Giveaway: The Girl She Used to Be

When Melody Grace McCartney was six years old, she and her parents witnessed an act of violence so brutal that it changed their lives forever. The federal government lured them into the Witness Protection Program with the promise of safety, and they went gratefully. But the program took Melody's name, her home, her innocence, and, ultimately, her family. She's been May Adams, Karen Smith, Anne Johnson, and countless others--everyone but the one person she longs to be: herself. So when the feds spirit her off to begin yet another new life in another town, she's stunned when a man confronts her and calls her by her real name.


GIVEAWAY: I have 3 copies up for grabs - thanks to the lovely Valerie at HBG.

As always, leave a comment for one entry. If you'd like extra entries just say so in your comment or separate comments (extra entries for followers, Twitter, sidebars, Facebook, etc.) ; and for putting my spiffy little button on your blog. Make sure to leave an e-mail address, especially if you are leaving a comment under Anonymous.

Rules: This contest is open to U.S. & Canada residents only. No P.O. Boxes. Winners will be drawn Saturday, March 27.

Giveaway: Slip of the Knife

A brilliant new thriller featuring Paddy Meehan, one of the most praised heroines since Temperance Brennan, from "a rising star in the world of crime fiction" (Laura Miller, Salon). Paddy Meehan is no stranger to murder--as a reporter she lives at crime scenes--but nothing has prepared her for this visit from the police. Her former boyfriend and fellow journalist Terry Patterson has been found hooded and shot through the head. Paddy knows she will be of little help--she had not seen Terry in more than six months. So she is bewildered to learn that in his will he has left her his house and several suitcases full of notes. Drawn into a maze of secrets and lies, Paddy begins making connections to Terry's murder that no one else has seen, and soon finds herself trapped in the most important--and dangerous--story of her career.


GIVEAWAY: I have 3 copies up for grabs - thanks to the lovely Valerie at HBG.

As always, leave a comment for one entry. If you'd like extra entries just say so in your comment or separate comments (extra entries for followers, Twitter, sidebars, Facebook, etc.) ; and for putting my spiffy little button on your blog. Make sure to leave an e-mail address, especially if you are leaving a comment under Anonymous.

Rules: This contest is open to U.S. & Canada residents only. No P.O. Boxes. Winners will be drawn Friday, March 26.

Giveaway: This One Is Mine

Violet Parry is living the quintessential life of luxury in the Hollywood Hills with David, her rock-and-roll manager husband, and her darling toddler, Dot. She has the perfect life--except that she's deeply unhappy. David expects the world of Violet but gives little of himself in return. When she meets Teddy, a roguish small-time bass player, Violet comes alive, and soon she's risking everything for the chance to find herself again. Also in the picture are David's hilariously high-strung sister, Sally, on the prowl for a successful husband, and Jeremy, the ESPN sportscaster savant who falls into her trap. For all their recklessness, Violet and Sally will discover that David and Jeremy have a few surprises of their own. THIS ONE IS MINE is a compassionate and wickedly funny satire about our need for more--and the often disastrous choices we make in the name of happiness.

GIVEAWAY: I have 3 copies up for grabs - thanks to the lovely Valerie at HBG.

As always, leave a comment for one entry. If you'd like extra entries just say so in your comment or separate comments (extra entries for followers, Twitter, sidebars, Facebook, etc.) ; and for putting my spiffy little button on your blog. Make sure to leave an e-mail address, especially if you are leaving a comment under Anonymous.

Rules: This contest is open to U.S. & Canada residents only. No P.O. Boxes. Winners will be drawn Friday, March 26.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

In this incredible debut novel comes the richly entertaining story of Ella of Frell, who at birth was given the gift of obedience by a fairy. Ella soon realizes that this gift is little better than a curse, for how can she truly be herself if at anytime anyone can order her to hop on one foot, or cut off her hand, or betray her kingdom'and she'll have to obey? Against a bold tapestry of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella's quest to break the curse once and for all and discover who she really is is as sharply funny as Catherine, Called Birdy and as richly poignant as Beauty, and has all the marks of a classic in the making. [via B&N]

I know many of you have already seen the movie. I know I was a big fan of the movie with Anne Hathaway... and that cute guy that played Prince Charmont. But do not let that deter you from reading this gem of a story. The movie only gives you a glimpse (and a small one at that) as to what is really between the covers of Ella Enchanted.

Although geared for younger readers, I was taken by this un-traditional retelling of Cinderella, and can definitely say that it can be enjoyed by older readers as well. I loved the fantasy elements which were clever and sometimes even downright funny. Ella is a great heroine - she is witty, strong-willed, determined and resourceful.

But what I truly enjoyed about this story is how women in general are portrayed. In your average fairytale you normally find your princess who is in some sort of peril and in need of a prince who rides in at the nick of time and saves the day. That is not the case here. All women are portrayed as strong, independent, opinionated - no matter if it was the sweet Ella, the deliciously evil stepsisters, Lucinda the fairy with her creative "gifts", or even Mandy, Ella's cook/fairy godmother.

All in all, this was a very enjoyable story and one that can be enjoyed whether big or small, young or old. This is a fantastic retelling of a wonderful fairytale and one that I highly recommend.

Online Book Clubs Rock!

The super cool, super funny, super fabulous Vanessa and Isalys (a/k/a Book♥Soulmates) have asked me to partake in the awesomeness of an online book club and I thought, well heck, that sounds like a great idea. We read books, we like talking about them, so why not make it official and have one book a month in common.

We will be meeting once a week to discuss the book of the month. We have chosen to meet every Friday, (we're still trying to decide on a time that is convenient for everyone). Any suggestions? We're thinking of doing it during the day while we're at work - shhhh don't tell the boss - that way we're all in front of the computer at the same time!

This month's selection is:

I know it's short notice, but for those of you who have this beauty sitting on a shelf somewhere and you'd like to join in, now is definitely the time to crack it open. For those of you (like me) who have already read it, then please feel free to join in on our weekly discussions. Hopefully, we'll have a more concrete date and time closer to Friday, so please stay tuned.

Manic Monday Recaps

Not that I'm complaining, but my weekend just sorted of ended a bit too fast. I will confess to my life being hectic for the past week with my son's third birthday, bouncehouse, cake and all sorts of other need-to-do things, but alas that is all over now. So let me tell you a little bit about my Saturday = birthday party madness - woke up at the crack-o-dawn and started getting all the platters, chips/dips, pastelitos (because us Cubans don't do parties without pastries), cake, got my nails did, and obviously I had to pick up/do each of these things at different venues. By that time bouncehouse/chairs/tables folks were there setting up. After hubby, kids and I had a blast bouncing around in the bouncehouse, finished last minute details and headed for shower. By the time I was done with shower people were already there - meaning I had to throw some gel in the hair and rock the wet look. This was around 2:30pm. By 3:30pm it was raining. Meaning 30 people inside my house. Haha - obviously not a dull moment, with crumbs everywhere, Sprite on the floor, and tons of grubby/greasy fingers on my furniture and walls. It was fun though and my children and their friends had a blast - it was well worth it. I think I passed out around 10:30am after re-cleaning the house (since I can't throw a party without a clean house to start - I cleaned for 6 hours on Friday night). Needless to say, I wasn't able to get as much reading as I would have liked, I did try my bestest. I just finished The Crazy School during lunch today, but I'm cheating and counting it as last week's read.

These guys are on my countertop as of Saturday:

- 31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan [Harper]
- Hush by Kate White [Harper]
- So Much for That by Lionel Shriver [Harper]
- In a Dark Wood by Marcel Moring [Harper]
- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith and Jane Austen [FSB Associates]
- Raven Stole the Moon by Garth Stein [Terra Communications]
- The Iron King by Julie Kagawa [purchase]
- Prom Nights from Hell by various authors [purchase]
- Incarceron - Catherine Fisher [purchase]
- The Season of Second Chances by Diane Meier [from author]

Here's what I plan on reading this week:

Last week I read the following:

- Nothing But Ghosts - Beth Kephart
- Dream House - Valerie Laken [review]
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
- The Crazy School - Cornelia Read

I reviewed the following:
- One Amazing Thing - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni [review]
- Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane [review]
- Wake - Lisa McMann [review]

... & just because I had to share - check out my kids' excitement over getting ready for James' 3rd Birthday Party and all the Spiderman hoopla. They had a blast!

Have a great week.