Ruthi Reads!

Ruthi Reads Pinterest Pins

2012-02-14T14:54:00.000-08:00

Are you a book blogger who is utilizing Pinterest to enhance your book blog, reading, and book review experience? I am about to show you one way of doing just that by sharing a few of my book-related Pinterest pins.

Promoting a Self-Published Book...

Source: squidoo.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Create a Cozy Reading Nook...

Source: squidoo.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Review of Ghost Words...

Source: squidoo.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Book bloggers can join Crazy About My Baybah, Mommy Head Adventures and Crazy Cool with a Side of Crafty for PIN IT TUESDAY!

Just link up your post of your favorite book-related Pinterest pins. (Remember to add the badge and hop link site to your blog post, too.)

And please feel free to follow me on Pinterest!

Reading Is Fundamental Charity Drive

2012-01-03T17:36:00.000-08:00

Each month, Swagbucks designates a charitable organization to which members of the Swag Nation (as we call ourselves) can donate their swag bucks. For example: last month's charity was the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with a total of 258,210 swag bucks donated by members of the community. That is approximately $2,000!

Swagbucks has chosen Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) as the charity for January 2012. I couldn't be happier about this choice for my swagbucks and have made my first donation for the month, to be followed by another each week throughout January.

You can read more about the Swagbucks gift of literacy and decide for yourself if you would like to make a donation that may instill a love of reading in a child.

If you are not yet a member of Swagbucks, I invite you to sign up now via my referral link.

Simply put--I Search and Earn with the Swagbucks toolbar. And, since I believe in tithing ten percent of my earnings, I donate a portion thereof.

A Novel In Pictures

2012-01-02T12:17:00.000-08:00

First things first, allow me to wish you a Happy New Year and know that I am wishing you nothing but sweet reads throughout 2012!

To be honest with you, due to the hustle and bustle of the holidays I have read not a thing this past couple of weeks. However, I have rustled up a great book title to share with you today.

Back in November of 2011 (last year, oh my) I entered a book giveaway over at Pudgy Penguin Perusals that I really wanted to win and I won! Now, I wanted to win this book for a couple of reasons. One, the book is a story about a gal who dreams of becoming a writer. And two, the author used a novel idea in writing her novel! This beautiful hardcover edition is truly a novel in pictures! The story is told in a mix of typewritten tales with the addition of full-color vintage memorabilia on every page—storytelling in scrapbook format.

With no further ado, allow me to introduce to you, The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures by author Caroline Preston.

With our next major holiday being that of Valentine's Day, I've chosen to share pages 76 and 77 with you:

Valentines (lack of)

Valentine's Day at Vassar makes me glum. The other girls get scads of cards from beaus and fathers. And roses. And velvet boxes from Tiffany's.

My senior year, I get ONE valentine. A handmade one, like the ones Lizzie, Bess, and I would send the boys in our class.

Who is my secret admirer?

I analyze the clues:

Cornish postmark
Typed address (because I would recognize handwriting?)

Conclusion:
I want to believe it is from Jamie. But Lizzie & Bessie probably sent it as a gag. Or my brothers.

There is no great love on my horizon.

***

Although I have typed the 100 word excerpt out for you, I urge you to click on the photo below to read and view the pages in scanned form to see the vintage beauty of the pages of this novel.

Share 100 words from a book you are currently reading. Blog hop along with WoW Weekly 100 Words. Just snag the hop badge and link, add it to your post on your blog, then return here to add your blog post to the linky list provided at the end of the weekly post.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

Merry Christmas to All

2011-12-25T07:19:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a day filled with the light of Love...

Visit Tumbleweed Christmas Tree for more seasonal spirit.

WoW 100 Wants YOU to Recommend a Book

2011-12-19T14:32:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of the season WoW Weekly 100 Words will be taking time off until the first Monday in January 2012. Ruthi will still be around with a merry post or two, so if you are out blog hopping, stop by one of my four blogs with a wave or a whisper!

I would also like to invite you to recommend THE book you feel I should definitely put on my 2012 reading list. Please leave the title, author name, genre, and tell me why you think I should read the book. You can add any other information you like.

Book Blogger Christmas Tree

2011-12-19T06:27:00.000-08:00

A friend shared the link to the perfect Christmas tree for book bloggers! I may just have to build me a book tree today!

Book Lover's Christmas Tree

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Does God have a mean sense of humor?

2011-12-12T06:40:00.000-08:00

I am reading and sharing from Ada: Legend of a Healer, by R.A. McDonald. My 100-word excerpt from this book is from Chapter 9, page 132:

     "Come sit down and have something to eat," she said smiling at Ada as she filled her plate. "This is a blessing from God, my dear. You have the healing touch."
     "Where does blessing come into it?" Ada snapped feeling the heat rise in her cheeks, "God plagues humanity with who knows how many diseases, and then blesses a couple people with the ability to heal. Sounds more like a fluke to me, or maybe a God with a mean sense of humor."
     Nothing was said the rest of the meal. Ada wanted to change the subject to one of...

----------

What do you think? Do you agree with Ada's assessment of possession of the healing touch? Would you consider this ability to heal a curse or a blessing?

Previously shared excerpts of Ada: Legend of a Healer:

Let's discuss what we're reading as we're reading!

Share exactly 100 words from a book you are currently reading. Blog hop along with WoW Weekly 100 Words. Just snag the hop badge and link, add it to your post on your blog, then return here to add your blog post to the linky list provided at the end of the weekly post.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

WoW 100 Moving Day

2011-12-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

After careful consideration of my personal schedule, online and offline, I have decided to move my WoW Weekly 100 Words blog hop. No, we are not moving away from Ruthi Reads! We are moving the day — Monday is the new day for WoW 100!

So, you can look forward to my next WoW 100 post on Monday, December 12th. And, I trust, I can look forward to you, the book blogger, hopping right along!

Share 100 words from the book(s) you are currently reading. Blog hop along with WoW Weekly 100 Words. Just snag the hop badge and link, add it to your post on your blog, then return here to add your blog post to the linky list provided at the end of my weekly post.

Featured Book Tumbleweed Christmas

2011-11-29T09:03:00.000-08:00

Tumbleweed Christmas by Beverly Stowe McClure has been featured on my Christmas page at Squidoo.

You can read my thoughts, my review, of this wonderfully written and illustrated book by joining me for a joyous Tumbleweed Christmas Tree seasonal celebration.

EnJOY!

Physician, Heal Thyself

2011-11-16T14:50:00.000-08:00

Slowly, but surely, I am enjoying the reading of Ada: Legend of a Healer, by R.A. McDonald. And I must tell you, the artwork found within the book is an amazing and complimentary addition to the tale of this young healer's life journey.

Sharing from Chapter 5, page 74:

     "You wanted to see if you could heal yourself," she mumbled aloud.
     Pressing both hands on each side of her calf, she focused on the damage and tried to pull energy from all over her body, directing it to the puncture wound. The burning, stabbing pain changed to a tingling itch. Without looking she could see every step of the healing process unfolding in her mind. Heat flushed the skin around the injury until it felt numb.
     She moved her hands to see, only blood was left, not even a scar. She used her sweatshirt sleeve to wipe the area..."

Previously shared excerpts of Ada: Legend of a Healer:

What wonderful books are you reading these days? Care to share a 100-word excerpt from your current read?

Blog hop along with WoW Weekly 100 Words. Just snag the hop badge and link, add it to your post on your blog, then return here to add your blog post to the linky list provided at the end of the weekly post.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

ADA: Behind Closed Doors

2011-11-09T11:02:00.000-08:00

This 100-word excerpt is found in Chapter 3, on page 40, of Ada: Legend of a Healer, by R.A. McDonald:

     "Who's following us?"
     Jessie set the bag back on the ground when she saw Ada's stubborn expression.
     "See, this is why I left you in foster care, right under their noses. I didn't want you to have to spend your life on the run."
     "Whose noses?" Ada asked getting nervous over the frightened look Jessie would make at the faintest sound. The halls were empty and lined with closed doors. They seemed to be in a janitorial area of the hospital.
     "The senator and his hired help." Jessie picked up Ada's bag and handed it to her. "If they see..."

Previously shared excerpts of Ada: Legend of a Healer:

ADA Legend of a Healer leaves Foster Care

Laughing Through Life on Tuesday

2011-11-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

It is time to hop along with First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros blog hop, hosted by Bibliophile By The Sea. Come join the fun of sharing first chapters, first paragraphs of books that have grabbed your attention and you just had to add the book to your reading list.

This Tuesday I am sharing the first two paragraphs from the first chapter of Laughing through Life by author Connie Corcoran Wilson. The title of the first essay in this collection is "ESP: Exercise in Stress Points".

     "I have devised a point system similar to that scale used to tell when a person has too much stress in his or her life. My scale is designed to warn you when you have signed up for an exercise class that is too difficult for you.
     On the life stress scale, a marriage, divorce, new baby or death in the family might equal 100 points. On my exercise stress point scale, you are assigned Exercise Stress Points (ESP) to signal when you are in a world of hurt."

As a member of Premier Virtual Author Book Tours, I received a review copy of this book. Laughing through Life begins its virtual blog tour on November 28th. I will be posting my review of this book right here at Ruthi Reads! on December 6th. And, on December 7th, I will be posting an interview with the author, Connie Corcoran Wilson, as well as hosting a book giveaway.

We look forward to hearing you all Laughing Through Life!

ADA Legend Of A Healer leaves Foster Care

2011-11-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

I have had Ada: Legend of a Healer on my bookshelf for quite awhile now. This is a gentle reminder that my mood must match my reading material in order for me to give the words the respect they are due as I read and review.

Today, in need of a new book to read, my hand reached immediately for ADA. I share a 100-word excerpt from chapter 2, page 22:

"Ada nodded without taking her eyes off of the ceiling. She couldn't help but wonder why her aunt was showing up now. She was the one who had put Ada in foster care in the first place. Her file listed her mother as "disappeared without a trace." The few memories she had of childhood had to have been with her aunt, but she couldn't remember a face no matter how hard she tried. She pulled the cord on the window blind. The sun was reflecting off of the wet street making it look like shiny metal. Ten years later and..."

Ah, yes, I am ready for Ada's journey now. Are you? You can join me each week as I share an excerpt from the book; and, you can purchase a copy of R.A. McDonald's Ada: Legend of a Healer for yourself to read right along.

I encourage you to do same — share 100 words from the book(s) you are currently reading. Blog hop along with WoW Weekly 100 Words. Just snag the hop badge and link, add it to your post on your blog, then return here to add your blog post to the linky list provided at the end of the weekly post.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

Flower Child by Author Sheila Deeth, Book Review

2011-10-30T22:33:00.000-07:00

I am deeply honored to be a part of the Flower Child Blog Tour and wish to thank Sheila Deeth for this opportunity to read and review her eBook, which is my first reading of an eBook. I am not the least bit disappointed in Sheila's talent as a storyteller, nor in this non-print version of Flower Child. However, I would be thrilled to see this book in print one day.

----------

But is Angela Real? queries Megan, mother of this, her unborn daughter, as she learns just how hard it can hurt to be Mother.

The reader is drawn by the double-edged sword of emotion as Flower Child author Sheila Deeth embraces the depths of motherhood, the hauntings — of love and of loss — of child.

"You suffer so much, you humans," and "You have to keep testing the boundaries, " says a garden angel in her tale, planted, perhaps, between heaven and hell. "You're never satisfied."

You give them chance after chance don't you? You forgive them over and over again. You pick them up and set them on their way. Being a mother, a parent, a guardian, comes with rights and responsibilities.

After a time, mother Megan wonders does it mean I'm getting better because I don't cry for her now? Or am I going crazy because I tidy her room in dreams? At what point in the mourning process are we to no longer shed rivers of tears? Are we mad as hatters for allowing our minds to dwell in a dream with the dead? To some it may seem so; to others, though, it may be deemed a realm of real life.

Reality is all-inclusive: what has been, what is, and what will be. Consider this statement by writer Philip K. Dick: Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.

The greatest motherly wonder of all comes from the author as she ponders an un-born: I wondered if maybe it's love that makes souls, and making love makes flesh. Maybe no one really loved him.

Storytelling based on reality rarely fails to grab the reader by the hallowed hauntings of the heart. Author Sheila Deeth succeeds in tugging our heartstrings in the bittersweet beauty of the story of her Flower Child.

And, make no mistake — Angela is real.

----------

I hope that if you have not been following this month-long tour, that you will visit the Sheila Deeth Blog, as well as the daily blog tour listings. You may also wish to visit a previous post here at Ruthi Reads where I share an excerpt from Flower Child; one which captured me from the beginning of the book.

I received no compensation for the review of this book. I received a PDF version to read for review purposes.

WoW 100 Words for the Flower Child

2011-10-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

Today is a first for me — I am reading an eBook — me, the die-hard lover of books in print. I share 100 words with you from page 2 of Flower Child by Sheila Deeth:

"...died. I slept and screamed and wept for her, my little girl, and drove my husband to distraction. Then, in a moment's incautious clarity, I was cured. What happened was I found those childhood dreams weren't really so far from the truth, and I don't care if you don't believe me. Mom thinks I'm mad, Uncle Malcolm tries to humor me, and David just pretends not to hear a word I say. But there are more things in heaven and hell than human eyes and ears can tell, and I first stopped crying the day I met my angel, Angela."

As part of the Flower Child Book Tour, I will be posting my book review of this title on October 31st.

I would love to have you join me each week in the blog hop, WoW Weekly 100 Words, sharing exactly 100 words from a book you are currently reading. Add the hop button and link to your blog post and add your post to the linky list provided.

First Chapter, First Paragraph Tuesday Tumble Along

2011-10-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

This is my first post for the First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros blog hop, hosted by Diane at Bibliophile By The Sea.

I am sharing from Tumbleweed Christmas by Beverly Stowe McClure:

"Today was Christmas Eve. My house was dark and sad. We had no Christmas tree. Mom said trees cost money. Dad was in the hospital. She did not have any extra money. I saved a dollar from my school lunch money. I was going to surprise her and buy a tree."

You can visit the author's blog, The Story of a Writer, to enter her current book giveaway to win a copy of this children's book, or you can now purchase a copy of Tumbleweed Christmas and gift it to a young reader.

Rudolph, A Child's Love Story is a Magical Gift

2011-10-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

Accept it!

Not really knowing much about Rudolph, A Child's Love Story, I let my author friend, Mary Russel, know that I planned to purchase a copy to read and review in time for Christmas (hoping to generate holiday sales).

I really had no idea what a magical gift Rudolph would be to read until I began reading the prologue of the book. I share a portion of that prologue with you now:

    "...Brian and I learned to ice skate together. When our dog, Rufus died, we comforted each other. We played store with empty boxes and cans. Brian taught me to read. He outgrew his jeans and tees and they were passed down to me. When I wore them, I pretended I was him, as if in wearing them, I could capture some of the magic that was my big brother. Can we ever be close again?
     I was told I am special because I was chosen. I wonder how that makes Brian feel.
     Even my toys seem to be mocking me..."

My full review of this book will be posted soon! In the meantime, I do hope you will share the book that has currently caught your reader eye!

Blog hop right along with WoW Weekly 100 Words. Share a 100-word excerpt of a book you are currently reading. Just snag the hop badge and link, add it to your post on your blog, then return here to add your blog post to the linky list provided at the end of this post.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

I found a new blog hop for Readers

2011-10-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

Not that I need another thing to do added to my online activity; however, I have hopped across a new blog hop for readers and couldn't resist participating.

WWW Wednesdays is hosted by
Should Be Reading.

(Oh dear, just what I need - another should!)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

I am currently reading Growing Up In Boom Times by Chris Brockman. This book is a trip down memory lane for those of us who grew up as Baby Boomers. However, it isn't just a glance at our past; it's a glance at our future -- viewed through the eyes of our present -- and through the life and words of the author. Of course, I will be posting a review, and I have a few more promotional surprises in mind for this title and author.

I recently finished reading No Greater Sacrifice by John C. Stipa. Herein lies mystery and mayhem, death and destruction, evil and enchantment, and a romancing of the mind as sharp as the cutting edge of a sword. My review shall be posted soon.

I will read next my first eBook: Flower Child by Sheila Deeth. As part of the Flower Child Book Tour, I will be posting my review of this title on October 31st.

Teacher Appreciation from a Baby Boomer

2011-10-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

Although I am further along in the reading of Growing Up In Boom Times than the excerpt I'm about to share, I chose this portion of Chris Brockman's book to share with you because today is World Teachers' Day.

From page 46, Chapter Seven, "Be True To Your School":

"Fortunately, when I began my graduate studies in kindergarten, my teacher, Miss McGuire, was gentle, kind, and mother like, and I loved her. This was so because I had already conceptualized "mother" as someone who was always there when I needed her; someone who gave hugs and comforted me when I hurt myself; someone who read entertaining stories and nursery rhymes to me; someone who was safe, interesting, resourceful, and loving. Unfortunately, I had to share Miss McGuire with a bunch of other kids.

One thing that was a little beyond my understanding in kindergarten, because I had little experience..."

What a wonderful tribute of teacher appreciation. Would that it were that all our wee ones have such a lovely memory of a teacher to share when they are older.

Previously shared excerpts of Growing Up In Boom Times:

100 Words from Baby Boomer and Author Chris Brockman
Wild Berries and Grampas
Service With a Smile a Part of Growing Up In Boom Times

WoW Weekly 100 Words is a book blog hop-a-long. Share a 100-word excerpt of a book you are currently reading. Just snag the hop badge and link, add it to your post on your blog, then return here to add your blog post to the linky list provided at the end of this post.

For your Information: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

Don't Miss the Flower Child Blog Tour

2011-10-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

I am excited for my author friend, Sheila Deeth. Her recent eBook release, Flower Child, is now available for purchase and is on tour throughout cyberspace.

Visit Flower Child Blog Tour for the blogs and links hosting this tour throughout the entire month of October.

Ruthi Reads is proud to be a part of this book tour! This will be my first eBook read and review. I feel as though I am being converted! NOT! I love the printed page too much, but I do find this book title and theme interesting enough to read off the computer screen.

Just for you and your Flower Child, Sheila!

Sol to Light Your Way

2011-10-02T04:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is a book blog. However, even readers and writers need a bit of sol to enlighten and brighten their way on occasion. Thus, I wanted to share my latest sunshine creation with you, too.

Hop on over to my Poetic Creations blog to enter my SOS Sunshine Shot Glass Giveaway to enter to win a shot of sunshine! Ends Monday (tomorrow) October 3rd at noon, so hurry on over to get your entries posted!

Service With a Smile a Part of Growing Up In Boom Times

2011-09-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

This Baby Boomer blast from the past comes to us from page 88 of Chapter Twelve, "What a Gas" of Growing Up In Boom Times:

"I worked at the Clark station in Keego Harbor. All we sold was premium gas and oil—and service. My training for the job consisted primarily of how to give good service. Good service meant smiling, being polite, always wiping windshield (front and back), and asking if customers wanted their oil checked. It also meant putting air into tires if asked--or better, if a tire looked low, suggesting it. For all this the customer paid 34.9 cents for a gallon of gas, a price which didn't go up at all until the mid-70's.

Good service at the Clark station did have..."

Previously shared excerpts of Growing Up In Boom Times:

100 Words from Baby Boomer and Author Chris Brockman
Wild Berries and Grampas

Wild Berries and Grampas

2011-09-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

As I read from the pages of Growing Up In Boom Times, it is difficult to choose which 100 words to share with you. I am enjoying each little morsel, with each tale tasting a bit more about my author friend, Chris Brockman. The problem is that I want you to know Chris, too, so I seem to select excerpts from his book that manage to hint at the character of the man I have come to like, to trust, and to respect within the past two years or so online at Gather.

Today, I share with you (from Chapter Three) a tidbit from Chris and his family's wild berry saga:

"...a continuation of my own grampa's legacy.
Last summer, while visiting Adrienne and Kevin in Western Michigan, Rowan begged me to take him blackberry picking, So, Julie, Rowan, his little brother Shay, and I explored the neighborhood bordering Lake Michigan and found a fine patch of dewberries, a close-to-the ground variety of blackberries. Rowan and Shay excitedly announced each time they picked a berry how big this one was, and it was music to my ears. We picked more than enough to renew their supply of gramps jam and the spirits of at least a couple of grampas before me."

I wish to assure you that you do not have to be of the Age of Baby Boomers to enjoy Growing Up In Boom Times. You are welcome to follow along with me each week as I share from this book or you can purchase your own copy and read along with me.

Previous WoW 100 excerpts of Growing Up In Boom Times:

100 Words from Baby Boomer and Author Chris Brockman

I do hope you'll share 100 words from the book you are currently reading. I am always on the lookout for a good book to read. So blog hop along with me each week. Just snag the hop badge and link, add it to your post on your blog, then return here to add it to the linky list provided at the end of the post.

For your Information: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

100 Words from Baby Boomer and Author Chris Brockman

2011-09-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

Calling all Baby Boomers, readers, and book blog hoppers! Hop along with me in the coming weeks as I read and share excerpts from author Chris Brockman's latest publication "Growing Up in Boom Times".

Today's 100 Words are a part of the Introduction of "Growing Up in Boom Times".

"...change is too often pushed on us by the large, powerful forces in our society, I also think that in our free society we individuals have the ultimate power to direct change in the direction we think is best. Younger generations have or will have an increasingly important role in deciding how our society will change. My own adult children aver that things have already changed greatly since they were children, and I can only imagine the changes my grandchildren will see. It's up to them, and it's up to you to change our lives and our world for the better."

~Chris Brockman, May 1, 2011

Are you a Baby Boomer? A Reader? Perhaps you're a book blog hopper. What are you currently reading? Snag the WoW Weekly 100 Words badge and link for your post and hop along with us this week! We'd love to read a 100 word morsel of the meat of the story you're reading.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

What genre do you read?

2011-09-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

Each week a new question is offered up for us to answer in our blog post for the hop.

This week’s question (submitted by Lori):

“Many of us primarily read one genre of books, with others sprinkled in. If authors stopped writing that genre, what genre would you start reading? Or would you give up reading completely if you couldn’t read that genre anymore?”

MY RESPONSE: Being an eclectic reader, I almost didn't post to this week's question, as it didn't seem to apply ... at first. However, I decided to post, offering my initial thought and response...

I definitely do not read any one genre over another. I'm an eclectic reader and will read just about anything. However ... what I read is generally determined by my current mood and/or by requested reviews and by the books my author friends have published.

I will add that I have in the past preferred to read poetry and non-fiction. If poetry were no longer published? I'd write my own! And, I've plenty of author friends who write poetry and memoirs, so non-fiction would always be available to me to some degree in some format.

Fortunately, as an eclectic reader, I doubt I'll ever run out of reading material. Unfortunately, there's never enough time to read the many moods in print available to me!

I just finished reading "No Greater Sacrifice" and I am currently reading "That Day In September".

That Day In September, Remember

2011-09-08T07:02:00.000-07:00

Sharing an excerpt from the chapter: The War Zone, page 33; from the book: That Day In September, written by author Artie Van Why:

"...only standing there for a brief moment before the others and I heard the incredibly loud sound of an airplane, the second plane, as it approached the south tower. Looking up, and to my left, the plane was so big, and so close to the top of the buildings it passed. I stared at the plane not believing it would hit the tower.
The middle floors of the tower blew outward in a massive inferno of bright orange flames and dense clouds of black smoke. Time stood still for just a second, as if we all were suspended in disbelief..."

What are you currently reading? Snag the WoW Weekly 100 Words badge and link for your blog post and hop along with us this week, sharing a 100 word excerpt from the book(s) you are currently reading. Be sure to add your post TITLE and LINK to the linky list at the end of this post.

Rushing River Rampage of No Greater Sacrifice of WoW 100 Words

2011-09-01T06:20:00.000-07:00

My apology for being a day late with the WoW Weekly 100 Words post -- I am having Blogger issues! I still have issues, having had to restructure the blog layout, but at least I can now post.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

This will be my last share from the book No Greater Sacrifice by author John C. Stipa, as I am nearly to the end of this excellent title. I am now sharing 100 words of Chapter LXIII, page 339:

      Meanwhile, Renee and David hurtled through frothing madness. The stream twisted, turned, and fell from under them in roller coaster fashion. Their headlamps flickered wildly. Hitting walls left and right, they rampaged through the rapids like a cork in a flood. David worked feverishly to try to keep them on course.
     "Renee! This is crazy!"
     "What should we do?" she yelled back.
     "If we get near the wall again, see if you can---"
     Renee and David screamed as the river disappeared.

LXIV

As Renee and David dropped into darkness, their headlamps revealed nothing but swirling spray. Renee gripped the sides...

***

Be sure to visit the previous WoW 100 excerpts of "No Greater Sacrifice" where author John C. Stipa shares a comment or two of his own:

WoW Weekly 100 Words from No Greater Sacrifice

Floating in Midair WoW 100 Words

Wine, Candlelight, and Hot Water

No Greater Sacrifice WoW 100 Words
Are we Screenwriters of our Lives?

Angel of Death Spirals Forth

Stay tuned to Ruthi Reads! for my review and giveaway of the book, No Greater Sacrifice.

WoW Weekly 100 Words from No Greater Sacrifice

2011-08-24T02:59:00.000-07:00

Our characters still search for the last bronze piece in No Greater Sacrifice by author John C. Stipa, now sharing 100 words of Chapter LIV, page 291:

     "Thanks...I think. What got you thinking that it was Mary Magdalene in the first place?"
     "Don't hit me, but when you stuck your boobs out, the idea that it could be a woman popped into my head."
     She slugged him anyway.

+++

Five hundred yards behind, a dark, green van followed. The vehicle's side panel sported several new dents where a child had repeatedly practiced penalty shots on it with a soccer ball that morning. Crouched low behind the wheel, Dehorsouci peered over the dash with bloodshot eyes, like a praying mantis waiting for the fly to land on a flower petal.

***

Be sure to visit the previous WoW 100 excerpts of "No Greater Sacrifice" where author John C. Stipa shares a comment or two of his own:

Floating in Midair WoW 100 Words

Wine, Candlelight, and Hot Water

No Greater Sacrifice WoW 100 Words
Are we Screenwriters of our Lives?

Angel of Death Spirals Forth

***

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts

Pushing to the Front for Book Blogger Hop

2011-08-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers, authors, and reviewers. Each week a new question is offered up for us to answer in our blog post for the hop.

This week’s question:

"What’s the LONGEST book you’ve ever read?”
(Note: I’m putting one caveat on this question. You aren’t allowed to say the Bible, Torah, Qur’an, or other religious/spiritual text.)"

MY RESPONSE: Great question, as I hadn't given this book a thought in a long time. The longest book I ever read was also one of the best books I've ever read.

Written by author Orison Swett Marden, "Pushing To The Front" was 800+ pages in length. The 2-volume publication was a spirit-awakening for this reader in that the author repeatedly presented proof that success is to be had by anyone who wants it, regardless -- in fact, because of -- adversity.

To this day I recall a quote I memorized from the book when I read it many, many, suns ago: Nature never lets a man rest until he has found his place. She haunts him and drives him until all his faculties give their consent, and he falls into his proper niche.

Floating in Midair WoW 100 Words

2011-08-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

I should be sleeping, yet I continue the reading of No Greater Sacrifice by author John C. Stipa, now sharing 100 words of Chapter XLIII, page 239:

     She thrust the relic high above her head. "GUYS, I FOUND IT!"
     At first, Renee could only blink away the rain trying to understand the bizarre vision in the distance. What the hell? Someone within the horseshoe semi-circle of stones had lit an oil torch, the glow illuminating an object floating in midair.
     Stuffing the bronze piece in her back pocket, Renee took several half-walking, half-lurching steps, then fell to her knees. There, in the inner circle of Stonehenge, strung from the top of the largest bluestone, his arms splayed out to either side, David Giovanni Arturo had been crucified.

***

Be sure to visit the previous WoW 100 excerpts of "No Greater Sacrifice" where author John C. Stipa shares a comment or two of his own:

Wine, Candlelight, and Hot Water

No Greater Sacrifice WoW 100 Words

Are we Screenwriters of our Lives?

Angel of Death Spirals Forth

***

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

Wine, Candlelight, and Hot Water

2011-08-10T12:50:00.000-07:00

I continue the reading of No Greater Sacrifice by author John C. Stipa, now sharing 100 words of Chapter XXVIII, page 169:

"...Caressing some bubbles between her fingers, she thought of David. Their recent intimacy touched her deeply. David, the tower of integrity and honor, but with inner demons, finally finding the courage to open up to her. The revelation was humbling. This man had so much going for him, yet he was so shackled by internal strife. His face appeared in the flame of one of the candles. Crippled by self-doubt, he was a flicker of his potential. "Unfulfilled" was the word he had used. How to help him grapple with his fears? I'll find a way.
The combination of wine..."

***

Previous WoW 100 excerpts of "No Greater Sacrifice":

No Greater Sacrifice WoW 100 Words

Are we Screenwriters of our Lives?

Angel of Death Spirals Forth

***

What are you currently reading? Snag the WoW Weekly 100 Words badge and link for your post and hop along with us this week to share a bit of the book(s) occupying your time.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

Lovely Liebster

2011-08-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

New blog friend, Kristin, of Kristin Can Read, surprised me with a blog award yesterday. Thank you, Kristin!

Liebster Blog Award

OK, first, I Swagbucks searched to discover where this blog award originated from and couldn't locate the source, but there sure are a lot of bloggers passing this award to and fro. If you happen to know who created the award, please share that information.

Next, I used my trusty Google translate tool for the definition of Liebster and discovered how lovely a word!

As with most blog awards, the Liebster comes with rules of appreciation:

Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
Copy and paste the award on your blog.
Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
And most of all - have bloggity-blog fun!

The goal of the Liebster is to spotlight bloggers with fewer than 200 followers who you feel are worthy of recognition, thereby supporting growth of their blog following.

I'm passing the Liebster Blog Award forward to:

The Prompt Writer:

Running out of writing topics? Christine dishes out prompts aplenty!

Sheila Deeth Blog

Sheila shares her faith and science inspired writings, as well as authors and book reviews, and a whole lot more.

The Conscientious Reader

Stephanie aka Shasty shares good reads, good fun!

Southern Fiber Reads

Book-related news and more, all knit together with good moral fiber.

On The Lap

The button says it all: a blog dedicated to bringing up children with books.

Angel of Death Spirals Forth

2011-08-03T03:04:00.000-07:00

Continuing my reading of No Greater Sacrifice by author John C. Stipa, I now share with you all 101 words of Chapter XXII, page 134:

     Dehorsouei waited for the target to stop moving about.
     They were in a nearly perfect line; it would be a difficult shot.
     He moved the crosshairs into position on the man's head. Blowing air from his lungs, he gracefully slid his left arm down the shaft of the rifle, pulling the butt snugly into his cheek.
     A whisper escaped his lips. "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for it is not fit that he should live."
     Released by his gentle squeeze, the angel of death, encased in a jacket of lead, belched from the barrel in a horrific explosion.

***

What are you currently reading? Snag the WoW Weekly 100 Words badge and link for your post and hop along with us this week to share a bit of the book(s) occupying your time.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

Growing Up In Boom Times now Book Blog Hopping

2011-07-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

I am kind of glad that I did not get around to doing a mail call to announce receipt of this gem of a book. As fate would have it, announcing its arrival fits perfectly for this week's Book Blogger Hop question.

"Highlight one book you have received this week (for review, from the library, purchased at the store, etc.) that you can’t wait to dig into!"

My Response: I purchased my signed copy of "Growing Up In Boom Times" by author and friend, Chris Brockman. As much as I wanted to read this beauty from cover-to-cover immediately, I have forced myself to keep two other book titles for review in front of it. Of course, it is only natural that I'd sneak a peek between the covers on occasion with it reaching out to me from the top of the pile of books upon my desk waiting to be read.

"Growing Up In Boom Times" is a trip down memory lane for those of us who grew up as Baby Boomers. However, it isn't just a glance at our past; it's a glance at our future -- viewed through the eyes of our present.

Enough about the book for now, lest I spoil it for you. I will share with you the personalized signing from Chris:

To Ruthi, who brings Sunshine

into so many people's lives.

Chris Brockman

06-21-11

How cool is that! While it warms the spirit...

New Book Club in Town

2011-07-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

You can read all about it on my latest post at Bloggin by abitosunshine:

Swagbucks Book Club News

Are we Screenwriters of our Lives?

2011-07-27T03:25:00.000-07:00

I am thoroughly enjoying the reading of No Greater Sacrifice by author John C. Stipa. It is difficult to choose an excerpt to share, as I am finding each part of the story intriguing with meat of the story in each morsel.

This week I share 100 words from chapter VI, page 55:

     "...a test."
     "I wouldn't put it that way. Maybe His plan is as simple as this: He built a place for us to be born, live, and die, to quote you. Either we choose to live a good life or we don't. And when it's all over, it is we who control whether we are worthy of His company."
     Renee sat forward and squared her body to him. "You make it sound like it's a theatre production for God. And life on Earth is the audition."
     "Yes, only we are the screenwriters, with the ability to dictate our own legacy."

And later in this dialogue, David asks Renee, "You got a better theory?"

How about you? How would you answer the question?

My response would be similar to a poetic creation of mine of January 2010, originally posted to Gather as Supporting Players...

And ... What are you currently reading? Snag the WoW Weekly 100 Words badge and link for your post and hop along with us this week! We'd love a morsel of the meat of the story you're reading.

Note: I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts.

2nd Disrupted Lives Book Review

2011-07-22T17:18:00.000-07:00

Fresh off the Ruthi Reads press at Squidoo is my 2nd book review of "Disrupted Lives", the first being right here on this blog: Book Review: Disrupted Lives.

For the Squidoo version, I have also added an author Q & A you won't want to miss. So, swim on over to my latest lens for the Disrupted Lives Book Review and Interview with Author Brenda Youngerman.

No Greater Sacrifice WoW 100 Words

2011-07-20T03:24:00.001-07:00

Last week I finished reading and posted my Book Review of Disrupted Lives. This week, I begin reading No Greater Sacrifice by author John C. Stipa, which while barely into the first chapter already promises to be an amazing journey of nearly 400 pages.

Today, I share with you from Chapter 1, page 17:

     Renee's eyebrows went up. "What do you know about this ritual?"
     "It is heresay mostly, but the ceremony was a rite of passage for religious students wishing to elevate their spiritual awareness. There were five stages. One of them involved purification--"
     "Purification?" Renee interrupted. She pulled away and stared intently into his eyes. "Of what?"
     "One's soul possibly?" Dimitri shrugged. "Why?"
     Renee hesitated before responding. Should I tell him? And then what, ask him if he thinks the ceremony might cure me? Yeah, right, that will sound sober. She moved back into his embrace. "Just curious. Tell me more."

Book bloggers are invited to hop along with us in this WoW Weekly 100 Words blog hop. Just snag the hop button and link for your blog post, add your post link and title to the weekly linky list provided in my weekly WoW 100 post. Although this is a Wednesday hop, you're welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week and share from the book titles you are currently reading.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

Book Review: Disrupted Lives

2011-07-17T16:42:00.000-07:00

Prologue: Hmm ... Have you ever read a prologue to a book review? Hey, somebody's gotta go first and it may as well be me! My friend Brenda will confirm that I do not care for prologues in books ... smiles. With that in mind, here's my introduction to my review of "Disrupted Lives" by my friend and author, Brenda Youngerman:

I am going to break my self-imposed rules for writing a book review. Rarely do I get personal in a book review; seldom will you see me use the word "I" in a book review; and, it is an extremely rare occasion when I review the author as opposed to, or along with, reviewing the book. In the case of this particular author, this particular book title, I have made the decision to review both the book and the author -- from my personal point of view. I justify my breaking of my review rules by the fact that my author friend is worthy of my doing so, which I shall explain further in the review.

----------

"Disrupted Lives" by author Brenda Youngerman is the telling across generations of the lifespan of the Lake and Kane families. It is a work of fiction with a purpose, as all of Youngerman's novels are appraised to be.

Having read a few of Youngerman's novels and many of her other writings, I have come to expect and appreciate her desire to make a difference with her writing talent. Brenda seldom scribes for pleasure and even in so doing, social issues rise within her writings. Her compassion for others, for society as a whole, is evident in each of her works.

"Disrupted Lives" touches on matters that directly or indirectly affect not just the characters in the family of the book, but these are also concerns you and I live with every day. Adoption, culture, racism, relationships, family values, and family secrets are just a few of the topics we take a look at through the pages of this historic journey Youngerman takes us on.

From Fiona, the matriarch of the Lake family on down to her grandson of the Kane clan, we see generations of the families affected long term by their own decisions and by the choices of other family members. The life of family was torn apart by paths chosen.

Need and Greed are the two major implied forces battling within the Lake and Kane families. I was pretty sure the adopted grandson managed to affect change until the ending of the story of these families. In the end, I feel Youngerman failed somewhat to convince me that the parents sought their long lost son for any reason other than need and greed. Sure, I was convinced they loved him; I was more convinced they loved their daughter more -- her Need was their Greed. The wheels of the unjust are a perpetual motion, thriving and harmful across generations.

However, I do not believe this is the reaction author Brenda Youngerman hoped for, wrote for. It is my belief that her words for her characters, Darren and Amelia, on two or three separate occasions, could have been chosen more wisely, more precisely, to her purpose.

On the back cover of "Disrupted Lives" you will read: A name does not make a person, a person makes a name. Without a doubt, Brenda Youngerman is making a name for herself in her novels. I do not pretend to be an expert on the art of writing, but I know enough to be able to say this author has talent. She writes with a passionate pen. Each book of this author's I have read has shown writing growth and improvement. (I like this in an author and it may well be the reason I prefer to read and review newer published authors as opposed to renowned authors.)

"Disrupted Lives" has a style all its own, a passion all its own. This Brenda Youngerman title is one you will want to own.

----------

This book review was written as part of the Disrupted Lives - Blog Tour.

I received a copy of the book from the author for review purposes.

For your convenience, I have provided you with a link to purchase your copy of this book from Amazon.com:

Where to Buy Books - Book Blogger Hop

2011-07-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

It's been a long while since I've particpated in The Book Blogger Hop, so today I decided to make and take the time to do so.

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers.

Each week a new question is offered up for us to answer in our post for the hop. This week’s question comes from Veronica of Read Books Have Fun.

"How/Where do you get your books? Do you buy them or go to the library? Is there a certain website you use like paperbackswap?

My Response: In past decades, I'd purchased my books in bookstores, usually neighborhood used bookstores, and also picked up many a good read at garage and yard sales. For the past decade, I would say most books I purchase directly from the authors I have met online. I also occasionally purchase from Amazon.com.

Best of all for the past couple of years, most of the books that I read are offered up via authors at Reviews4Reviews.com, where I am a registered book reviewer, in exchange for a posted book review.

I also enter a lot of book giveaways on the internet and generally win two or three books a month by doing so. In fact, just yesterday I was announced winner of "The Art of Forgiving" book giveaway over at Two Kids and Tired Books.

WoW 100 - What kind of a mother does that?

2011-07-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

She sadly looked at him and through her tears quietly replied, "I fell asleep and when I woke up the baby was gone. What kind of a mother does that?"
"Amelia," Tyler leaned forward again, "I want you to listen to me very carefully. You were eighteen years old. You were sent away to a home that handled situations like yours. The likelihood that you 'fell asleep' is probably more that you were drugged into a deep enough sleep for them to take the baby away from you. Most women after giving birth have an adrenaline rush and are alert...

The 100-word excerpt above is found in chapter TWENTY-NINE, page 184 of Disrupted Lives by author Brenda Youngerman.

This will be my last share from the book "Disrupted Lives", although I will be posting my book review for this title this coming Sunday, July 17th, as part of Brenda Youngerman's Disrupted Lives Blog Tour beginning at Fiction With A Purpose.

I have a pile of books on my TBR list and will begin next week sharing 100 word excerpts from three books I am currently reading! I also hope to begin getting back to writing and posting my book reviews, as I am way behind on that ToDo List, too.

WoW 100 Roommate Reader Choice

2011-07-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

Due to the loss of a family member, I've not read at all this past week. Thus, my friend and roommate, Scott, is selecting my WoW 100 Words share for you this week. Scott had shown an interest in this book when it arrived in my mailbox and has completed reading: Disrupted Lives by author Brenda Youngerman.

Scott's thoughts on this Youngerman novel:

"The book is well put together, having accurate history about the old south, and customs, and how racially prejudiced people really were. I enjoyed the two brothers, how they lived apart; how they both became pro quarterbacks was fantastic.

And yes! Yes, I would buy the book! But, of course, I didn't have to because I read Ruthi's copy, before she did!"

Scott's choice words to share with you are from chapter EIGHT, page 64:

     The acquittal of Kelvin Farm was headline news in Atlanta. Fiona, who had not spoken to Chad in over six months, called and said, "Did you do that?"
     "Do what Mama?"
     "Get that colored out of jail?"
     "Yes, ma'am, I did!" he said jubilantly.
     "Shame on you!" she said, "I have never been as ashamed of you as I am today." She hung up the phone.
     Chad put the receiver back into the cradle and just stared at the phone. What is wrong with her, he thought.
     Chad quickly became the defender of those who were innocent and were willing...

I invite you to share the book(s) you are currently reading by hopping along in my book blog hop, WoW Weekly 100 Words. Although this is a Wednesday hop, you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit throughout the week so you can introduce yourself to others on the WoW lists each week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

Family and Funeral

2011-07-06T03:19:00.000-07:00

Due to the loss of my Aunt Martha Bell, WoW Weekly 100 Words blog hop will be late this week. I will post my 100 words and the linky list for you by Friday. I'll be working this morning, then attending viewings at the funeral home this afternoon, and the funeral is on Thursday.

I've created a tribute to my aunt and invite you to visit Loss of a Pea in a Pod to learn more about this grand lady who shall be missed much by me.

Family Matters and WoW 100

2011-06-29T02:26:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to let you know to add your WoW 100 Weekly Words blog post URL to last week's WoW 100 post, entitled "Going to Yale". I assure you, I will make time to visit your additions as soon as possible.

For now -- family matters most...

I will be at the hospital visiting my Aunt Martha Bell after work today, as I did yesterday. Aunt Martha has congestive heart failure and pneumonia and, well, I'm worried, to say the least, as her health has been going downhill for the past year or so. Here's my Aunt Matha Bell and me this past Thanksgiving...

Please whisper a prayer and/or hold my Momma's last living sister in a warm place of peace. Thank you.

Summer Reading Lists

2011-06-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

I just published a short Sipping On Summer Reading List and think you might want to stop by for a sip of liquid sunshine!

If you've a summer reading list to share, I'd love to take a peek, so do share the link!

Going to Yale

2011-06-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

     "Mama, I'm going to Yale and that's that!" Chad said, sitting across the table from her. "Now will you please stop making this a bigger deal than it has to be?"
     She stared at him, not blinking one time. "Chad, that's a Yankee school! We are Southerners!"
     "Mama, the war between the States ended almost a hundred years ago. I've been accepted with a full scholarship to Yale, and I'm not turnin' it down because you think we're still at war."
     "Don't you talk to me that way!" Fiona scolded him.
     "I apologize if you think I'm showin' you disrespect..."

***

Of course, you now realize I was not making an announcement that I am going to Yale. Instead, this is a 100 word excerpt from the book I am currently reading: Disrupted Lives by author Brenda Youngerman. The excerpt was taken from page 49, chapter SIX.

***

I invite you to share the book(s) you are currently reading by hopping along in my book blog hop, WoW Weekly 100 Words. Although this is a Wednesday hop, you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW lists each week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

Welcome Disruption

2011-06-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

With the receipt of a new book to read and review, I've had my reading of The Book of Ruth disrupted! Never fear, I shall return to the book and continue sharing excerpts as soon as possible.

WoW Weekly 100 Words:
Although this is a Wednesday book blog hop, you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during the week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

Now, on to the sharing of the welcome distraction: Disrupted Lives by author Brenda Youngerman. Since I do not care for prologues in fiction work and generally do not even bother to read them, I decided to read and share an excerpt from the PROLOGUE of Disrupted Lives. Why? Because Brenda made me read it and it is worthy of sharing! (smiles..:-)

Darren gently pulled her down to him and stroked her back as she placed her head on his chest. "Amelia, I know. But we were just kids and it wasn't like your parents gave you any choice." He felt her tears fall onto his chest. "We have to be fair to Emily and Nate. What do you think would happen if all of a sudden we sprang on them that they had an older brother?"
Amelia didn't answer. She never had the answer. She just knew that her heart broke every time she went back to the rainy night that she gave away her baby.

Note: That was actually 105 words, as I just didn't have the heart to not share those last five words of that last paragraph.

Mail Call a Delightful Disruption

2011-06-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

Generally, I don't get too excited about the postman and his mail delivery. However, every now and again the mailman brings something other than bills and that is a welcome disruption to my day.

Today, the postman brought me a new book to read! I received Disrupted Lives by author Brenda Youngerman. I'm truly excited to read and review Brenda's latest book title.

Stay tuned for the Disrupted Lives Blog Tour which takes place on July 17, 2011! You can read all about the tour by visiting Fiction With A Purpose. Introduce yourself to author Brenda Youngerman, if you've not yet met her. You can tell her Ruthi sent you!

I've previously read and reviewed two of Youngerman's novels: Private Scars and Public Lies.

WoW 100 Words Over the Hill

2011-06-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

While reading the passage I'll share with you in a bit, a phrase jumped up and gave me a chuckle ... I just had to look up the definition to be sure if my thinking I'm over-the-hill is correct.

As defined by TheFreeDictionary: over-the-hill:

adj. Informal

1. Past the peak of one's youthful vigor and freshness.

2. Far along in life; old.

Adj. 1. over-the-hill - too old to be useful

Okay, so I can pretty much agree with 1 and 2 Informal. However, I most certainly do not agree with Adj. 1 definition. I am most certainly quite useful, still, no matter my age; in fact, maybe moreso because of my age.

So, am I over-the-hill? Absolutely not and will never think so again! How about you? Do you consider yourself over-the-hill?

Sharing a 100 word excerpt from Chapter Four, page 45, of The Book of Ruth by author Jane Hamilton:

"May was thirty-eight years old when I was born. She probably thought I was going to be retarded since she was over the hill. I wonder if she enjoyed carrying me. I wonder if she ate liver and spinach and drank a quart of milk a day, like they tell you you must. Sometimes, the way I get so tired, I suspect May never ate the right food. I feel like I don't have all the ingredients a person is supposed to have.

I've already described most of the main events that happened to me when we were a family..."

I hope you've enjoyed the WoW Weekly 100 Words I've just shared with you. I also hope you'll blog hop along by sharing your current read, too.

WoW 100 Words from The Book of Ruth

2011-06-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever run across a book you feel you should have read years ago but you've never even heard of the book until now? That's exactly how I felt when I first read the book title and a 100 Word excerpt on a blog post of The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton.

Of course, the title, which bears my name but has no connection to me at all, intrigued me and I felt as though I must have this title in my collection on my bookshelf. I jotted it down on my To Be Read list, but didn't think about it again until a couple of months later as I was creating my online wish list. Before putting the book on the list, I decided to investigate it further. I discovered it's quite a controversial book, in that it has received mixed reviews. Some think it a literary piece; others, they think its pages filled with nonsensical word jumbles.

In the end, intrigued by the controversy, I took The Book of Ruth off my wish list as quickly as I added it, by purchasing it before the list was even complete. It arrived this past week and although I've read only the first chapter, I am glad I made the decision to Buy Now as opposed to later.

I hope you'll enjoy the WoW Weekly 100 Words I share with you as I read this book title. I also hope you'll blog hop along by sharing your current read, too.

Reading from Chapter One, page 10, of The Book of Ruth (Oprah's Book Club):

"I wished then, while it was happening, that we could have stayed there at the kitchen table for about five centuries. I could have stood it that long. I wanted to preserve the scene, just as fossils do, keeping rare animals so still in stone. It took me several years to figure out that on that July night we were actually experiencing the gladness some people feel every day, not just once in a summer. I saw how it was with other people, because I watched the children in church, running to their mothers after Sunday school. I saw it..."

Ruthi Recommends

2011-05-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton for myself. It arrived in today's mail and I cannot wait to begin reading the book! This book title has been on my wish list for a while now, since one of my WoW 100 blog hop followers shared an excerpt from it during the hop.

Have any of you read and/or written a book review for this book title?

WoW Weekly 100 Words - Trust

2011-05-26T06:50:00.000-07:00

I'm a day late with this WoW 100 Words blog hop post, as I was locked out of Blogger for the past few days, mostly due to a cookie handling issue, caused by me and my new computer and its settings. Anyway, this will be the last excerpt I'll share from this book title, since I will be finishing it this week. A book review share to follow soon.

Sharing from the novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey.

The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 49, "Eagle's Nest", page 322:

Hitler spoke hoarsely, "Don't move, my dog Blondie just came out the door. She doesn't usually like strangers. If you remain still she will not hurt you." The dog came slowly over to Karl. "Don't make a sudden move," Hitler said. The dog came over and sniffed Karl's hand. She opened her mouth, Hitler made a move to grab the collar. Then the dog licked Karl's hand.

"Auch du lieber Gott!" Hitler exclaimed. "You are one of the few people she had ever trusted." This cemented his trust in Karl. Hitler leaned back and relaxed. He seemed completely at ease...

Purchase Link: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday book blog hop, you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during the week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW 100 Words Putzfrau Lives Among Thousands Dead

2011-05-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

To Stephanie -- The Putzfrau lived! -- And she berated the German officers for their behavior, in grand motherly fashion.

Now, I continue to share from the novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 45, "Berlin, Fourth Day", page 287:

"...Aren't you going to ask me?"

     "Ask you what?" Karl asked stupidly.
     "Dummy! To go to my room," Irina answered.
     "Why?" asked Karl.
     "Don't you realize this is how I make my living?" she said.
     Karl gave her that look.
     "You think that is terrible, don't you? Well, how many people have you killed?" she asked.
     Karl gave an honest reply, "Thousands." and he described the battle at Pripet Marsh. It made him sick to think about it.
     "Am I worse for sleeping with a man at night than you, killing so many people?" Irina asked.
     This really cut through..."

Purchase Link: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

Add Author Charles Joseph Fickey as a Facebook Friend. If you like, you can tell him you've been reading excerpts of his book posted here at Ruthi Reads!

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

WoW 100 Words with Pistol in Hand

2011-05-11T03:59:00.000-07:00

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

This is a Wednesday book blog hop, although you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from the book(s) you are currently reading and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during the week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

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Reading from the novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 38, "Skat with SS General", page 225:

"...a figure burst through the door. Karl glanced over his shoulder, and thought he saw a partisan with a machine gun. He rolled off of his chair onto the floor, and came up on his knees with his pistol in hand pointed at the figure. The General apparently had the same feeling, because he stood and grabbed his pistol from the side table. Both he and Karl held their fire for the moment. Suddenly, the lights came back on full power, and there in the door stood a tiny gray haired old lady with a dust mop in her hand."

Purchase Link: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

Questions for you: Did the brave German officers shoot the poor little old putzfrau (cleaning woman) when she interrupted their game of Skat? Have you ever played the card game Skat?

WoW 100 Words -- Ready! Aim! Fire!

2011-05-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday book blog hop, you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during the week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

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Reading from the novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 32, "Karl Sleeps", page 190:

He heard the Russian officer giving the commands, "Ready! Aim! Fire!" Eight rifles fired sumultaneously, and he felt all eight shots hit. The officer gave the commands, "Right Shoulder Arms! Right Face! Forward March! Second Rank, one step forward! Ready! Aim! Fire!" The second rank fired, hitting him, and then right faced and marched away.

This went on through five ranks, with Karl slumped at the post. He looked up, and hollered at the Russian Officer, "How many times are you going to kill me?"

The officer answered, "Fifteen thousand." Then the sixth rank fired.

"Why don't I die?" Karl cried.

Purchase Link: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

WoW 100 Words Welcome to the Castle

2011-04-27T01:53:00.000-07:00

Good morning WoW 100 bloggers and readers! First, to let you know why there was no WoW 100 post last week -- I lost my computer in foul weather, tornado weather, to be exact. I've now a new computer and working at getting used to the newfangled contraption! And, I'm doing my best to get caught up in all my online forums and activities.

Reading from the novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 24, "Castle Training Group", page 123:

"Where is the shower?" asked Karl sleepily.

"The what?" Gerd laughed. "This is a twelfth century castle, and it has had next to no modernization. There is one bathtub at the end of the hall. There is a single water line piped up the back of the castle for that and for the kitchen downstairs. You still have to heat water for it. You will not have time for that in the morning. We only use the bathtub once a week. This is the Army, you know. See that door over there?" He pointed to a dark-looking opening across the...

Puchase via abitosunshine: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW 100 Words Soldier Boy

2011-04-13T01:50:00.000-07:00

     After breakfast, Cliff put on his jacket and cap and stood, saying, "I would like to write to you, but I don't know where I am going, or what I will be doing, or even if I will ever come back."
     Irene looked up at him and said, "Don't worry soldier boy, you'll come back. You have a guardian angel watching over you." Cliff put his arms around her and kissed her lightly, looked her in the eyes, and turned and left quickly before she could see the tears coming into his eyes.
     He went down the stairs, hearing her...

Puchase via abitosunshine: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

WoW 100 Words of Apology

2011-04-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

To my WoW Weekly 100 Words blog hop participants, and readers and authors - I am so sorry for not posting this week! I've been over-dosed on medication for dental issues for the past couple of weeks and haven't read a thing. I got the scare of my life when the dentist said my blood pressure was 154/150 and tooth extraction would be delayed until the infection was under control and blood pressure stabilized, which took a week. I've finally had my dental surgery and am doing much better and should be back to normal soon. (Whatever that is!)

I am truly interested in what you've been reading this week and do hope you'll add your WoW 100 blog post link here. I'm using last week's linku list, so if you've missed last week's blog participation, the links will be included.

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during the week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW Weekly 100 Words 3/30/11

2011-03-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon WoW Weekly 100 Words readers!

I've been to the dentist this morning and go back tomorrow for extraction and/or oral surgery. I'm not happy about missing a few days of work over this, but will be happy when the pain has pulled away.

I must tell you that I am thoroughly enjoying reading Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. I like the author's writing style and the almost step-by-step way Fickey walks the reader through each experience of his novel, leaving me to feel as if I, myself, were the young American spy in training.

Today, I share with you from Chapter 14, titled, "Introduction to the president by Gruber":

     "Come on in and sit down with us, Captain Franklin," the president said, motioning toward a chair near the right corner of his desk. Cliff walked to the chair, gave a salute, and sat down. It was evident that the president was impressed with this.
     The president spoke, "Franklin, I like that name," and he gave a chuckle he usually did when he thought he had said something funny. Of course, Gruber and Cliff also chuckled. "Where are you from, Captain Franklin? You don't mind if I call you Cliff?"
     Cliff answered, "Morgantown, West Virginia, Sir."
     "Oh, that's coal country..."

Puchase this book via abitosunshine: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

WoW Weekly 100 Words:
Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week.

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW 100 Words 3/23/11

2011-03-23T02:12:00.000-07:00

WoW! It's Wednesday already! My Monday, though I was so busy the last two days I don't feel like I had a day off at all; seemingly worked harder at home than I do at work, but it is much more self-satisfying!

Reading from the novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 7, "Physical Exam and Basic Training":

One day, in the third week, he was called to the company commander's office. He wondered, "What did I do wrong?" He couldn't think of anything. He reported, "Private Franklin, Sir," as he saluted the commanding officer. The captain, sitting behind his desk, returned his salute, handed him a written message from the camp commander, General Hamilton's office, and said resignedly, "Private Franklin, will you write to your mother." His mother had called the commanding general to find out why he had not written a letter. Cliff answered, "Yes, Sir," and turned and left. As he walked out he read..."

Puchase via abitosunshine: Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

WoW Weekly 100 Words 3/16/11

2011-03-16T11:11:00.000-07:00

This week I begin reading and sharing with you from a new novel, Sworn To Secrecy For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia, by author Charles Joseph Fickey. The following 100 word excerpt is taken from Chapter 1, "Jump at Orel" February 1943:

Reuss remarked, "Flying this trip in the dark is no picnic, but I would rather be flying this plane than going where you are going. Remember we are flying low, so get that chute open fast." The pilot then said, "Hals und beinbruch!" (Good Luck!)

The passenger got up and went back and stood by the opened bomb bay doors, and when he heard the pilot hit the buzzer, he jumped into the black abyss. The blast of arctic cold air against his face as he fell through the air made him fully awake, and he wondered how he got..."

Puchase via abitosunshine:
Sworn to Secrecy - For Life: A Young American Spy's Odyssey through War-torn Germany and Russia

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week. Don't wait for them to come to you ... somebody has to be first ... networking works if we work it!

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW Weekly 100 Words 3/9/11

2011-03-09T01:35:00.000-08:00

Reading from The Capablanca Variation:: The End Game, a novel by author Douglas Quinn. My WoW Weekly 100 Words blog hop share with you today is from Chapter 47, page 250:

     "What the...?" Mark stepped back.
     "That's for not giving a shit whether or not I was raped, tortured or killed," Jennnie said, her voice calm but terse.
     While Mark was trying to recover from the embarrassment of being humiliated by an angry woman--several people around them laughed--Kendall, with the other two SS guys following, came up behind the FBI agent, Kendall saying, "Well I'll be a piss-ant's pappy."
     "Why don't you boys order some drinks and follow us up to our rooms," emphasizing the word our, "where we can sort all this out in private, Remei said, smiling.
     Mark David..."

Puchase via abitosunshine:
The Capablanca Variation: The End Game

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This will conclude my sharing of the book, The Capablanca Variation, as I should finish it this week and begin a new read to share with you next week.

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WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items.

And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week. Don't wait for them to come to you ... somebody has to be first ... networking works if we work it!

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW Weekly 100 Words 3/1/11

2011-03-01T17:12:00.000-08:00

I started a new job this week, so my body clock is running a bit off; thus, I figured I might not be in the mood to do this post at four in the morning, which is why it's getting posted on Tuesday evening. It is ever so good to be able to say that I am no longer among the unemployed, so believe me, I'm not really complaining about the schedule -- it's just taking some getting used to.

Still reading from The Capablanca Variation, a novel by author Douglas Quinn. My WoW Weekly 100 Words blog hop share with you today is from Chapter 45:

"It seemed to take forever before the next morning's sunrise. Remei and Blair were ready to go but had to wair for Jennie, who wanted to take a bath in the river before they left. It was the third one she'd taken since they arrived at the compound.

"All the death and seeing you after...you know," she said to Blair. "This place makes me feel dirty and I can't seem to scrub it off."

The previous day they had buried the five bodies in shallow graves behind one of the buildings. They kept three of the AK-47's to..."

Puchase via abitosunshine:
The Capablanca Variation: The End Game

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items.

And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week. Don't wait for them to come to you ... somebody has to be first ... networking works if we work it!

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW Weekly 100 Words 2/23/11

2011-02-23T07:45:00.000-08:00

WoW! I've been so busy that I forgot it was Wednesday, until a friend emailed me she awaits my WoW post, OOPs! Thanks, Brenda! (That's what friends are for..:-)

Still reading from The Capablanca Variation, a novel by author Douglas Quinn. My WoW 100 Word share with you today is from the top of Chapter 39:

"Remei was falling behind.

If anything happens to Blair, I will become a terrorist-hunting, killing machine.

Within minutes, the river was no longer navigable. Remei ran the inflatable onto the right bank. She got out and pulled the rubber boat up onto the shore. Once she got Jennie and the backpack out, she pulled the boat further away from the river, in case there was an unexpected heavy rain upstream and the river came up.

For the moment, she put Jennie back into the rubber boat where it would be more comfortable for her. Remei slipped on her backpack and..."

Puchase via abitosunshine:
The Capablanca Variation: The End Game

WoW Weekly 100 Words:

Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items.

And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week. Don't wait for them to come to you ... somebody has to be first ... networking works if we work it!

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

WoW Weekly 100 Words 2/16/11

2011-02-15T22:43:00.000-08:00

It's been a lovely and WoW weather week thus far, what with Love Day on Monday -- hope you all gave and received lots o' lovin' -- and we've had pure sweet sunshine daily for a change. I do hope you've been fortunate enough to have same.

Now, it's time for WoW Weekly 100 Words! Although this is a Wednesday blog hop hosted here at Ruthi Reads!, you are welcome to hop in at any time. Just grab the button and link for you blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items.

And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during week. Don't wait for them to come to you ... somebody has to be first ... networking works if we work it!

I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.

I continue to be zapped for reading time at the moment, but did get through a few more chapters of The Capablanca Variation, a novel by author Douglas Quinn. My WoW 100 Word share with you today is from the top of Chapter 37:

"Nash was edgy about Blair Fontaine and Remei Savall's mission to rescue Jennie. Usually, he set things in motion, then dispassionately watched from the security of his offic or home while events unfolded. In this case, he felt a special kinship with Jennifer Ellis and, under the circumstances, felt personally obligated for her well being.

He felt bad that he hadn't contacted her father in North Carolina about her situation. Nash admired Henry Ellis and was not only amused but amazed when eight years earlier, the man single-handedly took on both the U.S. and the Spanish government to effect..."

Puchase via abitosunshine:
The Capablanca Variation: The End Game

Book Blogger Hop #11

2011-02-11T15:20:00.000-08:00

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connecting book bloggers and readers together. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. Thanks for the hop, Jennifer!

This week's Book Blogger Hop question:

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

The post I would like to share from this past week would be my Dual Citizenship post. This was a post announcing that "Ruthi Reads" is now available in more than one place, but with a few differences unique to each location. I look forward to your response to the post; and, of course, hope that you'll visit me at both locations.

WoW Weekly 100 Words 2/9/11

2011-02-09T08:33:00.000-08:00

Happy almost-noon Wednesday! Yes, I seem to be running late yet again. Long day, already... I think I might need to do my hop post on Tuesday night so it's ready for you when you waken.

Before I share my current read, I want to share with you two books I received in the mail this week. The first I won in a blog book giveaway: Julian Block's Easy Tax Guide for Writers, Photographers, and Other Freelancers and it couldn't have arrived at a more opportune time -- tax time! The second, author R.A. McDonald requested that I read and review: ADA Legend Of A Healer. I am so looking forward to this one. Inside is also fabulous artwork to go along with the tale.

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Today, for WoW Weekly 100 Words, using The Word Count Tool, I'll share with you 100 words from the book I'm currently reading: The Capablanca Variation, a novel by author Douglas Quinn. This excerpt is from the end of Chapter 30 and beginning of Chapter 31:

     At that moment, Remei realized that Waliedine had either misled her or, if this was in fact the place where Jennie was being held, she'd already been taken away, possibly with Hamza on his trip to Ouled Ben Shika. There was no way she'd be invited inside if Jennie was still there. Maybe she could figure out a way to determine if Jennie had been there.
     There would be no violence here, though. This time, subterfuge was going to be Remei's modus operandi.
     Remei followed the old woman inside.

~Chapter 31~
     Remei's eyes did a quick scan of the interior of the...

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WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS is a weekly event held each Wednesday here at Ruthi Reads! Hop along by sharing what you're currently reading! I'd like to read what you're currently reading, so just grab the button for your post and add your WoW 100 post link to the linky list! And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list each week...networking works if we work it!

Dual Citizenship

2011-02-07T18:01:00.000-08:00

Oh yes, we're movin' on up in the cyber world -- Ruthi Reads now has a second home at Squidoo! You can visit us at our Ruthi Reads Lensography location and any time you need a vacation yourself, just Join Squidoo and I'll be happy to welcome you to the neighborhood.

Naturally, climate control being what it is, there will be items unique to each location, so be sure to visit us in both our homes on occasion. We will, of course, let you know if there's something we definitely don't want you to miss from wherever we are at any given moment.

Right now, it's warmer over at Squidoo, so that's where I'm headed for a few!

Book Blogger Hop 10

2011-02-04T07:24:00.000-08:00

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connecting book bloggers and readers together. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. Thanks for the hop, Jennifer!

This week's Book Blogger Hop question:

"What are you reading now and why are you reading it?"

I'm currently reading The Capablanca Variation, a novel by author Douglas Quinn. I "met" the author via Gather.com and am happy to be reading his novel for review purposes. I recently shared an Excerpt of The Capablanca Variation in my WoW 100 Weekly Words post.

I am also reading The Productive Writer: Tips & Tools to Help you Write More, Stress Less & Create Success by author Sage Cohen. I won this in a book giveaway and I'm finding it an excellent writer resource. Of course, I share an Excerpt from The Productive Writer in another WoW 100 post.

WoW Weekly 100 Words 2/2/2011

2011-02-02T07:29:00.000-08:00

So the groundhog says Spring is on the way, hooRAYo! Mother Nature, however, is reminding me it's still winter! The freezing rain of yesterday has been replaced with high winds blowing in a whole lot of winter white--viewed through my window as I type--a good day to stay bundled up inside with a good book.

I've had to set up an account with a new free linky service, since the one I'd been using decided no more free service, so I do hope this linky list works today. Now utilizing inlinkz for this WoW 100 Hop.

Today, for WoW Weekly 100 Words, using The Word Count Tool, I'll share with you 100 words from the book I'm currently reading: The Capablanca Variation, a novel by author Douglas Quinn. This excerpt is from Chapter 27:

     "I want to know the name of the large man with the mashed up nose who followed you out of the bus station in Rabat. And I want to know where I can find him." She nudged the weapon harder against him to emphasize that she was not only serious but in a hurry.
     I don't know who you're-" Then, "Owww!" as Remei smacked the muzzle of the gun against his testacles.
     Now Arnab was crying. "Why are you asking me about him?" he whined.
     I thought you didn't know who I was talking about." She smacked him again and..."

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WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS is a weekly event held each Wednesday here at Ruthi Reads! Hop along by sharing what you're currently reading! You can hop in anytime during the week. I'd like to read what you're currently reading, so just add your WoW 100 post link to the linky list! And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list each week...networking works if we work it!

Freelance Tax Guide Giveaway

2011-02-01T10:09:00.000-08:00

Tax time! And author Julian Block has a publication of interest to all you freelancers out there!

You can BUY this BOOK now:
Julian Block's Easy Tax Guide for Writers, Photographers, and Other Freelancers

Or ... You can head over to Christy Pinheiro's BOOK GIVEAWAY to win it:
Taxes for Writers: Book Giveaway!

UPDATE: I'm a Winner!
Giveaway Winners

Book Blogger Hop 9

2011-01-29T12:02:00.000-08:00

WoW Weekly 100 Words - Hop along!

2011-01-26T08:28:00.000-08:00

My apologies for posting this late this morning. It's already been one of those days! And, I've not been reading or writing much this past week, as most of my time has been wrapped up in a family crisis--my Aunt Martha Bell was hospitalized and is now in a nursing home. I expect I'll be spending a lot of time visiting her this week as well.

Today, for WoW Weekly 100 Words, using The Word Count Tool, I'll share with you 100 words from the book I received in the mail this week - The Productive Writer - won in a book giveaway held by author Sheila Deeth. Be sure to visit Sheila, she's posted a book review as well as a guest appearance by the author, Sage Cohen. I am so looking forward to finishing up a few reading and reviewing projects so I can delve into this non-fiction publication.

The Productive Writer: Tips & Tools to Help You Write More, Stress Less & Create Success. From the "Introduction", page 2:

"Are you ready to discover that what you want most in your writing life is not just possible but probable? Are you prepared to step into the rightful rhythms and productive practices that are yours and yours alone? Get ready to stake your claim on the writing life you most desire.
I hope this book proves good company as you vision, dream, and blueprint your own, personal productive writer possibilities--and then raise the barn with the systems, strategies, and attitudes that can transform you from A Person Who Writes into The Productive Writer. (No wardrobe change or phone booth required.)"

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WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS is a weekly event held each Wednesday here at Ruthi Reads! Hop along by sharing what you're currently reading! For further info on the WoW hop: READ HERE. You can hop in anytime during the week. I'd like to read what you're currently reading, so just add your WoW 100 post link to the linky list! And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list each week...networking works if we work it!

WoW Weekly 100 Words 01.19.11

2011-01-18T21:15:00.000-08:00

WoW! Another week has flown by! I'm happy to say life's settled down a bit around here the last couple of days and I'm now in peaceful, positive, and productive mode! That's a good thing, as I've lots on my ToDo List.

I'm enjoying my current reading material: The Capablanca Variation, a novel by author Douglas Quinn. For WoW Weekly 100 Words I'll be sharing from the start of Chapter 20, page 97:

"Scott Kendall looked at his watch. He was annoyed. It was almost noon and he hadn't heard from John Raye in twenty hours - twenty hours, thirteen minutes to be exact. The girl would be checking out shortly, having lunch, doing some last-minute shopping, then catching the bus to Rabat, and Kendall wanted an update on the situation there.
It would be interesting to see if Arnab, the messenger, would be on the incoming bus, but of no consequence if he was or wasn't. What Kendall was more interested in was if Raye learned anything more from Nour. Or had Raye just..."

__________

WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS is a weekly event held each Wednesday here at Ruthi Reads! Hop along by sharing what you're currently reading! For further info on the WoW hop: READ HERE. You can hop in anytime during the week. I'd like to read what you're currently reading, so just add your WoW 100 post link to the linky list!

Reading, Writing, Reviewing, and More

2011-01-18T20:43:00.000-08:00

For sure! Seriously, I've finished reading 3 books now and need to get those book reviews written ... Yesterday! Son of My Soul and ChristmaSin' need to be reviewed. And I need to write the review for Write Ways to Win Writing Contests.

John Howard Reid, the author of Write Ways to Win Writing Contests has agreed to grace us with a book giveaway, too! More on that when I post the book review ... Soon!

This week I received two new publications. I won I Dare You To Change in a blog book giveaway and it arrived today. Looks like a great and positive read for me. I also received, for review, Sworn To Secrecy For Life. I'm really excited about this book and author Charles Joseph Fickey. I'll be sharing tidbits of this one each week while reading, so you'll get to WoW with me!

I'm in the midst of reading The Capablanca Variation ... more about this one in my next post, which is for the WoW Weekly 100 Words hop. Come hop along!

Book Blogger Hop 8

2011-01-14T07:35:00.000-08:00

WoW Weekly 100 Words 1.11.11

2011-01-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

First, on a personal note, today is my son's 39th birthday! Oh my, I feel old!

OOPs! I just realized today is Tuesday! Oh well, I'm ahead of the game in something for a change. Ha!

Today, for WoW Weekly 100 Words, using The Word Count Tool, I'll share with you 100 words from the book I'm currently reading--The Capablance Variation, a novel by Douglas Quinn. From Chapter 14, page 66:

"You know, you can't wait for the fish to jump into your net. Sometimes you just have to throw some bait into the water and see what happens," LeShaun said to Scott Kendall via scrambled cell phone. Kendall got a charge out of Grant's fish metaphors, always presented with such a straight face or tone.

Grant was always trying to talk Kendall into a fishing trip. Kendall always had the same answer. He had no interest in wasting time catching them when he could order up one already cooked, whenever he wished.

"Have you been in contact with Gillis?" Kendall asked.

----------

WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS is a weekly event held each Wednesday here at Ruthi Reads! Hop along by sharing what you're currently reading! For further info on the WoW hop: READ HERE

I Dare You To Change - I Won!

2011-01-10T14:12:00.000-08:00

I won another book giveaway, hooRAYo!

I just received email notification that I won the book I Dare You To Change by Bil Cornelius, Pastor of Bay Area Fellowship.

I look forward to reading how applying God's principles to my life can help me to change things that will make a difference in my life.

I will, of course, be posting a review of the book once I've read it.

I can thank Jill of Frugal Plus for this win. And Jill, I do thank you!

Book Blogger Hop 7

2011-01-07T08:15:00.000-08:00

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs with a Linky list. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers.

Each week there's a member-provided question to answer and post to your blog. This week's Book Blogger Hop question is provided by Ivan Bookworm. Great thought-provoking question, Ivan, and I thank you.

"What book influenced or changed your life? How did it influence/change you?"

I don't think any one book has changed my life; however, I do believe all of the books I've read in my lifetime have had their own influence on my life at the time. Several books stand out in my mind as examples of such. The Bible (KJV) has always been a source of comfort and inspiration. Women Who Run With the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, is probably the most inspirational book I've ever read and stands alongside my Bible to be read and re-read often. And the most writing inspiring books on my list are from many years ago: anything by the author Khalil Gibran and/or Rod McKuen. As a teenager and young adult I read these authors often and feel they influenced my dream to write and share my heart and soul to this day.

Ivan's question also had me thinking on the lines of authors who influence or change my life, rather than the books themselves. This past year I've concentrated mostly on reading new authors, generally newly published and/or self-published authors. This has turned me into an eclectic reader, which I believe has been a good thing for me. Because I wish to get to know the authors a bit more personally I find myself reading books on themes I might not have read in the past, so I am stretching my interests and knowledge base and I feel this is a good thing.

Great books and great authors -- nothing better except for maybe my good girl of a dog, Tidbit, lying alongside me while I read.

Hop Along! WoW Weekly 100 Words 01.05.2011

2011-01-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS is a weekly event held each Wednesday here at Ruthi Reads! Hop along by sharing what you're currently reading! For further info on the WoW hop: READ HERE

Each week I will post with a new Linky list for us all to share the link to our weekly post sharing 100 WORDS of the book we are currently reading. If you're like me, you may be reading more than one book, so you're welcome to share them all!

This week I rang in the new year in ways other than reading, so I've little book progress to share. I am currently working on a proofreading project, my first manuscript reading for an author friend - Kasey Klein - more about that later, as we progress.

Today, for WoW Weekly 100 Words, using The Word Count Tool, I'll share with you 100 words from the book I'm currently reading--The Capablance Variation, a novel by Douglas Quinn. From Chapter 5, page 19:

"On her lunch break, Jennie called the office of her mentor, Dr. William "Bill" Nash, PHD. She didn't expect to reach him and was surprised when his long time secretary, Millie, put her throught to his office.
"So, my smart and gorgeous friend, have you decided to come to work for me?" After the business in Spain, Nash had offered her a jov with his think tank, World Watch. When she'd turned him down, he'd offered the opportunity to do some consulting work if something came up in her area of expertise. She said she'd consider that, but apparently nothing..."

And there you have it, my WoW reading share for this week! I can't wait to discover what words you have to share from the book(s) you're reading! Hop along on the WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS with me! Once you've created your post on your own blog, return here to ADD your WoW 100 post URL to the Linky list for this week and I'll be reading you!

Review Policy

2011-01-03T13:43:00.000-08:00

I've finally written my official book review policy and posted it to my blog, I do hope to get some feedback from authors, readers, and book reviewers, so please share your thoughts here with me. Your opinion is appreciated...thank you!

Book Review Policy and Disclosure for Ruthi Reads!

WoW Weekly 100 Words 12.29.2010

2010-12-29T07:44:00.000-08:00

WoW! This will be the last week of 2010 posting. 2011 is soon to arrive. Happy New Year!

Hop along on the WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS with me! Once you've created your post on your own blog, return here to ADD your WoW 100 post URL to the Linky list for this week and I'll be reading you!

I'm happy to say that this week I have finished reading two books:

Write Ways to Win Writing Contests by John Howard Reid
Son of My Soul: The Adoption of Christopher by Debra Shiveley Welch

So, later this week I'll be posting my reviews of both books. Lord willing and the creek don't rise. (As my Grandma used to say whenever someone said they were going to do something.)

Today, for WoW Weekly 100 Words, using The Word Count Tool, I'll share with you 100 words from the book I've just begun reading--The Capablance Variation, a novel by Douglas Quinn. From page 3:

"Maybe she should have told her dad about it, but after Mark had first confronted her about her brother, she'd tracked down Theo on her own. She hadn't wanted to bring her dad into it. He'd almost been arrested once, himself, after shucking-and-jiving the U.S. State Department and, as they called it, interfering in government national security business. National Security! The catchall excuse for whatever the government wanted to get away with. Jennie laughed at her own thought. She had become as cynical as her father. But public opinion and the news-show talking heads had kept the government off..."

WoW Weekly 100 Words 12/22/2010

2010-12-22T07:33:00.000-08:00

Again, this past week hasn't allowed for much reading time, so I've concentrated on only one book and I'm almost finished with this book of life and love.

Today, for WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS, I'll share from Son of My Soul: The Adoption of Christopher by author Debra Shiveley Welch, from Chapter 18:

"Now," he said, "is the time to get Christopher into a pre-school for language-delayed children. I have a few places for you to look in to, but he must get in as quickly as possible. We have to keep those synapses firing and get him involved in language immediately. "They will teach him sign language, which will help with his communication skills until he begins to talk again."

"Pre-school?" I mumbled. I wasn't ready for you to go to school. I had counted on at least four years with you alone before you had to go to school. Nevertheless, remembering..."

NOTES: I was offered this book title by the author through Reviews4Reviews.com, where I am a registered book Reviewer. Also, I have been graced with meeting this author and her son face-to-face! I'll soon finish this reading and post my official review.

And there you have it, my WoW reading share for this week! I can't wait to discover what words you have to share from the book(s) you're reading!

Hop along on the WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS with me! Once you've created your post on your own blog, return here to ADD your WoW 100 post URL to the Linky list for this week and I'll be reading you!

B-Y-G-B January Linky List

2010-12-20T17:43:00.000-08:00

Good grief, this is a post for the new year which is soon to be here--yipes!

Welcome to B-Y-G-B!

Book-Your-Giveaway-Book

JANUARY linky list at

Ruthi Reads!

Authors, gain exposure for your own book giveaways! Bloggers, gain exposure to your book giveaways! Readers and book reviewers are always looking for new books. I know I am always looking for new books to read and review. And I'm delighted to say that I won SIX books this past month, TWO of them from book giveaways on December's B-Y-G-B linky list!

This list is for BOOK GIVEAWAYS ONLY! If you are hosting a book giveaway on your blog or website, feel free to submit to this list. Please submit the BOOK TITLE, BOOK GIVEAWAY POST LINK/URL, and END DATE of the book giveaway.

Please remember: This list is for book giveaways that END in JANUARY. There is a separate post for book giveaways for each month.

Please add the B-Y-G-B badge code to your site ... thank you! This enables all authors, book bloggers, readers, and book giveaway enthusiasts to find the current B-Y-G-B list to link up and enter, too!

Book Blogger Hop 6

2010-12-17T10:23:00.000-08:00

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs with a Linky list. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. Each week there's a member-provided question to answer and post to your blog. Here is this week's Book Blogger Hop question, provided by Alex and my answer:

"What do you consider the most important in a story: the plot or the characters?"

For me, it is the combination of both plot and character that is important to the story I'm reading. The characters need to be believable--or unbelievable--whichever the plot requires them need be! There's nothing ruins what could be a great story than characters who seem to just plod along or well-defined characters to a poorly played-out plot. One should clearly enhance the other in order to eliminate ennui with the book in hand.

WoW Weekly 100 Words 12/15/2010

2010-12-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

The hustle and bustle of this past week's ToDo's hasn't allowed for much reading time, so I've concentrated on only one book this week.

Today, for WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS, I'll share from Son of My Soul: The Adoption of Christopher by Debra Shiveley Welch, from Chapter 6:

"I recalled those halcyon days on the farm and the long stretches of time when I was happy. That is how it should be. A child should be allowed to be a child and to be free to learn, to play, to dream!

I decided then, that night, that I would never give birth! I did not want the blood of my tormentors flowing through the veins of my child! My father was more of a mystery than a true father. He had visited only a few times, and had usually shown up drunk. Obviously, drink was more important to..."

NOTES: I was offered this book title by the author through Reviews4Reviews.com, where I am a registered book Reviewer. I'll soon finish this reading and post my official review.

And there you have it, my WoW reading share for this week! I can't wait to discover what words you have to share from the book(s) you're reading!

Hop along on the WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS with me! Once you've created your post on your own blog, return here to ADD your WoW 100 post URL to the Linky list for this week and I'll be reading you!

WoW Winner of Forever Becoming Book Giveaway...

2010-12-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

WoW! We have a Winner!

I'm delighted to announce the winner of my first WoW Words of Writers Book Giveaway! WoW winner of a signed copy of Forever Becoming by literary author Kasey Klein is...

Congratulations Renda!

I'll be notifying you via personal email, also. Please be sure to contact the author, Kasey Klein, with your mailing address to receive your signed copy of Forever Becoming. I've no doubt you will enJOY this beauty of a book...

Renda, I thank you for your participation in this WoW Words of Writers book giveaway!

And Kasey, I thank you for your generousity and participation, too! And I certainly hope we pair up again with another WoW book giveaway soon!

Author Q 'n' A: Susan Budig

2010-12-11T17:09:00.000-08:00

An interview
with the lovely and talented,
Susan Budig
Author of Unfurled Poetry

Susan, when I think of you I think of Mindful Poetry. Please tell us about your trademark:

I wish I could say that it came about after serious contemplation, but really, it was a lot of plain ol' luck.

I was formally introduced to structured/traditional poetry in 2003. I joined Gather in 2006 and saw that there were many poets on Gather, but mostly writing in free form. I wanted to start a group on Gather that focused on traditional poetry.

Traditional poetry relies on a framework and to work it one must be mindful of that structure. Hence, the name -- Mindful Poetry

I am often intimidated by specified form of poetry, but surely you are not. When and why did you settle on writing poems to form?

Let me clear up a possible misconception first. I still write free verse poetry. I find both tracks appealing. Your description of me having "settled" feels a little too staid—said with a smile. (And I return the smile, Susan, as... by "settled", I meant "settled in" as in a very positive and comfortable place..:-)

In May of 2003 my sister died from cancer. I was writing prolifically during her time of demise and passing as a means of bringing sense to the tragedy. I took my work to the Loft Literary Center where I was already taking writing classes in fiction and memoir and signed up for my first poetry class.

This class lead to a revision class with John Minczeski who became my poetry mentor. He was the first to introduce me to sestina and many other poetic motifs.

Here's how I look at traditional poetry: We hear sounds all around us. Many are quite beautiful such as the oriole singing in spring and the ocean waves constant lulling and alluring rhythm. When sounds are structured in an organized way, we recognize it as music. Some music is structured in a more demanding way and we call it classical music. Traditional poetry is, to me, classical poetry.

Your chapbook-length publication -- what birthed the idea?

Again, I return to my sister's passing. I saw her dreams die with her and vowed that I would pursue my dreams with ardor. One of them was to have a published book.

I continue to want to publish with a house such as Graywolf Press or Milkweed.

And, could you share the publication process with us, please?

Publication of Unfurled Poetry?

It is self-published. I used Rupp Printing. I sent Randy the exact draft of what I wanted and gave him the specifics on size and paper weight, etc. There is a stigma, I think, to self-publishing, but I've found it met my need to have a bona fide piece of work out there that I can sell in stores and via my website.

I bolster my flagging confidence about self-publishing by reminding myself that Walt Whitman self-published Leaves of Grass and The Adventures of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter was also a DIY book.

Have you published other books? Or, are other publications by you in the works?

I write for Mshale newspaper and the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. I also write for others in a variety of ways such as cover letters, resumes, press releases, etc. At the moment, I'm writing other people's Holiday letters.

I pitch my poetry at least three publishing venues each month. Despite since November of this year, I have been intent on working on my middle-grade novel, Frank Valor, I’ve continued my poetry pitching pace.

I understand you not only write poetry, that you teach it, as well. Is this an offline or online endeavor, or both?

I teach poetry workshops at coffee shops and other sites. I teach poetry in a series of classes at community education. I'd like to find other places to teach, but as of yet, haven't pursued that as much as needed.

I could take a class on learning how to teach on-line. Then I could and would teach online. To be honest, I believe I am teaching poetry via Mindful Poetry here on Gather.

What are your thoughts on utilizing online social networks for building a reader following?

It is hard, hard work. It takes volumes of time. It's easy to find myself caught up in the quest for "views." When the views don't appear, it can be disheartening.

At the same time, I like to write online. I love constructive criticism and opposing points of view and compassionate corrections. The downside to sharing my work online is that sometimes the sharing disqualifies it to other editors for publication.

I think writers need to go out of their way, to do the sweat-work of helping one another in promotion and networking, as we build an online writing community. Ruthi, your profile of me is a perfect example of what I mean.

Where can we follow Susan Budig's writing online?

http://susanbudigs-poetry.blogspot.com/
http://susanbudig.blogspot.com/ for essay and commentaryhttp://www.facebook.com/MindfulPoet
https://twitter.com/slb2

When Susan isn't writing mindful poetry, what might we find her doing?

I'm a mom of five kids although that is somewhat of a misnomer as my oldest has her own parents who adopted her 25+ years ago. She's returned to my life though and lives nearby. The other four are ages 20 - 11 years old, two girls and then two boys.

I love to exercise and do so by biking as long as I'm able in Minnesota. I also dance with passion. Cajun music is my special fondness. I'm hoping to go cross country skiing with my 14 year old this winter.

I’m also a passionate volunteer, a Toastmaster along with my husband, and recovering procrastinator.

Susan, if there's anything else you'd like to mention, feel free to do so here:

While at present I am writing poetry, within the next year, I am working toward using poetry as therapy with those in hospice and the bereaved. My goal is to take poetry out of the realm of pretty art and make it functional and essential to our lives, which it already is, but is not recognized as such.

You can follow my quest here on Gather as I often write about how that pursuit is developing in my weekly Gather Writing Essential column.

I am indebted, Ruthi, for your kindness in asking me these questions and advocating on my behalf. (You are welcome, Susan, and I am indebted to you for that which you have generously given me--a growing knowledge of poetry.)

In case you've missed it, here is the link to my recent review of Susan Budig's book: Unfurled Poetry

But first ... I've the pleasure of sharing with you: a video of Susan reading a poem ... enJOY!

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Submitted January 2011:

Book Blogger Hop 5

2010-12-10T18:55:00.000-08:00

The Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Crazy-for-Books.com, connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs with a Linky list. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. The Hop runs each week from Friday to Monday, although it isn't mandatory to participate each week. To encourage participation, there's a weekly member-provided question to answer and post to your blog. Here is this week's Book Blogger Hop question, provided by Angela and my answer:

"What is the thing you like most about reading book blogs? Is it the reviews, author guest posts, articles, giveaways, or something else entirely?"

Being one with an eclectic mindset, I like everything on the book blogs! Especially the Book Blogger Hop!

The book reviews and author interviews would be my favorites. But, of course, I do enJOY the book giveaways, too; love new reading material on my bookshelf. I enJOY the articles also, especially those that pertain to publishing issues, especially self-publishing.

I find it interesting to mingle with others who share their thoughts on what they're reading and why. It's like mingling at a party held at a library ...smiles...

***Now, for a bit of shameless self-promotion hopping your way***

I'd like to take this opportunity to plug my own newly-created wednesday hop and hope all of you book bloggers and readers will join the fun and help spread the word: WoW Weekly 100 Words

Book Review: Unfurled Poetry

2010-12-09T14:47:00.000-08:00

Unfurled Poetry
by Susan Budig
Poetry, 18 pages
Chapbook, $10.00
(Price includes shipping)
Review by Ruth Cox

Love, loss, and life are poetically portrayed by Susan Budig upon the pages of Unfurled Poetry. Budig unfolds her penned plumage much like a proud peacock unfurls his feathered fan, courting us with a panoptic parade of cascading emotives meant to lead us from one extraordinary rendition to another.

Budig begins in lyrical lament, elegiac stanzas of her sisterly soul. From "Forecast" we learn the age of which her sister passed: She was forty-three. In "Measurements" Susan asks, How does one compare two sisters' lives? And the weight of the burden is shared: Just this--I held my breath longer.

The metrical quality of Budig's poetry is everpresent throughout her poems, although never obvious and never forced. Her words sing from line to line, page to page, animating the song; magnificent the essence of this mindful poet's spirit. Budig's mindfulness purposefully directs her readers into a state of contentment allowing our minds a synoptic overview of her memory and message; thus, substantiating the trademark of the author as the 'Mindful Poet' of 'Mindful Poetry'.

In a melding of past and present culture "The root of Gullah" exemplifies Budig's steadfast thirst for knowledge and her ability to weave language into a heartfelt life-giving array of words...

     Now me know Gullah story
     The grains of rice crush for Gullah meal
     the story bear witness
     to glory
     bear witness to
     what was real.

...a Kumbayah moment of unity; an Imagine mew, perhaps. And then we are led to "Learning," where we get a bird's eye view about kismet, as Susan again shares her lust for linguistics and love for her sister.

Under the tutelage of her mentor, award-winning poet John Minczeski, Budig was introduced to and fell in love with the poetic form, Sestina. Four word-perfect renditions of this highly structured verse form are shared within this collection. Between the covers of Unfurled Poetry we find the written word of Susan Budig takes many forms, both classical and modern.

T. S. Eliot proffered the premise, "No verse is free for the man who wants to do a good job." In keeping with this tenet, in Unfurled Poetry, Susan Budig offers us a versatile collection of her mindful poetry; poems are penned true to traditional form and poems are well-written in free verse form. The author is to be congratulated on a job well done.
　
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This review is written and ©Ruth Cox. Reviews written by Ruth Cox are the sole property of said reviewer. This book review is written for and first posted to: Ruthi Reads! No monetary compensation is received in exchange for the writing of this review. A copy of the book was purchased by said reviewer for personal reading and review purposes.

For your convenience a link to purchase this book directly from the author is included: Unfurled Poetry by Susan Budig

WoW Wednesday! Weekly 100 Words 12/08/2010

2010-12-08T15:00:00.000-08:00

It's time for my WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS! On Wednesdays, I hope you'll be hopping along with me!

Today, I'll be sharing with you exactly 100 words from books I'm currently reading!

Book 1: Son of My Soul: The Adoption of Christopher by Debra Shiveley Welch, from Chapter 3:

"I could hardly breathe. The ache within me was so profound, so all consuming, that there was no room for air, no room for hope, no room fo anything but this increible pain. I wanted my mother! I wanted her so badly that the weight of it almost crushed me. I sat there, cradled in the crotch of the tree, and cried. I wept until I could weep no more, until there was nothing left inside of me to release.
Why would I long for someone who neglected me so horribly? What was it within me that made me crave.."

Book 2: ChristmaSin' by Ed Williams, 100 words from page 34:

"We both laugh, and I take the opportunity to lean over and give Jenny a little smooch. She has to be the greatest kisser of all time, so anytime I can slip one away from her it's a true blessing. I even tell her after the smooch how thankful I am to get it, and Jenny laughs and says that I am in the perfect place to be giving thanks. I have to agree with her on that one, which starts me to thinking and then talking to her about a Christmas Eve experience we had at our house a..."

Book 3: Write Ways to WIN WRITING CONTESTS by John Howard Reid, 100 words from page 73:

"Frankly, I'm a firm believer that mystery or detective stories should be written in the first person, in order to play fair with the reader. But otherwise your choice of a narrative point of view depends on what you think is the best way to tell the story with maximum impact.
I'm often asked at writers' conferences and so-called "manuscript clinicx", how many characters are ideal for a short story? The conventional wisdom holds that you need only as many characters as the story demands. This doesn't tell us much. But obviously one hundred characters is far too many for..."

Notes: I won ChristmasSin' in a gather.com author chat and will soon be writing a review for this delightful book.

As for Son of My Soul and Write Ways, I was offered these book titles by the authors through Reviews4Reviews.com, where I am a registered book Reviewer.

Well, there you have it, my WoW reading share for this week! I can't wait to discover what words you have to share from the book(s) you're reading!

So, hop along on the WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS with me. Once you've created your post on your own blog, return here to ADD your post URL to the Linky list for this week and I'll be reading you!

Book Blogger Hop 4

2010-12-03T12:23:00.000-08:00

Hoppin' right along for another week of the Book Blogger Hop challenge, hosted by Crazy-for-Books.com. I hope you hop on over there for all the Hop details and if you're a book blogger, hop along with us!

The Book Blogger Hop connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs with a Linky list. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. The Hop runs each week from Friday to Monday, although it isn't mandatory to participate each week. To encourage participation, there's a weekly member-provided question to answer and post to your blog. Here is this week's Book Blogger Hop question, provided by Marce and my answer:

"What very popular and hyped book in the blogosphere did you NOT enjoy and how did you feel about posting your review?"

I rarely succumb to hype or popularity in any category and especially not with books; my choice of reading material is my own and I don't mind at all sharing what I think of a book within my book review; I write honest, though sensitive reviews. Only occasionally have I mentioned something negative in a book review and even then it was done in a creative manner or because it was something I wanted the author to know, as well as the reader.

My book reviews tend to be creative writing of my own, written as to the mood or feeling the author created in me while reading the book. I rarely give a personal commentary with my book reviews, other than in my telling of the book's story. I guess this means that most of my book reviews make the books sound wonderfully written--a fact which I believe to be true of most books.

***Now, for a bit of shameless self-promotion hopping your way***

I'd like to take this opportunity to plug my own newly-created hop and hope all you book bloggers and readers will join the fun and help spread the word: WoW Weekly 100 Words

WoW Weekly 100 Words 12/02/2010

2010-12-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

Here I am with my first post to launch my book hop:

WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS

Today, I'll be sharing with you exactly 100 words from books I'm currently reading!

Book 1: ChristmaSin' by Ed Williams, 100 words from page 34:

"Christmas can be special wherever you are, whether you're at home or at some other place, even if that place is somewhere far, far away from Juliette. Like a foreign country. And that's what I'm gonna tell ya'all about, a Christmas that I spent over in a foreign land..."
I already figure from that alone that this would have something to do with Korea. You see, Ed Jr. served in the Korean War for about fifteen months in 1951-1952, and it's the only time he's ever departed from the United States. Hell, from what I can tell, it's one of...

Book 2: Write Ways to WIN WRITING CONTESTS by John Howard Reid, 100 words from page 61:

The theme must appeal to the judge. It must be on his/her wavelength. If the judge is a lady, don't bother sending in your great story about professional wrestling or the annual re-union of Vietnam Vets.
If there is even a slight suggestion that winning entries will be considered for publication, steer clear of Adults Only themes. Remember, all publishers like their books to be displayed and sold by book retailers far and wide. They don't like them to be hidden under the counter or lost from sight in the darkest corner of the store. They prefer them to...

Book 3: Mexican Autumn by John Howard Reid, page 47:

Esmerelda Quinones had but one burning ambition in life--to leave Bahia de los Angeles as fast as possible. Her popular elder brother, Daniel, had already made the break and was now living frugally in San Felipe. But he intended to come back. Carefully saving up the pesos he earned from a multitude of odd jobs, Daniel's every desire revolved around returning to los Angeles and marrying his childhood sweetheart, Luisa Sanchez.
For Esmerelda, however, that sort of life most definitely held no appeal. Once she made the break, she would never return--she'd make sure of that. She'd have money to...

Notes: I won ChristmasSin' in a gather.com author chat! I will soon be writing a review for this delightful book. You can learn a bit more about this book on my post: Summer Reading

As for Books 2 and 3, both by John Howard Reid, I was offered these book titles by the author through Reviews4Reviews.com, where I am a registered book Reviewer.

Well, there you have it, my first WoW reading share! I can't wait to discover what words you have to share from the book(s) you're reading!

So, hop along on the WoW WEEKLY 100 WORDS with me. Once you've created your post on your own blog, return here to comment and add your post URL to the Linky list for this week and I'll be reading you!

Submitted 12/05/2010
iWriteiBlogiWin

Book Review: All Our Fictional Dreams by Kushal Poddar

2010-11-27T19:36:00.000-08:00

All Our Fictional Dreams
by Kushal Poddar
Lulu, 2010, US
Poetry, 24 pages
Paperback, $10.00
ISBN: 5-800043-522768
Review by Ruth Cox

By the light of the sun or by the light of the moonbeam, as author Kushal Poddar would say, Live amid life to dream about a perfect world. In All Our Fictional Dreams, Poddar leads the way to do just that as we follow his poetic pathway. As a prelude, imagine hailing a taxi and the driver asks, Whereto? And, You ask the driver to bring your home closer so you can see who is living in it. Imagine!

Nothing is haphazard, neither creative thought nor versed word, as the ink flows from Poddar's pen to the colorless paper. Just as does the artist Van Gogh -- he colors pages all. From "The Box Kite" where his clouds conspire to where the sun will turn liquid by the stairs of "Hesitant Lighthouse," Poddar colors our world with our dreams as we meander along as brothers of the living.

In Poddar's verse, "Story of Two Brothers," you will kneel by the river; the stream of death and of life, slowly living forever. And in "The Conflict of Season" green is the color springing to life as the author tells us, ignore the age, time, and season. As Poddar would say, We are brothers beyond blood, time, or space.

Kushal Poddar's exquisite use of metaphorical imagery allows us to experience the exact place he has led us to: the scene of our dreams and our mind's ponderings. We're meant to follow his lead line from "Imagine" -- Imagination is where truths begin.

The author Kushal Poddar lives by the light he shares in All Our Fictional Dreams. By the light of day, he adheres to what is right, practices living and practices law; by the light of night, poetry and prose he writes, words life-giving and words without flaw.

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I once asked the author: Kushal, not only are you a man of law and a poet of fame headed for fortune in same, you are a teacher, to me, as I have learned more by your use of imagery and metaphors hidden within your verse than any and all I've read. Where, when, did you first begin this abundant collection you've stored in your mind?

His response: Ruthi, I began writing as a challenge...can I write like the poets I read...I ask way back as a kid of six years old who only knew Bengali. I pick inspirations from everywhere, from the blind alley to the lofty sky…I used to get hold of the lines from railway stations, from the conversation with the friends, newspaper headings…nowadays I have made it a habit of writing two poems at least a day. Sometimes by writing a random word and waiting for the muse to revolve around the word.

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This review is written and ©Ruth Cox. Reviews written by Ruth Cox are the sole property of said reviewer. This book review is written for and first posted to: Ruthi Reads! No monetary compensation is received in exchange for the writing of this review.

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Since I had purchased All Our Fictional Dreams directly through Lulu.com (via Dawn D. Kilby) I'd asked Kushal to send me a postcard to place with the book. Along with the two beautiful postcards I received and share with you below, I also had the pleasure of Kushal penning a postcard poem to me, which you may read here: The Postcard To The Hill Road

"Ruthi, This is a watercolor done by a famous artist. You can get a glimpse of my city."

"To me, Sunshine means Ruthi."

Book Blogger Hop 4

2010-11-26T10:51:00.000-08:00

I'm feelin' a bit like a slow-cooked turkey today, so a bit late in getting my post up for this week for the Book Blogger Hop challenge, hosted by Crazy-for-Books.com. I hope you hop on over there for all the Hop details and if you're a book blogger, hop along with us!

The Book Blogger Hop connects book bloggers and readers together, linking blogs. It's a great way to meet and greet fellow book bloggers. The Hop runs each week from Friday to Monday, although it isn't mandatory to participate each week. (Though my thought is, Why join if I don't intend to commit to participate?)

It's quite easy to hop along! Only three things to do: 1) Enter your book blog link in the weekly linky list at Crazy-for-Books.com; 2) Post about the Book Blogger Hop on your blog; and 3) Reciprocate by visiting other blogs on the weekly linky list!

Also, to encourage participation, there's a weekly question to answer and post to your blog. You can even suggest a question! Here is this week's Book Blogger Hop question and my answer:

"What is your favorite book cover?"

My first thought when I read this question, Great question, but I love them all! However, I'll try to pick just one; well, maybe two or three!

I cannot help but fall in love with any book whose cover shares a bit o' sunshine! Here's a recently purchased example: Restored Hope by Brenda Youngerman. And a book I recently read and reviewed: The Ghost of Useppa Island by Kimberly Ripley.

Then there are the books that bedazzle your every sense the moment you lay eyes upon the cover, promising an abundance of amazement to be experienced while reading the words between the covers. Forever Becoming by Kasey Klein had such an effect on me. And, you could be holding this beauty in your hands as the winner of my current WoW Book Giveaway!