Mom's Frito Pie

I received an email from dashreceipes.com with this interesting recipe; but my mom never made it for us. I told my daughter about it and she wants to try it. Guess I will be making it for Father’s Day, since that’s when she’ll be home.

Did some internet research and saw that there are many varieties of Frito casseroles out there. Did your mom every make for you or have you made it for your family. If so, tell me about it!


REMEMBER MOM'S FRITO PIE? HERE'S THE SECRET RECIPE!
Just like Mom used to make it, this Chicken Frito Pie has just the right amount of crunch(!) and nostalgia. Go light on salt when seasoning, because we all know Fritos are salty

INGREDIENTS:
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1½-inch pieces
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 Tbsp chili powder
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (7 oz) can chopped fire-roasted green chiles
2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2½ cups Fritos (half a 9¼ oz bag)
2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil over medium high. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then brown on both sides for a total of 6 minutes. Remove to a plate.

2. To make chili, add onion, garlic, and chili powder to pot, stirring; sauté until tender, 4 minutes. Return chicken to pot; stir in broth, green chiles, and beans.

3. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook for 30 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

4. Add 1½ cups Fritos to a 2-quart casserole. Top with chili, remaining Fritos, and cheese. Bake 15 minutes. Serve with cilantro, avocado, and sour cream, if desired.

AT A GLANCE:
SERVINGS: 6
ACTIVE TIME: 40 min.
TOTAL TIME: 55 min.

KITCHEN COUNTER:
Serves 6. Per serving: 540 calories, 42g carbs, 40g protein, 24g fat, 110mg cholesterol, 710mg sodium, 9g fiber. Note: Analysis does not include the optional avocado & sour cream toppings.

You're Next by Gregg Hurwitz

This book will be released on July 5, 2011

Book Description

Mike Wingate, abandoned by his father at four and raised in foster care, is finally living the life he always dreamed of—he’s happily married with a precocious 8-year-old daughter, and his construction company is about to finish a “green” housing development that will secure a solid future for them all. But then something from his own past, a past he doesn’t even remember, comes back to visit terror upon him and his family.

Shady characters begin threatening Mike and, when he reports them, the police seem more interested in Mike’s murky past than in protecting him. Now, with Mike, his wife Annabel and daughter Kat suddenly under attack from all sides, Mike turns to Shep, a dangerous man—and Mike’s only true friend— from his childhood days in foster care. Together they will do whatever it takes to protect Mike’s family against the hidden men behind the terrifying warning, “You’re Next.”

My thoughts
At the age of four, Mike Wingate was abandoned and left to grow up in the foster care system not knowing who he really is. He grows up, a troubled youth, whose only true family is another boy Shep. Mike wants to have a normal life, while Shep becomes a career criminal. After an incident with wrong pipe being installed at a housing project Mike is working on, and being harassed in a parking lot, Mike’s past comes back to haunt him. Who were his parents and why are these people after him. Not being able to turn to the police, Mike asks Shep to help him and the battle begins.

Although, there were many questions as this story unfolded, it is action packed and thrilling. Greg Hurwitz’s story kept my enthralled and I never expected an ending as such. He shows what love of family can do to not one person but many, whether is for good or evil. This one should be on your summer reading list.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received not compensation for my thoughts.

Can You Spot the Frog in this Photo?

I took a walk down to the lake yesterday and heard this guy croaking.  Can you spot the frog in this photo?

Ty Drago Interview - Reboot

It's here!  Thanks to Kay at Sourcebooks, the interview with Ty Drago has come through.  Here it is; enjoy!

Did you always wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always wanted to be a “storyteller”. A thousand years ago, I’d probably have been one of those wandering strangers who showed up in your village and, for the price of a bed and some warm food, would sit around the community hearth and regale my audience with tales of people and places far away. Unfortunately, that sort of thing just isn’t so practical anymore, so I had to look for other venues. As a kid I drew comic books – badly. I didn’t discover the written word until high school. But once I did, I never looked back.

Still … that hearth thing would have been cool too.

What inspired you to write about zombies?
THE UNDERTAKERS isn’t really a “zombie” book, as the Corpses aren’t “zombies”. Zombies are slow, shambling morons, whereas the Corpses are smart, fast and organized. When I first envisioned the story, I knew I wanted to come up with something scary on a very visceral level, and what’s scarier than the idea of walking, talking, rotting cadavers? But I knew I needed an original twist on the tired old moaning flesh-chompers of George Romero fame. So I stuck a working mind inside those decaying bodies and – lo and behold! – the Corpses were born!

What about the horror genre interests you?
Horror, like Romance (but unlike mysteries, science fiction or fantasy), targets a very specific response in its readers. I want to creep people out, stand up the hairs on their arms, make them a little bit nervous about going to sleep for fear of dreaming. Whenever someone tells me, “I started your book, but had to put it down for a while because it was scaring me!”, I do a little inward dance. That’s exactly the reaction any horror writer is going for!

What is your favorite horror/science fiction/fantasy movie?
That’s really three questions. My favorite horror movie is Jaws (and it’s a horror movie, make no mistake!). My favorite science fiction movie is probably The Fifth Element. Not the most literate piece of filmmaking God knows, but I can watch it over and over again without getting bored. Fantasy? That’s easy. You can’t beat the Lord of the Rings!

Who or what has influenced your writing?
There have been too many influences to name them all. I started out loving Stephen King, especially his early stuff. As a teenager, I even tried to emulate his writing style. Big mistake! It took me years to find a voice of my own. Ultimately, I’d have to say the single thing that most influenced my writing was reading! I have a broad range of tastes in books and so I’ve learned to appreciate a wide variety of styles. I found my voice by understanding the voices of others. Sound hokey, but that’s how it went.

What books have most influenced your life?
THE SHINING by Stephen King showed me how much fun horror can be! BRIDGE OF BIRDS by Barry Hughart taught me how a serious story can be written with humor. THE LORD OF THE RINGS by J.R.R. Tolkien and DUNE by Frank Herbert demonstrated the art of world building.

What are you reading now?
“61 HOURS” by Lee Child and “THE LAST OLYMPIAN” by Rick Riordan.

Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?
It’s my deepest hope to see THE UNDERTAKERS series to its conclusion. I’m already well into Book Two, which is sub-titled THE QUEEN OF THE DEAD. Beyond that, I have a couple of YA fantasy novels in the works.

Tell us your latest news?
THE UNDERTAKERS: RISE OF THE CORPSES has received a very nice review from Booklist! Sourcebooks and myself were treated to a preview. The review itself should be formally revealed shortly!

How long did it take you to write THE UNDERTAKERS?
Tricky! THE UNDERTAKERS actually started out as a fantasy novel called THE RUNAWAYS. No Corpses and much less horror. When it floundered in the marketplace I sat back and rethought my whole idea. I guess, once that happened, THE UNDERTAKERS was born about six months later.

What is the hardest part of writing?
The hardest thing about writing THE UNDERTAKERS was getting the feel of the modern “tween” right. I struggled with this for quite a while. But then my son Andy stepped in and showed me where I was going wrong. Thanks to him, I finally came to understand the social structure, culture and mysterious language of his generation. I honestly couldn’t have finished the book without him and the work is dedicated to him with love and gratitude!

What are your current projects?
As I said, I’m close to finishing the first draft of Book Two of the UNDERTAKERS series. The second installment introduces a new Corpse villain: Lilith Cavanaugh. And, trust me, she’s a nasty piece of work!

What are your thoughts on e-books?
As the publisher of an e-zine for the past twelve years (http:\\www.allegoryezine.com), I’m a huge believer in the future of e-publishing. And since the coming of the Kindle and Nook, e-books have commanded an steadily increasing share of overall book sales. Will they ever supplant paper books altogether? I don’t know, though I kind of hope not. There’s something about the feel of a real, solid book in your hands …

What are your thoughts on self-publishing?
Stay away from it. It can be tempting for a frustrated writer, but going down that road only makes it harder to be taken seriously by professional publishing houses. There are a lot of outfits out there that make it easy, even affordable, to produce and print your own work. But, without distribution, how can you hope to really sell them?

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Finish what you write. Edit what you write. Submit what you write. Never give up! It’s simple to become a published writer: all you need it a great story to sell, the right editor to look it over – and, of course, a miracle!

This business can break your heart. But it can also start it singing. There’s no feeling in the world like walking into a bookstore and finding your work on the shelves.

But you have to want it!

Since you have a day job, when do you find time to write?
Mostly in the mornings. I get up before anyone else, around 5:30 am, and write for at least an hour. Lately, I’ve been squeezing in a few hours in the evening and on weekends. It’s not always easy. You need to learn how to budget your time.

If money was not a factor, where would you love to travel?
Everywhere! Seriously. My wife and I travel extensively, but there are still plenty of places I haven’t seen that I’d like to. I’m especially fond of cruises. There’s a 30-day “around the world” cruise that Helene and I have been eyeing up, if only we had the cash!

What do you like to do in the summer?
I’m a beach person. I’d like to spend some time at our shore house, enjoying the sun and salt air. New Jersey has some of the finest beaches in the world, and I’m there as often as I can be!

What are your hobbies?
Hobbies? Who the heck has time for hobbies????

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Strawberry. Hands down.

Do you have anything specific you want to say to your readers?
Well, it may sound pretty obvious but … BUY MY BOOK!!! If you like adventure, with more than a few scares thrown in, then check out THE UNDERTAKERS: RISE OF THE CORPSES. To know more about the story and its characters, check out http://www.jointheundertakers.com/

And thanks for this opportunity!

Thank you Ty Drago!

Author Interview: Ty Drago CANCELLED

I had an interview with author Ty Drago scheduled for today, but never received answers back to my questions.  I tried contacting the publicist, but to no avail.  If it comes within the next few days I will post, otherwise you can check out my review of his book The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses here.

Post-it Super Sticky Removable Color Coding Labels, 2 x 4 Inches, Assorted Neon, 150 per Pack (2700-W)

Product Description
Post-it Super Sticky Removable Color-Coding Labels stick securely and remove cleanly. Color-coded organizing made easy. Write labels by hand or print with laser and inkjet printers. For use with popular software packages and templates.

My thoughts
Labels, stickies, any “Post It” item are right up my alley and these are perfect!! I really love these labels especially the colors. The paper isn’t extremely thin or flimsy. Great to use in our Canon printer. The color is on both sides of the label. I also love the fact that they are removable and don’t lose the “sticky” backing or leave a sticky residue behind. I would like to see this product available in address labels. Perhaps assorted packs and single color packs.

Disclosure: I received this product for review through the amazon.com Vine program. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

The Silent Girl by Tess Gerritsen

This book will be released on July 5, 2011

Book Description
Every crime scene tells a story. Some keep you awake at night. Others haunt your dreams. The grisly display homicide cop Jane Rizzoli finds in Boston’s Chinatown will do both.

In the murky shadows of an alley lies a female’s severed hand. On the tenement rooftop above is the corpse belonging to that hand, a red-haired woman dressed all in black, her head nearly severed. Two strands of silver hair—not human—cling to her body. They are Rizzoli’s only clues, but they’re enough for her and medical examiner Maura Isles to make the startling discovery: that this violent death had a chilling prequel.

Nineteen years earlier, a horrifying murder-suicide in a Chinatown restaurant left five people dead. But one woman connected to that massacre is still alive: a mysterious martial arts master who knows a secret she dares not tell, a secret that lives and breathes in the shadows of Chinatown. A secret that may not even be human. Now she’s the target of someone, or something, deeply and relentlessly evil.

Cracking a crime resonating with bone-chilling echoes of an ancient Chinese legend, Rizzoli and Isles must outwit an unseen enemy with centuries of cunning—and a swift, avenging blade.

My thoughts
This Rizzoli & Isles story begins with tourists taking a walking tour of criminal sites in Chinatown when the body of a woman is discovered at the site of 19 year old murder-suicide. While investigating the murder, Rizzoli starts questioning the story behind the older murders. Soon the investigation starts turning up other twists, making this one hell of a thriller.

There is an old Chinese woman who runs a martial arts school, missing girls and the Chinese fable of the monkey-king. With all this I learned a little about the Chinese culture and about this series. I have not read any of the pervious Rizzoli & Isles novels (although I must admit I’ve ssen the television series). This was quite an enthralling mystery.

Disclosure: I received this book for review through the amazon.com vine program. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

The Muppets: Teaser Trailer

The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses by Ty Drago

Book Description
"On a sunny Wednesday morning in October, a day that would mark the end of one life and the beginning of another, I found out my grouchy next door neighbor was the walking dead. When you turn around expecting to see something familiar, and instead see something else altogether, it takes a little while for your brain to catch up with your eyes. I call it the 'Holy Crap Factor.'"

Forced to flee his home and family, twelve-year-old Will Ritter falls in with the Undertakers-a rag-tag army of teenage resistance fighters who've banded together to battle the Corpses.

My thoughts
This book is intended for young boys who like the zombie genre. But I am not a young boy and this is not quite your ordinary zombie story and I loved it!

Will Ritter at first sees his neighbor looks like the undead, then his teacher. Soon he is running for his life and to protect his family, hiding with a group of others that ‘see’ these zombies. They call themselves the Undertakers and he soon learns that they ‘people’ aren’t dead but their corpses have been taken over by aliens. And only kids can see them for what they really are.

This is an interesting approach to this type of horror. Ty Drago writes for the young boy and the adolescent will certainly enjoy this story, but so will the older crowd (like me). It is fast paced, not too gory and a fresh idea for what seems to be the beginning of a series of Undertaker stories.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Gideon's Sword by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Book Description
Introducing Gideon Crew: trickster, prodigy, master thief

GIDEON'S SWORD

At twelve, Gideon Crew witnessed his father, a world-class mathematician, accused of treason and gunned down.

At twenty-four, summoned to his dying mother's bedside, Gideon learned the truth: His father was framed and deliberately slaughtered. With her last breath, she begged her son to avenge him.

Now, with a new purpose in his life, Gideon crafts a one-time mission of vengeance, aimed at the perpetrator of his father's destruction. His plan is meticulous, spectacular, and successful.

But from the shadows, someone is watching. A very powerful someone, who is impressed by Gideon's special skills. Someone who has need of just such a renegade.

For Gideon, this operation may be only the beginning . . .

My thoughts
Gideon’s father is killed in front of him after being called a traitor by his own government. Years later while his mother is dying, she tells Gideon the truth and to avenge his father’s death. And with that in mind, Gideon plans to expose the truth and avenge his dad. This all happens in the beginning of the book. Gideon is then hired by a contractor of the government to intercept a possible Chinese defector that has some secret to expose. Well, this defector is killed (with Gideon by his side) and Gideon spends the remainder of the story tracking down the secret, hiding from a hit man, and trying to work with the CIA and some Chinese woman and dealing with the fact that he is a dying man. While all this is going on, we learn things about Gideon that seems to be inserted at the time with no previous thought of his background. Although, filled with action, suspense and a history lesson on NYC’s Hart Island, I didn’t find Gideon to be likable and will not follow future escapades.

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library.

Tabloid City: A Novel by Pete Hamill

Book Description
In a stately West Village town house, a wealthy socialite and her secretary are murdered. In the 24 hours that follow, a flurry of activity surrounds their shocking deaths:

The head of one of the city's last tabloids stops the presses. A cop investigates the killing. A reporter chases the story. A disgraced hedge fund manager flees the country. An Iraq War vet seeks revenge. And an angry young extremist plots a major catastrophe.

The City is many things: a proving ground, a decadent carnival, or a palimpsest of memories--a historic metropolis eclipsed by modern times. As much a thriller as it is a gripping portrait of the city of today, Tabloid City is a new fiction classic from the writer who has captured New York perfectly for decades.

My thoughts
This story takes place within a twenty-four hour period in New York City. It revolves around the lives of a large group of people that do not seem to have any connection to one another. After the murder of two women, we follow segment of each of these people’s lives (the author has conveniently giving us the person time and place above each slice of this pie).
The central character is newspaper editor Sam Briscoe who is trying to keep a dying industry alive. Pete Hamill has crafted a story about New York City and the tortured people who live there. Although, I lived in the city for thirteen years, this novel didn’t connect with me.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Long Drive Home by Will Allison BLOG TOUR

Thanks for checking out my page on this blog tour. Below you will find the book detail, my review, an interview with the author and a video clip. Check it out. Enjoy!

Book Description
In his riveting new novel, Will Allison, critically acclaimed author of What You Have Left, crafts an emotional and psychological drama that explores the moral ambiguities of personal responsibility as it chronicles a father’s attempt to explain himself to his daughter—even though he knows that in doing so, he risks losing her.
Life can change in an instant because of one small mistake. For Glen Bauer, all it takes is a quick jerk of the steering wheel, intended to scare a reckless driver. But the reckless driver is killed, and just like that, Glen’s placid suburban existence begins to unravel.

Written in part as a confessional letter from Glen to his daughter, Sara, Long Drive Home evokes the sharp-eyed observation of Tom Perrotta and the pathos of Dan Chaon in its trenchant portrait of contemporary American life.

When Glen realizes no one else saw the accident, he impulsively lies about what happened—to the police, to his wife, even to Sara, who was in the backseat at the time of the crash. But a tenacious detective thinks Sara might have seen more than she knows, or more than her parents will let her tell. And when Glen tries to prevent the detective from questioning Sara, he finds himself in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game that could end in a lawsuit or prison. What he doesn’t see coming is the reaction of his wife, Liz—a panicked plan that threatens to tear their family apart in the name of saving it.

But what if the accident wasn’t really Glen’s fault? What if someone else were to blame for the turn his life has taken? It’s a question Glen can’t let go of. And as he struggles to understand the extent of his own guilt, he finds himself on yet another collision course, different in kind but with the potential to be equally devastating. Long Drive Home is a stunning cautionary tale of unintended consequences that confirms Will Allison’s growing reputation as a rising literary talent.

My thoughts
While, driving his daughter home from school, Glen succumbs to road rage that results in the death of a teenage driver. Although, not accused of a crime, the guilt he feels cause the dissolution of his marriage.

This short novel is packed with emotion as Glen unravels from his actions, and marriage crumbles. Part of the story is his confession to his six-year old daughter through letters. Will Allison’s novel makes the reader think about what one’s actions. I found it enjoyable and read it in one sitting. When finishing though, I was wanting more.

A Conversation with Will Allison
Author of LONG DRIVE HOME: A Novel
(Free Press; May 17, 2011)

1. Your first novel, What You Have Left, has three viewpoint characters and moves back and forth in time. Long Drive Home has one viewpoint character and proceeds, for the most part, chronologically. Did you make a decision at the outset to structure this novel differently?

I did. I wanted to write a book with a strong sense of tension and narrative momentum—more of page-turner—but one that’s still character-based, where plot is a function of character and not vice versa.

2. When you were executive editor of Story magazine, thousand of submissions must have crossed your desk. How did your editorial work influence your writing?

Reading through the submissions—we averaged about 50 a day—I was constantly reminded of the importance of 1) giving the reader a reason to care, and 2) keeping the story moving. I write with an acute awareness that readers have a lot of other things they could be doing besides reading my book.

3. Where did the idea for the novel come from?

I live in New Jersey, in a quiet neighborhood much like the one described in the book—lots of kids, joggers, people walking their dogs. One morning a few years ago, I went out to get the newspaper. A car came flying down the street, going probably twice the speed limit. I remember picking up the paper and thinking I’d like to chuck it at the guy’s windshield, give him a scare. Then I thought, “You’re an idiot, Will. You could kill someone.” Then I thought, “But what if no one saw?” That was the seed of the story.

4. Is the book autobiographical?

No. The circumstances of Glen’s life are similar to my own—I work at home; my wife works in the city; we have a young daughter; we moved here from the Midwest; etc.—but the characters and plot are wholly invented.

5. Has your daughter read the book?

No. She’s only nine. Some of the language isn’t appropriate. Also, I’d hate for her to conflate me with Glen. She knows what the book is about, though. On the way to and from school, when I was writing it, she’d ask what part of the story I was working on. She gave me a lot of input. She still thinks Sara’s name should have been spelled “Sarah.”

6. Is the traffic in New Jersey really as bad as Glen says?

It seemed pretty bad to me, coming from the Midwest. I did some research when I started the book. New Jersey is the nation’s most congested state and has the highest pedestrian fatality rate. A 2006 study found that northern New Jersey has four of the ten most dangerous American cities to drive in—all within fifteen miles of where the story takes place. And a 2008 study ranked New Jersey drivers dead last in their knowledge of basic safety and traffic laws.

7. Was the accident investigation based on a real case?

No, but I did get a lot of help from Detective Arnold Anderson, who recently retired from the Essex County Prosecutors Fatal Accident Unit. Andy read an early draft of the book and very patiently answered my questions. I remember being nervous when I first got in touch with him and said I was writing a book about a guy who tries to cover up his involvement in an accident. I thought Andy might think that’s what I was doing. He told me later that, yes, he did check up on me after that first phone call, to make sure I was really a writer.

8. Was there any kind of moral you were aiming to impart in Long Drive Home?

I was very interested in the moral implications of Glen’s actions, particularly how he justified—and was later affected by—doing things he himself believed to be morally wrong. But no, I intended no moral lesson for the reader, only moral questions.

9. How much compassion do you expect the reader to show Glen?

Obviously, Glen makes some terrible mistakes. But I do hope readers will put themselves in his shoes. That’s why I chose to tell the story from his viewpoint. If the story had been told from Rizzo’s or Tawana’s viewpoint, Glen might have come off as a clear-cut villain. That to me would have been less interesting.

10. What’s next for you?

Another novel, one that may or may not revisit the characters in Long Drive Home.

 

Will Allison’s author video: http://www.simonandschuster.com/multimedia?video=922743636001

Across Eternity by Aris Whittier

Book Description
Born a genius; education, wealth, and prestige came easy to Logan Richards. Actually, there wasn’t much that Logan couldn’t learn or acquire. However, he knew there was more to life than money and power. Logan was determined to find the woman who he'd dreamed of his entire life and know what it was like to love her before he died.

Amber Lewis, a waitress for a five-star restaurant in, Dana Point, California, was overworked, stressed, and wary of life since her sister, Heather, had passed away. Then, one evening while working she fell hopelessly in love with Logan Richards, a chivalrous man who felt deeply familiar.

For Amber, it was the beginning of a voyage of self-discovery and renewal. For Logan, it was the completion of life. For each of them it was the deepest sort of love.

My thoughts
Logan Richards is a self made businessman and entrepreneur. Amber Lewis is a young waitress. When they meet things click and Amber’s life is transformed forever. Logan knows that she is his soul mate and eventually convinces her that he is hers. He knows they have met before since she is the reincarnation of a lost love or a figment of his imagination?

I don’t read romance novels much, but this one was like being privy to a very long first date that transforms into something special. It deals with reincarnation and how true love surpasses our time on this Earth. Logan at times seems to be perfect and I wondered how this could be. The unexpected twist toward the end of the book through me for a loop. I found this story to be an easy read for those who enjoy romance novels.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the author. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Snackwell Fudge Drizzle Caramel Popcorn, 5.3-Ounce (Pack of 6)

My thoughts
I have never tried Snackwell Products before and was pleasantly surprised b the popcorn. Although, it comes in a small package, the chocolate drizzle and caramel makes for a nice treat on the popcorn. And for being a diet snack, you’d never know. It certainly keeps me within my diet. Only 3 Weight Watcher points per bag.

Michael Malone’s Four Corners of the Sky for FREE!

Beginning today– MAY 13 – Sourcebooks is offering the eBook edition Michael Malone’s Four Corners of the Sky for FREE!

**wherever eBooks are sold**

The eBook of Four Corners of the Sky will be free May 13 through May 15. If you haven't read it, get it now! You can check out my review here.

ALSO, anyone who writes in to publicity@sourcebooks.com TODAY will be entered to win a selection of Michael Malone/s backlist, including his bestselling novel, Handling Sin. Include “Malone Giveaway” in subject line!

Don't Breathe A Word by Jennifer McMahon

Book Description
On a soft summer night in Vermont, twelve-year-old Lisa went into the woods behind her house and never came out again. Before she disappeared, she told her little brother, Sam, about a door that led to a magical place where she would meet the King of the Fairies and become his queen.

Fifteen years later, Phoebe is in love with Sam, a practical, sensible man who doesn’t fear the dark and doesn’t have bad dreams—who, in fact, helps Phoebe ignore her own. But suddenly the couple is faced with a series of eerie, unexplained occurrences that challenge Sam’s hardheaded, realistic view of the world. As they question their reality, a terrible promise Sam made years ago is revealed—a promise that could destroy them all.

My thoughts
Fifteen years ago, 12-year old Lisa who is obsessed with fairies, disappears. Jump to now; having received new information, her brother Sam and his girlfriend Phoebe try to track her down. Jumping back through both time periods, we learn of Lisa’s obsession with the King of Fairies, and the secrets hidden with Sam’s family. Did Lisa find the land of the fairies or is it something more sinister?

Was this a fantasy book or a mystery? I guess you could say a little of both. I had trouble getting into the story, but once Sam makes some headway into his sister’s disappearance I enjoyed it more. The ending left me wondering, what was the author trying to say? I was somewhat frustrated.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Buried Prey by John Sandford

Book Description
Some secrets just can't stay buried, in the brilliant new Lucas Davenport thriller from the number-one New York Times- bestselling author.

A house demolition provides an unpleasant surprise for Minneapolis-the bodies of two girls, wrapped in plastic. It looks like they've been there a long time. Lucas Davenport knows exactly how long.

In 1985, Davenport was a young cop with a reputation for recklessness, and the girls' disappearance was a big deal. His bosses ultimately declared the case closed, but he never agreed with that. Now that he has a chance to investigate it all over again, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: It wasn't just the bodies that were buried. It was the truth.

My thoughts
The bodies of two girls are found mummified underneath a house that is being demolished. These girls disappeared about twenty-five years ago. In 1985 Lucas Davenport, as a young cop tried to solve the case. And now he is determined to find the killer. This novel bounces back from the present to the past, and then from the killer’s point of view to the Davenport’s. John Sandford had me guessing as to the identity of the killer but has again created a suspenseful mystery involving Lucas Davenport that never disappoints. It is riveting right up to the finale!

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

3M Tilt-Adjustable Gel Wrist Rest Platform, Antimicrobial Product Protection (WR420LE)

Today I have a guest review – my wife!

Product Description
Gel wrist rest platform features antibacterial protection and tilt-adjustability. Adjusting the tilt helps keep wrists properly aligned with your keyboard. Sleek design includes a tapered leatherette-covered wrist rest and no hard edges. Softer gel with a cushier feel provides optimal wrist comfort.

My wife’s thoughts
LOVE the keyboard thingy!
Easy to set up.
Durable
Definitely feel a difference using the single-level rubber feet with a 5 degree positive tilt Love the fact that the wrist guard is adhered to the platform by Velcro to ensure that the wrist guard doesn't move, but is moveable to clean the platform.

Disclosure: I received this product for review as a member of the Amazon.com Vine program. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Save Me by Lisa Scottoline

Book Description

Rose McKenna volunteers as a lunch mom in her daughter Melly’s school in order to keep an eye on Amanda, a mean girl who’s been bullying her daughter. Her fears come true when the bullying begins, sending Melly to the bathroom in tears. Just as Rose is about to follow after her daughter, a massive explosion goes off in the kitchen, sending the room into chaos. Rose finds herself faced with the horrifying decision of whether or not to run to the bathroom to rescue her daughter or usher Amanda to safety. She believes she has accomplished both, only to discover that Amanda, for an unknown reason, ran back into the school once out of Rose's sight. In an instance, Rose goes from hero to villain as the small community blames Amanda’s injuries on her. In the days that follow, Rose's life starts to fall to pieces, Amanda’s mother decides to sue, her marriage is put to the test, and worse, when her daughter returns to school, the bullying only intensifies. Rose must take matters into her own hands and get down to the truth of what really happened that fateful day in order to save herself, her marriage and her family.

In the way that Look Again had readers questioning everything they thought they knew about family, Save Me will have readers wondering just how far they would go to save the ones they love. Lisa Scottoline is writing about real issues that resonate with real women, and the results are emotional, heartbreaking and honest.

My thoughts
Rose McKenna is a volunteer who helps out at the new school her daughter is attending. He daughter is also one that gets picked on by others. One day there is a fire in the school and although she saves her daughter, she is accused of not helping others and one other girl is hospitalized and could die. Rose is ostracized and goes through great lengths to right this wrong. She becomes obsessed so much that she becomes a detective of sorts and saves the day. Although, I’ve enjoyed Lisa Scottoline’s legal thrillers in the past, this drama is a little too unbelievable and the characters not engaging enough. It started out great but lost steam way to quickly.

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library.

Twice A Spy by Keith Thomson

Book Description
On the heels of Once a Spy, which PW hailed as a "wildly original debut [with] an action-packed story line," Keith Thomson returns with a breakneck thriller that's twice as explosive as the original.

In the tradition of Robert Ludlum, with a witty twist, Thomson's second novel featuring a former spy and his son once again poses the question: What happens when a former CIA agent can no longer trust his own mind?

Charlie and Drummond Clark are now in Switzerland, hiding out from criminal charges in America and using the time to experiment with treatments to retrieve Drummond's memory. When NSA operative Alice Rutherford, with whom Charlie has fallen in love, is kidnapped, the Clarks must dodge a formidable CIA case officer and his team to get her back.

My thoughts
This espionage thriller keeps you on your seat, but if you haven’t read the first book, Once A Spy, you may be a little confused like I was. Charlie Clark is on the run with his ex-spy father who has Alzheimer’s disease. While trying to find a way to show that they are innocent, Charlie’s girlfriend, Alice who happens to work for the NSA is kidnapped. This novel is filled with a lot of spy stuff and with relationship issues as Charlie learns more about his dad. I would have enjoyed this more if I had read the first book.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

The Social Climber's Handbook by Molly Jong-Fast

Book Description
HIGH SOCIETY CAN BE A KILLER.

Upper East Side socialite Daisy Greenbaum is accustomed to the finer things—designer clothes, summers in the Hamptons, elite private school educations for her daughters, and a staggeringly expensive Park Avenue apartment. But Daisy finds her well-heeled lifestyle on precarious footing after her husband, master of the universe Dick Greenbaum, learns about some shady dealings that threaten his position at The Bank.

Daisy refuses to allow her family to slip down the social ladder, so she devises a madcap plan: Anyone who jeopardizes her place at the top will simply have to be dispatched—six feet under. From Dick’s arrogant boss to his scheming former mistress to a pair of nosy bloggers, Daisy’s hit list is a who’s who of big names with even bigger secrets. But with the body count rising as the Dow Jones falls, can Daisy really get away with murder?

My thoughts
Dick and Daisy Greenbaum are part of the upper end of the social ladder, until the recession hits and Dick may lose his job. Daisy doesn’t want to lose her status or money, so she decides that murder is one way.

This is not a murder mystery, but a satire of the elitist lifestyle. It is a fast paced comedy, but I feel the author tries too hard. I liked it, but didn’t love it.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.