The Oscars

The 83rd annual Oscars this year was amazing. James Franco & Anne Hathaway were better than I thought. Billy Crystal livened up the audience just by dropping by, he's the best. The fashions were great & didn't disappoint. I saw a lot of the nominated films, & was very happy to see The King's Speech get best movie & best actor. Although I didn't care for Black Swan, I was glad to see Natalie Portman get best actress. That is my humble opinion and until next year keep going to the movies!

Mailbox Monday - Imperfect Endings: A Daughter's Story of Love, Loss, and Letting Go

I received for review Imperfect Endings: A Daughter's Story of Love, Loss, and Letting Go by Zoe FitzGerald Carter from Simon & Schuster.

Zoe Carter’s busy life on the West Coast with her husband and daughters takes an unexpected detour when her glamorous, independent-minded mother, Margaret, tired of living with Parkinson’s disease, decides she wants to “end things.” As Zoe and her sisters negotiate over whether or not they should support Margaret’s choice and who should be there at the end, their discussions stir up old alliances and animosities, along with memories of a childhood dominated by their elegant mother and philandering father. Capturing the stresses and the joys of the “sandwich generation” while bringing a provocative new perspective to the assisted suicide debate, Imperfect Endings is the uplifting story of a woman determined to die on her own terms and the family who has to learn to let her go.

The Pioneer Woman by Ree Drummond

I just finished reading The Pioneer Woman by Ree Drummond. It was a very interesting love story that shows you what true love is all about.Ree was a sophisticated college girl, who just returned from California & "Marlboro Man" as she called him, a cow boy & rancher. They were two unlikely people who met at a bar ,when she arrived home. It took him 4 months to call her, but after that they were together ever since. It seems that their fate was sealed.Ree had plans set up to go to Chicago to begin her career life, but that all changes after she falls in love with the "Marlboro Man".It's amazing how you perceive your life and how it turns out, within a blink of an eye.

Follow this link- www.ThePioneerWoman.com to see more.

My Book Blog Follow Friday

Share your current fav television show! Tell us a bit about it...

Mad Men

I think this show is very well-written with a lot of twists and turns. The characters are well-developed especially Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and Peggy Olsen (Elisabeth Moss).







I also love watching the show for the glamorous 1960s fashions worn by Betty Draper (January Jones) and Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks).

Book Blogger Hop

"Do you ever wish you would have named your blog something different?"

Actually, no - I think it sums everything up nicely. I am the mother of the owner of Tribute Books, my daughter, Nicole, and it's where I'm the part-time, volunteer office manager.

Ghost Hunters, Taps, 2-23-11 Episode

As the Taps team opened their 7th. season,they were called to a town in Alexandria, Va. The people in the town were being bothered by ghosts in the Hotel Bentley, Finnegan's Wake Tavern, and the Diamond Grill Restaurant. It appeared the town was haunted, and the people wanted Taps to investigate. Jason and Grant searched through the kitchen of the Diamond Grill Restaurant for some paranormal activity. Jason saw a black figure which appeared to be looking right at him. Steve and Tango tried to get some glasses and a beer bottle to move at the bar in Finnegan's Wake Tavern, but to no avail. The Hotel had some strange sounds also.They did their reveal for the people in the town , which was a first for the team.

Being Human (SyFy) Cast Members formerly on Dexter

Actor Sam Witwer played the wanna-be Ice Truck Killer in Dexter season one and he's now the vampire Aidan on Being Human (SyFy).

Actor Mark Pellegrino played Rita's abusive husband in Dexter seasons one and two and he's now the vampire Bishop on Being Human (SyFy). He's also known for playing the mysterious Jacob on Lost and Lucifier on Supernatural.

Booking Through Thursday

All other things being equal–do you prefer used books? Or new books? (The physical speciman, that is, not the title.) Does your preference differentiate between a standard kind of used book, and a pristine, leather-bound copy?

***

I always prefer a hardcover to a paperback, and one that's in good condition - preferably with large type. I like how hardcovers will stay open on their own accord instead of struggling to crease the spine of a paperback. They don't have to be brand new, just as long as they're not too beat up.

Glee- 2-22-11 Episode

Last night's show dealt with teenage drinking. The Glee Club gang was invited to a party at Rachel's house, since her parents were away at the time. She offered them 2 wine coolers apiece along with 2 tickets to be used on them. They soon tired of this & were about to leave when she opened up her father's liquor cabinet to them.They got pretty drunk & Rachel even kissed Kurt's gay friend & made a date with him, which didn't work out.Will went partying with Beiste to have some fun & ended up drunk. The club experienced the after effects of drinking at the alcohol awareness assembly, when they threw up all over each other. Will had them sign pledges in the end, which stated that if they drank they would do it more responsibly.

Henry Cavill from The Tudors to be the next Superman

Henry Cavill has been cast to play Superman in the latest film rendition. He is best known from Showtime's series The Tudors (playing King Henry VIII's (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) best friend, Charles Brandon, a.k.a. The Duke of Suffolk).

After losing the parts of Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire and Edward Cullen in the Twilight saga to Robert Pattinson and the role of James Bond to Daniel Craig - he finally got his big starring role.

Wonderous Words Wednesday

stymie

tr. v.

1. to hinder or thwart; stump

2. (Individual Sports & Recreations) Golf to impede with a stymie

From the book She's All That (page 2) by Kristin Billerbeck .

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted here, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

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




Faith: A Novel
by Jennifer Haigh
Publication date: May 10, 2011

Haigh's fourth novel powerfully explores themes of doubt and redemption within a devout Boston Irish family that has wrapped itself in a skein of silence and denial. As each member of this fiercely private clan is forced to confront the consequences of a public scandal, Haigh deftly untangles the years of long buried secrets that have allowed them to preserve their delusions and avoid painful truths.

Let Me In - The Movie

This movie is based on a Swedish film, Let The Right One In and a novel of the same name. It tells the story of a twelve year old boy who has a strong friendship with a vampire girl. She lives in the same apartment building with her "father," who has to go out constantly and kill people to obtain blood to feed her. Owen, the boy, is being bullied in school. His connection with Abbey, the vampire girl, becomes stronger as she becomes his friend. Owen eventually finds out about her but it doesn't bother him, because she will not harm him.You will see how their friendship holds firm even after all the bullying and killings. An amazing story.

Teaser Tuesday - She's All That

Here is my teaser from She's All That by Kristin Billerbeck (Page 1):

Bad hair ruined my life. Oh, I know what you're thinking: it's physically impossible for bad hair to ruin your life. But if I didn't have frizzy, bushy, mushroom-shaped hair, I wouldn't need thermal reconditioning, I wouldn't have been at the salon for five hours when my boss gave my promotion to another designer.

Seven Facts Award

First and foremost, I'd like to thank Nadea Ruzmen of Candy Chapstick for giving me the Seven Facts Award.

Things to do to accept this award:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog.

2. Post seven random facts about yourself.

3. Pass on the award along to 15 other worthy bloggers.

Facts About Me:

1. I had to trudge through 8 inches of snow this morning.
   
2. Last night, I visited my husband's Aunt Rita in her nursing home.
   
3. I had two McDonald's chocolate milkshakes in the last 5 days.
   
4. On Saturday, I watched a movie wearing 3D glasses.
   
5. I was able to find the right drawer handle by myself in Home Depot.
   
6. I never hear/notice when the buzzer in my hand goes off in the Olive Garden.
   
7. I get a kick out of watching the squirrels in my backyard.
   

And now I pass this award to the following 15 blogs (in no particular order):

http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/

http://www.cafeofdreamsbookreviews.com/

http://asthepagesturn.wordpress.com/

http://michellevsblog.blogspot.com

http://terri-forehand.blogspot.com/

http://writingspace.blogspot.com/

http://rebeccasnotebook.blogspot.com/

http://tbfreviews.net/

http://mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com/

http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com/

http://avomnia.wordpress.com/

http://morganmandel.blogspot.com/

http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/

http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/

http://murderby4.blogspot.com/

Justin Bieber - Never Say Never: The 3D Movie

Over the week-end I went to see Justin Bieber's documentary/musical with my niece's two children. I really enjoyed the inspiring true story of Justin, as it protrayed him from birth in a small town in Ontario to a global superstar & ending with a sold out performance at Madison Square Garden.As a young boy of 16, it showed what he has to go through maintaining his voice & the rigors of the entertainment world. He is truly blessed as a wonderful entertainer. The show is definitely worth seeing.

Mailbox Monday - She's All That

I received for review She's All That by Kristin Billerbeck from Tribute Books Reviews & Giveaways.

With her two best friends, Lilly Jacob is contemplating life, love, and the pursuit of the perfect pedicure.

When Lilly Jacob's coveted promotion as a fashion designer is given to a less-talented co-worker and her boyfriend develops issues with monogamy, she's convinced her bad hair day is responsible for it all. Will a Spa Weekend with her Spa Girls help? Or will it take more desperate measures?

Breaking Bad- tv series

I just started watching Breaking Bad from the very beginning. It premiered in 2008 & will soon be in it's fourth season. It's about a struggling high school chemistry teacher, holding down two jobs. His wife is expecting and he has a disabled son. He desperately needs money when he is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer & has to get expensive treatments. On a ride along with his brother-in-law, who is a DEA agent, He sees a former student fleeing the scene of a meth lab & teams up with him to do this for the money problems he has facing him. I'm only at the beginning stages of this show, but you could see what an unlikely pair they are and what they get into.

My Book Blog Follow Friday

If you are a fan of Science Fiction what is your favorite book? If you haven't read Science Fiction before...any inkling to? Anything catch your eye?

Sci-Fi Titles I've Enjoyed:

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Neeta Lyffe: Zombie Exterminator by Karina Fabian

A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor by Robert Pielke

Baour: Strands of Death by Dirk Vandereyken

The Pack by LM Preston

Scribbles by Tommie Lyn

Beyond Those Distant Stars by John B. Rosenman

Ghost Hunters International - 2-16-11 Episode - Puerto Rico

The GHI team investigated El Morro & Teatro Tapia in Puerto Rico. They need the team to help uncover the lingering paranormal mysteries in these two locations, which are integral to Puerto Rican culture.
Chris & Barry are actually down on their knees in the tunnels trying to investigate some strange sounds. They had several fortresses to go through while there.
Teatre Tapia, a 19th. century theater had some paranormal slight shoving of an investigator's hand & they had seen some shadow figures.These places were presumed to be haunted.

Booking Through Thursday

What’s the most romantic book you’ve ever read?

(Mind you, I don’t mean the hard-core stuff you hide in plain wrappers under your mattress. I mean True Love, Romance, deeply emotional, heart-tugging, and all that stuff.)

And, secondly, did you like it? Is it your usual kind of reading, or did it take you by surprise?

***

I don't know if they are my favorite couple in all of literature, but the ending of One Day by David Nicholls really made me stop and think about the power of a true connection. It was a searing observation of treasuring every moment.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.

Giveaway - Out of Touch by Brandon Tietz

Book Summary:

Twenty-four-year-old Aidin, a wealthy socialite and self-proclaimed "club god," lives a magazine life based on decadence and excess that includes drugs, sex, and gourmet food. It's a life based on surfaces in a place where the surface is all that matters. His therapist later describes him as a materialistic drug addict bent on promiscuity with self-esteem and identity issues.One morning, after a night of heavy partying, Aidin awakes completely vacant of any sensation. He can't feel temperature. He can't feel pressure. He can't feel anything. After a near-fatal stint in denial, he seeks the help of Dr. Paradies, a therapist whose methods are far from conventional. She provides him with a new addiction in the form of a life list--a litany of activities to accomplish. As Aidin completes his list, he discovers talents he never knew he possessed, such as the ability to quickly learn new languages, an IQ off the charts, and amazing physical stamina.With these new discoveries, he questions his doctor's intentions. When Aidin digs for the truth, will he slip back into his addictive habits? Or is there truly a conspiracy underway, as he suspects? The answer forces him to make a life-altering decision.

Out of Touch by Brandon Tietz is available for $16.95 at Amazon.com.

Visit the author on Facebook and Twitter.

A giveaway copy was obtained by the author.

Congratulations to our winner: Jennifer N.!

Valentine's Day Books With Love Hop - Giveaway - "Immortalis: Hunters and Prey" by Katie Salidas

Book Summary:

Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She's still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum's most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she's missed more than anything.

Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan.

Worse yet, her revelation entangles Fallon in the struggle between vampires and hunters and The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again, with a new army of hybrid creations: the Frenzy Soldiers.

If Alyssa hopes to survive and keep her mortal friend safe, she'll have to be willing to make a deal with the enemy, and regain her clan's support. It will take everyone working together in a precarious truce to fight against the Acta Sanctorum's new threat.

My Thoughts:

Alyssa was a new vampire that was spared from death by becoming a vampire. She would only feed off of criminals and murderers, the very ones who brought her to this fate. Her lover and keeper Lysander was her strength and protector. He would do anything for her. She feared a vampire named Santino, who was the Acta Sanctorum's most fearsome hunter.

It is a story of really being true to a friendship. After Alyssa runs into Fallon, an old and good friend of hers in a club they used to go to all the time, Alyssa breaks down and reveals to her what she has become and thus breaks the vampire rule. Now her friend's life is in danger from the other vampires. Alyssa vows to protect her, not letting anything happen to her mortal life.

A true test of this promise comes after an army of hybrid creatures plans to attack her clan. Santino, her enemy, promises to help by working together and a deal had to be made so Alyssa could save her friend.

After a very bloody battle, both Alyssa and Fallon barely survived and their friendship thrived. It proved that a mortal could be respected and be befriended by the vampires.

Overall, I found the story of loyalty and being true to your word interesting.This story had a point to it and proved it.



Immortalis: Hunters and Prey by Katie Salidas is available for $13.99 at Amazon.com and Written in Blood.

A review copy was obtained from the author.

Congratulations to our winner: Jennifer!

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted here, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

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




Concerto to the Memory of an Angel
by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, Alison Anderson (Translator)
Publication date: May 31, 2011

The title story is the tale of two friends with very different personalities - one competitive and aggressive, the other kind and disinterested. They are confronted with circumstances that lead to a catharsis in which both men will move beyond their predetermined roles.

In this vivid collection, Schmitt writes about regret and redemption, about the roles of love and memory in our lives, all with a lightness and compassion that is as rare as it is inspiring.

Winner of the 2010 Prix Goncourt for the Novella.

Wonderous Words Wednesday

denizen

n.

1. An inhabitant; a resident.

2. One that frequents a particular place.

3. Ecology An animal or a plant naturalized in a region.

4. Chiefly British A foreigner who is granted rights of residence and sometimes of citizenship.

tr.v. den·i·zened, den·i·zen·ing, den·i·zens Chiefly British

To make a denizen of; grant rights of residence to.

From the book The Human Bobby (page 5) by Gabe Rotter.

Pawn Stars - tv show

I started watching Pawn Stars off and on during the last few weeks & found it somewhat interesting. Richard Harrison, the matriarch, Rick, his son,& Corey, the grandson runs this 24 hr. business in Las Vegas.Corey's best friend, Chumlee brings a lot of entertainment to the show with his funny comments.Some of the historical artifacts brought in by people are very old and interesting. To evaluate the selling price of these items , experts are usually brought in to see if they are the real thing. The interaction with the people is sometimes comical. They buy and sell anything from old glider airplanes to old soda machines, if it is lucrative for them profit wise.

Top Ten Tuesday - Top 10 Book to Movie Adaptations

TOP TEN BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATIONS (in no particular order)

1. Atonement
2. The Reader
3. Seabiscuit
4. The Remains of the Day
5. Lord of the Rings
6. The Hours
7. The Cider House Rules
8. The English Patient
9. Sense & Sensibility
10. Forrest Gump

Teaser Tuesday - The Human Bobby

Here is my teaser from The Human Bobby by Gabe Rotter (Page 5):

We actually don't even look like homeless guys. We wash our clothes often. We shower daily down by the beach where most people just wash the sand off their feet. I'm much thinner than I was when I was a normal denizen of society, and my beard is longer and grayer, but aside from that, I don't think you'd know I was homeless unless I told you so. What I'm trying to say is, I'm not one of those homeless wack jobs, running around in my own filth talking to myself or screaming at the sky. Trust me, I know wack jobs. My father, though he wasn't homeless, was pretty much off his rocker, so I'm pretty sensitive about avoiding that fate at all costs.

I'm just a normal guy. With no home.

Dexter - Season 5

Season five begins with Dexter in shock over a major character's death. He feels guilty that he caused it because of his relationship with the Trinity Killer (John Lithgow's Emmy-winning performance from season four).

Quinn is on the trail of Kyle Butler, Dexter's alias. Quinn notes the similarities between Kyle and Dexter from sketches. Liddy (Peter Weller of RoboCop fame), a sleazy member of the department is hired by Quinn to investigate Dexter. Liddy gets too close, by bugging Dexter's apartment and taking pictures of him dumping bags in the ocean.

Dexter kills Boyd Fowler, a sanitation worker, who is responsible for the deaths of many women, but it is witnessed by Lumen (Julia Stiles), who was to be the next victim of Fowler. Dexter hears her story and they eventually team up in the murders of her torturers. One by one they begin to hunt them down.

Stay tuned for season six - September 2011.

Mailbox Monday - The Human Bobby

I received for review The Human Bobby by Gabe Rotter from Tribute Books Reviews & Giveaways.

THE GRIPPING STORY OF THE UNRAVELING OF ONE MAN’S SEEMINGLY PERFECT LIFE, AND HIS STRUGGLE TO GET EVERYTHING BACK.

A new baby, a loving wife, a solid career, a dream house in Beverly Hills: Dr. Bobby Flopkowski has it all. Until a complicated series of events snowball into a disaster that changes the course of his life forever.

Now, with a tent on the beach as his only home and an addiction that has cut him off from everyone he once loved, Bobby has a revelation that could put him back on track: he believes he has solved the puzzling crime that led to his downfall. But as the reality he’s always known slips farther away, will he be able to convince someone—anyone—that his suspicions aren’t merely the pleas of a desperate man?

The Office- 2-11-11 episode

This Valentine's Day episode on the office got very annoying with the new romance brewing between Michael and Holly. There was kissing and hugging and inappropriate goings on , that it got to the point of being discussed at a special meeting of the office team. Michael of course didn't see anything wrong with it, since he and Holly agreed they were in love. They agreed to cool it in the office, but announced they were going to start living together.We shall see if it continues in the upcoming episodes.

Book Blogger Hop

"Tell us about one of your posts from this week and give us a link so we can read it (review or otherwise)!"

I'd love for you to take a look at my post about the movie Never Let Me Go starring Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield based on the book by Kazuo Ishiguro.