Chi's Sweet Home Volume 3

Author: Konami Kanata

Illustrator: Konami Kanata
Title: Chi's Sweet Home Volume 1

Publication: October 19, 2010

Publisher: Vertical

Genre: Graphic Novel, Comic Book

Pages: 144

Audience: 10 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from the cover): Kitten rearing is something, but raising a street-smart feline in a building with a strict no-pets policy is another story altogether. When mentoring a curious kitty, tactful tabbies must teach with patience and a firm paw. Remember, cats are a special breed. While we can survive well enough on instinct, those same feline responses can lead to unwanted attention. This long-whiskered one recommends spending lots of time with your little fur balls, for the will intuitively look for mischief unless thoroughly entertained.

My thoughts:

So the graphic novels don't change much from volume to volume, but the storyline does develop, even if it is a bit slow. In this volume, Chi's new bff Blackie is showing Chi how to be street-smart and not get caught. The Yamadas are freaking out over the fact they may get caught with Chi and what should they do with her. They suggest giving her away, but Yohei is too attached at this point. There is plenty of humor in this one too, but it feels a bit more serious. Chi could be given a new home. This book focuses on losing and having to give up people and things you like and love. So the books have matured some, but there is still plenty of humor to make help balance the sadness.

Spotlight & Excerpt: Open Adoption, Open Heart by Russell Elkins

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Open Adoption, Open Heart

The world of adoption has changed dramatically over the past twenty years. No longer do biological parents have to say goodbye to their child forever. They now have more options when deciding the type of adoption to pursue, such as open adoption. Open adoption creates the opportunity for a special relationship between biological parents, the adoptive parents, and the child.

 Open Adoption, Open Heart is an inspiring and true story, which takes the reader deeper into the feelings and emotions experienced by adoptive parents. As you read this incredible story, you will experience the joys, difficulties, and amazing victories facing adoptive couples. Russell and his wife, Jammie, invite you to share in their inspiring and heartwarming journey.

Purchase

Amazon * Author's Website
 Amazon Kindle * Barnes & Noble

Excerpt: 
There were times when we wondered if we were putting pictures on the website too often. We could tell Brianna (biological mom) was dying to see them, but at the same time we wondered if having them so readily available kept her from being able to move on. We tried hard to read her state of mind, but reading single-line statements on her Facebook page was rarely enough of a window into her mind to really know what to think. We avoided asking ourselves the question, “Is it really our responsibility to know how she’s doing?” We felt responsible for her happiness because we were the beneficiaries of what was paining her. We felt responsible for her ability to move on because we felt guilty about wanting to progress ourselves. We felt responsible for her well-being because she sacrificed so much for us. Our rational minds would say that we needed to give her some space so that those who were closest to her could help her heal, but our emotional minds would still play tug-of-war with it.
Through the passing months we noticed that our ability to heal and progress was paralleled with how we envisioned Brianna’s progress. We felt more calm and at ease with our role when we felt like she was happy. We felt guilty if we thought she was struggling with her life, even when her struggles weren't related to the adoption. I know it was probably unhealthy to mirror someone else’s state like that, but that’s how it was for a long time. Other people may experience it differently, but that was how it was for us.

Book Trailer:




From the Author: While my book's primary audience was thought to be those hoping to adopt, close to half of the books I've sold are simply people who want to read about our story and how adoption is different now than it used to be- and they have not adopted nor do they plan to adopt.

About the Author:

Russell Elkins was born on Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., in the fall of 1977. Along with his five siblings, he and his military family moved around a lot, living in eight different houses by the time he left for college at age 17. Although his family movedaway from Fallon, Nevada, just a few months after he moved out, he still considers that little oasis in the desert to be his childhood hometown. He and his family now live in the Boise, Idaho area.

Russell has always been a family man at heart, looking forward to the day when he could be a husband and a father. It took him a little while, but eventually his eyes locked onto a beautiful blonde, and he has never looked away. Russell and Jammie were married in 2004. Years of struggling with infertility left Russell and Jammie with a decision to make and their lives changed dramatically when they decided to adopt.

Russell and Jammie have adopted two beautiful children, Ira and Hazel, and have embraced their role as parents through open adoption. Both are actively engaged in the adoption community by communicating through social media, taking part in discussion panels, and writing songs about adoption. Russell also writes a weekly post for Adoption.com and contributes regularly to Adoption Voices Magazine.

Links

Website * Facebook

Tour Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash from Author Russell Elkins
Ends 12/23/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Blog Tour Schedule: http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/10/open-heart-open-adoption-blog-tour.html

Batman: Mad Love and Other Stories

Author: Paul Dini

Illustrator: Bruce Timm
Title: Batman: Mad Love and Other Stories

Publication: September 6 , 2011

Publisher: DC Comics

Genre: Graphic Novel, Comic Book, Villains

Pages: 208

Audience: 15 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

The trend in superheroes of the late 1980s was dark, grim, gritty, and not very kid friendly. Then along came the animated Batman series. The visual style was totally unique: clean, sharp, and bold. Batman Adventures: Mad Love is an original comics story drawn in the style of the popular animated series. It's even put together by Paul Dini, a major force behind the animated show. This particular story involves Batman's old foe, the Joker, and Joker's cute but deadly sidekick, Harley Quinn. Actor Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame, who plays the voice of the Joker in the animated series, claims that this is one of his all-time favorite comics, calling it "bold, lusty, gleefully demented".

My thoughts:
If you are the fan of the 90's cartoon, then you'll love this graphic novel. It is written and drawn by the creators of the animated television show from the 90's. This comic is interesting in the fact that it offers some of Harley Quinn's back story and how she and her puddin' came to be partners in crime. Mad Love is the first story told in the novel and it is the only one that focuses on Harley Quinn.  It also shows how much the Joker really abuses Harley. Obviously from the title, this is a Batman graphic novel. So the rest of the stories focus mainly on Batman. Like I mentioned before, if you enjoy the cartoon the graphic novel contains the corny humor and the artwork from my childhood. 

Review: Keeping Score ~ A Guide to Love and Relationships by Marc Brackett

Title:Keeping Score~A Guide to Love and Relationships
Author: Marc Brackett
Publication: August 4, 2012
Publisher: Marc Brackett
Source: Author/Publisher
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help
Rating: 5 of 5

Amazon|Website|Goodreads

Synopsis: It's a relationship book even a man can understand.

Keeping Score provides a relationship evaluation quiz followed by a common sense guide for relationship improvement, all with a humorous twist. You can determine if your relationship has the qualities it takes for a successful marriage and lasting love affair. If you're single- read this book to see how well your potential life partner measures up. If you're married- read this book to reduce conflict and increase your happiness.

Take control and shape your marriage into a relationship that will stand the trials of life and go the distance.

My Thoughts: I wasn't sure how I would feel about reading this one. Of course I want to know how my relationship stands but at the same time I really didn't want to know. This book was quick and painless. Marc Brackett has separate sections for the Ladies and the Men. I love the easy to read, straight to the point format and how the evaluation is broken up within each chapter. This is a practical tool for everyone in or thinking about being in a relationship. Keeping Score has allowed me to look at my relationship from a new perspective and identify changes that should be made. Keeping Score will be a great tool to use annually as a relationship checkup. 

This giveaway is for an e-copy Keeping Score and is International. Please use the rafflecopter form below to enter for a chance to win. 

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Chi's Sweet Home Volume 4

Author: Konami Kanata

Illustrator: Konami Kanata
Title: Chi's Sweet Home Volume4

Publication: December 21, 2010

Publisher: Vertical

Genre: Graphic Novel, Comic Book

Pages: 146

Audience: 10 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from the cover): Welcome to the neighborhood, Chi and family! Now in her new residence, Chi will be introduced to many friends of the furry and feathery kind. With so many fresh smells to investigate, endless adventures await. So settle in, because here pets will never be chased...unless they are chasing each other.

My thoughts:

 Finally! A place for the Yamadas and Chi. Where they can live in peace and not worry about the building management finding out about Chi. Poor Chi has no idea what is going on and the move is hard on her. If you have ever moved an animal it is tough. I have moved my cat twice. She handled the second move better than the first, but it was traumatic for her both times. Once Chi realizes she is in a new home, she starts rubbing against everything- making it her's. In this new pet-friendly apartment Chi makes meets new animals and tries to make new friends, even if she isn't too fond of the dog next door. My favorite stories in this volume were the hide and seek story and when Mr. Yamada tries clipping Chi's claws. Again, humor abounds in the stories and the artwork is precious.

Book Blast: A Hard Act to Follow by Henry Bushkin

A Hard Act to Follow by Henry Bushkin

"A Hard Act to Follow," is a non-fiction literary account of Henry Bushkin's tenure as Johnny Carson's lawyer, business partner, and friend.  The book gives genuine insight into the 'Carson behind Johnny' with candid personal vignettes about the two, during the rollicking years when Johnny was the undisputed king of television.  This is an engaging, eye-opening, anecdote-packed story about a young lawyer and his client, one of the biggest celebrities in the country.  This funny, unfiltered account gives readers a look at the Johnny Carson that none but a select few really knew.


“A Hard Act to Follow” by Henry Bushkin provides a stirring account into Johnny Carson’s world—as told by Carson’s closest confidant.
The New Yorker article by Kenneth Tynan from 1978, included the following question and answer:
Tynan: When you’re at home, whom do you entertain?
Carson: My lawyer, Henry Bushkin, who’s probably my best friend.

Carson360 Facebook * Website * Carson360 Twitter

Praise for the Book

"I loved the book." ~Wayne Newton

"Henry was Johnny's closest friend for many years which becomes clear through many of the wonderful chapters of the book." ~Bob Trapenberg

"The book is full of tough love, humor, cultural history, sadness, humor, love, loss, well I guess I am saying it is full of life." ~Rupert Garcia


" Henry's portrayal of Johnny was spot on. I highly recommend this book which is the closest the reader will ever get to know the real Carson." ~ Ed Weinberger, former Tonight Show writer and Producer for Carson Productions

"A beautifully easy read that pulls you in to an effortless journey through Johnny Carson’s effortful life. The glamour  the fellow celebrities behind the curtain, the loyalties, and the betrayals. It certainly provides new insight on decisions and the lives that are behind the scenes." ~Kathy Davis, Kathy Takes on Books

""I have read this book and it is FAB! If you love reading about celebrities, this is awesome. It is also a great memoir as well. I am a huge memoir fan so this one was a real treat and one of the best I have read in this genre in a long time" ~Mary,  Bookhounds Blog

"Bushkin's easy, unpretentious style allows the reader to be a fly on the wall as this inside story plays out in the rarified air on which Johnny thrived. "A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW" is a must read whether you grew up on Johnny or never heard of him. And then there are the supporting characters -- from the Rat Pack to Johnny's Ice Queen mother ranging around the pages disturbing the peace. I read it straight through in 90 minutes and was left wanting more."  ~Sandy Ignon, Screenwriter (RANSOM).

"The tales are epic in nature and stretch from the first page to the last. “A Hard Act to Follow” is an honest appraisal of Carson and shows his dark side. In this, Bushkin strikes the right blend of salacious detail with an appropriate dose of discretion. Sure, you’ll learn more detail about Carson’s marriages-- in a tasteful way.  Bushkin will leave you wanting more. Great books will do that." ~Barry Mordis, Senior VP at Merryl-Lynch

"No one would describe Johnny as easy going-there was an edge to him that Bushkin always managed to soften. He continues to do that in this book. There was that challenging side of Johnny which is also captured in the book. Henry was Johnny's closest friend for many years which becomes clear through many of the wonderful chapters of the book. All in all a great book to read." ~Bob Trapenberg, Johnny's former Tennis Pro.

Purchase: http://johnnycarsonbook.com/

Author Henry Bushkin

Henry Bushkin is an experienced lawyer who practices in both California and New York. He currently lives in Los Angeles where his children also reside.

Twitter * Website 

Blog Tour Now Through January 11th

Tour Schedule

Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 12/26/12
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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December New Release Giveaway Hop

Welcome to our stop on the December New Release Giveaway Hop. Thank you to Book Twirps and Refracted Light Reviews for hosting this hop. You can enter to win any book that is released in December up to $15 US. This giveaway is open to  USA and Canadian residents only. Don't forget to hop along to the next blog.

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