Ramblings-n-Writings

Archive for July, 2010

ABOUT THE BOOK

What Evil Haunts the Shadows of 1870s Paris?

Baron Ferdinand Harsanyi — After his wife’s mysterious death, this Austrian attaché holds control over mines whose coveted ore could turn the tide of war.

Therese Harsanyi — Swept up in new romance and the spectacle of Paris, the Baron’s daughter is blind to the dangers stalking her family and the city she loves.

Rudolph Harsanyi — Unsure whom to trust, the Baron’s son’s grief over his mother’s death twists into growing anger and a desire to break free.

As France and Prussia plunge toward war, one family is caught in a web of deceit, political intrigue, and murder that threatens to tear them apart.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Dark In The City Of Light, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS

This is another one of those books that failed to arrive in my mailbox. Having not read the book, I am unable to give you my opinion, but I would like to share what a few other readers have said.

The majority opinion is that this book is very, very heavy on historical detail, which makes it believable but also cumbersome to read. So, if you are looking for a lighthearted read to sit by the pool with … this isn’t it. If you want a historical book with some meat on its bones, try this book and maybe hang on to it for snuggling by the fireplace this winter.

Some have mentioned that the chapter divisions are too many and the dialogue overwhelming – every thought is turned into a piece of dialogue. Again, having not read the book, these comments may be a reflection of personal preference by an individual reader.

Otherwise, the plot line sounds fascinating and I really wish the book would have arrived in my mailbox.

You can visit author Paul Robertson’s website here to learn more about his books.

I know that many of you out there enjoy reading about the new books that are hitting the market and sometimes stop by here before heading to the library or buying a book. 

I’ve mentioned in the past that one of my goals as a book reviewer is to always read the book before posting anything about it. Without reading the book, I feel as if I can’t recommend a book 100% and I may let down some of my blog readers by recommending a book that isn’t up to par.

Unfortunately, you may have noticed that during the past month, I’ve had to post only the publisher’s information about a book and not an actual review. Now, I’ve done this in the past when time is running short but the book has either been read or halfway completed. Having read part of a book, I generally feel safe recommending it to my readers.

Starting in July, I’ve failed to receive books that I’ve requested from publishers. The main reason? A year ago I changed my mailing address to a PO Box because of my living situation (sharing a mailbox with my former in-laws, etc.). While I consistently give the correct address in my communications when I request books, some publishers are failing to change the address in their databases.

If you’ve ever moved, you know that the US Postal Service will forward mail from your old address to your new address for one year. After that, the mail gets returned to sender as an invalid address. That’s what is happening to my books and I’m so disappointed.

If I was requesting books directly from the publisher, I would have some resources to turn to in order to solve the problem. But, alas, the requests go through a 3rd party.

One aspect of the address change thing that I fail to understand is how a bunch of mail order catalogs can automatically send copies of their catalogs to my new address without my ever telling them to change the address. Yet when I tell other organizations to change my address, I lose out on receiving one of my favorite things – books.

Maybe I should start reviewing mail order catalogs instead …

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hollywood 1942. When attorney Audra Schaeffer’s sister disappears, Audra flies to Hollywood to find her.

Any day Audra might have been flattered by the friendly overtures of Robert Garfield, a real-life movie star. But on the flight from Indianapolis to Hollywood, Audra can think of little else than finding her missing sister. When Audra arrives in the city of glitz and glamour, and stars, and learns her rising starlet sister has been murdered, all thoughts of romance fly away.

Determined to bring the killer to justice, Audra takes a job with the second Hollywood Victory Caravan.

Together with Robert Garfield and other stars, she crisscrosses the southern United States in a campaign to sell war bonds. When two other women are found dead on the train, Audra knows the deaths are tied to that of her sister.

Could the killer be the man with whom she’s falling in love?

If you’d like to read an excerpt of Chapter 1 of Stars In The Night, go HERE.

Contest: Lots of opportunities to win and great prizes, and the grand prize contains some of Cara’s favorite classic movies as well as all of her WWII novels: Launch Contest!

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word From Author Cara Putnam:

I graduated from high school at sixteen, college at 20, and completed my law degree when I was 27.

My writing journey started in 2005 when I decided to write my first novel. Now I have eleven books published with more on the way.

People say I’ve accomplished a lot and that I must have life by the proverbial tail. Hardly! I grew up as a home schooled kid when home schoolers were misunderstood and oddities.

I struggle with balancing my writing and law career, plus being a good mom and wife.

I often fear people won’t like my books.

I’ve walked through the deep pain of miscarriage.

Really, I’m just like you – I don’t have it all together and have gone through tough times. But in His strength, I’ve discovered a strength I never knew I had. A strength I want you to discover, too.

In the end I’m just an ordinary mom who has seen God do some wonderful things as I’ve been obedient to step into the calling He’s led me into.

 Stars in the Night was an idea that had begun to percolate in my mind. I’d written two World War II series and was actively looking for my next setting. My husband, a huge World War II history buff, and I were kicking ideas around, and I’d decided Hollywood was probably the next place for me. I’d gone to the library and gotten a stack of research books when I got the call. An editor I knew but had never worked with wanted to know if I might be interested in a new line they were starting. As we talked, I got so excited. And then she emailed me their guidelines, which listed that Hollywood was a location they were interested in setting books.

Only God could have known ahead of time. But because I followed His prompting I was ready to run with an idea. Stars in the Night is the result.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Det. Roland March is a homicide cop on his way out.

A missing girl. A corrupt investigation. They thought they could get away with it, but they forgot one thing:

Roland March is BACK ON MURDER…

Houston homicide detective Roland March was once one of the best. Now he’s disillusioned, cynical, and on his way out. His superiors farm him out on a variety of punishment details. But when he’s the only one at a crime scene to find evidence of a missing female victim, he’s given one last chance to prove himself. Before he can crack the case, he’s transferred to a new one that has grabbed the spotlight–the disappearance of a famous Houston evangelist’s teen daughter.

All he has to do? Find the missing teenage daughter of a Houston evangelist that every cop in town is already looking for. But March has an inside track, a multiple murder nobody else thinks is connected. With the help of a youth pastor with a guilty conscience who navigates the world of church and faith, March is determined to find the missing girls while proving he’s still one of Houston’s best detectives.

Battling a new partner, an old nemesis, and the demons of his past, getting to the truth could cost March everything. Even his life.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Back On Murder, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS

I would love to tell you my thoughts on this book, however I haven’t received my copy yet. If I do receive it, I’ll be sure to let you know what I think since the book sounds very intriguing.

If you’re interested in a review, you can find a list of other bloggers who read the book on the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance website.

On September 4, 2009, I shared the following words with my online friends …

Four years and almost 1 month to the day after I stood before God and pledged my life to my husband, I woke up to find him gone. For good. Not coming back. Ever. That happened in early July. Since then I’ve grieved, learned to deal with the pain of rejection, went to my first divorce hearing, found out how amazing and gracious God really is, and discovered I have some of the best friends in the world.

Today marks the one year anniversary of that day when my former husband walked out of my life permanently. My perspective last year at this time was one of grief and my world crumbling down around me. Tears poured from my broken heart.  The tunnel was really dark and seemingly had no light at the end.

Little did I know how dramatically my life would change within a year. I am truly amazed at how much God has done and how He has healed my heart.

Today my ex and I are casual friends. We’ve been divorced for over 8 months, and are both in committed relationships with other people. (While growing up I was taught that divorce is bad and is not an option in a marriage, yet I’m here today to say that I am incredibly thankful for my divorce. In a way, it was a relief and allowed me to finally emerge from that dark tunnel.)

My heart truly rejoices as I look back and see how God orchestrated the events of my life to bring me to where I am today.

He provided work exactly when I needed it, and in fact I am continuing to do work that I love. Initially my biggest fear was that I’d have to get an office job somewhere to make ends meet and give up the passions in my life. Not at all. I did work part-time for a couple of places, but there was always enough money for my needs and I had complete control of my own schedule. Only God could’ve done that!

God has also given me someone that I know I will spend the rest of my life with without a doubt. When I think in reflection, I’m often reminded of the Rascal Flatts song “Bless the Broken Road.” While my road has been broken and rough, I wouldn’t change a thing that has brought me to where I am and who I am today.

I do want to say a very deep heartfelt “thank you” to those of you who walked portions of my broken road with me. You know who you are and I will forever cherish you as true friends.