Obsession with Reading

Lake Charles, by Ed Lynskey

2011-04-09T09:12:00.000-06:00

I was privileged to review Lake Charles in preparation for its upcoming release June 15.

With Lake Charles, Ed Lynskey spins a modern noir classic set in the backwoods of Tennessee. When Brendan Fishback's sister disappears while on vacation, Brendan and his brother-in-law, Cobb, start to search for her. Police fraud and corruption are just the start of their trouble - they have stumbled into a much bigger mystery . . . Vivid characters, deft plot twists, and edge-of-your-seat terror mark Lake Charles as one of those rare novels that will be read for generations to come.

Ed Lynskey's Lake Charles pulls you in and keeps you looking over your shoulder and around upcoming corners, so to speak, for the entire novel. Set in the 1970's in the woods, it takes you back to that time and straight into trouble along with Brendan. You won't be able to put it down 'til you know how it ends.

Pre-order it here.

March Reads

2011-03-28T21:27:00.000-06:00

For book group this month we read Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier. Although I found the book difficult to put down, I did not particularly care for it.

Then I finished The Shack. I pulled this one off the shelf at my parents' house over Christmas and kept it to finish it. It is an interesting look at our relationships with God.

Next I read Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. This is a cozy mystery novel that was a quick read. A fun and light mystery book. I enjoyed it very much and would like to explore more of Ms. Andrews' books.

The next book I read was one I absolutely couldn't put down. And I loved it. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I loved it. The story line is riveting and the subtext on government is also intriguing. I can't wait to read Catching Fire.

Meet Shelf Reliance

2011-03-09T21:13:00.002-07:00

I have been thinking for some time about various business opportunities or ways to employ my skills that would be both profitable and personally rewarding. I discovered Shelf Reliance through my parents and have decided to join them in this business venture. But it is so much more than that. It is a chance for me to share something useful with the people in my life and others.

Let's talk about food storage. It's been one of those things that I need to work on for awhile. I know that it is important. Especially in this economy, I need the security of knowing that I have enough food to feed my family past the end of the week. I've gathered some food storage here and there - some wheat and some beans, but I had no idea how much I would need or what I would do with it when it became necessary to use it.

Enter Shelf Reliance. Here is a company that has gone far beyond just making and selling food with a long shelf life. First, they sell only the highest quality food. Believe me, their food is delicious! Second, they take the guess work out of figuring out what to store. Using their THRIVE Planner you can create a custom food storage plan for your families specific needs. Once you know what you need to store and you decide how much of your monthly grocery budget you would like to allocate, you set up a Q. This is like the Netflix of THRIVE food. You take the food you want to buy, put it in your Q, specify your budget, and each month, Shelf Reliance sends you a shipment of food. It's that easy.

So now I've got my Q set up and I'm confident about my food storage. I know that in 6 months, I will have 3 months worth of food for my family. But even better than that, this food is delicious! And there are so many great choices of fruits and vegetables, that I can incorporate them into my every day cooking. That way, I can start to learn how to use my food storage. In addition, I don't have vegetables going bad in my fridge, I have a can of vegetables in my cupboard that have all the nutrition and flavor of fresh vegetables. Shelf Reliance also has a collection of recipes that can teach me how to use the food I have stored.

Now I have decided to really jump in and join the Shelf Reliance team as an independent consultant. By doing so, I get to share this great product with everyone. I also get the opportunity to earn additional income for my family. They have an excellent compensation plan and I even make back a percentage of everything I buy. So I figure, why not?

And now I ask you, why not? I invite you to take a look around the Shelf Reliance website and decide if you would like to join me in this great opportunity. If you'd like a chance to see and try the product, contact me about hosting a party. At the party we will have samples for you and your guests to experience for yourselves and you will have the opportunity to earn free and discounted products.

I invite everyone to take a minute to check out the planner and see what you need to store for your family. Go ahead and set up a Q and activate it when you are ready. As an incentive, during the month of March I am giving anyone who signs up for a Q of $150 or more a free THRIVE cookbook.

So what are you waiting for. At least check it out. And feel free to contact me with any questions. I'd love to help. That is why I am doing this, after all.

Giveaways

2011-03-05T10:35:00.001-07:00

Readaholic is hosting some giveaways. Check them out:

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

2011-02-25T15:28:00.001-07:00

I am amazed by Alan Brady. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, his debut novel, was written when he was 70 years old. Even more surprising is how well he tells the story through the eyes of a saucy little 11 year old girl. Here is a review from Amazon.com:

It's the beginning of a lazy summer in 1950 at the sleepy English village of Bishop's Lacey. Up at the great house of Buckshaw, aspiring chemist Flavia de Luce passes the time tinkering in the laboratory she's inherited from her deceased mother and an eccentric great uncle. When Flavia discovers a murdered stranger in the cucumber patch outside her bedroom window early one morning, she decides to leave aside her flasks and Bunsen burners to solve the crime herself, much to the chagrin of the local authorities. But who can blame her? What else does an eleven-year-old science prodigy have to do when left to her own devices? With her widowed father and two older sisters far too preoccupied with their own pursuits and passions—stamp collecting, adventure novels, and boys respectively—Flavia takes off on her trusty bicycle Gladys to catch a murderer. In Alan Bradley's critically acclaimed debut mystery, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, adult readers will be totally charmed by this fearless, funny, and unflappable kid sleuth. But don't be fooled: this carefully plotted detective novel (the first in a new series) features plenty of unexpected twists and turns and loads of tasty period detail. As the pages fly by, you'll be rooting for this curious combination of Harriet the Spy and Sherlock Holmes. Go ahead, take a bite. --Lauren Nemroff

I loved this book. I read a little slow for me compared to other mystery novels I have read, but I was very pleased with the characters and the plot. I definitely recommend it!

This is book 2 of 12 for the Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

2011-01-21T19:49:00.001-07:00

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie is a excellent read. I loved reading this novel. It kept me wondering and guessing and analyzing all the way through. I highly recommend it to everyone!

Check out this link for more info.

This book is 1 of 12 for my Mystery Reading Challenge.

Exit Music by Ian Rankin

2011-01-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

This was the first book by Ian Rankin that I read. I was very interested in checking out his books. It turns out that I was not disappointed. It was a good detective story. I found it quite interested to read a novel that took place in Scotland. It didn't draw me in quite as much as others I have read, but overall I liked it.

Click here to find out more about it.

The Total Money Makeover

2011-01-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

I recently finished reading "The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey. It is a book that teaches how to change how you look at money and finances in order to eliminate debt and create wealth. It was an easy read with read down to earth advice. I loved it! I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Buy it here.

One More Reading Challenge

2010-12-23T19:24:00.000-07:00

So many of the reading challenges out there look great, but I need to be more realistic this year. That said, I have decided to participate in one more challenge.

The "Off the Shelf" challenge involves reading books from my own shelves that I have been meaning to read. This is something I should challenge myself to do so I thought it would be great to participate. I will start off at the "tempted" level which is 5 books over the course of the year. That will be a good start but I hope to do twice that.

Review: Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

2010-12-10T20:06:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of next year's mystery reading challenge, I decided to post a short review of my latest mystery read. I recently finished Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot's Christmas for a book group that I participate it. First let me say that I have been a long time fan of Agatha Christie and her characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. That said, I had not read this particular novel yet as she wrote many.

I loved this read. It had all the classic markers of this beloved author. The characters were vivid, the plot was masterfully laid out, and the clues were trickled throughout the novel. When you reach the end, you are pleasantly surprised. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone and everyone.

Mystery Reading Challenge 2011

2010-12-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I failed miserably in my reading challenge for last year. That hasn't deterred me from joining a challenge this year. This year I have chosen a challenge that is more reasonable and in line with my reading preferences.

Mystery books are my first love. And since I am also part of a book group reading a mystery book each month, I think I will easily complete this reading challenge. I'm pretty excited about it!

Blog Tour: Vampyre Blood by George Earl Parker

2010-04-15T19:04:00.001-06:00

First off, I want to apologize for posting this late. It was meant to post this morning, but I clearly didn't get that right.

That said, I want to welcome George Earl Parker's book tour to my site and thank him for the opportunity to review Vampyre Blood: Eight Pints of Trouble. Here's a synopsis:

When young New Orleans lawyer Bradley Harrington Chester the third lies dying in the street after being hit by a speeding car, it seems that his life is over. But as his spirit drifts away toward a distant light he is approached by an exotic fellow who claims to be both the Count Dracula of legend, and a violin player for The Techno Zombies, a Goth rock band on a world tour.

The Count explains that with the aid of a wizard he has abandoned his dark legacy, and now finds himself in need of a legal representative. So he offers Brad a deal, he can shuffle off into the light wherever it may lead, or he can become his lawyer, and be revived by a transfusion of Vampyre Blood.

The very last thing the young lawyer remembers before dying was his wife asking for a divorce, and prior to that he remembered being handed the prosecution of a mafia kingpin on his first day at the district attorney’s office. He wondered why the DA was so friendly to him, and so nasty to his star attorney Richard Bleddon, and he wondered why Bleddon had arranged a champagne supper at a fancy restaurant for him and his wife. After which, a speedy midget had snatched his wife’s purse and led him out into the street to die.

Becoming impatient the Count presses for an answer to his offer, and after being assured that he won’t become a Vampyre himself Brad accepts, hoping to go back and make sense of the madness that brought him to the brink of death. Populated by loveable rogues, scheming lawyers, and thieving gypsies, Vampyre Blood—Eight Pints Of Trouble, is an insane romp through the human desire to get what you want at any cost, and the strange places that desire can lead to.

Does it sound kind of "out there"? Well, it is. It's got a very interesting plot will all sorts of different characters juxtaposed for the readers' pleasure. Parker skillfully develops the characters to the point that it is possible to "know" them. This book is a wild and crazy ride that I do recommend to anyone interested in the ride.

Blog Tour: Moonlight Falls by Vincent Zandri

2010-03-26T09:11:00.001-06:00

Today we are hosting Vincent Zandri with his book Moonlight Falls.

In MOONLIGHT FALLS, novelist and photo journalist Vincent Zandri asks the question "If you knew your life could end at any moment, how far would you go to prove you murdered your lover? " Albany, New York, is the setting of Zandri's paranoid thriller (in the Hitchcock tradition) about Richard "Dick" Moonlight, former APD detective turned private investigator/massage therapist, who believes he killed Scarlet Montana - his illicit lover and wife of his ex-boss, Chief of Detectives Jake Montana. The problem is ... Moonlight doesn't remember what happened!

Does that sound complicated and yet intriguing to you? That is what I thought. Moonlight Falls starts with an ex-detective with a complex and not fully explained back-story involving an attempted suicide, an ex-wife, an illicit relationship, and a difficult relationship with the Albany Police Department. This story gradually unfolds as Moonlight tries to discover what happened to Scarlet. Moonlight's complicated past complicates his present, making it hard for him to discover the truth.

This book instantly grabs your attention and has you turning the pages to try to gather and put together the pieces of Moonlight's past and present. The story keeps the reader guessing. Vincent Zandri is a craftsman and has created a true piece of art with Moonlight Falls. I recommend it to all my readers.

Buy it here.

Chunky Bling

2010-03-24T08:38:00.000-06:00

Hi friends! Check out my other blog for a great discount on some fabulous bling.

Here's a quick summary: Go here and use coupon code SARITA15 for 15% off of everything through March 31. Enjoy!

Blog Tour: The Big Picture by Kevin Coupe and Michael Sansolo

2010-03-23T09:22:00.002-06:00

Reading The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons from the Movies by Kevin Coupe and Michael Sansolo has been both enlightening and entertaining – two wonderful, and perhaps scarce, traits for a book about business. A little background on the book courtesy of the back cover:

The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons from the Movies shows you how the stories in movies can inspire solutions in your business life. From brand marketing to ethic, leadership to customer focus, planning to rule breaking, everything you need to know about business is found in your favorite Movies.

Want to know about brand marketing? Believe it or not, American Gangster and Sex and the City have some can’t-miss information. Planning a big event? Take a look at Hoosiers. Concerned about ethics? Then The Bridge on the River Kwai is your movie.

Authors Kevin Coupe and Michael Sansolo have distilled lessons for your business and career from over 60 movies. After reading The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons from the Movies, you’ll never look at movies, or business, in the same way again.

Who knew there was so much to learn about business in the movies? Kevin Coupe and Michael Sansolo have found many important business lessons and thoughtfully drawn them out of the movies to share them clearly and concisely with their readers. Because of the way the book is written and organized, it is an easy read. Each chapter covers one or more movies that show one business lesson. The relevant details of the movie are summarized (so that those who haven’t seen to movie can still follow) and the lesson is expounded. The chapters are pretty short so it would be easy to read this book a little at a time for those business people out there who do not have the time to read entire books in one sitting. All said, this book is an excellent resource for businesses and employees alike. The lessons are applicable to most people in some facet of their lives. And the lessons are put forth in a well-thought-out manner that makes the book accessible for all readers. I highly recommend The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons from the Movies.

Buy it here.

Blog Awards:

2010-03-20T21:11:00.000-06:00

I have graciously been given my first two blog awards!

Stacy at A Novel Source has awarded this blog the One Lovely Blog Award. Thank you, Stacy!

I would like to pass this award on to:

http://guidetosurvivingmotherhood.blogspot.com/
http://www.lolidots.com/
http://theohanamama.com/
http://thearmywife.com/
http://justbefun.blogspot.com/
http://lovethatmax.blogspot.com/
http://thegiftcloset.blogspot.com/
http://sewdangcute.blogspot.com/
http://www.msslaydbug.com/
http://jesslorraine.blogspot.com/

Here are the rules for this award:

1. Put this on your blog, whether as an entirely new post like I'm doing, or on your sidebar.

2. Choose 15 other newly discovered bloggers that you love, and award them with this.

3. Send them a message/comment to let them know.

OutnumberedMama at Busy Moms Who Love to Read awarded my blog the Stiletto Award.

I would like to pass this award on to:

http://boisebargainbabes.blogspot.com/
http://www.feistyfrugalandfabulous.com/
http://mormonmommyblogs.blogspot.com/
http://nwcouponlady.blogspot.com/
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/

THE RULES!

This blog award is meant to be shared, to be given out, to be bestowed upon any and ALL women who exemplify what the stiletto represents. If you’ve received this award, here’s what you do:

1. Display your Stiletto Badge of Honor on your sidebar!

2. BRAG ABOUT IT! - http://bit.ly/thestilettoaward

3. SAY THANKS! - include a link to the friend who nominated you for the award.

4. SHARE THE LOVE! -nominate 5-10 blogs that you feel deserve the award. Include links to them in your post -and- leave them a comment to let them know they are nominated.

5. DO WHAT YOU DO! -keep at it. Keep inspiring and encouraging and sharing your life! We love it and we thank you!!!

Review: Murder in Baker Company by Cilla McCain

2010-03-17T06:00:00.055-06:00

Today I am hosting Cilla McCain on my blog. I received a copy of her new book Murder in Baker Company: How Four American Soldiers Killed One of Their Own. This book is the sobering story of the murder of a soldier shortly upon his return from his honorable service. It presents the events and circumstances leading up to the murder and presents information implicating those who may be indirectly responsible for the horrible death of this soldier.

I struggled with the decision of whether or not to read and review this book as my husband is in the Army and we are a very patriotic family. We have been introduced to some problems with regard to the way things are sometimes done in the Army, but remain loyal to our Country and her Armed Forces. That is not to say that we would close our eyes to the problems that exist, but that we choose to be positive about righting things.

That said, I obviously decided to read and review Cilla McCain's book. I will admit that I read taking everything with a grain of salt. Because of this, I was very appreciative of Cilla's presentation of the evidence from many perspectives. This book was clearly well researched and the story is presented from each participants' individual points-of-view. Therefore, for the most part, I felt that I was not being presented the author's interpretation of the facts and testimonies, but the direct histories.

That said, the book clearly presented an agenda. As I finished the book, I understood that the primary purpose of the book was to bring to light the details and facts left out of the trial as well as articles and movies written on the murder. Both the author, as well as the soldier's father, seem to hold the Army itself and their protocols and rhetoric at least partially responsible for the murder. They seem to believe there is a conspiracy or cover-up involved. I remain unsure, but I do agree that the information presented in this book is the kind of information that people should be able to have access to thereby allowing them to come to their own conclusions. It is a weighty subject, but a worthwhile read to those interested in learning more about our soldiers and some of the worst horrors they may face.

Spotlight: Murder in Baker Company by Cilla McCain

2010-03-16T18:17:00.003-06:00

About the Book

Murder in Baker Company begins as a journey to uncover the truth about what happened to Army Specialist Richard Davis. By using court transcripts, personal interviews, and police records, Cilla McCain unfolds the events of the case and soon reveals a disturbing, eye-opening look into today’s military that goes beyond the Davis case and that affects all troops and their families.

Soldiers are handed antipsychotic drugs and sent into battle. Treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder is stigmatized. Gang members carry their affiliation from the streets to the barracks. And many of our soldiers are forced to face down two separate enemies, one in the same uniform they wear. By the end of the book the reader will learn the devastating truth about the injustice and disrespect our military families are forced to endure when their soldier dies a non-combat death.

About Cilla McCain

Cilla McCain works within all genres of the literary field with a focus on the injustices of society.

You can visit her website at CillaMcCain.com

Blog Tour: Walking on Broken Glass by Christa Allan

2010-03-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

Today I have the tremendous privilege to host Christa Allan on my blog. Her debut novel, Walking on Broken Glass is the story of a southern socialite, Leah, who, with the help of her best friend, realizes that she is an alcoholic. Leah admits her self into a rehab program, but that is only the beginning of the story.

Leah's story is the kind that grabs you by the heart and pulls you in. The descriptive language allows you to understand and even feel what Leah felt throughout her journey. I felt fear, anger, hostility, confusion, and later understanding through Leah. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to take a journey of self-realization through the eyes of Leah.

You can buy Walking on Broken Glass by Christa Allan here or wherever book are sold. Enjoy!

Blog Tour: James Hayman's The Cutting

2010-03-05T08:11:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to be able to host James Hayman today on his blog tour. I have loved reading The Cutting and am anxious to share it with you.

Someone is Stealing the Hearts of Beautiful Young Women.

NYPD homicide detective Mike McCabe left New York for Maine to escape his own dark past and to find a refuge from the violence of the big city for himself and his teenaged daughter, but on the fog-shrouded, cobblestone streets of Portland he finds far more than he bargained for.

On a warm September evening the mutilated body of Katie Dubois, a pretty high school soccer star, turns up, dumped in a Portland scrap yard. Her heart has been neatly and expertly cut from her body. The same day Lucinda Cassidy, a young Portland business-woman and competitive runner, disappears during her morning jog.

Soon other bodies turn up. All young, all blond, all athletes. Very quickly McCabe discovers he’s on the trail of no ordinary killer. Rather his prey is a brilliant, psychopathic surgeon who kills in a bizarre way to satisfy his own strange and frightening desires.

McCabe knows he has to move fast. He has less than one week to find the killer before Cassidy dies and Casey, McCabe’s own daughter is threatened.

He also knows the clock is ticking.

James Hayman's The Cutting may well be one of my favorite books ever read. This is in part due to my favor of the genre, but largely a result of the skillful delivery of such a well-crafted story. The book draws you in from the first pages and doesn't allow you to escape. Even on the occasions I was able to put the book down, the story continued to run through my mind until resolution was found on the last pages of the novel. There is enough of a story to draw you in and keep you going, but not so much that you get lost in the details. The plot itself is an amazing creation. I urge all readers to take the opportunity to read The Cutting. It will capture you and draw you in.

Buy it here at Amazon.com.

Winners of Corked

2010-03-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

With no further ado, here are the winners of Corked selected by random.org (I selected 2 additonal winners because I got 3 copies in the mail):

Nola

Elizabeth

Misusedinnocence

Alison

OutnumberedMama

I'll be sending out an email shortly. Please reply within 48 hours to claim your prize.

Thanks to everyone for participating!

Storywings 49 Follower Contest

2010-02-22T16:39:00.000-07:00

Storywings is having a 49 follower book giveaway. There are lots of chances to win so head on over and check it out.

Winners of A Good Talk

2010-02-22T16:33:00.000-07:00

Random.org selected Nola and Merrie L. as my winners for the A Good Talk giveaway. Congratulations! I have contacted the winners by email. Please respond within 48 hours to claim your prize.

Thanks to all who participated. Another chance to win is ending next Monday. Click here to check it out.

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

2010-02-16T08:07:00.005-07:00

In stores on March 16th!

Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like you best friend's boyfriend.

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...

New Winner of The Crazy School

2010-02-11T12:17:00.002-07:00

I only got 2 email responses from the selected winners of The Crazy School giveaway, so I've selected a new 3rd winner: Secret Life of a WAHM.

Congratulations!

Giveaway: Corked by Kathryn Borel

2010-02-09T19:18:00.001-07:00

Another great giveaway coming right up!

Anna, at Hachette Book Group is letting me give away three copies of Corked by Kathryn Borel. I'll post my review when I post the winners on March 1.

Summary courtesy of Hachette Book Group:

Meet Kathryn Borel, bon vivant and undutiful daughter. Now meet her father, Philippe, former chef, eccentric genius, and wine aficionado extraordinaire. Kathryn is like her father in every way but one: she's totally ignorant when it comes to wine. And although Philippe has devoted untold parenting hours to delivering impassioned oenological orations, she has managed to remain unenlightened. But after an accident and a death, Kathryn realizes that by shutting herself off to her father's greatest passion, she will never really know him.

To enter the giveaway you must become a follower by clicking the "Follow" button in the sidebar. Then leave a comment including your email address so I can contact you if you win.

You can get up to six (6) additional entries. Please leave a comment for each entry (so if you get all (7) entries, you will have (7) comments).

Blog about this giveaway including a link to this blog. Please leave (2) comments with a link to your blog post for two (2) extra entries.
Mention this giveaway on Facebook and include a link to this blog. Please leave (1) comment telling me you have done this for one (1) extra entry.
Tweet about this giveaway and include a link to this blog. Please leave (1) comment with a link to your tweet for one (1) extra entry.
Follow me on Twitter @chickitasarita and leave (1) comment with your Twitter ID for (1) extra entry.
Follow my blog http://mamasjob.blogspot.com/ and leave (1) comment telling me you are for (1) extra entry.

Rules:

Giveaway restricted to US.
Book cannot be shipped to a P.O. Box.

Giveaway ends March 1, 2010 at 7:00 am MST. Winner will be contacted by email and announced on this blog.

Review: A Question of Motive by Roderic Jeffries

2010-02-09T19:05:00.002-07:00

Summary courtesy of Blackwell at http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk:

This is the new Inspector Alvarez mystery. The Mallorcan police receive an anonymous call to say a body has been found at the foot of a steep wall of rock. Hoping it is an accident rather than a crime, Alvarez makes cursory enquiries only to find that the medical evidence reveals this could be a murder case. Evidence of motive is the key to deciding whether the rich Englishman has died from suicide, accident or murder. Between a comforting drink and a quiet siesta, Alvarez uncovers several possible motives seeming to draw in just about every other English person on the Island - but one he refuses to countenance is that Mary, the dead man's niece, to whom he was becoming uncomfortably close, could have been guilty. Superior Chief Salas had no such qualms in naming her the prime suspect, however, on learning that Mary was to inherit a fortune from her uncle. And Salas' intolerance, indeed suspicion, of Alvarez and his methods is only too well known...

It is largely a matter of taste, but my reaction to this book is strong dislike. Instead of finding the interchanges between Alvarez and Salas humorous, I found them distracting and annoying. The story did not flow well. However, I did find myself drawn to finish it. That’s the best thing about a mystery, I suppose. Despite that, I do not recommend spending time on this read. It wasn’t awful, but there are surely a lot of better mystery novels.

Review: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

2010-02-09T18:21:00.002-07:00

In his novel, The Last Song, Nicholas Sparks has created a likeable, although rebellious character in Ronnie. Ronnie has had difficulties in her past – some brought on by her own choices, and some by the choices of others. She gives her mom nothing but trouble. When told she will spend the summer with her dad, she is angry and does all she can to get out of it. Her mother persists and Ronnie is forced to spend the summer after her senior year of high school with her father. The summer, however, turns out to be anything but what she expected. Her experiences and choices allow her to make some startling realizations about herself and her family.

The only thing I didn’t like about The Last Song was its predictability. However, that was easily forgivable and even easily overlooked when viewing all of the wonderful attributes of this novel. Nicholas Sparks has a talent for letting the reader really know and understand the characters and the things that are important to them. Each chapter brings new insight into the people and events of the story. Indeed, I found The Last Song extremely difficult to put down as I easily became wound up in the story. From the first pages to the very last pages I was intensely interested in the story that was unfolding and what it meant about the world described in the book, as well as the world in which I live. I highly recommend reading The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I do warn you that it will take over your life until you finally finish it.

Giveaway: A Good Talk by Daniel Menaker

2010-02-08T13:52:00.002-07:00

And now for a new giveaway!

Anna, at Hachette Book Group, is letting me do a giveaway along with my review of A Good Talk by Daniel Menaker. I'll post the review when I announce the winners on February 22, 2010.

Here's the summary courtesy of Hachette Book Group:

A GOOD TALK is an analysis of and guide to that most exclusively human of all activities-- conversation.

Drawing on over forty years of experience in American letters, Menaker pinpoints the factors that drive and enliven every good conversation: the vagaries (and joys) of subtext; the deeper structure and meaning of conversational flow; the subliminal signals that guide our disclosures and confessions; and the countless other hurdles we must clear along the way. Moving beyond self-help musings and "how to" advice, he has created a stylish, funny, and surprising book: a celebration of "the most excusively human of all activities."

In a time when conversation remains deeply important-- for building relationships, for relaxing, even for figuring out who we are-- and also increasingly imperiled (with Blackberries and texting increasingly in vogue), A GOOD TALK is a refreshing celebration of the subtle adventures of a good conversation.

To enter the giveaway you must become a follower by clicking the "Follow" button in the sidebar. Then leave a comment including your email address so I can contact you if you win.

You can get up to six (6) additional entries. Please leave a comment for each entry (so if you get all (7) entries, you will have (7) comments).

Blog about this giveaway including a link to this blog. Please leave (2) comments with a link to your blog post for two (2) extra entries.
Mention this giveaway on Facebook and include a link to this blog. Please leave (1) comment telling me you have done this for one (1) extra entry.
Tweet about this giveaway and include a link to this blog. Please leave (1) comment with a link to your tweet for one (1) extra entry.
Follow me on Twitter @chickitasarita and leave (1) comment with your Twitter ID for (1) extra entry.
Follow my blog http://mamasjob.blogspot.com/ and leave (1) comment telling me you are for (1) extra entry.

Rules:

Giveaway restricted to US and Canada.
Book cannot be shipped to a P.O. Box.

Giveaway ends February 22, 2010 at 7:00 am MST. Winner will be contacted by email and announced on this blog.

Update

2010-02-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Friends and followers and others that may randomly stumble upon my blog,

I have been slacking in my duties as book blogger extraordinaire. I haven't done an update post on what I'm reading or will be reading in some time. Suffice it to say, I have finished few books in the last couple of weeks. However, I have received several books for review. I'm anxious to get started on them.

I will be travelling over the next weeks, but I hope to still be able to post and keep my loyal readers aprised of my book finds. Meanwhile, I have two new reviews that will be posted today! I'm very excited to post my reaction to Nicholas Sparks' The Last Song and equally anxious to comment on my experience reading A Question of Motive by Roderic Jeffries. Look for those reviews and others coming soon!

Thank you all for your patience as I work on developing my blogginess.

Winners of The Crazy School

2010-02-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

Random.org chose Jenn Hansen, Beachbrights, and Deb K as the winners of this contest. I will be emailing the winners shortly and will ask for a reply within 48 hours or I will select another winner.

Check back for future contests.

Win Worst Case by James Patterson

2010-02-03T20:59:00.000-07:00

Bridget at Readaholic is giving away 5 copies of James Patterson's Worst Case. Check it out here.

Winners of The Last Song

2010-02-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

February 1st has arrived and I have selected winners via random.org for The Last Song giveaway. Congratulations to the winners - Marjorie, Elizabeth, and Sarah E! I have contacted you by email. Please respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.

Thanks to everyone for participating! Please continue to participate on my blog. We'll look forward to other fun giveaways.

Birthday Box of Books Giveaway

2010-01-27T20:39:00.002-07:00

Friends I have found a wonderful giveaway. Check it out here.

Online Book Club

2010-01-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

I'd like to propose a book club for any of my followers who are interested. We will pick a book each month and discuss it here. Anybody interested? Any suggestions of books we would like to start with?

Win Some Chicken Soup

2010-01-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

Shauna is giving away 3 copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul True Love at her blog Book Giveaways. Enter to win!

Review: Spring Bear by Betsy Connor Bowen

2010-01-20T17:34:00.001-07:00

Betsy Connor Bowen skillfully grabs the readers’ interest right from the first pages of her Spring Bear: A Novella. This book brings you to Soper’s Mill, Maine a place that is small-town-America. Here, the people are unassuming and life is simple, and yet still complicated. Raw humanity is revealed as the life of Evvie Marrow unfolds. I highly recommend reading Spring Bear and discovering something about your own humanity.

YA Mega Giveaway

2010-01-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

Friends! Check out this huge YA giveaway here.

Enter to Win an Amazon Giftcard

2010-01-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

Here's another chance to win that I recommend!

Weekly Reading Summary

2010-01-17T20:27:00.003-07:00

Reviewed
The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
To Be Reviewed
10 Secrets Wise Parents Know by Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
Finished
Fed Up by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant
Library Books Checked out
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
A Question of Motive by Roderic Jeffries
Murder on Waverly Place by Victoria Thompson

Win a Sony Reader Pocket Edition

2010-01-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

Check out this link to enter to win a Sony Reader Pocket Edition.

Giveaway: The Crazy School by Cornelia Read

2010-01-16T18:06:00.004-07:00

Hachette Book Group is allowing me to do another giveaway! This time I can give away three (3) copies of The Crazy School by Cornelia Read.

Online Book Extras:

Reading Group Guide

"From the acclaimed author of A FIELD OF DARKNESS comes another compelling novel featuring the acerbic and memorable voice of ex-debutante Madeline Dare. Madeline Dare has finally escaped rust-belt Syracuse, New York, for the lush BerkshireMountains in Massachusetts. After her husband's job offer falls through, Maddie signs on as a teacher at the SantangeloAcademy, a boarding school for disturbed teenagers. Behind the academy's ornate gates, she discovers a disturbing realm where students and teachers alike must submit to the founder's bizarre therapeutic regimen."

This looks like a great book. Again, I can't wait to get my hands on it and do a review!

To enter the giveaway you must become a follower by clicking the "Follow" button in the sidebar. Then leave a comment telling me you'd like to win. Please include your email address so I can contact you if you win.

You can get up to six (6) additional entries by doing any of the following:

Blog about this giveaway including a link to this blog. Please leave a comment with a link to your blog post for two (2) extra entries.
Mention this giveaway on Facebook and include a link to this blog. Please leave a comment telling me you have done this for one (1) extra entry.
Tweet about this giveaway and include a link to this blog. Please leave a comment with a link to your tweet for one (1) extra entry.
Follow me on Twitter @chickitasarita and leave a comment with your Twitter ID for (1) extra entry.
Follow my blog http://mamasjob.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment telling me are for (1) extra entry.

Rules:

Giveaway restricted to US and Canada.
Book cannot be shipped to a P.O. Box.

Giveaway ends February 8, 2009 at 7:00 am MST. Winner will be contacted by email and announced on this blog.

Giveaway: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

2010-01-15T14:45:00.002-07:00

I am very excited to do my first giveaway courtesy of Hachette Book Group. So with no further ado, here is The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks.

Online Book Extras:

· Reading Group Guide

Valerie at Hachette Book Group is allowing me to give away three (3) copies of this book! It looks like a good one. I can't wait to get my copy and post a review.

To enter the giveaway you must become a follower by clicking the "Follow" button in the sidebar. Then leave a comment telling me you'd like to win. Please include your email address so I can contact you if you win.

You can get up to six (6) additional entries by doing any of the following:

Blog about this giveaway including a link to this blog. Please leave a comment with a link to your blog post for two (2) extra entries.
Mention this giveaway on Facebook and include a link to this blog. Please leave a comment telling me you have done this for one (1) extra entry.
Tweet about this giveaway and include a link to this blog. Please leave a comment with a link to your tweet for one (1) extra entry.
Follow me on Twitter @chickitasarita and leave a comment with your Twitter ID for (1) extra entry.
Follow my blog http://mamasjob.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment telling me are for (1) extra entry.

Rules:

Giveaway restricted to US and Canada.
Book cannot be shipped to a P.O. Box.

Giveaway ends February 1, 2009 at 7:00 am MST. Winner will be contacted by email and announced on this blog.

Review: The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

2010-01-14T14:34:00.010-07:00

In a world of local, national, and international economic challenge, one longs for simple yet effective strategies to gain financial security. Is it naïve to think that these strategies could have been recorded by an author nearly a century ago? Would it be even more ludicrous to learn that such strategies are based on those used thousands of years ago? And yet George S. Clason did capture some of the most basic and yet most successful tools for achieving financial security and even acquiring wealth in his book The Richest Man in Babylon.

In this book, we meet Bansir, a chariot builder in Babylon. He has worked hard all his life to earn the necessities of life. One night he dreams he is rich and has all of the finer things in Babylon. Upon awaking, he is saddened to find that his purse is empty and he has nothing. He wonders why, after all his hard work, he doesn’t have any gold in his purse. Upon discussing it with a friend, they decide to inquire of Arkad, the richest man in Babylon. Arkad was once a poor man of equal standing with Bansir and indeed his peer. He was able, however, to discover the secrets for acquiring wealth. He shares freely of these secrets throughout the book.

The Richest Man in Babylon also introduces other characters from the prosperous city of Babylon. From each one, we are able to learn more of the keys to obtaining financial freedom and growing wealth. Although the principles may seem overly simplistic, they are shown to work time and again for various characters in the book.

The insight I gained from reading this book was indeed valuable and very applicable even in these complex economic times. I highly recommend reading this book and espouse the concepts taught therein. Financial security is possible and can be obtained by adhering to the basic ideas I learned from reading The Richest Man in Babylon.

The 8th Confession by James Patterson

2010-01-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

Win The 8th Confession by James Patterson here!

9 Dragons by Michael Connelly

2010-01-13T07:48:00.002-07:00

This looks like my kind of book! You can enter for a chance to win it here.

Chances to Win!

2010-01-11T20:52:00.002-07:00

My blog is still too new to be honored to host a giveaway. I would like to clue you in on some other great giveaways going on.

The Writer's Life is giving away A Man and His Maniac: The Bunkie Story by Charles Franklin Emery III.

Coffee for the Brain is giving away Nightlight: A Parody.

Shawn's Sharing is giving away Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family.

Book Reviews by Buuklvr81 is giving away Exit Music by Ian Rankin.

So Many Precious Books, So Little Time is giving away Roses by Leila Meacham.

Brizmus Blogs Books is giving away The One Day Way by Chantel Hobbs.

Reading Challenge

2010-01-10T09:29:00.004-07:00

I am new to book blogging and am noticing many other bloggers creating and/or participating in 2010 reading challenges. I invite you to explore them and choose one to participate in. I myself will be participating in the 100+ Reading Challenge on J. Kaye's Book Blog.

And with no further ado, here is my progress so far:

1. The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason (1/2010) *****
2. Fed Up by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant (1/2010) ***
3. The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge (1/2010) ***
4. Spring Bear by Betsy Connor Bowen (1/20/2010) ****
5. A Question of Motive by Roderic Jeffries (2/5/2010) **
6. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (2/7/2070) *****
7.

Weekly Reading Summary

2010-01-10T09:14:00.001-07:00

Finished

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

10 Secrets Wise Parents Know by Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick

Both were excellent and I recommend them. I will post reviews in this coming week.

Started

Fed Up by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant

Scream Free Parenting by Hal Edward Runkel

Library Books Checked out

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

A Question of Motive by Roderic Jeffries

Murder on Waverly Place by Victoria Thompson

My library trip was fun. My son and I attended the baby story time and I found some new books to explore. Let's see how we like them!

My New Blog

2010-01-03T22:31:00.001-07:00

I created this blog for the purpose of writing about my reading obsession. I'll post reviews of books I read, links to other interesting items, and anything else that fits the general context of this blog.