*This post will stay on top for Banned Books Week. New posts will be below.*
Banned Books… you may be surprised… I was. I have read banned books – GREAT books…. and did not even know that it was a banned book. This week take a look into the banned books… have you read any of them?
Here is this weeks special giveaway. Comment here with the title of a banned book you have read for one entry. You can leave up to three book titles (on separate comments) of books that are considered banned that you have read.
** 5 entry bonus if you read a book that is on the banned books list this week (Sept 26 – Oct 3) and leave a link to your review of it here. If you do not blog, leave the title, author and a few words about your thoughts on the book here to receive this bonus.
I will choose one winner per every 10 comments using Random.org. Winner(s) will receive choice out of the Prize Box. **USA and Canada entrants only please
Thank you to Natasha at Maw Books, who had this wonderful You Tube clip on her blog about banned books as well as links to more information about banned books. Stop by her blog to find a lot more information about Banned Books Week.
Another great giveaway thanks to Valerie at Hachette Book Group. I am able to offer here a chance to win a copy of Beat The Reaper to two lucky readers.
Giveaway is now closed as of Oct 28, 2009
Full Description
Dr. Peter Brown is an intern at Manhattan’s worst hospital, with a talent for medicine, a shift from hell, and a past he’d prefer to keep hidden. Whether it’s a blocked circumflex artery or a plan to land a massive malpractice suit, he knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men.Pietro “Bearclaw” Brnwna is a hitman for the mob, with a genius for violence, a well-earned fear of sharks, and an overly close relationship with the Federal Witness Relocation Program. More likely to leave a trail of dead gangsters than a molecule of evidence, he’s the last person you want to see in your hospital room.
Nicholas LoBrutto, aka Eddy Squillante, is Dr. Brown’s new patient, with three months to live and a very strange idea: that Peter Brown and Pietro Brnwa might-just might-be the same person …
Now, with the mob, the government, and death itself descending on the hospital, Peter has to buy time and do whatever it takes to keep his patients, himself, and his last shot at redemption alive. To get through the next eight hours-and somehow beat the reaper.
Spattered in adrenaline-fueled action and bone-saw-sharp dialogue, BEAT THE REAPER is a debut thriller so utterly original you won’t be able to guess what happens next, and so shockingly entertaining you won’t be able to put it down.
Here is the book trailer…
Hmmmm…. how to enter this giveaway? Well let’s see…
1) leave a comment here after you have watched the trailer and let me know what movie/book this clip reminds you of. (There is no right or wrong answer… just want that split second response)
2) Blog or twitter about this giveaway and let me know here for a 2nd entry
As always – have fun! 🙂
This giveaway will end October 24 – I am giving two books away
Remember USA entrants only on this one and no po box numbers for winners
I am excited to announce a great historical fiction novel giveaway! (One of my current favorite genres!) Thank to Valerie at Hachette Book Group I can have up to 5 of these wonderful books to give away here! So I will offer one book giveaway for every 10 comments here between now and October 18. That means if we can get 50+ comments here – we will give away all 5 books! (I cant wait to get my review copy of this book!)
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Breathtakingly suspenseful and beautifully written, The Historian is the story of a young woman plunged into a labyrinth where the secrets of her family’s past connect to an inconceivable evil: the dark fifteenth-century reign of Vlad the Impaler and a time-defying pact that may have kept his awful work alive through the ages. The search for the truth becomes an adventure of monumental proportions, taking us from monasteries and dusty libraries to the capitals of Eastern Europe – in a feat of storytelling so rich, so hypnotic, so exciting that it has enthralled readers around the world.
“Never was a ghost story so casually erudite, nor a historical travelogue such gripping entertainment.” —New York Magazine
“Impossible to resist. . . . Kostova blends fact and fantasy to remind us that the original Dracula legend is rooted in monstrous acts of unblinking evil.” —Miami Herald
“A richly told story about family and the dark side of human nature. . . . This cry of the heart will appeal to readers beyond those who are drawn by a fascination with the legend of Dracula.” —Chicago Tribune
1) If you were plunged into a book and had to actually walk through and live the story all the way to the end to get out… what book would it be? (Answer this question for one entry!) If you do not answer the question you are not entered.
2) Get a second entry for blogging or twittering this giveaway
3) make a comment on any none giveaway post on this blog and earn a third entry
That’s it! Have fun! This giveaway is open to USA residents only and remember no po box numbers for winners. Winners will be posted here on October 18.
Randy Alcorn is an author I never pass up a chance to read…. this book is another great example of why that is…
Sheila
Every one of us will experience suffering. Many of us are experiencing it now. As we have seen in recent years, evil is real in our world, present and close to each one of us.
In such difficult times, suffering and evil beg questions about God–Why would an all-good and all-powerful God create a world full of evil and suffering? And then, how can there be a God if suffering and evil exist?
These are ancient questions, but also modern ones as well. Atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and even former believers like Bart Ehrman answer the question simply: The existence of suffering and evil proves there is no God.
In this captivating new book, best-selling author Randy Alcorn challenges the logic of disbelief, and brings a fresh, realistic, and thoroughly biblical insight to the issues these important questions raise.
Alcorn offers insights from his conversations with men and women whose lives have been torn apart by suffering, and yet whose faith in God burns brighter than ever. He reveals the big picture of who God is and what God is doing in the world–now and forever. And he equips you to share your faith more clearly and genuinely in this world of pain and fear.
As he did in his best-selling book, Heaven, Randy Alcorn delves deep into a profound subject, and through compelling stories, provocative questions and answers, and keen biblical understanding, he brings assurance and hope to all.
Author Bio:
Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspectives Ministries and a bestselling author. His novels include Deadline, Dominion, Edge of Eternity, Lord Foulgrin’s Letters, The Ishbane Conspiracy, and the Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written eighteen nonfiction books as well, including Heaven, The Treasure Principle, The Purity Principle, and The Grace and Truth Paradox. Randy and his wife, Nanci, live in Oregon and have two married daughters and four grandsons.
Book Tour
My Thoughts:
I am a huge Randy Alcorn fan. I have read (I think) every book he has written. I find him to be down to earth and yet, has a wonderful faith quality to him that I always get a different perspective on how to look at things. This book, If God is Good, of course, is no exception.
Reading through Randy’s book he once again astounds me on the level of research he puts into his work… yet I don’t feel like I am reading a heavy book. Randy – truly has a way with words. Using scripture and personal life stories, I find this book to be one I can turn to again and again…
As part of my housekeeping for this week I have several giveaways that I have ended that I need to do the actual giveaway. Life kind of got away from me there for awhile and now I am working my way back. 🙂
THANK YOU to everyone who had entered and be sure to watch my Giveaway Tab for all giveaways that are going on here at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. I have two more great giveaways I am putting up yet today!
I am actually blogging from bed! No huge commitments today and as I look out the window it is a dreary fall day here in central Minnesota. I am having visions of making sloppy jo’s for lunch for Al and Chance and in a weird fall mood that I think includes baking pumpkin bars or some fall treat like that. I am anticipating that delicious scent in the house.
This morning, Coffee Cup and I have been on Book Blogs on the forums which I hardly ever have time to do any more – yet hope I can get back on there. I love to help new bloggers with their questions and have been assisting one with her blog.
The BIG plan today is to finish up the housekeeping project which mainly now is the giveaways. I have some to close up – and a couple new ones to add. Oh, and I am helping Chance today start a blog and write his first review. That should be fun too!
Tomorrow Al, I, and Chance have been invited to go to the Vikings Game by my cousin. We will leave here around 7:30 am to get there by 11 am to hopefully get field tickets for Chance. This should be a blast and you know there will be pictures!
I savored every word as the characters unfolded before me and became a part of my heart….
~ Sheila
Savannah Compton is devastated when her sister and best friend Allison falls into a coma after a tragic accident. Or was it an accident? Even with a charming and handsome detective at her side, it seems Savannah may never discover the truth. But if she doesn’t, her family could be in even more danger. And Savannah’s past holds its own secrets that could change everything.
Now she must prove her innocence to the one person who is beginning to matter most. Join Savannah as she struggles to summon hope and rely on faith, even in the darkest of circumstances, and learn how the bond between sisters can overcome anything.
My Thoughts: I love how this book came to be in my hands. Author Cami Checketts came to me and asked if I would like to review her book. I looked it up on line, read the same few paragraphs as you just did above, and said yes.
Upon reading this book – I was so thankful that I did say yes to it. Cami writes a great suspense novel with characters that will stay with me a long time. I was really impressed that this is such a clean novel and what I mean by that is – there is no strong language, no graphic scenes that made me squirm and no sexual content.
The characters are well described and I as the book opened its story to me I felt as though I knew Allison and Savvanah. Or – at least wanted to. The bond they carried as sisters and friends really tore at my heart and reminded me of the sister I once had. I loved how they took care of one another, and when Detective Noah is added – well, it only gets better.
This novel is filled with suspense, romance, and a close up look of what happend to a family when tragedy hits close to home.
Cami Checkett writes in a style that if I were to ever write that book that I hope to, I would be honored to write as well as her. I will definitely be looking for more from Cami Checkett.
A portion of the proceeds from The Sister Pact will be donated to The Child & Family Support Center. For more information on this worthy cause, please go to www.cachecfsc.org
Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of three wild boys. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.
Her hobbies include: playing with her children, reading, running, water skiing, weightlifting and being involved in church.
Please click here for my interview with author, Cami Checkett.
Cami has graciously offered me an autographed copy of The Sister Pact to be sent to one reader!
To enter:
1) comment here with how you would like the book autographed
2) to earn an extra entry – on a separate comment leave a link to where you have blogged or twittered about this giveaway
3) earn an extra entry by becoming a follower of this blog (or if you already are) be sure to let me know in a separate comment)
4) a fourth entry if you comment on any other non giveaway post on this blog and let me know here
Have fun! USA entrants only – no po box numbers. Giveaway will end on October 11
I have just finished a wonderful book by Cami Checkett called The Sister Pact. Now I am very excited to have Cami here to share with us a bit about her book, her path as an author, and a little about herself.
Please pull up a chair and welcome, Cami Checketts.
Cami, thank you so much for joining me here today at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. I have to say I have really enjoyed reading your book. The Sister Pact. What was the idea behind this book?
Cami: I had a nightmare about a man accosting my sister and pushing her down the stairs. When I woke, I started writing and the story just spilled out.
The characters Savannah, Allison, and Noah, even Wes – are well developed. How did these characters come about for you? Was the book always going to be about sisters?
Cami: I always see my characters in the nightmare that creates the story. I know what they look like, a bit about their personalities from that initial nightmare. When I start writing the characters take on a life of their own. I’m also a big daydreamer, so I focus my daydreaming on my current WIP and get all kinds of interesting conversations and tidbits about these new friends.
The book was always written for my sister, Abbie. The romance sprang up on its own.
What was the hardest part of this book to write?
Cami: Wes (the bad dude). He was so cocky and twisted. I hated getting inside his mind.
Of the books you have written, do you have a favorite and if so, why?
That’s like asking what my favorite chocolate is. Love every piece I inhale! My favorite book is always the one I’m working on because I’m so immersed in the story and characters. But I have to say that I still have daydreams about Ethan from The Broken Path. He’s one of those heroes that you can’t forget.
LOL… I suppose that wasn’t a fair question! How did your writing career begin?
Cami: After my second son was born, I fought post-partum depression. My mother woke me up for a nap one afternoon and said, “You need a hobby. Go downstairs and write a book.” I shrugged and said, “Okay.” Haven’t had time for a nap since!
If you were to identify a message in The Sister Pact that you would like your readers to take away what would it be?
Love yourself. You can’t truly love others if you don’t feel good about you.
That is a great message. Do you have a favorite book?
I would have to say The New Testament. It’s one of the only books I’ve read more than once! I truly have so many favorites. The best ones I’ve read lately are: Saving Madeline by Rachel Ann Nunes, Lemon Tart by Josi Kilpack, and Illuminations of the Heart by Joyce DiPastena.
Books I will have to look into as they come highly recommended by you! So what is next for you? Is there another book in your future?
Cami: I’m sending off my next manuscript today. It’s a book about a mom who blogs against certain television stations. The owner of the stations sends a hit man to take care of her. It’s so terrifying to me I won’t let my husband go away on guys trips until I’m finished with this book.
Wow! That sounds like a great read. What is one little known fact about you that you could share here?
Cami: I once won a Dairy Princess contest because I was the only one who could get milk from the cow.
Thanks Cami! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and I cant wait to look into your current books as well as get a look at the new one!
Cami: Thank you, Sheila! Many blessings!
Here is some fun information I learned about Cami! She loves fitness and is actually having a contest starting in October! Check it out here and check Cami out below as she teaches us great fitness tips!
Ooh…. I hate being late…. and I am late… really late on this giveaway. I just now drew for our early September giveaway of The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency book and I am excited to announce our winner is:
drum roll please…
BRENDA RUPP!!!
Woo hoo! Congratulations Brenda! I have emailed you for your mailing info. 🙂
I have mentioned before how while morning blog hopping a blog can lead to a blog that leads to yet another blog…. (don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean…LOL)
A few days ago I was popping in to see a few of my favs and I was over at a A Few Minutes With Michael catching up on what is going on in his life when I linked to another blog from a post on his. The blog is called Serendipity. I think it was partly the layout…. part header (what a great header)… and most definitely the book review that popped up on top…. but I was suddenly amazed that I had not seen this blog before.
The review that I seen was for a book I had never heard of, Flyte by Angie Sage. It has YA Fantasy all over it and while this is a pretty new genre for me… I seen to have recently embraced a few books that have come my way that have fallen in this category (Bran Hambric for one…) . I red her review to discover this wasnt even the first book in this series. It is actually book two and she links to the review of the first one which again… I suddenly felt that all to familiar feeling that this was a must read for me.
I highly encourage you to take a minute or two today to go see Vivienne’s blog Serendipity. I have been back to her blog several times over the past few days and see other book and reviews that I have enjoyed.
I was so excited to get this post up this morning before I took off for my new morning routine of “delivery person” to the school that I totally left Coffee Cup out of this post today…. in fact – even out of my hand as I am up and typing and then off to get ready – all pre coffee. Amazing! I am totally caffeine free and typing….. it is a miracle! LOL
Every one of us will experience suffering. Many of us are experiencing it now. As we have seen in recent years, evil is real in our world, present and close to each one of us.
Book Journey 