Book Giveaway Winner Beginnings

I really must start buying lottery tickets. If my winnings at book giveaways is any indication of my luck of the draw, I might win the lottery too. And then I could buy more books!

Thank you! to Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews for hosting the Guess the Desk giveaway. I am the Winner! I won, not one-but two, books from the desk of author Julie Kramer.

I will be sharing the first sentences of each of Kramer's books with you today, as my addition to the Book Beginnings on Fridays, a book blog hop hosted by Rose City Reader.

I had to wrangle Delivering Death from my housemate's hands as he had taken it from me right out of the delivery package. That title reeled him in! He says he is really enjoying the novel. Here are its beginnings...

"A guard checked a number against the ID bracelet on the man's wrist while marking his name off a clipboard as he stood in line."

And, I have to tell you, the next paragraph really reeled me in, so I will be waiting not-so-patiently for my turn at reading this Kramer novel.

Fortunately, I am just as thrilled with the second book title I received from Julie Kramer: Shunning Sarah, a novel of murder and an Amish community.

I have always been intrigued by Amish stories, in books and movies, as well, so this one grabbed me immediately. Sharing first from the book's Prologue...

"The missing face unnerved me. No eyes, nose, or mouth lent personality to the cloth doll clutched by the little Amish girl."

And the first few sentences from Chapter 1...

     "What do you smell, Bowser?"
     Josh Kueppers, wearing a neon orange stocking hat and carrying a shotgun, chased after his dog.
     "Maybe bear?"


Now, tell me, which of these novels from the desk of author Julie Kramer do you plan to purchase first?

New Authors to Add to my Bookshelf

As though I do not have enough books to read, I am adding two newfound authors to my TBR Books List this week. I am sure it shan't be long before one of their books finds it way upon my bookshelf, especially since I THINK I know which of their books I shall read first.

I say think because in the case of both authors, all of their book titles on Amazon look to be great reads!

I ran across author Douglas Wood while looking for something appropriate to share in my Blessedness of Being a Thankful Soul article yesterday. Yes, I found a blessed offering for that blog post.

Here I share another of Wood's books that grabbed my eye. Be sure to take a closer look at Where the Sunrise Begins and other titles by the author to see how his words wind the pages in poetic prose. Each book is beautifully illustrated to capture and to hold the attention of its readers, too.

Early today, in reading a book review I was introduced to a new author whose books I cannot wait to read!

From Marina Lewycka, unfortunately, my first choice of titles is temporarily out of stock, but you can bet I am on the waiting list for Various Pets Alive & Dead.




Yes! Again I must say, I need more time to read!

Gracie the Undercover Beagle #BookBeginnings

No doubt about it, kids will fall in love with Gracie The Undercover Beagle and her Sidekick Boston Blackie as they team up to solve the mystery of the egg thief. This children's book is first in a series of four-legged stories for children by author Douglas Quinn.

My full review of Gracie has now been published, but for today I wish to share with you the first sentence or two of the book's beginnings.

"The moment the morning sun peeked over the eastern horizon, Red the Rooster started crowing. The hen house was right outside Gracie's bedroom window, and when Red began his morning ritual, Gracie did what she usually did."

Of course, I will be linking up with Book Beginnings on Fridays, a blog hop for book lovers to share a sentence or two of a book with you.

Have a good book to share? Blog its beginning and link your post up with Rose City Reader!

Poetry by Chris Brockman is the Cure for Feeling Old

I could not be much more thrilled than I am at this moment in time, being able to share with you my latest book review. I have just published my rave review of I Used To Be Old by my author friend, Chris Brockman.

The book is a collection of Chris' poems relating to that getting-old feeling many of us, like myself, have begun falling victim to - yes, I have the aches and pains to show for it too!

Read my review, and a special picture poem on the page, too. Buy Brockman's book for your poetry reading pleasure and it is sure to be a cure for the aging blues!

Read Ruthi's Review of I Used To Be Old

Linking up with Marsha's HOP and SQUIDOO today since this book review is published on the Squidoo writing platform. If you are a blogger and a Squidoo writer, hop along with us!