Sunrise in the West creates a wonderful if somewhat confusing introduction. The story is set in 13th century Wales as the country is struggling to remain separate and free from England. Brothers are fighting bloody battles against brothers and Samson, clerk to Llewelyn, is the readers eyes and ears into this world. As narrator, Samson is deeply involved in the conflicts of the families. There are times he is conflicted and emotional yet he remains devoted to the family he has faithfully served. Samson is able to relay a story that goes beyond war and country and delves into the fall of a family.

The Brothers of Gwynedd is not an easy read so far. The use of period language, vast settings, and numerous characters (thankful for the family tree to reference) proved to be difficult to follow at times, yet the more I read, the more relaxed I became and was able to fully enjoy and begin to comprehend the struggle. I am excited to read the next 3 volumes.

Amy from Passages to the Past will be hosting a live chat on Monday, May 24th from 7pm to 9pm EST. Come and join in the fun! You can also take a peek at some thoughts from others participating in the Summer Reading Club.

May 17

• The Burton Review
• The Bibliophilic Book Blog
• Rundpinne
• A Reader’s Respite
• History Undressed
• Linda Banche Blog
• A Hoyden’s Look at Literature
• Renee’s Reads

May 18

• Between the Pages
• The Broken Teepee
• Books and Coffee
• Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
• Tanzanite’s Shelf and Stuff
• Passages to the Past
• The Book Faery
• A Girl Walks Into a Bookstore
• Martha’s Bookshelf

May 19

• Beth Fish
• Deb’s Book Bag
• booktumbling
• A Work in Progress
• Stiletto Storytime
• Queen of Happy Endings

May 20

• The Literate Housewife
• Reading Adventures
• Books Like Breathing
• Kailana’s Written Word
• Confessions of a Muse in the Fog
• Wendy’s Minding Spot
• Mrs. Q Book Addict
• The Life and Lies of an Inanimate Flying Object
• Starting Fresh

May 21

• Loving Heart Mommy
• Peeking Between the Pages
• Celtic Lady’s Ramblings
• Bookfoolery
• One Literature Nut
• The Book Tree
• My Reading Room

May 23

• Carla Nayland’s Blog

The Brothers of Gwynedd – Volume One Review is a post from: booktumbling

©2010 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• April 22, 2010 -- Firefly Rain – Review/Tour (3)
• April 15, 2010 -- Jane Slayre – Review/Tour (4)
• April 14, 2010 -- How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly – Review/Tour/Author Guest Post (4)
• May 15, 2010 -- Invisible Prey – Days of Prey Tour/Review/Giveaway (17)

I was thrilled to catch up with one of my favorite crime busters. I started listening to the Prey series on audio books but got off track when my library didn’t have each book in the series. Invisible Prey was a great reminder as to why I enjoy these books and I am now on a mission to read the entire series. The main character of Lucas Davenport is tough, a little bit of a ladies man, pushes the envelope and stops at nothing to solve cases. I adore this character. The stories and dialogue between him and other officers, criminals and those of the female persuasion are pure entertainment. One of the great things about Mr. Sandford’s books is that even though the reader may know who the criminal is the fun comes from following Lucas as he tries to solve the crimes. This may be a series but each book can stand on it’s own for a great read.

I must admit, I am late in my posting of this tour stop.  I sincerely apologize to Penguin and TLC Book Tours for this delay and appreciate the fact that I was able to be part of this experience.

On with the questions:

Title and series number of the book:

Invisible Prey – number 17 in the series.

Year published:

2007

What is Lucas Davenport doing when he first appears in the book:

Lucas is drinking diet cokes at a bar which belongs to a good friend. They are talking about their families and the jobs. Lucas then turns the conversation to the case he is working on as the suspect is a politician that went to school with his pal. The accusations are crude and involve a minor and Lucas is trying to get a feel for the type of person the politician is and whether he could have committed the alleged crime. There is some thought that the mother of the minor may be attempting and extortion of some kind but the evidence is pretty damning.

Give a sense of time and place:

It is 2007 and most of the story takes place in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.

What is Lucas’s occupation or professional role?

He is Chief Investigator for the State’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).

Lucas’s personal status?

Lucas is now married. Quite a surprise. The last book I had read he was still single. He also now has a daughter from a previous relationship and a son with his current wife.

Lucas is a known clothes-horse. Were there any special fashion references:

Oh yes, Mr. Davenport has style.

Lucas went for Italian suits, French ties, and English shoes. He read men’s fashion magazines, of the serious kind, and spent some time every spring and fall looking at suits. When he and his wife traeled to Manhattan, she sent to the Museum of Modern Art, he went to Versace.

Avoiding spoilers, what was the crime/case being solved:

There were actually two cases that were being investigated. The first was the allegations against the politician. The second was the horrific beating death of an elderly woman and her housekeeper in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city. The crime first appears to be a possible burglary gone bad since only a few things were missing and the house was full of valuables. Lucas knows that not everything is as it first appears and when another murder takes place (seemingly unrelated), he begins to search for a common denominator.

Does the title of the book relate to the crime:

The title is perfect. The reader is introduced to the killers immediately but to Lucas and his team, they seem invisible. As they investigate deeper, commonalities appear but the identity of the killers truly remains invisible.

Who was your favorite character, good or evil:

Obviously, Lucas Davenport is a favorite. I was happy to find another detective from Mr. Sandford’s series – Virgil Flowers. He is a bit of a rogue, could care less about what he looks like, and hauls his fishing boat with him on many of his investigations.

What was your favorite scene or quote:

I loved those bits of the story that portray the personal side of Lucas: singing along to Emmylou Harris on the radio, spending time with his family, and admitting his bouts with depression. These small paragraphs create a character with more dimensions then “cop”.

How do you envision Lucas Davenport? If he were portrayed in a movie, what celebrity would play him:

This is difficult as I have my own image of Lucas but if I had to choose, I could definitely see Timothy Olyphant (currently on the great show “Justified”) as a contender.

So, piqued you interest? Well, now you have a chance to not only win your own copy of Invisible Prey but an advanced readers copy of the newly released Storm Prey – 2 great books for one lucky winner. Just leave a comment – no need to leave your email in the comment as this is taken care of in the comment form. Emails will never be shared and will only be used to contact the winner for their mailing information. This is for US and Canada residents only and please, no PO boxes. This giveaway ends Friday, June 4th at midnight CST.

Would you like an extra entry? Please click on The Animal Rescue Site button in the footer to help feed shelter animals and let me know in your comment.

Thank you so much to Lydia from Penguin/Putnam for providing a copy of this book for this tour. You can catch up on all of the tour stops by visiting Penguin’s website.

Invisible Prey – Days of Prey Tour/Review/Giveaway is a post from: booktumbling

©2010 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• May 19, 2010 -- The Brothers of Gwynedd – Volume One Review (0)
• April 22, 2010 -- Firefly Rain – Review/Tour (3)
• April 15, 2010 -- Jane Slayre – Review/Tour (4)
• April 14, 2010 -- How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly – Review/Tour/Author Guest Post (4)

You know this cannot turn out well. There is the odd discovery that fireflies avoid the property – landing on the Logan land is equal to death. Jacob’s car is stolen and the strange Officer Hanratty is one minute concerned and the next minute angry at Jacob. Carl, the hired caretaker, is creepy, sneaky, and plain mean and others in the town are acting very strange. And of course, there are the bumps and crashes in the night.  Carl knew his parents, especially his mother, was hurt by his infrequent visits but he cannot imagine they are behind these chilling events.

Richard Dansky has created an entertaining, old-fashioned haunted house/ghost story in Firefly Rain.  The story is suspenseful and I was intrigued after just a few pages.  There are moments of overt scares but the book is at it’s best when there is the slow build to what seems like a small outcome.  Jacob’s character evolves from trying to find earthbound explanations for all of his odd experiences to accepting there may be supernatural forces at work.  The other characters are also interesting – are they really that accommodating and pleasant?  The house and the land have a large role in the story and Mr. Dansky’s descriptions of the rooms, yard and family grave add to the eerie feeling.

For more information on Richard Dansky, including his work as a video game designer, check out his website and follow him on twitter. You can also find some other great thoughts from others on the blog tour.

I would like to thank Sarah from Pocket books for a copy of this book.

Firefly Rain – Review/Tour is a post from: booktumbling

©2010 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• May 19, 2010 -- The Brothers of Gwynedd – Volume One Review (0)
• April 15, 2010 -- Jane Slayre – Review/Tour (4)
• April 14, 2010 -- How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly – Review/Tour/Author Guest Post (4)
• May 15, 2010 -- Invisible Prey – Days of Prey Tour/Review/Giveaway (17)

Sherri Browning Erwin has kept the voice and tone of Charlotte Bronte in this wonderful mashup – Jane Slayre. Ms. Erwin has incorporated vampires and other ghouls and beasties while keeping the classic story intact. There is a little gore, quite a bit of humor and tremendous fun.

I would like to thank Gallery books for providing me a copy of this book, without expectation or compensation.

Please visit some other thoughts on this blog tour.

Jane Slayre – Review/Tour is a post from: booktumbling

©2010 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• May 19, 2010 -- The Brothers of Gwynedd – Volume One Review (0)
• April 22, 2010 -- Firefly Rain – Review/Tour (3)
• April 14, 2010 -- How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly – Review/Tour/Author Guest Post (4)
• May 15, 2010 -- Invisible Prey – Days of Prey Tour/Review/Giveaway (17)

How Clarissa Burden Learned to Flyby Connie May Fowler follows Clarissa’s day on the summer solstice and oh, how 24 hours can change everything. A rendezvous with a handsome author friend, a trip to the dump  and almost drowning in a sunken grave full of quick mud are just some of the unsuspecting events that lead Clarissa on a journey to change her life and allow her to finally fly.

My initial reaction to this book after the first 40 pages or so was confusion and curiosity. I was not sure if I would actually like the main character of Clarissa as she played such a victim of past and present circumstances. I was hoping this would not be the tone of the entire story. It did not take long for me to become completely immersed in this story and to completely become engaged with Clarissa and each and every character – I hated some and laughed at and with others. There was so much more to Clarissa then a dud just letting life run her over. She has recurring daydreams of death scenes of her husband, listens to the ovarian shadow women and speaks with Deepak Chopra as he tells her to toughen up while wearing Liberace glasses.

Ms. Fowler’s storytelling skills are superb. I wanted to walk in the garden surrounding the house. I wanted to visit the general store and drive around the small swamp town meeting the eccentrics that seem to congregate in those out-of-the-way places. There were some fantastical moments and some meandering along trails that actually go nowhere but these add to the overall impact of the book and they all serve a purpose. The conclusion to the story would seem extraordinary if taken out of context but was perfect – satisfying!

If you cannot tell, I loved this book. In fact, I wish I could pretend I have not already had the pleasure of following Clarissa’s life-altering day so I can experience it again!

Please take a moment to visit Ms. Fowler’s website where you can participate in the Clarissa Burden I’ve Got a Secret Postcard Project, follow Ms. Fowler on Twitter, take a peek at the launch party for the book, or become a fan of the book on Facebook.

Ms. Fowler graciously provided some insights on her writing schedule (if she has one) and the Connie May Fowler Women with Wings Foundation:

Booktumbling is a completely awesome site—full of easily accessible information on really great books—so it’s an honor for me be asked by Christine to answer a couple of questions.

Christine wants to know if I follow “a specific routine/time schedule” in my writing process and she wants to know about the Connie May Fowler Women with Wings Foundation that I operated for several years.

Writing is a tough taskmaster and, though I love it when I’m deep in what I call the “word mines,” getting there can be arduous.  Fear tends to keep me away from my word processor.  So, for me, keeping to a strict schedule is very helpful.  My husband leaves the house very early for a long commute into Tallahassee.  I rise around 6 or 7, let the dogs into the yard, feed them, put on a pot of tea, and turn on the computer.   I normally read a few pages of a favored work (Mrs. Dalloway or Love in the Time of Cholera, for instance) to get me started and then I begin writing.  I write for as long as I can.  I am a morning writer because my brain is fresh.  If I wait until later in the day, my synapses are firing with all the vigor of a jalopy in need of a tune-up.  I also tend to revise the previous day’s work before I go forward with new writing.  All of this helps me sink down into that deep muck from which novels arise: a place of unconscious creativity.

The Connie May Women with Wings Foundation helped women and children in need from 1997 until I sadly shuddered its doors in late 2003.  We raised money for shelters nationwide, helped build new shelters, gave down payments for new buildings, established children’s libraries within the shelters, ran medical clinics in shelter, and lobbied for better laws.  We donated every dime we made, which might not have been the brightest thing to do: all volunteer all the time can be daunting.

But then my life changed.  I got divorced.  The experience left scars that I still tend to this day.  And I wasn’t writing.  I had become a fulltime philanthropist.  I loved the work—and remain deeply proud of our accomplishments—but I had to be honest: The time had come for me to be a writer again. So I made the terribly difficult decision to close the foundation.  It had been my life’s work for nearly a decade.  Moving on did not feel liberating, but as if I was walking away from my child.

I have worked hard to find a balance between social causes that interest me and being a writer.  I continue to speak on issues such as literacy, family violence, and the environment.  And I’m so happy that Christine, on the occasion of the publication of How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly, asked me to do this guest post because it gives me the opportunity to stand on my latest soapbox and ask each of you to put books into the hands of children.  I urge you to buy everything from picture books to young adult novels and donate them to your local domestic violence shelter.  The children in shelter have witnessed unspeakable acts of terror committed by a parent they love.  They bear guilt that they could not stop the violence and heal the battered parent.  Notions of safety and happiness—notions many of us take for granted—are skewed in children who come from this background.   We need to help them because, simply put, they deserve better.  And it’s so easy.  One of our daily mantras should be Give a kid a book.  I am living proof that a child whose family is wracked with violence can find her way out of the darkness one word, one paragraph, one page, one book at a time.

Happy reading!

Connie (www.conniemayfowler.com)

I would like to thank the Hachette Book Group for providing a copy of this great book, without expectation, for my reading pleasure. I am participating in the Early Book Blog Tour. Please check out the other great blogs included in this tour.

How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly – Review/Tour/Author Guest Post is a post from: booktumbling

©2010 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• May 19, 2010 -- The Brothers of Gwynedd – Volume One Review (0)
• April 22, 2010 -- Firefly Rain – Review/Tour (3)
• April 15, 2010 -- Jane Slayre – Review/Tour (4)
• May 15, 2010 -- Invisible Prey – Days of Prey Tour/Review/Giveaway (17)

A fragile period of peace between the eternally warring kingdoms of Oakharn and Langmyr is shattered when a surprise massacre fueled by bloodmagic ravages the Langmyrne border village of Willowfield, killing its inhabitants—including a visiting Oakharne lord and his family—and leaving behind a scene so grisly that even the carrion eaters avoid its desecrated earth. But the dead lord’s infant heir has survived the carnage—a discovery that entwines the destinies of Brys Tarnell, a mercenary who rescues the helpless and ailing babe, and who enlists a Langmyr peasant, a young mother herself, to nourish and nurture the child of her enemies as they travel a dark, perilous road . . . Odosse, the peasant woman whose only weapons are wit, courage, and her fierce maternal love—and who risks everything she holds dear to protect her new charge . . . Sir Kelland, a divinely blessed Knight of the Sun, called upon to unmask the architects behind the slaughter and avert war between ancestral enemies . . . Bitharn, Kelland’s companion on his journey, who conceals her lifelong love for the Knight behind her flawless archery skills—and whose feelings may ultimately be Kelland’s undoing . . . and Leferic, an Oakharne Lord’s bitter youngest son, whose dark ambitions fuel the most horrific acts of violence. As one infant’s life hangs in the balance, so too does the fate of thousands, while deep in the forest, a Maimed Witch practices an evil bloodmagic that could doom them all. . . .

I do not normally delve into the fantasy genre when choosing books. The number of pages, detailed plots/characters/worlds, and the commitment involved when there are 7 books in a series can be very daunting. I jumped at the opportunity to read The River Kings’ Road by Liane Merciel – a debut work and what may be the first in a new series – for a book blog tour.

The story captured my attention from the start. An entire village is destroyed by forces of great evil. A mercenary/former knight rescues a baby who is the sole survivor of a visiting royal family and therefore heir to the family throne. The journey of this mercenary as he attempts to deliver the baby to his home is the main focus of the story. The road is dangerous full of rivals, bandits and thieves. Not to mention the Thorn (sadistic evil witch) that is close behind.  Too add some excitement to the mix, a blessed Knight is trailing the Thorn with destruction on his mind.

The book is full of rival kingdoms, archery contests, clandestine visits to the inns, knights, and plenty of well-defined characters to keep the reader’s attention and imagination running at high speed. I did not find myself confused at any time when the chapters would jump from one set of characters and story-line to another. The pace never faltered. What I really enjoyed were the array of characters Ms. Merciel created; some are truly good, some are truly evil. Yet there are those that are not so easily defined. Overall, a great read!

Please visit Ms. Merciel’s website for additional information as well as Simon and Schuster where you will find an excerpt of Chapter One.

You can also check out some other thoughts on The River Kings’ Road from these other great stops on this book tour:

Tour stops:
Pam’s Private Reflections
Book Junkie
Cheryl’s Book Nook
Steph the Bookworm
Readaholic
The Bibliophilic Book Blog
I Heart Book Gossip
Jeanne’s Ramblings
My Book Addiction and More
Brizmus Blogs Books
Taking Time For Mommy
Thoughts In Progress
Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer
Books And Things
She Reads
Blog Business World
Carol’s Notebook
Crazy Books & Reviews
Books Gardens & Dogs
Just One More Paragraph
Rundpinne
drey’s library
My Life In Not So Many Words
Geek Girl Reviews
Starting Fresh
Poisoned Rationality
Temple Library Reviews
The Wayfaring Writer
Booksie’s Blog
See Michelle Read
Genre Reviews
My Book Views
Wendy’s Minding Spot
Book Tumbling
Literarily Speaking
Books R Us
Brenda Loves Books
Lucky Rosie’s
You Wanna Know What I Think?

I would like to thank Sarah from Pocket Books for providing this review copy.

The River Kings’ Road – Review/Tour is a post from: booktumbling

©2010 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• November 23, 2009 -- Nibble & Kuhn (David Schmahmann) – Review/Giveaway (16)
• November 20, 2009 -- The Sugarless Plum (Zippora Karz) – Review (0)
• November 12, 2009 -- This and That (new winner, awards, e-reader giveaways) (10)
• November 10, 2009 -- Rough Country (John Sandford) – Review (1)

Raven Stole the Moon follows Jenna’s journey in Alaska and Robert’s journey to find her. Jenna is mysteriously drawn to Alaska. She has a sense that there is something unfinished concerning her son’s death. Is it because his body was never found or is it guilt eating at her that she didn’t do everything she could to save him? While touring the town of Wrangell, she has what seems like supernatural encounters and the feeling that things are not what they appear. Jenna learns of the beliefs and legends of the Tlingits, the North American Indian tribe that was her grandmother’s, concerning the kushtaka, shape-shifting otter-like creatures that have been known to lure people to their deaths and transform them into a fellow kushtaka. Could this be what happened to her son? Is this why Jenna seems to be seeking out answers?

I really did enjoy my time spent with Raven Stole the Moon. There were elements of magic and mystery, shape-shifters and shamans, romance and a violence (nothing shocking). The characters are interesting and the dialogue between them really lends to the overall “feeling” of the book. The edition I read was actually a release of a new edition of the book which was originally published in 1998. In the afterword, author Garth Stein explains his relief that he felt he did not need to rewrite large parts of his original version including the lack of technology (pretty amazing a time without cell phones and the internet) and I am glad that he left things pretty much as is. I believe a story should be kept true to it’s original form.

I was very excited to have this opportunity to review this release (offered by Sarah from Terra Communications Book Marketing).  As I am an Enzo fan – Enzo being the star of Mr. Stein’s extremely popular and wonderful The Art of Racing in the Rain – I was very curious to see how Mr. Stein’s first work compared. Both books featured very believable and realistic characters but I do believe the author’s writing has gained a better voice and has evolved.  Raven Stole the Moon is an engaging book with a great appeal.

Please visit Mr. Stein’s website, follow him on twitter, or join him on Facebook and MySpace.

Now for the giveaway! Sarah has generously offered one lucky reader the chance to win their own copy of Raven Stole the Moon.

• This giveaway will run from today (March 11, 2010) through midnight CST Friday (March 19, 2010).
• U.S. and Canadian residents only
• How to enter you ask – leave a comment.
• Want one more additional entry, please click on the Animal Rescue Site button in the footer and let me know in your comment

Raven Stole the Moon – Review/Giveaway is a post from: booktumbling

©2010 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• August 9, 2009 -- Two barks means faster – Review "The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel" (3)

Adored by millions, Sammy Davis Jr. was considered an entertainment icon and a national treasure. But despite lifetime earnings that topped $50 million, Sammy died in 1990 near bankruptcy.

Years later his once-vivacious wife, Altovise, heir to one of the greatest entertainment legacies of the twentieth century, was living in poverty. With nowhere to turn, she asked a former federal prosecutor, Albert “Sonny” Murray, to try to resolve Sammy’s debts and restore his estate. For seven years Sonny probed Sammy’s life and cam to understand the tormented artist as a man of tragic complexity.

Deconstructing Sammy is the extraordinary story of an international celebrity whose outsize talent couldn’t save him from himself.  (from back of book)

Deconstructing Sammy: Music, Money, and Madness is not an actual biography in the traditional sense. Author Matt Birkbeck shares the stories and memories of those that were closest to the iconic entertainer as well as the findings of Sonny Murray, whose investigation into Sammy’s debts encompasses the bulk of the book. This is not a glamorous portrait of a man who was, and still is, a loved entertainer. This is a look at a man who wanted fame and fortune at almost all costs. He spent without reserve, dabbled heavily in drugs and alcohol, married for convenience, neglected his wife and children, had numerous affairs, made deals with the mob, and surrounded himself with an entourage of mostly self-serving individuals. Those around him could see his decline but few, very few, attempted to put a stop to the disaster that was inevitable – they were being paid to say yes.

This was a truly fascinating book. There are so many stories and recollections of other household names. Frank Sinatra “discovering” Sammy and supposedly introducing him to the ways of the mob. Dean Martin was actually a quiet homebody who did not partake in the over-the-top partying of the Rat Pack crew. Sammy ran with a powerful crowd, in the entertainment industry as well as politically. There is even a hint that Sammy knew  the true story who shot JFK.  What really struck me was how massive the fall from fame and fortune. From buying Chinese carry-out for an entire commercial airliner that was stranded on the runway all the way to  his “friends” sneaking into his home and stealing his belongings (furniture, clothes, heirlooms from his friends in the entertainment industry, jewelry) while Sammy Davis laid in bed stricken with cancer. There is also the story of Sonny Murray’s attempts to deal with the largest individual IRS debt on record in 1994 and revitalize Sammy’s name and reputation. The obstacles in dealing with the wife (Altovise), Sammy’s children, the IRS, and Sammy’s former accountants and financial advisors makes for an interesting read.

Reading this book was like peeling back layers with a new revelation in each chapter. Entertaining read!

Plese visit the author’s, Matt Birkbeck,  website for additional information on some of his other works, his blog and audio of Sammy Davis singing Mr. Bojangles. You can also listen to a discussion of the book on NPR and read an excerpt.

The video is Mr. Birkbeck discussing the looting of Sammy’s home:

Deconstructing Sammy: Music, Money, and Madness (Matt Birkbeck) – Review is a post from: booktumbling

©2010 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• October 26, 2009 -- Simon’s Cat – Review/Giveaway (32)
• August 30, 2009 -- To rate or not to rate? (13)
• July 27, 2009 -- Who did it? (3)
• July 26, 2009 -- Is this really your lucky day? (0)

Derek Dover is hoping to become a partner with his Boston law firm Nibble  & Kuhn (and yes, the name is mentioned with a snicker). He never expected to fall in love with new associate, Maria Parma, who is spoken for by her childhood beau and is torn between her feelings for Derek and her loyalty to her very traditional family. As it becomes increasingly more difficult to hide his secret relationship from the watchful eyes of the senior partners, Derek is assigned with a multi-million dollar lawsuit that is essentially destined for failure. Add to this the worry that the extravagant expenditures made by the firm to re-market its name (eventually shortened to Nibble) and image may ruin Derek’s chance of reaching partnership, if not fiscal distress for the entire firm.

Will Maria ever make up her mind? Will Derek be able to, by some miracle, win his lawsuit? These are the major storylines of Nibble & Kuhn. Author David Schmahmann, a writer/lawyer in Boston, has created such an entertaining peek at the inside workings of a law firm, the relationships between its partners and associates and the pursuit of the “smoking gun” when preparing a case.

The story moves quickly yet the story and characters are completely developed. I found myself keeping my fingers crossed for Derek as he diligently used everything in his limited arsenal to prepare a winning case. On the other hand, I felt like slapping him for allowing Maria to string him along, one minute expressing her love for him (both with words and actions) and the next minute pulling away and stating that there could never be a future for the couple. There are senior partners who are arrogant and pompous and other partners who are relaxed, perhaps a little too relaxed. Derek’s secretary is all business, Derek’s best friend provides comic relief and the new office manager Mrs. Buckles has basically taken over the running of everything other then actual cases.

The relationship between Derek and Maria was a large part of the book. I enjoyed some of the bantering and making up but found myself becoming more and more irritated by both of their behavior. I thought the most enjoyable and riveting part of the story was when it concerned the preparation of the trial. The outrageous limitations placed on Derek by one of the arrogant senior partners made for some creative story telling. The potential failure of the witnesses added to the tension. All of this leads up to a completely surprising, outlandish and satisfying ending. This was a great read!

Visit Mr. Schmahmann’s website for more information on this book and his first novel, Empire Settings (of which I am going to be on the hunt), other reviews and a truly great interview.

Looking for other opinions?

• A Progressive on the Prairie
• This That and the Other Thing
• Readaholic

I would like to thank Jacob from Academy Chicago Publishers for providing me an ARC to read and review. Jacob has also offered to provide a copy of the book to one lucky winner. This giveaway will run from Monday, November 23rd through midnight CST Friday, December 4th.

The rules:

• US entrants only
• No PO boxes

Ways to enter:

• Leave a comment and let me know your favorite law/law firm/court battle/lawyer/legal etc book.
• Click on the The Animal Rescue Site (on left sidebar) to help provide food for shelter animals. It is free and every click counts. Just let me know in your comment and you will receive 2 additional entries (that is 2 entries for just 1 click).
• You do not, I repeat, do not need to leave your email. It is a required field when leaving a comment. This way I will be the only one who is privvy to this information.

This review, among others, is listed at Cym Lowell’s Book Review Party.

Nibble & Kuhn (David Schmahmann) – Review/Giveaway is a post from: booktumbling

©2010 booktumbling. All Rights Reserved.

posts you may enjoy

• November 17, 2009 -- Teaser Tuesday (11.17.09) (15)
• November 20, 2009 -- The Sugarless Plum (Zippora Karz) – Review (0)
• November 10, 2009 -- Rough Country (John Sandford) – Review (1)
• November 9, 2009 -- No Wind of Blame – Review (1)

Ms. Karz’s dedication and diligent work ethic earned her many solos including the lead as the Sugar Plum Fairy in numerous productions of  The Nutcracker. As the instructors and choreographers were beginning to notice her talent, the ballerina’s began experiencing increased thirst, dizziness, numbness in her limbs, significant weight loss and painful sores under her arms. At first, Ms. Karz wrote these ailments off as the consequences of an intense schedule of morning classes, hours of afternoon rehearsals and evening performances almost every night of the week. As her condition deteriorated, medical advice was finally sought and and an initial and inaccurate diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes was made. When the initial regimen of blood sugar monitoring and maintenance proved to be ineffective for the long term, the author turned to other sources of advice from a specialized diet from her grandmother to homeopathic remedies. Eventually, through the efforts of a trusted doctor, Ms. Karz was found to actually suffer from Type 1 diabetes which added the daunting task of insulin treatment.

Ms. Karz does a wonderful job of chronicling the conflict of managing diabetes and the physical and emotional requirements needed to be a ballerina for one of the most prestigious companies in the world.  Her descriptions of life as a ballerina are so insightful. These were my favorite sections of the book. It was a glimpse behind the curtain and showed the extremes these dancers enter into for their moment on stage. The author is honest with her reactions to this disease from denial, defeat and finally acceptance. Anyone who lives with or is close to someone with diabetes will find this an enlightening and beautiful story.

Visit Zippora Karz’s website for informative links, pictures as well as an excerpt from the book. There is also a trailer where the author speaks of her memoir.

Additional reviews:

• Bookin’ with Bingo
• My Reading Room
• Bloody Bad
• NY Book Cafe

I would like to thank Caitlin from FSB Associates for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. She was also kind enough to share a full book description, an article from the author concerning her story (which you can see on the FSB Media website) and the some tips from the author concerning diabetes and your body which I have included:

10 Tips to Connect With Your Body When Diagnosed With Illness

I am a former ballerina with the New York City Ballet, and presently a public speaker, movement motivator, ballet teacher, and répétiteur for the George Balanchine Trust. When I was diagnosed with diabetes in my third year in the company, I thought my career was over. I had always thought of myself as a positive person. As a hard worker, I could see the positive results in ballet. After my diagnosis my positive perspective basically went out the window. It didn’t happen right away; at first I was convinced I could conquer my diabetes with my dancers discipline. But after being mis-diagnosed twice and struggling with my prescribed insulin doses, I found balancing my diabetes was not as predictable as balancing on my pointes. Once I eventually learned how to dance with diabetes, my next struggle was internal. Was this a suitable career for an insulin dependent diabetic? Thankfully, I didn’t give up, and six years after my diagnosis I was promoted to soloist ballerina and would go on to perform for a total of sixteen years.

1. Know what the facts are.

Educate yourself as much as you can about your situation. There are so many emotions involved, and I am one for allowing yourself to experience them, but you need to know the facts. I was positive and determined to overcome my situation, but being mis-diagnosed sent me on the wrong path and I went astray. It took me years to understand the type of diabetes I had and it was many years before I figured out how to dance on insulin and manage my diabetes successfully. It is true that knowledge is power.

2. Come out of denial.

Be gentle with yourself, allow for shock and grief, anger and fear, whatever emotions you feel. But again, use your intellect to make decisions that can help you get the right care. Denial can help keep you motivated and positive, but it needs to end or it can lead to ignorance. I believe I stayed with a doctor who gave me the wrong advice because I was still in denial, and a part of me wanted to believe his improper diagnosis.

3. Communicate.

Because my blood sugar levels were often elevated, it was difficult for me to have clarity. I had trouble speaking up to authority figures based on my childhood experiences and was intimidated by my doctor. Therefore I was not able to ask the right questions or explain my concerns and difficulties. At work I was also afraid of telling my directors, Jerome Robbins and Peter Martins, what was happening to me. I didn’t communicate with my doctor or my directors, and tried to do it all on my own. This made my journey all the more isolating and difficult. Find a doctor you can trust and become a partner with them.

4. Take responsibility for your health.

We have to know and believe we are worth it — that our lives have meaning. It is up to each of us to be our own cheerleader. Become interested in the process and investigate the right components for success. Doctors do not always have all the answers. I have always been passionate about physical and emotional well-being. I enjoy discovering the best way to eat for my body and how to work with my personal psychology. Your journey to optimal health can and will be a journey of self-discovery.

5. Work with your body.

I was angry with my body for failing me and saw my body as the inadequate enemy ruining my life. When I learned to see my diabetes as a child, one I needed to nurture and take care of rather than yell at, I finally learned how to be on my own team.

6. Breathe.

There are many different breathing techniques. Start by being aware, slowing down and noticing your breath as it goes in and out. Try to inhale, filling your lungs with air, and then on the exhale slowly allow the air to seep out. Picture a feather gently floating to the ground.

7. Move Freely.

Besides more vigorous exercise, spend some time doing gentle stretch like movements. Find a comfortable, position whether it be sitting or lying down, and picture the waves in the ocean. Allow your torso to gently rock back and forth, twist and curve in any way that feels comfortable. Keep breathing.

8. Eat well for your body.

We all know that healthy foods can satisfy us physically as well as emotionally. Learn how to love eating healthy by finding alternatives to unhealthy foods you crave when you are stressed. I ask myself what texture I am craving; creamy, salty, crunchy, fatty or sweet and then pick the healthiest food that will satisfy that need. Not only do my blood sugars stay balanced, my cravings and my emotions calm down.

9. Release held emotions: Going Deeper.

Learn how to deal with daily stress and deeper emotions. Rather than holding them in, transform them. If you are particularly stressed take some time to feel what is going on emotionally inside of you. It may help to journal, talk to someone, or simply breathe. Giving yourself permission to relax is extremely important.

10. The Dance Within.

The passion and freedom of spirit I experienced early in my life became my reference for the future. No matter what I’m doing, whether it’s mundane or extraordinary, there is a constant dance within me that connects and engages me to the world around. Find your own dance and keep it close to your heart.

I believe when we practice tools to connect with ourselves we will be better able to maintain balance despite the chaos around us. I want us all to live full, healthy, and vibrant lives, where dreams are realized, and potentials and passions fulfilled. I believe this is possible, even with a chronic illness as I am experiencing. I believe it starts within.

Zippora Karz, author of The Sugarless Plum:A Ballerina’s Triumph Over Diabetes, is a former soloist ballerina with the New York City Ballet where she performed for 16 years on stage and in televised performances. She was featured in a variety of roles choreographed by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins (The Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker being one of her favorites) as well as works choreographed for her by such choreographers as Peter Martins and Lynne Taylor Corbett. Miss Karz danced with the New York City Ballet from 1983 through 1999. She now serves as a teacher and répétiteur for the George Balanchine Trust, rehearsing and staging Balanchine’s choreography for a host of national and international dance companies. She is also a diabetes spokesperson and educator who regularly addresses major diabetes conferences and organizations worldwide. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

The Sugarless Plum (Zippora Karz) – Review is a post from: booktumbling

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