Friday, June 29, 2012

FREE KINDLE BOOK - DON'T LET ME GO BY CATHERINE RYAN HYDE . . . read more!

Please read ALL THE WAY DOWN!
Catherine Ryan Hyde is the Author of the book made into the movie called 


Pay It Forward! Remember this movie? AWESOME MOVIE and Book!


And NOW she has given us her NEW RELEASE, called "Don't Let Me Go" for FREE for 2 days ONLY! Friday, June 29th and Saturday June 30th! 
FREE!!!! Click on this photo to take you right to Amazon so you can GRAB IT FOR FREE!!! I have been reading it already, and I LOVE IT! Superb story! Here's the LINK:

Don't Let Me Go


ENJOY! The book is AWESOME!!! Watch for my review soon!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Book Review "The RX Factor" by J Thomas Shaw




I have taken a LOT of images and information about this book AND the Author, J Thomas Shaw from his official website: J Thomas Shaw 


Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! Piper Foxtrot X-ray. Nassau, Nassau. Sixty miles northwest of George Town, altitude 7,500 feet and falling, heading 270. Tail exploded, ditching aircraft, six souls on board. Piper Foxtrot X-ray. Nassau, Nassau!



About the Book from Goodreads:
Five years after the death of his wife and children, Ryan Matthews is living alone with memories of his failed career in cancer research when fellow scientist Jordan Carver catches his eye. Preparing for a move to Mexico, Jordan plans to open a clinic where terminal patients will have affordable access to experimental medication. Despite Ryan’s skepticism on her willingness to bypass the FDA drug approval process, he is intrigued by Jordan’s passion and determination to provide alternative care to terminal patients. But when a violent explosion leaves the small Bahamian island of Exuma on edge, Ryan knows his life has once again been forever altered.

Drawn together by circumstance, attraction, and shared ambition, Ryan and Jordan become united in their international quest for the truth. The two embark on an explosive thrill ride ending in Washington, D.C., where the couple unravels the country’s best-kept secret: the government will stop at nothing to maintain the American way of life, with heartbreak and sickness for all.



My Review:

5-Stars!
This book is full of thrilling action, intrigue, scandal, espionage, murder, mystery, suspense, passion, and more! The thrill ride never stops! 
Who is involved? Pharmaceutical company big shots, the FDA, the FBI, the CIA, the Mob, hired Assassins, and more!
How does this story start? Ryan Matthews, (one of two main characters in this story), is a former cancer researcher who developed a medication along with a colleague of his that he was positive could cure ovarian cancer. It just so happened at the same time his wife was battling from this very same deadly disease. He was so sure and believed in this drug so much that he was willing to do anything to save her life with it. This drug trials end up failing (conspiracy theory?) as they learn it actually accelerated the growth of this disease. All trials of this hazardous drug are halted completely, as well as his wife's life.
Now, about five years later, Ryan learns about Jordan Carver, M.D., (the second main character). She is planning to open an 'affordable' medical clinic in Mexico to treat terminal cancer patients as these other medical clinics who claim to cure this cancer are really crooks disguised in lush, exotic, vacation-type resort setting hospitals who are charging these cancer cure-seeking patients about five million dollars for a four month treatment plan using a drug they claim will cure their ovarian cancer. These desperate people fall victim to them. 
When Ryan learns of this, and of this miracle 'drug' they supposedly possess, it  piques his interest because this drug sounds exactly like the drug he created which did not cure his wife, but did the opposite. If what Ryan thinks is true, this clinic is ensuring an expensive death sentence upon unknowing innocent  victims. Ryan and Jordan are livid. Why would the FDA even allow this drug to still be available? Why was it being made available to the clinics in Mexico?
This spurs Ryan and Jordan to go undercover on a quest to get inside one of these particular hospitals to find out more information about the drug this hospital is using. They risk their own lives to get as much information as they can. With some brilliant moves and thoughtful actions, they succeed in getting what they need, and ship this information to where they need it to go to further investigate it, among other things. However, their plans do not end up working to their advantage, and now they are on a thrill ride no one wants to be on, risking their lives just to get to safety alone. Thus starts a cycle of dodging bullets, exploding vehicles, being followed and so much more packed into this fascinating thrill ride. This is just the beginning.
They continue on . . . 
I thoroughly LOVED this book! 


The only thing I have left to say about this book is don't miss it! Get it NOW! 
You can click on the photo of this book which is in the lower left side. It will take you directly to the Amazon page where you can purchase it!



I received this book for FREE from Pump Up Your Book and the Author, through their Book Reviewers Program in exchange to read this book and write a review about it. It is NOT required for this review to be either positive or negative, but, of my own honest opinion. “Free” means I was NOT provided with ANY MONIES to read this book nor to write this review, but to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading the book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html
Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.






WANT TO "READ" CHAPTER 1? HERE IS THE LINK: http://www.jthomasshaw.com/the-rx-factor-chapter-1-opening-excerpt/  


BOOK REVIEW CONTEST going on now! You may have seen it in the youtube video. Here is the LINK: http://www.therxfactor.com/book-review-contest/ 
I've blown my chances! I never can write a SHORT review! I think I've definitely gone OVER the 400 words! I ask myself, HOW can I NOT? Oh well! Perhaps YOU may win!


DREAM VACATION CONTEST: http://www.therxfactor.com/contest1/ 




The Author's website: http://www.jthomasshaw.com 
has some EXCELLENT information in it! He is very active writing on it, and there is 'one' story I would really like to point out! It is called:


"The RX Factor" - A Medical Thriller I Had To Write and here is the link: http://www.jthomasshaw.com/the-rx-factor-a-medical-thriller-that-i-had-to-write/ 


Where are all the cures for disease? http://www.jthomasshaw.com/were-are-all-the-cures-for-disease/ 


WHERE TO FIND THE AUTHOR:


TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/TheJShawfactor 


FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/J-Thomas-Shaw/164417803664023 




ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 


 This is copied and pasted from his website:

John Thomas Shaw was born in Quincy, IL, attended college at Illinois State University in Normal, IL and relocated to Chicago after his graduation. Following a successful career with a national mortgage company, he co-founded Guaranteed Rate, Inc. which is now one of the fastest growing independent mortgage bank in the United States.
The author now lives in the San Diego area with his wife and two children. Prior to his relocation to California, Mr. Shaw lived six years in Durham, NC followed by two years living in the families rustic log cabin in the Sangre De Cristo Mountain range area of Colorado and has traveled extensively throughout the Bahamas’, Caribbean and Mexico. The scenes throughout The RX Factor takes place in the various locations that the author has lived or experienced in his travels. Throughout the process of writing The RX Factor, the author consulted with his good friend, Johnny Powers Ph.D.
Reader testimonials
“he trains his sights on the Food and Drug Administration, and the possibility of political chicanery guiding its agenda, rather then the health and well being of the citizenry. He builds the story slowly, comfortably serving forth players who weave their way into a layered tale where corporate greed, political malfeasance, personal ambition and ethical behavior vie for ascendancy. In this narrative, greed has soundly trumped any Hippocratic oath – medical research serves as a cash cow, not a miracle maker.” —Kirkus Discoveries
Dr. Powers holds a bachelor degree in Chemistry from Wake Forest University, a masters in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University, a PhD in Biochemical Engineering from North Carolina State University and an MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business. Dr. Powers has over 20 years experience in the biomedical field, with extensive experience in developing and marketing new diagnostic tests for the early detection and management of cancer. Dr. Powers most recently served as the President of TriPath Oncology, a North Carolina-based biotechnology company focused on developing innovative medical tests for ovarian, cervical and breast cancer. TriPath imaging was sold to a major multi-national medical diagnostics company in 2006. In his career, Dr. Powers has dealt extensively with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and various government agencies, and has published numerous scientific research papers and holds medical patents in both the US and Canada. He now resides in the New England area with his wife and two children.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

New York Times Best Seller List for the week ending June 23rd, 2012

Hello, again! Another week gone by, and MORE books, books, books! It always about the books! I LOVE books! Here we go! The Top 15 Best Sellers for this last week, as of June 23rd, 2012!


By NOON 'every' Sunday! (Yes! In case I need or want to sleep in! LOL!)


Make SURE to scroll down all the way to the bottom to see ALL the GIVEAWAYS I have going on here at the Blog! A LOT! I'll provide the LINKS!


Fiction - Combined Print and Ebook


1. Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook:       $9.99

   

2. Fifty Shades Darker (Fifty Shades, Book 2) by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook:       $9.99

     

3. Fifty Shades Freed: Book Three of the Fifty Shades Trilogy (50 Shades Trilogy) by E L James
Print Book: $9.57
Ebook:       $9.99

   

4. Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn - I want to read this one SO bad! I put it on my Wish List! Did SHE leave him, or was she kidnapped? Hmmmm?
Print Book: $13.98
Ebook:       $12.99


5. Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel by Sylvia Day
Print Book: $9.00
Ebook:       $7.99

 

6. Fifty Shades Trilogy: Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed 3-volume Boxed Set by E L James
Print Book Set: $28.71
Ebook Set:       $29.99


7. The Third Gate: A Novel by Lincoln Child
Print Book:  $17.13
Ebook:        $12.99

 

8. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
Print Book: $8.39
Ebook:       $7.99

 

9.  Mission to Paris by Alan Furst
I could NOT find this book available through Amazon, but only as an audiobook, which does not allow a direct link.
Both this Hardcover and Paperback are available through Independent Booksellers.   
Under the Audiobook, there are a LOT of reviews on the Hardcover of this book, but it is NOT AVAILABLE  FROM AMAZON.


10.A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) by George R R Martin
Print Book:  $9.99
Ebook:        $8.99



11. Calico Joe by John Grisham
Print Book: $16.22
Ebook:       $12.99

  

12. 11th Hour (Women's Murder Club) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Print Book: $18.47
Ebook:       $  0.00 But ONLY the first so many chapters and after that I believe it is $12.99

 

13. Porch Lights: A Novel by Dorothea Benton Frank
Print Book: $17.15
Ebook:       $12.99

 

14.The Marriage Bargain - The book image is not available for the BOOK. The book is not YET available but it IS DUE out on July 3rd, 2012. You CAN PRE-ORDER THIS FOR $7.99. Here is the PHOTO for the Kindle edition at $2.99


15. A Discovery of Witches: A Novel (All Souls Trilogy) by Deborah Harkness

Print Book: $8.80
Ebook:       $9.99

  Book 2 is now coming out - July 10th, 2012 and IS available for pre-order! Here is the link just like all the other books:


Shadow of Night: A Novel by Deborah Harkness


GIVEAWAYS ON MY BLOG!


1. Literary Blog Hop NOW thru June 27th, where I am giving away "Defending Jacob" by William Landay at this link: http://www.lauriehere.blogspot.com/2012/06/literary-blog-hop-june-23rd-to-june.html 


2. The Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Blog Hop, where I am giving away a copy of "The Infernals - Samuel Johnson vs The Forces of Evil" by John Connolly at this link:   http://www.lauriehere.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html


3.  And, lastly is "Between You and Me" by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus - the link has videos of the Book Trailer, Authors reading from the book, and there is shopping at OpenSky.com! Read the EXCLUSIVE Interview, too! I AM giving this ARC away! Go on over and ENTER for your chance to win! 
http://www.lauriehere.blogspot.com/2012/06/between-you-and-me-by-emma-mclaughlin.html 


These all have END DATES OF THIS WEEK! SOME ARE THE 26TH, SO GO THERE NOW!


HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
Laurie Here! 

Friday, June 22, 2012

The Literary Blog Hop June 23rd to June 27th!

I would like to thank Leeswammes Blog for sponsoring this Blog Hop! Thank You!


Here we are, another year of "The Literary Blog Hop"! June 23rd to June 27th!
I'm SO glad you could come! I LOVE this Hop! No Vampires, werewolves, etc! I've had my fill of those! I look forward to actually participating in this Hop every year! There are some AWESOME books in this hop! I LOVE it!


This year I'm SO excited to be giving away a book that STILL haunts me to this day! No, it's NOT SCARY! It's a Psychological Thriller that has been crafted SO expertly! It has been on the NYT Best Seller list for WEEKS, since it's release on January 31st! What is this book?


"Defending Jacob" by William Landay




Wow! What a book! I can't wait to see what awards it will win! It was released January 31st, 2012, and I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book! I'm SO glad I did! As a matter of fact, I think I won it from Goodreads! Yes! It is my FAVORITE book of 2012, so far! There is SO much to it, and when you are done reading it, you keep on thinking about it! I still think about it today, too! William Landay crafted a marvelous book that really gets you thinking WELL AFTER the book is done! It hit the Best Seller list immediately, and did not fall off until about 2 weeks ago! What a book! 


Okay! So, YOU want to WIN this book, don't you? Okay! I am going to give you a LINK here: http://www.lauriehere.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html to go to to fill out a form to enter! OR, you can just click on the GIVEAWAY TAB UP ABOVE!


Thanks for stopping by! The next page will have ALL the other Blogs that are participating in this Hop! Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!! See you on the next page! 


If you would like to read MY review of this book, you can do so by clicking on THIS LINK: http://www.lauriehere.blogspot.com/2012/05/defending-jacob-by-william-landay.html. Enjoy! See you on the next page!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop! June 20th to 26th!

HUGE thanks to our Sponsors, I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Uniquely Moi Books! Thanks SO much!!!


This is the 2nd annual MidSummer's Eve Giveaway Hop! I get to say this IS the 2nd one I have participated in as well!


Come on over to this link to ENTER 4 YOUR chance to win a copy of the book, "The Infernals" by John Connolly! Click on this LINK: http://www.lauriehere.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html, OR, click on the GIVEAWAYS TAB up above in the MENU bar to go over and ENTER! I think most ALL of you will like this book! See you there!


YOU COULD WIN THIS BOOK:


The Infernals: Samuel Johnson vs. the Forces of Evil, Round 2 by John Connolly!

The Infernals: A Samuel Johnson Tale (Samuel Johnson #2), A Novel by John Connolly



I received this book from the Publisher, but, this book involves Demons, and I do not like to read about Demons, personally. They are a dark force, to me, and I keep them at bay! I thought the BEST thing I could is to at least 'highlight' this book and post the Synopsis about it. ENJOY, for those of you who love this genre! So, here it is, the  information about this book which IS "copied and pasted" from the two following sources:


Goodreads Synopsis:


The reviews here are almost a complete 4-star!
Samuel Johnson is in trouble. Not only is he in love with the wrong girl, but the demon Mrs. Abernathy is seeking revenge on him for his part in foiling the invasion of Earth by the forces of evil. She wants to get her claws on Samuel, and when Samuel and his faithful dachshund, Boswell, are pulled through a portal into the dark realm, she gets her chance.


From Amazon:


The reviews here are almost a complete 5-star!
From New York Times bestselling author John Connolly, a wonderfully strange and brilliant novel about a boy, his dog, and their struggle to escape the wrath of demons. Young Samuel Johnson is in trouble. Not only is his eyesight so poor that he mistakenly asks out a letter box on a date, but an angry demon is seeking revenge for Samuel’s part in foiling the invasion of Earth by the forces of evil. It wants to get its claws on Samuel, and when Samuel and his faithful dachshund, Boswell, are pulled through a portal into the dark realm, the home of the Infernal's, it gets its chance.
But catching Samuel is not going to be easy, for the Infernals have not reckoned on the bravery and cleverness of a boy and his dog, or the loyalty of Samuel’s friend, the hapless demon Nurd, or the presence of two clueless policemen and the unlucky, if cheerfully optimistic, driver of an ice-cream van.
Most of all, no one has planned on the intervention of an unexpected band of little men, for Samuel and Boswell are not the only inhabitants of Earth who have found themselves in the underworld. If you thought demons were frightening, just wait until you meet Mr. Merryweather’s Elves. . . .


AND, from Amazon, the Editorial Reviews: (copied and pasted, again.)


Editorial Reviews

Review

“Connolly’s graceful prose, laced with acerbically witty footnotes, is a joy to read, and he easily alternates among slapstick comedy, powerful drama, and skin-crawling horror.”—Publishers Weekly

“Brilliantly funny, often touching, with enough action to keep adventure fans on the edges of their chairs, this novel combines top-notch writing with cutting wit.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Roald Dahl meets Harry Potter.”—My Shelf Confessions

“Connolly lets his imagination and his wit run delightfully wild as he describes Hell’s denizens and the human band’s pilgrimage through its geography.”—New Orleans Times-Picayune

Review

“Connolly’s graceful prose, laced with acerbically witty footnotes, is a joy to read, and he easily alternates among slapstick comedy, powerful drama, and skin-crawling horror.”—Publishers Weekly

“Brilliantly funny, often touching, with enough action to keep adventure fans on the edges of their chairs, this novel combines top-notch writing with cutting wit.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Roald Dahl meets Harry Potter.”—My Shelf Confessions

“Connolly lets his imagination and his wit run delightfully wild as he describes Hell’s denizens and the human band’s pilgrimage through its geography.”—New Orleans Times-Picayune
To PURCHASE this book, click on the photo!
PAPERBACK:
OR, as the ebook version, click on this photo below!



***IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO "WIN" THIS BOOK, CLICK ON THE PHOTO UP AT THE TOP FOR THE "MIDSUMMER'S EVE GIVEAWAY HOP!", OR, CLICK ON THE TAB CALLED "GIVEAWAYS"! IT IS  Going on NOW through June 26th, till 11:59pm!

Monday, June 18, 2012

"Leaving Fantasy Land" by James E. Parker - REVIEW



Goodreads Synopsis:
Milwaukee comic book store owner, Tram Taylor, is rattled to his core when a mysterious dead body suddenly turns up in the dumpster behind his store, Fantasy Land. In a weekend that could not possibly get any worse, his wife is violently kidnapped and held for ransom. Tram Taylor is left reeling in the aftermath as he wrestles with helping the MPD or striking out on his own to connect the dots. Is there a connection between the two seemingly random events? Will all of Tram Taylor's courage and former cop training be enough to help him uncover who's behind it all before it's too late? Find out all these answers and more in James E. Parker's debut novel, Leaving Fantasy Land.



My Take:
5-stars!
I LOVED reading this book! The writing, for one, was PERFECT! There was not '1' error whatsoever that I came across! The editing was professionally done to a "T"! The story was very SO suspenseful! It is truly a white-knuckle read! A GREAT Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/Crime novel! One of the BEST I have read in a LONG time! In my honest opinion, you do not 'need to like this genre in order to enjoy this book.' This is one of those books that engages you from the start, until the very end! 
Tram Taylor is married and has a couple of children. His wife works full-time, and Tram owns a comic book store called Fantasy Land, which is quite prolific. He has a huge business going on here, including great success on Ebay.
Tram goes into work one day, and finds his store has been turned over. What is going on? Not only does he find his store like this, but he has to go outside to the garbage dumpster and he finds a dead body in it! What is going on?
Tram calls the police, but says nothing about the dead body. For some reason he feels he has to keep this part of what he found quiet for now. Later we find out why he has a gut feeling about this dead body. 
The Police start inquiring about items that were brought into his store the day before and traded. The next thing Tram knows is his store is being searched in every nook and cranny by the police, as well. The police are looking for something that they don't even know what it is they are looking for. They feel that something that was traded in his store the day before must have something inside of it. Tram is questioned relentlessly.
The police include Tram's computer in their search as well. It is his ebay account, in particular, to be exact that they are focusing on. The police inform him someone has been trading in his account other than the person he has given permission to. Is the guy who has the permission to handle the ebay account guilty of what is going on? Can he be trusted? What exactly is going on? What are the police looking for? The police don't even know exactly what they are looking for. Something BIG is going on, and no one knows exactly what it is. Meanwhile, Tram is still keeping quiet about the dead body in the dumpster. This is the last thing he needs the police to find out about. Tram feels if the police find out about this, they just might think he has something to do with all of this.
A couple of Detectives are assigned to Tram to help him and the whole case. According to them a man by the name of Don Johnson, who happens to be an officer on the force, is being accused of being a part of what has happened to Tram's store and what is going on. They find out something about someone bringing in something to trade that has something in it which is VERY valuable. Doesn't this sound confusing? It is! What could this possibly be? What is this something the police are looking for?
Tram questioned relentlessly. He keeps trying to make heads and tales about  what is happening. Tram then figures out he is being followed and watched. Okay. He knows how this works. He had once attended and graduated from the Police Academy. What stopped him from becoming an Officer of the Law was a DUI he received shortly after graduating the Police Academy. He figured that ruined his entire chance of ever becoming a police officer. With a DUI, it ruined any and all of his hopes and dreams of ever becoming a Police Officer.
The next thing he learns is his WIFE has been taken HOSTAGE by these people, and she is being held for ransom in exchange for this 'thing' everyone is looking for. These must be the same people who had broken into his store who has now taken his wife hostage. Now Tram is worried about his children. He is right to worry about them because the next thing he knows is the place he has hidden his children at has been found out by these people who took his wife. They let Tram know they know where his children are. 
Tram finds out something about a Flashcard? They have accused Tram of having this Flashcard, and they want it back. They are serious in their threats about killing his wife, and they even record a video of her last words, so they claim, and they do something to her to make him convinced she is dead.
Tram no longer knows who to trust, especially when he ends up in a high speed chase by Don Johnson, the accused. What is going on?
This story is so full of action and suspense. We never know what is going to happen next. Just like Tram, we don't know who to trust, who is the good guy, who are the bad guys. Now his children's lives are threatened. Tram doesn't know what to do. 
Tram falls back on his training from the Police Academy to help him with this case, and to help him stay sane knowing his wife is most certainly dead, and he watched these people kill her. What about his children? Are they safe?
A high speed chase happens and it is Don Johnson behind the wheel. Tram loses and Don takes TRAM hostage. 
What I have told you about this story is only a small fraction of what this book is all about! The really neat part about this book is to watch this character go from running his dream store, to bringing back and using what he learned in the Police Academy. It was neat to watch this character grow as the story went on.
The rest of this story I am going to leave for you to read about! The suspense, the action, the mystery, ALL of this continues on. Your white knuckles stay white, and you may even chew a few nails off while reading this! 
What happens, how does this end? Is his wife really dead like the kidnappers made him watch on video? What about his children? Are they safe? Does Tram get away from Don Johnson? Does Tram solve this case? It's up to YOU to read this book to find out! I can tell you the action, suspense, mystery, the thrilling ride of this story does not dull at all. It continues on!
The writing is darn near perfection, and I'm NOT just saying this!
I HIGHLY recommend this book! I would put this book up against any other Best Selling book in this genre and I feel it is even BETTER than some of the Best Sellers I have read. This is my HONEST opinion. Hands down, James E. Parker can write! There is a sequel to this book coming, too! I'm excitedly waiting for it! Perhaps this story does NOT END? You've GOT to read this book!


This was a book I chose to read on my own. I happened to be on Twitter one day, and they suggest people to follow. I sent out some messages to these new people I started to follow, and I gave my contact info and said I was open to reviewing any of their books! Guess who replied? YES! This is how I met Independent Author, James E. Parker! 
After I started talking to Jim and hearing what he had to say about this book, I did not wait for him to offer me a copy of this book to read! I decided to go and purchase this book from Amazon and read it for myself! As I have already said, this book does NOT disappoint! This IS a MUST-READ book!
And now, a sequel! It can't get any better! HOORAY, for Jim! EXCELLENT WRITING!


If YOU would like to read this book and NOT wait to see if you have won a copy, you can do so by clicking on this LINK - the photo of the book just below and on the left! It will take you directly 'to' Amazon where you can purchase it for yourself. You will NOT be disappointed! 





About the Author:


Who is James E Parker and why does he want to KILL so many people?

James E Parker has been telling stories for over twenty years. In his other life, James is the Pastor of a "church for people who don't like church" called Journey. He and his wife, Danell, started Journey in 2010 in Sheboygan Falls, 
Wisconsin. When James is not Pastor'ing people, he is cleaning up the grit and grime from the mean streets of Milwaukee in his debut crime novel, "Leaving 
Fantasy Land". What makes a Pastor write about killers, psychopaths, and the occasional dirty cop? Ask James:

 I've always loved a great story. I've been writing them since middle school. I like to take Readers on a Journey. One of my favorite things on the planet is movies. Movies take us away from the hum-drum of daily life for a magical two hour trip. Books are even better. They reach down into the human heart and lift us into a world of fantasy where our imagination is our only limitation. I live a lot of my life dreaming. Dreaming of a better world, a better life, a better place. 
My books are about the human condition. The stories I tell are about psychopaths, cold-blooded killers, and flawed heroes, like Tram Taylor. But, the themes are about life, love, loss and the pursuit of happiness, something we can 
ALL related to. I love to tell stories that take me away from the grind of daily life, and I love to take readers along for the ride. 

Author Interview:


1.   Jim, have you always wanted to write? Has it been a life long thing you have always enjoyed doing, or did the bug hit you later in college or later in life?

I've always loved writing. Even in elementary school about the only interest I had in school "work" was on the days we did creative writing. I always came up with wild stories and loved getting to make things up and not get in trouble for it. I think I've always had a very vivid imagination.

2.   This book is a Mystery/Suspense/Thriller. Is this the genre you like to read, too?

I love Mystery and Thriller novels. I read lots of stuff in the genre but I just plain love reading. I've read kids series like the Hunger Games (Which I highly recomend). I read Sci-Fi, spiritual books, classics, I love it all. I just love great Authors who can craft characters that I love, hate, or love to hate. I think that is what draws me to books.

3.   Was there any '1' thing that gave you the idea to write this story, without giving any spoilers! 

I've taken several runs at writing my first novel, but never seemed to be able to get anything that interested me off the ground and in the air. Then, out of the blue, the concept for "Leaving Fantasy Land" just kind of came to me one day. When I first started, I wasn't sure where exactly I was going with it. About half way in, I began to feel I was onto something.

4.   Comic Books were involved in this story. Do you like to read comic books, and if so, what are your favorites? Are you a collector of comic books, too? Also, what is your FAVORITE comic book and aspiring hero or comic book 'character' you would like to be in the comic world?

I've always loved Super Heros. I wasn't much of a collector of actual comics as a kid but I love their stories. I read comics on my cell phone these days. Isn't technology grand. :) I'm an avid movie buff and have always loved the Marvel and D.C. Comic inspired films. Hands down, I'm a Batman fan though. There's just something about a guy who can do all Batman does with no real super powers. Batman is just a guy with, as the Jokers says, "All those cool toys." Ok enough about that. If I go into 'Nerd Mode', I will ramble on all day.

5.   I see you have a 2nd book you are done with, and you are getting it ready to be published! CONGRATULATIONS!! Can you tell us a 'little bit' about this book? I believe it is another Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/Crime novel? It is called "Taking Out the Trash"!



Yes, Laurie, I do have my second almost complete. Thanks for that. I hope to have it out by the end of summer or maybe even a little sooner than that. It is called "Taking Out The Trash", and it finds the main character of "Leaving Fantasy Land", Tram Taylor, a few years further down the long, hard road of his life working as a Milwaukee Detective. Tram is faced with his first BIG case. He and a new character I introduce in the book, his partner, Benny DeLuca, are on the trail of a serial killer that for some strange reason is killing Milwaukee garbage men. I'm really excited about the book.

6.   What is your 'ideal' writing experience? Do you like to listen to music while writing or do you need it quiet? Do you prefer to write in a certain place, like the attic or basement, or an office? Do you have a certain snack food you like 'only while writing', things like that?

I need quiet to write. I live in Wisconsin, so in the winter I enjoy writing in my recliner looking out our picture window at the snow. Wisconsin has AMAZING summers, so I like to write out on our patio. In fact, that is where I'm doing this interview from as I type. Its sixty degrees and beautiful. Sorry Southerners out there. I'm from Arkansas originally, and I know what those hot humid southern summers can be like.

7.   What is your favorite type of music?

I'm a classic rock guy at heart. My daughters' and wife are all musicians, so I have wide appreciation for all kinds of music. Everything from Travis Tritt, to Lady Gaga. But my favorite is still all that classic rock. Eagles, AC/DC, Cheap Trick, and a host of others.

8.   What is your favorite sugary snack?

I'm more of a salty guy, but I like a good bowl of peanut butter and chocolate ice cream when I have a sweet tooth.

9.   What is your favorite salty snack?

Salty has too many to choose. I love Chex Mix, peanuts, chips, french fries (are those a snack?) they are to me. I could go on about food almost as long as I could go on about Batman.
10. Do you like Smores? Or, what is your favorite 'special' treat?


I do like smores. We sit around the fire pit with friends a lot of nights and have smores. A special treat for me is cherry pie. They take so long to make but they are sooooo very good. (Salty and sweet...that can't be beat)

11. When you finish writing a book, do you have a celebration of any kind?

"I really don't have a celebration. My wife is the first to read my books when I'm done and I SO value her opinion that I can't wait for her to read the first draft. So I get really excited and nervous as she is the first to read through it."


12. I know from talking with you that you have a beautiful wife (I've seen a photo of her) and two beautiful children, too! I know your wife is VERY supportive of your writing career! What do your children think? Has your writing influenced them, such as do they read more now than ever before, now that their own DAD is a WRITER? What kind of books do they like, such as are they copying what you are writing? The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew? I bet they think you are a pretty cool Dad, huh! Or is the saying 'cool' different today? I guess I'm kind of 'out of it' when it comes to the current trends of what kids are saying today!


"You are right, Laurie, as I mentioned, my wife is super supportive of my writing and works harder at the editing process to tell me what SHE thinks I need to change. She really does a GREAT job BEFORE the book even GOES "to" the Professional Editor! I've even had the professional Editor tell me she's hardly had to make ANY revisions to my writing! Isn't my wife wonderful! I told her SHE should go into the Editing business! Hmm? Gives me an idea there! No! She's got ENOUGH to do besides going into the Professional Editing business! Heck, she'd probably have a few words for me if I even suggested it! LOL! " 

13. I know your parents are still with you, AND, as a matter of fact, they are visiting you and your family THIS WEEK! What do they think of their son being an accomplished writer?

Well we will see what they think once I'm an actual "accomplished" writer, LOL!  They have always been very supportive of all my dreams and aspirations.


I have to interject here, Jim. You ARE an accomplished writer now! You are too humble!!! You have a published book that is being SOLD on Amazon, and people you don't even know are writing GREAT reviews about your book, too! I think you have surpassed the 'accomplished writer' part already! You are now a "published Author"! Congratulations!!!

14. I am superstitious of the number 13. I NEVER used to believe in ANY of that kind of stuff until Friday, January 13th, when I had a HORRID ordeal in the Dentist's office!!! I can't leave this interview with 13 questions! YOU pick a question and answer it for us! Thanks!

If I had to pick a question, I think it would be, "What makes a person like Laurie Carlson read and review so very many books and do it all for free?" My answer would be. . . "I don't know, you would have ask her." But, I think she's one of the coolest people on the planet . . . and I don't care if the kids are still using that word or not! :) Thanks, Laurie, for taking the time to sit down with me in the cyber world and do this interview and thanks to all you Readers for taking a part of your busy day to read through this interview.

First, from me, thank 'YOU' so much for such a wonderful compliment you gave me! I would do it all again in a SECOND! A huge 'Thank You' to you, for giving us your gift of writing, sharing it with us and turning it into a wonderful story for the Readers, too! We thank you, as well! 
Well, I LOVE to read and I LOVE to share the LOVE of reading with as many people as I can! Reading is a hobby of mine, and one I CAN STILL DO! I have a neurological muscle disease which does not allow me to work, nor do many old hobbies I used to have because of physical limitations. Seriously, this is ONE hobby I have always loved, always done, and I CAN STILL DO IT! Nothing can 'physically' rob me of this one! You know, in a book you can forget the outside world even exists! You can forget everything and step into the life of another person, another era, a different country even. I love doing that so much, that I almost like 'the other worlds' WAY better than my own 'at times'. I don't have to deal with this neuro muscle disease in any of those other places! That, is a HUGE plus! I just forget! Also, how can anyone who LOVES reading as much as I do, NOT share it? That is not comprehensible to me. I want to share the love of reading and escaping into another time and place for a little while, or show them how to do it by highlighting some of my favorite books! Or showing off new books I have found. What I will never understand is how anyone can 'not' read! Or, how can anyone not love to learn about something they never knew existed? The World of Books and Reading is one that is infinite. To accept money for doing something I LOVE, need and want to SHARE with others? NEVER! I love sharing great books I find, new authors like yourself, and revisiting with favorite authors a second, third or more times! To me, this is truly a privilege!

The Reader's are going to LOVE what you had to say about them! Thanks!

Thank you, SO much, Jim, for taking all the time you have in answering all my questions. Wow!

WHERE TO FIND THIS AUTHOR, James E Parker:


This book is STILL up for grabs for 1 more day! Click the GIVEAWAY TAB up above and you will see this SAME review and Author Interview, but at the END of all of this, there will be a Rafflecopter form for you to enter! Good Luck!


If you read this AFTER the giveaway, you can get this at Amazon! Here's the LINK again!



ENJOY!!! I DID!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

New York Times Best Seller List - TOP 15 for the week ending June 16th, 2012

Happy Father's Day to ALL you Dad's out there!
(UH-OH!) Did you FORGET about Father's Day? You can ALWAYS buy Dad a Gift Card and have it email directly to HIS email box, OR you can print it off of YOUR COMPUTER right FROM Amazon and hand it to him! Here's he LINK!


TO GET DAD A GIFT CARD TO GIVE HIM "TODAY" CLICK THIS LINK: 


CLICK ON "ANY" OF THESE WORDS TO GET YOUR GIFT CARD FOR DAD!


Okay! Back to the NYT Best Seller List! The TOP 15!
FICTION -  "Print and ebooks both combined"


1. Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book:  $9.57
Ebook:        $9.99

   

2. Fifty Shades Darker (Fifty Shades, Book 2) by E L James
Print Book:  $9.57
Ebook:        $9.99

 

3. Fifty Shades Freed: Book Three of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James
Print Book:  $9.57
Ebook:        $9.99

  

4. Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn - "I" want this one!!! It's on MY Wish-List!
Print Book:  $13.98
Ebook:        $12.99

 

5. Kiss the Dead (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter) by Laurel K. Hamilton
Print Book:  $16.25
Ebook:        $12.99

 

6. Fifty Shades Trilogy: Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed 3-volume Boxed Set by E L James
Print Book:  $28.71
Ebooks:      $29.99

 

7. A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) by George R R Martin
Print Book:  $10.87
Ebook:        $ 8.99

 

8. 11th Hour (Women's Murder Club) by James Patterson AND Maxine Paetro
Print Book:  $18.47
Ebook:        $ 0.00  BE CAREFUL!!! ONLY the first 22 Chapters are free - after that you pay $12.99! This is NOT advertised CLEARLY!!! This author is NOTORIOUS for doing this! Catch you and get you into the story and LEAVE YOU HANGING unless you purchase the REST of the book!

 

9. Stolen Prey by John Sanford
Print Book:  $18.45
Ebook:        $12.99

  

10. The Innocent by David Baldacci
Print Book:  $18.47
Ebook:        $12.99

 

11. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
Print Book:  $5.60
Ebook:        $7.99

 

12. On the Island by Tracey Garvey-Graves
Print Book - OUT OF PRINT!
Ebook:  $5.99

 

13. The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst
Print Book - Available for PRE-ORDER! DUE TO BE AVAILABLE AS OF 7-3-12! Click on the non-image or the name of the book and YOU CAN PRE-ORDER this book!
Ebook $2.99

 

14. Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews KINDLE VERSION LINKS ONLY! The Hard Cover price, in MY opinion, is outrageous! $34.63! YIKES! But IS available as an ebook for the price of $12.99.
YES!!! I have this as a Galley to read! I'm SOOO glad because last year the author had and I read  Summer Rental and it was GREAT!!! It was the  'Summer Read' and I LOVED it, if you would like a GREAT suggestion for a GREAT Beach Read!!! It was a VERY entertaining read! This IS available as a much lower priced hardcover for $13.97, or as an ebook for $9.99! This book would be AS GOOD this year as last, if you're interested in reading this one, too!  Mary Kay Andrews CAN WRITE! 
Print Book:  $34.63
Ebook:        $12.99

 

15. Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel by Sylvia Day
Print Book:  $9.00
Ebook:        $7.99

 

And there we have this weeks TOP 15!
REMEMBER - DON'T FORGET DAD TODAY!!!!!!!
Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!!!!
Laurie