Dreaming of Nick Heller

Okay, so the title of my post isn't exactly true.  I did have a dream.  And I could have sworn I caught a glimpse of Nick Heller standing to my right.  I was so surprised when I realized who it was that I accidentally woke myself up.   I was ordering a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino from Starbucks and Nick was asking about cookies.  Cookies?  Out of all the things to dream about with regards to this book I chose to focus on the cookies?  Maybe in my next dream I can channel my inner Dorothy and crack some super secret computer code, break some rules, and risk my life  on a secret mission with Nick Heller.  If I play my cards just right, there might actually be a chance for me as Nick's quirky little side kick with a bada** attitude.

Nick Heller is a new character in a continuing series being written by Joseph Finder.  VANISHED is Nick Heller's debut novel to the world.  Nick Heller!  I referred to him as the new love of my life in a previous post.  I think I even said he was "dreamy."  'Tis true! So true!  Nick Heller, the ex-Special Forces veteran! He's tall, handsome, intelligent, charming, and even comes with a soft side.  Do I really need to say more than that?  He might not be serving our country in uniform now, but he is putting to use his skills and knowledge from his service years as an investigator for an incredibly powerful intelligence firm.  Nick knows things. And what he doesn't know today; he will know tomorrow.  That's just the kind of guy he is.  You don't mess with Nick unless you're prepared to be messed up by Nick!

Because I hate writing reviews, I'm only going to tell you this:  Nick's brother goes missing, his sister-in-law knows more than she's willing to admit,  greed plays a part in the story, and there's a really scary individual that is very talented when it comes to the use of a scalpel.  Oh...and there is one scene that's kind of personal for Nick that makes me teary-eyed.  I know!  All of this is in one book.   If that's not enough to sell it, Lee Child (Jack Reacher's creator) wrote a blurb for the book!  It reads:  An ACTION-PACKED, FULL THROTTLE...read-it-tonight thriller that you definitely shouldn't miss."   Just so you know, I didn't see the blurb until after I finished the book. 

I bought this book after finding Joseph Finder on Twitter and falling in love with his ability to send useful information with his tweets.  He is by far the best tweeter out there.  This is my first read by Joseph Finder and I'm really excited to backtrack and read all of his previous work.  You can read more about Joseph Finder on his website at http://www.josephfinder.com/general/bio.  Don't forget, VANISHED is the first book in the Nick Heller series.  I read on Barnes & Noble that Joseph Finder is only planning four books in this series.  Mr. Finder, is it possible for you to reconsider your position on this matter at a later date?  The thought of knowing that this series already has an ending leaves me feeling blue.  Very blue! 

Sorry, faithful readers, but I don't have an extra copy to give away this week.   I'd give you my copy, but I'm not quite ready to part with Nick just yet.  If you ask nicely, I might let you borrow it...after I give you instructions on how to properly hold my books!  Before I forget...thanks for following me on Twitter, Mr. Finder.  Here's hoping Google Alert isn't working today and that Mr. Finder doesn't dump me after reading this review!

We Have A WINNER!!!

I had 29 COMMENTS, but  only 19 actual names made it to the final cut!  Thanks again for taking time out of your busy, busy schedules and reading my ridiculously lame book blog (which I happen to totally love!).  The selection process consisted of me, Sabrina Ogden, writing all the names down on a piece of paper, cutting them into strips, placing them in a really cool looking hat, and while closing my eyes, selecting a winner.  Unfortunately, my super hot looking husband is working a late shift and was unable to assist in the selection process.   By the way, the signatures are totally readable!  It is not only signed by Vordak, but by his minions, too!

The winner of a signed copy of How To Grow Up and Rule The World by Vordak The Incomprehensible is:

LEAH ANDERSON

I just about died when I pulled your name out of the hat!  You wanted this book sooooo bad and I'm super excited you won!  I'll bring it to you tomorrow. 

Now that this contest is over, I can finally concentrate on my next blog post.  Tomorrow I'll be giving you my idea of a review of VANISHED by Joseph Finder.  Have I told you how much I like this author?  I love his writing style.  The guy is clearly intelligent and Nick Heller, the main character, is incredibly...I guess you'll have to read my next blog post and find out!  Here's praying Joseph Finder doesn't Google Alert himself. The stress of this blog is killing me!

On another note...I started book ten in the Reacher novels.  Oh how I've missed you, Jack!  Although I'm happy to delay finishing this series, I find myself going through withdrawals at the same time.  Why do I fall so easily for these characters?  It's no wonder my husband is shaking his head at my attempt to convince him to let me head to New York next month to attend a Lee Child book signing.  It's harmless fun, I assure you.  If I had known about Joseph Finder earlier, I never would have cancelled that trip to Boston!  The things you  miss out on when you fall behind in reading!

Thanks again for participating in the contest and I look forward to giving away more items in the future!

My Name Is Death by Alan Cass

One of the things I've enjoyed  most about this little blog is the opportunity I have had to spotlight authors and their books.  The book I'm going to share with you tonight was just released today!  The author is a writer I met through Twitter.  I might not tweet very often, but I do follow some pretty amazing people and some of them have in turn followed me.  Alan Cass is one of them.  I knew when I first saw a tweet about his book that I would be interested.  The title alone is intriguing.  And some of the comments he posted on his Facebook page made me even more curious.  All the sights, sounds, and even smells from our past really do have a way of transporting us back in time.  I can't wait to read this book, and like Alan wrote today on his Facebook page, "meet Brandon Rose." 

I'm wishing you the best Alan. Enjoy your launch party!

About the book:

Time travel’s a myth?

So you have never heard a song that didn’t instantly rewind the fabric of your mind by ten years? A song on your car radio that just happens to be the first song you made ‘our’ song with your precious departed wife? A song so deeply rooted in your heart that life simply wouldn't be the same without it. Just close your eyes and you’re there, the warm afternoon sun shining on your face, the butterflies in your stomach as you uttered those immortal words. . . . Will you marry me? How beautiful she looked as you held her hands in yours, and seconds seemed like hours as she drew breath and said ‘yes.’

About the Author:

 

Alan was born into a working class family in Liverpool. He originally had the idea for this book fifteen years ago but put it to one side to continue his journey through life and develop the idea further. Alan has captured many elements of the human condition and fused them with both joy and rage. The result of which is his breathtaking first novel. It makes you laugh, cry and realize life is for living. Being a creative person it was always his dream to bring his idea to any like minded individuals and to those who share his passion for creation.

 
If you are interested in purchasing a copy you can do so by visiting the following link:
http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=73623

CHANNELING YOUR INNER VILLAIN

Every once in a while you come across a book that is so inspiring you have no choice but to share it with your friends.  Or, you come across a book that is so ridiculously funny you can't help but talk about it.  Such is the case of How To Grow Up And Rule The World by Vordak The Incomprehensible.  This isn't your average reading material.  Vordak is pretty clear about who he wants reading this book.  I, personally, feel like I meet the requirements.  I mean, really, don't we all want to be just a little evil at times?  I know I do.  Seriously,  there are times when I'm so pressured with my status of perfection in my little world, that I forget just how fun evil can be.  EVIL...Vordak's kind of evil! 

The first chapter in this insanely written "masterpiece" is entitled; Glorious Me!  I know.  I thought it was a joke, but it wasn't.  The first page had me hooked.  I loved it so much I'm willing to share it with you if only to showcase Vordak's gift of making you feel like a pathetic goober.

GREETINGS, inferior one.  I am Vordak the Incomprehensible.  Who you are doesn't matter.  What does matter is my dastardly decision to add the world of book publishing to my growing list of conquests.  Without even trying very hard, I have created a book of such unbelievable brilliance that it dwarfs all other literature preceding it throughout the course of human history.  The wisdom contained within these pages is of such humongousness that it offers even a piddling piece of pond scum such as yourself the opportunity to ONE DAY GROW UP AND RULE THE WORLD!  MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  (I think I typed one too many HA's in there, but does it matter?  NO!)

This book will teach you how to bring out your inner evil villain, select a "gut-wrenching" evil name, create a villainous costume, build the perfect evil lair, and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.  This book comes with tests, and an employment form where you pretty much sign your life over to Vordak. 

I'm really trying hard to channel my inner villain.  I just need to stop smiling so much in my photos.  While I continue to work on that daily, I have gone ahead and chosen my evil name.  Are you ready for it?  It's pretty good...not as good as Vordak's, but we all can't be as perfect as he seems to think he is.  My name is: TOLZAR The Ruthlessly Impatient.  There's a template available in the book to help with the selection process.  I've also chosen my evil lair.  You can find photos on my Facebook page.  I'm still working on the costume, but since my evil lair doesn't have high ceilings, I know I'll be wearing a mask. 

Even with all my constant chatter on Facebook and my willingness to unpack a box of these books that the book store hadn't even bothered to stock on the shelves, Vordak still has yet to send me a signed copy to give away on my book blog.  I've entered a contest to win one, but I have a pretty strong feeling I'm not the winner.  Feel free to stop by my desk to check out my copy of this seriously insane book.  I think it makes for great bathroom reading.  Don't tell Vordak I said that.  You can read more about Vordak on his web page at http://www.vordak.com/.  

You know that book I've been thinking about writing?  After reading this, I'm thinking I might have a real shot at being published.  MUAHAHAHAHA!!!

Update:  Thanks to Google Alert, Vordak read my blog post and liked it?  He is sending me a free signed copy to give away on my ridiculously lame book blog!  How cool is that?

AND THE WINNER IS...

I had 14 people participate in this book give away.  Me sooooo happy!  Thanks for all the kind comments.  I really appreciate your willingness to take time out of your busy schedules to read this blog.  The selection process consisted of me, Sabrina Ogden, writing down the names of everyone that left a comment.  I even included Judy P. since she was unable to leave a comment on my blog.  I tore the names apart, placed them in a hat, and had my incredibly hot husband, Richard, pick a name.  And the winner is:  ANGIE B.  Since I know where you work, I will bring your signed copy of Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton to you tomorrow.  Congratulations and happy reading!

I finished up Vordak's- How to Grow Up and Rule the World last week.  If I feel I can do it justice, you'll find me blogging about it later this week.  I also recently read the first two books in the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.  I will be starting the third...you guessed it, later this week.  I'm borrowing the books from my friend so I don't get to choose the schedule.  While I'm waiting for book three in the Hunger Games trilogy, I am  reading VANISHED by Joseph Finder.  I didn't think it would be possible for me to fall in love with another hot male character, but  I did.  Nick Heller is my new found love.  So dreamy!  I am so glad I picked up this book at the airport on my way to Vegas for Girl's Weekend 2010.  Reading Vanished was just one of two things I did to keep myself occupied on our little road trip to Arizona in the very back seat of Teri's MDX.  My other activity was taking pictures of myself!  I'm a master of self photos!!!!  Aren't I pretty?