Thursday, September 30, 2010

EXCLUSIVE from author Heath Sommer


I want to thank Heath for allowing Tea Time with Marce this Exclusive post.  I am excited to share this with the blogging community.

Heath's book The Manufactured Identity is my favourite over all read so far this year.




My post with a sneak peak of The Grand Delusion


E  X  C  L  U  S  I  V  E  !!!!!

The Human Obsession, releasing end of November, early December

Prologue

Thomas held his breath and wondered if the scattered rain drops and overgrown ferns would be enough to hide his body from the man hunting him ten feet away.


Don’t move.


As the raindrops moved more swiftly from their heavenly courts toward the softening dirt, he clutched his hands tighter around the metal cross now tearing into his palms and closed his eyes, trying to imagine his mother and father and brothers and sisters and all his school friends and all the people he never thought he cared about but now realized he may never see again.


The sound of movement forced his eyes to reopen, and he strained through the blurry darkness to study if the man with the gun was looking his way.


Just don’t move. Please save me, Jesus. Please save me, Father.


The cross burrowed further inward. His eyes shut tightly once again. His mind traveled far away from the grove in which he was currently imprisoned, far away from the foreign surroundings of the mountain, far away from the cabin from which he had just escaped, and far away from the stranger who had stolen him away from his mother’s eyes and father’s lectures, and he prayed that God would save him from this monster he did not know. He held the cross so tightly now that, despite its relative size, he could not feel it anymore; it had become a part of him, one with his body.


Just don’t move.


He opened his eyes. The man with the gun was circling, calling out for him. “Hey. You may as well come out right now. That was a pretty good stunt you pulled there in the cabin, but we both know you couldn’t have gone far. And I’ve got nowhere else to be. This won’t end the way you want it to, but I can make it hurt less, if you come out now. If not, I promise it’ll be slow, painful, your worst fears. And Mommy and Daddy aren’t here to save you, boy!”


Just don’t breath.


The man began moving in measured circles again, stretching the gun away from his body in every direction, somehow even in the darkness looking subtly frantic. He was swearing. Maybe even sweating, despite the rain. Thomas closed his eyes again and prayed harder while images of his mother’s stories and father’s tales flashed unceasingly through his mind. The story of his father’s fish that got away. The story of his mother’s cancer and how she prayed and it was cured. The story of his parents almost going bankrupt, but the faith of his father that Jesus always sends a messenger to save his children from their troubles. That a man of God will always come when it seems all is lost. That a man of faith never loses himself in the terror of sin.


The man with the gun was now moving forward, closer to Thomas. He stopped, lowered slightly the gun while turning his head to the thick patch of foliage covering Thomas.


Oh God, please save me.


He shut his eyes again and held the cross nearer his heart, and spoke quickly without noise for rescue, for peace. He was only eleven. He did not want his life to end this way. He did not want to die here, with this awful stranger. This man with a gun so close it was now towering over him, presiding over him. This man so close Thomas was unsure how he was not standing on his hairless, quivering legs. He began to eject silent tears as his small eyelids embraced with intensity maybe for the last time.


Don’t move. A man of God will come.

Heath Sommer Bio

Doctor Heath Sommer earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Idaho State University, a program recognized and accredited by the American Psychological Association. He has also earned both a Masters and Bachelors degree in psychology, and an additional Bachelors degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. A native of Sacramento, California, Dr. Sommer has enjoyed opportunities to present his research at national conventions including The Association for the Advancement of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy and the American Psychological Association. He has also published in recognized Journals such as The Journal for Child and Adolescent Psychology, and his work has been cited in both Prevention and Best Life magazines.


Dr. Sommer’s fiction writing career formally began in June 2009 with the publication of his first suspense/mystery novel The Manufactured Identity. Surprising critics with its intense plot twists and thoroughly human characters, Sommer was contracted to produce two more books in The Manufactured Identity series. The first of these, The Grand Delusion, will be released in the summer of 2010 with the third novel, The Human Obsession, to be released a few months after. Dr. Sommer is currently working on an independent fiction storyline about a mall shooting, as well as some nonfiction work.



Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

I was Tagged......now Tag You're It



I haven't seen this one before, thanks Cheryl (CMash) for letting me in on the fun.  Here is a little about me and then see who I have tagged to learn more about.

 4 Things in my Handbag

Vaseline (I'm addicted, nothing else will do on my lips)
My work blackberry
My personal cell
Purple Coach wallet (I love Coach and purple is my favourite colour)

4 Things in/on my Desk

My computer with a picture of my daughter and boyfriend on it
Employee Files
My Priority To Do List
A Live, Love, Laugh notepad

4 Favourite Things in my Bedroom

My brown walls, I love the soothing feel it gives me.
A large painting of a dancer
My pregnancy belly sculpture
My AC during summer months and my comforter during winter

4 Things I Always wanted to Do (but haven't yet)

Go skydiving
Visit Rome, Monte Carlo, Sweden and Dubai (my top 4)
Go to a strip club with my man ;-)
Go to a yoga retreat

4 Things I Enjoy very Much at the Moment

Reading
Blogging and Networking
The quiet, even for an hour, no toddler, boyfriend, parents, work, friends, cellphones etc
Making Love

4 Songs I Can't Get Out of My Head

I'm listening to music so nothing, I will give my top 4 artists at the moment.

Alicia Keys
Lady Gaga
always Chante Moore
always Madonna

4 Things you Don't Know About Me

I went to University of the Arts in Philadelphia, studied Dance Education
I have 4 tattoos
I got married at 23, divorced at 26, i'm 34 now going 35 on Sunday, Oct 3, yaaaay
I used to spend all my Internet time on iVillage.com as a Community Leader and member, but blogging has taken over, oops

Hope you enjoyed getting to know me more, thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

All my fellow blogging friends that comment, please answer Tea Time with Marce 4 Things in the comments.

4 Tea Time Things

What kind of tea do you drink if any?
How often do you have afternoon tea?
Do you have a favourite tea cup, describe?
What is your favourite tea time snack?



CMash tagged me and Julie from Reading Without Restraint, so I can't tag them, which I would have.  Julie tagged Paula at Tomes Devotee another I love and look forward to reading her answers.

So blogging friends - Tag You're It, can't wait to see your responses.


My Photo





 

Tales of Whimsy

Monday, September 27, 2010

The Godmother by Carrie Adams on Kindle


Book Summary from Amazon

While 30-something Londoner Tessa King questions her no-strings-attached lifestyle, she also witnesses her friends' difficulties in marriage and parenthood while playing godmother to their broods. Nick and Francesca battle to keep their sullen teenager out of serious trouble; Billy, a single mom, can't break ties to her now remarried ex-; Helen and Neil, fairy tale parents to twin boys, are hiding something; successful Claudia and Al struggle to conceive; and Ben and Sasha have no plans to have children. But Ben also happens to be Tessa's best friend, and perhaps the love of her life. When tragedy eventually strikes the group, bonds are tested, and Tessa is forced to re-examine what she thinks will really make her happy.

My Review - 4 Great to the Last Drop

This is a really great friendship story.  Tessa completely lived through her friends and godchildren at a level that was almost inappropriate only because she was clueless that she didn't have a hold of her own responsibilities.  The great thing is that all of her friends knew her to a T and because she was such an amazing friend it balanced out everything else. 

I think this book will affect women that are moms and women that haven't decided if they want to be a mom.  Some very real issues in this book and it makes you wonder how often people pretend, so much so that they forget what is reality or fantasy.  And the saying always a bridesmaid never the bride, lol, well this book is always the godmother never the mother, sweet but scary thought when you meet Tessa.  I loved that this book not only had female friendships, but males friendship and couples as friends also, you got a feel for the true circle of friends. I felt like I could be a part of this circle, that added to the enjoyment of it also. And the children, all adorable, even the teenager.

This book was long though, it had so much in it but everything made sense it just was to long.  It never lost my attention mind you but it does stand out to me that I thought it was to long.  There is a sequel to this one and I love the characters, so defintiely will continue with this story.

This was a fun, light but dark story, a serious spin to chick lit.  If you enjoyed  Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah you will enjoy this.

I read this one for the Authors by the Alphabet Bookclub and look forward to chatting about it with blogging friends, here are their reviews. 

Paula, the host of the bookclub

Julie at Reading without Restraint


Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Discussion/Venting Time for Still Missing by Chevy Stevens


Welcome to Tea Time with Marce, thank you for joining us during the discussion of the Graphic Thriller, Still Missing.  I will keep the discussion open from Sept 23 to Oct 22.

I love when bloggers are honest but please try to be respectful to each other if you disagree.  This community is great because we all have a voice and opinions but remember it is our 'opinions'.  Ms. Steven's if you read this make sure you embrace the positives because there are a ton of bloggers that loved your book.  I didn't enjoy it but you got me discussing it....

If you reviewed it, I will link you here.

4 stars - Reading on a Rainy Day
4 stars - Mental Foodie
4 stars - Crazy-for-Books
4 stars - Red Headed Book Child
5 stars - Freda's Voice


If you read Still Missing but didn't write a review, I will link you here as we go.



DO NOT GO FURTHER - SPOILERS
 Full Discussion


Discussion Points - You can pick and choose what you want to post or comment about.  This is to get you started.

  1. What did you enjoy the most about the book?
  2. Choose one word to describe the story?
  3. Did you find the story believable?
  4. What did you find unbelievable, if anything?
  5. Did the cursing offend you or did you feel it was appropriate in all spots?
  6. Share with us your favourite quote.
  7. What were your thoughts on the mother/daughter relationship before the ending?
  8. Who did you think was involved before it was told to us?
  9. How did the detail of how The Freak affect you, was it disturbing, difficult to read etc?
  10. Do you think Chevy Stevens was effective in her method of having this story a one sided narration?
  11. What is your opinion on the cop/victim relationship?
  12. Was “The Freak” believable?
  13. What was your reaction when Annie talked about The Freak's book addiction?
  14. What do you think would have drove you crazy being locked up like that?  The control, baths, pee breaks, cooking, cleaning, etc
  15. Are you a mom - how did the pregnancy and baby storyline affect you?
  16. What did you think of her name Hope?
Link your Discussion Post here please




********************************************************************************

My VENT.......

Unbelievable, sigh.  First let me say I went to 3 different book stores and sent a friend that went to 2 and they were all sold out which of course added to my had to get it.  Seriously, I couldn't wait any longer I just downloaded on my Kindle.  Why didn't I do this first you ask, hmmm, because the amazing books I want to share, (rolling my eyes) I have to laugh because I wouldn't have shared this one, I would have gave it to my library.

Ok onto venting.

As soon as Annie was able to get her hands on the axe I thought oh joy, is this like the stupid horror films that you laugh at instead of being scared about.  Really, The Freak was so controlling, paranoid and careful, there is no way he would make a mistake that led to her not only gripping it but killing him too, (big sigh)

My next huge issue was she walks into the dang police station that dealt with her case and they treat her like a suspect and don't call the main guy until she ask for him, complete bollocks, like what the hell is that, (big sigh)

Family are always suspects, how did the cops not have any clue a whole year? (big sigh)

What did I enjoy about the book? The details of how he tortured her made it real for me, that is what makes a book great to me, the emotion you feel from the details, I loved the graphic gruesome physco actions by The Freak, it totally made me want to know more about him and feel engaged in the story.  Chevy Stevens made me want to know and understand The Freak.  Everything with him choosing books, letting Annie read the books and being so careful with them, I was like ohhhhh the Freak is a little normal, lol, NOT, just another part of his controlling side.  I also enjoyed the book in sessions but would have preferred to hear the voice of the therapist.

When I read a mystery, I always try to figure it out so I did think the step dad was the one fully involved but I still didn't have it completely right, you know with the complete unbelievable BS.  And the 2nd unsuccessful kidnapping, I am suppose to believe anyone in the world not on drugs would try that and it is their step daughter, seriously!!!

What would have drove me crazy, so many things but I really think eating with him would have messed with my mind, cooking and then looking at him without being sick everytime. I'm not sure if I could train myself with the pee breaks but drinking toilet water, ummm yup think I would have been trained fast too.

I am a mom friends, so the whole pregnancy, home delivery, the baby dying part tore me apart, I did shed a tear.  Now that was some good emotional writing.  How do you come back from that, seriously that is the only reason why I can almost believe killing him with the axe, because that emotion i'm sure can take over a person.  'Oh sure I will have another child with you'  omg FREAK!!!! lol

Ok, let me end my venting opinion with this, the name Hope just was beautiful and a great way to end the story, so glad Chevy Stevens shared that.

A favourite quote - I thought I'd worked past my childhood, past my family, past my pain, but when you've rolled around in manure long enough, there's no getting away from the stench.  You can buy every damn type of soap out there and scrub your skin until you're raw, but then one day you're out walking around and a fly lands on you.  Then another one, then another - because they know.  The know that underneath that fresh -scrubbed skin you're just manure.  Nothing but shit.  You can clean it up all you want, but the flies always know where to land.

I look forward to reading your comments and post if you join.

More from Heath Sommer - WoW

If you are a regular you know so far this year my favourite book has been The Manufactured Identity (review here), a Pshycological Thriller.  I was on Heath's website and the much awaited prequel, The Grand Delusion releases Oct 29.  Next week I will have more exciting news.....  I am jumping for joy.

Here is a Sneak peek of a chapter......

     With fleeting energy the weary man lay motionless underneath his desk and stared into the quiet of the darkened room, straining himself to breathe without sound. This is not the way it was supposed to happen. He slowly shifted his body and turned his head toward the oscillating siren blaring through the cracked window. Silently he prayed that the speeding police car would zoom past his home, but underneath his consciousness he feared that he had been found.

     After long seconds the siren passed and the man heaved a carefully measured sigh. Taking pause, he recalled the faculties of his mind into focus and reminded himself that simply because one black-and-white passed him by didn’t mean he was no longer being monitored.


     Stealthily, he moved from the office and into the parlor, deliberate to avoid stepping on the loose boards in the middle of the room leading up to the door's threshold. For an intense moment he thought he heard a crackling off to his right. Quickly, but with control, he surveyed every corner of his periphery before taking another step. Satisfied the parlor was void of life, he closed the door behind him and retrieved the vintage copy of Animal Farm from off the fifth shelf of the middle bookcase. With mildly trembling hands, he opened the novel to page sixty-two and carefully handled the loose photograph resting in the crevice of the page, gazing upon the solemn face in the picture before turning it over to read the long-since memorized phone number. Fighting the urge to blink the sweat from his eyes, he lowered himself to the telephone and held his face over the keypad. It was time.


     Reaching up, he grabbed the phone and listened to the dial tone; let it sink into the depths of his mind; let its drone nearly induce in him a deep trance. Not acknowledging the subtle nausea mixed with adrenaline, he brought up his curved right-hand index finger and softly depressed the seven digits. The phone rang once, then twice, then a third time. He exhaled silently but sustained.


     “Hello?”


     At first he couldn’t respond; he could only catch his breath. He didn’t like this part of his work.


     “Hello?” the woman on the other side tried again.


     More quiet breathing.


     “Hello, who is this? I can hear you breathing.”


     He finally spoke, but only in a soft, strained whisper. “Is this Sally, Sally Strathers?”


     “Yeah, it’s me, but who are you? Why do you keep calling me? What’s your name?”


     “I am…a friend,” he breathed, his mind racing, his fingers wet.


     “What do you want? How did you get my new number? Why do you keep calling me?”


      He looked at his laptop. “You’ll know soon,” he said, his voice beginning to quiver.


     “What will I know soon? Listen to me. Don't hang up! Why do you keep calling me? What do you want?”


      He closed his eyes and fought a horrific urge to scream. With tears, he slowly cut off the woman on the other side of the call.




Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming releases we are highly anticipating. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.


What are you waiting on?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Monday, September 20, 2010

Teaser Tuesday - The Godmother by Carrie Adams

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MixB of Should Be Reading. Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MixB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!



Just do the following and go here to participate: Teaser Tuesday

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Godmother by Carrie Adams, cover on my sidebar
 
Amazon Blurb


While 30-something Londoner Tessa King questions her no-strings-attached lifestyle, she also witnesses her friends' difficulties in marriage and parenthood while playing godmother to their broods. Nick and Francesca battle to keep their sullen teenager out of serious trouble; Billy, a single mom, can't break ties to her now remarried ex-; Helen and Neil, fairy tale parents to twin boys, are hiding something; successful Claudia and Al struggle to conceive; and Ben and Sasha have no plans to have children. But Ben also happens to be Tessa's best friend, and perhaps the love of her life. When tragedy eventually strikes the group, bonds are tested, and Tessa is forced to re-examine what she thinks will really make her happy. A painful look into the fears, doubts and desires that make and break marriages, this debut novel from Londoner Adams is notches up from the usual chick and mom lit fare.



My Teaser on Kindle at 8%
 
But as I have learned over the years, your friends don't change; you just learn to ignore or embrace the bad bits.
 
How true is that statement.  I am really enjoying this one, sometimes you just get a book that is kind of perfect for what is going on in your life and some of your thoughts and this book is that.
 
I am reading this one for Paula's Authors by the Alphabet Bookclub over at Tome's Devotee.  All that join have the opportunity to choose one of the monthly reads.

Hurricane Update

Thank you for all the best wishes.  All of my family, relatives, friends, colleagues are fine.  No deaths which is wonderful as we lost 3 lives 7 years ago so that was a little anxiety.  I was out of electricity from 4pm until approx 10am.  From 4am for an hour was the scariest, with swirling winds.  Bermuda came together to plan and protect and with many prayers it worked.  Boat damage was the worst.

 
Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Hurrican Igor, Bermuda - Loss of Electricity, no blogging - planned reading


See below for What You Reading on Monday post.



Friends I wrote this on Saturday at 2pm and scheduled it to post at 3pm Sunday in case I lost electricity but guess what, it just went, lol, so I am shutting down, will check once a day for 30 minutes if I am able to get online.

Hurricane Igor is approaching Bermuda and it is expected to be a direct hit so we are in major preparation mode and will most likely lose electricity.  I am hoping that will be the worst of it. 




These are all from the Southamton Princess lower restaurants porch


OMG this almost touched us and the storm is not here yet.


Here are a few pictures from the internet of past affects during Hurricanes.








I am the emergency contact for my HR team so when we do have contact again that will be my focus but I will definitely let you know that I am ok.  Your prayers and best wishes for all those in Bermuda are appreciated.

If electricity and Internet are down for a week or so this is what I think I may read, remember I'm a mood reader so you never know:


Using same post for my It's Monday, What are You Reading.  Sheila over at One Persons Journey has an incentive for networking.

I read Still Missing last week, my review

I will have a Discussion/Vent starting on Wednesday, please join in.


I'm currently reading Godmother for book club read over at Tome's Devotee (Paula's blog)






Review - Still Missing by Chevy Stevens


Book Summary from Amazon

On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.


Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.


My Review - 3 More Sugar Please

Friends sorry to disappoint you but I did not enjoy this book, at times I hated it and usually I love when authors make me mad but this wasn't in a good way.  And I expected this to be a possible favourite of the year.

The F word was used way to much to me, i'm not saying Annie didn't have the right to curse but my goodness, each time I was like again, I started to say was it necessary while reading. 

The chapters were done by Sessions with her therapist.  I thought this was a good way to deliver the story.  By Session 2 I hated Annie, I didn't understand why I was hating the character even when she said I know I am a bitch, that still didn't help me feel sorry for her so I was struggling until 50% of the story.  I actually wanted to understand The Freak more than hearing Annie's story, now he was truly a psychopath, The Freak, omg.  Maybe that's why I couldn't get into it because we heard the story only from her really and what I got from it was that she is a really messed up victim, ok, well shouldn't she be.  What I liked about her though, she had some dark sarcasm that made me smile.

And why I didn't really enjoy it, the story is the biggest BS I have ever read in my life, if this happened to someone and they made a movie out of it I would not believe it, what the flip ever.  And there are so many parts in the book I expected just because I knew it had to be 'unbelievable' drama added but seriously way over done.  I would say life in the cabin was believable to me but everything else, from the moment, hmmm, can't say, it would be a spoiler.

Title Talk, interesting title, this is the sentence used with the title, small teaser - Maybe I should put up my own flyers:  Still Missing.  That smiling face belonged to the woman I used to be, not the woman I am now. - This is a small glimpse of what I mean by her dark sarcasm.

ADDITIONAL NOTE after 2 comments - This book is extremely violent with details but this is something I love, the more details with violence the better, that's why I love serial killers with great descriptions but if you can't handle violence on women you definitely should pass.

Would I read something by Chevy Stevens again, probably not, her artistic creative thinking was a little to out there for me.

With that said, I still want to have a discussion with others about the book, so I can vent and possibly you can change my mind, I want to like it more than I did.  Would you join in a discussion, i'll probably keep it up for a week or on my sidebar....
 
I know many of you have read, please post your review in the comments please.  I don't remember anyone else not enjoying it, sigh
 
Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Friday Finds - Paranormal Horror & Mystery/Thriller


Friday Finds with MizB - to participate, network and get some ideas to add to your TBR list go here http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/


 
 
 
This Friday Find is from a fellow blogger, A Novel Source, you must go over and read her review, put your name forward for a giveaway and today she has an interview with the author.  Go over now to Stacy's blog
 
 
 
Synopsis:


Following her success with The Cheater, Nancy Taylor Rosenberg returns to her most memorable character, Lily Forrester. Lily is a tough judge in Ventura County, California, who has overcome adversity and heartache to achieve a position of power to help those who can’t help themselves. Like the current case before her, the sensational murder trial of a woman who tortured and killed her beautiful two-year old son. Lily is determined to see justice done but she’s thrown for a loop when she receives word that her own daughter, Shana, months away from graduating from Stanford Law School, is on the verge of dropping out. Lily rushes north and what she discovers causes her to fear for her daughter’s mental state. She must get back to the trial and decides that she will take Shana to a facility where they can evaluate her and if needed give her some counseling or medication.

Which is when things go horribly awry. For the institution that Lily has chosen is far less interested in treating patients than it is with bilking the insurance companies out of extravagant fees…and they are less than scrupulous about patient’s rights. Discovering the awful truth, Lily will have to summon all her intelligence and street smarts to find a way to free Shana. She will have to work fast however, for there is someone at the facility who seems to have his own agenda separate from the institution. And Lily’s daughter may not only be in danger of losing her sanity but her life.

and I found this on Amazon, downloaded for $2.99
 
 
 
A paranormal conference at the most haunted hotel in the Southern Appalachian mountains . . .


A man’s promise to his late wife that he’d summon her spirit . . .

A daughter whose imagination goes to dark places . . .

And demonic evil lurking in the remote hotel’s basement, just waiting to be awoken.

When Digger Wilson brings his paranormal team Spirit Seekers International to the White Horse Inn, he is skeptical that his dead wife will keep her half of the bargain. He doesn’t believe in ghosts. But when one of the conference guests channels a mysterious presence and an Ouija board spells out a pet phrase known only to Digger and his wife, his convictions are challenged.

And when guests start to disappear, Digger and his daughter Kendra must face the circle of demons that view the hotel as their personal playground. Because soon the inn will be closing for good, angels can’t be trusted, and demons don’t like to play alone . . .

 
What great books did you hear about/discover this past week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!




Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Title Talk on Thursday - New Meme, Join in.....


Why I decided to start this meme - When I read a book and come across the title, it always brings a sense of accomplishment and I think clever, interesting or I just smile with that ahh moment. So I decided to create this meme hoping it starts great conversation on each others blogs especially when we have read the same book.

Title Talk on Thursday

Title Talk on Thursday is a NEW weekly bookish meme, hosted by Tea Time with Marce. A time to share opinions on how the title represented the story, while networking and adding to your Wishlist. All Genre's of Books are Welcomed.

Comment and leave the following:


*Title

*Author

*Genre

*Summary of the book

*Include a Teaser sentence the Title was used in if it is NOT a SPOILER

*Opinion on Title, is it a clever title, a grab your attention title, is it original, does it match the genre,etc

*Link to Your Review

Thank you for visiting Tea Time with Marce, I appreciate all comments and participation. Have fun with the Title Talk this week.

Leave your Title Talk Link here.


*********************************************************************************

My Title Talk

Title - Beautiful Lies

Author - Lisa Unger

Genre - Thriller

Summary

Ridley Jones has been living a lie. A mysterious package showed up on her doorstep one morning and the beautiful lie she used to call her life was over. Suddenly, everyone she knows feel like a stranger. She has no idea who's on her side and who has something to hide--even her new lover, Jake, might have disturbing secrets of his own.

Now she's determined to find out the truth, even if it means risking her life.

Opinion on Title - Beautiful Lies should be Deadly Beautiful Lies, I think it was a little to nice of a title actually but fitted the story.  I love how interpretations of the reader and the character all depend on if it is a beautiful lie or not.

Include a Teaser sentence the Title was used in if it is NOT a SPOILER

I strongly suspected, in this case at least, that the truth was going to suck completely, that all my beautiful lies had been so much better.


My Review of Beautiful Lies


Wednesday, September 15, 2010

MIA - Mini Vent



Friends I apologise for not being around and networking.  I love to visit and build relationships in this great blogging community BUT real life has taken over:

Crisis at work - I manage Employee Relations and 'fight' the union, sigh

Recovering - some may remember I had a MRI and have protruding disks in spine, well I today is day 27 and I am tired of the discomfort, but at least the pain is almost completelyn gone, right.  This week is my first full days back to work and because of the crisis I haven't been able to catch up only deal with it, leaving at 6:30 nights, coming home to my 3 year old and i'm just DONE

Tired - yup i'm just fed up and tired

Personal Life - my dad has Dementia and this week has been stressful with dealing with that (Book Note - this is why Still Alice by Lisa Genova is one of my favourite books of all time, even if you are not dealing with Alzheimer's or Dementia in your life this book will touch you, highly recommend)

Lack of a sex life :-0 - ok ok I know that is probably TMI for some, but 26 days without is torture in my life but it truly wasn't possible in a neck brace with back issues BUT we made it possible last night, super yaaaay, lol

Achy and Headachy - At the end of day I have just hurt to much to try to sit at computer and read and respond

& BOOK RELATED

I'm reading Still Missing and guys I am not impressed so far.  I started reading expecting this to be a possible favourite  of the year.  So look out for that review, may finish this weekend, I am going to do a discussion on it also, great book for book clubs.  If you read it, leave that as a comment so I can email you about the discussion and then I can come back and read your reviews when i'm done.

Ok so those are my excuses.  I will put a hour in now because I do miss you so, but right now i'm thinking sleep but daughter is sleep, boyfriend on night shift, so this usually would be a huge treat.

I appreciate you, thanks for listening (reading).

Sunday, September 12, 2010

R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril V Challenge


It is indeed that time of year where two short months are dedicated to reveling in all things creepy, eerie, mysterious, gothic, horrifying, suspenseful and strange.


Go to Carl V's blog Stainless Steel Droppings for all the details.  R.I.P. V officially runs from September 1st through October 31st.
 
Mystery.

Suspense.
Thriller.
Dark Fantasy.
Gothic.
Horror.
Supernatural.

I chose Peril 2 - Read two books of any length that you believe fit within the challenge.


NOTE - I find it so hard to find other bloggers that enjoy reading Thrillers, Suspense, Mystery and Horror that may scare you, so I am excited to find this challenge and add more blogs, yaaaay.

The 2 books I am considering are:





Relic by Douglas Preston - this movie was scary and had me on the edge of my seat so I am going to read it now, a great horror.


















One of my favourite bloggers Aths, recommended this one to me awhile ago when I asked about books that scared them, so I will try this.  This is her short review.




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Review (Thriller) - Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger on Kindle



Book Summary (from the publisher)


Ridley Jones has been living a lie. A mysterious package showed up on her doorstep one morning and the beautiful lie she used to call her life was over. Suddenly, everyone she knows feel like a stranger. She has no idea who's on her side and who has something to hide--even her new lover, Jake, might have disturbing secrets of his own.

Now she's determined to find out the truth, even if it means risking her life.


My Review - 4 Great to the Last Drop

Wow, now this is an edge of your seat thriller.  Exciting from page one, I enjoyed the Epigraph it definitely made me more anxious to read this story.  Beautiful Lies was more like Deadly Beautiful Lies and the main character Ridley put herself at risk with her own naive interpretations.

I loved that this was about family and friends, those that you love and trust the most and then because of 1 small choice made you don't know who to believe and who to turn to or even consider turning yourself in to a mental institute because maybe you are just going crazy.

This book was fascinating, and a really different style to me as Lisa Unger had the main character Ridley talking directly to the reader.  eg.  The way I saw it, there were a couple other biggies.  Tell me if you agree.  First was:  Who the hell is Jake?  I was thrown first, like she is talking to me, lol, but I enjoyed it, it made you feel like she was pulling you in so she didn't feel alone going through this train wreck of lies and was it really lies, hmmmm.

This thriller has action, storyline, great characters, hot romance moments and lies and lots of them.  You will never figure out what the heck is going on.  I haven't decided if I like the idea that everything wasn't answered, seems like reality but I still wanted something answered, this was a small issue.

Lisa Unger is new to me but another author I will be adding to my must read list.  Do you have any recommendations on others I should try?  This one is 79c on Kindle right now if interested.

Julie P (Reading with Restraint) is one of my favourite trusted bloggers, she recommended this one and I am glad she did, go have a read of her review.  Many What are you Reading on Monday's commenter's recommended this one also, so thank you.

I read this one for my Thriller and Suspense Challenge

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Let's Hop, Network and have fun


Welcome to Tea Time with Marce

Go over to Jennifer's blog Crazy-for-Books to participate in the Hop.

This week's question/topic comes from:


Anne @ My Head Is Full of Books

Post a link to a favorite post or book review that you have written in the past three months.


I saw this post about choosing an image that represented your reading style and it really peeked my interest, so here it is.

If Reading was an Image

Also, this is my favourite book with review within the last 3 months.  Buying Time by Pamela Samuels Young

I started a new meme last week, have a look Title Talk on Thursday's New Meme

Thank you for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Title Talk on Thursday - New Meme, Join in......


Why I decided to start this meme - When I read a book and come across the title, it always brings a sense of accomplishment and I think clever, interesting or I just smile with that ahh moment. So I decided to create this meme hoping it starts great conversation on each others blogs especially when we have read the same book.


Title Talk on Thursday

Title Talk on Thursday is a NEW weekly bookish meme, hosted by Tea Time with Marce. A time to share opinions on how the title represented the story, while networking and adding to your Wishlist. All Genre's of Books are Welcomed.

Comment and leave the following:

*Title

*Author

*Genre

*Summary of the book

*Include a Teaser sentence the Title was used in if it is NOT a SPOILER


*Opinion on Title, is it a clever title, a grab your attention title, is it original, does it match the genre,etc

*Link to Your Review

Thank you for visiting Tea Time with Marce, I appreciate all comments and participation. Have fun with the Title Talk this week.

Leave your Title Talk Link here.




***************************************************************************************

My Title Talk

*Title - After You



*Author - Julie Buxbaum

*Genre - Women's Fiction

*Summary of the book - From Amazon - Book Description



The complexities of a friendship. The unexplored doubts of a marriage. And the redemptive power of literature... Julie Buxbaum, the acclaimed author of The Opposite of Love, delivers a haunting, gloriously written novel about love, family, and the secrets we hide from each other--and ourselves.

*Opinion on Title, After You was very fitting for this story.  With discussion I would think the reader would think You represents different characters in the book or it could be the past, present, future or maybe it is all of them at different times, hmmmm.  I don't want to say to much but for those that have read the book the ending can be wrapped as the After You also, don't you think :-)

*Link to Your Review - After You review

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Winners from Blogoversary & 200 Followers


To all my commenting Followers, Thank you for being a part of my blogging journey, I truly appreciate it.

My 2 Winners are...........

Steph from StephTheBookworm (23)
(Steph wins 2 books)
and a book of her choice from Book Depository


&
Cat from Tell Me a Story (7)
(Cat wins 1 book)




Go over and say hello to them.  Steph just reviewed After by Amy Efaw and Cat reviewed the Classic Women in White by Wilkie Collins

I used Random.org

Giveaway Details:

I will choose 2 Winners, 1 for my blogoversary and the other for getting to 200 followers. The 1st winner gets a book of their choice and a book from my 2010 read so far list (Steph), which you can see on my sidebar. The 2nd winner gets to choose from my sidebar (Cat). Books will be new and sent from Book Depository.

Congrats Steph and Cat, if you have changed your mind on book choice, you are able to change.  I will email you both also.

Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Monday, September 6, 2010

Review - After You by Julie Buxbaum



From Amazon - Book Description

The complexities of a friendship. The unexplored doubts of a marriage. And the redemptive power of literature... Julie Buxbaum, the acclaimed author of The Opposite of Love, delivers a haunting, gloriously written novel about love, family, and the secrets we hide from each other--and ourselves.

My Review
 
This was such a beautiful real story.  The characters were done so wonderfully you felt like you were a part of the family.  I laughed, cried, had tender sad times, just an amazing emotional book.  It is like the best Lifetime movie turned book you have ever read.
 
The writing style is just perfection, I have never felt like I am in a book and know the characters, I enjoyed all of them, even with their not so likeable characteristics.  And I loved that it was the American girl in an English household, the little differences made me smile.
 
When Ellie gets locked up, I haven't laughed so much, you know the moment you don't know if you want to cry or laugh, it was like that, I'm giggling now even at the thought.
 
Anyone that has dealt with grief, loss of a child, parent, best friend should read this, it was a magical story.  And the use of the book The Secret Garden was touching, I am putting that on my TBR list when my daughter is older.
 
I am quietly wow'd by this story, I can't explain it really. i think I will remember these characters for a long time. I would recommend this to all fans of Women's Fiction.
 
I give this 4 1/2 Great to the last Drop
 
 
 

Sunday, September 5, 2010

It's Monday, What are you Reading - After You by Julie Buxbaum







It's Monday, and it's time for What are you Reading, hosted by Sheila over on Book Journey


Go over and network, Sheila also has an incentive to having fun while networking and adding to your TBR list. You get to enter to win a prize, just for networking, how cool is that.





I'm currently reading.....

After You by Julie Buxbaum

From Amazon - Book Description


The complexities of a friendship. The unexplored doubts of a marriage. And the redemptive power of literature... Julie Buxbaum, the acclaimed author of The Opposite of Love, delivers a haunting, gloriously written novel about love, family, and the secrets we hide from each other--and ourselves.

Last week I read

The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark

&

My Formerly Hot Life by Stephanie Dolgoff


What do I think is next......


Teach Me by R.A. Nelson
or

No Second Chance by Harlan Coben
or

Beautiful Lies (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard) by Lisa Unger


Followers, check out my blogoversary giveaway and new meme
 



Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

In my Mailbox (surprise for my daughter)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

The idea of In My Mailbox is to bring books to the attention of our blog readers and to encourage interaction with other blogs.


During Booking Through Thursday meme the other week, the survey asked what was your favourite childhood book.  Well mine is Corduroy and I decided to order it for my 3 year old, she was so excited to get a book in the mail like mommy and of course it was wonderful to read it to her.
 
 
 
I also got Body Parts, A Collection of Poems about Aging, it is great so far, this one my dad will love.
 
 
 
And I downloaded After You for my Kindle's inbox.
 
 
 
 
Happy Long Weekend to you.

Followers, check out my blogoversary giveaway and new meme
 
 
Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Review - The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark


Book Summary

When a deceased nun, Sister Catherine, becomes a candidate for sainthood in this gripping thriller from bestseller Clark, Monica Farrell, a 31-year-old Manhattan pediatrician, becomes the target of those who don't want her to inherit what's left of a fortune created by her unknown grandfather, Alex Gannon, with whom Catherine had a secret love child before she took up holy orders. That child, given up for adoption, became Monica's father. Monica must now testify whether two boys became cancer-free due to prayers to Sister Catherine so she can qualify for beatification. Meanwhile, Olivia Morrow, Catherine's 82-year-old dying cousin, ponders whether to tell Monica she's Alex's granddaughter. Clark skillfully mixes spiritual questions with down and dirty deeds as she reveals Gannon Foundation funds have been steadily siphoned off by greedy heirs and associates who will stop at nothing, even murder, to keep their criminal misbehavior under wraps.


My Review 
 
Mary Higgins Clark is my favourite author mainly because she is consistent and hasn't let me down yet.  She found a formula that works for her and sticks to it.  She gives you the intro, the story with the characters interacting so you start thinking who are the bad guys and then near the end you are reading so fast because you have to know who don't it or how they did it and there is always a little twist. 
 
At first I started thinking there are too many characters in this book but she gives you enough that you can keep track of them and begin thinking how do they relate to the suspense of the story.  Monica was my favourite character and the story revolved around her. I find she always has a strong female character that comes across as genuine, someone you like.
 
A major family secret from generations long ago and because of adopted grandparents Monica did not know her history, so was naive in thinking someone was after her and would do anything to keep the secret which included murder.
 
I enjoyed how MaryHC showed that money don't make you happy, the glamorous and rich were definitely over their heads and miserable.
 
I give this 4 Great to the last Drop
 
I read this one for the Thriller and Suspense Challenge and my own The Queen of Suspense Challenge
 
Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce
 
Note - My Blogoversary Giveaway

Title Talk on Thursday - New Meme, Join in......


Why I decided to start this meme - When I read a book and come across the title, it always brings a sense of accomplishment and I think clever, interesting or I just smile with that ahh moment. So I decided to create this meme hoping it starts great conversation on each others blogs especially when we have read the same book.

Title Talk on Thursday

Title Talk on Thursday is a NEW weekly bookish meme, hosted by Tea Time with Marce. A time to share opinions on how the title represented the story, while networking and adding to your Wishlist. All Genre's of Books are Welcomed.

Comment and leave the following:

*Title


*Author


*Genre


*Summary of the book


*Include a Teaser sentence the Title was used in if it is NOT a SPOILER


*Opinion on Title, is it a clever title, a grab your attention title, is it original, does it match the genre,etc

*Link to Your Review



Thank you for visiting Tea Time with Marce, I appreciate all comments and participation. Have fun with the Title Talk this week.

Leave your Title Talk Link here.




********************************************************************************
My Title Talk

Comment and leave the following:

Title - The Remains

Author - Vincent Zandri

Genre - Thriller

Summary of the book - Thirty years ago, teenager Rebecca Underhill and her twin sister Molly were abducted by a man who lived in a house in the woods behind their upstate New York farm. They were held inside that house for three horrifying hours, until making their daring escape.
Vowing to keep their terrifying experience a secret in order to protect their mother and father, the girls tried to put the past behind them. And when their attacker was hunted down by police and sent to prison, they believed he was as good as dead.

Now, it’s 30 years later, and with Molly having passed away from cancer, Rebecca, a painter and art teacher, is left alone to bear the burden of a secret that has only gotten heavier and more painful with each passing year.
But when Rebecca begins receiving some strange anonymous text messages, she begins to realize that the monster who attacked her all those years ago is not dead after all. He’s back, and this time, he wants to do more than just haunt her. He wants her dead.
Opinion on Title - The Remains suits this thriller, I think it was a great metaphor for the remains of the past which was haunting Rebecca and also The Remains that the investigators couldn't find. The Remains sounds creepy also.

My Review of The Remains

What Title stood out to you this week?