Books, Books, Books

We have just finished the first full week of February and new books for March are already being announced. It’s wonderful that there is a never-ending supply of new books being published to keep us entertained, educated and inspired.

I’m always happy when I can pass along book giveaways. Thanks to Brad and the good folks at Hachette Book Group, I have 1 copy of each of the following books to giveaway. The basic giveaway guidelines are the same for each book, only the deadline for each will be different. The basic guidelines will be at the end of this post.

THE LINEN QUEEN by Patricia Falvey 

This fiction, 320-page hardcover book (ISBN: 9781599952000), will be published March 2 by Center Street.

Here’s a brief blurb: “Abandoned by her father and neglected by her self-centered, unstable mother, Sheila McGee cannot wait to escape the drudgery of her mill village life in Northern Ireland. Her classic Irish beauty helps her win the 1941 Linen Queen competition, and the prize money that goes with it finally gives her the opportunity she's been dreaming of. But Sheila does not count on the impact of the Belfast blitz which brings World War II to her doorstep. Now even her good looks are useless in the face of travel restrictions, and her earlier resolve is eroded by her ma's fear of being left alone.

When American troops set up base in her village, some see them as occupiers but Sheila sees them as saviors--one of them may be her ticket out. Despite objections from her childhood friend, Gavin O'Rourke, she sets her sights on an attractive Jewish-American army officer named Joel Solomon, but her plans are interrupted by the arrival of a street-wise young evacuee from Belfast.

Frustrated, Sheila fights to hold on to her dream but slowly her priorities change as the people of Northern Ireland put old divisions aside and bond together in a common purpose to fight the Germans. Sheila's affection for Joel grows as she and Gavin are driven farther apart. As the war moves steadily closer to those she has grown to love, Sheila confronts more abandonment and loss, and finds true strength, compassion, and a meaning for life outside of herself.”

The deadline for this book giveaway is 8 p.m. (EST) on Friday, March 4.

TIGER HILLS by Sarita Mandanna 

This fiction, 480-page hardcover book (ISBN: 9780446564106) will be published March 9 by Grand Central Publishing.

Here’s a brief blurb: “As the first girl born to the Nachimada family in over sixty years, the beautiful Devi is the object of adoration of her entire family. Strong-willed and confident, she befriends the shy Devanna, a young boy whose mother has died under tragic circumstances. The two quickly become inseparable, until Devi meets Machu the tiger killer, a hunter of great repute, and a man of much honor and pride. Soon, they fall deeply in love, an attraction that drives a wedge between Devi and Devanna. It is this tangled relationship between the three that leads to a devastating tragedy -- an event that changes their fates forever and has unforeseen and far-reaching consequences for generations to come.”

The deadline for this book giveaway will be 8 p.m. (EST) on Friday, March 11.

TOYS by James Patterson 

This fiction, 400-page hardcover book (ISBN: 9780316097369) will be published March 14 by Little, Brown.

Here’s a brief blurb: “James Bond and Jason Bourne have just been topped! A battle for the world is set into unstoppable motion and Hays Baker is the only one who can save it. Hays Baker and his wife Lizbeth possess super-human strength, extraordinary intelligence, stunning looks, a sex life to die for, and two beautiful children. Of course they do--they're Elites, endowed at birth with the very best that the world can offer. The only problem in their perfect world: humans and their toys!

The one with the most toys--dies

The top operative for the Agency of Change, Hays has just won the fiercest battle of his career. He has been praised by the President, and is a national hero. But before he can savor his triumph, he receives an unbelievable shock that overturns everything he thought was true. Suddenly Hays is on the other side of the gun, forced to leave his perfect family and fight for his life.

Now a hunted fugitive, Hays is thrown into a life he never dreamed possible--fighting to save humans everywhere from extinction. He enlists all of his training to uncover the truth that will save millions of lives--maybe even his own. James Patterson's Toys is a thriller on a hyper plane--with a hero who rivals both James Bond and Jason Bourne.”

The deadline for this book giveaway will be 8 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, March 16.

STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG by Kate Atkinson  

This fiction, 384-page hardcover book (ISBN: 9780316066730) will be published March 21 by Reagan Arthur Books.

Here’s the brief blurb: “Tracy Waterhouse leads a quiet, ordered life as a retired police detective-a life that takes a surprising turn when she encounters Kelly Cross, a habitual offender, dragging a young child through town. Both appear miserable and better off without each other-or so decides Tracy, in a snap decision that surprises herself as much as Kelly. Suddenly burdened with a small child, Tracy soon learns her parental inexperience is actually the least of her problems, as much larger ones loom for her and her young charge.

Meanwhile, Jackson Brodie, the beloved detective of novels such as Case Histories, is embarking on a different sort of rescue-that of an abused dog. Dog in tow, Jackson is about to learn, along with Tracy, that no good deed goes unpunished.”

The deadline for this book giveaway is 8 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, March 23.

SIXTY-NINE by Pynk  

This 368-page paperback book (ISBN: 9780446563338) will be published March 25 by Grand Central Publishing.

Here’s a brief blurb: “It's New Year's Eve 2008, and best friends Magnolia Butler, Rebe Richardson, and Darla Clark, all born in 1969, are about to turn the dreaded 4-0 in January 2009. Magnolia, a New Year's Day baby, is childless, and always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Rebe, the mother of a college-aged daughter named Trinity, has just gone through a divorce from a man whose sexual appetite far exceeded her desires and abilities. Darla is also a New Year's Day baby, still mourning her husband's death after five years.”

The deadline for this book giveaway is 8 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, March 26.
 
Now the giveaway guidelines. To enter these giveaways, send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) for each entry. Your subject line should read, “Win and the title of the book.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. In addition, Hachette is advising winners that they will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title (or one set in the case of grouped giveaways) in the mail. (Winners here have always be great about letting me know if they have already won the book somewhere else so another winner can be selected. However, this announcement is something that has to be passed along from Hachette). And, just so you know, I don’t share the mailing information or use it for any other purpose. Remember, the deadlines to enter these giveaways are different and each entry must have a separate e-mail.

Hopefully, there is something here to peak everyone’s interest. Please join me tomorrow when author Mari Ruti joins us.