{Teaser Tuesday}

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Mizb at Should Be Reading. To participate, you need to:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser

Kate's Teaser:

"You're starving," he whispered.

"We don't have enough food to survive the winter," the man said with a hopeless shrug. "We petitioned the Population Police for help, but they said it was our own fault, our own problem. We made a pact after that, that we would not listen to them anymore. We would not be ... weak."

"You're giving up," Luke said in disbelief.

"We're free," the man replied.

Among the Free, last book in the Shadow Children series

Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix

Release Date: July 24, 2007

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Kathy's Teaser (1):

"In contrast, all I can say is that I'm the Queen of the Vampires. Though I wisely left that out on my application. Well, actually, I'm not the Queen of the Vampires, but if anyone asked, it's easier to explain if I said that, except I'd have to kill them afterwards."

Pure Healing, Ebook location 16/4042

Author: Aja James

Release Date: May 4, 2012

Publisher: Aja James

Kathy's Teaser (2):

"Sprinkle! Sprinkle! No! Bad Dog! No!" the owner chastised while she pulled at the small body, stretching Martha's pant leg to incredible lengths in the process. Martha wondered what her own reaction should be as she watched the five percent spandex of her pants reach its limit. She knew there was a lot at stake here, that her reaction to this crisis was everything.

Fourteen Interviews, Ebook location 131/2350

Author: Barbara Bayes

Release Date: May 30, 2012

{Review} A Tainted Dawn: The Great War by B. N. Peacock

ISBN #: 978-1611792126

Page Count: 352

Copyright: March 1, 2012

Publisher: Fireship Press

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

August 1789. The Rights of Man. Liberty. Equality. Idealism. Patriotism.

A new age dawns.

And yet, old hostilities persist: England and Spain are on the brink of war. France, allied by treaty with Spain, readies her warships. Three youths -- the son of an English carpenter, the son of a naval captain, and the son of a French court tailor -- meet in London, a chance encounter that entwines their lives thereafter. The English boys find themselves on the same frigate bound for the Caribbean. The Frenchman sails to Trinidad, where he meets an even more zealous Spanish revolutionary. As diplomats in Europe race to avoid conflict, war threatens to erupt in the Caribbean, with the three youths pitted against each other.

Will the dawn of the boys' young manhood remain bright with hope? Or will it become tainted with their countrymen's spilt blood?

Charlene's Review:

Best described as Historic Naval Fiction, A Tainted Dawn depicts the time period exceptionally. From the mannerisms and social class differences to the dialogue, this novel was written with a clear passion for the history involved. We meet French Revolutionary Louis, Aristocratic Englishman, Edward, and a poor English boy, Jemmy, who ran away from home. Each tries to prove himself amid the struggles surrounding the French Revolution, and upcoming war.

Although written with an obvious passion, I had a difficult time keeping up with the many characters, and especially the colorful dialogue. Not being particularly familiar with this time period, this may contribute to my difficulty, but I found this to be a tedious read. I just couldn't get "lost in this story," as I found myself LOST in the story. I wish the author the best, and fans of this time period will enjoy it, I'm sure, but this was not for me.



*A physical copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Anne of Hollywood by Carol Wolper

ISBN #: 978-1451657210

Page Count: 338

Copyright: July 17, 2012

Publisher: Gallery Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from dustjacket flaps)

Wily, intelligent, and seductive, with a dark beauty that stands out among the curvy California beach blondes, Anne attracts the attention of Henry Tudor, the handsome corporate mogul who reigns in Hollywood. Every starlet, socialite, and shark wants a piece of Henry, but he only wants Anne. The question is: can she keep him?

Welcome to a privileged world where hidden motives abound, everyone has something to sell, and safe havens don't exist. With her older sister Mary, a pathetic example of a royal has-been, Anne schemes to win her beloved Henry in the only way that gives a promise of forever - marriage. Success will mean contending with backstabbing "friends," Henry's furious ex-wife, and the machinations of her own ambitious family, and staying married to a man who has more options than most and less guilt than is good for either of them will take all her skill. Anne will do anything to hold on to the man - and the lifestyle - she adores, however, even if sticking your neck out in Hollywood means risking far worse than a broken heart. With Henry's closest confidante scheming against her, and another beautiful contender waiting in the wings, Anne is fighting for her life. Can she muster the charm and wit to pull off her very own Hollywood ending?

List of Characters:

(Taken from back cover)

Henry Tudor: A Los Angeles power player with sex appeal that matches his wealth, he's the man every woman wants.

Anne Boleyn: Nobody ever saw her as part of the social "A" list, until she catches the eye of Hollywood's king.

George Boleyn: The siblings swore long ago to protect each other's backs, but their closeness might spell tabloid ruin.

Theresa Cromwell: A mature woman in a world that places a premium on youth, Henry's brilliant VP is determined not to lose her perch on the pinnacle of power.

Catherine Aragon Tudor: Although her marriage is yesterday's new, she's determined Henry won't leave without paying.

Ferdinand Aragon: His formidable political clout can make or break a career, and he's willing to use it to help his daughter.

Carl Wolsey: The wily funds manager is content to stay in the background, where his own interests are never short-changed.

Jane Seymour: The quietly beautiful San Francisco socialite designs jewelry, but Theresa's help may bring her a far greater treasure.

Wyatt: A musician working as a parking valet, all he wants is to cut a record deal ... until he falls in love with Anne.

Mandy's Review:

Anne of Hollywood will immerse the reader in a lifestyle of lies, suspicion, deception, and intrigue. Almost everyone is looking out for themselves and their best interests.

Theresa manipulates and deceives every person she comes into contact with so she can get what she wants from them: information. It's amazing what this woman can do with the tiniest bit of information that she receives. It's her source of power and what turns her on.

Anne has automatically become Theresa's enemy simply because Henry loves Anne, which is classic Hollywood isn't it? Anne knows Henry is a powerful man and powerful men have certain needs. They're not happy with just a quick fling and a girl who throws themself at them. Powerful men, like Henry, enjoy being teased. They enjoy playing the 'game.' They enjoy feeling as if they have control over their women. Anne understood this and joined in the 'game.' What she didn't count on was her inability to play the 'game' long-term.

Once Anne succeeded in Henry marrying her, she almost seemed to become lackadaisical with her gaming skills. So much so that Henry's interest in her began waning and other women worked their way into his affections. Even when Anne found this out, she thought herself safe as his wife.

Was she correct? Even though Henry had extramarital affairs, does that mean he no longer loves Anne? Does love even factor in a relationship with someone as powerful as Henry?

You don't have to know the original Boleyn story to enjoy Anne of Hollywood. This story is an exemplary tale of relationships that take place in Hollywood. It shows you perfectly that the Land of the Beautiful is a facade for the ugliness that lies within each person. I enjoyed this novel immensely and would recommend it to those who not only enjoy reading about the Boleyns, but to any fiction book-lover.


*A hardcopy of the novel was provided by Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.

{Blog Tour/Spotlight & Giveaway} Of Time and Place by B. R. Freemont

Welcome to our stop on B. R. Freemont's Of Time and Place blog tour, hosted by Tribute Books. We hope you enjoy the book's spotlight below and decide to participate in the giveaway. Enjoy!

Book Info:

ISBN #: 978-1937928728

Page Count: 539

Copyright: August 17, 2012

Publisher: Two Harbors Press

Summary:

As the global energy crisis of the 21st century wears on, James Lendeman searches for answers - both for the country and for himself.

Working in the Federal Energy Department for the iconoclastic and enigmatic Kate Hastings, James is at the center of a world of political intrigue and personal conflicts. Unsure of whether he can go along with Kate's plans for the country (and for him), he is forced to steer his own way through a maze of personal and professinal problems.

When we meet James a few years later (through an ingenious weaving of dual timelines), he is in Savannah, working as a contractor for the government and debating the merits of a flirtatious college student who lives in his boarding house.

Nimbly moving forward and backward through James' personal timeline. Of Time and Place leads its readers on a journey through the twists and turns of life in a kind of historical novel of the future. From a tumultuous romance and marriage to a romantic spring in Florence and the adversities along the way, James finds himself debating both his own life and the feasibility of maintaining a viable US economy in the mid-21st century.

Drawn from very real issues of global import, and playing out in some of the most storied cities in the world, Of Time and Place will leave every reader pondering the future - and the present.

Author Bio:

B. R. Freemont was born in New York and has lived in the Savannah area for over a decade. He holds a B.A. from Columbia and an M.A. from New York University. During his business career, Freemont filled a number of management assignments and briefly worked for government entities.

Over the years, his interests have included: astronomy, domestic and foreign travel, dog breed club administration, wine tasting, and avidly reading both fiction and non-fiction.

He is married and has a son and two daughters.

Book Excerpt:

Chapter 1

Savannah, 2060

I was returning from one of my distasteful, although fortunately infrequent, visits to Washington. In order to justify the payments I received, I needed to perform a bit of consulting work, and from time to time be in contact with a continually changing nonentity in the Federal Energy Department. I had taken the train to save money. As usual, it was running late, taking nine hours to make a six-hour trip. We did encounter a one-hour power-down in North Carolina, but, still, a three-hour delay is a three-hour delay.

Elsewhere, trains could travel at four hundred kilometers an hour. In this country, even on the faster intercity routes, two hundred was a top speed. Our trips tended to be longer; all the more reason for trains to be faster. Why had we not invested in the necessary infrastructure? Worst of all, through our outmoded rail system we were wasting energy - and this particularly bothered me.

In Savannah, the train station was located a few kilometers from downtown in a rundown area of scrub brush and litter. A poorly maintained bus carted passengers from the inter-city train station to downtown locations. I got off at Drayton Street where I needed another vehicle - a street tram - to take me south, out of the historic district.

Of Time and Place Website

Of Time and Place Blog Tour Site

Of Time and Place Paperback Buy Link

Of Time and Place (PDF) Ebook Buy Link

Giveaway Form:

This giveaway will close Wednesday, August 8th, at 11:59 p.m. EST. This giveaway is for U.S. residents only. The winner will be randomly chosen and notified via email. If winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.

Good luck!!!!

{Review} Shadowland Anthology by Toby Tate

ASIN #: B004NIFWJE

File Size: 171 KB

Page Count: 108

Book Description:

(Taken from Amazon)

A world where murderous shadows come to life, the love of a wife and mother reaches from beyond the grave and a human monster sows the seeds of his own destruction. Eight tales of joy and terror, good and evil, love and hate, disgrace and redemption.

Mandy's Review:

Toby Tate reminds me of the guys I used to hang around in high school. We created our own language (Shroom language) and came up with off-the-wall stories. Toby would've fit in perfectly.

His Shadowland Anthology is an eclectic mix of stories that will make you wonder what exactly he may have smoked during his younger years. The stories are normal, every day situations, but then Toby twists them just enough to make you think of a few stoners sitting around as high as they can be coming up with this stuff. And, yes, before you ask or wonder, I used to be a stoner. We were always discussing, "Hey! Wouldn't it be cool if ..." or "You know, now that I think about it ..." There was no limit to the crazy stories we could imagine.

Thank you, Toby, for making me reminisce on easier times. I'm not sure this is the review you imagined when you sent me your book, but all-in-all I enjoyed the trip down memory lane.


*An ecopy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.