BOOK TRAILER TUESDAY: A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron **SIGNED**

Description

This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?
Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.
But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose?
Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.   

About the Author

W. Bruce Cameron is the New York Times bestselling author of 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter which was turned into the hit ABC series. He has twice received the National Society of Newspaper Columinst's award for Best Humor Columnist and his nationally syndicated column is read by over three million readers every week. He lives in California.  

Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; First Edition edition (May 24, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765330342
• ISBN-13: 978-0765330345

SOURCE:  AUTHOR

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT  -- SLIGHT SPOILERS

This book is one of the best dog books I have ever read and I read almost everything that has a dog on the cover, in the title or description.  A Dog's Purpose is almost a religious experience where the dog in question goes through reincarnation and grows through each lifetime.  I just adored it and found myself near tears as well as feeling so hopeful that this dog did indeed make a difference in the lives of many.  Cameron nailed Toby/Bailey/Ellie/Buddy's voice and developed that voice as the dog "matured" through each life.

The book starts off with the undeveloped voice of Toby and while Toby's life isn't that long, it really sets up the whole point of the book.  I think that some people will have trouble with Toby since this section of the book is really sad and short.  Stick with it because once you start reading about how Toby morphs into Bailey, the action really starts and only gets better.  The next lives will have you turning the pages to see what happens next.  I really hope that the author will write more books like this.  I think you will enjoy this if you like Merrill Markoe and  Garth Stein.

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK? 

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable mailing address (PO Boxes OK!)

Contest ends on 8.31.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 9.1.11

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.

This giveaway is sponsored by the author and ME and ONE copy is available.

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GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Description

As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

Years later, when their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out, they find themselves in sleepy Live Oak, South Carolina. They're invited to stay with Sophia Kelly, a beautiful candy maker who molds sugary magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel gradually forget their haunted past-- until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel. He tells her the witch isn't gone-- it's lurking in the forest, preying on girls every year after Live Oak's infamous chocolate festival, and looking to make Gretchen it's next victim. Gretchen is determined to stop running and start fighting back. Yet the further she investigates the mystery of what the witch is and how it chooses its victims, the more she wonders who the real monster is.

Gretchen is certain of only one thing: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

About the Author

Jackson Pearce is the author of Sisters Red and As You Wish. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 23, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316068659
• ISBN-13: 978-0316068659

SOURCE:  Around the World ARC Tours

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

***slight spoilers***

In this new retelling of Hansel and Gretel (my first two dachshunds!), Jackson Pearce keeps the witch, adds some werewolves and a bit of creepiness that will really make you want to devour this. Ansel and his sister Gretchen have been thrown out by their stepmother when Gretchen turns 18 and they leave to drive as far as their car will take them.  The car breaks down in Live Oak, SC where they find a job with the local candy maker, Sophia.  It is rumored that she infuses her chocolate with magic and has a chocolate festival each year that leads the disappearance of teen girls.  Gretchen still fearing the "witch" that stole her twin years ago is sensing the same activity here.

Sam,  a local, is very vocal about the disappearing girls and blames Sophia.  Ansel and Gretchen get drawn into Sophia's world and can't imagine that she has anything to do with it until a seashell turns up on her doorstep and Gretchen finds it.  It gets increasingly spooky as Gretchen finds more clues and hooks up with Sam who gives her even more answers about what is happening in the small town which he blames rightly on the Fenris.  The Fenris  (werewolves) first appear in Sisters Red, which will add to this book, but it is not required to fully enjoy this one.  I love these fairy tale mash ups and Jackson Pearce takes them to a whole new level with keeping the theme of werewolves believable and incredibly threatening through out while remaining true to the original story of Hansel and Gretel.

WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK?

Contest is open to anyone with reliable mail service (Worldwide and PO Boxes OK!)

Contest ends on 8.31.11 midnight and the winner will be chosen by Random.org on 9.1.11

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.

This giveaway is sponsored by Little Brown and ME  & one book is available.

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Waiting on Wednesday: Bargains and Betrayals by Shannon Delaney

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Description

Locked away at Pecan Place, Jessie finds her situation to be even more dangerous than she feared. While she struggles to maintain her sanity and discover answers about the group that seems less and less like any legitimate government agency, Pietr fights to keep their relationship alive. But very aware that his mother’s time is running out, Pietr makes a deal he doesn’t dare tell Jessie about. Because the deal Pietr’s made could mean the death of far more than his tenuous relationship with the girl he loves.

About the Author

Previously a teacher and now a farmer raising heritage livestock in upstate New York, Shannon Delany has always been fascinated by history, myths, legends and paranormal research. Learn more about her at www.ShannonDelany.com. Explore the world of Junction at www.13toLifeSeries.com.

Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (August 16, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312609167
• ISBN-13: 978-0312609160

 Another wonderful series!

 

guest REVIEW: Twisted by Sara Shepard

Today, Courtney from Fuzzy. Coffee. Books is guest reviewing Twisted by Sara Shepard.  I haven't read the series and when a copy landed in my mail box, I thought, let's give it to someone who HAS read the series and appreciates it.  See, everyone wins.  I get my review posted and Courtney gets a books she really wanted to read!  Please stop by and read her original post HERE .... Here is a bit about her blog:

Fuzzy.Coffee.Books is a book blog that has been live for a little over a month now. I review mostly YA and paranormal, some chick lit, and occasionally a biography or memoir. Courtney, the blogger, is a Texas-born BookJunkie with caffeine in her veins who reads to escape the mundane life of a finance professional. There's a lot of exciting stuff coming up in the future for Fuzzy.Coffee.Books so feel free to come check it out. And don't forget to enter in the Fuzzy.Coffee.Books 100 Followers Giveaway HERE for a chance to win one of five awesome books!

AND NOW, THE REVIEW:

I love Pretty Little Liars (here by known as PLL). I actually started watching the tv show before I read started reading the books. Now usually, I have an issue with movies or shows deviating from the books, but in this case, the show is so blatantly different from the books, it might as well be two different things. So it doesn't bother me so much. And I was completely satisfied with the ending of PLL Book 8 (Wanted). Needless to say, when I found out that author Sara Shepard was writing a 9th book (and 10th, 11th, and 12th) I was curious and excited about what had been going on with the Liars a year after the end of book 8. Summary from Goodreads: It’s been a year since the torturous notes from A stopped and the mystery of Alison DiLaurentis’s disappearance was finally put to rest. Now seniors in high school, Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily are older, but they’re not any wiser. The Pretty Little Liars have more secrets than ever - twisted secrets that could destroy the perfect lives they’ve worked so hard to rebuild.

Aria’s jealous of her boyfriend’s new exchange student. Spencer’s getting a little too cozy with her soon-to-be-stepbrother. Hanna’s one scandalous photo away from ruining her dad’s Senate campaign. And Emily will do anything to get a swim scholarship.

Worst of all: Last spring break in Jamaica, they did something unforgivable. The girls are desperate to forget that fateful night, but they should know better than anyone that all secrets wash ashore … eventually.

This is kind of a fantastic summary, because if you haven't read books 1-8, it still doesn't give anything away! You could theoretically start here with book 9 without having read the others, and feel mostly caught up. (Though I'd still recommend reading PLL 1-8, it's almost like reading a tabloid!)

What I liked: 1) I loved that it was one year after the mystery of A had been unraveled. 2) Our favorite Little Liars are at it again! Obviously the girls didn't learn from all the mistakes they'd made the year before when they were dealing with "A." That should be a bad thing, but it really just made me laugh. 3) There are more and more questions. That's really what has kept me hooked on the PLL storyline, that every time you turn around, there is another question that needs to be answered.

What I didn't like: It's hard to say. I knew what to expect, so I liked it all!

Overall thoughts: Like I said, I knew what I was getting into. Shallow, snobby, petty girls who don't learn their lessons and have a knack for getting themselves in serious trouble. But the PLL series is addicting, partially because of the characters, who are so unbelievable, yet so real at the same time. And partially because of the unending string of questions, twisting plot lines, and mysterious goingson. I know a lot of people were skeptical when Ms. Shepard decided to do a 4 book story arc that began the year after the whole "A" thing was over. But I'm glad she did! It's a quick and easy read that will keep you guessing through the whole book.

My rating: 5 shots

Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (July 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062081012
• ISBN-13: 978-0062081018

BOOK TRAILER TUESDAY: The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

I just finished this one last night.  Awesome read with an Oliver Twist flare, some Emma thrown in and of course, magic!

AND THE WINNER IS: Summer Giveaway Hop

ASH at TYPING TIARA here

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Thanks to all who entered.
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