Teaser Tuesdays - January 8th

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

She checked her watch, still unaccustomed to wearing jewelry, and--of all things--a right fancy jeweled timepiece. "Is one hour from now too soon?"

~ page 97 from The Reckoning by Beverly Lewis

Downton Abbey Season 3 Starts Off Strong

Downton Abbey started off strong in Season 3. I won't share spoilers in case you haven't had a chance to see it yet, but it's riveting. Familiar faces blend with new ones to create a thrilling season opener that captured 7.9 million viewers.

Here is a brief synopsis:

While the family plans for Lady Mary's upcoming nuptials to Matthew Crawley, Lord Grantham learns one of his investments has gone belly up, leaving the future of Downton Abbey uncertain. Lady Edith continues her pursuit of Sir Anthony Strallan, much to the disapproval of the Dowager Countess of Grantham. The arrival of Lady Grantham's mother, Martha Levinson, creates new drama for the entire house; as does the arrival of Lady Sybil and her husband, Branson, who is just as fired up as he was before they left for Ireland.

Downstairs, O'Brien convinces  Lady and Lord Grantham to hire her nephew as a footman, angering Thomas, who is sure to cause trouble. Anna continues to exhaust all avenues in her efforts to clear Bates of Vera's murder. Mrs. Hughes receives some disturbing news, and Daisy stages a protest when she doesn't receive her promotion.

The acting and writing for Downton Abbey remain superb, though I truly wish they would give Lady Edith a storyline that didn't involve her acting like a selfish, spoiled rotten brat. I want to feel sympathetic toward her plight as the forgotten middle child who has watched while the family dotes on the beautiful, older Lady Mary and whose good behavior is downplayed against her younger sister Sybil's antics, but Edith is like pouring vinegar into baking soda, exploding everything. She creates her own issues with her sour attitude. It will be interesting to see how her relationship with Sir Anthony moves forward and if it changes her any.

Season 3 of Downton Abbey Starts Sunday

I am so excited! The third season of Downton Abbey starts tomorrow night. And though I know one of my favorite characters will be eliminated in the Christmas episode, I can't wait to watch all the goings on upstairs and downstairs as Anna tries to prove her husband's innocence, Matthew and Mary plan their life together, and Robert deals with a financial catastrophe.

If you visit the PBS website at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/ you can watch a group cast interview with fans asking questions that took place in New York. There's also a preview of the first 10 minutes of the third season there.

The Greeks of Beaubien Street Virtual Book Publicity Tour and Giveaway

Nestled below the skyline of Detroit you’ll find Greektown, a few short blocks of colorful bliss, warm people and Greek food. In spite of growing up immersed in the safety of her family and their rich culture, Jill Zannos doesn’t fit in. A Detroit homicide detective, she manages to keep one foot planted firmly in the traditions started by her grandparents, while the other navigates the most devastated neighborhoods in the city she can’t help but love. She is a no nonsense workaholic with no girlfriends, an odd boyfriend who refuses to grow up, and an uncanny intuition, inherited from her mystic grandmother, that acts as her secret weapon to crime solving success. Her story winds around tales of her family and their secret laden history, while she investigates the most despicable murder of her career.

The Greeks of Beaubien Street is a modern tale of a family grounded in old world, sometimes archaic, tradition, as they seek acceptance in American society. They could be any nationality, but they are Greek.

PURCHASE YOUR COPY AT:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble


Suzanne Jenkins is the author of the Pam of Babylon Series. The Greeks of Beaubien Street is a new series about a Greek homicide detective who grew up above the family grocery store in Greektown, Detroit. Jenkins has fond memories of growing up in a Greek American household in the suburbs of Detroit. She currently lives in the west Michigan lakeshore area with her husband, two dogs and two sheep.

Visit her website at www.suzannejenkins.net.
Visit her blog at www.2sheepinthecity.com.

~ ~ ~ $100 AMAZON GIFT CARD/PAYPAL CASH GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book and Suzanne Jenkins are teaming up to give you a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash!

Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour or visit the book's tour page.

This promotion will run from January 2 – March 29. The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on March 30.

Each blogger who participates in The Greeks of Beaubien Street virtual book tour is eligible to enter and win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Greeks of Beaubien Street Tour Page:

http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/12/27/pump-up-your-book-presents-the-greeks-of-beaubien-street-virtual-book-publicity-tour/

Free for Kindle: A Bride for Pastor Dan by Katie Crabapple

Anna is content with her life. She works as a kindergarten teacher for a local school, and gives as much of her time as she can to her church. The new pastor at her church has caused quite a stir among the single females, because not only is he a single pastor, but he’s a handsome single pastor. Anna knows she doesn’t have a shot with him. Or does she?

This short story is meant as an introduction to the Parkside Community Church series. The main characters from this story continue through all five books as secondary characters and their characters are expanded on throughout the series. If you don't enjoy short stories, this book may not be what you're looking for.

Show More

Show Less

File Size: 194 KB
Print Length: 37 pages
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B0068XJXJC

PURCHASE HERE!

Purrs of Wisdom Book Blast – Win $25 Amazon Gift Card & Free e-Books!

About the Author:

Ingrid King is a former veterinary hospital manager turned award winning writer. Her popular blog, The Conscious Cat, a comprehensive resource for conscious living, health, and happiness for cats and their humans, has won multiple awards, including DogTime Media’s 2012 Pettie for Best Cat Blog, 2011 Pettie for Best Overall Pet Blog, and About.com’s 2012 Readers Choice Award for Best Website About Cats. Ingrid is the publisher of the online magazine News for You and Your Pet, which goes out to subscribers around the world. Her articles have been published in Cat Fancy, Animal Wellness Magazine, Urban Animal, NOVADog, and on miscellaneous websites. Ingrid lives in Northern Virginia with her tortoiseshell cats Allegra and Ruby.

Her latest book is Purrs of Wisdom: Conscious Living Feline Style.

Visit her website at www.ingridking.com.

About the Book:

Purrs of Wisdom is a collection of essays featuring lessons in conscious living, inspired by the cats who have shared the author’s life.

From help with every day challenges to inspiration on living a joyful life, this compilation provides encouragement, guidance, and enlightenment, feline style.

Whether it’s creating balance, navigating turbulent times, or finding the magic in life’s ordinary moments, there’s something for everyone in this book.

Chapters include:
• The Healing Power of the Purr
• Making Time for Contemplation
• Routine as the Key to Happiness
• Purging Can Make You Purr
• Healthy Cats, Healthy Human

The stories may remind readers of lessons their own cats have taught them, provide “aha” moments, or simply bring a smile.

The book is best enjoyed with a cat curled up on your lap.

PRAISE FOR Purrs of Wisdom

“Purrs of Wisdom, by Ingrid King, is a treat for anyone who is enchanted by all things feline! The book is an exploration of lessons on living a joyful and inspired life, learned from the many magical cats who have shared the author’s journey.

I found gifts on every page, but the section titled Lessons from a Maple Tree especially touched my heart. The author talks about taking time out of her busy day to soak up the tree’s magnificent colors when the leaves change in the fall. “Doing nothing without feeling guilty” is a lesson she learned from her cats. Ingrid’s words were a gentle reminder to this fast-paced former New Yorker to look to my own kitties for guidance when my world seems to be spinning a bit too quickly.

Purrs of Wisdom is sure to be a treasured addition to any cat lover’s library!”
- Christine Davis, Author of For Every Cat An Angel and Forever Paws
***
“Reading this collection of feline-inspired essays and life lessons gave me several AHA! moments. Purrs of Wisdom is a refreshing read that packs a deceptively powerful punch and provides helpful recipes for finding your bliss. Ingrid King writes with compassion for those who struggle along as “life happens.” The gifted writer offers nearly poetic insight how to manage the angst, as well as to recognize the “why” behind such things. You’ll want to savor each individual chapter and purr-haps bookmark and revisit those that strike a personal chord. And of course, read aloud to your favorite feline companion!”
- Amy Shojai, bestselling author of more than two-dozen pet books
***
“Purrs of Wisdom is the perfect book for anyone who loves cats – and has an interest in living life to the fullest, with a positive and peaceful outlook – just like a cat does! It spoke to me on several levels and is sure to become a well-thumbed volume as I continue on my life’s journey.”
- Ann Brightman, Managing Editor, Animal Wellness Magazine
***
“In this guide to living spiritually and creatively in a world that isn’t always quite comfortable with either quality, King, a keenly intuitive writer, draws upon the lessons she has learned from her beloved feline friends, weaving them deftly together with her own experiences. ”
- T.J. Banks, Author of Sketch People: Stories Along the Way and Catsong

PURCHASE YOUR COPY OF PURRS OF WISDOM AT AMAZON!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Purrs of Wisdom: Conscious Living Feline Style Tour Page:
http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/11/10/pump-up-your-book-presents-purrs-of-wisdom-book-blast/

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!