Hope for Animals and Their World Giveaway (ends 12/31)

Publisher's Summary. At a time when animal species are becoming extinct on every continent and we are confronted with bad news about the environment nearly every day, Jane Goodall, one of the world's most renowned scientists, brings us inspiring news about the future of the animal kingdom. With the insatiable curiosity and conversational prose that have made her a bestselling author, Goodall-along with Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard-shares fascinating survival stories about the American Crocodile, the California Condor, the Black-Footed Ferret, and more; all formerly endangered species and species once on the verge of extinction whose populations are now being regenerated.

Interweaving her own first-hand experiences in the field with the compelling research of premier scientists, Goodall illuminates the heroic efforts of dedicated environmentalists and the truly critical need to protect the habitats of these beloved species. At once a celebration of the animal kingdom and a passionate call to arms, HOPE FOR ANIMALS THEIR WORLD presents an uplifting, hopeful message for the future of animal-human coexistence.

Giveaway Rules. Today I am giving away THREE copies of this memorable audiobook.

Entry: Comment with your email address in the body of the comment (you can list it as mary123 (at) yahoo(dot)com). If you do not list your email address your entry will not count.

The giveaway is open to Canadian and US residents only.
You must be 18 years of age or older.
NO P.O. Boxes for the winner’s mailing address.

Giveaway ends December 31st. Good Luck!

Mailbox Monday -- December 14th

Thanks to Marcia at The Printed Page I'm participating in the Mailbox Monday round up. This week I received the following advance review copies:

1) The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova. Publisher's Summary. Psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe, devoted to his profession and the painting hobby he loves, has a solitary but ordered life. When renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes his patient, Marlow finds that order destroyed. Desperate to understand the secret that torments the genius, he embarks on a journey that leads him into the lives of the women closest to Oliver and a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism. Kostova's masterful new novel travels from American cities to the coast of Normandy, from the late 19th century to the late 20th, from young love to last love.

Thanks to Hachette Book Group.

2) A Highlander Christmas by Janet Chapman. Publisher's Summary. Camry MacKeage has absolutely no intention of telling her parents that she left her job as a NASA physicist for the small-town life of a dog-sitter -- which is why she's spending the holidays alone in coastal Maine with her furry friends Tigger and Max. Unfortunately, her irresistibly handsome rival, scientist Luke Pascal, accidentally spilled the beans. Now he's on a mission from her mother to tempt Camry home for the family's annual winter solstice celebration. But Luke is hiding his own secret, and he'll need a little bit of magic to earn Camry's trust...and a whole lot of mistletoe to seduce his way into her heart.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster.

Strictly Sundays

Author's Summary. Strictly Sundays is a special occasion cookbook designed for and by a family chef. Joe Fitzpatrick has been working wonders in the kitchen and on the grill for decades – now you can too. Serve real food that fills the belly, satisfies the soul and wins the day. Any day. Not just Sunday.

Review. Strictly Sundays by Joe Fitzpatrick aka “The Blue Collar Gourmet” answers the question of what to serve for entertaining-at-home. This gorgeously photographed cookbook features a wide of assortment of relatively easy recipes that will satisfy even the most discriminating of palates.

The cookbook is divided into six sections: appetizers; main dishes; salads; soups; side dishes; and salsas. The recipes call for commonly available ingredients and, generally, are prepared in a few easy steps. The results, however, are of restaurant quality. A few recipes that particularly stood out are: tenderloin steaks with brandy cream sauce; champion smoked chicken; veal scaloppini marsala; and salmon in cranberry Dijon sauce. With recipes like these friends and family will be begging to dine at your house!

Strictly Sundays is simply scrumptious!


Publisher: Book Publishers Network; 1st edition (September 25, 2009), 146 pages
Advance Review Copy Provided Courtesy of the Author.

Across the Endless River

Publisher's Summary. Born in 1805 on the Lewis & Clark expedition, Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau was the son of the expedition’s translators, Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau. Across The Endless River evokes the formative years of this mixed-blood child of the frontier, entering the wild and mysterious world of his boyhood along the Missouri. Baptiste is raised both as William Clark’s ward in St. Louis and by his parents among the villages of the Mandan tribe on the far northern reaches of the river.

In 1823, eighteen-year-old Baptiste is invited to cross the Atlantic with the young Duke Paul of Württemberg, whom he meets on the frontier. During their travels throughout Europe, Paul introduces Baptiste to a world he never imagined. Increasingly, Baptiste senses the limitations of life as an outsider; only Paul’s older cousin, Princess Theresa, understands the richness of his heritage. Their affair is both passionate and tender, but Theresa’s clear-eyed notions of love, marriage, and the need to fashion one’s own future push Baptiste to consider what he truly needs.

In Paris, he meets Maura Hennesy, the beautiful and independent daughter of a French-Irish wine merchant. Baptiste describes his life on the fast-changing frontier to Maura, and she begins to imagine a different destiny with this enigmatic American. Baptiste ultimately faces a choice: whether to stay in Europe or to return to the wilds of North America. His decision will resonate strongly with those who today find themselves at the intersection of cultures, languages, and customs

Review. by Renee A.J. Across the Endless River is an articulate, extraordinarily well-written historical novel set in the 1800s, which provides a unique view of both the American frontier and Europe through the life experiences of the central character, Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau. The opening scene begins with the guttural cries of Sacagawea; the 15-year old Shoshone Indian wife to French trapper Charbonneau is immersed in a painful and life-threatening labor. As the Shoshone translator for the 1805 Lewis and Clark expedition, if she dies, the party will not be able to negotiate with the tribe to obtain the horses needed to cross the mountains. Her husband, Charbonneau, is of little help during her labor, but Captain Lewis remains with her. Through the aid of Lewis and the help of both Indian and white medicines Sacagawea is able to give birth to a healthy baby boy and to recover afterwards.

Charbonneau names his son, Jean-Baptiste, after his French grandfather. “His father called him Baptiste, but his mother called him Pompy. “Little Chief,” the Shoshone name she chose to honor the tribe into which she had been born. “Baptiste’s birth becomes the pattern for his life – he survives and thrives by interweaving knowledge and philosophy from both his Indian and European heritages to become a unique individual – not like either of his parents, but taking the best from both. The baby’s becomes a young adventurer, as his parents continue to travel with the Lewis and Clark expedition during his first 16 months of life. When the successful expedition returns, white traders and Indians alike are amazed that Sacagawea and her infant were able to survive. It is noted that the success gave Sacagawea, her trader husband, Charbonneau and Baptiste great status.

Later, Captain Clark stands as baby Baptiste’s godfather and he encourages Sacagawea and Charbonneau to make sure that their mixed-blood son learns “the white man’s ways.” During his early childhood Pompy stays with his parents – learning the ways of his Indian heritage and his French trader father as they trade with various Indian tribes in what was Oregon country and the Louisiana Purchase in 1800s America. When Pompy is five, his parents send him to live with his Captain Clark in St. Louis and he becomes Baptiste. He learns to wear hard shoes, socks, shirts, corduroy pants, a woolen coat, and a brimmed hat. Languages and writing came to him easily - French, English, and the languages of several Indian tribes. Baptiste learns to keep his eyes and ears open and understands that he is different. Like many of us, these basic lessons become central to his life experience.

Over the following years, Baptiste adopts the habit of keeping a journal, which serves as the point of view for Across the Endless River. Although he stays in St. Louis under the sponsorship of Captain Clark and the tutelage of an English schoolteacher, he spends the warm months each year with his parents traveling up the Missouri River and becomes comfortable alternating between the “white man’s world” the Indian/French tracker lifestyle of living off the land. As a man of 18, Baptiste is often paid to accompany expeditions of traders, explorers, and others who want to travel up the river or through Indian lands. Thus, it is no surprise when Baptiste and his father are hired to accompany Paul Wilhelm, a duke from a German-speaking kingdom east of France, who wants to acquire Indian goods and explore the natural habitat of the American frontier. The immense herds of buffalo, wide open lands, canoe travels, Indian hospitality, and expert aid from Baptiste ensures that Paul obtains the experience and specimens that he seeks. At the end of his expedition, Paul asks Baptiste to accompany him back to his European home to help him organize his collection of specimens and prepare his notes for publication as a book. Captain Clark encourages Baptiste to take advantage of the opportunity to travel in Europe as the duke’s protégé. Baptiste accepts the invitation and the remainder of this novel details a uniquely American view of Europe – it’s people, terrain, royalty, architecture – and of course the two romantic relationships that our hero develops over the five year journey.

The author uses this European journey to advance the idea that there is much to gain if one partakes in the surrounding multiple worlds and cultures. Specifically, the story aptly illustrates that travel “opens the door to chance” – to encounter new experiences, meet new people, and obtain new insights will lead one to a richly rewarding life well lived. I look forward to reading more of Thad Carhart’s nuanced and quietly entrancing writing!


Publisher: Doubleday; (September 1, 2009), 320 pages
Advance Review Copy Provided Courtesy of the publisher and FSB Associates.

Ivy and Bean Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway (ends 12/18)

Publisher's Summary. Ivy and Bean Doomed to Dance -- Finally! After begging their parents for ballet lessons, Ivy and Bean finally get what they want...well, not exactly. Much to their surprise, it turns out ballet lessons do not include karate chops and roundhouse kicks to the villain's heart. The girls have no interest in learning how to dance gracefully, but they promised their parents they would finish the entire ballet course! When it comes time for Ivy and Bean to participate in the ocean-themed class recital, the girls must figure out a way to get out of it without breaking their promises.


Annie Barrows lives in Northern California with her husband and two daughters. She is also the co-author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Sophie Blackall is an Australian illustrator whose previous books include Ruby's Wish and Meet Wild Boars. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Review. Doomed to Dance by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall is the latest installment in the Ivy and Bean series. In Doomed to Dance the girls enroll in ballet lessons assuming that ballet is a form of karate in costumes and set to music. Upon discovering the true nature of ballet they scheme to evade performing their assigned squid roles in the class recital. The girls initially plot to escape their fate by trying for bodily injury or illness. When these attempts are thwarted they decide to runaway on the school field trip to the local aquarium. The girls decide that living in the aquarium is the perfect hideaway. The fun really begins with the girls’ adventures at the aquarium where they learn about real life squids.

Doomed to Dance is a delightful tale for age appropriate readers. Parents will also appreciate the book’s educational value. The class field trip to the aquarium defines “Coastal Zones” (tide pools); uses the term “sea anemone” (water dwelling predatory animals) and vividly describes the squid the girls encounter. In short, it is clear that the authors did their aquatic homework – in fact they even thank Dr. George Matsumoto of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute “for useful information regarding squid.”Careful readers will also catch the book’s reference to the classic children’s book: The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg.

Doomed to Dance is an engaging story for readers both young and old!




Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 14, 2009), 122 pages
Advance Review Copy Provided Courtesy of the Publisher.


Giveaway Rules: Today I am giving away one child's size Ivy and Bean T shirt.

Single Comment Entry Only: Comment with your email address in the body of the comment (you can list it as mary123 (at) yahoo(dot)com). If you do not list your email address your entry will not count.

Note: One entry per household only please.

This giveaway is open to All -- including International readers.
You must be 18 years of age or older.

Giveaway ends December 18th. Good Luck!

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men Giveaway (ends 12/18)

Publisher's Summary. David Foster Wallace made an art of taking readers into places no other writer even gets near. In his exuberantly acclaimed collection, BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH HIDEOUS MEN, he combined hilarity and an escalating disquiet in stories that astonish, entertain, and expand our ideas of the pleasures that fiction can afford.

Giveaway Rules. Today I am giving away THREE copies of this fabulous audiobook.

Entry: Comment with your email address in the body of the comment (you can list it as mary123 (at) yahoo(dot)com). If you do not list your email address your entry will not count.

The giveaway is open to Canadian and US residents only.
You must be 18 years of age or older.
NO P.O. Boxes for the winner’s mailing address.

Giveaway ends December 18th. Good Luck!

Mailbox Monday-- December 7th!

Thanks to host Marcia at The Printed Page I'm participating in the Mailbox Monday round up. This week I received the following advance review copies:

1) Strictly Sundays by Joe Fitzpatrick: Product Description. Strictly Sundays is a special occasion cookbook designed for and by a family chef. Joe Fitzpatrick has been working wonders in the kitchen and on the grill for decades – now you can too. Serve real food that fills the belly, satisfies the soul and wins the day. Any day. Not just Sunday.

Thanks to the author.

2) You're Not Going Crazy You're Just Waking Up! by Dr. Michael Mirdad. Amazon Product Description.
This book explains why the challenges in your life (and in your heart) may make you feel as though you are going crazy. The Five Stages of the Soul Transformation Process guides you through such challenges and leads you to the light at the end of the tunnel; wherein you gain a new perspective of your life, yourself, and your purpose. The soul transformation process includes: dismantling, emptiness, disorientation, re-building, and a new life. This process assists you in rising to new levels of spiritual mastery where you become an active participant in re-building a new life, a life that resonates with your highest good. Forward written by Gary Renard, author of, The Disappearance of the Universe.

Thanks to the Publisher.

3) The Hollow by Jessica Verday. Amazon Product Description. When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead?and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.

Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her—one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster.

4) Seven by Jacqueline Leo. Publisher's Summary. What is it about the number seven that has such a hold on us? Why are there seven deadly sins? Seven days of the week? Seven wonders of the world, seven colors of the spectrum, seven ages of man, and seven sister colleges? Why can we hold seven numbers or words in our working memory--but no more? Author Jackie Leo explores everything about this mystical, magical, useful, and fun number in her new book.

SEVEN REASONS YOU NEED THIS BOOK

1. SEVEN is a tool to improve the quality of your life. It is a way to define time, synthesize ideas, and keep your mind performing at top speed in an era of distractions.

2. SEVEN is culturally significant. It pops up everywhere, structuring our world in ways so fundamental, we notice them only when we pause to look. Across the ages and across cultures, the number has acquired a huge scientific, psychological, and religious significance.

3. SEVEN is intriguing. Why, out of hundreds of recipes in a cookbook, do people return to the same seven, over and over? Why, when asked to choose a number between one and ten, does such a large majority of people choose seven? Why does it take seven rounds of shuffling to obtain a fully mixed deck of cards?

4. SEVEN is influential. You'll learn how the number seven shapes our thinking, our choices, and even our relationships.

5. SEVEN is practical. Throughout this book are Top Seven lists covering the best ways to get someone's attention, to build your personal brand, and to put yourself in the path of prosperity and good luck.

6. SEVEN is fun. You'll encounter surprising facts, intriguing puzzles, and hilarious anecdotes.

7. SEVEN is wise. You'll hear stories about the meaning of seven from Mehmet Oz, Sally Quinn, Liz Smith, Christina Ricci, and many others.
Artfully designed and full of enough insights to keep you engaged in conversation at the water cooler for years, SEVEN will provoke, enlighten, and amuse.

Thanks to Hachette Book Group.