REVIEW OF WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING BY JOSEPH HAYES

I want to welcome Joseph Hayes to Books R Us. Mr. Hayes is the author of his debut book When No One is Watching. He is touring the Blogosphere with Partners in Crime Tours. Thanks for stopping by.

 

On the eve of announcing his run for Congress, a charismatic Chicago politician causes a deadly accident. Panicked, he frames his best friend, a good-hearted alcoholic, and flees the scene. As one man tries to pick up the pieces of his shattered life, the other embarks on a meteoric rise to political stardom. But when a dogged detective digs deeper into the case, the political superstar must decide just how far he is willing to go to keep his dark secret and avoid an explosive scandal that could ruin him and rock the entire nation. In this suspenseful thriller, author Joseph Hayes asks, is "the greater good" just a lie we tell ourselves to justify the sins we commit when no one is watching?

Read and Excerpt

Author's Site

My Thoughts-

A fantastic thriller and the author has a vivid imagination that is portrayed in his writing. The storyline covers many years and after Blair leaves Danny at the scene of an accident, Danny tries to go on with his life. Blair becomes a political giant and Danny attends AA meetings to help overcome his addiction.. As I read the novel, I disliked Blair due to the fact that he was a coward and lier. Many years later, Detective Slazak discovers that Blair was the driver and as he tries to pursue his suspicions his life may be in danger. When Danny finds out that he did not cause the accident his life changes and he is able to move on.  Does Blair get what he deserves? I guess you have to read the book to find out. If you like suspense, politics and drama this is the book for you. I was hooked from the first page and I finished the novel rather quickly. This is a great debut novel and I hope that Mr. Hayes continues to write in the future.

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

REVIEW OF THE EATSMART PRECISION VOYAGER DIGITAL LUGGAGE SCALE.

When I go on a trip, I always over pack and bring clothing that I never wear and the suitcase becomes mighty heavy. Did you know that airlines can charge you $50 or more for each bag that weights 50 lbs or more in addition to the baggage fee? I have used my bathroom scale to weigh my bags but it was not very accurate and one time my bag ( I usually pack for 3 people in one suitcase) was 49.8 lbs and they had to let it through. Thanks to the EatSmart luggage scale, I do not have to worry anymore. Let me tell you a little about the scale-

The EatSmart Precision Voyager Luggage Scale is an ultra portable, lightweight travel accessory designed for anyone from the casual vacationer to the road warrior. After easily clipping onto the handle of your suitcase or bag, EatSmart's proprietary two handed SmartGrip design allows for easier lifting of even the heaviest bags. When your scale registers the weight, the scale will beep and your luggage weight will appear on the screen instantly. Its compact, durable design allows travelers to place it in their suitcase and bring on many trips. Never worry about paying unexpected baggage fees again!

Features

1. EatSmart's proprietary two handed SmartGrip designed Handles
2. Compact & Lightweight Design
3. Durable Strap & Easy Clip Buckle
4. 2 Measurement Modes: Pounds / Kilograms 
5. Graduation: 0.1 lb / 0.1 kgs
6. Max Weight: 110 pounds / 50 kilograms
7. 20 second Auto-Turnoff
8. Includes Lithium Battery 

Eatsmart is donating 100% of the Amazon Associate proceeds in September to The Boys and Girls Club of Patterson & Passaic in New Jersey. They will be donating to a different foundation each month

My Thoughts-

The scale was very easy to use and was quite accurate. The instruction included was easy to read and understand. The LCD was clear, easy to read, and is back lit. The display is on top of the handle and can be viewed with ease. It changes from KG to LBS with one touch. I found it more accurate than the bathroom scale and easier to use. The scale is lightweight and can fit in your suitcase for your trip home. I always bring home more than left with and I am never sure of the weight. I am definitely bringing the scale on my next trip. A well made product that works great.

Would you like to win one of these handy luggage scales? 

Stop by tomorrow during the Rafflecopter Roundup to win.

And while you are here enter to win a $50 AMEX Gift Card.

Disclaimer: I was given a free Luggage Scale for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF SEERS BY HEATHER FROST

I want to welcome Heather Frost  to Books R Us. Heather  is the author the Seers and is touring the blogosphere. Thanks for stopping by.

About the Book-

When Kate Bennett survived the car accident that claimed her parents' lives, she knew her world would be forever changed. But her life is more dramatically altered than she first realized. Not only is she able to see “mood auras” on the people around her, she's even started seeing invisible people with no colors at all. And no matter how attractive the new addition to her American Lit class is, Kate sees what no one else can—the dangerous truths this mysterious man threatens to pour into her life.

Patrick O'Donnell was killed in the Irish Revolution in 1798. He's here now to try and keep Kate alive, and stop her life from spinning out of control. The one thing he's not going to do is fall in love with her. But plans change, especially when Demons are involved . . .

Kate is about to enter the world of Seers; where immortals are at war with each other, and unfortunate mortals like Kate are in over their heads.

My Thoughts-

This was a different type of book and when I first started reading it, I did not know what to expect. I liked all of the characters especially Kate's grandfather who is sincere, lovable and cool. I was unsure of Patrick and In the beginning, I thought he was a bad boy but my opinion of him changed as I read on. I liked the way the author used the aura to portray Kate's powers and how she utilized it to read people. I read it rather quickly and I enjoyed it very much. The novel is a typical YA novel with a twist. There is a hot new guy, gossip, and two sisters and paranormal events that makes the novel interesting. I recommend this book to everyone who likes paranormal romance. Heather did a great job with the characters, the scenes and the plot. I cannot to read the next book in the trilogy

The novel will be available October 8th and can be purchased from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online retailers.

Check out the other stops on the tour

Sneek Peak of seers. 

Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy of the book for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

REVIEW OF WITCH SONG BY A. ARGYLE

The world is changing. Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons-but not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor. All but Brusenna. As the echo of their songs fade, the traitor grows stronger. Now she is coming for Brusenna. Her guardian has sworn to protect her, but even he can't stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her. Because if Brusenna doesn't, there won't be anything left to save.


About the Author-

Amber Argyle grew up with three brothers on a cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountains. She spent hours riding horses, roaming the mountains, and playing in her family's creepy barn. This environment fueled her imagination while she was writing her debut novel. She has worked as a short-order cook and a janitor in a mental institution, all of which gave her great insight into the human condition and has made for some unique characters. She received her bachelor's degree in English and physical education from Utah State University. 
                 

Author's Website-

Read an Excerpt.


My Thoughts-

I was hooked from the first page and I was taken into a world of magic, innocence, adventure and drama. The main character, Brusenna is witty, charming, magical and stubborn and the author takes you on a fantastic journey to save the last of the witches. Brusenna travels with her guardian, Joshen who is protective of her and they develop a bond that gets stronger throughout novel. The medieval touch, and the scene descriptions were fantastic and all of the characters were developed fully.  This is a fantastic YA debut novel and I hope the author continues to write in the future. Ms Argyle has a wonderful imagination and a writing style that kept me interested and I could not put the book down. I recommend this book to everyone who loves fantasy, paranormal and a touch of romance.

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

REVIEW OF THE ANGELIC MYSTERIES BY JAMES D. SANDERSON

Welcome to the blog tour of The Angelic Mysteries by James D. Sanderson. James is the author of the novel Mirabilia and a nonfiction book Called to Love. Thanks for stopping by.

About the Book:

More is at stake than her wings when the beautiful angel Sarah finds herself grounded in New York City.  She is accosted by a man she believes is an anti-angel – one who would capture her and take her into the dark underworld.  Fortunately for her as she flees to Europe she meets a man, Daniel Allman, who is willing to travel along with her and offer some protection.  Allman, however, is fleeing his own demons – the specter of madness that runs in his family.  He is confronted with the possibility that none of this may actually be happening at all.  There is no going back for either of them, it seems.

My Thoughts-

I enjoyed the plot, and the angels theme but I felt the story was a bit rushed. I was able to finish the novella quite quickly and I was left with many unanswered questions.  When I read a book, I want to feel like I am right there with the characters and feel their emotions. The personalities of the main characters, David and Sarah were not developed fully and I did not make a connection with them. The description of the villain Toombs was very shallow and there were times in the story that I did not know where the characters were and how the villain discovered them. After reading the guest post about Sarah, I was able to understand her better and I wish some of that information was included in the story. I am not saying that the novella is bad but it lacked emotions and scene descriptions that could have been developed better. I feel that Mr. Sanderson has potential as a writer and I hope that he continues to write in the future.

The Author's Blog.

Author's Facebook Page.

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

REVIEW OF BLUE SKIES TOMORROW BY SARAH SUNDIN

In a time of peril, can they find the courage to confront their fears and embrace a love that lasts?

 

When her husband becomes a casualty of the war in the Pacific, Helen Carlisle throws herself into volunteering for the war effort to conceal her feelings. But keeping up appearances as the grieving widow of a hometown hero is taking its toll. Soon something is going to give.

Lt. Raymond Novak prefers the pulpit to the cockpit. His stateside job training B-17 pilots allows him the luxury of a personal life--and a convenient excuse to ignore his deepest fear. When the beautiful Helen catches his eye and captures his heart, he is determined to win her hand.

But when Ray and Helen are called upon to step out in faith and put their reputations and their lives on the line, can they meet the challenges that face them? And can their young love survive until blue skies return?

Filled with drama, daring, and all the romance of the WWII era, Blue Skies Tomorrow is the captivating final book in the popular Wings of Glory series.

 About the Author-

Sarah Sundin followed an unusual career path for a novelist, receiving a bachelor's in chemistry from UCLA and a doctorate in pharmacy from UC San Francisco. She now lives in northern California with her husband, three children, an antisocial cat, and a yellow lab determined to eat her manuscripts. When not driving kids to soccer and karate, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches women's Bible studies and fourth- and fifth-grade Sunday school. She has been writing since 2000 and belongs to American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Authors Network, and Diablo Valley Christian Writers Group.

Author's Website.

Read an Excerpt

My Thoughts-

I have had the pleasure to have read the first two book in the series "A Distant Melody and A Memory Between Us." The series follows the lives of the three Novak brothers who were pilots in the Air Force during WWII. Although the book is a stand alone novel, I recommend reading the other two books in the series to understand some of the history involved. Blue Skies Tomorrow is a fascinating story that made me feel that I stepped back in time and entered the WWII era. There was deceit, spousal abuse, romance, love and danger that was incorporated in the storyline perfectly. There were even updates on some of the main characters from the first two novels.The two main characters Ray and Helen had a relationship that was romantic as well as turbulent. Helen was in an abusive marriage and after the death of her husband she had to keep it quiet to protect the family name. Can Helen find love? I guess you have to read the story to find out. I did not want the series to end because I had learned so much more about the WWII era. I recommend the book to any one who likes historical romance. You may even learn something new about WWII.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from Revell Publishers for my honest review. I was not compensated for the review.
Available August 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT- LOVEABLE LABELS (Blogtastic Extravaganza 2)

It is almost time for back to school and you will be buying backpacks, shoes and other items that can be misplaced rather quickly. Thanks to the folks at Lovable Labels I got the opportunity to try one of their Back to School Packs.


Let me tell you a little bit about the company-

Lovable Labels was started in 2003 when a mom brought her son to day care. She had to label all of his belongings and she recognized that there was a need for personalized labels that were tough and durable. Loveable Labels are durable, waterproof, dishwasher and microwave safe, washer and dryer safe, sun safe, bleach safe, sunscreen safe and temperature safe. From multipurpose sticker labels to shoe labels and clothing labels, Loveable Labels makes sure to have you covered. They have a variety of labels in different styles and colors that you will enjoy. Their motto is "Don't Lose It, Label It."

My Thoughts:

I was provided with the Back to School Pack in the Diva style and I was really impressed with the quality of the labels. The colors were bright, the material that they were printed on was thick and the adhesive was just right. The labels were organized in a little booklet and it kept the labels from getting lost. I especially liked the Mini-Metal tags and the slimline labels. They have a variety of styles that will appeal to the most fussiest of children.

The Back To School Pack includes:

•15 Regular Sticker Labels
•80 Slimline Sticker Labels
•48 Press n'Stick Clothing DOTS
•12 Shoe Labels
•2 Mini-Metal Tags (two 4” silver ball chains included)
•12 Square Labels

You can see the quality of the labels

So would you like to win one of the Back to School Pack? Stop by on Aug 17th during the Blogtastic Extravaganza 2 to enter and win.

 Disclaimer:
The products in this review was provided to me free of cost for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

REVIEW OF SAFER BRAND BUG PATROL CONCENTRATE.

 Now that it is the middle of summer, my vegetable garden is growing well but I did have to deal with the pesty little critters that love my plants. I do not have a lot of garden space so I planted my vegetables in pots. I found that raising them up helped with the insect control. I have a variety of vegetables that include Cucumbers, Cherry and Roma tomatoes, American Beauty and white eggplants, Hot and Sweet Banana Peppers and  Red Bell peppers. I have harvested so much that I had to give some away to my neighbors. I recently had an infestation of aphids on my eggplants but I was able to control them with The Safer Brand Bug Patrol Concentrate. I have used insecticidal soap on my plants but I found that they did not kill all of the pests so I decided to give the Bug Patrol a try.

White Eggplant

Sweet Banana Peppers

Husky Cherry Tomatoes

 
Let me tell you a little about the product.

Safer® Brand Bug Patrol Concentrate kills over 40 damaging insects such as beetles, aphids, ticks, scales, whiteflies, mosquitos, chinch bugs and many others. It is supplied in a ready to use concentrate 6.4 OZ  that will make up to one gallon of insect killer. It is supplied with a 50 oz spray bottle for easy mixing and application.

- You can use Bug Patrol on vegetables, fruits and nuts, lawns, ornamentals, trees, shrubs and flowers.
- Fueled by the powerful combination of pyrethrins (.024%) and potassium salts of fatty acids (20%), Bug Patrol gives you quick results on both hard bodied and soft bodied insects! Just mix in the FREE 50 oz. bottle and spray.
- OMRI Listed® and compliant for use in organic gardening.


What makes this product so effective is the active ingredients. Pyrethrin works to break down the hard exoskeleton of a hard bodied insect and the potassium salts of fatty acid breaks down the exterior membrane of the soft bodied insect. This works so effectively as insects die when exposed to the elements and without their natural barriers, the insects dehydrate and die quickly.




Be sure to take a look at our Quick Tip cards!  Click on the image to the right to access these quick reference tools.

My Thoughts-

The concentrate made a gallon of insect killer and the spray bottle was easy to use. I was able to spray most of my vegetables and there was no bad odor. It is important to read all of the precautions on the bottle. The quick reference guide that came with the product showed the correct amount of concentrate to use for different types of plants. (You can check it out above) The pesky aphids were killed as well as other insects that got in the way of the spray. It is important to wash all of your vegetables before eating. It may be organic but you do not want to ingest it. I was using the Ortho garden dust and boy was that a mess. I had to wear a mask while applying it because it would get everywhere. The Bug Patrol concentrate was easier to use and I could control the rate of application. I was also supplied with the Safer Fungicide RTU spray but I have not used the product yet because my vegetables have not suffered from powdery mildew yet. That usually starts near the end of the season and when it is hot and humid for many days. This is a great product and it is easy to store. I just mix up a fresh batch when needed and say goodbye to those pesty critters. As you can see above my plants are doing quite well with the help of Bug Patrol.

The concentrate is not sold in stores and can only be found on the Saferbrand website.

Disclaimer: I was given a free sample of the products and I was not compensated for my review.

I selected this post to be featured on Blog Nation. Please visit the site and vote for my blog!

REVIEW OF THE ESSENTIAL PHONE INTERVIEW HANDBOOK BY PAUL BAILO

____________________________________________________________

If you are a new Graduate or a seasoned professional looking for a new job or just wanting to change professions then the Essential Phone Interview Handbook by Paul J. Bailo will assist you in getting that perfect job.

Today more than ever, job candidates make initial contact with prospective employers 
via the telephone. Phone interviews are often the most unexpected facet of job interviewing, yet they are fast becoming the standard for employers when narrowing the pool of applicants and determining who will be invited for in-person interviews.

The Essential Phone Interview Handbook covers:

1. How to prepare, what to say, and when to say it.
2. How to establish your professional presence over the phone.
3. How to get to the next step. 

The book was written by Paul J. Bailo, is the founder of Phone Interview Pro, a service for job seekers who want to perfect their telephone job interviewing skills. The service creates a 250- plus point phone evaluation that helps the person find what they need to work on when being interviewed.

 My Thoughts-


I have never realized that when I had made a call to a potential employer, that they were assessing me the minute I said hello. My son recently applied to a well known appliance store and they called him and conducted a phone interview. If I had read the book before he received the call, he would have presented himself better. I hope that the employer realized that he was only 17 yrs old but but he did not get the job.That was his first phone interview and he was very hesitant when he answered their questions and kept looking a me for advice. I am actually happy that he did not get that job because he is now working for a fancy restaurant and is making more money then working for that store. The author provided practical advice in a clear and concise way providing examples that made sense.
Did you ever talk to someone on the phone and hear paper rustling and the sounds of a keyboard clicking? Boy, is that annoying and you feel that the person is not even listening to you. The author says that you need to refrain from doing anything else while being interviewed. The interviewer can hear everything and they will remember what you did. So if you are looking for a new job or looking to improve yourself, this is the book for you.

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

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF FLESH & BONES BY PAUL LEVINE.

 
I want to welcome Paul Levine to Books R Us. Paul is the author the the Jake Lassiter Series and is touring the blogosphere with his book, Flesh & Bones.  Thanks for stopping by.




About the Book:


"I was sitting at the end of the bar sipping single-malt Scotch when I spotted the tall blond woman with the large green eyes and the small gray gun.” The next thing Jake Lassiter knows, the woman pumps three bullets into the man on the next barstool.
And Jake, the linebacker-turned-lawyer, has a new client.

She’s stunning model Chrissy Bernhardt, and the dead man is her wealthy father. The defense? Chrissy claims that she’s recently recovered repressed memories of having been sexually abused by her father. Jake wants to believe her but suspects that the memories were either implanted by a shady psychiatrist or fabricated by Chrissy herself. Complicating the situation, Jake falls for his client, clouding his judgment. Is she an anguished victim or a cold-blooded killer? And what about her brother, who stands to inherit a fortune if Chrissy goes to prison? Jake wades into a quagmire of dirty water deals, big money, and family corruption, all leading to an explosive finale.

About the author:


The author of 14 novels, Paul Levine won the John D. MacDonald fiction award and has been nominated for the Edgar, Macavity, International Thriller, and James Thurber prizes. His critically acclaimed and bestselling “Jake Lassiter” novels have been published in 21 countries. The first of the series, “To Speak for the Dead,” was named one of the top ten thrillers of the year by the Los Angeles Times, and is now a bestselling e–book. A former trial lawyer, he wrote more than 20 episodes of the CBS military drama “JAG” and co-created “First Monday,” starring James Garner and Joe Mantegna. He is also the author of the “Solomon vs. Lord” series and the thriller “Illegal.” His next novel will be “Lassiter,” due in Fall 2011 from Bantam.

My Thoughts:

I have always enjoyed mystery novels and Flesh & Bones was a great book. This is the first book that I have read by the author and will not be the last. The book grabbed me from the first page. As I read on I was captivated by how the author combined, mystery, romance, humor and a group of characters that worked well together keeping the storyline interesting and flowing. There were twists and turns throughout the book that kept me guessing and entertained. If you like psychological thrillers then this is the book for you. I wish the book did not have to end so quickly and I wanted more. I guess I have to wait till the next book in the series comes out in the Fall.



Author's Website.

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