Damage Done - Amanda Panitch - Review And Giveaway

If you read We Were Liars last summer and are looking for another YA read in the same vein, you'll want to pick up Amanda Panitch's debut novel Damage Done.

Julia Vann has moved to a new town, a new school, a new house - and a new name. You can call her Lucy Black now. She's left that old identity behind - along with her twin brother and the 22 minutes she can't remember. 22 minutes where her boyfriend, her best friend and nine others died.

This new town seems okay, and she's made some new friends - and met a cute new guy. But can you ever outrun your past? Or is the damage done?

Panitch drops breadcrumbs along the way into the deep, dark forest that is Lucy/Julia's memory and truth. Astute readers will pick up on the scattered single lines that hint and promise something more, something darker than Lucy is sharing with the reader. I was able to predict the final aha moment, but Panitch adds one more final twist.

Damage Done is recommended for 14+. It's definitely not for readers younger than that as there are serious and disquieting themes woven into the plot. As an adult, I did find myself questioning the depiction of the parents and their lack of involvement. But hey, it's a YA novel. Same for the rapid falling in love and friend angst - I found it a bit dispassionate. But that rapid pace gives us a page turning tale.  Damage Done is a quick read, albeit a little disturbing. Read an excerpt of Damage Done.

"Amanda Panitch grew up next to an amusement park in New Jersey and went to college next to the White House in Washington, DC. She now resides in New York City where she works in book publishing by day, writes by night, and lives under constant threat of being crushed beneath giant stacks of books. Visit Amanda online at amandapanitch.com and follow her on Twitter @AmandaPanitch."

And if you think you'd like to find out what the twist is, I have one copy to giveaway to a lucky reader, courtesy of Random House Children's Books.Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US and Canada, no PO boxes please. Ends Aug 15/15.

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Murder, D.C. - Neely Tucker - Review AND Giveaway

Neely Tucker's debut novel, Ways of the Dead, introduced us to reporter Sully Carter. I really enjoyed Tucker's first book and was looking forward to his just released second novel - Murder, D.C.

Sully knows there's more to the story when Billy Ellison, son of one of Washington's most wealthy, influential and revered black families, is found dead in a park known for gang and drug activity. Repeatedly warned off by his newspaper, Billy's family and the local gangs, Sully is like a dog with a bone - he won't back down and he won't let go.

Which makes for a helluva good read. The plot of Murder, D.C. was inventive, drawing on both fact and fiction. I enjoyed riding along with Sully as he slowly uncovers bits and pieces, ferreting out the truth amongst the lies to arrive at the final reveal. I had my suspicions along the way, but was surprised by many of the turns the book took. (And this is a good thing - I enjoy not being able to predict a plot)

The best protagonists for crime books are the walking wounded, the ones who buck authority, the ones who just can't let things be or let justice go unserved. Sully Carter fills the bill on every count. He's battling PTSD, alcohol and anger issues, his bosses and manages to step on toes everywhere he goes. (many times on purpose)  He's also a confidant of the one of DC's most feared crimelords. In this latest book, Tucker continues to fleshy out Sully's character, exposing more of his personal life and the reasons behind his runaway train of a life. Alexis, a photographer, Sully's friend and sometimes lover was a great addition to the story. I loved her attitude and view on life. I hope we see more of her in the future.

Both characters have a history as war correspondents. Neely's own background is rich and wide reaching. His experience as a journalist is evident in his writing. (And I wonder how much of Sully is drawn from the author himself)  Neely's descriptions of time and place are vivid and I had strong mental images of the streets, back alleys and underbelly of Washington. These books are set in the late 1990's - when Washington was known as the murder capital of the U.S. (Hence the title)

I look forward to Sully's next story.  Read an excerpt of Murder, D.C.

You can connect with Neely Tucker on Twitter, on his website and also on Facebook.  Fans of George Pelecanos and Elmore Leonard will absolutely enjoy Neely Tucker's books.

If this sounds like a book you'd like to read, I have a copy of Murder, D.C. to giveaway courtesy of Viking Books - as well as the first Sully Carter book - The Ways of the Dead! Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US only, ends Aug 22/15

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You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #64

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true. 

But you can like one cover version better than another...

US cover

UK cover

Well, you might just be saying to yourself - Luanne, you posted the same cover twice.Close but not quite! I've read the previous two books in Robert Galbraith's (AKA J.K. Rowling) Cormoran Strike series and quite enjoyed them. I'll be reading Career of Evil, the third book, releasing in October. The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. So this week's choice comes down to font style and placement. This week, it's the US cover for me. What about you? Which cover do you prefer? Do you plan to read Career of Evil.

 You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular Saturday feature at

 A Bookworm's World.

Film on Friday #39 - Belle and Sebastian

When I saw this new release from Film Movement - Belle and Sebastian - I just knew it was one I had to watch. As with all Film Movement releases, it was a featured film at many festivals and was the Grand Prize Best Film at the New York International Children's Film Festival.

My now twenty something son absolutely adored the cartoon series about a boy and his giant white dog. We had a very large white Alaskan Malamute at the time and I know he played out many adventures with Murphy in the backyard.

The film takes place in 1943 in the French Alps. Sebastian lives with an old shepherd named Cesar.  The village is worried about a 'beast' who has been attacking the local flocks and have vowed to kill it. Young Sebastian comes across the dog the villagers are seeking and instead, befriends it. The dog becomes Sebastian's protector. For there is danger in the village - the Nazis have occupied it - and the villagers are moving Jewish refugees across the border into Switzerland. You guessed it - Belle and Sebastian are a part of that.

This is such a great movie for families. There's danger, adventure and of course a dog who is so very special. Who wouldn't want to imagine themselves as Sebastian? Prepare to have your heartstrings tugged. (For younger viewers, please take not that there are some some animals killed as part of the story.)

The movie is worth watching for the scenery alone - the views and vistas of the French Alps are absolutely magnificent. The scenes shot in the snow are real - and just as magnificent.

Young Félix Bossuet is such a natural actor. His lines were believable and his facial and body language also spoke volumes. It was easy to believe him as just a boy and his dog. Tchéky Karyo plays 'grandfather' Cesar. I had literally just watched him in the television series The Missing and enjoyed his performance. I thought he did a great job in this film as well. And a review of the actors would not be complete without mentioning the dog - well trained and perfect casting!

Families watching with children will likely choose the English dubbing. It seemed a bit off to me in the beginning, but wasn't badly done at all. I did find that of the dialogue could have used a bit more editing before being used  - some of the phrases and language just didn't seem to fit the time and place. I chose to watch with the subtitles instead. There's a 30 minute plus feature included on the making of the film as well.

Director Nicolas Vanier did a great job of bringing Cecile Aubry's classic book to the screen and a new audience. And now I'm going to pass my copy on to that twenty-something son....

France/99 minutes/Original French with English subtitles/ English

Over The Counter #274

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? This week - books people have written about their jobs. Or memoirs if you prefer.

First up is The Story: A Reporter's Journey by Judith Miller.

From the publisher, Simon and Schuster:

"Star reporter for the New York Times, the world’s most powerful newspaper; foreign correspondent in some of the most dangerous fields; Pulitzer winner; longest jailed correspondent for protecting her sources, Judith Miller is highly respected and controversial. In this memoir, she turns her reporting skills on herself with the intensity of her professional vocation.

Judy Miller grew up near the Nevada atomic proving ground. She got a job at the New York Times after a suit by women employees about discrimination at the paper and went on to cover national politics, head the paper’s bureau in Cairo, and serve as deputy editor in Paris and then deputy at the powerful Washington bureau. She reported on terrorism and the rise of fanatical Islam in the Middle East and on secret biological weapons plants and programs in Iraq, Iran, and Russia. She covered an administration traumatized by 9/11 and an anthrax attack three weeks later. Miller shared a Pulitzer for her reporting.

She turns her journalistic skills on herself and her controversial reporting which marshaled evidence that led America to invade Iraq. She writes about the mistakes she and others made on the existence in Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. She addresses the motives of some of her sources, including the notorious Iraqi Chalabi and the CIA. She describes going to jail to protect her sources in the Scooter Libby investigation of the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame and how the Times subsequently abandoned her after twenty-eight years.

The Story describes the real life of a foreign and investigative reporter. It is an adventure story, told with bluntness and wryness."

Next up is Does This Mean You'll See Me Naked: Field Notes From a Funeral Director by Robert Webster.

From the publisher, Sourcebooks:

"With curious anecdotes and unbelievable truth, funeral director Robert Webster reveals that answer and more, offering readers entertaining and quirky stories gleaned from a life lived around death. Webster tackles those embarrassing questions we all have about what really goes on behind the scenes when you've left this world:

- Strange things people put in caskets - The biggest rip-offs in the business - The crazy things that happen to a body after death - Lime, wax, and other ways to hide the truth - The most important thing an undertaker does - How to avoid the high-pressure funeral parlor - What, that's not a coffin the body is resting in "

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Bug in a Vacuum - Melanie Watt

Melanie Watt (Author of  the Scaredy Squirrel and Chester books, among others) has come out with a brilliant new picture book. I first heard about Bug in a Vacuum from the children's selection librarian at work - she raved about it. And, now that I'm a Gramma (insert big smile) picture books are back on my radar!

I knew it was going to be clever from the first pages...

Bug: 1. An insect  2. An unexpected glitch
Vacuum: 1. A cleaning machine  2. A void left by a loss.

I loved the cover, with its retro feel in colour, tone -  and vaccum style. Indeed, every illustration is a painting filled with details for old and young. The can of dandelion repellent in one of the first few pages  contains "Poisonous Chemicals to difficult to spell." Each product featured comes with similar warnings and labels. Small items lost under the fridge, tables etc., and found again in the vacuum also encourage playing I Spy.

Young readers will have fun tracing the bug's path as he flies in and through the house. Until the moment he/she meets...the vacuum. Napoleon the dog has lost his little friend to the vacuum as well.

Adults will recognize the five stages of grief as our poor little bug goes through them - Denial, Bargaining, Anger, Despair and Acceptance. ("The five stages of grief, also know as the Kubler-Ross model, introduced in 1969, are a series of emotions commonly experienced when facing a life-changing event.") Words are used sparingly - to great effect. The story could be told simply with the illustrations. Napoleon the dog only has thought bubbles, but he has too is going through the five stages. Or, using the dialogue, much discussion could be had about emotions, talking about how the bug is feeling and acting. Or just read it for fun!

Officially listed as a 5-9 years age range, I beg to differ. This story has appeal for all ages and can be read on so many different levels.  It's clever, humourous and beautifully illustrated. Watt is both the writer and illustrator. I absolutely loved it! 

Finding Audrey - Sophie Kinsella

The opening prologue of Finding Audrey - the newest novel from Sophie Kinsella - had me hooked. We're quickly introduced to the Turner family - as they attempt to dissuade Mum from throwing her son Frank's computer out the upstairs window. Dad and younger son Felix are outside, pleading with her to not do it.  The last family member is Audrey - who is watching from inside the house with her sunglasses on.

The novel is told from Audrey's view. Her voice and the reason for the dark glasses are immediately compelling....

"The trouble is, depression doesn't come with handy symptoms like spots and a temperature, so you don't realize at first. You keep saying 'I'm fine' to people when you're not fine. You think you should  be fine. You keep saying to yourself: 'Why aren't I fine?'"

Kinsella does a fantastic job tackling the issues of anxiety and depression. The exact circumstances that led to Audrey's current situation are never fully detailed - which is perfect. Instead the focus is on Audrey and her progress. And that progress picks up speed when she meets Frank's friend Linus....

I loved this book!  I found myself laughing out loud many, many times. And just as many spent on sympathizing with Audrey's plight.

The characters are so engaging. It's impossible not to like Audrey. Her brother Frank's strategies and ploys to circumvent Mum's computer ban are epic. Wee Felix has few lines, but his sweetness is tangible. Dad is a bit of a bumbler and Mum is a bit of hard nose. (It was Mum I had the hardest time liking) But what they all share is a love for Audrey and a desire to help her feel better. Each family member is coping and supporting her in their own way. Linus - well, Linus is lovely. And I truly hope there are teen boys like him out there. Audrey's psychiatrist, Dr. Sarah, was also a great addition to the supporting cast. Her quiet advice is full of many truths.

Finding Audrey is about Audrey finding herself - and realizing that "...life is all about climbing up, slipping down, and picking yourself up again. And it doesn't matter if you slip down. As long as you're kind of heading more or less upwards. That's all you can hope for. More or less upwards."

Kinsella injects her humourous style into her first YA novel, but also handles real and serious issues with a realistic eye. Well done.

Read an excerpt of Finding Audrey. You can connect with Sophie Kinsella on her website, on Twitter and on Facebook.

Giveaway - Rome in Love - Anita Hughes

Summer isn't over yet! Today's giveaway is the perfect addition for your beach bag!

Rome in Love by Anita Hughes releases August 4/15 and I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader!

From the publisher, St. Martin's Griffin:

"When Amelia Tate is cast to play the Audrey Hepburn role in a remake of Roman Holiday, she feels as if all her dreams have come true. She has a handsome boyfriend, is portraying her idol in a major motion picture, and gets to live in beautiful, Italian city of Rome for the next two months. Once there, she befriends a young woman named Sophie with whom she begins to explore the city. Together, they discover all the amazing riches that Rome has to offer. But when Amelia's boyfriend breaks up with her over her acting career, her perfect world begins to crumble.

While moping in her hotel suite, Amelia discovers a stack of letters written by Audrey Hepburn that start to put her own life into perspective. Then, she meets Philip, a handsome journalist who is under the impression that she is a hotel maid, and it appears as if things are finally looking up. The problem is she can never find the right time to tell Philip her true identity. Not to mention that Philip has a few secrets of his own. Can Amelia finally have both the career and love that she's always wanted, or will she be forced to choose again?

With her sensory descriptions of the beautiful sites, decadent food, and high fashion of Rome, Hughes draws readers into this fast-paced and superbly written novel. Rome in Love will capture the hearts of readers everywhere." Read an excerpt of Rome in Love.

Credit: Sheri Geoffreys

"Anita Hughes is the author of Lake Como, Market Street, and Monarch Beach. She attended UC Berkeley’s Masters in Creative Writing Program, and has taught Creative Writing at The Branson School in Ross, California. Hughes lives in Dana Point, California, where she is at work on her next novel." You can connect with Anita Hughes on her website, as well as on Twitter and on Facebook.

Sound like a book you'd love to read?! Enter to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US only, no PO boxes please. Ends August 8/15.

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You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #63

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

But you can like one cover version better than another...

US cover

UK cover

I'm really looking forward to Karin Slaughter's newest book releasing in September in the US and July in the UK. She's a fantastic crime novelist. Pretty Girls is a stand alone. The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. Well, both covers have a blurb from Lee Child. The UK is more explicit and definitely lets you know it's a crime novel. But this week, I think I am drawn more to the subtlety of the the locket falling in the  US cover. What cover do you prefer? Do you plan to read Pretty Girls?

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is 

a regular Saturday feature at 

A Bookworm's World.

Film on Friday #38 The Longest Ride

The Longest Ride, based on the best selling novel by Nicholas Sparks, has just released on Blu-ray from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Director George Tillman Jr. does a fantastic job of bringing this love story to the screen. (And staying true to the book)

Bullrider Luke (Scott Eastwood) is 'back in the saddle' trying to return to the top of his sport after an injury, when he meets Sophia (Britt Robertson) - a college student ready to graduate and pursue her dream job in the art field. When the two meet, sparks fly - but can love overcome dreams and ambitions? What, if any, choices and sacrifices will each be willing to make?

What makes The Longest Ride such a wonderful film to watch is the parallel story set in the 1940's. Luke and Sophia rescue Ira (Alan Alda) an older man and his box of letters from a car crash. Sophia continues to meet with Ira and from her letter reading we relive the love story of Ira and his wife Ruth. (Oona Chaplin is fantastic as young Ruth. Jack Huston is young Ira) The two stories mirror each other across the generations, through good and bad, only serving to illustrate that love takes sacrifice and the path to happiness is never smooth.

Watching The Longest Ride is going to make you happy though. Who doesn't love a love story? Great sets and scenery, a perfectly cast group of actors, some tastefully done steamy scenes, lots of action in the bull ring and an ending that's just right, all add up to a sweet, satisfying movie night at home. The Longest Ride is perfect to share with that special someone in your life or maybe as a girl's night at the movies. (As one supporting character says early on "I want a cowboy." Uh huh.)

Tillman took great care with realistically portraying the bull riding. Two of the special features on the disc follow Eastwood's training as well as the real riders. Fascinating stuff. There's also some good interviews with cast members, director and Sparks as well.

The title refers to the eight seconds a rider must stay on the bull to score, but The Longest Ride is also a nod to relationships - staying the course through a bumpy ride as well. Well worth watching for this movie lover!

And in case you missed it - you have until midnight tonight to 

enter to win a Blu-ray copy of The Longest Ride from A Bookworm's World! 

Over the Counter #273

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? Well, I was hot and was looking for a cool drink......and the cover pictures caught my eye.

First up is Quench: Handcrafted Beverages to Satisfy Every Taste and Occasion by Ashley English.

 From the publisher, Roost Books:

"From homemade root beer to hard cider, fresh-squeezed ginger lemonade to handcrafted Irish cream, do-it-yourself beverages are gaining interest and intrigue across the culinary spectrum. Professional mixologists and amateur home cooks alike are looking for beverages to inspire and satisfy, sourced from a variety of natural and seasonal ingredients. Quench offers the solution, covering the entire beverage range with hot, cold, fermented, infused, and cured offerings. There’s something here for every palate, occasion, and need. Quench promises to help you pour a glass of whatever it is you're thirsting for."

Next up is The Land Where Lemons Grow: The Story of Italy Its Citrus Fruit by Helena Attlee.

From the publisher, Countryman Press:

"The Land Where Lemons Grow is the sweeping story of Italy’s cultural history told through the history of its citrus crops. From the early migration of citrus from the foothills of the Himalayas to Italy’s shores to the persistent role of unique crops such as bergamot (and its place in the perfume and cosmetics industries) and the vital role played by Calabria’s unique Diamante citrons in the Jewish celebration of Sukkoth, author Helena Attlee brings the fascinating history and its gustatory delights to life.

Whether the Battle of Oranges in Ivrea, the gardens of Tuscany, or the story of the Mafia and Sicily’s citrus groves, Attlee transports readers on a journey unlike any other."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

A New Hope - Robyn Carr

A New Hope is the 8th entry in the Thunder Point series by best selling author Robyn Carr.

I don't read a lot of romance, but a co-worker mentioned that she had enjoyed quite a few Robyn Carr titles. I was looking for an easy, feel good read, so A New Hope seemed like a good bet.

Ginger Dysart has suffered great personal loss. Still grieving, she moves to the small town of Thunder Point, Oregon, to help out her cousin.  Carr quickly introduces us to the many residents of the town, each with their own story and personality. I must admit to feeling slightly overwhelmed in the beginning, with the sheer number of story lines and connections.

Ginger is a likable character, as are most of the players. Thunder Point is that mythical little town, where everyone knows your name (and your business) the neighbours pitch in and help is always just around the corner. Idyllic and a perfect setting.

At a local wedding, Ginger is hit on by a drunken Matt Lacoumette, who has also suffered loss. Sober, he comes by to apologize to Ginger and.....well, you can see it coming can't you? No surprise - - their relationship grows from no thanks, to friends and onward. Carr grows this relationship nicely, with more than a few truths and some thoughtful introspection along the way.

My only complaint would be the inclusion of what I viewed as somewhat gratuitous sex scenes. No, it's not me being prudish. I just thought they felt forced, or injected into the story as a prerequisite element. I was enjoying the story without these insertions.

What I did really enjoy was that caring town and its residents. Carr has included a wide variety of characters, from young to old, each with their own story. It's easy to see why readers get hooked on such series. It's lovely to imagine such a place as Thunder Point might exist.

The growing relationship between Ginger and Matt is of course a given, despite the setbacks thrown in their paths. But that's why we read romance isn't it? For that happy ever after. Readers will find that ending in A New Hope. Read an excerpt of A New Hope.

"Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of almost fifty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series. Robyn and her husband live in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit her at her website, connect with her on Facebook, as well as on Twitter.

The Hand That Feeds You - A. J. Rich

The Hand That Feeds You is a newly released psychological thriller from A.J. Rich. (A pseudonym and collaborative effort from authors Amy Hempel and Jill Clement.)

Morgan Prager comes home to her apartment to a horrific sight. Her fiancé Bennett is dead - seemingly killed by Morgan's three dogs. When she attempts to notify his family of his death, she can't find them - or any trace of the man she was to marry. Nothing he told was true. Morgan met Bennett through an online dating site and a questionnaire she created for her thesis on victim psychology. Could Morgan be the victim herself?

And of course, along with Morgan, the reader wants to know who Bennett was as well.

I was intrigued by the premise and Morgan's search for who Bennett really was. But I found myself reading as an observer, removed from the story and not as a engaged participant. I just couldn't connect with Morgan. I didn't overly like her, despite her being the protagonist.  She alternates between being self aware to downright naive. But she remained flat for me, never generating a strong response.

The inclusion of death by dog was quite different. Dogs, dog rescue, dog temperament and dog law play a large in the plot of The Hand That Feeds You. Hempel is a founding member of two dog rescue organizations and her knowledge adds much to a distinctly different whodunit plot. I learned quite a bit, but sometimes I felt like this information and storyline detracted from the main plot. I did think that the idea of someone falsely representing themselves online was excellent - and timely.

Rich does include a lot of extraneous detail - about food/drink/prices that seem like filler, as well as other odd bits, such as a description of a 'green' funeral that really don't have anything to do with the plot at all.

The whodunit is fairly obvious, despite the choices offered, but I kept reading as I wanted to confirm my suspicions and find out the fate of the dogs. I found the ending and resolution a bit rushed in the less than two pages allotted to it.

The Hand That Feeds You was just an okay read, for me, and fell short of the publisher's description of  'smart, thrilling, sexy, and emotionally riveting.' See what you think - read an excerpt of The Hand That Feeds You.

Giveaway - Sisters of Treason - Elizabeth Fremantle

Calling all historical fiction fans! I've got a great giveaway for you today. Elizabeth Fremantle's novel, Sisters of Treason, is newly released in paperback - and I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader!

From the publisher, Simon and Schuster:

"From the author of Queen’s Gambit, which People magazine called, “A must-read for Philippa Gregory fans,” a gripping historical novel about two sisters who tread as dangerously close to the crown as their tragic sister, Lady Jane Grey, executed after just nine days on the throne.

Early in Mary Tudor’s turbulent reign, Lady Catherine and Lady Mary Grey are reeling after the brutal execution of their elder seventeen-year-old sister, Lady Jane Grey, and the succession is by no means stable. In Sisters of Treason, Elizabeth Fremantle brings these young women to life in a spellbinding Tudor tale of love and politics.

Neither sister is well suited to a dangerous life at court. Flirtatious Lady Catherine, thought to be the true heir, cannot control her compulsion to love and be loved. Her sister, clever Lady Mary, has a crooked spine and a tiny stature in an age when physical perfection equates to goodness—and both girls have inherited the Tudor blood that is more curse than blessing. For either girl to marry without royal permission would be a potentially fatal political act. It is the royal portrait painter, Levina Teerlinc, who helps the girls survive these troubled times. She becomes their mentor and confidante, but when the Queen’s sister, the hot-headed Elizabeth, inherits the crown, life at court becomes increasingly treacherous for the surviving Grey sisters. Ultimately each young woman must decide how far she will go to defy her Queen, risk her life, and find the safety and love she longs for.

From “a brilliant new player in the court of royal fiction,” (People) Sisters of Treason brings to vivid life the perilous and romantic lives of two little known young women who played a major role in the complex politics of their day."

"Elizabeth Fremantle is the author of Queen's Gambit and has contributed to Vogue, Elle, Vanity Fair and The Sunday Times among other publications. She lives in London, England." Read an excerpt of Sisters of Treason. There's a reading group guide available as well as a video to help you get to know Elizabeth better. Or connect with Elizabeth on her Facebook page.

Sound like a book you'd like to read? I have one copy to giveaway. Open to continental US only, no PO boxes please. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Ends August 1/15.

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The Tea Book - Linda Gaylard

I've been drinking tea as long as I remember. Some of my fondest memories are having tea parties with my grandmothers when I was young. We used a tiny china tea set (that I still have) and very milky tea! I'm still a tea lover and drinker to this day.

DK Canada has a great Food and Drink Boutique with a selection of food and beverage titles for the foodie in your life. One of their newest titles - The Tea Book  by Linda Gaylard - definitely caught my eye!

Gaylard is a tea sommelier - " the tea sommelier has the challenging task of convincing tea drinkers that there is much more to tea than a mug and a tea bag. Beyond the bag there is mystery, history, travel, industry, culture and ceremony: a whole new world to explore." 

I have tried some loose teas, but I do generally use the same brand of bag and a mug, so I was up for learning something new and venturing beyond my usual fare.

Gaylard's book starts literally from the ground up, detailing the anatomy of a tea plant, the growth and  harvest. (From seed to plant ready for plucking can take 5 to 7 years) I truly had never thought to consider the process of plant to cup before - up to nine processes!  I drink quite a bit of tea - and am happy to report there are quite a few health benefits to tea, including stress relief and higher bone density. Who knew? Herbal teas have long been known to have medicinal properties. Gaylard has included a 'wheel of wellness' - matching an ailment (headache, cough etc) along with a tea that might help.

I loved this fact - tea bags were an accidental invention. In 1908 a tea merchant sent his clients samples in a silk drawstring bag. They clients brewed the tea in the bags instead of removing the leaves. And tea bags were born! I've discovered while travelling in the US to say 'hot tea' - which is sometimes met with puzzled looks. This stat explains those looks - "80% of tea consumed in the United States is in the form of iced tea."

Brewing and infusing techniques, including equipment such as infusers, water temp, type of water, infusion time and measured amounts to use are covered in meticulous detail, accompanied by charts, coloured pictures and drawings.

Just as tea with my grandmother was an occasion, so is it across many cultures. Gaylard explore ceremonies and traditions in numerous countries. (The British afternoon tea was familiar and a favourite)

A large chapter on tea recipes was an unexpected bonus! There are cold, hot and alcoholic tea recipes, using all types of tea. How about making your own bubble tea?

The Tea Book is a complete, comprehensive guide to the world of tea from start to finish - seed to sipping. Gaylard knows her tea - and I now know a lot more. And I think I'm ready to supplement my bag and mug with some loose tea! The Tea Book is another great reference book from DK - filled with great clear, concise information, complemented by colour photos and drawings. Here's a peek inside The Tea Book.

"Linda Gaylard is the author of The Tea Book. Linda is also a Certified Tea Sommelier located in Toronto, Canada. She graduated from a comprehensive program of study developed by George Brown College in conjunction with The Tea Association of Canada. During her training, Linda experienced more than 350 hours of focused tastings and workshops as well as training in tea and food pairing, social history of tea and tea garden management.

Prior to her tea studies, Linda achieved renown as a wardrobe stylist and influencer within the fashion world. Her experience provides a unique perspective for readers who are seeking a diverse approach to tea appreciation." You can keep up with Linda Gaylard on her website and well as on Twitter.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #62

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

But you can like one cover version better than another...

US cover

UK cover

Sue Grafton's latest Kinsey Millhone mystery, X, the

latest (#24) in her alphabet series releases August 25/15. I must admit, I've read them all. What's interesting this week is the similarity between the two. (But really, how much can you do with X for a title!) The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. I'm going to go with the UK cover this week. Although I think the US cover is trying for stark, bold and catch your eye, I find it a little boring. The UK cover hints at more with the dried landscape/ominous clouds and the bird circling above. I like that the X is transparent. And it mentions that it's a Kinsey novel. Do you plan on reading X? Which cover do you prefer? 

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular Saturday feature at A Bookworm's World.

Grand Summer Reads Giveaway - The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street - Susan Jane Gilman

Grand Central Publishing is running a summer long program aptly named Grand Summer Reads featuring four GCP titles to keep you in "reading bliss."

The second title is The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman. And I have three copies to giveaway to three lucky readers!

From the publisher:

"Now in paperback, bestselling author Susan Jane Gilman's IndieNext Pick novel about an immigrant girl's transformation into an indomitable businesswoman in early 20th century New York.

As a child in 1913, Malka Treynovsky flees Russia for New York with her family--only to be crippled and abandoned in the streets. Taken in by a tough-loving Italian ices peddler, Malka survives. When she falls in love with Albert, they set off together across America in an ice cream truck to seek their fortune; slowly, she transforms herself into Lillian Dunkle, "The Ice Cream Queen of America"--doyenne of an empire of ice cream franchises and a celebrated television personality.

Spanning 70 years, Lillian's rise--fraught with setbacks, triumphs, and tragedies--is inextricably linked to the course of American history itself, from Prohibition to the disco days of Studio 54. And when her past starts catching up with her, her world implodes spectacularly." Read an excerpt of The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street.

"Susan Jane Gilman is the bestselling author of Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress, Kiss My Tiara, and Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven. She provides commentary for NPR and has written for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Ms. Magazine. She earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan. She divides her time between Geneva, Switzerland, and her hometown of New York." You can connect with Susan Jane Gilman on her website, as well as on Twitter and on Facebook.

Check out the other titles for the Grand Summer Reads(And enter to win all four titles from Grand Central Publishing!)

Ice Cream Queen? What a great, cool book for a hot summer read! I have three copies to giveaway to three lucky readers!! Open to US and Canada, no PO Boxes please. Ends August 1/15. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Over the Counter #272

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? This week it was a couple of cookbooks that caught my eye...

First up is The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook:Wickedly Good Meals and Desserts to Die For by Kate White.

From the publisher, Quirk Books:

"Hard-boiled breakfasts, thrilling entrees, cozy desserts, and more--this illustrated cookbook features more than 100 recipes from legendary mystery authors. Whether you're planning a sinister dinner party or whipping up some comfort food perfect for a day of writing, you'll find plenty to savor in this cunning collection. Full-color photography is featured throughout, along with mischievous sidebars revealing the links between food and foul play. Contributors include Lee Child, Mary Higgins Clark, Harlan Coben, Nelson DeMille, Gillian Flynn, Sue Grafton, Charlaine Harris, James Patterson, Louise Penny, Scott Turow, and many more."

And next up is Better on Toast: Happiness on a Slice of Bread--70 Irresistible Recipes by Jill Donenfeld.

From the publisher, William Morrow:

"A fresh, fun, easy, cookbook, filled with color photographs, that reveals all the delectable things you can do with toast, one of today’s hottest culinary trends. The recipes serve as a flavor profile building blocks, making Better on Toast a great introductory cooking guide, too! Whether she’s frantically preparing for an impromptu gathering with friends, looking for an energy boost before the gym, or home alone staring into the fridge for a midnight snack, Jill Donenfeld turns to one dish that always satisfies—Toast. Tartine, open-faced sandwich, smørbrød—whatever you call it, it’s that single slice of perfect bread stacked high with fresh, flavorful toppings. Better on Toast features delicious, quick, easy-to-follow recipes for toasts with every possible topping—from hot to cold and savory to sweet. Anyone can make delicious toasts, no matter his or her level of experience or kitchen size. Whether you use thick-cut French bread, slices of whole wheat, or her gluten-free bread recipe, Jill puts emphasis on flavor, using quality, wholesome ingredients to make each recipe stand out.

With Better on Toast, you can enjoy these elegant yet simple meals anytime and for any occasion, using classic ingredients in new ways and playing with interesting ingredients you’ve always wondered about."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

After the Storm - Linda Castillo

Linda Castillo's  newest book, After the Storm, has just released. It's the seventh entry her wonderful Kate Burkholder series.

Kate is the Chief of Police in the town of Painters Mill, Ohio. The area also has a large Amish population. Kate was born into the Amish community, but chose to leave and live as an "Englischer". She has an understanding of both communities and it serves her invaluably in her work.

A prologue from the past sets up the premise for After the Storm. And in the present, a tornado tears through the area of Painters Mill, wreaking havoc - and exposing that past. A set of bones is found under the wreckage of an old barn - and it was no accidental death.

I loved settling in for what I knew would be a great read - and catching up with Kate.

Kate's personal life is a continuing storyline across the books. Her relationship with State Agent John Tomasetti has reached a new level - and new hurdles. I like the continuity across the books as the personal lives of the characters change and grow with each new entry. The supporting cast is solid and dedicated to their Chief. Kate's own conflicts between the community she was raised in and the world she now lives in also provide a great secondary story line. Castillo use lots of detail to bring the Amish settings, culture and language to life.

The whodunit is nicely played - not overly hard to solve, but still enjoyable.Castillo provides lots of suspects along the way for the reader to choose from. Procedural details aren't overly employed, instead Castillo moves things along with deductions and action. I do wonder if these crimes (because some of them are quite ugly) happen in the Amish community? A quote from Kate: "The Amish have all the same weaknesses as the rest of us. Including the human capacity for violence."

Castillo's premise and use of the Amish community and their way of life in her books is interesting and different enough to separate it from other series. After the Storm was an engaging, enjoyable book - a perfect porch read. Read an excerpt of After the Storm.

You can connect with Linda Castillo on her website, as well as on Twitter and on Facebook.

The Fold - Peter Clines

I don't read a lot of science fiction, but I know a good story when I see it - or hear it, in this case. I've also seen techno-thriller attached to this book as a label, which I think is better fitting.

The Fold is the first book I've read by Peter Clines, but it won't be the last.

It was the lead character that caught my interest in the first few chapters and held me until the very end.

Mike Erikson is a small town teacher in New England. He's happy at his job and enjoys his students. He also happens to be a genius with an eidetic memory, able to recall anything and everything he's ever seen, read or heard. He doesn't advertise this ability, preferring to live the quiet life he's chosen. One friend is aware of his skill set though - and asks Mike to take a look at a project he's funding. He's not sure if the group is telling him the truth about their results.

The project? Time travel, using a 'fold' of time that allows the user to travel great distances in a single step. Mike is intrigued.......and quite sure that the group is indeed harboring secrets - dangerous ones.

Well, of course I wanted to know what the secret was! The premise was great and the journey to the answers was intriguing. The story moved along at a fast pace, with lots of action as Mike ferrets out the truth and the resulting chaos. Cline's writing flows easily and was fun to read.

Mike's recall is fascinating - he uses ants as a mental depiction - black for memory, red for analysis. He was a a really likable character. The supporting cast is a mixed bunch - and although some of them are a bit clichéd (the lead scientist is quite obvious in his obfuscation) - they provided a good foil. A secondary plot involving a love interest between Mike and Jamie, one of the scientists, lends a personal note. Clines injects humour along the way as well.

Ray Porter was the reader - and he was fantastic. His voice exactly matched the mental image I had created for Mike. Supporting characters, many female, also had their own distinct voices, each creating and matching Cline's players. What I was amazed with was the quickness of the change in voices, sometimes in mid scentence. I absolutely felt like there were two or more people having a conversation - instead of one man playing many parts! Porter's voice reminded me somewhat of Robert Downey Jr's - a quick way of speaking, with lots of inflection and attitude easily conveyed.

I liked the ending, it's open ended enough for further books with Mike. I do hope this is the case - I would absolutely love to listen to another one - as long as its Ray Porter narrating. ;0)

(On a side note - this was the first time I've downloaded from Audible. It was very easy, the sound quality was great and it was available across all my devices. I downloaded to a mobile device - the app was great with lots of added features, such as a timer - I tend to listen before I go to sleep. I would absolutely download again.)