you might remember my "Dear Library Patron" posts. Well, I am not currently working in a library (anyone need a good librarian?!?!?!), but I AM still working in customer service. Which means I still get to deal with some...interesting...people. Here is my latest letter...

Dear customer,

Thank you for coming into the store in FULL ATTACK mode. I can see why you would need to charge up to the service desk with your receipt in hand and YELL at my very sweet coworker that you "spend a lot of money in our store" and DEMAND that she give you a price adjustment with a coupon that you just got in the mail, even though the coupon was not valid and not even circulating when you purchased your items.
First of all, you are a bitch.
My very sweet coworker gave you your price adjustment. But, there was no reason to come in here and be a bitch about it, you could have just asked her nicely. Just because you "spend a lot of money" in our store, doesn't give you the right to treat people like shit.
Oh, and if you come in here, guns blazing, with a big attitude, we're going to talk about you behind your back when you leave.

Thank you,
Your friendly neighborhood customer service specialist.

The Laws of Harmony - Review

I’m happy to tell you about a new book I just read. I was given an Advanced Readers Copy of The Laws of Harmony by Judith Ryan Hendricks, and seriously had problems putting it down!! I read it in a couple of sittings, but only because I had to go to work (damn job – haha, just kidding!).

From the book jacket:

In 1989 Sunny Cooper escaped to Albuquerque. Fourteen years later, she’s still there, struggling to make a living, to shore up her floundering relationship, and to forget her childhood on a commune, where a freak accident killed her younger sister, Mari.

Just when the “normal” life Sunny craves appears to be within reach, another accident – the sudden death of her fiancé, Michael, and revelations that their relationship was not what it seemed – will turn her world upside down. Once again Sunny escapes, this time to the town of Harmony on San Miguel Island. But a surprising discovery sparks an emotional encounter with her estranged mother and forces both women to reexamine the truth of their memories. Only by making peace with the past can Sunny finally step out of its shadow and into a new life.

I loved the concept of Sunny growing up on a commune. I think hippies are cool, and hearing some stories about life on a commune in the 80s was really interesting. But it turns out that commune life just wasn’t for her, and she longed for normalcy.

I really liked the way the book was written – in the present with some flashbacks to life on the commune, special moments between Michael and Sunny, and interactions with her maternal grandparents. Those flashbacks added so much to what was happening to Sunny in the present and helped the reader to understand her reactions, her attitudes towards the other characters and just her overall personality.

All the characters were believable, especially everyone on the small island of Harmony, where Sunny escapes to after the death of her fiancé. Sunny can’t seem to believe the kindness of all the locals, and is wary of it at first, but comes to realize that this is a place where she belongs.

There were also a couple of moments when my jaw totally dropped at what I was reading. There are some unexpected events that kept the story interesting and moving along at a nice pace.

I would definitely recommend checking out this book!!! The official release date is February 10, 2009!!!!!

But wait!!! HarperCollins has offered to give away 5 copies of this book!!! WHOOOT WHOOOOT!!! All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog!! No really, that’s it!! But PLEASE remember to leave a valid email address or an active blog link. I have to be able to get a hold of you if you win. All entries that do not leave an email address or active blog link will be deleted and not entered in the contest – sorry, but dems the rules! Open to US residents only, and no PO Box addresses, please. The last day to enter is Monday, February 9, and I'll post the winner on the official release date of Tuesday, February 10!!

Winners will be chosen randomly using Random.org Number Generator. Good luck to everyone!!!!!