Friday, August 31, 2012

Book Giveaway Winners!




Book Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to 
NoraA
Vicki
GoGreen 

They each won a copy of What in God's Name.  I hope you all enjoy the book as much as I did.  Emails have been sent to all three.

Thanks to all for participating in the giveaway!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Follow Friday Four Fill In Fun Blog Hop - Week 77

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This is a fun meme and it's hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. Check out her lovely blog, if you'd like to participate.

This week’s statements


1) I love to watch baseball but I hate to play sports.

2) The sun makes a day better

3) They Didn’t Think I Could lose so much weight, But I Did

4) Warning: I'm planning on enjoying the holiday weekend!



Cat Thursday - August 30th



Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! This fun meme is hosted by The True Book Addict. Go over to her site to join in the fun.

My new baby Trudy...she's 2 years old...she's my Cat Thursday.



Booking through Thursday - Conversions



If you'd like to join in on Booking Through Thursday, just click the button above.



This week's question...

Do you find yourself thinking that the books you read would be good on film? Do you wish the things you watched on TV or in the movies were available as book?

Some really can’t be converted, of course, but some definitely can (and it’s not always the ones you think will work). There’s something to be said for different forms of media, but a good story is universal … or is it??

My answer...

Yes, sometimes I'll read a book and think it would make a good movie. I've never really did it the opposite way and wish something were available as a book. Usually they already are books or I just enjoy watching the show for that moment.

The book I recently read that I think would make a great movie is...


I'm sure there have been others over the years, but this stands out because it was so recent.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

New releases for the Labor Day Weekend!

HOT OFF THE PRESS – yes, available now, UNTIL THERE WAS YOU – book 2 in the Coming Home series by Jessica Scott.

UNTIL THERE WAS YOU by Jessica Scott, Excerpt

Url link:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/104198734/UNTIL-THERE-WAS-YOU-by-Jessica-Scott-Excerpt

& here’s the image + to buy link:
https://www.randomhouse.com/book/217171/until-there-was-you-by-jessica-scott/9780345533890


Next, is BLAZE OF WINTER – book 2 in the Star Harbor series by Elisabeth Barrett –

BLAZE OF WINTER by Elisabeth Barrett

Url link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/102873296/BLAZE-OF-WINTER-by-Elisabeth-Barrett

PLUS the image & to buy link:
https://www.randomhouse.com/book/217619/blaze-of-winter-by-elisabeth-barrett

Teaser Tuesdays - August 28th



If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* 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! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


This week I'm reading...


Death was the real breakup from hell, but I would not, I would not cry.

She flicked a hand. "Honey, I'm sure you'll find somebody else to love someday. A doll like you with curly read hair and big hazel eyes."

All I wanted, all I had ever wanted, was Jack.

Book Giveaway Winner!



Book Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Ricki M.!  

She has won a copy of Grace Unexpected.  I hope you enjoy the book.

Thanks to all for participating in the giveaway!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?



This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! D This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I finished reading...



















I'm currently reading...










Next up? It will be one of these...



Saturday, August 25, 2012

The Saturday Pet Blogger Hop


I found this great Pet Blogger Hop that I thought looked like fun. It's hosted every Saturday by Two Little Cavaliers.

My pet story this week...I have a new kitty! I don't have any pictures to share yet...right now she won't come out of the closet.

She's a beautiful 2 year old - all gray with beautiful huge green eyes. We set her up in her own room for now. She hasn't been introduced to Cookie and Socrates yet. They don't even seem to realize there's another kitty in the house.

The newbie, as yet unnamed, we figure something will come to us when we see her interact (she will interact, won't she?). We've tried to lure her out of the closet with a feather toy but, so far, no luck.

Anyone have any suggestions? Should we just be patient and let nature take its course? We can use all the help we can get.


And here's Cookie on her new window perch...not a care in the world!





Friday, August 24, 2012

What in God’s Name by Simon Rich (Book Giveaway and Review)



Genre:
Fiction

Publisher:
Reagan Arthur Books
Little, Brown and Company

Format:
Advance Reading Copy (Available as hardcover)

Release Date:
August, 2012



Heaven, Inc is a huge corporation led by the founder and CEO, God. He’s not really into working anymore. God is ready to retire and open an Asian Fusion restaurant, but first he has a surprise for the humans on Earth. When he retires, he plans to destroy Earth as well.

God’s employees at Heaven, Inc. aren’t concerned about Earth. They are just happy that they will now be able to sit back and enjoy life when God retires. However, there are two employees that aren’t thrilled with the Earth’s possible demise. Two underpaid angels, Craig and Eliza, work in the Department of Miracles and love their jobs. They don’t want Heaven to close and they don’t want to see the Earth destroyed.

God, Craig and Eliza strike a deal. If Craig and Eliza can pull off one more miracle, God will call off Earth’s destruction. That gives them one month. Their miracle assignment is getting two of Earth’s most socially awkward people to fall in love and it’s not easy, but the angels are determined. Unfortunately, one month is not a very long time to make a miracle come true.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but I could not put it down. It was filled with humor, romance, and originality. Each character is fun and unique. Once you start reading, you just can’t stop. Readers will want to see how the angels get out of this one and save the world. This is a totally delightful read.


5 out of 5 kitties!


FTC Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.


BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!


How would you like to win a copy of this book for your very own?  Thanks to Anna at Little, Brown and Company I can offer 3 copies of "What in God's Name" by Simon Rich.  Three lucky winners will have a chance to read this fun book.

Here are the few simple rules:

1) US and Canada residents only, no P.O. boxes.

2) Leave a valid email address below in the comment section.

3) For an extra entry, follow my blog. If you already follow my blog, just let me know in the comment section.

4) For an extra entry: If you follow me on twitter, just let me know in comments.

5) Subscribe to my blog and mention that in the comments, too, for another entry! If you already subscribe, mention that in the comments!

6) If you blog about the giveaway on your blog, you get 2 extra entries! Please leave the link in the comment section.

7) For two extra entries, tweet about this giveaway.

The giveaway will begin on Friday, August 24th at 12:01 AM, est. and end on Friday, August 31st at 12:01 AM, es.   I will contact the winners by email. If I don't get a response within 3 days, another winner will be chosen.

All winners are picked by List Randomizer!

Good luck everyone!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun Blog Hop-Week #76

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This is a fun meme and it's hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. Check out her lovely blog, if you'd like to participate.

This week’s statements


1. I hate watching the news. It's so depressing.

2. I have never been to ­­­­Europe.

3. The hobby I love the most is reading and one day I will read all the books in my TBR (okay, so that probably will never really happen. LOL).

4. My favorite store to shop at is Bath and Body Works because I love all the different scents. I can go crazy in that store.



Booking Through Thursday - Talking About Reading



If you'd like to join in on Booking Through Thursday, just click the button above.



This week's question...

Do you like to talk about what you read? Do you have somebody to talk WITH?
(Because not everybody does. I haven’t had someone to really chat about a book with since college.)

My answer...

I talk to people online, but not that much. I don't usually get into any indepth conversations about books. As for at home, nobody reads like I do so I just go onto the next book.

funny cat pictures - I crack  me up!!
see more

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Cat Thursday - August 23rd



Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! This fun meme is hosted by The True Book Addict. Go over to her site to join in the fun.


Socrates invites everyone for a can of food for dinner!


Wordless Wednesday - Cookie Napping








Even more Wordless Wednesday if you click here.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Guest Blogger: Author Gale Martin (Giveaway and Guest Post!!!)

I'd like to welcome author Gale Martin to Socrates' Book Review Blog.  She has a wonderful, interesting topic to share with us - villains.  Every story needs one :)  


It takes a villain
by Gale Martin

While readers want someone they can care about in a protagonist, they also need villains. Villains often stir up the circumstances that give readers reasons to care about your protagonists. So give them a heaping helping of villainy in your fiction. It takes a villain to write a book. Or two. Sometimes the more, the more memorable the book.

Protagonists need trouble with a capital T
One of the simplest formulas for storytelling goes like this: Stick your central character up a tree. Throw stones at her. Don’t let her return safely to the ground until the very end of the story.

Though writers tend to fall in love with their protagonists, unlike those we love in real life, we shouldn’t try to protect characters from trouble. Let them skin their knees, encounter a world of trouble, or feel a universe of hurt. Or all three. Every time your character gets picked on, shot at, or dumped, you’ve given your reader chances to bond with her.

In my new novel Grace Unexpected, Grace Savage gets dumped by her longtime boyfriend on her thirty-fifth birthday. She can hear her ovaries ticking. She never really imagined herself as someone living alone or without children for the rest of her adult life. Some things you simply can’t plan—like someone else falling in love with you and wanted to make a life together. So, this boyfriend abandoning her at this time in her life puts her in somewhat desperate straits if she was hoping to have natural children.

Since Grace is no goodie-two-shoes—she has some casual ideas about sex, for instance—the reader needs a reason to care about her right away. I used the break-up to help win the reader over to her side.
The sky’s the limit for villains

There are limitless possibilities to villainy in stories: Villains who look good; villains who look evil; otherwise well-meaning people who make one villainous choice that wreaks havoc with your protagonist. Villains can also be mostly bad people who do one redeeming thing that helps your pro when circumstances are most dire. Villainous weather, highways, or even screen doors.

I personally love the villains that James Lee Burke packs into his Dave Robicheaux detective stories. They are interesting and ever-present. Obvious ones like the circus rodeo clown who’s a serial killer and not so blatant ones. That includes people in law enforcement, who see everything in black and white, and yet many times, the law calls for decision-making with deadly firearms in the gray areas.

One of my villains in Grace Unexpected is a young, attractive alumni affairs director who married into wealth. She’s every new employee who gums up things in the workplace. You know the type—everything was working just fine until she appears on the scene. In the environment of higher education, money can be a villain, too. Fund-raising officers need to obtain money or pledges for it, and will do almost anything to get it. That need to court those with money is good subtext for my novel, and makes Grace’s boss do some villainous things because of the new alumni affairs director. Which leads to endless plot twists.
Writing villains can be carthartic

I’m not a big memoir reader though many people are. Some autobiographical novels are thinly veiled memoirs, and those are tricky to write. They can smack of self -interest or self-pity, which can actually distance the reader instead of pulling them in, unless they are really well crafted. I should know. My first book was autobiographical fiction, and I didn’t have enough distance from it to make the book work. So that’s one book that won’t ever see the light of day.

However, we all encounter people or organizations or bureaucracies in life who victimize us. Wouldn’t it be great to have a way to get back at them that wouldn’t entail a five-year stint in the state pen?
For me, writing has been that catharsis. If you are going to use a real-life character as a villain in fiction, it’s best to conflate her with a couple of other people. That opens up more character possibilities, too, because she becomes a new person and can do other things that that individual in your mind’s eye couldn’t or wouldn’t do. In Grace Unexpected, Lacy McBride is that young villainous new hire. Lacy’s actually many women I’ve known and worked with all rolled into one efficient little troublemaker. Do I still get a lot of satisfaction out of creating her even though I got burned by her real-life counterparts? You bet I do.

Find your inner villain

Stories become really compelling when your protagonist has villainous thoughts or is faced with two bad choices but must make one. Think Sophie’s Choice here for a stellar example. Characters should be tempted to stray from their wives. Or at least think bad things. Characters need come off as human. Did you know, for example, that most women tell at least two lies a day? Characters can lie and still be sympathetic.
While we probably want to steer clear of villains and their villainy in real life (unless you are suffering from some bizarre mental disorder like Munchausen by proxy syndrome), your reader needs villains and obstacles in the stories she reads. Give your readers juicy villains, served up medium rare, topped with crabmeat, with a side of sautéed mushrooms. Don’t skimp on the villainy. It truly takes a villain to write a good novel.
* * *




Gale Martin is an award-winning writer of contemporary fiction who plied her childhood penchant for lying into a legitimate literary pursuit during midlife. She began writing her first novel at age eleven, finally finishing her first book three decades later.

Her debut novel, DON JUAN IN HANKEY, PA, published in 2011, is a humorous backstage novel inspired by Don Giovanni, Mozart’s famous tragicomic opera about the last two days of Don Juan’s life. It was named a Finalist in the 2012 National Indie Excellence Awards for New Fiction.

Her second novel GRACE UNEXPECTED is wryly witty women's fiction that features a protagonist who can hear her ovaries ticking, who has a heart of pure gold, wrapped in lead. But a string of crummy boyfriends would do that to any lovable woman while waiting for Mr. Right.

She has a master of arts in creative writing from Wilkes University. She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania because she has to.
Website: http://galemartin.me
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Gale_Martin (@Gale_Martin)
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/GaleMartinAuthor
Goodreads: My Author Page
Email: galemartin (dot) writer (at) gmail (dot) com

Would you like to win a paperback copy of Grace Unexpected? Here's all you need to do:

) Fill out the form below and include your email address.

2) For an extra entry - Be a follower on this blog (old followers are included,
just mention how you follow).

3) For 2 extra entries - blog about this giveaway on your blog and leave the link to it.

Giveaway runs from 8/21/12 (midnight est time) to 8/28/12 (midnight est. time).
NO US restrictions! Everyone can enter!

Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Monday, August 20, 2012

Musing Mondays - Rereading



If you'd like to play along on Musing Mondays, just click the button above to join in.





This week’s musing asks…

Have you ever reread a book and found that your opinion changed?

My answer...

Basically, I don't re-read books. I just don't have enough time with my huge TBR of books I haven't even read once yet. So, I'm going to answer this question in a different way - instead of focusing on a specific book, I'll focus on a genre.

I used to love sweet romances and could read a steady diet of them. These days, when I've tried, it would take me a long time to get through one. I'm being very general here but there are exceptions to this. These days I need my romances mixed with suspense.


Comments by ZingerBug.com

Sunday, August 19, 2012

It's Monday! What Are you Reading?



This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! D This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I finished reading...



and



I'm currently reading...























Next up? It will be one of these...





Saturday, August 18, 2012

On The Island by Tracey Garvis Graves




Genre:
Fiction

Format:
E-Book (also available in paperback)

Publisher:
Plume Books

Release Date:
July 2012




Anna Emerson, a thirty year old teacher, is living a very boring life in Chicago and is involved in a relationship that is going absolutely nowhere. When she’s offered the chance to tutor a sixteen year old boy on a tropical island, she jumps at the chance. What could be better than a job on a tropical island away from her mundane lifestyle?

T.J. Callahan is in remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma and wants to lead a normal life, but his parents have other ideas. They want him to spend the summer in the Maldives, where they have a summer rental, and catch up on the studies he missed while he was sick.

Then, Anna and T.J.’s world turns upside down. Their charter flight crashes into shark-infested waters after their pilot suffers a heart attack. They manage to make it to shore, expecting to be rescued at any moment. Days turn into weeks that turn into months and then to years with no rescue in sight.

Alone, Anna and T.J. try to make the best of their situation but between the bad weather, illnesses, and the fear that T.J.’s cancer will return, it’s far from easy. Obstacles are continually thrown in their way and their health is deteriorating. The only thing these two have is each other. As T.J. becomes a man, Anna realizes her feelings for him are more than a teacher and student. Against all odds, they fall in love but their survival is still in danger.

This is an exciting story that felt more like a movie than a book. I could easily see this played out on a big screen. The characters were well-developed and well-written. Readers will immediately feel an emotional connection to them and feel as if they are living through the incredibly difficult situations T.J. and Anna face. A very moving, touching and poignant story that will stick with you long after you read the last page.

5 out of 5 kitties!


FTC Disclosure: Netgalley provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

For reading challenges:

A to Z Reading Challenge
E-Book Reading Challenge

The Saturday Pet Blogger Hop


I found this great Pet Blogger Hop that I thought looked like fun. It's hosted every Saturday by Two Little Cavaliers. This week they are having a party - the Extreme Pet Bloggers Blog Hop.


WELCOME TO THE EXTREME PET BLOGGERS BLOG HOP!

This event is a part of the weekly Pet Bloggers Blog Hop which has been going on every weekend since April of 2010! I decided that the Pet Bloggers Blog Hop needed to throw a party and so we are. It is called the Extreme Pet Bloggers Blog Hop and all Bloggers with Pets are welcome to join us and introduce their pets and their blogs. There will be meeting and greeting, lots and lots of giveaways, and promotion of animal rescues and shelters around the world. Unlike a regular Blog Hop that is really set up for ONLY Bloggers to participate this event will encourage reader participation even if you don’t have your own blog if you have a Facebook account, Twitter account, if you are addicted to Pinterest check out our two adoptable pet boards and consider repinning any of the pets that you see there. These boards will be added to throughout the week so don’t forget to stop back and check them out.
http://pinterest.com/felissahadas/adoptable-cats/
http://pinterest.com/felissahadas/adoptable-dogs/


My regular readers already know about my fur babies, but for those who don't - and to fit in with the blog hop - here's a brief look at my kitties...

I'll start with Socrates, since the blog is named after him. He's the cat in the logo on top of my blog and he's also the one in my sidebar. He's about 15-16 years old. We adopted him from a friend who couldn't take care of him any longer. We've had him since he was 9 months.

Then there's Cookie. She's approximately 5 and we adopted her when she landed on our doorstep and wouldn't take no for an answer. Who could refuse such a sweetie? She was 2 when we adopted her. So, we've had her for about 3 years. Below is a little animation I made of her playing. She loves her toys.


create a gif
create a gif

In June I lost my precious Geiger. He was 17 and I still can't believe he's gone. It's been hard, but we keep moving on.



So, that's my little family of fur babies.  I'm looking forward to hopping around and meeting all the other fur babies out there.


Friday, August 17, 2012

Follow Friday Four Fill In Fun Blog Hop - Week #75

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This is a fun meme and it's hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. Check out her lovely blog, if you'd like to participate.

This week’s statements


1. I spend so much time working in a day that I don't have enough time to do the things I love to do.

2. I don’t like football but I love baseball.

3. When I watch the new Dallas TV show I ­­­­remember how much I loved the original in my younger days.

4. I have lots of change in my wallet. (I need to clean it out because it's getting too heavy to carry.)

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Cat Thursday - August 16th



Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! This fun meme is hosted by The True Book Addict. Go over to her site to join in the fun.




Doesn't Socrates look "thrilled" with his chore? He has the same look I do when it's my turn to do the laundry. LOL



Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Wordless Wednesday







Even more Wordless Wednesday if you click here.

Book Giveaway Winner!



Congratulations to.............


Lisa H.

She won a copy of the book Of Time and Place by B.R. Freemont.

Thanks to all who participated!