Cross Country

Cross Country by James Patterson (ARC) ~~

When the home of Alex Cross's oldest friend, Ellie Cox, is turned into the worst murder scene Alex has ever seen, the destruction leads him to believe that he's chasing a horrible new breed of killer. As Alex and his girlfriend, Brianna Stone, become entangled in the deadly Nigerian underworld of Washington D.C., what they discover is shocking: a stunningly organized gang of lethal teenagers headed by a powerful, diabolical man--the African warlord known as the Tiger. Just when the detectives think they're closing in on the elusive murderer, the Tiger disappears into thin air. Tracking him to Africa, Alex knows that he must follow. Alone.

From the author Time magazine has called "the man who can't miss," CROSS COUNTRY is the most heart-stopping, speed-charged, electrifying Alex Cross thriller yet. (From Amazon).

Book Giveaway - Any Given Doomsday - ARC!

It's time for my next giveaway. This time it will be an ARC of Any Given Doomsday (The Phoenix Chronicles) by Lori Handeland

Elizabeth Phoenix once used her unique skills as a psychic to help in the Milwaukee Police Department’s fight against injustice. But when Liz’s foster mother is found viciously murdered—and Liz is discovered unconscious at the scene—her only memory of the crime comes in the form of terrifying dreams...of creatures more horrific than anything Liz has seen in real life. What do these visions mean? And what in the world do they have to do with her former lover, Jimmy Sanducci?
While the police question Jimmy in the murder, Jimmy opens Liz’s eyes to a supernatural war that has raged since the dawn of time in which innocent people are hunted by malevolent beings disguised as humans. Only a chosen few have the ability to fight their evil, and Jimmy believes Liz is among them. Now, with her senses heightened, new feelings are rising within Liz—ones that re-ignite her dangerous attraction to Jimmy. But Jimmy has a secret that will rock Liz to her core…and put the survival of the human race in peril.

Now on to the RULES ~~~

1. Open to residents of the US only
2. Post a comment here. You MUST LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR ACTIVE BLOG ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT. Any comment that DOES NOT INCLUDE this information WILL BE DELETED. I hav to have a way to contact you if you win!!!!
3. If you blog this contest and leave a link in your comment so I can check it out, you will receive an extra entry to the contest.

Sign ups open until October 6th. The winner will be announced on October 7th.

Conspiracy of Silence

Conspiracy of Silence by Martha Powers (ARC) ~~

On a sunny day in July, Clare Prentice arrives in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Although she is on assignment to interview the town's notoriously reclusive novelist Nate Hanssen, Clare is really in search of a different story-her story.Just months before, Clare was a bride-to-be, living in Chicago, and looking to the future.until the day she learned her entire life had been a lie.Not only was Clare adopted, but there is no record that she or her adoptive mother ever existed. The only clue is a class ring from Grand Rapids Senior High School. Unable to get on with her future until she reconciles her past, Clare breaks off her engagement.Unraveling the mystery is like trying to sculpt fog-until the first piece of the puzzle unexpectedly drops into place: Clare's birth mother, Lily Gundersen, was murdered in Grand Rapids.Lily's murder was one of the most talked-about events in the town's history, but no one is talking now. Clare doesn't know the whole story - and someone intends to keep it that way.

Thread of Fear

Thread of Fear by Laura Griffin ~~

Forensic artist Fiona Glass is the best in the business -- which is precisely why she's quitting. Her skill at mining victims' memories to re-create the faces of sadistic criminals has left her haunted and wary, and only Jack Bowman's dogged persistence convinces her to help him. The rugged police chief is hunting a serial killer who's targeting teenage girls. But what seems like a simple assignment is fraught with complications, including a searing attraction to Jack that's tempting Fiona to let her guard down in potentially dangerous ways.

Jack never intended for Fiona to become so deeply involved in the case -- or in his life. But every instinct tells him she's his best hope for finding a psychopath who's lurking in plain sight, growing more ruthless with each passing day. And now that Fiona is right in the killer's crosshairs, the only way to keep her safe is to unravel a small town's darkest secrets, one terrifying thread at a time....

Written In Blood

Written In Blood: A Forensic Handwriting Mystery (Forensic Handwriting Mysteries) by Sheila Lowe ~~

The widow of a rich, older man, Paige Sorensen is younger than—and hated by—her stepchildren. And they’re dead set on proving that she forged their father’s signature on his will, which left his entire estate, including the Sorensen Academy for Girls, to her. Claudia admits she’s intrigued by this real-life soap opera, and breaks her first rule: never get personally involved. But she’s grown attached to a troubled Sorensen student—and when disaster strikes, she’ll realize that reading between the lines can mean the difference between life and death… (From Amazon)

Asking for Murder

Asking For Murder (Advice Column Mysteries) by Roberta Isleib ~~

When advice columnist Dr. Rebecca Butterman’s friend and fellow therapist Annabelle Hart is found badly beaten and left for dead, Rebecca is determined to help search for answers.

Dr. Rebecca Butterman is back in her third advice column mystery. When she finds her best friend Annabelle Hart badly beaten she will stop at nothing to find out who harmed her. Including warnings from the police, the social worker and Annnabelle's sister Victoria. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I love Dr. Butterman. The fact that she is a psychologist, yet sees her own therapist makes her even that more real. The exploration of different types of therapy (sand play) was very interesting to me and I'd like to learn more about it. Ms. Isleib expertly weaves some clever surprises with in the book - and I found myself going back to see if I could have picked them out at the time. The ending will surprise you and you'll find yourself saying "How did I miss that?"

The Dead Place

The Dead Place by Rebecca Drake ~~

After a brutal assault, New York artist Kate Corbin attempts to make a new life for herself and her family in the small town of Wickfield in this suspenseful but ultimately unsatisfying mystery. After she voices her suspicions that their strange, doll-collecting neighbor is to blame for a series of abductions and murders, Kate's sanity is called into question by her frustrated husband, rebellious teenage daughter, Grace, and even the local police. Then Grace goes missing, and Kate knows that she can rely on no one but herself. Drake (The Next Killing) heightens this thriller with depictions of the perverse, sadistic killer, who leaves a nude photo of each victim as a signature memento. The conclusion leaves too many questions unanswered and plot lines unresolved, and the killer's motivations make little sense, but readers will enjoy Kate's passionate and intelligent sleuthing. (From Amazon).

Kate Corbin and her family move away from New York to a small town to help escape from the memories of an attack. Unfortunately trouble seems to follow her. Young girls start disappearing and Kate makes it her business to find them at the same time, making herself look "crazy". Ultimately she does figure out who the killer is, hopefully in time for someone to believe her. I really enjoyed this book. The author captures your attention right from the beginning. The plot is well laid out and the characters are intriguing. A fast paced thriller that will keep you turning the pages to the shocking ending!

Grab-bag Giveaway

Becky over at No More Grumpy Bookseller is having a grab-bag giveaway!!! Read below to see how it's going to work and then head on over to sign up!

Grab Bag Giveaways!
She's been cleaning off her shelves and have some books to give away between now and December 1.

She's got 5 Romance Grab Bags:
Historical (2 books)
Linda Lael Miller (2 books)
Sportsmen (2 contemporaries with a sort-of sports theme)
Adventure (2 books)

She will draw one name on the 1st and the 15th of October and November - you'll have until the night before to get your name in. She will announce the winner that day and that person will get to e-mail me and let me know which pack they want. The next month's winner will have 3 packs to choose from and so on. These are all new books that have been or are going to be released this year.

So, between now and September 30, submit your name in a comment on her post and from that, she will draw for the October 1st giveaway. You'll need to check back that day to see if you've won. She'll start the next drawing on October 2 and so on.

December 1, she'll be giving away a three book Christmas pack. She won't tell you the titles that are included in the packs - they're grab bags - but like she said, they are all new romance titles.

Book Giveaway - Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain (ARC)

It's time for my next giveaway. This time it will be an ARC of Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain.

In Cain's superb follow-up to Heartsick, damaged detective Archie Sheridan is back home in Portland, Ore., trying to resume a normal life. Archie's ties to serial killer Gretchen Lowell still run deep, even if he's stopped their weekly visits in prison. Meanwhile, reporter Susan Ward is finishing an article accusing a beloved U.S. senator of seducing his children's 14-year-old babysitter a decade earlier. When three bodies are discovered in a local park—where Archie's team found Gretchen's first victim 12 years earlier—Archie worries another serial killer is at large. After the senator's unexpected death, Susan discovers links between the sex scandal and the bodies in the park. When Gretchen escapes from prison, Archie knows he's the only one who can stop her from killing. In Cain's capable hands, Gretchen is both a monster and the only person who truly understands Archie's pain. With its brisk pacing, carefully metered violence and tortured hero, Cain's sophomore effort will leave readers desperate for more

Now on to the RULES ~~~

1. Open to residents of the US only.


2. 
   Post a comment here. You MUST LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR ACTIVE BLOG ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT. Any comment that DOES NOT INCLUDE this information WILL BE DELETED. I hav to have a way to contact you if you win!!!!


3. If you blog this contest and leave a link in your comment so I can check it out, you will receive an extra entry to the contest.

Sign ups open until September 25th. The winner will be announced on September 26th.

Good luck :)

Book Giveaway - Murder is Binding ~~ WINNER

Congratulations

Alyce

My friendly Randomizer picked Alyce as the lucky winner of my autographed copy of Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett! I hope you enjoy! I've emialed Alyce for her address. (If I don't hear from her by Friday I will pick another winner.) Thank you to everyone who signed up.

Goody Goody Gunshots

Goody Goody Gunshots: A Candy Shop Mystery (Candy Shop Mysteries) by Sammi Carter ~~

Candy shop owner Abby Shaw finds herself in a sticky situation trying to convince the police she’s seen a murder—when there’s no body. But finding out she’s right puts her on the wrong side of a killer.

Once again Abby finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery. This time she thinks she sees what is a murder - but turns out that there is no body. Then she keeps seeing the "dead" man around town - and asks questions of everyone she sees talking with him. Unfortunatley most people deny it, even with an eye witness to back it up. And when the mystery man turns up dead, and Abby once again stumbles across the body, she's determined to figure out what is going on in her town. Abby and her handsome detective "friend" are still trying to figure out their relationship. And she's starting to become more involved in her families lives - which is exactly what she's been hoping for. I enjoy this series. Abby is well established and likeable. She's everyone's friend. This is probably my favorite so far, and I look foward to seeing more from Ms. Carter.

Can An Author Go Too Far?

I’m currently reading Death Perception by Victoria Laurie and love the entire series. Leading me to …..

Someone posted a comment on my post for the above book directing me to another site showing Ms. Laurie in an unfavorable light. Apparently Ms. Laurie took offense to a negative review on Amazon and things began to get heated. In turn, Ms. Laurie has posted some not so nice things on her site (since deleted) about two of the posters and has since placed each person in her latest books (thinly disguised of course!) but as not so nice characters.

NO ONE likes to have negative things said or written about them. But it’s going to happen. Not everyone will be happy with the way you called and spoke to a client, the way you typed a letter or the latest book that you’ve written. Negative reviews/feedback are bound to happen. The answer lies in how you deal with it.

So my thoughts are.…. Is there a point when an author can take something to far? Is calling someone out on both a well known site like Amazon and your blog professional? Is taunting them ok or professional suicide – are you willing to risk losing readers over something like a negative review? Is the old saying true – is bad publicity really good publicity?? Would you stop reading an author you like because of negative (and possibly cruel) things that she/he has said? Or is the fact that you love their books enough to make you see past that?

My intention is not to single out Ms. Laurie here. I’m using her situation as an example as it was brought to my attention today. I think I would be exceptionally naive if I were to think she’s the only author that has done something along these lines. My intention was to open up some dialogue on a situation I found very interesting.

Becky tagged me!

My friend Becky over at No More Grumpy Book Seller , tagged me!

Here are the rules: I am going to list three categories of books. 3 MUST Read Books, 3 Keep Your Eyes on These, and 3 Look For These Soon. Keeping with the theme, I am going to tag at least 3 bloggers. They should put these same lists on their blog but SUBTRACT one book from each list and ADD one of their own. Then they should tag at least 3 more bloggers. It will be fun to see how the lists change as they go around the blogosphere. Please come back to this post and leave a comment so I can see how the lists are changing.

Since this is Book Buzz…please keep your lists to titles released in 2007-2009.

So, here goes…[asterisks are next to my additions]


3 Must Read Books:
Duma Key by Stephen King
*Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain
The Lace Reader, by Brunonia Barry

3 Keep Your Eyes on These:
Stalking Susan by Julie Kramer
*14 by J.T. Ellison
The Keepsake, by Tess Gerritsen

3 Look For These Soon:
*Cross Country by James Patterson
When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson
The Fire by Katherine Neville

And I am tagging ~~

Melanie @ Loves To Read
Tracey @ Reading Is Sexy
Rhonda @ Rhonda's Corner Of TheWorld

The Tenth Case

The Tenth Case by Joseph Teller ~~ (ARC)

Criminal defense attorney Harrison J. Walker, better known as Jaywalker, has just been suspended for using "creative" tactics and receiving "gratitude" in the courtroom stairwell from a client charged with prostitution. Convincing the judge that his other clients are counting on him, Jaywalker is allowed to complete ten cases. But it's the last case that truly tests his abilities—and his acquittal record.

Samara Moss—young, petite and sexy as hell—stabbed her husband in the heart. Or so everyone believes. Having married the elderly billionaire when she was an eighteen-year-old former prostitute, Samara appears to be the cliched gold digger. But Jaywalker knows all too well that appearances can be deceiving. Who else could have killed the billionaire? Has Samara been framed? Or is Jaywalker just driven by his need to win his clients' cases—and this particular client's undying gratitude?

The Tenth Case is the first book in the new Jaywalker series by first time author Joseph Teller. When attorney JayWalker is suspended from practicing law for 3 years, he pleads with the justices to allow him to finish out some cases. They come to the agreement of 10. At it all boils down to the case of Samara Moss - a "gold digger" accused of killing her billionaire husband. Samara is very uncooperative in helping Jay with his case. So much so that he doesn't even believe what she tells him. Finally the tides turn and he puts all his efforts into getting his client off. But at what expense? Was she really guilty and he got her off? Was she framed? I think this was a great start to a new series. I felt the characters were strong and true to their respective roles. The courtroom scenes were believable and the characters were likable. There were a few places where I thought the story was dragging a bit, but otherwise I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to the next book in the series and to finding out where Jaywalker is in his life - is he still on suspension from practicing law, or as three years passed and he's back fighting for the rights of his clients.

Death Perception

Death Perception (Psychic Eye Mysteries, Book 6) by Victoria Laurie ~~

It took a while for Abby Cooper’s FBI agent boyfriend, Dutch Rivers, to accept her psychic gifts as the real deal. But these days he knows better than to question Abby’s visions. So when his favorite cousin Chase is kidnapped in Vegas, they both catch the next flight to Sin City. Abby’s inner eye insists that Chase is still alive, but nothing else about the case adds up—especially Dutch’s reluctance to involve his own Bureau.

On top of everything, Dutch is battling a mysterious illness, and Abby keeps having disturbing dreams that predict his death. Dutch wants Abby to promise that if the investigation goes south, she’ll head home to safety. But when the chips are down, Abby won’t fold without a fight...

Book Giveaway - Murder is Binding (Autographed)

It's time for another giveaway. This time it will be Murder Is Binding by Lorna Barrett.

Stoneham, N.H., the picturesque setting of the pseudonymous Barrett's charming first in a new series, boasts a newly renovated main street devoted to a variety of bookstores. When Tricia Miles—mystery bookstore proprietor and city refugee—discovers her unpleasant cookbook store neighbor stabbed to death and a rare book missing, Tricia soon finds herself under the sheriff's surveillance and dubbed the village jinx. Determined to clear her name and track down the stolen cookbook, Tricia enlists a few friendly locals to aid in her investigation. When her difficult older sister, Angelica, arrives unexpectedly, Tricia worries she's in for another headache, but Angelica turns out to be a willing conspirator in Tricia's search for answers. The mix of books, cooking and an engaging whodunit will leave cozy fans eager for the next installment.

Now on to the RULES ~~~

1. Open to residents of the US only.
2. Post a comment here. You MUST LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR ACTIVE BLOG ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT. Any comment that DOES NOT INCLUDE this information WILL BE DELETED. I hav to have a way to contact you if you win!!!!
3. If you blog this contest and leave a link in your comment so I can check it out, you will receive an extra entry to the contest.

Sign ups open until Sunday September 14th. Winner will be announced on Monday September 15th.

Book Giveaway - Turn Up The Heat (Autographed) - WINNER!!

Congratulations


Sam D

My friendly Randomizer picked Sam (Set #1: 2) as the lucky winner of an autographed copy of Turn Up The Heat by Susan Conant & Jessica Conant-Park. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did :) I've sent an email to Sam requesting her address so that I can get the book out to her. (If I don't hear from Sam by Monday I will pick another winner.)

Thanks to everyone who signed up! Check back soon for my next giveaway!

Stamped Out

Stamped Out: A Stamping Sisters Mystery by Terri Thayer ~~

Packed full of family drama and small-town charm, Thayer's enjoyable mystery series debut outshines most other crafting cozies. After her marriage crumbles and her interior decoration career deteriorates, April Buchert returns to her hometown of Aldenville, Pa., in search of a new beginning. She's helping her father, Ed, on an extensive restoration project when a skull tumbles from the rubble of an old building. Ed was in charge of the building's construction and demolition; a cop with a grudge now thinks he's a killer, and April must clear his name. The only bright spot in April's new life is the Stamping Sisters, a group of fellow craftswomen who support her when she feels like everything's coming apart. Twists and turns keep the story fresh and compulsively readable, and the characters feel like family by the time the last page is turned. Thayer and the Stamping Sisters are worth keeping an eye on. (From Amazon)

April came home to her small town after being scammed by her own husband. She returns to a town full of secrets and lies. While beginning to work with her father, a skull is unearthed and her father is arrested. April will do anyting she can to find out who the skull belongs to and who is ultimately responsible for his/her death. A cute start to a new series. April is able to reconnect with her mother and begin a new life for herself. April is very likeable and loyal to those she loves. While there are some scenes where stamping is the focus, I think the author could have done more to explain the process and a little more. The motive is slowly revealed at the end and it's up to April to figure it out as the police chief doesn't seem to care much. All in all I thought this was a solid start to a new series.

Friday Fill Ins

And...here we go!

1. If I was to walk into your life, you'd wonder why I was so unhappy.

2. Catch a bright star and place it with someone you love.

3. And you can send me all things Louis & Steve.

4. Love can fade, but I'm dealing with a memory that never forgets.

5. I'm the innocent bystander / Somehow I got stuck doing all the work.

6. What's keeping us apart isn't selfishness, it's distance.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to going to the market, tomorrow my plans include getting my hair done and taking the puppy to the vet and Sunday, I want to sleep, read, sleep and read some more!

Winner - First Daughter

Congratulations

Stacie Marie

My friendly Randomizer picked Stacie Marie as the lucky winner of my ARC of First Daughter Eric Van Lustbader! I hope you enjoy! I've emialed Stacie for her address. (If I don't hear from Stacie by Friday I will pick another winner.) Thank you to everyone who signed up.

Don't forget to check back for the latest giveaway!

Forgotten

Forgotten: A Novel by Mariah Stewart ~~

WHO SPEAKS FOR THE DEAD WHEN THEY SCREAM BLOODY MURDER?

Sheldon Woods kidnapped and killed an untold number of boys, then escaped the death penalty by making a plea bargain for multiple life sentences in exchange for revealing the whereabouts of some of his victims. More than a decade later, the full extent of his crimes is still unknown, and many of the dead have never been accounted for. But Lisa Walsh is certain her brother Christopher was one of them, and to honor her mother’s dying wish, she’s on a mission to learn the truth and recover the little boy’s remains. FBI agent Portia Cahill, tasked with confronting the caged killer, is obliged to play his mind games to get what she’s after, but she ends up with more than she bargained for when the remains of another boy’s body are discovered.

Determined to ID the mystery child, Portia reluctantly teams with James Cannon, the attorney who once defended Woods. But chasing a killer’s grisly legacy, and the bones of the forgotten dead, will lead them into the lethal orbit of a monster who’s seeding the graves of the past with a fresh wave of innocent victims.

Once again Mariah Stewart has done it! Written a book that you just can't put down! A chilling story of a child rapist/murderer who, in order to get what he wants from the FBI, bargains with them by telling them where other dead children are buried - in exchange for horseback rides and other "favors". In order to bring closure to the many families of those believed to have lost children to this monster, the FBI agrees, with chilling consequences. I was so glad to finally get a chance to hear Portia's story (she's mentioned in several other MS books). I love how she mentions other characters from her other books to draw you even more into the story. A dark and twisted tale that will leave the pychopaths in this book with you for a long time to come.

August Books Read

• 14 by J.T. Ellison
• Angel's Tip by Alafair Burke
• Death by Cashmere by Sally Goldenbaum
• Faceless by Debra Webb
• It Only Takes A Moment by Mary Higgins Clark
• Judgement Day by Sheldon Seigel
• Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline
• Mayhem in Miniature by Margaret Grace
• Murder 101 by Maggie Barbieri
• Murder & Salutations by Elizabeth Bright
• Murder in Little Italy by Victoria Thompson
• My Husband's Sweethearts by Bridge Asher
• One Bad Apple by Sheila Connnelly
• Pick Your Poison by Leann Sweeney
• Shoots to Kill by Kate Collings
• The Diva Runs out of Thyme by Krista Davis
• The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
• Too Close To Home by Linwood Barclay
• Weeding Out Trouble by Heather Webber