GIVEAWAY AND REVIEW OF NEW TRICKS BY D. ROSENFELT

CLOSED

In New Tricks by D. Rosenfelt, Andy Carpenter is an attorney who does not practice law very often. He has enough money and usually takes on cases that involves dogs. He loves dogs and he takes on  a case involving a Bernese mountain dog puppy (Waggy) whose owner is murdered. The dog is involved in a custody fight between the owners second wife and her stepson. David does not want the dog to fall into the wrong hands. Waggy has a secret that many people would love to obtain even if violence is needed. During the custody battle, Waggy will be staying with David and his dog Tara. When he goes to pick up the dog from the owners wife Diane Timmerman, she is killed in an explosion and the stepson (Steve) is accused of the murder. Steve asks David to represent him. David's dog Tara  with the help of Davids girlfriend Laurie take care of Waggy. When Laurie becomes a target of an assassin, David realizes that the Waggy is the target
What secret does Waggy hold and why is does someone want him dead? I guess you have to read the book to find out.




Author's Website

My Thoughts.

This is the first book in the series that I had read,  and I enjoyed New Tricks. There were twists and turns and an ending that I didn't expect. Mr. Rosenfelt wrote a legal thriller that is not only exciting but also humorous. I recommend this book because it is such a fun and interesting read.


And now for the contest-

Thanks to the Hachette Book Group I am able to give away 2 copies of the book.
Open to USA and Canada only
No PO Boxes
prizes will be sent by the publisher.

To Enter-

1. Please leave a comment answering the question- Are you a dog or a cat person or both? +1
2. Become a follower +3 via Google connect.
3. Follow me via twitter (@ginger_high)  and Tweet about the contest +3
   GIVEAWAY AND REVIEW OF NEW TRICKS BY D. ROSENFELT http://bit.ly/bYUhVn #giveaway #contest Ends 8/28    Please leave the link for entry to count.
4. Grab my Button +2 please leave link for entry to count.

Please put all entries into one comment. Thank You!

Contest ends August 28th at 12mn Eastern

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of the book for my honest review and I was not compensated for the review.

GIVEAWAY AND REVIEW OF PRIVATE BY J. PATTERSON AND M. PAETRO

 
The police can't help you

Former CIA agent Jack Morgan runs Private, a renowned investigation company with branches around the globe. It is where you go when you need maximum force and maximum discretion. The secrets of the most influential men and women on the planet come to Jack daily--and his staff of investigators uses the world's most advanced forensic tools to make and break their cases.

The press will destroy you

Jack is already deep into the investigation of a multi-million dollar NFL gambling scandal and the unsolved slayings of 18 schoolgirls when he learns of a horrific murder close to home: his best friend's wife, Jack's former lover, has been killed. It nearly pushes him over the edge. Instead, Jack pushes back and devotes all of Private's resources to tracking down her killer.

Only one place to turn: PRIVATE

But Jack doesn't have to play by the rules. As he closes in on the killer and chooses between revenge and justice, Morgan has to navigate a workplace love affair that threatens to blow the roof off his plans. With a plot that moves at death-defying speeds, Private is James Patterson sleekest, most exciting thriller ever.

Hear an Excerpt 
See the TV AD




About the Authors- 

ames Patterson has had more New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1976, James Patterson's books have sold more than 170 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. Mr. Patterson also writes the bestselling Women's Murder Club novels, set in San Francisco, and the top-selling New York detective series of all time, featuring Detective Michael Bennett. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family.
Maxine Paetro is the author of three novels, two works of nonfiction, and the coauthor of seven books with James Patterson. She lives in New York with her husband.

My Thoughts-

I have never read any of the other books that M. Paetro has coauthored with Mr. Patterson before. I did like Jack Morgan and all of the crazy gadgets that he used. I have found that most of Patterson's books are very quick paced and I had some trouble keeping up with the action in this book. I did not find any surprises or the usual twists and turns throughout the book. I have always been a fan of Mr. Patterson's books and I will continue to read them in the future. Maybe the next installment in the series, will  help me understand the direction that he is taking in series. In regards to the Audibook,  I feel that Peter Hermann did an great job reading the book.  I was able to determine what character was speaking at the time and I was able to feel their emotions. 

And Now For the Contest-

Contests End on Aug 9 Th at 12mn Eastern 


Thanks to the Hachette Book Group I am able to give away 2 copies of the Audiobook.

Open to USA AND CANADA ONLY
No PO Boxes
Prizes will be sent by the publisher

TO ENTER CLICK HERE

Extra entries :

Follow via Google connect +3

Follow via twitter +2 (@ginger_high)

Tweet about the contest+2 
 GIVEAWAY AND REVIEW OF PRIVATE BY J. PATTERSON AND M. PAETRO http://bit.ly/caBMvp ends 8/9/10

Grab my button +2

Blog about the contest +2

Follow me on Facebook +2  ( melissa.BooksRUs)      

                   

Please do not enter via comments.     

 Thanks for entering my contests!!

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of the audiobook for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF SIMPLE SECRETS BY NANCY MEHL

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Simple Secrets Barbour Books (June 1, 2010)

by

Nancy Mehl





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman and her son, Danny. She’s authored nine books and is currently at work on her newest series for Barbour Publishing.



All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”



CREATING FICTION FULL OF FAITH, HOPE AND HEART…



Nancy Mehl is a mystery writer who loves to set her novels in her home state of Kansas. Her three-in-one book, COZY IN KANSAS, contains the first three Ivy Towers’s mysteries: IN THE DEAD OF WINTER, BYE BYE BERTIE, and FOR WHOM THE WEDDING BELL TOLLS which was nominated for the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award in mystery.



She and her husband attend Believer’s Tabernacle in Wichita.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Graphic designer Gracie Temple wants it all: the big city lifestyle and a successful job in advertising. And it looks like her life is on the right track when she takes a job at a struggling, midsize firm in Wichita.



But Gracie Temple's uncle left her a house in a rural Mennonite community. She soon learns he secluded himself for years to protect a secret about her own father. Now it's up to Gracie to decide if she'll keep the secret or if she can afford to expose it.



Sam Goodrich loves his fruit farm in Harmony, Kansas. But when he meets city-girl Gracie, he begins to wonder if he could leave it behind for a woman who makes him feel things he's never felt before.



When someone tries to keep Gracie from discovering the truth behind the town's collection of secrets, will Sam and Gracie cling to their faith to help them decide what's most important...before it's too late?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Simple Secrets, go HERE.

My Thoughts- 

I enjoyed the book. The book was well written and a page turner. The characters were realistic and the location of the story was very interesting. There were many different characters introduced in in the book and the author was able to develop their personalities fully.  I recommend this book to everyone who likes a good mystery and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF IMMORTALIS CARPE NOCTEM BY KATIE SALIDAS

Becoming a Vampire is Easy

Living with the condition that's the hard part.

In Immortalis Carpe Noctem by Katie Salidas, Alyssa is mugged on the campus of her college and is rescued by a vampire, Lysander. She was bleeding to death and he decides to "turn her". He gives her the gift and the curse of immortality. When she wakes up, she realizes she is a vampire and has to learn how to live as one. Even vampires have enemies and Lysander must protect her from an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum and the powerful and evil vampire mistress Kallisto. Kallisto is out for revenge because Lysander has taken a new mate. She is out to destroy them both. Will Lysander protect Alyssa and will she learn how to live as a vampire?




About the Author-

It was only natural that a love of reading about vampires, and a love of writing, turned into a desire to write her own stories. Thus, Immortalis Carpe Noctem was born.

A Las Vegas native, having grown up in the famed City of Sin, Katie loves to feature it as a recurring setting for many of her stories. You can find Katie at her blog, My Immortal Stories and Rising Sign Books.




My Thoughts-


This is not your typical vampire book. You get to experience what it is like to be a vampire first hand through the eyes of Alyssa. She had to go through so many different feelings about her new life and with the help of Lysander; she can understand her feelings. I had a little crush on Lysander because he was good looking, compassionate and liked to get into trouble at times. The book clearly shows Katie’s love of vampires. The book was well written, captivating and I was able to feel the emotions of the characters. I look forward to reading the second book in the series Immortalis: Hunters and Prey due out in 2011.




Read an Excerpt-

                                                              CHAPTER 1

                                                            Hated waiting!


I shot impatient glances at my phone, checking the time displayed in green LED.

It was late, and I was restless.

Sounds of clapping in the background signaled another poetry reading had finished.

It was a busy night at Café Copioh, but then, just about every night here was busy.

Copioh drew in a unique crowd from the nearby college. It wasn’t one of those fancy, fru-fru coffee houses. It had bohemian feel; colorful, vibrant, and eclectic. Each wall had been painted in different colors; teal, maroon, sand, and sage. Reprints of various, famous artwork lined the walls including a large mural of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, in black-light reflective paint. A plethora of flea market-style furnishings had been strewn about haphazardly in the large space, completing the relaxed, homey feel.

Mike, the manager, a stereotypical beatnik-esque guy, complete with goatee and long pony-tail, set down a Styrofoam cup, filled with a dark, chocolaty drink. “You adding this to your tab, Alyssa?”

I smiled. “Yeah, I’ll pay up on Friday. Thanks.”

I was a regular here. Mike knew this and usually let me slide until payday. I could be found here almost every night. And so could my, currently absent friend, Fallon.

I shot another impatient glance at my phone.

“Ten p.m. C’mon Fallon, I don’t want to wait all night,” I sighed.

A loud, shrill voice spoke over the café’s speaker system. I cringed, hearing the start of another dreary poem. Someone was almost always on the makeshift stage. Reading poetry was the custom here. I sat back into the cushions of my favorite brown, threadbare love seat in the front window--far away from the stage—and tried unsuccessfully, to ignore the babbling. I never did care for poetry. Most of it was nothing more than nonsensical emotional ramblings. Too much use of words like: dark, black, emptiness and despair.

A hum of mumbling voices tempted me to listen. Eavesdropping here was like having a front row seat to a taping of my own personal soap opera. Tidbits of gossip about people I knew piqued my interest, momentarily stealing my focus.

The sudden jingle of my cell phone startled me. I jumped to answer it almost knocking over my mocha. I didn’t need the caller ID to tell me who it was. Fallon was well over an hour late.

“Please tell me you are close. You would not believe the day I had. I need to vent,” I blurted out, forgetting the pleasantries of a proper greeting.

“Sorry, Alyssa, I’m not going to make it out tonight.”

Great, what else can go wrong today?

“What, No! Oh C’mon, Fallon. Don’t leave me hanging. I need a friend today. I got fire-“
“Lyss, I don’t feel like going out tonight. I’m tired and it’s already late. Let’s just meet up tomorrow, Okay?”

I huffed, not wanting to answer.

“Alyssa, I promise, tomorrow,” Fallon said in her most sympathetic voice.

“Yeah, sure. Whatever.” I didn’t bother hiding my disappointment.

“Sorry, Lyss, I’ll make it up to you. I promise. We’ll go out tomorrow. You can tell me all about work then, okay.”

“Fine,” I grumbled. “Next time, don’t leave me hanging here by myself for an hour before you decide to cancel on me.”

I breathed a disappointed sigh and pressed the end button on the phone.

“Well, isn’t this the perfect end to the perfect day? Might as well pack up and go home.”

I gulped down the last bit of my mocha, waved to Mike, and walked out the front door.

The hot summer breeze greeted me; a mixture of coffee, car exhaust, and the lingering tang of grease from a nearby taco shop.

I set off across the street to the University. My apartment was on the other side of campus. Just a quick ten minute walk and I would be home.

Being a petite woman, I never did like walking home alone, especially at night, and tried to avoid it whenever possible. I’d heard too many horror stories about college girls-like myself-being raped or worse. This time though, I had no choice. There was no friend to take me home, so I had to hoof it.

Reaching a thin hand into my bag, I pulled out a keychain of pepper spray. Old Reliable. Knives could be turned against you and do some serious damage. I knew pepper spray was a good enough deterrent without having the potential to be deadly. If someone managed to get it away and use it against me, worst I would expect is stinging eyes and that was better than a stab wound.

UNLV was quiet at this time of night. All the regular classes had ended hours ago and the walkways were all empty. My finger covered the trigger of the keychain as I took the pathway leading towards the theater and music halls.

Just walk fast and don’t talk to anybody. I took a deep breath, steeling my courage while attempting to calm my nerves. I hated walking home alone.

Sounds of distant chatter caught my attention. Echoes of raised voices reverberated off of brick buildings, sounding like a couple of men arguing in somewhere ahead of me. Tightening my grip on the keychain, I quickened my pace.

Almost home, just keep going.

Small lamps dotted the walkway, and flood lights hung from the corners of some of the buildings. Normally, there was plenty of light on the walkway but something felt different. Things seemed darker. A light on one of the buildings flickered. I noticed another building’s lights had completely burned out leaving a portion of my path in darkness.

I gritted my teeth and fought against the weak voice of my intuition telling me to go back to the café.

The arguing voices faded. An eerie quiet sent a shiver dancing down my spine. I stopped and looked around, checking for any movement in the shadows. Intuition, no longer a weak voice in my head, screamed at me to run. Something wasn’t right here.

Probably just some frat boys. Calm down Alyssa, No reason to get scared. My heartbeat sped, pounding against the wall of my chest.
“Excuse me, Miss,” a voice called out from behind me.

I stifled a gasp. My heart skipped a beat.

“Excuse me, Miss. Hello. Can you help me?”

Against my better judgment, I turned towards the voice.

“Sorry to bother you, miss. I’m new here and kind of lost. Could you tell me where the library is? I’m supposed to be meeting a friend there.”

The voice sounds friendly enough. Okay, just give a quick answer and leave.

I squinted, trying to get a better look at him as he walked towards me. He passed out of the shadowed path into the light.

A wide-mouth smile covered his face. He didn’t seem intimidating. He looked like an average skinny college guy; short spiky hair, glasses, and generic sarcastic sayings t-shirt. For a second, I thought I recognized him from somewhere.

I took my finger off of the pepper-spray trigger. “Sorry, I’m a little jumpy tonight. It’s no problem. Just go down that…” I pointed in the direction of the library.

Something tapped me hard on the shoulder. I turned around, seeing a blur of knuckles just before a fist slammed into my face.

Excerpt taken from here

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book by the author and Pump Up Your Book I was not compensated for my review.

GIVEAWAY AND REVIEW OF THE AUDIO BOOK ABRAHAM LINCOLN- VAMPIRE HUNTER BY S. GRAHAME-SMITH

What do you really know about Abraham Lincoln? In the book Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Seth Grahame-Smith takes us on a journey into the life of the 16th president, the Civil War and of course vampires. The story opens up in the little town of Rhinebeck NY where the author is taking a break from writing and working in a five and dime shop. He meets an unusual character, Henry, who is very strange, quiet and always wearing sunglasses. Henry leaves a package with a note on the front desk. He walks out of the store telling Seth to read the note first. Seth is fascinated with the package and goes into the basement, reads the note, opens the package and then something strange occurs. I do not want to spoil the book for you so I will never tell. Inside the package were ten leather-bound books. On the first page of the first book was written "This is the journal of Abraham Lincoln." Then the adventure begins.


Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."


"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.


Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.


When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.


My Thoughts-

I really enjoyed the audio book. Although the cover was creepy, I just wanted to learn more about "Honest Abe." I have always been fascinated with vampires and the author did a great job depicting them. They are not your typical vampire but gruesome and brutal. The narrator Scott Holst did a fantastic job reading the book. Sometimes I felt that I was right there next to Abe and watching the whole scene. The author was able to combine history with horror and I really enjoyed the photos.  So do you want to win a copy of this great audio book enter my contest.





CONTEST-

Thanks to the folks at Hachette Book Group I can giveaway 3 copies of the Audio Book-

US or Canada only.
No Po Boxes.
Prize will be sent by the publisher.

ALL ENTRIES IN ONE COMMENT PLEASE AND LEAVE AN EMAIL.

+1 entry for a comment
+3 entry for Google follow ( Google Connect on right)
+1 for sharing on facebook ( use share button below)
+1 For following me on Facebook (melissa.gingerhigh)
+1 entry for Twitter Follow @ginger_high
+2 for tweeting about the contest(please leave link to be counted)
      Win a copy of A. Lincoln Vampire Hunter (Audio Book) #Giveaway from @ginger_high Enter here http://ow.ly/1KmOw Ends May 27th
+3 entries for blogging about contest (post link)
+2 For grabbing my button- Please leave the link to the site to be counted.

Contest ends May 27th at 12MN Eastern




Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of the Audio Book by the Hachette Book Group for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR AND REVIEW OF NO HOPE FOR GOMEZ BY GRAHAM PARKE

Join Graham Parke, author of the humor suspense novel, No Hope for Gomez (Outskirts Press), as he virtually tours the blogosphere on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

Meet Gomez Porter and average guy who joins an experimental drug trial and then his life becomes interesting. He is asked to keep a blog of any of his experiences and feelings while taking the drug. He falls for the lab assistant who believes she is being stalked and Gomez decides to become her “stalker-stalker” to find out who the culprit is. Does he find out who it is?

When one of the drug trial participants is found dead and one is missing, Gomez is afraid that he will be next. He decides to do a little detective work and he hides out in a neighbor’s apartment for safety. What will happen to Gomez? I guess you have to read the book to find out.

Read an Excerpt.

Author's Website.

About the Author-

Graham Parke lives in the Netherlands with his wife and son. He’s responsible for a number of technical publications, and has recently patented a self-folding map. He has been described as both a humanitarian and a pathological liar. Convincing evidence to support either allegation has yet to be produced. No Hope For Gomez is his debut novel.

My Thoughts-

When I started to read the book, I was unsure of what to expect since it was written in blog format. I am not a fan of books written in the form of a blog but I found the book easy to read and it was very humorous. Gomez lived in a strange and unpredictable world full of many crazy characters especially the man with the sombrero who visits Gomez at his job a couple of times. Is there hope For Gomez? I will never tell. So go on out and get a copy of this great little book. 

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of the book from Pump Up Your Book for my honest review. I was not compensated for my review.

REVIEW OF ANGELS OF VENICE BY T.R.FOSTER

Angels of Venice is a great thriller. The book begins in 1974 where there is a serial killer running around the small town of Venice, NY and is killing children. The chief of police at that time is determined to find the killer. Many years later his daughter, Eliza, is the Chief of police. When she was growing up her friend Rosie would make up vampire stories about the serial killer. All of a sudden there are strange things that start to happen throughout the town. The killings resemble the killings from the past. Could it be the murderer from the past? I would love to tell you more but I would just give the story away.

The book is a combination of a thriller, crime drama and mystery novel all rolled up into one. The book was a page-turner loaded with suspense, and the author was very descriptive. The story is told by a character called "He". Was He an Angel or another being? I never found out the answer to that question. I recommend the book to all of you mystery and thriller lovers.





This book was provided free of any obligation by Publishing Works, Inc. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.



Publishing Works was launched in 2003 as an independent press specializing in regional titles. Since then, the company has grown dramatically to embody a list of titles that spans diverse genres, age levels, and subject matter. Please visit them at their website, http://www.publishingworks.com/, or view their catalog for a complete list of titles.



To purchase this book or any other book published by Publishing Works, visit their online store here. At checkout, include the Coupon Code BLOG for a 20% DISCOUNT, courtesy of Publishing Works, Inc. and their continued support of book blogging! Happy reading!

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF MOONLIGHT FALLS BY V. ZANDRI

Join Vincent Zandri, author of the thriller novel, Moonlight Falls (R.J. Buckley Publishing), as he virtually tours the blogosphere in February and March on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion! Vincent Zandri’s MOONLIGHT FALLS VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR ‘10 officially began on February 1st and will end on March 26th

In the thriller, Moonlight Falls by Vincent Zandra, Richard "Dick " Moonlight is a detective turned private investigator/massage therapist.He has .22 cal  bullet stuck in his head after a suicide attempt. Moonlight has periods of memory loss, and sometimes he does not know right from wrong. The bullet can shift positions at any time and it may kill him. He has an affair with Scarlet, the wife of his ex-boss and Chief of Detectives Jake Montana, and when she is found dead in her home, Moonlight is afraid that he may had killed her. He was with her that night, but he does not remember a thing. Moonlight is determined to find the killer and get his life together. His ex-wife, Lynn, is married to his ex-partner Cain and he does not see his son very often.

He is hired by Jake Montana to find the killer and Moonlight agrees to investigate the incident. He has unexplained cuts on his hands that he needs to keep hidden until he can find out the truth. Is he the killer? or Is someone else involved? Read the book to find out the answers to these questions.




About The Author-

Vincent Zandri is an award-winning novelist, essayist and freelance photojournalist. His novel As Catch Can (Delacorte) was touted in two pre-publication articles by Publishers Weekly and was called "Brilliant" upon its publication by The New York Post. The Boston Herald attributed it as “The most arresting first crime novel to break into print this season.” Other novels include Godchild (Bantam/Dell) and Permanence (NPI). Translated into several languages including Japanese and the Dutch, Zandri’s novels have also been sought out by numerous major movie producers, including Heyday Productions and DreamWorks. Moonlight Falls (R.J.Buckley), is his fourth novel. You can visit his website at http://www.vincentzandri.com/ or his blog at http://www.vincentzandri.blogspot.com/.

My Thoughts-

From the moment I opened the book, I was hooked. There were twists and turns that kept the book exciting. Mr Zandri is an excellent writer. The characters were well developed and I was able to feel their emotions. The transitions between scenes were smooth and there was a subplot that made the book even more interesting. I found it hard to put the book down, but I had to because it was a school night. I wanted to find out who killed Scarlet and I never expected.... to have killed her. I guess you have to read the book to find out who the killer was. I hope he continues to write and I cannot wait to read his next novel.

Disclaimer: I was provided a free copy of the book by the author for my honest review and I was not compensated for the review.