HFVBT: Guest Post by M.J. Rose

“When a woman is talking to you, listen to what she says with her eyes.”

            ― Victor Hugo

Excerpt from SEDUCTION - Chapter 37 - Victor to Fantine:
            “When I came upon you, you were looking out to sea, hands pressed together, fingers pointing toward the heavens. The aura of sadness around you was so palpable it was almost visible. By then I’d come to see us as partners in grief, and I think I believed that if I could rescue you from your misery, I would finally find relief as well.”
           

About the Author:

M.J. Rose is the international best selling author of eleven novels and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her fiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews including Oprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio. Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the '80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors - Authorbuzz.com. The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose's novels in the Renincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of Internation

al Thriller Writers and runs the blog- Buzz, Balls & Hype. She is also the co-founder of Peroozal.com and BookTrib.com.

Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

For more information on M.J. Rose and her novels, please visit her WEBSITE. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

HFVBT: Review of Seduction

Seduction: A Novel of Suspense By M.J. Rose

Published by Atria Books

To be released on May 7, 2013

384 pages

Historical Fiction

Received from Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis: From the author of The Book of Lost Fragrances comes a haunting novel about a grieving woman who discovers the lost journal of novelist Victor Hugo, awakening mystery that spans centuries. In 1843, novelist Victor Hugo’s beloved nineteen-year-old daughter drowned. Ten years later, Hugo began participating in hundreds of séances to reestablish contact with her. In the process, he claimed to have communed with the likes of Plato, Galileo, Shakespeare, Dante, Jesus – and even the Devil himself. Hugo’s transcriptions of these conversations have all been published. Or so it was believed. Recovering from her own losses, mythologist Jac L’Etoile arrives on the Isle of Jersey – where Hugo conducted the séances – hoping to uncover a secret about the island’s Celtic roots. But the man who’s invited her there, a troubled soul named Theo Gaspard, has hopes she’ll help him discover something quite different – Hugo’s lost conversations with someone called the Shadow of the Sepulcher. What follows is an intricately plotted and atmospheric tale of suspense with a spellbinding ghost story at its heart, by one of America’s most gifted and imaginative novelists.

M.J. Rose has written a very interesting story on reincarnation and mythology that will leave wondering about your own past lives. Seduction tells us three stories that are intertwined, and at times, difficult to understand. Overall, I really enjoyed this book but it was a tad disjointed and I didn’t know how everything would be resolved.

The book begins with Victor Hugo and his attempts to connect with his deceased daughter, Didine. I found these scenes to be incredibly spooky. His connection with the Shadow of the Sepulcher gives you chills. Hugo’s pain and struggle dominated his life where nothing else mattered except to communicate with his lost daughter. The Shadow was able to feed off that pain and his temptations to Hugo were so compelling.

Next, we meet Jac and Theo, two very troubled souls; both questioning their sanity. I’ve always enjoy reading about journeys of self-discovery, and Jac’s journey doesn’t disappoint. In the beginning, Jac is skeptical of everything, including past lives. Her journey comes full circle with a very surprising end. I found it fairly interesting how Theo and his family fit into her journey. It took me awhile to figure it out, but I finally did at the end. However, I’m not sure it made sense to me.

Last, and this is where I felt the book lose it focus, is the introduction of the ancient Celtic family of Owain, Gwenore, and Brice. I really didn’t like how this storyline was brought into the book. I think I would have been happier if the focus remained on Hugo and Jac/Theo.

I thought this was a very interesting read. I don’t regret reading it and I would recommend it if you enjoy reincarnation.

New Site!

It's done! My new site is up and running. I'm so thrilled with my new site. Jenn from Munchkin Land Designs did an amazing job. She is wonderful to work with and I HIGHLY recommend her for your blog design needs. If you follow here please continue to do so at my new site, Kinx's Book Nook.

Why I Love to Read: Cover Art

Why I love to Read

Cover Art

OK, I’ll admit it. I judge a book by its cover. I know I shouldn't  but I do. If I see a cover that looks absolutely horrible I won’t pick it up; even if it is highly recommended. Book cover art is like window shopping. If something doesn't catch your eye, you’re not going to give it a second glance. Luckily, for me, there are so many books with amazing cover art right now.  But at the same time, there are some really bad ones as well.

Lately, I found some amazing book covers. For example, Danielle Trussoni’s Angelopolis is amazing! When I posted it for one of my Waiting on Wednesdays I received so many comments from readers who loved the cover. It really catches your eye. If I saw this book on the shelf, I would pick it up; my curiosity is piqued. Another book cover, I liked is Relish by Lucy Knisley. Lucy is a graphic artist and did the cover herself plus all the illustrations inside. It’s a really fun and clever cover.

On the flip-side  back covers can be indicative of a bad book. I've read several where the cover was just plain silly and the book was too. I should have known better. But I wanted to give it a chance. As I think about it, I’m not sure if I have liked a book where the cover is just plain awful. However, I know I've read books that have wonderful covers that I hated. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan comes to mind; beautiful cover but very tedious book.

Of course, book cover art preference is purely subjective. Someone may love one cover while another person may hate it. I've seen that a lot. I know a lot of readers LOVE the smexy covers. I really don’t. I get tired and a little bored of seeing the same ole smexy art on books. I prefer more of a unique art work kind of cover.

When I’m approached for a blog tour, I read the synopsis and then look at the cover. Truth be told, I really don’t want to promote a book that has an ugly cover. I want something that compliments my blog and that will attract readers. These two covers, Seduction and Cascade, I totally fell in love with when I saw them. The covers were the main reason I chose to participate in the blog tours.

A book cover is a very important aspect of the packaging of any given book. It is a part of the whole reading experience. I know I have looked at the cover repeatedly while I’m reading. It puts me in the mood for the story and gives me anticipation as well.

That’s why I love to read this week? How do you view cover art?

It's Monday! What are you reading?!

Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! Hosted by Book Journey.

Last week, I read The Missing File which I haven't reviewed yet. I really didn't care for it. But I guess I really need to say why.

This week here's what I'm reading:

Seduction: A Novel of Suspense by M.J. Rose

From the author of The Book of Lost Fragrances comes a haunting novel about a grieving woman who discovers the lost letters of novelist Victor Hugo, awakening a mystery that spans centuries.

In 1843, novelist Victor Hugo’s beloved nineteen-year-old daughter drowned. Ten years later, Hugo began participating in hundreds of séances to reestablish contact with her. In the process, he claimed to have communed with the likes of Plato, Galileo, Shakespeare, Dante, Jesus—and even the Devil himself. Hugo’s transcriptions of these conversations have all been published. Or so it was believed.

Recovering from her own losses, mythologist Jac L’Etoile arrives on the Isle of Jersey—where Hugo conducted the séances—hoping to uncover a secret about the island’s Celtic roots. But the man who’s invited her there, a troubled soul named Theo Gaspard, has hopes she’ll help him discover something quite different—Hugo’s lost conversations with someone called the Shadow of the Sepulcher.

What follows is an intricately plotted and atmospheric tale of suspense with a spellbinding ghost story at its heart, by one of America’s most gifted and imaginative novelists.

Next:

While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax

When the concierge of The Alexander, a historic Atlanta apartment building, invites his fellow residents to join him for weekly screenings of Downton Abbey, four very different people find themselves connecting with the addictive drama, and—even more unexpectedly—with each other…

Samantha Davis married young and for the wrong reason: the security of old Atlanta money—for herself and for her orphaned brother and sister. She never expected her marriage to be complicated by love and compromised by a shattering family betrayal.

Claire Walker is now an empty nester and struggling author who left her home in the suburbs for the old world charm of The Alexander, and for a new and productive life. But she soon wonders if clinging to old dreams can be more destructive than having no dreams at all.

And then there’s Brooke MacKenzie, a woman in constant battle with her faithless ex-husband. She’s just starting to realize that it’s time to take a deep breath and come to terms with the fact that her life is not the fairy tale she thought it would be.

For Samantha, Claire, Brooke—and Edward, who arranges the weekly gatherings—it will be a season of surprises as they forge a bond that will sustain them through some of life’s hardest moments—all of it reflected in the unfolding drama, comedy, and convergent lives of Downton Abbey.

March Rewind

March

 

It's been another busy month at Kinx's Book Nook. Another wonderful and crazy month. First, I was chosen as the blogger of the month at Oklahoma Women Bloggers. I wrote several posts about spring cleaning, book review, why I love to read and why I started blogging. Clink here for my posts.

 

This month I wrote six book reviews; ranging from ok to great. Here's my list:

 

The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman (Book Club)

The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier

French Milk by Lucy Knisley

The Bruges Tapestry by P.A. Staes

Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen by Sally Smith O'Rourke

Angelopolis by Danielle Trussoni

 

I only read one book that I really didn't like (The Missing File) which I haven't reviewed yet.

 

My favorite book that I read and reviewed had to be Angelopolis by Danielle Trussoni. It is such a great sequel to Angelology. You really need to check it out.

 

I also had some really good giveaways. I participated in the Spring Cleaning Hop and gave a way a big box of books. Congrats to Leslie for winning! I still have two giveaways that are still active: Animal Boogie and The Bruges Tapestry.

 

The last big thing is that I started Barefoot Saturdays. I recently decided to become a Barefoot Ambassador and sell/promote children's books. Every Saturday I will be spotlighting a great book from Barefoot. So far, I've talked about Animal Boogie and You and Me. Both outstanding books!

 

Last but not least, I received my first draft of my new website. Hopefully, in the next month I will be switching from Blogger to a self-hosted site. I'm a little nervous but excited too.

 

Well, that's my month in a nutshell!

 



Barefoot Saturday: You and Me

You and Me
Written by Stella Blackstone
Illustrated by Giovanni Manna
Ages 1 to 4
Large Format Board Book

Imagine yourself in a variety of situations along with the boy and girl in this simple rhyming text. As they play an imaginary game of opposites and contrasts, the children explore valleys and hills, light and dark, and hot and cold, but find that in the end, it's best when "You're you, and I'm me."

You and Me is one of my favorite books in the Barefoot Books catalog. As you turn each page, your child will learn about opposites in a very imaginative way. The illustrations by Giovanni Manna are absolutely beautiful. To me, each page is a work of art.

When I read this book to my girls, my voice gets very soft and calm. The rhymes are very soothing as are the pictures.  Usually, my daughter and I will play a little game. I will read the first page and she will say the opposite from the next page. It's fun watching her little mind work out what the opposite is.