First Lines...

"Like the luxury co-ops and five-star French eateries located in Manhattan's Silk Stocking District, Benchley East Side Parking was outrageously exclusive. Tucked side by side and bumper to bumper within its four temperature-controlled underground levels beneath East 77th Street were several vintage Porsches, a handful of Ferraris, even a pair of his-and=hers Lamborghinis."

...Tick Tock by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge ( this is an alert for all you James Patterson fans that a new book is coming your way! This will be published in January!)

First Lines...

"Like the luxury co-ops and five-star French eateries located in Manhattan's Silk Stocking District, Benchley East Side Parking was outrageously exclusive. Tucked side by side and bumper to bumper within its four temperature-controlled underground levels beneath East 77th Street were several vintage Porsches, a handful of Ferraris, even a pair of his-and=hers Lamborghinis."

...Tick Tock by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge ( this is an alert for all you James Patterson fans that a new book is coming your way! This will be published in January!)

First Lines...

"Jack Rosenblum switched off the wireless and nestled back into his leather armchair. A beatific smile spread across his face and he closed his eyes. "So there is to be more rain," he remarked to the empty room, stretching out his short legs and giving a yawn. He was unconcerned by the dismal prognosis; it was the act of listening to the bulletin that he savored. Each evening during the weather forecast he could imagine he was an Englishman." ...Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English by Natasha Solomons

First Lines...

"Jack Rosenblum switched off the wireless and nestled back into his leather armchair. A beatific smile spread across his face and he closed his eyes. "So there is to be more rain," he remarked to the empty room, stretching out his short legs and giving a yawn. He was unconcerned by the dismal prognosis; it was the act of listening to the bulletin that he savored. Each evening during the weather forecast he could imagine he was an Englishman." ...Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English by Natasha Solomons

The Sunday Salon and Giving Thanks with a November Romance Giveaway!

Hey it's Sunday! And just like an ice cream Sunday with a cherry on top, I've got a delicious treat for you romance readers out there! So, pull up a chair, grab a cup of joe, and take a peek at today's Sunday Salon...

Thanksgiving is coming just around the corner, and courtesy of Hachette Books, I'm Giving Thanks to Chick with Books readers with a November Romance Giveaway! Escape into a great unexpected romance in Vermont, or fall for a hunky Cowboy in Montana. How about playing your luck at love in wild Las Vegas, or cook up some romance in the windy city, Chicago! This giveaway is for the whole bundle! That's one copy each of It Happened One Night by Lisa Dale, Montana Legacy by R.C. Ryan, Tall Tales and Wedding Veils by Jane Graves and Talk of the Town by Sherrill Bodine! AND 3 Lucky Readers will win a November Romance Bundle! Here's what these books are all about...

It Happened One Night by Lisa Dale... Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it. Lana Biel has always wanted to shake the dust of Vermont off her feet and see the world, one exotic country after another. But when a lighthearted spring fling changes her life forever, she turns to the one man whose strong shoulders can lighten any burden: her best friend, Eli Ward. Eli has always been there for Lana--after all, that's what best friends do. But Lana isn't the only one hiding something. Eli is keeping secrets of his own that threaten their relationship.

Montana Legacy by R.C. Ryan...They're the McCords...three rugged, sexy cowboy cousins who'll inherit the family range--if they seek the treasure hidden on it. But even more precious are the women who can

tame their wild hearts... She was the one person who shook Jesse McCord's quiet determination. She was the only one he ever let in, body and soul. Then suddenly Amy Parrish was gone and the oldest McCord cousin devoted his life to the family ranch. Now Amy is back, offering help to Jesse find the McCord gold. Yet Jesse's not about to give her a second chance, and he hopes his pride will protect him from her irresistible charms. But under the wide prairie skies a dangerous, unseen enemy is fast closing in, threatening Amy and Jesse's very lives and the promise of their... Montana Legacy.

Tall Tales and Wedding Veils by Jane Graves... Accountant Heather Montgomery is a planner. So never in her wildest dreams did she think she'd run into sexy charmer Tony McCaffrey in Vegas, play lady luck, and celebrate his jackpot with a champagne-soaked night. And she certainly never expected to wake up the next morning married! How could this good girl pick a man whose fridge is empty and whose apartment is a disaster zone, yet still drives her so crazy with lust she can't see straight? Quickly hitched and happily ditched, Tony can't wait to get back to his playboy ways. But when Heather's family is thrilled that their no-nonsense daughter is finally in love, he proposes a plan: stay married for a month to repay his good luck charm, even though she sterilizes his toothbrush and forbids anything between the sheets. But Heather is more than he bargained for--a sharp-witted, passionate woman who just might turn his near miss into wedded bliss!

Talk of the Town by Sherrill Bodine... Darlings, what a to-do at the Daily Mail today! After fifteen years as Chicago's gossip guru, Rebecca Covington has been demoted from divulger of secrets for the city's elite to headlining recipes in the Home and Food section. Apparently, a touchy senator is threatening legal action for Rebecca's latest extramarital scoop. But Windy City rumor has it that new CEO and dreamy Pierce Brosnan look-alike David Sumner downgraded Rebecca in favor of fresher, younger blood on the social beat. Industry insiders expect Rebecca to fight her denouement, and inquiring minds have already seen the feisty maven trading quips and searing glances with her arresting new boss. Rebecca swears she'll reclaim her shining star status, but can the dishy diva even cook? And how can she ignore David's arousing effect on her sensibilities? Don't miss a trick, darlings. Sparks are going to fly.

It's Easy To Enter! Here's how...

*To Enter leave me a comment with your email address!

*Get an extra entry for following my blog! Just leave a comment letting me know you're a follower! ( Not a follower yet? No problem, sign up by clicking on the 'followers" button on the sidebar to the left! Just let me know you became a new follower!)

*For another entry Blog or tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (No PO boxes). The books will be shipped to the winners directly from the publisher. Contest ends 11:59pm EST on November 27th. I will randomly pick the winners the next day and email them! Good Luck!

The Sunday Salon and Giving Thanks with a November Romance Giveaway!

Hey it's Sunday! And just like an ice cream Sunday with a cherry on top, I've got a delicious treat for you romance readers out there! So, pull up a chair, grab a cup of joe, and take a peek at today's Sunday Salon...

Thanksgiving is coming just around the corner, and courtesy of Hachette Books, I'm Giving Thanks to Chick with Books readers with a November Romance Giveaway! Escape into a great unexpected romance in Vermont, or fall for a hunky Cowboy in Montana. How about playing your luck at love in wild Las Vegas, or cook up some romance in the windy city, Chicago! This giveaway is for the whole bundle! That's one copy each of It Happened One Night by Lisa Dale, Montana Legacy by R.C. Ryan, Tall Tales and Wedding Veils by Jane Graves and Talk of the Town by Sherrill Bodine! AND 3 Lucky Readers will win a November Romance Bundle! Here's what these books are all about...

It Happened One Night by Lisa Dale... Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it. Lana Biel has always wanted to shake the dust of Vermont off her feet and see the world, one exotic country after another. But when a lighthearted spring fling changes her life forever, she turns to the one man whose strong shoulders can lighten any burden: her best friend, Eli Ward. Eli has always been there for Lana--after all, that's what best friends do. But Lana isn't the only one hiding something. Eli is keeping secrets of his own that threaten their relationship.

Montana Legacy by R.C. Ryan...They're the McCords...three rugged, sexy cowboy cousins who'll inherit the family range--if they seek the treasure hidden on it. But even more precious are the women who can

tame their wild hearts... She was the one person who shook Jesse McCord's quiet determination. She was the only one he ever let in, body and soul. Then suddenly Amy Parrish was gone and the oldest McCord cousin devoted his life to the family ranch. Now Amy is back, offering help to Jesse find the McCord gold. Yet Jesse's not about to give her a second chance, and he hopes his pride will protect him from her irresistible charms. But under the wide prairie skies a dangerous, unseen enemy is fast closing in, threatening Amy and Jesse's very lives and the promise of their... Montana Legacy.

Tall Tales and Wedding Veils by Jane Graves... Accountant Heather Montgomery is a planner. So never in her wildest dreams did she think she'd run into sexy charmer Tony McCaffrey in Vegas, play lady luck, and celebrate his jackpot with a champagne-soaked night. And she certainly never expected to wake up the next morning married! How could this good girl pick a man whose fridge is empty and whose apartment is a disaster zone, yet still drives her so crazy with lust she can't see straight? Quickly hitched and happily ditched, Tony can't wait to get back to his playboy ways. But when Heather's family is thrilled that their no-nonsense daughter is finally in love, he proposes a plan: stay married for a month to repay his good luck charm, even though she sterilizes his toothbrush and forbids anything between the sheets. But Heather is more than he bargained for--a sharp-witted, passionate woman who just might turn his near miss into wedded bliss!

Talk of the Town by Sherrill Bodine... Darlings, what a to-do at the Daily Mail today! After fifteen years as Chicago's gossip guru, Rebecca Covington has been demoted from divulger of secrets for the city's elite to headlining recipes in the Home and Food section. Apparently, a touchy senator is threatening legal action for Rebecca's latest extramarital scoop. But Windy City rumor has it that new CEO and dreamy Pierce Brosnan look-alike David Sumner downgraded Rebecca in favor of fresher, younger blood on the social beat. Industry insiders expect Rebecca to fight her denouement, and inquiring minds have already seen the feisty maven trading quips and searing glances with her arresting new boss. Rebecca swears she'll reclaim her shining star status, but can the dishy diva even cook? And how can she ignore David's arousing effect on her sensibilities? Don't miss a trick, darlings. Sparks are going to fly.

It's Easy To Enter! Here's how...

*To Enter leave me a comment with your email address!

*Get an extra entry for following my blog! Just leave a comment letting me know you're a follower! ( Not a follower yet? No problem, sign up by clicking on the 'followers" button on the sidebar to the left! Just let me know you became a new follower!)

*For another entry Blog or tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (No PO boxes). The books will be shipped to the winners directly from the publisher. Contest ends 11:59pm EST on November 27th. I will randomly pick the winners the next day and email them! Good Luck!

The Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire... Blog Tour & Review

The killer she can't escape . . .

The heartbreak she can't forget . . .

The one man who can stop them both.

Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire

When Samantha Fairchild witnesses a murder in the wine cellar of the restaurant where she works, the Harvard-bound law student becomes the next target of a professional assassin. Desperate for protection the authorities won't provide, Sam seeks help from Vivi Angelino, an investigative reporter who recruits her brother, Zach, to protect Samantha. A Special Forces vet with the scars to prove he's equally fearless and flawed, Zach takes the job, despite the fact that he and Sam once shared a lusty interlude that ended when he left for war and disappeared from her life. Now, as they crack a conspiracy that leads to Boston's darkest corners, Sam and Zach must face their fears, desires, and doubts, before a hired killer gets a second shot...

I absolutely LOVED this book! Edge of Sight had just the right mix of suspense AND romance! The writing was great and I was hooked right from the start! At the beginning of the book, when Samantha Fairchild was huddled in that wine cellar, hiding from the killer, I was right there with her holding my breathe! And I actually kept holding it for quite some time because the suspense was that "edge of your seat" kind that just kept me turning those pages. No wimpy heroine here either, Samantha is a strong lead character with enough femininity to hold the attention of the man who ends up protecting her and falling back in love with her, Zach Angelino. There's enough sexual tension and passion between Zach and Samantha to keep romance readers happy (really happy!), but there's also a interesting plot. As the story progresses all the characters become fully fleshed out as you learn their backgrounds and connections. Things aren't all serious though, because Roxanne St. Claire adds some lighter moments to the investigation, as Vivi Angelino, Samantha's best friend and sister of that hunk Zach, forms her new security company, the Guardian Angelinos, in which Zach will provide the protection for their first pro bono client, Samantha Fairchild, and Vivi will do the investigation into the murders. As the plot weaves in and out, we actually are following what the killer is thinking and doing too, which just makes it even more interesting. And let's not forget the wrap up because that's good too! PLUS, there will be more from The Guardian Angelinos ( Zach never did get Vivi to change the name!) in Roxanne St. Claire's next two books Shiver of Fear and Face of Danger! But before we get to the next two books (which you can read excerpts from by clicking on those titles), let's read The Prequel to Edge of Sight! Taken To The Edge is the prequel to Edge of Sight...the short story of how Sam and Zach met, their passionate fling, and painful parting. You can read it for free on Roxanne St. Claire's website!

Chick with Books is part of the Edge of Sight Blog Tour! I want to thank Hachette Book Group for the review copy of Edge of Sight! And thank Roxanne St. Claire for a wonderful start to what looks to be a great series! Don't forget to check out Roxanne St. Claire's guest post later today on Chick with Books!

The Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire... Blog Tour & Review

The killer she can't escape . . .

The heartbreak she can't forget . . .

The one man who can stop them both.

Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire

When Samantha Fairchild witnesses a murder in the wine cellar of the restaurant where she works, the Harvard-bound law student becomes the next target of a professional assassin. Desperate for protection the authorities won't provide, Sam seeks help from Vivi Angelino, an investigative reporter who recruits her brother, Zach, to protect Samantha. A Special Forces vet with the scars to prove he's equally fearless and flawed, Zach takes the job, despite the fact that he and Sam once shared a lusty interlude that ended when he left for war and disappeared from her life. Now, as they crack a conspiracy that leads to Boston's darkest corners, Sam and Zach must face their fears, desires, and doubts, before a hired killer gets a second shot...

I absolutely LOVED this book! Edge of Sight had just the right mix of suspense AND romance! The writing was great and I was hooked right from the start! At the beginning of the book, when Samantha Fairchild was huddled in that wine cellar, hiding from the killer, I was right there with her holding my breathe! And I actually kept holding it for quite some time because the suspense was that "edge of your seat" kind that just kept me turning those pages. No wimpy heroine here either, Samantha is a strong lead character with enough femininity to hold the attention of the man who ends up protecting her and falling back in love with her, Zach Angelino. There's enough sexual tension and passion between Zach and Samantha to keep romance readers happy (really happy!), but there's also a interesting plot. As the story progresses all the characters become fully fleshed out as you learn their backgrounds and connections. Things aren't all serious though, because Roxanne St. Claire adds some lighter moments to the investigation, as Vivi Angelino, Samantha's best friend and sister of that hunk Zach, forms her new security company, the Guardian Angelinos, in which Zach will provide the protection for their first pro bono client, Samantha Fairchild, and Vivi will do the investigation into the murders. As the plot weaves in and out, we actually are following what the killer is thinking and doing too, which just makes it even more interesting. And let's not forget the wrap up because that's good too! PLUS, there will be more from The Guardian Angelinos ( Zach never did get Vivi to change the name!) in Roxanne St. Claire's next two books Shiver of Fear and Face of Danger! But before we get to the next two books (which you can read excerpts from by clicking on those titles), let's read The Prequel to Edge of Sight! Taken To The Edge is the prequel to Edge of Sight...the short story of how Sam and Zach met, their passionate fling, and painful parting. You can read it for free on Roxanne St. Claire's website!

Chick with Books is part of the Edge of Sight Blog Tour! I want to thank Hachette Book Group for the review copy of Edge of Sight! And thank Roxanne St. Claire for a wonderful start to what looks to be a great series! Don't forget to check out Roxanne St. Claire's guest post later today on Chick with Books!

The Peanuts Collection by Nat Gertler... A Review! (and a perfect gift for any Peanut fan!)

It's that time of year again... the time to think about some gorgeous books for Holiday gift giving! If you're a fan of The Peanuts or know someone on your list that is, you are in for a treat! The Peanuts Collection: Treasures from the World's Most Beloved Comic Strip by Nat Gertler is a treasure trove full of Peanut's paraphernalia! It is a BIG beautiful oversize hardcover book which comes in its own slipcase, and is filled with everything and anything a Charlie Brown & Company fan would want...

This fully authorized, one-of-a-kind illustrated book celebrates the 60th anniversary of the world's most beloved comic strip characters. A compendium of rare materials from the Charles M. Schulz Museum and family archives, The Peanuts Collection comes in a sturdy slipcase and features high-quality reproductions of original sketches, comics, and photographs from the world of Peanuts. Removable film cels, stickers, and booklets are included, as well as reproduction prints of Peanuts artwork ready for framing. Written by Peanuts aficionado Nat Gertler, with quotes from Schulz family members and a foreword by daughter Amy Schulz Johnson, the text offers insight into the making of the comic strip and its impact beyond the realms of newspapers and books to film, television, and popular culture. The Peanuts Collection is a must-own keepsake for anyone who loves Snoopy and the gang.

I grew up on The Peanuts. Every year The Great Pumpkin would fail to show up in our home as I was virtually sitting in the pumpkin patch with Linus while glued in front of the tv. A Charlie Brown Christmas was a once a year tradition, and I learned that Charlie Brown would forever trust Lucy to hold that football steady for his kick. This book brings all those memories to life again PLUS! What makes this book so much fun besides all the wonderful full color photos of Peanut paraphernalia and collectibles, are the wonderful pullout items and flip-through booklets! There is a pull out booklet of The Peanuts Pumpkin Carols, a pull out reproduction film cell, and a reproduction of a letter to Charles Schultz from a fan urging integration in the strip. There are cute little reproduction flip open booklets of Snoopy's First Code Book, and a reproduction flip open booklet of Snoopy's Doghouse Cookbook and sample recipe. All in all a feast for the eyes and a great look into history and development of The Peanuts Gang.

Nat Gertler knows his Peanuts. He is the founder and author of Aaugh.com, a comprehensive resource for Peanuts collectors and fans. So check out Nat's website, check out The Peanuts Collection Slideshow, and put a check mark next to The Peanuts fan on your Holiday gift list with this book! This is a great gift book! And a fun look back on 60 years of The Peanuts! BTW, did I tell you it's the 60th anniversary of the world's most beloved comic strip? Well, it is!

I want to thank Hachette Book Group for sending a copy of The Peanuts Collection by Nat Gertler my way! It was such a treat!

The Peanuts Collection by Nat Gertler... A Review! (and a perfect gift for any Peanut fan!)

It's that time of year again... the time to think about some gorgeous books for Holiday gift giving! If you're a fan of The Peanuts or know someone on your list that is, you are in for a treat! The Peanuts Collection: Treasures from the World's Most Beloved Comic Strip by Nat Gertler is a treasure trove full of Peanut's paraphernalia! It is a BIG beautiful oversize hardcover book which comes in its own slipcase, and is filled with everything and anything a Charlie Brown & Company fan would want...

This fully authorized, one-of-a-kind illustrated book celebrates the 60th anniversary of the world's most beloved comic strip characters. A compendium of rare materials from the Charles M. Schulz Museum and family archives, The Peanuts Collection comes in a sturdy slipcase and features high-quality reproductions of original sketches, comics, and photographs from the world of Peanuts. Removable film cels, stickers, and booklets are included, as well as reproduction prints of Peanuts artwork ready for framing. Written by Peanuts aficionado Nat Gertler, with quotes from Schulz family members and a foreword by daughter Amy Schulz Johnson, the text offers insight into the making of the comic strip and its impact beyond the realms of newspapers and books to film, television, and popular culture. The Peanuts Collection is a must-own keepsake for anyone who loves Snoopy and the gang.

I grew up on The Peanuts. Every year The Great Pumpkin would fail to show up in our home as I was virtually sitting in the pumpkin patch with Linus while glued in front of the tv. A Charlie Brown Christmas was a once a year tradition, and I learned that Charlie Brown would forever trust Lucy to hold that football steady for his kick. This book brings all those memories to life again PLUS! What makes this book so much fun besides all the wonderful full color photos of Peanut paraphernalia and collectibles, are the wonderful pullout items and flip-through booklets! There is a pull out booklet of The Peanuts Pumpkin Carols, a pull out reproduction film cell, and a reproduction of a letter to Charles Schultz from a fan urging integration in the strip. There are cute little reproduction flip open booklets of Snoopy's First Code Book, and a reproduction flip open booklet of Snoopy's Doghouse Cookbook and sample recipe. All in all a feast for the eyes and a great look into history and development of The Peanuts Gang.

Nat Gertler knows his Peanuts. He is the founder and author of Aaugh.com, a comprehensive resource for Peanuts collectors and fans. So check out Nat's website, check out The Peanuts Collection Slideshow, and put a check mark next to The Peanuts fan on your Holiday gift list with this book! This is a great gift book! And a fun look back on 60 years of The Peanuts! BTW, did I tell you it's the 60th anniversary of the world's most beloved comic strip? Well, it is!

I want to thank Hachette Book Group for sending a copy of The Peanuts Collection by Nat Gertler my way! It was such a treat!

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World GIVEAWAY!

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat dresses up for the Holidays!

And the Winners are... Kara, Linda & Debbie! Congrats! And Thank you to Everyone who joined in on the fun!

Here's the book that started it all- Dewey: The Small-Town Library Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron. This sweet story will touch your heart. It definitely touched mine. If you are owned by a cat, if you love animals or just love heartwarming tales, I highly recommend opening up the pages of Dewey by Vicki Myron. This is the story of one very special cat, and how he changed the lives of the people of Spencer, Iowa. I highlighted this wonderful book on a Memoir Monday a few weeks back, so check out my review of Dewey if you missed it. You can learn more about Dewey, the book, the cat & the author, at DeweyReadMoreBooks.com. Read an Excerpt! And in the meantime, here's the synopsis from the publisher...

DEWEY is the heartwarming, true story of an abandoned kitten who went on to live an extraordinary life, inspiring a struggling single mother, transforming a sleepy library and the inhabitants of its depressed Iowa farm town, and ultimately capturing the hearts of animal lovers around the world.

Vicki Myron was a single mom who, after surviving the loss of her family farm and an abusive husband, went back to school and became a librarian (and her family’s first college graduate!). As the director of the Spencer (Iowa) Public Library, her biggest challenge was to raise the spirits of her beloved library’s patrons, the residents of an out-of-the way town deeply mired in the farm crisis of the 1980s. Her solution came in the unlikeliest of places when Vicki found a tiny, bedraggled kitten almost frozen to death in the library’s night drop box. Recognizing the extraordinary strength and uniqueness of this kitten, Vicki received approval from the library board to adopt him as Spencer’s resident library cat. From that moment on, her life – and the town of Spencer – would change forever.

Dewey, as the townspeople named the kitten, grew into a strutting, affable library cat whose antics kept patrons in stitches and whose sixth sense about those in need created hundreds of deep and loving friendships. As his fame grew, people drove hundreds of miles to meet Dewey, and he even ended up the subject of a hit documentary in Japan! Through it all, Dewey remained a loyal companion, a beacon of hope not just for Vicki Myron, but for the entire town of Spencer as it slowly pulled itself up from the worst financial crisis in its long history.

When Dewey died in 2006 at the age of 19, his obituary appeared in over 250 newspapers, including the New York Times, USA Today and the Des Moines Register, and was announced on the national television evening news.

It feels like Dewey week here at Chick with Books! We started the week with a great giveaway for Dewey's Nine Lives, the book that Vicki wrote after this book. If you haven't read Dewey: The Small-Town Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron yet, here's your chance to win a copy! Courtesy of Hachette Book Group I have 3 copies of this charming book to give away! It's the new trade paperback edition of Dewey with a special Holiday cover! Here's how to enter...

To Enter this Giveaway...

*Leave me a comment with your email address! That's it!

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (No PO boxes). The book will be shipped to the winner directly from the publisher. Contest ends 11:59pm EST on October 23rd. I will randomly pick the winner the next day and email them! Good Luck

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World GIVEAWAY!

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat dresses up for the Holidays!

And the Winners are... Kara, Linda & Debbie! Congrats! And Thank you to Everyone who joined in on the fun!

Here's the book that started it all- Dewey: The Small-Town Library Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron. This sweet story will touch your heart. It definitely touched mine. If you are owned by a cat, if you love animals or just love heartwarming tales, I highly recommend opening up the pages of Dewey by Vicki Myron. This is the story of one very special cat, and how he changed the lives of the people of Spencer, Iowa. I highlighted this wonderful book on a Memoir Monday a few weeks back, so check out my review of Dewey if you missed it. You can learn more about Dewey, the book, the cat & the author, at DeweyReadMoreBooks.com. Read an Excerpt! And in the meantime, here's the synopsis from the publisher...

DEWEY is the heartwarming, true story of an abandoned kitten who went on to live an extraordinary life, inspiring a struggling single mother, transforming a sleepy library and the inhabitants of its depressed Iowa farm town, and ultimately capturing the hearts of animal lovers around the world.

Vicki Myron was a single mom who, after surviving the loss of her family farm and an abusive husband, went back to school and became a librarian (and her family’s first college graduate!). As the director of the Spencer (Iowa) Public Library, her biggest challenge was to raise the spirits of her beloved library’s patrons, the residents of an out-of-the way town deeply mired in the farm crisis of the 1980s. Her solution came in the unlikeliest of places when Vicki found a tiny, bedraggled kitten almost frozen to death in the library’s night drop box. Recognizing the extraordinary strength and uniqueness of this kitten, Vicki received approval from the library board to adopt him as Spencer’s resident library cat. From that moment on, her life – and the town of Spencer – would change forever.

Dewey, as the townspeople named the kitten, grew into a strutting, affable library cat whose antics kept patrons in stitches and whose sixth sense about those in need created hundreds of deep and loving friendships. As his fame grew, people drove hundreds of miles to meet Dewey, and he even ended up the subject of a hit documentary in Japan! Through it all, Dewey remained a loyal companion, a beacon of hope not just for Vicki Myron, but for the entire town of Spencer as it slowly pulled itself up from the worst financial crisis in its long history.

When Dewey died in 2006 at the age of 19, his obituary appeared in over 250 newspapers, including the New York Times, USA Today and the Des Moines Register, and was announced on the national television evening news.

It feels like Dewey week here at Chick with Books! We started the week with a great giveaway for Dewey's Nine Lives, the book that Vicki wrote after this book. If you haven't read Dewey: The Small-Town Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron yet, here's your chance to win a copy! Courtesy of Hachette Book Group I have 3 copies of this charming book to give away! It's the new trade paperback edition of Dewey with a special Holiday cover! Here's how to enter...

To Enter this Giveaway...

*Leave me a comment with your email address! That's it!

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (No PO boxes). The book will be shipped to the winner directly from the publisher. Contest ends 11:59pm EST on October 23rd. I will randomly pick the winner the next day and email them! Good Luck

The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris... A Review

Why would someone hail a cab and open the door only to keep walking?

October is National Reading Group Month, and do I have a great book for your reading group! It's The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris and, after having just turned the last page, words almost escape me how amazing this book is. The Unnamed captured me, threw its arms around me and didn't let me go until the very last word. It's about being in love & the strength needed to endure lifes' detours together, the simple joys that we sometimes overlook until it is too late, and the forces of nature that can grab ahold of us for no good reason, threatening all that we know & love. Here's the blurb from the publisher...

Tim Farnsworth is a handsome, healthy man, aging with the grace of a matinee idol. His wife Jane still loves him, and for all its quiet trials, their marriage is still stronger than most. Despite long hours at the office, he remains passionate about his work, and his partnership at a prestigious Manhattan law firm means that the work he does is important. And, even as his daughter Becka retreats behind her guitar, her dreadlocks and her puppy fat, he offers her every one of a father's honest lies about her being the most beautiful girl in the world.

He loves his wife, his family, his work, his home. He loves his kitchen. And then one day he stands up and walks out. And keeps walking.

Author Joshua Ferris paints Tim Farnsworth as a workaholic. His life is wrapped up in the prestigious law firm where he is a partner. One day he left work... he hailed a cab, got in the cab, opened the other door of the cab, and got out of the cab... he started walking... and he didn't stop walking until his body was so exhausted he sat down on a bench and went to sleep. He woke up in the freezing cold... it was snowing... his fingers and toes were frostbitten. But this was only the start, you see Tim Farnsworth suffers from this condition where he is compelled to walk. He will have to walk until his body is exhausted, no matter how long it takes or where he is at the time that it overtakes him.

At first I thought The Unnamed might be a light-hearted story and that Tim's walking would lead him into some funny situations. But I soon discovered that Tim's walking was no joke... Tim's compulsion created serious issues for his safety- physically if not mentally. If he was underdressed he could get frostbite. He could walk, and wake up, anywhere. He could be attacked or become injured. Tim's wife Jane waited for the phone calls to tell her where to pick Tim up, but soon the phone calls stretched out longer than the night... Tim was such a sympathetic character- what he went through, the internal torture as well as the inability to control his walking, was so well written. You could really feel what he was going through. The frustrations with trying to cure what no doctor could diagnose. And you could empathize with what his wife and his daughter were also going through - their frustrations while trying everything in their control to help.

The story doesn't just spiral down though- Tim has remissions and you begin to hope that he will overcome this "unnamed" disease. His family has hopes for him too. How he deals with his attacks, his job, his co-workers & clients, and his disease makes for some great reading. The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris is both compelling and tragic...

Grab the Reading Guide for The Unnamed! Even if you read this book on your own, the reading guide is a great way to enrich your reading experience. Learn more about Joshua Ferris at the author's website. Read an excerpt of The Unnamed!

*I want to thank Hachette Books for sending along a copy of this great book for review!

The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris... A Review

Why would someone hail a cab and open the door only to keep walking?

October is National Reading Group Month, and do I have a great book for your reading group! It's The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris and, after having just turned the last page, words almost escape me how amazing this book is. The Unnamed captured me, threw its arms around me and didn't let me go until the very last word. It's about being in love & the strength needed to endure lifes' detours together, the simple joys that we sometimes overlook until it is too late, and the forces of nature that can grab ahold of us for no good reason, threatening all that we know & love. Here's the blurb from the publisher...

Tim Farnsworth is a handsome, healthy man, aging with the grace of a matinee idol. His wife Jane still loves him, and for all its quiet trials, their marriage is still stronger than most. Despite long hours at the office, he remains passionate about his work, and his partnership at a prestigious Manhattan law firm means that the work he does is important. And, even as his daughter Becka retreats behind her guitar, her dreadlocks and her puppy fat, he offers her every one of a father's honest lies about her being the most beautiful girl in the world.

He loves his wife, his family, his work, his home. He loves his kitchen. And then one day he stands up and walks out. And keeps walking.

Author Joshua Ferris paints Tim Farnsworth as a workaholic. His life is wrapped up in the prestigious law firm where he is a partner. One day he left work... he hailed a cab, got in the cab, opened the other door of the cab, and got out of the cab... he started walking... and he didn't stop walking until his body was so exhausted he sat down on a bench and went to sleep. He woke up in the freezing cold... it was snowing... his fingers and toes were frostbitten. But this was only the start, you see Tim Farnsworth suffers from this condition where he is compelled to walk. He will have to walk until his body is exhausted, no matter how long it takes or where he is at the time that it overtakes him.

At first I thought The Unnamed might be a light-hearted story and that Tim's walking would lead him into some funny situations. But I soon discovered that Tim's walking was no joke... Tim's compulsion created serious issues for his safety- physically if not mentally. If he was underdressed he could get frostbite. He could walk, and wake up, anywhere. He could be attacked or become injured. Tim's wife Jane waited for the phone calls to tell her where to pick Tim up, but soon the phone calls stretched out longer than the night... Tim was such a sympathetic character- what he went through, the internal torture as well as the inability to control his walking, was so well written. You could really feel what he was going through. The frustrations with trying to cure what no doctor could diagnose. And you could empathize with what his wife and his daughter were also going through - their frustrations while trying everything in their control to help.

The story doesn't just spiral down though- Tim has remissions and you begin to hope that he will overcome this "unnamed" disease. His family has hopes for him too. How he deals with his attacks, his job, his co-workers & clients, and his disease makes for some great reading. The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris is both compelling and tragic...

Grab the Reading Guide for The Unnamed! Even if you read this book on your own, the reading guide is a great way to enrich your reading experience. Learn more about Joshua Ferris at the author's website. Read an excerpt of The Unnamed!

*I want to thank Hachette Books for sending along a copy of this great book for review!