Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Author Spotlight: Mayan Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke



The discovery of a priceless artifact puts Julia’s life in great danger! From valuable artifacts to shady businessmen, the Yucatan Peninsula becomes a dangerous vacation spot for John and Julia Evans. While on assignment for the newspaper, the Evanses try to enjoy a romantic vacation among the Mayan ruins, but when Julia accidentally comes upon a couple suspicious men exchanging an item, she quickly turns and leaves but it is too late. The men have seen her. As a reporter, Julia does not easily give up and her curiosity gets them in a mess of trouble. Before John and Julia realize what is going on, they are both in danger and find themselves running for their lives through the jungles of the Yucatan.

Read an Excerpt!


Chapter 1


Julia strode down the well-traveled path. Her heart was beating rapidly and she had a feeling of urgency as she hurried along. She stopped and looked around. The trees on both sides of the trail were so thick that she couldn't see beyond them, and a canopy of branches overhead was hiding the sun from view. Thick vines and vegetation had crept up the trunks of many trees and were hanging over the limbs. She heard the chatter of monkeys and a few tropical birds communicating with each other, but other than that, it was peaceful and serene. So why had her pulse rate accelerated?

Julia continued on for a ways until she came to a fork in the path. The trail on the right was trimmed and well-worn but the one on the left was less traveled and narrow. Not only that, a large fat snake was hanging from a branch. The snake's head lifted and followed her every movement. This sent a chill up her spine and Julia shivered involuntarily. Snakes had never bothered her before but this one was much larger than an ordinary garden snake. Whether or not it was poisonous, she didn't know.

Julia bit her lip, wondering which path to take. The one on the right seemed more inviting, but she was curious about the other and where it led. After a few seconds, she headed down the well-trimmed path. For some reason, she felt a deep foreboding with each step she took. Had she chosen wisely?

It did not take long until she came upon an opening in the thick forest. Julia's eyes widened at the beauty, so green and lush. A magnificent aqua-colored lake stood out from this forest and peacefulness seemed to rein over this area. As her eyes scanned the beauty of this land, she heard crunching of debris from behind her.

Instinctively, she knew that her life was in danger. Why, she did not know. Julia's heart pounded furiously. Beads of sweat formed on her brow and her chest tightened. Taking a deep breath, she slowly turned and found herself face to face with a large burly man that had an angular scar across his cheek. His piercing dark eyes were hard and cold as he glared at her. His contemptuous smile told her that he had been hunting her like prey.

Julia was helpless. She was in a remote area by herself. When the man saw her fear, he grinned, accentuating the scar along his cheekbone. As he slowly approached her, to her horror, she could not move an inch. She was frozen to the spot. So she did the only thing she could think of. She let out a blood-curdling scream that echoed in her ears.

Instantly, John bolted upright from his bed, his heart pounding erratically as he awoke from a deep sleep. He blinked his eyes a couple times, trying to come to his senses when he finally realized that Julia had awakened him, screaming at the top of her voice. He leaned toward the nightstand, switched on the light, and then turned toward his wife. When he saw how pale she was, John realized she had had a nightmare. Was it the same dream again? He took her hand and squeezed it lovingly as he watched her chest rise and fall in quick breaths. After a few moments, her eyes flickered open and met his. When he looked into her hazel eyes, he knew she was frightened.

"You had another one, didn't you?"

Julia nodded.

"The same one?"

She nodded again, her eyes wide with fear.

"It's been a month now and you've had this same dream once or twice a week. Does it ever vary or is every detail the same?"

"The same," she answered as she pushed her fingers through her rich auburn hair. "There's no variation."

John slid next to her and pulled her into his arms. How he loved this woman, his wife and companion! And it wrenched his heart that she had to endure such dreams. What had caused them in the first place? He wrapped his arms around her in a protective manner as she snuggled in his embrace. She gave a sigh of relief as he tightened his arms around her.

Julia was an investigative reporter for the Dixie Chronicle in St. George, Utah. She was a stubborn, determined woman but her pleasant smile was genuine, which warmed the soul of those she met. She, also, had a deep faith in God but she had her mischievous ways. For fun, she would introduce herself by using her first and middle name, just to see the surprised look on people's faces. What was her middle name? Roberts. That's right. Julia Roberts! In fact, she almost laughed out loud when someone actually asked for her autograph. She didn't even look like the movie star. Not wanting to embarrass the poor man, she gave him her autograph. Julia vowed that one day she would ask her father why she had been given such an unusual middle name.

She was stunningly beautiful, a farm girl at heart with a touch of grace and elegance, when needed. Her husband cherished everything about her, even her strong will and stubborn ways. She was completely opposite from John, which made his life with her even more intriguing. They had been married for twenty-one years. She was forty-one and he was forty-three.

Right now they were in a hotel in Merida on the Yucatan Peninsula on assignment for the Chronicle. Needless to say, they decided to make it a vacation and stay two weeks instead of one.

As Julia heard the deep breathing of her husband, she knew that he had fallen asleep again. She smiled. This vacation was a much-needed one for both of them. John had been working extra long hours lately and she had greatly missed his presence at home.

Julia had longed for his attention and loving ways, even his teasing, for the past six months. She longed for that affectionate kiss as he passed through the kitchen, holding hands during a movie, and words of communication while lying in bed. It sort of rekindled the fire that may have been forgotten from every day life in a busy world of responsibilities.

Julia knew how important it was to keep a romantic relationship with her husband. She liked a romantic evening best when it was spontaneous rather than planned. But who had time to even plan lately?

It had been quite a while since Julia felt her heart beat rapidly as she felt her husband's arms tighten around her waist and she desperately missed it. She felt a need to renew those special feelings as often as possible, to keep their love alive. So, here they were in Mexico, and finally taking time for one another.

The only thing that confused her was why she was having these dreams. They were the same exact dreams every time. As she lay staring at the ceiling, Julia knew that she could not fall back to sleep so she very quietly slid out of bed.

She walked to the dresser and slipped on some clothes, brushed her hair, and put on some makeup. Then she turned out the lamp beside the bed and slipped out the door to take a relaxing walk. It was six o'clock in the morning and not a soul was up and stirring on this Sabbath day. This was a perfect time to meditate and think of all her many blessings, for her husband and their three daughters.

Julia walked out into the cool morning air and breathed in the fresh fragrance. As she slowly strolled down the sidewalk, she thought about her assignment for the Dixie Chronicle. She was supposed to write about the ruins of the ancient people of Mesoamerica. What an exciting assignment! She was so thrilled when her boss had given her this important project, the first one he had ever given her since her promotion as an investigative reporter. She smiled with contentment as she walked toward a bunch of tall thick shrubs next to a park.

As Julia stepped around the shrubs, she saw a short pudgy man with wisps of grayish brown hair surrounding his balding head. He was smiling as he admired something in his hand. The man beside him was an unusually tall Latin. His short sleeves revealed his tanned arms and he had dark curly hair that touched the collar of his white shirt.

As the balding man pulled a large envelope from his jacket and handed it to his companion, he exclaimed, "Beautiful! It's simply..."

His words trailed off when his eyes met Julia's. As if startled by her presence, he froze, staring at her with widened eyes.

Instantly, his companion turned around and looked over his shoulder to see what he was staring at. But it did not take long for the Latin's dark eyes to quickly change from surprise to irritation. Julia noticed that his eyes were hard and cold and his jaw was rigid. A chill went down her spine as a feeling of apprehension crept inside her. Something told her to leave and to leave now. She was not about to question those feelings, so she instantly turned on her heels and strode toward the hotel.

Why had these men acted so strangely? If they had wanted privacy, why did they meet at a public park? But as she thought about it, it was only six o'clock on a Sunday morning. Why would they expect anyone to be wandering through the park at this time of day? What surprised her most was their attitude and the way the Latin had reacted to her presence, as if he were angry.

Feeling uneasy, Julia dared not turn around and see if she was followed but quickly picked up her pace. She quickly strode up the stairs of the hotel and ran head long into the chest of a man standing near the door.

"Whoa, there, Julia!" Paul said with surprise as he grabbed onto her shoulders. "Why are you in such a hurry? And where's John?"

Feeling startled, it took a few seconds to catch her breath before she could answer. Julia quickly turned around to see if she had been followed, and seeing no one, she sighed with relief.

Paul took her arm and led her to a sofa in the waiting room and sat across from her. "So, what's up? You look as if something's troubling you."

Julia tried to smile reassuringly, but it was more of a forced one instead. "Oh, I was just taking a walk. I couldn't sleep in. You know, the excitement of being here and all."

Paul smiled back, his eyes full of joy. "I know exactly how you feel, Julia. I couldn't sleep, either. I'm so excited to be here. I really want to thank you for allowing me to come along on this trip. When John told me about your assignment, I just had to invite myself along. This is like a dream come true for me. Man, to be able to see the ruins of Mesoamerica! That's every archaeologist's dream."

Paul was a dear friend who taught at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah. He not only taught American history and archaeology, but he was also a dyed-in-the-wool archaeologist and was constantly involved in restoring the past.

Paul was a serious sort of fellow. He was lean and tall with blond hair and large blue eyes. He had glasses that were set on his long, slender nose, giving him the distinguishing look of a professor. He was thirty-nine years old and still unmarried. As an archaeologist, digging in the dirt was the most exhilarating part of his life and he had not found a woman who could stand digging beside him all day long. Until then, he would remain single.

"So, where's John?" asked Paul with a raise of his eyebrow.

"Still sleeping. I was just headed back to the room to wake him and..." Julia's eyes widened in surprise.

The Latin whom she had seen at the park was standing beside the desk, talking nonchalantly to the clerk and staring straight at Julia. There was no mistake about it. He was the same man, all right. The tall Latin's eyes seemed to penetrate right through her as he smiled but Julia instantly averted her eyes and looked down at her hands lying in her lap. What was he doing here? Had he followed her?

After a moment, she berated herself for being so paranoid. The man probably had a room at the hotel and was just chatting with the clerk. The young boy was very friendly and he had talked with her for some time last night, asking where she was from and so forth.

When she felt Paul touch her hand, she jumped.

"Julia," he said with concern. "What's wrong?"

She leaned toward him and whispered, "I saw a couple men at the park this morning and something about their conduct gave me the willies."

"What do you mean?"

Julia bit her lip nervously and leaned closer to Paul. "I can't describe it exactly, but inside I have an anxious feeling and I don't know why."

"What are you talking about?"

"He's standing at the desk," she said, keeping her eyes glued on Paul.

He turned toward the front desk and asked with puzzlement, "Who? The desk clerk?" "No, the other one."

"There isn't anybody else, Julia."

She looked up toward the desk and saw the clerk busily working. "He's gone."

"Shall I ask the clerk about this man? If he's bothering you, we should report it."

Julia shook her head, feeling ridiculous. "Oh, it's nothing. I'm just being paranoid in a strange land." She stood and gestured toward the dining room. "I'll see you in about an hour for breakfast."







Linda Weaver Clarke was raised on a farm surrounded by the rolling hills of southern Idaho and made her home in southern Utah among the beautiful red mountains and desert heat. She is happily married and the mother of six daughters and has five grandchildren. Linda travels the United States encouraging people to write their family history and autobiography. She is the author of A Family in Beak Lake, Idaho series, and The Adventures of John and Julia Evans mystery series. Her latest release is Mayan Intrigue.

You can find Linda online at http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/index.html and at her blog found at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/.
She is having a week-long celebration at her blog that includes a book giveaway, so make sure you stop by.

Purchase Mayan Intrigue today!

Monday, August 30, 2010

The Book Connection's Summer 2010 Book Giveaway -- Book Pack # 9 (Mystery/True-Crime)




This summer has just flown by and we're now down to the final two weeks of The Book Connection's Summer 2010 Book Giveaway. Book Pack # 9 is hard for me to part with. I truly enjoyed these books; three of them are signed by the authors. I just happen to hate clutter more than I love great books. If we ever build another house, I will have one room designed with floor to ceiling bookshelves on at least two sides. Then I might have enough room.

Book Pack # 9 includes:



An autographed copy of Bob Avey's Beneath a Buried House.

Tulsa Police Detective Kenny Elliot has a keen sense for the unusual. The death of a John Doe from an overdose seems like an easy case--to everyone except Elliot. He's sure there is more to it than meets the eye. His mission to discover the truth finds him deceived at every turn and makes him the target of an unknown danger.

You can read my full review here.



The second book is an autographed copy of Downsized To Death by Patricia Gulley.

When branch manager, Prudence Peters learns the national travel agency where she works is downsizing and she is demoted, you would think that's all the bad news she has to contend with. Put in the position of watching helplessly while news of closing branches circulates, and desperately trying to make sure her branch isn't one of them, Pru also has to worry about vying for her former job against a slew of others. As if matters couldn't get any worse, her former boss, Claudia, turns up dead, and one of Pru's employees, who is now missing, is the prime suspect. Can Pru save her job, the branch, and find a killer?

My full review can be found here.



The Last Jew Standing by Michael Simon is just one of his Dan Reles novels.

This fourth installment of Simon's Detective Dan Reles series finds Dan with a new home, a new wife, a son, and far removed from the life he once had in New York. But there is no way that Dan will ever escape his past...especially when it shows up on his doorstep.

My review can be read here.



Last, but certainly not least, is an autographed copy of the true military crime novel, Murder in Baker Company: How Four American Soldiers Killed One of Their Own by Cilla McCain.

After serving in Bosnia, Army Specialist Richard T. Davis reenlisted in time for the invasion of Iraq. He would make it through the bloody, savage battle known as the Midtown Massacre and return on July 12, 2003 to Fort Benning, Georgia. Richard looked forward to reuniting with his parents soon in St. Charles, Missouri.

That reunion never happened.

My review can be found here.

Retail Value of Book Pack #9 is $85.80!

Here are the rules and entry details for Book Pack #9 in The Book Connection's Summer 2010 Book Giveaway:



1. You must be a follower of this blog to be eligible to win.

2. For your first entry, leave a comment here indicating you are a follower.

3. Blog about this contest and receive five additional entries. Comment must include a link to your blog post about the contest.

4. You will receive two additional entries for every friend you refer to this contest. Your friend must become a follower of the blog and leave a comment indicating who referred him/her. Use Blogger IDs when listing who provided the referral, so they are easily traced back to the correct person. No anonymous entries are allowed.

5. You will receive one additional entry for tweeting about this contest. Leave a link to your tweet here.

6. You will receive one additional entry for following my other blog, Book Tours and More. Leave me a comment here telling me you're now a follower of BTM.

This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States and Canada. No emails will be sent to notify the winner. The winner can claim his/her prize by clicking the Contact Me button in the sidebar and sending along his/her mailing address. All winners have 72 hours after their names are announced to claim their prizes. An alternative winner will be selected after the 72 hour window has passed. If you win a prize, please wait one week before entering another giveaway. Prizes will be shipped media mail through the United States Postal Service. We are not responsible for lost or damaged goods. Deadline to enter is 11:59 PM on Saturday, September 4, 2010. Only those who follow the rules of this contest will be eligible to win.

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!

Book Pack #8 Giveaway Winner!



Congratulations goes out to Susanne, winner of Book Pack #8 in The Book Connection's Summer 2010 Book Giveaway!

Susanne now has 72 hours to contact us with her mailing information. Our contact button is in the sidebar. If we don't hear from her within 72 hours, we'll select another winner.

Thanks again to all who participated last week. This week's giveaway will be posted soon!

Book Pack #7 Giveaway Winner!



Congratulations goes out to Martha Lawson, winner of Book Pack #7 for children in The Book Connection's Summer 2010 Book Giveaway!

Martha now has 72 hours to contact me with her mailing address. If I don't hear from her by then, a new winner will be selected.

Thanks to all who participated. Look for this week's giveaway, coming soon!

Interview with Linda Weaver Clarke, Author of Anasazi Intrigue and Mayan Intrigue



Today I would like to welcome back to The Book Connection, author Linda Weaver Clarke. As my readers know, Linda interviews authors and runs giveaways at her blog. Now it’s her turn to be interviewed. While I am familiar with her A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho series, I don’t know a lot about her new series, which includes the books, Anasazi Intrigue and Mayan Intrigue. I’m sitting down with Linda today to talk about this new mystery series and discuss how writing in two genres can be both similar and different.

Welcome back to The Book Connection, Linda. It’s been a while. Why don’t you give my readers a brief refresher course on who is Linda Weaver Clarke?

LWC: I was raised on a farm surrounded by the rolling hills of southern Idaho and made my home in southern Utah among the beautiful red mountains and desert heat. I am happily married and the mother of six daughters and have five grandchildren. I also travel throughout the United States, teaching a “Family Legacy Workshop,” encouraging people to write their family history and autobiography.

I loved the first book in your A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho series, Melinda and the Wild West. What made you decide to sit down and write these books?

LWC: I was so inspired after reading my own ancestors’ stories that I wanted to create fictional characters and give them similar experiences from my ancestors. There are five books in this series. It was so much fun. For example, my great grandmother, Sarah, lost her hearing at the age of one when she was very sick. Even though she was deaf, she was known as one of the most graceful dancers in town. She was a beautiful woman with black hair, blue eyes, and was 5’ 5” tall. Nothing held her back. She was an independent and spunky woman. One day, she felt that an intruder was in her home so she grabbed her broom and searched the house. She found him under her bed. With all the power and strength she had, she swatted him out of the house and down the street, pummeling him as she went. My great grandmother was an inspiration to me, so I gave her experiences to my character in David and the Bear Lake Monster. I even named her Sarah, after my great grandmother.

Now, you’re known as a lover of genealogy and for incorporating your family’s past and experiences into your novels. Did this happen with your new series as well?

LWC: I couldn’t help but add true experiences from my own life with my husband and children. In fact, I patterned the three teenagers in this series after my last three daughters. They laughed when I told them what I did. Of course, I tell my readers in the Author’s Notes what is actually true. My readers seem to like that bit of info.



Let’s talk more about The Adventures of John and Julia Evans series. You’ve got two books out now. Tell us a bit about Anasazi Intrigue and Mayan Intrigue.

LWC: In Anasazi Intrigue, it all begins with a devastating flood, which takes out several homes in a small town in southern Utah. Julia Evans, the town's newest reporter, is shocked by the news of a poison spill that kills many of the fish and neighbor's pets. Intrigued, she jumps into action and begins her investigation. Quickly though, Julia realizes the story and investigation are much bigger and more dangerous than she thought! Julia and her husband find themselves on the run trying to save their lives while finishing the story of a lifetime. She never realized that being a reporter could be so dangerous. With artifacts, dead fish, a devastating flood, and miscreants, John and Julia have their hands full. The Evans are not the ordinary couple. Together they investigate and solve crimes. You laugh at the humor and sigh at the romance. Just sprinkle in three grown daughters, and you have a fun mixture.

Mayan Intrigue is set in the jungles of the Yucatan. The Mayan ruins, looters, a mysterious artifact, and a nosey reporter are focus of this novel. The discovery of a priceless artifact puts Julia’s life in great danger! From valuable artifacts to shady businessmen, the Yucatan Peninsula becomes a dangerous vacation spot for John and Julia Evans. While on assignment for the newspaper, the Evans’ try to enjoy a romantic vacation among the Mayan ruins, but when Julia accidentally comes upon a couple suspicious men exchanging an item, she quickly turns and leaves but it is too late. The men have seen her. As a reporter, Julia does not easily give up and her curiosity gets them in a mess of trouble. Before John and Julia realize what is going on, they are both in danger and find themselves running for their lives through the jungles of the Yucatan.



Why did you decide to switch genres and what inspired you to write these particular books?

LWC: I wanted to try something different. The ancient American Indians, their way of life, and the subject of artifact theft have fascinated me for years.

Both the historical and mystery series required a great deal of research. Did you discover either genre to be easier or more difficult to fact find?

LWC: I love research and it’s never been difficult for me. In this series, I found that archaeological thievery is becoming more and more of a problem every year. Did you know that an ancient funeral pit could be sold for $60,000 on the black market? Not to mention all the pottery, baskets, and pendants found by looters. Looting is only second to selling illegal drugs. Did you know that archaeological theft has gone corporate, like any legal business? An article in the Las Vegas Newspaper was about a couple men who were loading some artifacts in the trunk of their car. A ranger saw what they were doing and questioned them. He didn’t realize he had accidentally stumbled upon the largest operation around. They recovered more than 11,100 relics. It’s a very intriguing subject and I enjoyed learning so much in my research.

While researching Mayan Intrigue, my eyes were opened to the problems they have in southern Mexico. When an ancient ruin is discovered, it doesn’t take long for thieves to take it apart. The reason why is because the Mayas used astrological alignments when planning their city. Looters have learned the layout of the Mayan cities so they know where to dig. With this knowledge, they can loot a sacred temple in a few days. While writing Mayan Intrigue, I found that artifact theft in Mexico has been taken over by drug dealers from Columbia. In other words, since organized crime has taken over, there is also an increase of violence. I ask myself, can anything be done to save Ancient American history? Yes. If no one bought the artifacts, that would put a damper on artifact theft.

Actually, since you’re dealing with ancient artifacts, you haven’t totally come away from your historical writing—only blended it with romance and suspense. How much fun did you have with that?

LWC: I found that switching from historical romance to mystery wasn’t easy. It’s a totally different mind set but I absolutely loved the challenge.

Can you tell our readers where they can find you on the web and where they’ll find your books available for purchase?

LWC: You can visit my website and read some sample chapters of each book at www.lindaweaverclarke.com. My books are available at Amazon and at Publisher Direct Bookstore on my website. The family saga books are actually discounted on Publisher Direct. Any bookstore can order them, also.

What’s up next for you?

LWC: I’m now working on Montezuma Intrigue with my editor. When a leather parchment of Montezuma’s map is found in great grandfather Evans’ old chest, April and the twins know this summer is going to be a memorable one. With Julia’s help, they convince John to go on a treasure hunt. Is Montezuma’s treasure a legend or reality? Whatever the case, John insists on keeping their little Treasure Hunt a secret. If certain people find out about it, the family could be in danger. During this little escapade, Matthew, a kindred friend to April, is trying to get the courage to tell her that he truly loves her.

Is there anything you would like to add?

LWC: Right now I’m having a book give away for Mayan Intrigue beginning August 30 to September 6 at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com. I’m celebrating the release of my new book.

Thanks for spending some time with us today, Linda. It’s always a pleasure to talk with you about your books. I wish you continued success.


Tune in tomorrow for a peek at the video trailer for Mayan Intrigue!

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Chill of Night by James Hayman -- Book Review



Portland homicide detective Michael McCabe returns in The Chill of Night by James Hayman.

When the naked frozen body of young attorney Lainie Goff is found in sub-zero temperatures at the end of the Portland Fish Pier, detective Mike McCabe and his partner, Maggie Savage, are called in to investigate. They soon discover the only witness to the crime--a mentally disturbed woman named Abby Quinn--mysteriously disappeared the same night.

McCabe is on the track of a clever killer, who may or may not know that Abby is the one who witnessed the crime. He must find Abby and the killer before another life is lost.

Things at home aren't so rosy either. A phone call from McCabe's ex-wife concerning their daughter, Casey, and relationship issues with Kyra, leave McCabe rethinking his past and present, and wondering about the future.

In this follow up to The Cutting, Hayman brings back Mike McCabe, Maggie Savage, and other members of the Portland PD to handle the investigation of the mysterious death of a glamorous, beautiful lawyer, who was moving swiftly toward a partnership in a prominent law firm. Hayman does an excellent job, as he did in the first book, of creating a suspenseful mystery for his characters to solve. Twists and turns keep the reader guessing the identity of the killer right along with McCabe. Hayman also does a fine job of describing the world in which McCabe lives and works.

McCabe's personal life is well drawn in The Chill of Night, as he is once again dealing a bit with his ex-wife, and complications arise in his current relationship with girlfriend, Kyra. My tiny complaint, which actually is a carry over of my feelings from the first book, is that his daughter, Casey, seems to be used solely to give McCabe an eternal tie to his past. In The Cutting, his ex-wife Sandy reappears after she had left Casey behind so she could marry another man. While Sandy's emergence causes conflict, and Casey is mentioned in several chapters of the book, I came away feeling like she was just a pawn the author used to keep McCabe tied to his past. Chapters would go by without a mention of Casey, and you were wondering what the heck she was doing all that time. I didn't cite this in my review because I thought I was being a bit too picky.

In The Chill of Night, however, Casey is absent for most of the book, having gone off with a friend on a trip. While she returns toward the end, I couldn't help but think how convenient her absence was. Though McCabe mentions her a couple of times, it nags at me that I didn't get to see more of them together. It's almost like watching an episode of a television show where you know kids exist, but they are barely mentioned or seen; kind of like having to wonder where young Grace was while Caroline was working at the restaurant in Little House on the Prairie.

It is my hope that Casey plays a deeper, more significant role in future installments of this series. While I'm reading these for the murder mystery, I still need to get to know McCabe as a person, the whole person, not just his work persona or as Sandy's ex-husband or Kyra's boyfriend. His being a single father is an important part of his character, and will hopefully be further developed.

That said, I felt The Chill of Night was a great addition to a series I am very excited about. I'll certainly be on the lookout for Hayman's next book.


Title: The Chill of Night
Author: James Hayman
Publisher: Minotaur Books
ISBN-10: 0312532717
ISBN-13: 978-0312532710
SRP: $24.99

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Is there such a thing as the perfect family? by Kathryn Shay, Author of The Perfect Family


Today's special guest blogger is Kathryn Shay, author of The Perfect Family.

Seventeen-year old Jamie Davidson doesn’t think being gay should be such a big deal…until he comes out to his parents and friends. Even as Jamie celebrates no longer needing to hide his true self and looks forward to the excitement of openly dating another boy, the entire Davidson family is thrown into turmoil.

Jamie’s father Mike can’t reconcile his religious beliefs with his son’s sexuality. His brother Brian is harassed by his jock buddies and angry at Jamie for complicating all their lives. Maggie, his mother, fears being able to protect her son while struggling to save her crumbling marriage. And Jamie feels guilty for the unhappiness his disclosure has caused.

What happens in their small town community, in the high school, in two churches–one supportive and one not—as well as among friends and relatives is vividly portrayed. Finally, every member of their “perfect family” must search their hearts and souls to reconnect with each other in this honest, heartwarming, and hopeful look at the redemptive power of love and family.

Is there such a thing as the perfect family? by Kathryn Shay

Dear Book Connection Readers,

Thanks for inviting me to blog on your site. First, let me introduce myself. I’m Kathryn Shay and I’ve been published by Harlequin and The Berkley Publishing Group for the last fifteen years. The Perfect Family, released from Bold Strokes Books in September, is my thirty-seventh book.

The question posed in the title of this blog, “Is there such a thing as a perfect family” has a simple answer--a definite no! So why is it the title of my new book?

The story is about an average family with devoted parents and two terrific sons. Mike and Maggie love their jobs and have close friends and extended family. The boys, Jamie and Brian, are happy in their environment, one an accomplished actor in school plays, one a star athlete for the baseball team. Their life is wonderful and they are extremely grateful for this.

Maggie came from a dysfunctional childhood with severe, sometimes cruel parents, a beloved sister who was disowned by them, and two other siblings she doesn’t always see eye to eye with. Her mother is still alive and causes Maggie great heartache. Because of this, Maggie has vowed to create “the perfect family” of her own. And she thinks she’s done this. But then Jamie tells them he’s gay and their world shifts. Mike, a loving, giving man, struggles with Jamie’s sexual orientation mostly because of the Catholic church; Brian is harassed at school by his jock buddies and makes poor choices because of it; and Maggie tries to keep the family together amidst her own concerns for her son and the heartbreak of watching him endure discrimination. It becomes very clear that their family isn’t perfect, and the Davidsons have to struggle to maintain their loving relationship during this difficult time. Hence, The Perfect Family is an ironic title. An overriding theme of the book is that even in a good family, problems occur and it’s important to work them through with unconditional love and support.

I know personally that there is no such thing as a perfect family. I was a high school teacher and saw families in conflict all the time. Even when there were super parents and super kids involved, problems arose. Thank God for unbiased teachers who help kids with these issues. In my own English class, I taught Ordinary People, by Judith Guest, which also shows an ostensibly perfect family in crisis. Kids really related to the book, as did I.

As for myself, my extended family of two parents and four siblings was far from perfect, but my sisters, brother and I managed to create good successful lives. We’re still close and there for each other.

I must confess that, like Maggie, I set out to create the perfect nuclear family, too. I learned more quickly than Maggie that this isn’t possible. I love my kids and husband more than anything in the world, but I made mistakes with them. However, we learned from our problems and though the kids are grown now, my husband and I enjoy a wonderful relationship with them.

So that’s a long answer to why I believe there’s no such thing as the perfect family but titled my book as such anyway. I hope you’ll read The Perfect Family to see how this story is played out. By the way, though the book is fiction, it has some elements of my own personal story when my son came out gay at seventeen. We had our ups and downs, too, but managed to stay loving and supportive. And we have a gift for readers: we’re giving away copies of a CD my son made in high school. Many of the songs are about loving a boy. You can get it free when you order from the Bold Strokes website at http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/products.php?product=Perfect-Family%2C-The-%252d-by-Kathryn-Shay. Or, depending on availability, you can and also get it from my website, www.kathrynshay.com.

I’ll come back to comment during the day.

Kathryn Shay

P.S.
Many people ask about my next book. I’m working on new projects now, but I’d also like to say here that if readers are interested in my backlist, I’m making plans to put nine previously published single title books up on Kindle and Smashwords by the time The Perfect Family is released.



Kathryn Shay is a lifelong writer. At fifteen, she penned her first ‘romance,’ a short story about a female newspaper reporter in New York City and her fight to make a name for herself in a world of male journalists – and with one hardheaded editor in particular. Looking back, Kathryn says she should have known then that writing was in her future. But as so often happens, fate sent her detouring down another path.

Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women’s college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who’d attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, “I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that.”

Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she’d again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.

Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-five books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format. Her first mainstream fiction book will be out from Bold Strokes Books in September, 2010.


Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations – readers say they feel they know the people in her books – and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.

Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. “My life is very full,” she reports, “but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams.”

You can visit Kathryn’s website at www.kathrynshay.com.




Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Paula Deens' Savannah Style by Paula Deen and Brandon Branch -- Book Review



Paula Deen lovers are going to eat up this great new addition to the Paula Deen line of products. Paula Deen's Savannah Style invites readers to take a look into the styles that make Savannah unique and interesting to people all around the world.

Along with the help of decorator and stylist Brandon Branch, Deen brings readers on a season-by-season tour of rooms (indoor and outdoor) that display what Savannah style is all about. With photographs by Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn, you'll be inspired to bring a bit of Savannah into your home too.

Until now I've pretty much managed to avoid the Paula Deen, Martha Stewart, and Rachel Ray crazes that entice my friends. I don't watch a lot of TV, so I've never seen Deen's show on Food Network. As a homeowner, however, and someone who enjoys visiting North Carolina every year, I wanted to see what Paula Deen's Savannah Style is all about. While our family hasn't made its way as far as South Carolina, there's a definite difference in style and culture from the New England states that depicts an easier pace where food and family are celebrated with gusto.

Both Deen and Branch offer a nice introduction to the readers, inviting them to come along on this journey through Savannah. Starting with the spring season and flowing through casually to winter, readers are treated to tons of stunning photographs of decorating ideas in all types of rooms: from porches to gardens, from decks to kitchens, and formal dining rooms to comfortable reading spaces, everyone will find new ways to bring Savannah into their homes.

Included throughout are "Brandon's Style Secrets" where Branch shares his experience on furniture, lighting, and fabric choices for every room in your house. A helpful Source Guide can be found at the end of the book, and includes web addresses and phone numbers in case you are interested in contacting certain vendors.

What's truly nice about Paula Deen's Savaanah Style is how Deen shares family memories throughout the book. This is a great book for anyone's Paula Deen collection, but it also would make a wonderful choice for any homeowner who is searching for ideas and inspiration. It's truly worth every penny!


Title: Paula Deen's Savannah Style
Authors: Paula Deen and Brandon Branch
Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1 edition
ISBN-10: 1416552243
ISBN-13: 978-1416552246
SRP: $29.99

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Healing with Words by Diana M. Raab -- Book Review



Beautifully written, powerful, and inspiring, Healing With Words: A writer's cancer journey by Diana M. Raab will touch your heart and encourage you to use your writing to ease your suffering and improve your overall health.

In this emotional memoir, author Diana M. Raab shares the story of how her life was shattered by her first cancer diagnosis. Raab would face her mortality again, five years later, when she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma; a battle she continues to wage and is determined to win.

I had selfish reasons for requesting this book. For those of you who might not know, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 45. Cancer returned a year later, and she died a week before Christmas at the age of 47. I found the first lump in my breast when I was 25.

Writing helped me cope with the grief of losing my mother when I was a young teen. I still keep a journal, though since I began blogging, it hasn't seen as much time as it used to.

Healing with Words made me cry, it made me sympathize with what the author had to--and still has to--endure. The majority of patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma will die from it. Perhaps this is why Raab can share her story with such grace and compassion. Whatever the reason, I admire her for it.

When she spoke of the anxiety over waiting for test results, I understood her. The three weeks I waited for the results of my genetic testing to see if I had a mutated gene that would highly increase my risk for breast cancer, were the most difficult weeks of my life. Not knowing how my life would change if the test came back positive seemed unbearable at times. And then when Raab discussed the sense of loss before and after her mastectomy, I thought of my mother, and also what might have been in my future--could still be.

What ties all this together nicely, is that in Healing with Words, the author shows how journaling can impact your overall health. Included are some poems Raab wrote since her original diagnosis and on through her continuing journey. In addition, each chapter ends with thought-provoking questions and plenty of blank space for the reader to write. On Page 7 it says, "Write about the day you first thought you had cancer." While I have been fortunate never to actually have been diagnosed, let me tell you, that first lump scared me as if it was already a forgone conclusion that I was going to lose a breast.

Healing with Words is a phenomenal book. Not only will you read one woman's story, you will be changed by it.


Title: Healing with Words: A Writer's Cancer Journey
Author: Diana M. Raab
Publisher: Loving Healing Press (May 12, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1615990100
ISBN-13: 978-1615990108
SRP: $19.95

Monday, August 23, 2010

The Book Connection's Summer 2010 Book Giveaway - Book Pack # 8 (For Women)



This is the second giveaway that is being listed for this week in The Book Connection's Summer 2010 Book Giveaway. There will only be two more book packs available after this one, so keep an eye out for these every week.

Book Pack # 8 includes:





Recipes for Enchantment, The Secret Ingredient is You! by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein.

I've been a fan of Dr. Barbara's books since I was first introduced to THE TRUTH, I'm Ten, I'm Smart and I Know Everything!.

All of these stories in this collection focus on the positive aspects of life, inspiring you to do the same. You'll meet Joey, a young cancer patient whose attitude and perception of events help him to believe he'll be well again. Then there's Mr. Diamond who completed his circle of life by returning to the city he once had to flee. Read how Bernadette Hoyer's memory of a childhood pet reminded her of a great act of love from the father she had lost. And meet The Mysterious Rabbi who shows the meaning of serving others. With contributions from Bernice Becker, Leslie Brittman, Emily Doherty, Bernadette Hoyer, Doreen Laperdon-Addison, Sherri Rosen, Ellen Saposnik, Sylvia Schultz Margolin, Tzvia Singer, and Claire Wintram this story collection will find you feeling better about your life and motivated to keep finding the positive side of things.

You can read my full review here.



Delight, also by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein.

In this book women can find a way to celebrate life in a meaningful way. Holstein takes readers along on a journey from her lack of involvement in the Jewish faith to her complete commitment as a member of the Judaic tribe, sharing with readers the delight she discovered in the revelation that we are all connected. And at the end of a story, Holstein draws readers into her discovery by providing them musings, ponderings, and reflections on how they, too, can discover delight.

My complete review appears here.

Blogger's note: Includes a free matching bookmark.

Also included is my last ARC of Michele Wahlder's Alphatudes: The Alphabet of Gratitude.



Alphatudes uses the alphabet to provide readers with simple ways to focus on the positive. From acceptance to laughter, and from passion to voice, this book will give you twenty-six easy ways to discover the secret of gratitude.

You can read my review here.

Retail value of Book Pack #8 is $40.44!

Here are the rules and entry details for Book Pack #8 in The Book Connection's Summer 2010 Book Giveaway:



1. You must be a follower of this blog to be eligible to win.

2. For your first entry, leave a comment here indicating you are a follower.

3. Blog about this contest and receive five additional entries. Comment must include a link to your blog post about the contest.

4. You will receive two additional entries for every friend you refer to this contest. Your friend must become a follower of the blog and leave a comment indicating who referred him/her. Use Blogger IDs when listing who provided the referral, so they are easily traced back to the correct person. No anonymous entries are allowed.

5. You will receive one additional entry for tweeting about this contest. Leave a link to your tweet here.

6. You will receive one additional entry for following my other blog, Book Tours and More. Leave me a comment here telling me you're now a follower of BTM.

This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States and Canada. No emails will be sent to notify the winner. The winner can claim his/her prize by clicking the Contact Me button in the sidebar and sending along his/her mailing address. All winners have 72 hours after their names are announced to claim their prizes. An alternative winner will be selected after the 72 hour window has passed. If you win a prize, please wait one week before entering another giveaway. Prizes will be shipped media mail through the United States Postal Service. We are not responsible for lost or damaged goods. Deadline to enter is 11:59 PM on Saturday, August 28, 2010. Only those who follow the rules of this contest will be eligible to win.

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!

The Book Connection's Summer 2010 Book Giveaway - Book Pack #7 (Children's)



This will be another two book pack week. Are you feeling lucky?

There are only two weeks left until The Book Connection's Summer 2010 Book Giveaway is over. Even if you're not interested in a certain book pack, tell your friends so they can enter to win too. I'll post Book Pack #8 in a separate entry.

Book Pack #7 includes:


Be Cool, Follow Earth's Rule by Penelope Ann Kysiak.



In this rhyming tale, a young girl asks her father about the flowers that grow in their garden. She soon learns how helpful the garlic flower is and why her family plants their own vegetables. She soon discovers the importance of conserving water and energy and encourages the reader to do the same.

Read my full review here.

I won this book from another blog giveaway. I read it and shared it with my kids. Now, I want to share its wisdom with others.

The Raindrop by Brian D. McClure.



With The Raindrop, readers are treated to an enjoyable story along with a touch of science and a great message. Through lyrical prose the author shares the Raindrop’s journey and all he learns along the way.

My review can be found here.

Blogger's note: When I received this book, it had a slice on the back cover. It looks like it was sliced at some point by a razor blade. I was able to tape the inside, but it is still slightly visible from the outside back cover.



GLAMOUR GIRL FROM THE STARS and Little Big Wolf by Carlton Scott.

Glamour Girl from the Stars is the story of PleeDee, an alien girl who borrows her father’s spaceship to come to earth for the Miss Universe Pageant. After traveling around earth and experiencing different cultures, PleeDee soon discovers she feels good about herself without entering any beauty pageants.

In Little Big Wolf, Nathan dreams he is exploring the rocky trails of the forest when a large wolf pounces. Suddenly the wolf appears nervous, and Nathan and he stumble upon two hunters. Nathan soon discovers the other source of the wolf’s anxiety, a pup that is too sick to play. Nathan tends to the pup, then he and the wolf continue their adventure.



You can read my reviews of these books here and here.



Retail value of Book Pack #7 is $51.85!



Here are the rules and entry details for Book Pack #7 in The Book Connection's Summer 2010 Book Giveaway:



1. You must be a follower of this blog to be eligible to win.

2. For your first entry, leave a comment here indicating you are a follower.

3. Blog about this contest and receive five additional entries. Comment must include a link to your blog post about the contest.

4. You will receive two additional entries for every friend you refer to this contest. Your friend must become a follower of the blog and leave a comment indicating who referred him/her. Use Blogger IDs when listing who provided the referral, so they are easily traced back to the correct person. No anonymous entries are allowed.

5. You will receive one additional entry for tweeting about this contest. Leave a link to your tweet here.

6. You will receive one additional entry for following my other blog, Book Tours and More. Leave me a comment here telling me you're now a follower of BTM.

This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States and Canada. No emails will be sent to notify the winner. The winner can claim his/her prize by clicking the Contact Me button in the sidebar and sending along his/her mailing address. All winners have 72 hours after their names are announced to claim their prizes. An alternative winner will be selected after the 72 hour window has passed. If you win a prize, please wait one week before entering another giveaway. Prizes will be shipped media mail through the United States Postal Service. We are not responsible for lost or damaged goods. Deadline to enter is 11:59 PM on Saturday, August 28, 2010. Only those who follow the rules of this contest will be eligible to win.

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!