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A Searing Wind Book Review and Giveaway

March 5, 2012 11 Comments
A Searing Wind Book Three of Contact by Gear-Gear

A Searing Wind Book Three of Contact by Gear-Gear

When I read historical fiction, I want to be transported to a different world and different land. I was not disappointed with the Contact: The Battle for America trilogy. Written by husband and wife team W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear, the Contact series imagines the tumultuous times of Hernando de Soto’s attack on America’s native peoples– from their point of view.

Both authors have a background in archaeology and, based on the books’ forward and bibliography, did an amazing amount of research for the series and it shows. Coming of the Storm (Book 1) introduces readers to Black Shell an exiled Chicaza trader. Black Shell encounters the “Kristianos”-Spanish soldiers-and becomes enslaved by de Soto. He sees firsthand how the Kristianos enslave, kill and rape the indios. With the help of Pearl Hand, a woman he won through a wager, he escapes. As he feverishly fights a disease caught from the Spaniards, Black Shell is called by the spirits to fight, not just for his Chicaza nation, but for all the native tribes. In Fire in the Sky (Book 2), de Soto changes his tactics. Instead of using force and murder to obtain what his troops needs, he pretends to seek peace instead. Black Shell and Pearl Hand must change their tactics as well as convince other nations how dangerous de Soto is.

After reading all three books back to back, I find that each book is easy to follow and understand on its own. That being said, I thought A Searing Wind (Book 3) was the best. In the third and last book, Black Shell returns to Chicaza, the people who exiled him many winters ago. Black Shell fights not only the spirits to uphold his promise, but his family who never expected him to return. In this book, Black Shell’s character becomes even more multi-faceted. His emotions are in turmoil as he attempts to convince one of the proudest, fiercest nation that their old ways will not work with the Kristianos.

As I read the books, I knew that many battles were hopeless for the natives. Hernando de Soto left destruction and death in his path. I couldn’t help but continue reading. I rooted for Black Shell and his people.

The historical details about the native peoples way of life made me feel as I was sitting in the trees, watching it all in front of me. The description of the town square, spiritual rituals, even down to the symbolism of painted faces were fascinating. If you want a detail, close-up look of what life was like for Native Americans before the Europeans changed everything, these books are a must read.

A Searing Wind will be available March 6. The first two novels Coming of the Storm and Fire in the Sky are currently available in paperback.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster, you can win the all three books! The winner will receive a hardcover of A Searing Wind and paperbacks of Coming of the Storm and Fire in the Sky.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me what time period in history is your favorite.

For extra entries do any of the following and leave a comment for each one:

  • Subscribe to this blog via RSS feed.
  • Follow From Left to Write on Twitter
  • Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter (up to 2 entries, leave a comment for each one). While you’re on Facebook, give us a like. (Not required for the giveaway)
Giveaway ends March 18, 2012.
Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. The giveaway prize is courtesy of Simon & Schuster. From Left to Write is not responsible for any lost or misdirected prizes. No compensation was received for this post. US addresses only. I received review copies of the above novels. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

 

 

Filed Under: Giveaways, Novels, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

The Leftovers Audiobook Giveaway

February 9, 2012 8 Comments
The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta Audiobook

The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta Audiobook

In January, I reviewed The Leftovers Tom Perrotta. The lovely folks at McMillan Audiobooks saw it and has offered our readers a chance to win an audiobook of The Leftovers.  Here’s a quick description of the novel, excerpted from my review:

In a Rapture-like event, people around the world just vanished into thin air. No one knows where they went or how they disappeared. Instead of dwelling on the disappearance, Perrotta focuses on the people who were left behind.  The people who are left after the Sudden Departure try to cope with the disappearance of their friends, family, and neighbors. Laurie cannot deal with her normal life, so joins a cult-like organization. Her husband, who wants to help everyone move on, becomes mayor in hopes of helping the town recover. Their son quits college to follow a prophet while their once straight A-student teenage daughter struggles in school.

You can read the rest of the review here.

You can preview the audiobook too:  The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta audiobook clip

For your chance to win an audiobook version of The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta, leave a comment telling me where and when you like to listen to audiobooks (mandatory). In the kitchen while washing dishes? On your commute to work?

For extra entries:

  • Subscribe to this blog via RSS feed. If you’re already a subsciber, we have a updated feedso please re-subscribe
  • Follow From Left to Write on Twitter
  • Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter (up to 2 entries, leave a comment for each one). While you’re on Facebook, give us a like. (Not required for the giveaway)
 Congrats to Marci on winning the audiobook! Giveaway ends February 21.
Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. The giveaway prize is courtesy of MacMillan Audiobooks. From Left to Write is not responsible for any lost or misdirected prizes. No compensation was received for this post. US addresses only.
Filed Under: Giveaways, Novels Tagged With: , , ,

Book Review and Audiobook Giveaway: The Marriage Plot

November 16, 2011 13 Comments
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

Editor’s Note: The giveaway is closed. Congrats to Gayle!

I recently finished Jeffrey Eugenides’  The Marriage Plot.  Before I jump into how I felt about the book, I will share a brief summary (with spoilers).

In Romantic literature, a marriage plot was a literary device around which novels were often based that dealt with courtship between men and women (think Elizabeth and Darcy, Heathcliff and Catherine, etc.).  This book revolves around three recent college graduates in the early 1980′s, their complicated love triangle, and their quests to find fulfillment.  Mitchell (a deeply spiritual philosophy student) loves Madeleine (a naive English major).  Madeleine loves Leonard (a brilliant biologist who suffers from crippling Type I bipolar disorder).  Madeleine knows Mitchell is the more suitable suitor, but is attracted to Leonard’s genius and charisma.  After graduation, Leonard and Madeleine move in together and soon marry despite his worsening disease.  Her Austen heroines always got married at the end of the book, so she feels compelled to do the same.  Mitchell goes on a soul-searching quest around the world but eventually he finds himself back in their lives when Leonard, realizing how wrong he is for her, divorces Madeleine.  Mitchell helps her heal and she seems to reciprocate his love.  As in one of the aforementioned Romantic novels, it appears that these two star-crossed lovers will end up together.  At this point, though, the author derails this particular marriage plot.  Mitchell makes the decision to let her go instead of being her fall-back option.

Eugenides wrote a beautiful novel – there is no doubt about that.  My husband absolutely loved this book, and every other review I’ve read has been glowing as well.  For me, however, this was a difficult read.  The pace was slow, which I didn’t particularly mind.  I don’t think that’s ever a reason to dislike a book, and I cringe when I see people cite that as a stumbling point.  What tripped me up with this book was the portrayal of mental illness.  As a person who suffers from Bipolar Disorder (although not the same type or severity as the character in this book) it is often difficult for me to read fictional accounts of a mental illness.  The book just left me uneasy, and a little disconcerted.  However, those feelings are completely mine and stem mostly from what personal experiences and baggage I bring to the story.  As I mentioned earlier, other people I know who have read it have none of those feelings about it.  I think it was definitely worth the trip to the library to check it out!

Editor’s note: Thanks for your review of The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides, Taylor!

MacMillan is offering one an unabridged audiobook of The Marriage Plot for a From Left to Write reader! Listen to a sample here:

Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides audiobook excerpt

 

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment with your favorite Jane Austen novel or another similar Romantic novel.

For extra entries:

  • Subscribe to this blog via RSS feed. If you’re already a subsciber, we have a updated feedso please re-subscribe
  • Follow From Left to Write on Twitter
  • Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter (up to 2 entries, leave a comment for each one). While you’re on Facebook, give us a like. (Not required for the giveaway)
Giveaway ends November 27.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond. The giveaway prize is courtesy of MacMillan Audiobooks. From Left to Write is not responsible for any lost or misdirected prizes. No compensation was received for this post.
Filed Under: Giveaways, Novels, Taylor Tagged With: , , , , ,

Giveaway: Four Book Set of The Black Sun’s Daughter Series, w Book Four Killing Rites

November 14, 2011 24 Comments
Unclean Spirits by M.L.N Hanover

Unclean Spirits by M.L.N Hanover   Darker Angels by M.L.N Hanover   Viscious Grace by M.L.N. Hanover   Killing Rites by M.L.N. Hanover

Are you looking for a new paranormal series to read? How about a series with a heroine? Check out The Black Sun’s Daughter series by M.L.N. Hanover (pseudonym for fantasy writer Daniel Abraham) features heroine Jayne Heller, a woman special powers who is tasked with reining in demons and supernatural foes.

Killing Rites, the  fourth in the series, will be released on November 29.  Here’s the book blurb from Simon & Schuster:

Jayne Heller has discovered the source of her uncanny powers: something else is living inside her body. She’s possessed. Of all her companions, she can only bring herself to confide in Ex, the former priest. They seek help from his old teacher, hoping to cleanse Jayne before the parasite in her becomes too powerful. Ex’s history and a new enemy combine to leave Jayne alone and on the run. Her friends try to hunt her down, unaware of the danger they’re putting her in. Jayne must defeat the past, and her only allies are a rogue vampire she once helped free—and the names thing hiding inside her skin.

We’re still working a review of Killing Rites. In the meantime, you can win the entire published set of The Black Sun’s Daughter, including the yet to be released Killing Rites! Thanks to Simon & Schuster, you’ll receive  Unclean Spirits (Book 1),Darker Angels (Book 2), Vicious Grace (Book 3), and the NEW Book 4 Killing Rites.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me your favorite literary heroine.

For extra entries, do any of the following and leave a comment for each one:

  • Subscribe to this blog via RSS feed. If you’re already a subsciber, we have a updated feed so please re-subscribe.
  • Follow From Left to Write on Twitter
  • Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter (up to 2 entries, leave a comment for each one). While you’re on Facebook, give us a like. (Not required for the giveaway)
Giveaway ends on Black Friday, November 25.
CONGRATS to Mary @SweepingMe! She won the books.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond. Giveaway prize is courtesy of Simon & Schuster. From Left to Write is not responsible for any lost or misdirected prizes. No compensation was received for this post.
Filed Under: Giveaways, SciFi Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Learning to Breathe by Priscilla Warner (Review & Giveaway)

September 19, 2011 34 Comments
Learning to Breathe by Priscilla Warner

Learning to Breathe by Priscilla Warner

It’s funny how the universe sends you messages when you least expect it. I spent most of the weekend in bed with a head cold that turned into a sinus infection. I couldn’t sleep at night because I couldn’t breathe comfortably. What do I do, but pick up Priscilla Warner’s Learning to Breathe: My Yearlong Quest to Bring Calm to My Life.

Warner’s memoir chronicles her battle against the panic attacks she’d suffered since she was a teenager. Born Jewish, she opens her mind and body to meditation, Buddhist teachings, and even a Jewish ritual bath, in an attempt to control her panic attacks.

Was the universe trying to tell me something? Perhaps the universe was telling me to slow down, not just physically, but mentally as well. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends recently and my sickness forced me to slow down by keeping me in bed for a couple of days. So i slowed down and read this memoir.

Warner’s journey to find the cause of her panic attacks, essentially to find herself, fascinated me. I have never experienced anything like what she experienced. I can’t even imagine trying to live life the way she did, worried that a panic attack would hit her at any moment. During each attack she felt literally felt like she would die.

As she described her visits to various meditation and Buddhist retreats, classes, therapists, acupuncturists and other specialists, I had a hard time relating to Warner. How could she afford these treatments and retreats? She briefly mentioned her husband worked in the corporate world so maybe that’s how she could take all of these retreats. Would others who suffered from panic attacks be able to identify with her struggle and search for a treatment? I know that I would not have the means to try everything she experienced in the book. I’m not trying to make light of her problems. I know that not everyone can just take a class or visit a retreat on a whim.

The book is separated into three sections: How to Live, How to Love, and How to Die. As she becomes more enlightened about her past and present, Warner discovers that she has more to learn. She takes more classes and goes on more retreats. I would have liked to hear more about her husband’s reactions to each phase of her journey. She shares glimpses of his unconditional support but also mentions a bit of “eye-rolling” on his end.   A more detailed insight on her husband’s reactions to each phase of her journey would have made it easier for me to identify with Warner, as I’m at all familiar with most of the teachings and practices she follows.

I think there is a message in the book for everyone. I’m not sure what the message is for me. Maybe I’m just not open to receiving a message from the book at the moment. Or maybe all I can handle right now is to slow down and breathe.

I think I can handle that.

Want to win a Tibetan singing bowl? In the book Priscilla Warner tries several of them before find the one that resonated with her. Playing a Tibetan singing bowl forces you to slow down and concentrate on its beautiful sound.

To enter, just leave a comment below about how you find some quiet and peace in this busy world.

For an extra entry, like From Left to Write’s page on Facebook and leave a comment below.

I’ll draw a winner’s name at the end of the blog tour, Sept 27th.

This post is part of a blog tour for Learning to Breathe: My Yearlong Quest to Bring Calm to My Life by Priscialla Warner, published by Simon and Schuster. Visit the other blog tour stops every day this week for your chance to win other prizes that Warner used in her journey towards inner peace.

No compensation was received for this post. I received a copy of the book to review. The giveaway prize is courtesy of Simon & Schuster and Priscilla Warner. From Left to Write is not responsible for any lost or misdirected prizes.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Memoirs, Reviews, Thien-Kim Tagged With: , , ,

The Stuff That Never Happened: Author Guest Post & Book Giveaway

August 16, 2011 13 Comments



Last August, From Left to Write members read Maddie Dawson’s The Stuff That Never Happened. Maddie’s book ponders on the “what ifs” in life. Today I’m thrilled to have the author herself share a bit more about herself and her book. Keep reading to learn how you can win 1 of 3 copies of The Stuff That Never Happened, now available in paperback!

The following is a guest post from author Maddie Dawson.

Maddie Dawson, author of The Stuff That Never Happened

Thank you for inviting me to be here. I am so delighted and honored to be invited to write this guest post. Last summer, when my book, The Stuff That Never Happened, came out in hardcover, it was the featured book for August on From Left to Write, and I got into such wonderfully stimulating discussions about love and children and what we owe to ourselves. I was so moved by people’s openness in talking about their own lives.

For those of you who may not have been part of those talks, The Stuff That Never Happened (now out in paperback) is a story about marriage and affairs and people who make a pact not to talk about either of those things.

Annabelle and Grant McKay married young, before they really knew each other and knew what they wanted out of life. But now they’ve been married for 28 years—long enough to have raised two children who are now grown and out of the house, and long enough to have weathered some storms in their union. No storm, though, was worse than the one that happened at the very beginning of their marriage, when Annabelle fell in love with another man—Grant’s mentor and best friend—and had a tempestuous affair with him.

Still, they survived. After a separation, they reunited and moved out of New York to Grant’s hometown inNew Hampshire, where they made a deal with each other that they would never speak of that unhappy time again. It would be “the stuff that never happened.”

And it worked: they raised their family there and had a happy life with lots of friends and love and laughter and community—and Grant, a college professor, had an outstanding career, even if it was a little less spectacular than the career he would have had if they had stayed inNew York.

Still, all is well—until the kids leave home, that is, and life settles into a tired old routine. It’s then that Grant throws himself into his work, and lonely Annabelle throws herself into helping their daughter navigate through a high-risk pregnancy and unsettled marriage. It’s then that the age-old tensions simmering between Annabelle and Grant boil to the surface, and they have to confront the fact that the past never really can be filed away for good.

It’s when Annabelle has a chance encounter with the man she had once loved, that she’s forced to confront her own past decision, and to wonder whether she made the right choice all those years ago.

The Stuff That Never Happened takes place both in the 1970’s when Annabelle and Grant first fall in love and then in 2005, when they fall out, and is not only about love and marriage, but also about secrets, mother-daughter relationships, empty nests, women’s friendships, and most of all, forgiveness—the forgiveness we need to give ourselves as well as to those around us.

I love to talk to book groups—either on Skype or on the phone, or if located in Connecticut, in person. Go to my website to request a call!

Visit Maddie Dawson’s website to see what she’s working on! Read our interview with Maddie to see how her mind ticks. Thanks for guest posting, Maddie!

Intrigued by Maddie’s book? Thanks to Crown Publishing/Random House, we’re giving away 3 paperback copies of The Stuff That Never Happened. To enter, leave a comment on a “what if” you’ve been pondering about your life.

For additional entries do any of the following and leave a comment for each:

We’ll draw the winners on August 30th!
Winner must respond within 24 hours or another winner will be chose.  Books can only be shipped to U.S. addresses. No compensation was received for hosting this giveaway.

 

Filed Under: Giveaways, Guest Post, Novels Tagged With: , , ,

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