A Note from an Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker

About the Book: Brian Weller is a haunted man. It's been two years since the tragic accident that left his three-year-old son dead and his wife in an irreversible coma. A popular author of mega- selling thrillers, Brian's life has reached a crossroads: his new book is stalled, his wife's prognosis is dire, and he teeters on the brink of despair. Everything changes the morning an e- mail arrives from Boston artist Joanna Richman. Her heartfelt note brings back all the poignant memories: the night their eyes met, the fiery passion of their short- lived affair, and the agonizing moment he was forced to leave Joanna forever. Now, fifteen years later, the guilt and anger threaten to overwhelm him. Vowing to make things right, Brian arranges a book- signing tour that will take him back to Boston. He is eager to see Joanna again, but remains unsure where their reunion will lead. One thing is certain: the forces that tore their love asunder will stop at nothing to keep them apart. Filled with tender romance and taut suspense, A Note from an Old Acquaintance is an unforgettable story about fate, honor, and the power of true love.

About the Author: Bill Walker is a graphic designer specializing in book and dust jacket design, and has worked on projects by Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Between his design work and his writing, he spends his spare time reading voraciously and playing very loud guitar, much to the chagrin of his lovely wife and two sons. Bill makes his home in Los Angeles.

My Thoughts: I thought the book was good and written very well. This is a very touching book that I will stay with me for along time.

Winner - Cleopatra's Daughter

We have a winner for Cleopatra's Daughter - The winner is Kimberly B. - Way to go Kimberly and I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

Thanks to everyone who entered.

Debbie

Review: Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

From Amazon: Moran's latest foray into the world of classical history (after The Heretic Queen) centers upon the children of Marc Antony and Cleopatra . After the death of their parents, twins Alexander and Selene and younger brother Ptolemy are in a dangerous position, left to the mercy of their father's greatest rival, Octavian Caesar. However, Caesar does not kill them as expected, but takes the trio to Rome to be paraded as part of his triumphant return and to demonstrate his solidified power. As the twins adapt to life in Rome in the inner circle of Caesar's family, they grow into adulthood ensconced in a web of secrecy, intrigue and constant danger. Told from Selene's perspective, the tale draws readers into the fascinating world of ancient Rome and into the court of Rome's first and most famous emperor. Deftly encompassing enough political history to provide context, Moran never clutters her narrative with extraneous facts. Readers may be frustrated that Selene is more observer than actor, despite the action taking place around her, but historical fiction enthusiasts will delight in this solid installment from a talented name in the genre.

My Thoughts: I devoured Cleopatra's Daughter in one sitting. The book is very well written and the characters are extremely strong in their impact. So I encourage any lover of historical fiction to read this book. You won't be disappointed.

Click here for your chance in win Cleopatra's Daughter.

Interview with Melissa Foster - Author of Megan's Way and a Giveaway

About the Author: Melissa Foster has an on-going column in Women Business Owners Magazine, she has painted and donated several murals to a local hospital for children, and is the Founder of The Women's Nest, an on-line community for women. Melissa lives with her husband and their children in Maryland along with their three dogs, and two cats.

Melissa's interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping women see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

1. What was the inspiration behind Megan's Way? Megan's Way festered for a long time. My mother had surgery about 15 years ago to have her ovaries removed. When she had the surgery, she had told me that she was having it because of fibroids. What she told me years later was that there was an oncologist in the operating room because they thought she had cancer, and that if it had been cancer, she had decided not to get treatment. I shrank back a little girl instantly in my mind - What? How could you leave me?! That thought festered for years, and thus, Megan's Way was born.

2. How long did it take you to write Megan's Way? I actually went back to my notes to look this up for you :-) I started my notes on the story in mid 2006, but didn't really start to put the story together until about a year later. It took me about 9 months to write the story, as I was also writing another book at the same time. Then I reworked the storyline and characters a bit for another 6-8 months. When I worked with my editor, I decided to rework the presentation of some of the backstory - so all in all, it took me about 2 years start to finish.

3. Are experiences in Megan's Way based on someone you know, or events in your own life? No, they are not, except for the idea I described in your first question. Attitudes and personalities are somewhat taken from people around me, but not events - except shopping in Provincetown - That IS my favorite place to shop! LOL!
4. Is there a message in Megan's Way that you want readers to grasp? There are so many. I would love for people to never give up hope of being in touch with those you love, even beyond the grave. I don't mean that in a paranormal way, I mean it in a spiritual sense. I also would love for readers to come away with the feeling that life is beautiful, and that everyone makes mistakes in life. Mistakes don't make people "bad" or "unlovable," mistakes are what help you create your own personal path, they are what help you grow and learn and evolve.
5. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in Megan's Way?Not a thing. I'm happy with the characters and the outcome of their lives.
6. What have you just finished reading, and what is your all time favorite book? You can't say your own.I have just finished Sarah's Key, which was a very lovely story. I have a few all-time favorite books - The Lovely Bones, Confessions of Max Tivoli, and Snowflower and the Secret Fan are just a few. But I think tastes change as we change, so those favs could change in another year! LOL!
7. Do you have a schedule for writing or do you write whenever you have time? I waited for about 15 years to write, so I treasure every second I have! We have six children and I had to wait until our youngest went to school full-time to make it work. I'm not one of those lucky people who can write for an hour here or there - I live each scene I write, I feel it, therefore, I become entrenched in the "mood" of the scenes. In other words, I need oodles of time! I write from the second I arrive home from dropping the kids at school until the minute I have to leave to pick them up. If I'm in the middle of a scene that I can't shake, I'll do it when they go to bed and write until two in the morning if I have to. My schedule is basically my children's school schedule.

8. Do you use an outline? Never. I wish I could, it would make things easier for my editor! LOL! I have tried, but I don't think that way. My characters and their stories evolve as I am writing. For example, I had no idea that Jack would be an animal activist until I found he and Holly drawn together. I didn't know Jason existed at all until he showed up at the funeral.
9. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? That is such a hard question, because I don't know enough writers personally to choose from. I love Jennie Shortridge and her writing style. She's artsy and sort of no-holes-barred, and I think she'd make an excellent mentor. I also think Stephen King has a wonderful obsessiveness about his writing, and that alone might make him a great mentor.
10. At what age did your begin writing? I wrote some poetry as a teen, but nothing wonderful. I really began writing when Zach, my second son, was about nine months old, and he's almost nineteen.
11. What does your family think of your writing, and have they read your book? I have an enormous and very supportive family. I have six brothers and wonderful sister-in-laws, I'm married to the man of my dreams, and I was given a real gift when I was born into my mother's arms. They are all very proud of me and excited to see what comes next with my writing. I think most of my family has read Megan's Way, except for my sons.
12. Megan's Way is your first novel. Are you working on a second? Megan's Way was really the second novel that I wrote, but the first one published. The Knowing, a mystery about the abduction of a seven-year-old girl, was the first. Megan came around with her bold personality and took the foreground, and now I am working on rewriting The Knowing.

Now for the giveaway: I am giving away my very gently read copy of Megan's Way. It will be very easy. All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me, you want to read this book. Be sure to leave an email address or your comment will not be included in the drawing. This giveaway is open to US and Canada only. This giveaway will end on September 19th.

Check out the trailer for Megan's Way

Megan's Way by Melissa Foster

Description From Amazon: What would you give up for the people you love?

When Megan Taylor, a single mother and artist, receives the shocking news that her cancer has returned, she'll be faced with the most difficult decision she's ever had to make. She'll endure an emotional journey, questioning her own moral and ethical values, and the decisions she'd made long ago. The love she has for her daughter, Olivia, and her closest friends, will be stretched and frayed.

Meanwhile, fourteen-year-old Olivia's world is falling apart right before her eyes, and there's nothing she can do about it. She finds herself acting in ways she cannot even begin to understand. When her internal struggles turn to dangerous behavior, her life will hang in the balance.

Megan's closest friends are caught in a tangled web of deceit. Each must figure out how, and if, they can expose their secrets, or forever be haunted by their pasts.

My Thoughts: This is Melissa Foster's first book and I hope there will be many more to come. If you've ever lost someone to cancer or have cared for someone going through chemo, this is a very emotional and sensitive book to read, it's so dead-on to what you feel and go through when you're involved in something like that. I started crying on page 90 and did not stop until the end of the book, I am sitting here crying as I try to type my review.

The characters in this book are so real, they become like friends. I worried about what would happen to Olivia, I wanted to be best friends with Holly. I wanted to be in the backyard, laying on a blanket during the bonfire. Melissa Foster displays a talent for drawing the reader's senses into each scene, allowing vivid mind pictures where the story plays out. The characters' actions and reactions are natural, and the various plot lines are nicely woven throughout.

I can not recommend this book enough. I think it is great and everyone will enjoy it. Come back tomorrow and check out my Q&A with Melissa Foster as well as a giveaway. That is right I will be passing my very gently read copy on, I want someone else to get a chance to read this great book. This is with out a doubt my favorite book this year.

If you would like to read more about Megan's Way or buy the book please check out this website.

http://www.megansway.com/


Don't forget to stop by tomorrow and enter for a chance to win a copy of Megan's Way.

Cleopatra's Daughter Giveaway- My First Giveaway!!

I am so lucky, I have been given the opportunity to giveaway a copy of Cleopatra's Daughter. This book will be out on September 15, 2009. I will be posting my review next week, but I wanted to get the giveaway started.

Description from Amazon: Moran's latest foray into the world of classical history (after The Heretic Queen) centers upon the children of Marc Antony and Cleopatra . After the death of their parents, twins Alexander and Selene and younger brother Ptolemy are in a dangerous position, left to the mercy of their father's greatest rival, Octavian Caesar. However, Caesar does not kill them as expected, but takes the trio to Rome to be paraded as part of his triumphant return and to demonstrate his solidified power. As the twins adapt to life in Rome in the inner circle of Caesar's family, they grow into adulthood ensconced in a web of secrecy, intrigue and constant danger. Told from Selene's perspective, the tale draws readers into the fascinating world of ancient Rome and into the court of Rome's first and most famous emperor. Deftly encompassing enough political history to provide context, Moran never clutters her narrative with extraneous facts. Readers may be frustrated that Selene is more observer than actor, despite the action taking place around her, but historical fiction enthusiasts will delight in this solid installment from a talented name in the genre.

Now for the Giveaway: This giveaway will end on 9/12/09 and is open to residents of US and Canada. No PO boxes.

In order to win all I ask is that you follow me and then leave a comment with your email address. So there we only be one entry each, with an email address. If you do not follow or do not leave an email address you can not win.

Giveaway is now closed!!!!!!! Thanks to everyone who entered.