Review: Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia- A Life in Poems by Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Reading this wonderful collection of poems brought back

so many delightful memories of life in the South.

Although the author based her poems in Mississippi
many residents of the South will definitely relate to this
book. These poems are spot on in their description of
Southern life.

There were several poems that I enjoyed but I will only

share two of them with you. Suffice it to say you should
Definitely read this book of poems!!

Fave Poem #1

Turning 40

When I turned 40,
I felt so brand new;
I bought a bikini,
and got a tattoo;
For some unknown reason,
I felt more alive;
I can't imagine what'll happen,
When I turn 45.

I hope when I turn 40 I am this adventurous.

Poem # 2

The (UN) Domestic Diva

I don't cook and I don't sew,

And I can hardly make a bed;
I don't even grocery shop to get my family fed.
My friends are always wondering ,
And often ask what it is I do;
Now, I can just simply say,

I write sweet poems for you.

Review: A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi

The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a
little girl is found brutally murdered. The town s top detective, perplexed by a complete lack of leads, calls in FBI agent Leia
Bines, an expert in cases involving children.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Gram, a psychiatrist at Newbury s hospital, searches desperately for the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya s parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope.

The situations confronting Leia and Peter converge when Naya begins drawing chilling images of murder after being bombarded by the disturbing images in her dreams. Amazingly, her sketches are the only clues to the crime that has panicked Newbury residents. Against her better judgment, Leia explores the clues in Naya s crude drawings, only to set off an alarming chain of events.

An intensely suspenseful debut thriller from author Preetham Grandhi . I did not want to put this book down until the very end. It was an easy read for me and not at all weighted down with medical/police jargon. It was thoroughly enjoyable to read the lengths that some people would go to help others. This story shows the worst as well as some of the very best of what mankind has to offer. I would like to read more about Agent Bines and Dr. Gram. They were great characters who made this story all the more enjoyable to read. This was a very satisfying thrill ride of twists and turns that had a superb ending. I highly recommend this book .

About the Author:


http://www.acircleofsouls.com/


Preetham Grandhi, an India-born immigrant, explores his life parallels in a new kind of psychological thriller and debut novel, A Circle of Souls. Born and raised in the city of Bangalore,India, Preetham mirrored the struggles of upper-middle class lives, acculturation, and psychological trauma through the characters of this well-sculpted thriller. Preetham’s childhood determination for success and change leads to a new life in the USA. His hope is that the land of opportunity would close old doors and open new beginnings. In a twist of fate, he found himself working with children and their families in the inner city Bronx, families who had even more complex issues than his own. Through their eyes and life experiences, he was motivated to become someone he never thought he would become, an author.





After investing five years in writing, he then encountered the struggle of becoming a raditionally published author. Now in June 2009, in the midst of economic crises and nationwide corporation mismanagement, comes A Circle of Souls, a tale of hope, justice, and accountability. This spirit-lifting and thought-provoking story has received rave reviews.

My First Award: Thanks Jenni @ Falling Off The Shelf

I just received my first award from Jenni @ Falling Off the Shelf

Thanks, Jenni

Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when your relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family & friends? You know that feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea ~or a hot toddy? That is what the Hearthfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside.
　
　
1) Put the logo on your blog/post

2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside.

3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4) Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog.

5) Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.




I am actually a newbie when it comes to blogging so this makes me really happy.

1. Patricia @ Patricia's Vampire Notes

2. Donna @ Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings

3. Patrick @ Preternatural Reviews

Contest: My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel

MY FORBIDDEN DESIRE By Carolyn Jewel

Alexandrine Marit is a witch in mortal danger. An evil mage craves the powerful, mysterious talisman that supplies her magic, and the only person who can keep her safe is a dark and dangerous fiend called Xia. With his fierce animosity toward witches, he's hardly the ideal bodyguard. Yet as days turn into nights, she can't deny the white-hot passion between them.
"My Forbidden Desire is a sexy, engrossing read, one that I really enjoyed." –DearAuthor.com
　

　
Visit Carolyn Jewel’s site at http://carolynjewel.com/.

Follow Carolyn Jewel on Twitter http://twitter.com/cjewel.

Become a friend of Carolyn Jewel on MySpace.

Become a fan of Carolyn Jewel on Facebook



5 copies graciously donated by Anna at Hatchette Books





Giveaway rules---

-Giveaway copies will be sent directly to winners

-you must be willing to give mailing address if you win

- no P.O. Boxes-You must leave contact info ( email address)

-Winners will be chosen by random.org on July 3, 2009

-Also US/Canada only

Contest: A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore

A HINT OF WICKEDBy Jennifer Haymore
Now Sophie must choose between her first love and her new love, knowing that no matter what, her choice will destroy one of the men she adores. Will it be Garrett, her childhood sweetheart, whose loss nearly destroyed her once already? Or will it be Tristan, beloved friend turned lover, who supported her through the last, dark years and introduced her to a passion she had never known?



　
"…one of the best historical romances I have read this year." --Fallen Angel Reviews



Listen to the interview on BlogTalkRadio.
Check out the Fun Facts.
Visit Jennifer Haymore’s site at http://www.jenniferhaymore.com/
Follow Jennifer Haymore on Twitter http://twitter.com/jenniferhaymore.





5 copies graciously donated by Anna at Hatchette Books



Giveaway rules---

-Giveaway copies will be sent directly to winners

-you must be willing to give mailing address if you win- no P.O. Boxes

-You must leave contact info ( email address)

-Winners will be chosen by random.org on July 3, 2009

- Also US/ Canada Only

Featured Author- Patricia Neely-Dorsey

In the next week or so I will be reviewing a book of poems ( my first). Until the book comes in I will leave you with a picture of the cover, a blurb about the book & its author and a poem from the book. The poem is called Southern Life. It is a beautiful poem that takes me back to my wonderful childhood. I have always loved living in the South, it becomes a part of you, and I never want that part to go away.

Patricia Neely Dorsey's Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems is "a true celebration of the south and things southern." The author states , "There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. In my book, using childhood memories, personal thoughts and dreams, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life. In my book I try to show that there is much is more to Mississippi and the south than all of the negatives usually portrayed .I invite readers to Meet Mississippi (and the south) Through Poetry ,Prose and The Written Word."

SOUTHERN LIFE

If you want a glimpse of Southern life,

Come close and walk with me;

I'll tell you all the simple things,

That you are sure to see.

You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,

Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,

Caterpillars on the step,

Wooden porches cleanly swept;

Watermelons on the vine,

Strong majestic Georgia pines;

Rocking chairs and front yard swings,

Junebugs flying on a string;

Turnip greens and hot cornbread,

Coleslaw and barbecue;

Fried okra, fried corn,

fried green tomatoes,

Fried pies and pickles too.

There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet,

And cool, green grass beneath your feet;

Catfish nipping in the lake,

And fresh young boys on the make.

You'll see all these things

And much, much more,

In a way of life that I adore.

Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
from Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems
BOOK AVAILABLE: www.reeds.ms/book.asp
or http://www.amazon.com/

AUTHOR WEBSITE: http://www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com/

Cindy Pon Contest

I found an awesome contest by author Cindy Pon. http://cindypon.com/2009/silver-phoenix-set-free/ There are several ways to enter and the prizes are an original framed brushpainting along with a signed copy of her novel or a $100 gift card to a book store of your choice, also offered with a signed copy of her novel.

You can see the youtube video of her trailer here-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihJ1xy009bk

Review: Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared.

　
Once upon a time,my name was not Alice.
　

Once upon a time, I didn't know how lucky I was.
　

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends--her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she wants. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

　
This was a haunting tale of a young girl's abduction. Haunting because there really is no other way that I can describe a story that will stay with me until the end of my days. You'll never forget this story no matter how much you try. I simply could not put this book down. I wanted "Alice" to be free. After getting through half of this story I realized there was only one way that she would ever truly be free.

In one of the chapters Alice watches a talk show where a group of abused people are basically berated for enduring their abuse. After this story I wonder if we the unabused, really truly understand what abuse can do to someone, especially a child.

I can't say that I actually liked this book, but reading it was definitely an eye opener. Being a mother of two young girls I know that I will never read this story again, it hurts my heart far too much, but I definitely recommend that everyone read this book at least once if only to give yourself a different perspective on abuse.
　
www.elizabethwrites.com

Living Dead Girl is available for purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Books Inc., and Borders

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (September 2, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416960597
ISBN-13: 978-1416960591

Review: The Touch of Twilight by Vicki Pettersson

The Third Sign of the Zodiac

The Touch of Twilight


Joanna Archer has reluctantly accepted the roles destiny assigned her: Avenger, Savior ... Destroyer.

On the surface she's a sexy, sophisticated socialite, at home among the beautiful people of the Las Vegas upper crust. But Joanna Archer inhabits another world: a place ordinary humans cannot see . . . a dangerous dimension where an eternal battle rages between the agents of Light and Shadow. And Joanna is both.

Stalked by an enigmatic doppelganger from a preternatural realm, Joanna can feel the Light failing—which is propelling her toward a terrifying confrontation with the ultimate master of evil, the dark lord of Shadow: her father.

Vegas is all about winning big . . . or losing everything. To save her friends, her future, her worlds, Joanna Archer must gamble it all by fully embracing the darkness inside her.

As unpredictable and fast paced as the first two Signs of the Zodiac, The Touch of Twilight grabs hold of your collar and doesn't let go. Engrossing characters, suspense, good vs. evil and in the middle of everything is Joanna Archer. Sometimes situations get the best of her and all she can do is clean up her mess, learn from every situation. Stressed beyond belief, anxiety about the Changelings and seemingly on her own Joanna Archer decides she will do whatever she has to to protect everyone. After three wonderful stories Vicki Pettersson is definitely a must read for me. She combines intrigue, action,super powers, , good & evil. Which side will win in this colossal battle?T his action packed third book in the series is a wonderful addition. I am eagerly awaiting book 4 in this series, The City of Souls due out June 30, 2009.



Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Eos (May 27, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060898933
ISBN-13: 978-0060898939


Look for Book 4 Coming June 30, 2009:

In Sin City, a little girl suffers from a strange and terrible malady. If she dies, the Light will die along with her.

Warrior, avenger, Joanna Archer has survived countless otherworldly terrors—and has found her rightful place among the agents battling the all-pervasive evil of Shadow . . . even as she struggles against the darkness within herself.

A war is raging for Las Vegas—a city without a heart—one that catapults Joanna into a new world hidden from mortal sight. In this lethally seductive alternate dimension the lines blur between good and evil, love and hate, and here lies the last hope for the Light. But Joanna's price of admission is a piece of her own soul—and the odds of her escaping are slim . . . to none.

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Eos (June 30, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0061456780

ISBN-13: 978-0061456787

Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Author's website: http://www.vickipettersson.com/

Review: The Taste of Night by Vicki Pettersson

The Second Sign of the Zodiac

The Taste of Night


Equal parts Light and Shadow, Joanna Archer must fulfill a destiny she never wanted. Once a photographer and heiress to a casino fortune, she is now dedicated to the cause of good . . . but susceptible to the seductions of evil.

A deadly virus is descending on Las Vegas—a terrifying plague unleashed by the powerful overlord of Zodiac's dark side: Joanna's father. Chaos and panic grip Sin City as agents of Light fall prey to the terrifying epidemic. Death reigns supreme—and Joanna stands at dead center of an epic and terrible war long foretold, the last hope of a damned world.

But first she must somehow conquer the malevolence that grows all around her . . . and within.

Another wonderful book by Vicki Pettersson. The more that I learn about Joanna Archer the more that I want to learn about her. This was an action packed story that grabs you by the collar and doesn't let go. I am definitely looking forward to more from this amazing storyteller.




Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Avon Books; Reissue edition (March 27, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060898925
ISBN-13: 978-0060898922
Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Author's website: http://www.vickipettersson.com/

Review: The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson

The First Sign of the Zodiac

The Scent of Shadows

When she was sixteen, Joanna Archer was brutally assaulted and left to die in the Nevada desert. By rights, she should be dead.

Now a photographer by day, she prowls a different Las Vegas after sunset – a grim, secret Sin City where Light battles Shadow – seeking answers to whom or what she really is ... and revenge for the horrors she was forced to endure.

But the nightmare is just beginning – for the demons are hunting Joanna, and the powerful Shadows want her for their own...

Fast paced, engaging and hard to put down. Joanna Archer is an ass kicking heroine that will have you coming back for more. Its not just Joanna that has me enjoying this book so much, all of the characters good/bad are so interesting that sometimes I found myself cheering for the bad guys. Although I didn't do that for long. I was so thoroughly engrossed by the world that Vicki Pettersson penned that I had to read all of the books one right after the other ignoring the other books on my shelf.

Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages

Publisher: Eos (February 27, 2007)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0060898917

ISBN-13: 978-0060898915

Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Author's website: www.vickipettersson.com

Review: Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison

My name is Madison Avery, and I'm here to tell you that there's more out there than you can see, hear, or touch. Because I'm there. Seeing it. Touching it. Living it.

Madison's prom was killer—literally. For some reason she's been targeted by a dark reaper—yeah, that kind of reaper—intent on getting rid of her, body and soul. But before the reaper could finish the job, Madison was able to snag his strange, glowing amulet and get away.

Now she's stuck on Earth—dead but not gone. Somehow the amulet gives her the illusion of a body, allowing her to toe the line between life and death. She still doesn't know why the dark reaper is after her, but she's not about to just sit around and let fate take its course.

With a little ingenuity, some light-bending, and the help of a light reaper (one of the good guys! Maybe . . . ), her cute crush, and oh yeah, her guardian angel, Madison's ready to take control of her own destiny once and for all, before it takes control of her.

Well, if she believed in that stuff.


Well written, enjoyable characters kept me interested until the very end. I am excited to see where Madison ends up next. I have been a fan of Kim Harrison's Hollows series for a while which made this story an auto buy for me. I am not disappointed in the least. Ms. Harrison has a talent for storytelling that shows in everything she does so I suppose it was only a matter of time before she gave us a YA series. I am confident that I will enjoy Madison Avery for many books to come just as I have enjoyed Rachel Morgan. Highly recommend this book for any fans of The Hollows series.