Happy Thanksgiving And 2 Giveaways

Today is a day to stop, reflect, and give thanks, but then everyday should be like that. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

There is much to be thankful for even though times are difficult and there is sickness all around us. I have discovered through all the wonderful people I’ve met in blogdom that hope, compassion, and caring is still much a part of our lives. For that, I’m most thankful.

Today I want to say thank you to you - the awesome people who stop by here. Thanks to all the terrific followers. Thanks to the wonderful authors who guest blog. Thanks to the generous publishers who provide books and audios for reviews and giveaways.

Mere words can never express how much y’all mean to me. A simple THANK YOU doesn’t seem like enough, but I hope it let’s you know you are greatly appreciated.

Now in the spirit of giving. Thanks to the lovely Anna and the great folks at Little, Brown and Company I have 2 intriguing books to tell you about and offer as giveaways. Please see the giveaway guidelines at the end of each book feature.

ONE HUNDRED AND ONE NIGHTS by Ben Buchholz

Category: Fiction
Format: Trade Paperback
Publish Date: Dec. 1
ISBN: 9780316133777
Pages: 368
Size: 5-1/2" x 8-1/4

Here you'll find a mesmerizing tale of a man who introduces himself as Abu Saheeh and whose past is gradually uncovered in this enigmatic tale, unfolding in the streets of Safwan, Iraq.

Ben Buchholz, who was stationed in Oman from 2010 to 2011 with his family, paints a rich picture of the Middle East and bring his readers ever closer to Abu Saheeh's story.
 
Here’s a brief synopsis of the book: After 13 years in America, Abu Saheeh has returned to his native Iraq, a nation transformed by the American military presence. Alone in a new city, he has exactly what he wants: freedom from his past. Then he meets Layla, a whimsical fourteen-year-old girl who enchants him with her love of American pop culture. Enchanted by Layla's stories and her company, Abu Saheeh settles into the city's rhythm and begins rebuilding his life. But two sudden developments--his alliance with a powerful merchant and his employment of a hot-headed young assistant--reawaken painful memories, and not even Layla may be able to save Abu Saheeh from careening out of control and endangering all around them.

A breathtaking tale of friendship, love, and betrayal, ONE HUNDRED AND ONE NIGHTS is an unforgettable novel about the struggle for salvation and the power of family. 

You can visit Ben's blog at Not-Quite-Right.net for a fascinating juxtaposition of Middle Eastern culture and the perspective of an American author and soldier. You can also follow Ben on Twitter @MiaLaylawaLayla. The author explains "Mialaylawalayla, is the transliteration of the Arabic for 101Nights, a nice pun actually, since it is Mia Layla wa Layla and can be read One Hundred Nights and Layla."
 
An extra attraction for ONE HUNDRED AND ONE NIGHTS is @LittleBrown will be hosting a tweet chat for Benjamin Buchholz on Friday, Dec. 9, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. There will be Q&As, giveaways, and fun facts. All posts will be hashtagged #101Nights. Everyone is very much invited to participate. 

For the giveaway, send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) and your subject line should read, “Win 101 NIGHTS.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and Canadian residents must include their phone numbers. No post office box addresses can be accepted. Just so you know, I don’t share this information or use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter this giveaway for a chance at one of the 3 copies of ONE HUNDRED AND ONE NIGHTS is 8 p.m. (EST) on Friday, Dec. 9.

QUEEN OF AMERICA by Luis Alberto Urrea

Category: Fiction
Format: Hardcover
Publish Date: Nov. 28
ISBN: 9780316154864
Pages: 496
Size: 6" x 9-1/4"

The remarkable heroine of THE HUMMINGBIRD’S DAUGHTER returns in this epic novel of love, loss, and miracles in a restless America.
 
Here’s a brief synopsis of the book: After the bloody Tomochic rebellion, Teresita Urrea, beloved healer and "Saint of Cabora," flees with her father to Arizona. But their plans are derailed when she once again is claimed as the spiritual leader of the Mexican Revolution. Besieged by pilgrims and pursued by assassins, Teresita embarks on a journey through turn-of-the-century industrial America-New York, San Francisco, St. Louis. She meets immigrants and tycoons, European royalty and Cuban poets, all waking to the new American century. And as she decides what her own role in this modern future will be, she must ask herself: can a saint fall in love?

At turns heartbreaking, uplifting, and riotously funny, QUEEN OF AMERICA reconfirms Luis Alberto Urrea's status as a writer of the first rank. 

You can find out more about Urrea at LuisUrrea.com, like him on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter @Urrealism.

For the giveaway, send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) and your subject line should read, “Win QUEEN OF AMERICA.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and Canadian residents must include their phone numbers. No post office box addresses can be accepted. Just so you know, I don’t share this information or use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter this giveaway for a chance at one of the 3 copies of QUEEN OF AMERICA is 8 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, Dec. 10.

Do you like having the additional information about the books? Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Those who aren’t celebrating the holiday, I hope you have a safe and wonderful day too.