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Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF VOICES OF THE DEAD




I want to welcome Peter Leonard to Books R Us. Peter is touring the blogosphere with his suspense novel Voices of the Dead . Thanks for stopping by.



AUTHOR: Peter Leonard
PUBLISHER:
The Story Plant
PUBLICATION DATE: 1/17/12.
PAGES: 320




 Synopsis:

The year is 1971. The place is Detroit. Harry Levin, a scrap metal dealer and Holocaust survivor, has just learned that his daughter was killed in a car accident. Traveling to Washington, DC to claim the body, he learns that the accident was caused by a German diplomat who was driving drunk. This is only the beginning of the horror for Harry, though, as he discovers that the diplomat will never face charges – he has already been released and granted immunity. Enraged and aggrieved, Harry discovers the identity of his daughter’s killer, follows him to Munich, and hunts him down. What Harry finds out about the diplomat and his plans will explode his life and the lives of everyone around him.

Brimming with action and dark humor,
Voices of the Dead, firmly positions Peter Leonard as a writer ever suspense fan needs to read.



Read an Excerpt: 
 
Hess found out the woman lived on P Street in Georgetown, not far from the consulate. He told the ambassador he was having dinner with potential clients, and wanted to drive himself. It was unorthodox, but plausible. He had been issued one of the embassy’s Mercedes sedans. He stopped at a bookstore and bought a map of the area, and located P Street. He drove there and saw the Goldman residence, a federal-style brick townhouse.

Hess went to a restaurant and had dinner and a couple drinks. At ten o’clock he drove back, parked around the corner on 32nd Street between two other vehicles so the license plate was not visible to anyone driving by. He walked to the Goldmans’, stood next to a tree in front of the three-story townhouse. There were lights on the first floor. He walked to the front door and rang the buzzer. He could hear footsteps and voices inside. A light over the door went on. Hess stood in the open so whoever it was would see he was well dressed. The door opened, a man standing there, assumed he was Dr. Mitchell Goldman, dark hair, big nose, mid-forties, top of the shirt unbuttoned, exposing a gold chain and a five-pointed star.

Hess smiled. “My car is on the fritz. May I use your phone to call a tow truck?”

 Dr. Goldman stared at him with concern. “I am staying just down the street at the consulate,” Hess said, smiling. Now the door opened and he stepped into the elegant foyer, chandelier overhead, marble floor.

“Mitch, who is it?” a woman said from a big open room to his right.

Dr. Goldman looked in her direction. “Guy’s having car trouble, wants to use the phone.”
 “It’s ten o’clock at night.”
 “He’ll just be a minute,” the dentist said.

Hess could see the woman sitting on a couch, watching television.

“The phone’s in here.” The dentist started to move.

Hess drew the Luger from the pocket of his suit jacket,and aimed it at Goldman.

The dentist put his hands up. “Whoa. Easy.”
 “Who is in the house?”

 “Just the two of us.”

 “Are you expecting anyone?” He shook his head.

 “Tell her to come in here,” Hess said.

 “What do you want? You want money?” He took his wallet out and handed it to him. “There’s eight hundred dollars in there.”

 “Call her,” Hess said. “Hon, come here, will you?”

 “I’m watching ‘All in the Family.’ Can you wait till the commercial?”

 Hess could hear people laughing on the television.

 “Just for a minute,” the dentist said.

Hess saw her stand up and step around a low table in front of the couch, moving across the room, still looking back at the television. She turned her head as she entered the foyer and saw him holding the gun. Her hair looked darker in the dim light but he had only seen her briefly that day.

 “Oh-my-god,” she said, hands going up to her face.

 “We’re reasonable people,” the dentist said. “Tell us what you want.”

About the Author:

Peter Leonard’s debut novel, QUIVER, was published to international acclaim in 2008 (“A spectacular debut...you will be holding your breath until the final page.”– The New York Sun). It was followed by TRUST ME in 2009 (“TRUST ME is fast, sly and full of twists.” – Carl Hiaasen, New York Times bestselling author). The Story Plant will publish Leonard’s newest novel, ALL HE SAW WAS THE GIRL, in the spring of 2012.


My Thoughts: 

I have to admit that I am not a fan of espionage thrillers but this book was fantastic. I was drawn in from the first page and finished the story rather quickly. There was action, suspense, humor and a cast of characters that made the book interesting. Throughout the book there are times when we find ourselves in Nazi Germany with scenes that were very realistic and well researched. The Main character, Harry, was a child during those horrific times and escapes death. When his daughter was killed by a diplomat, he travels to Munich to track the killer down. The killer looks familiar to him and he finally figures out who he is. All of the supporting characters interacted well. I especially liked Cordell who was Harry's sidekick. He was funny, charming and added energy to the story. If you like suspense and historical novels this is the book for you. 










Disclaimer: I was given a free book by the author and Partners in Crime Tours for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

CHECK OUT BECOME.COM FOR YOUR ONLINE SHOPPING





Looking for something unique and interesting then check out Become.com. You can find different products to suit your taste. Become.com crawls the internet and finds comparative information, reviews, and buying guides about the product. No more searching different site for information Become.com does the work for you. 

 
Looking for a new couch then check out all of the different styles that hey have to offer. They have a large selection of Zebra Couches in many sizes and shapes to fit any room and budget. You can even find some great accessories to match your new couch. They even have a couch especially made for your furry friends that live with you.



 
Need a new robe or sweatshirt robe? Become.com has so many styles and colors to suit even the most pickiest person. They have warm zip up long gathered front women's robes in many different types of fabrics to suit your taste and budget





 So if you are looking for something for the garden,home or the car check out become.com. I will definitely utilize the site for any of my future online shopping. They do the homework for me so I can save some time in my busy schedule.


 
Disclaimer:
Please see my Disclosure Page. I may receive advertising income from blog ads and links on my blog.







Saturday, February 25, 2012

REVIEW OF BAKE POPS- GREAT FOR PARTIES.



If you have kids and need something different to keep the kids engaged then Cake Pops is perfect for you. All I did was fill the Bake Pop pan with my favorite cake mix, popped them in the oven and the results were great. It is as easy as 1,2,3-

The Bake Pop Features-

  1. You can use any type of cake mix even brownies.
  2. No forks, or hassle.
  3. A perfect snack for friends and family anytime you want
  4. The unique pan set makes perfect pops.
  5. You can have fun with your kids and get them involved in baking.



My Thoughts:

I am always open to new ideas and products and the Bake Pop looked very interesting to me. Everything you need is included in the box and the pans are quality made and have a non stick coating that worked great. 


BAKE POPSPhoto & Video Sharing by SmugMug

The kit came with 18 sticks, instructions and a special clamp to keep it all together while in the oven.
The instructions included a variety of ideas that you can use instead of frosting. I found that it was very important to follow the instructions for inserting the sticks in the pop. Otherwise the sticks may fall out when you pick the pop up. I dipped the tips of the sticks in the melted chocolate and then inserted them in the pop. After they hardened, none of them fell out of the pop. After dipping the pops in the chocolate, I let them harden a little before eating. Boy did they look GOOD! and they were devoured rather quickly. The pans cleaned up easily and fit great in the dishwasher.
                                                     
Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug  Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug 

So if you need something different for a party or just for a family snack, I recommend the Bake Pops. You can order them through the official site and you will get the limited kit filled with more extra goodies. Check it out on the official site https://www.bakepop.com. It was as fun to make them as it was to eat them. 





Disclaimer: I received A Bake Pop Kit free for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF EATING SMOKE BY CHRIS THRALL


I want to welcome Chris Thrall to Books R Us. Chris is the author of Eating Smoke and is touring the Blogosphere with Lightening Books Promotions. Thanks for stopping by.


Book Details:


Publisher: Blacksmith Book
Publication Date: October 16, 2011

Purchase: Amazon|Barnes & Noble.




About the Book:
 Chris Thrall left the Royal Marines to find his fortune in Hong Kong, but instead found himself homeless and addicted to crystal meth. Soon he began working for the 14K, Hong Kong's largest crime family, in the Wanchai red-light district. Dealing with the 'foreign triad' - a secretive expat clique connected to the Chinese mafia - he had to survive in the world's most unforgiving city, addicted to the world's most dangerous drug.

My Thoughts:


When I first read the title, I was intrigued and did not know what to expect. I have read many memoirs and Eating Smoke was fantastic. There was one line in the book  "I'm not a stupid guy, just an average guy who does stupid things." that was so true and made me realize that we all make mistakes in our lives. There were so many emotions depicted in the book that included fear, sadness, loneliness, frustration, humor and paranoia. As I read on, there were parts that I was swept away in the paranoia and I was unsure what scenes were real. Even when Chris was at his lowest, I still liked him and I was rooting for him. There were so many crazy characters that Chris met along the way who either helped him or drove him deeper into drugs. The book was well written and I finished it rather quickly. This is a great memoir full of emotions and I recommend the book to everyone. It will give you an insight into the world of drugs and how it can affect you and possibly your family.




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

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

READ AN EXCERPT AND WIN A COPY OF ANGEL'S REST (USA ONLY)

I want to welcome Emily March to Books R Us. Emily is the author of Angel's Rest: An Eternity Springs Novel. Thanks for stopping by.


About the Book:

Gabriel Callahan has lost everything that mattered. All he wants is solitude on an isolated mountain estate. Instead, he gets a neighbor. Vibrant, no-nonsense Nic Sullivan is Eternity Springs’ veterinarian, and she has an uncanny plan to lure this talented architect back to the world of the living. First with a dog, next with a renovation project, and, finally, with a night of passion that ends with a surprise.

Now a man still raw from tragedy must face the biggest struggle of his heart. Can he forgive himself and believe in the power of second chances? Dare he trust in the promise of a future and a brand-new family here in Eternity Springs?




Angel's Rest by Emily March (Excerpt)

Thanks to Random House I can give away a copy of the book (USA ONLY- see rules on Rafflecopter form) To my International Friends: I was just informed today 1/26 that the book is not available on Netgalley any more. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Giveaway ends on 2/12/12 @11:59pm EST.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

REVIEW OF MASTER YOUR ACNE BY DEVIN MOOERS

I remember growing up with acne and I still suffer from rosacea. Both of my children have had bouts of acne for years. We have tried different cleansers and over the counter creams as well as a few visits to the dermatology with poor results. I thought I knew all about the causes of acne until I read Devin Mooer's book Master your Acne

About the Book:


This is a thorough, complete, well-thought-out e-guide to curing acne with diet and lifestyle. It wades through all the pseudoscience, distilling the real science into actionable steps people can take to achieve clear skin. The method requires no skin care products, no prescriptions, and no strange “natural” cures (i.e. no oatmeal, cider vinegar, baking soda types of treatments). This is not a “magic bullet” solution, but rather a comprehensive, multi-pronged attack strategy to cure acne. By choosing certain foods and avoiding others, and making sure some key nutrient needs are met, this course empowers readers to take their health into their own hands, and cure their acne once and for all.

My Thoughts:

I know that that there are many causes of acne and I have read many books on the subject. Some were very technical and gave you too much information that may be confusing to some readers. Devon's book is packed of information that well researched and easy to understand. He discusses the truths and myths concerning acne, dietary guidelines, stress reduction, the causes of acne and other interesting topics. I found the clear skin checklist and the master list of food very helpful and summarized the major points discussed in the book. So if you are struggling and frustrated with acne, get a copy of the book. You will not be disappointed and maybe you will learn something new.






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 SEER BY MARTHA HARRIS

Title: The Seer.
Author: Martha Harris
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Co.
Publication Date: October 28, 2011







About the Book:

Bobbi Wheeler is a psychiatrist who uses her psychic abilities to help her patients deal with depression and grief. This ability to know her patients' history and inner thoughts through a simple "touch" is the reason behind her successful therapy sessions with satisfied clients.

Bobbi doesn't always view her abilities as a gift, but a curse, because not all of her dreams are pleasant. She saw her grandfather's death in a dream when she was young child and tried to prevent it but couldn't. This started her feelings of helplessness whenever she dreams about dangers involving people she encountered and touched by chance.

While she may know the ways in dealing with emotional pain, she is also somehow battling with her own frailties and inner turmoil, making her long for the ocean and the pleasant things about it to give her peace. It is in one of these trips that she meets Lance Wolfe, a nonbeliever in psychics and a widower who blames himself for the death of his wife in a car accident. His guilt somehow hinders him from loving another woman again. Nonetheless, Bobbi opens his heart once more, but not completely. He seems to have the gift, as it is with him that Bobbi learns she can communicate using thoughts alone and go through someone else's psychic's mind.

In one of her visits to Lance's house in Belford, Bobbi feels like she's been inside a man who gave her the most horrifying nightmare ever. This man who for a time she mistook as one of her patients, Tobias Emerson murders a couple in her dreams. This man has the ability to control minds and although she is able to go inside the dream and prevent him from doing the crime, the man prevails over her and goes ahead with the carnage. After the police get involved, the man has only one thing on his mind killing her.

My Thoughts:


When I started reading the book, I found it hard to get into but I was glad that I decided to continue reading. There were twists and turns that kept me engaged and an ending that will surprise you. The main character, Bobbi, was likeable and very interesting. Bobbi has visions or nightmares that were vivid, descriptive and frightening. Bobbi has a special ability to see a person's inner most thoughts through touch. She sees a new client, Tobias, and feels nothing when she touches him and she realizes that he is very different. There is tension between her love interest, Lance, and their relationship grows as the story unfolds. If you like mystery,romance and the supernatural then you will enjoy the book.




Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. 

Friday, January 13, 2012

WELCOME TO THE DREAMING OF BOOKS GIVEAWAY (USA)



There are so many blogs participating in the Hop. You will find some nice book related items being given away. There is a linky at the end of this post.  After you've entered here, hop on over to the next blog on the list and keep going as long as you'd like!  The more you enter, the more likely you are to win. I want to thank Kathy From I am a Reader not A Writer and Martha from Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf



I am offering to one lucky reader a collection of books that you will enjoy.
  1. The Bone House by Stephen R Lawhead.
  2. Resuscitation(ARC) by D.M Annechino. Read my review of the book.
  3. 30 Lessons for Living by K. Pillemer Ph.D. Read my review of the book.
  4. A $20 Gift Certificate to Barnes & Noble.  
Contest ends on 1/18@11:59pm Eastern. USA only. Winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and will have 48 hrs to respond to my email or a new winner will be chosen. See rules on Rafflecopter widget.

And while you are here, Please enter my other contests-
Win a copy of the book The Cat Cellar and Other Stories (ends 1/21)
Enter to win the Dr Sears Zone Diet standard Meal Plan (Ends  1//25)



a Rafflecopter giveaway
PLEASE VISIT ALL OF THE PARTICIPATING BLOGS

Monday, January 2, 2012

REVIEW OF THE UNCOMMON LIFE DAILY CHALLENGE BY T. DUNGY.

Now that the New Year has just begun and many of you have New Year's Resolutions and need motivation to follow them. I want to introduce you to a remarkable book full of inspirational stories, thoughts, quotes and  tips for everyday life called The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge by Tony Dungy and N. Whitaker.

About the Book:

Strengthen the core of your life and faith on a year-long journey with beloved Super Bowl–winning former head coach Tony Dungy! The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge contains 365 reflections from the #1 New York Times bestselling author on living an “uncommon life” of integrity, honoring your family and friends, creating a life of real significance and impact, and walking with the Lord. This year, step up to the challenge—and dare to be uncommon every day.
The book focuses on several themes: Core, Family, Friends, Potential, Mission, Influence and Faith. Each theme is repeated every seven days.


About the Authors:

 Tony Dungy:

 Tony Dungy is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Quiet StrengthUncommon, and The Mentor Leader. He led the Indianapolis Colts to Super Bowl victory on February 4, 2007, the first such win for an African American head coach. Dungy established another NFL first by becoming the first head coach to lead his teams to the playoffs for ten consecutive years.
He retired from coaching in 2009 and now serves as a studio analyst for NBC's Football Night in America. He and his wife, Lauren, are the parents of seven children.



 Nathan Whitaker: 

Nathan Whitaker is an attorney who lives in Florida with his wife and two daughters. He graduated from Harvard Law School and has worked in football administration for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His firm currently represents NFL and college coaches.






 

My Thoughts:

I am not a football fan and I did not even know who the author was until I had the opportunity to read the book. The book is full of inspiration, hope and encouragement to be a better person. Each day begins with a passage of scripture followed by a devotion that includes a story taken from the authors family life or athletic career. I have read many devotionals and have found many of them boring or they do not relate to my life but this book is quite different. Even though I do not follow sports or football, the stories about the sport were very easy to understand and the author was able to relate it to everyday life. The book was easy to read and understand. At the end of each page is a "Uncommon Key" to think about during the day. One of my favorite is on May 22nd and speaks about family. "Spend time with your family and loved ones- for no reason at all but to be there. You will witness miracles you might otherwise miss forever." Boy is that so true. There are times that work always interferes with our family and I have missed so many important events that occurred. So if you need a little motivation to keep your resolutions or just to make your life better this is the book for you. You will not be disappointed.

Connect with the Authors:


Would you like to win a copy of the book? 

Stop back tomorrow during the New Years Resolution Blog Carnival to enter.There will be so many blogs participating and they will try to help you keep your resolution.




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

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY OF FIT MOMS FOR LIFE BY DUSTIN MAHER

Do you ever find that you have no energy to keep up with your kids? I know I have. Recently I had the pleasure to read a different type of fitness book called Fit Moms For Life: How To Have Endless Energy To Outplay Your Kids by Dustin Maher

In the book you will discover:
  1. 31 transformation stories from real women.
  2. How to burn 5-9 times more fat without cardio.
  3. An eating plan and recipes for balanced meals.
  4. An Exercise that can shrink your waistline WITHOUT diet changes.
  5. A training program that burns fat while you sleep.
  6. An much more...
 

My Thoughts-


I have tried many fad diets that did not work but Dustin's book was very different. I have learned that losing weight and keeping fit involves a lifestyle change and Dustin's book can help you do that. The transformation stories of real women were an inspiration to me. If they can do it so can I. The book is written in a way that is easy to understand and provides all of the tools needed to reach your goals. He provides advice on exercise, dietary guidelines and tips to maintain good health. The chapter called "Food as Fuel" was fantastic and listed sixteen rules to live by. Each rule was thoroughly explained and he provided guidelines on what foods were taboo. I have always been a fan of Egg salad and Dustin included a recipe that was fantastic even my kids liked it. I recommend the book not only to moms but to everyone who wants to get in shape and change their lives.

Thanks to Dustin I am able to give away a copy of the book.

USA/CAN only. 

Contest ends on 12/31 @11:59PM EST. See Rafflecopter widget for rules.







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





Monday, December 5, 2011

REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY OF HEADLINE SHIRTS- FUNNY TEES (WORLDWIDE)


I want to introduce you to a T-Shirt company that is far from the ordinary. Are you tired of plain white boring tee-shirts then check out Headline Shirts. Thanks to the company, I got the opportunity to try one of their shirts. When I first entered their site, I was amazed by all of the slogans that they offer. Since everyone is stressed out this season, I decided to get the slogan GANDI SAYS RELAX! in a charcoal gray color. My daughter wore it to school a couple of times and everyone had a good laugh over it. Let me tell you about the company.
Headline Shirts was founded in 2005 in a dusty, ramshackle garage in San Francisco. (All of which is true except the thing about the garage.) Having started at the peak of the Bush years, our early t-shirt designs reflected the mood of the country -- politically charged and kind of crazy. Before long, though, we found politics to be a bit polarizing. So we set about making intelligently funny tees that everyone could enjoy -- be they a pussyfooting Hollywood liberal or a gun-crazed redneck from Waco.
 Our Vintageblend™ tees are hand-sewn right here in San Francisco, CA, using a super-soft, poly/cotton blend. As you might expect from a bunch of West Coast tree huggers, we use only Eco-friendly inks and materials right down to the compostible bags we ship them in.

My Thoughts-
 
Navigating the site was very easy and it took me a while to pick out a slogan. The t-shirt material was soft and even after a couple of washes(cold water) the shirt maintained its shape, color and the slogan did not start to peel off like some other brands do.The stitching of the tee was even and I did not notice any imperfections.  Ordering was easy and shipping was fast. So if you do not know what to get for your family friends or your boss, head on over to the Headline site and find the perfect slogan.

If you sign up for their newsletter they will give you $5.00 off your order.


So would you like to win one of these unique Tees? Enter my contest.
Contest ends on 12/10@11:59pm EST- See rules on Rafflecopter widget.







Disclaimer: I was given a free Shirt for my honest opinion and I was not compensated for my review.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

REVIEW OF CITY OF THE FALLING SKY BY JOSEPH EVANS

Release date: July 26, 2011.
Published by: Independently.
Reading level: Young Adult: Futuristic.




About the Book:

When Seckry Sevenstars is forced out of his village by the greedy Endrin Corporation and relocated to the daunting metropolis of Skyfall City, he harbours resentment for the company and vows to get them back one day for taking away his home, his school and his friends.

Fortunately, the marvels of the city do a good job in distracting Seckry from his anger and homesickness, and it isn’t long before he’s competing at Friction (the city’s most popular multiplayer video game), slurping awe-inspiring multicoloured milkshakes, and getting butterflies on his first date.

Then, when a mysterious email asks Seckry to break into the headquarters of the Endrin Corporation and steal a container full of worms for a hefty sum of money, his anger resurfaces, and he can’t resist the revenge he promised himself.

Alone at night, Seckry creeps through the sewers whilst wondering what experiments Endrin might be doing on the worms, and emerges into the silent complex. But the worms aren’t the only thing that he finds. Staring at him through the darkness, with wide, innocent eyes, is something that makes Seckry’s heart almost stop.

A girl.

She’s shaking, petrified, and has no recollection of who she is or what she’s doing there.

Floodlights bleach the area and Seckry has no choice but to grab a hold of the girl and escape with her.

Suddenly the question of what Endrin were doing with a few worms becomes the last thing on Seckry’s mind. What were Endrin doing with a human?

Watch the Trailer: 

 


My Thoughts:

I have to sum the book up in one word "WOW!" but let me tell you why. The book grabbed me from the first page with vivid scenes, great characters and a little bit of Harry Potter in a futuristic way. I really liked Seckry, he was your typical 16-year-old boy who lived in a world where you had to fend for yourself to get by. The novel had multiple story-lines that was intermingled in a way that was not confusing.The author was able to make the characters real and believable with twists and turns that kept me engaged and interested.
Although, I did find a couple grammatical errors throughout the book, they did not hinder my enjoyment of the book. If you are a gamer, you will enjoy the book. The author has a vivid imagination and the way he described the virtual world of Friction intrigued me. I wish I could enter the world and play the game. This is a great YA novel and I look forward to book two in the series.





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

Friday, October 21, 2011

Blog Tour and Book Spotlight of Surviving Emily by L. Bellesheim





I want to welcome Laurie Bellesheim to Books R Us. Laurie is the author of the Surviving Emily. She is virtually touring the blogosphere. Thanks for stopping by. 


About the Book:

 When Abigail went to wake her best friend Emily, she had no concept of the nightmarish horror she was about to encounter; unbeknownst to Abigail, Emily suffered from epilepsy, and she was the victim of Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy. Emily’s death left a void in Abigail’s life, but Abigail was not the only one affected by the loss. Emily’s longtime boyfriend, Stephen, was shattered by the loss of the girl he planned to marry. In the years that pass, the two survivors find different ways to cope with their friend’s death. Stephen tries to drown his sorrows in booze, drugs, and meaningless encounters with faceless women; eventually, he pulls his life together, but he finds himself unable to commit to love again. Abigail buries her sadness so deep that even her husband doesn’t fully understand her loss; Abigail herself doesn’t realize how badly she was hurt by the events of her past until she encounters a client with epilepsy through her work in the Department of Children and Families.
Newly pregnant and struggling to deal with her epileptic client, Abigail crosses paths with Stephen once more. Stephen is in a foundering relationship with a caring and supportive nurse, but he finds himself unable to commit to the level that his girlfriend, Carolina, needs and deserves. Through a series of amazing events Stephen and Abigail manage to find peace with the events of that tragic day so long ago as well as the fortitude to continue on the paths that their lives had laid before them. Full of heartbreak and loss but ultimately hope, Surviving Emily is a compelling story that explores the meaning of everlasting friendship and the healing power of love. 

About the Author:   
  
Surviving Emily is based on author Laurie Bellesheim’s personal experience with Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy; at the age of 18, Bellesheim lost a close friend to this silent killer. Prior to writing this, her first novel, Bellesheim worked as a social worker with the Department of Children and Families. A graduate of Southern Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work, Bellesheim resides in rural Connecticut with her husband and their three children.

Connect With the Author:

Purchase the Book:

Read an Excerpt.


Prologue
IT WAS THE year 1990, the morning of November 11th. Abigail woke up to the sound of her alarm clock; she and Emily were scheduled to work early. But little did she know as she tossed back her covers and stepped outside her bedroom that morning what was waiting for her in the room across the hall. In the few steps she took, the dreams of her youth were destroyed, a friendship was shattered, and the life she knew took a whole new course.
With her heart pounding viciously in her chest, Abigail rushed down the stairs. She ran as fast as she could to the farthest end of the house to her mother’s bedroom. Her mother was already opening her door. At the sight of her, Abigail fell to her knees. A sudden ache for a breath and a tightening in her chest left her too weak to speak.
Her mother dug her fingers into Abigail’s arms as if attempting to lift her up. Abigail felt her mother’s fingers bruising her skin.
“What is it?” her mother shouted, nearly breaking into tears. “Abby, what’s wrong?” Worried Abigail had been gravely hurt; she pulled her daughter’s clenched hands apart.
“It’s not me,” Abigail cried out. “It’s Emily!” She looked at her mother helplessly, unable to find the words to explain.
It was enough to propel her mother down the hall and into the kitchen, where she grabbed the phone from the wall. A second later she was back in the hallway, pushing the portable phone into Abigail’s hand.
A distant voice asked, “What is your emergency, please?” but Abigail couldn’t answer right away. She was too busy listening to her mother run up the stairs, hearing her bare feet pound on each wooden step, waiting for her inevitable scream.
“It’s my friend. My friend Emily is dead.”

* * * 
The house became filled with the sounds of the front door opening and closing and footsteps pounding up and down the hardwood stairs. From her perch in the bay window, Abigail saw a coroner pull into the driveway and watched a policeman on the front stoop pull on rubber gloves. A man carrying a camera brushed past her on his way through the living room. And as the static noise from the policemen’s radios pulsed inside her head, she began to wonder if any of what she was seeing was real. Other than the occasional policeman stopping to question her, she felt as if she was trespassing on the stage of a theatrical production that wasn’t meant for her to see. She felt like she was outside herself, watching the tragedy unfold.

More frighteningly, she knew that at any moment Emily’s father would come. He would waver through her door, the very same one the paramedics had torn through, and he’d want to see his daughter. Abigail heard the whispers of the policemen from where she sat by the window. Not only had they found Emily’s father, but they’d also heard about Stephen, Emily’s long-time boyfriend, who’d also been at her house the night before. Soon he’d come as well. She thought about how she’d face them, the two men who loved Emily most. How she would sit and watch their hearts shatter to pieces all over her living room floor as they were told. She couldn’t fathom such a moment and was terrified every time the front door opened.
A while later, still trying to process all that had happened, Abigail slipped away from the chaos and tiptoed back up the stairs. She’d been instructed not to go upstairs, but the desire to see Emily was too strong. She saw no harm; after all, it was her house. But as she approached the top step, she was confronted with another shock. Two men wearing rubber gloves rummaged through her bathroom. One sifted through her personal items while the other one examined her trash. She couldn’t imagine what they looked for but was too appalled to ask. It was an image she would not soon forget.
With her mouth gaping in disbelief, she turned towards Emily’s bedroom. Across the room another man knelt by the window. The blinds were torn down, and the morning sun was trickling in all around him, leaving small squares of light across the hardwood floor. Outside the window, red and orange leaves swirled in a cool November breeze as their long twisted branches cast distorted shadows across the eaves. Beneath the shadows, Emily’s lifeless, sheet-covered body lay on the bed, barely missing the path of the sun’s warm glow. The man was busy dusting the blinds for fingerprints; she recognized this from the legal drama series she sometimes watched on television. He didn’t seem to notice her standing there, nor did he seem to hear her. Abigail gasped as she felt like a thousand bee stings hit her, all at once. Emily had died, and not even the police understood why.

Stop by the next stop on the blog tour on 10/22- A Twitter Blast with Pandora Poikilos


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