Sunday, June 23, 2013

Sadness, Books, Movies


I know the title of this post seems a bit odd, but I’m not sure how else to say it. My brain is not in a creative mood and I seem to be running on auto-pilot.

This is not a typical Sunday Salon. I had two wonderful books I wanted to tell you about - THE GLASS WIVES by Amy Sue Nathan and THE APPLE ORCHARD by Susan Wiggs, but I’ll share my thoughts on them later. You see sadness surrounded our family Friday night (June 21) about 9:35 p.m. and continues to encircle us -- we lost our English Shepherd dog, Rocky’s Little Brisco.

I know for some this my seem strange, but for those who are animal lovers I think will understand. Brisco wasn’t just a dog or pet to us. We have no children so we pampered him. We got him when he was only 6 weeks old and he would have been 11 in August.

The vet told us last night that he probably had a stroke or blood clot. He had a seizure and I believe was dead before we ever left the driveway going to the vet’s office. He had been sick for a little over a month, but it had been with stomach problems. The vet had changed his feed and we were doctoring him for that. He was having one of his spells where his stomach was bothering him and seemed to be getting over it. He started to get up, fell over, barked and yelped, jerked a couple of times and was gone. 

What adds to the hurt for us is that the dog he was named after - Rocky - will have been dead 11 years tomorrow Monday, June 24.

Thank you for bearing with me on this issue. I do have some brighter news as I have a book and a Blu-ray DVD comb pack to giveaway. 

IF THE SHOE FITS
In anticipation of Megan Mulry’s new release, IF THE SHOE FITS!, Sourcebooks is hosting a fun contest. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only, but everyone can play along.

It’s time to play A Royal Pain Baby Name Game!     To
celebrate Megan’s upcoming July release, If the Shoe Fits, Sourcebooks would like to know what you think the name of Will and Kate’s new addition will be! Comment below with your boy name and girl name prediction. One winner will be selected and will receive a print copy of Megan’s first book A Royal Pain! The deadline to enter the contest is 8 p.m. (EDT) on Sunday, June 30.

Here’s a brief synopsis of If the Shoe Fits:
    The only thing worse than being in the spotlight is being kept in the dark...
    With paparazzi nipping at his heels, Devon Heyworth, rakish brother of the Duke of Northrop, spends his whole life hiding his intelligence and flaunting his playboy persona. Fast cars and faster women give the tabloids plenty to talk about.
    American entrepreneur Sarah James is singularly unimpressed with "The Earl" when she meets him at a wedding. But she's made quite an impression on him. When he pursues her all the way across the pond, he discovers that Miss James has no intention of being won over by glitz and glamor—she's got real issues to deal with, and the last thing she needs is larger-than-life royalty mucking about her business...


JACK THE GIANT SLAYER

Jack the Giant Slayer was released on DVD & Blu-ray last week by Warner Bros.
JGS_BDCombo 
Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing Jack (Nicholas Hoult), into the battle of this life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom and its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend... and gets the chance to become a legend himself! Directed by Brian Singer (X-Men, Superman Returns).

The movie stars Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy), Ewan McGregor (Star Wars, Moulin Rouge!), and Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones).

The question is... are you courageous enough to rescue the princess? Are you brave like Jack?  Take the quiz to find out! Check out the blog app below to find out. Celebrate this classic story with new content exclusive to the JACK THE GIANT SLAYER Blog App.

Thanks to Warner Bros. and PartnersHub Family, I have one JACK THE GIANT SLAYER Combo Pack (Blu-Ray + DVD + Ultraviolet) to giveaway. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and no P.O. Box addresses can be accepted. Entry details at the end.

Why you’ll love the blog app:     Control the Action! - Move your mouse across the GIFS and take control of action-packed scenes from Jack the Giant Slayer. YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF THE ACTION!
     How Brave Are You? QUIZ - Are you brave like Jack? Do beanstalks and "giant" challenges make you afraid or courageous? Take the quiz to find out!
     Giant Soundboard - Jack the Giant Slayer is filled with epic giant stomps, sword slashes and thunderous sounds! Play with official sound effects from the movie and compose your own "giant hit song"!



GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
To enter this giveaway, send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) with the subject line, “Win Jack the Giant Slayer.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. Remember, the contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. And, just so you know, I don’t share this information with anyone other than the publisher nor use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter this giveaway for a chance to win the Combo Pack is 8 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, July 1.


FTC Full Disclosure - I am working with Warner Bros. in making this announcement. Warner Bros., through PartnersHub Family, is supplying the Blu-ray Combo Pack as a promotional giveaway. I am hosting the giveaway without compensation solely for the purpose of providing visitors to my blog the opportunity to win this DVD.   

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Remember to spend some time with those you love today.

19 comments:

  1. Hi Mason .. so sorry and I can quite understand about Rocky (2) and Rocky (1) .. very close timing as you say .. but perhaps an ease in some way as you can remember both their antics and love of life, as they walked their walks and smelt their scents and chased and barked their way around ..

    Lovely sad post - but it does sound as though he didn't suffer that much I'm glad to read .. and you were there with him ... thinking of you - Hilary

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    1. Hilary, thank you for these lovely words. I have to keep reminding myself, as you said, Brisco didn't suffer much. It has always amazed us how much Brisco and Rocky were alike to have never been around each other. Thanks again.

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  2. I'm so sorry, Mason. Rocky was a beautiful baby and I know you loved him very much. He could not have been in kinder hands.

    Please take some time for yourself. Grief has to be allowed its due. Just know that we're here for you.

    Take care, hon.

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    1. Maria, thank you for the kind words. I know you can understand, having recently lost a furry one yourself. They are our children.

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  3. I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how devastating it is to lose someone you love, no matter if it walks on two legs or four. But I'm so happy he didn't linger and suffer. Take your time to grieve and say goodbye. Big hugs :)

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    1. Carol, thank you for the kind words. I do continuously tell myself that he didn't suffer and that was best. It does help some.

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  4. Oh that is very sad. It's always so difficult to lose a beloved pet.

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    1. Karen, thank you. Our pets are a part of the family.

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  5. I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending you prayers and good thoughts.

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  6. So sorry about Rocky's Little Brisco. What a beautiful dog! It's so hard to lose them *hugs*

    I imagine Will & Kate will go for something traditional - but I don't have a clue what it might be! Maybe Rosemary or Johnathon???

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    1. Jemi, thank you for the kind words. He was a beauty.

      I like the name Rosemary.

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  7. Oh Mason, I'm so very sorry for your loss. Like you, my pets are valued members of my family too. And to be quite frank, are more important to me than most people I know. They give so much Love - unconditionally. We could learn a lot.

    I lost one of my precious dogs recently. Heartbreaking. I don't think I shall every get over it.

    Love and hugs to you and your family xx

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    1. Oh Wendy, I do know what you mean about valuing pets over some people. :) The unconditional love says so much about them.

      So sorry to hear about your loss. I don't think we ever get over losing them, I can only hope we can learn to cope with it.

      Sending hugs and love to you and yours as well.

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  8. Sorry for you and your families loss.

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  9. I am so sorry for your loss. We lost our dog some years ago and it was a tough time for our whole family.

    My guesses for the royal names would be Eleanor Frances and George Philip.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

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    1. Maureen,

      Thank you for the kind words. Losing a beloved pet is tough. So sorry for your loss as well.

      Oh, those do sound like royal names. I especially like the George Philip.

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  10. I am new to your blog but saw the pictures of you babies on the page with Tracy Webers book. I am very selective about the blogs I sign up for but your heart drew my attention to the lovely layout and intriguing topics.
    I am sorry for your loss even though it has been half a year. Those babies stay with us forever as does the missing.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's post. Thanks for dropping by.