Four Reasons You Should Attend Our Book Signing Event on November 5

1. It's a Connect Event: A lot of students have to attend them anyway, and there aren't too many left to choose from, so choose a fun one to attend!

2. There will be giveaways: Who doesn't like the chance to win a free book, hockey tickets, and other fun prizes?? If you don't like winning things, then attend anyway and give a librarian your prize if you win something. 

3. It's about hockey and Cumberland University: Didn't think those two things belonged in the same sentence did you? Well, surprise! You'll have to attend to see what the connection is.

4. You get to meet an author: That seems like something you can brag about to your friends. Or maybe that's just me...

Okay, if those reasons weren't compelling enough for you, here's the rundown of the event:

Justin Bradford, a 2008 graduate of Cumberland University and author of the book Nashville Predators: The Making of Smashville, will be in the Vise Library on Thursday, November 5 from 6 - 7 PM to talk about writing the book and how his education and experiences at Cumberland University helped him during this process. The discussion will be moderated by Tommy Bryan from The Wilson Post newspaper. 

Bradford is the host of Penalty Box Radio on 102.5 The Game and was named the Best Sports Reporter in Nashville by readers of The Tennessean in 2014 & 2015. His blog, Penalty Box Radio was recently named the Best Sports Blog in Nashville. 

Fall Reading Challenge: The Legacy of Us by Kristin Contino #FRC2015

This fall, members of the Vise Library are going back to school by participating in a Fall Reading Challenge. We have received copies of several books from publishers for honest reviews. We hope that you enjoy these reviews (and books)!

The book for our Ancestry 101 class is The Legacy of Us by Kristin Contino.

About the book:

Taking readers from 1905 Italy to present-day Philadelphia, The Legacy of Us uncovers how the lives of three generations of women are changed by love, loss and one little necklace...

Liz Moretti thought she knew almost everything about her grandmother, Ella, from her love of "The Golden Girls" to the perfect pound cake recipe. But when Ella passes away and Liz finds a cameo locket with a marriage proposal engraved inside (from a man who was not her grandfather), she realizes that sometimes a person's secrets are discovered only after they're gone. 

On top of losing Ella, Liz's career as a jewelry designer is stagnant and her love life lacks sparkle, too. When she reconnects with the one who got away, Liz thinks maybe things are finally starting to look up. But after a few drinks and a trip down a flight of stairs, Liz wakes up to realize the cameo is gone. Her ex offers to look for it, but so does Justin, the intriguing new guy in her apartment building. 

While dealing with her feelings for two very different men and generally trying to reinvent her mess of a life, Liz finds answers and solace in Ella's diary. The story of the cameo, and the relationship between her grandmother and great-grandmother, an outspoken socialite from Italy, inspires Liz to grow up and accept responsibility for her missteps. Eventually she must choose between the life she thought she wanted and the promise of something better.

The Legacy of Us follows three generations of women that are all intertwined with their stories.  This story has different threads to follow that takes you through their times periods of life, love, work and themselves.  You find out that each woman has had some kind of pressure in their life and that they must sort that out to find out who they are.  There are lessons of forgiveness, love, finding strength and about secrets.  Each story line has its own distinct voice and you will not have a hard time distinguishing between all of them.  This book is beautifully written and you will be pulling for each woman in this story.  This is a great read to curl up on the couch with and just get lost in the different time periods!

Buy the book:

·    Parnassus Books

·    Barnes and Noble

·        Amazon

About the author:

Kristin Contino has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. Her childhood love of reading and writing translated into a career as a freelance writer and editor, and her work has appeared in retail, business, and parenting publications. She lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her family, but dreams of moving to her favorite city, London. The Legacy of Us is her first novel. 

Connect with the author:

·        Facebook

·        Twitter

·       Website

Book Review: A Girl's Best Friend by Lindsey Kelk

Members of the Vise Library were selected to review A Girl's Best Friend.  We received a copy of Lindsey Kelk's book for an honest review.

About the book:

A festive treat from the author of the bestselling I HEART series

After the crazy six months she’s had, if there was a ‘clear history’ button for your life, Tess Brookes would be the first in line to press it.

When the opportunity arises to join her best friend, Amy, in New York for Christmas, Tess jumps at the chance. The only slight hitch is that Nick, the man who broke her heart, lives there. And Charlie, the man she turned down, has just started talking to her again. And she has just four days to take a photo for a competition that could save her career.

But aside from that, everything is going to be great: it’ll be the best Christmas ever. Won’t it?

When I received a copy of this book, I thought the description sounded fun, but I didn't realize this was the third book in the series until after I had finished the book.  However, if you haven't read About a Girl or What a Girl Wants I wouldn't let that keep you from reading this book.  Not going to lie, it would probably help for more of the backstory of things that happen in this book, but I found that I could pick up what was happening pretty quickly.  Tess has taken a big leap and left her successful and familiar job behind to become a photographer.  She is good, but she isn't having much success making money in her new profession.  She has people that are supportive and she has people that doubt her decision.  Her best friend that is living in New York invites her to visit for the holidays.  Tess is reunited with old friends and makes quite a few new ones as well.  She is given an opportunity to shoot for a fashion magazine and also enters a photography contest at a gallery.  Tess finally feels like things in her professional career are on track, but her personal life is a completely different matter.  She left a guy behind in London that was interested in her way too late (Charlie), but the person she really wants to be with is in New York (Nick).  He left her (brokenhearted of course, jerk) by leaving a note and she can't understand why he did that.  With some liquid courage and a pep talk from friends she decides to confront him about why he left so that she can understand.  Even though this book has a romantic twist to it, that aspect of the book is really not the focus (I will say the article near the end of the book that Tess reads: to die for).  This book focuses more on Tess being brave and confident in herself.  She finds what she truly wants out of life and the difference between happiness and settling.  Her friendships play a major role and you will love how witty they are.  I can't say enough about this book, but I will let you know that I intend to read the other two books so that I can find out about Tess' previous adventures.  I think most people will get a kick out of this book and I can't wait to find out how much other people enjoy it!

Buy the book:

     Amazon

       Barnes and Noble
      Parnassus Books

About the author:

Lindsey Kelk is a British writer and used to be a children’s book editor. When she isn’t writing, reading, listening to music or watching more TV than is healthy, Lindsey likes to wear shoes, shop for shoes and judge the shoes of others. She loves living in New York but misses Sherbert Fountains, London and drinking Gin & Elderflower cocktails with her friends. Not necessarily in that order.

Connect with the author:

Facebook

   Twitter

   Website

Book Review: What You See by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Members of the Vise Library were selected to review What You See.  We received a copy of Hank Phillippi Ryan's book for an honest review.

About the book:

What You See: another thrilling installment in Hank Phillippi Ryan's award-winning Jane Ryland mystery series.

Why would a father abduct his own child? A wedding is planned in Jane Ryland's family, but there's a disaster instead. Nine-year-old Gracie-supposed to be the flower girl-has been taken by her stepdad. Where are they? Is the girl in danger? Reporter Jane Ryland learns there's a limit to the bonds of family-and learns to her peril what happens when loved ones are pushed too far. 

Meanwhile, Detective Jake Brogan's got a doozy of a case. At Boston's historic Faneuil Hall, a man is stabbed to death in front of a crowd of tourists snapping photos of the murder on their cell phones. Solving the case should be easy, but the pictures and surveillance video lead him to a dark conspiracy of extortion and stolen lives. 

Jane and Jake must explore where their loyalties lie-to each other? To their families? To their careers? If they make the wrong decision, the consequences could be fatal.

The Jane Ryland series by Ryan has been one of my favorite mystery series of all time.  They are always complex and thought provoking and Ryan does not disappoint in her latest: What You See.  There are several story lines: a missing (but not missing, but possibly missing) child, a stabbing, another stabbing, "Big Brother" security issues, City Hall's ultimate power, a police corruption, Jane being accused as a kidnapper and Jane's maybe/not maybe new job.  (Plus all of these happen within a 24-36 hour timeline - whew what a whirlwind!!!!)  Jane not only has professional problems to deal with, but personal ones as well.  She and Jake decide to privately-out-in-the-open let people know about their relationship.  That sort of changes when Jane accepts a job at a television station (this is on-again/off-again) and has an affect on their relationship.  

This book is smart (like all the others in the series) and I couldn't read this book fast enough to find out what happened.  There are also social issues tied in that are the topic of discussions in present day.  There are parts of Jake's past that we find out (he is always a mystery it seems!) and the dialogue with his partner is always a treat.  These books always leave me wanting more and that is no exception with this book (example: the box at the end, what is in that????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????).  If you want a book to keep you entertained and something that will always keep you guessing, do yourself a favor and pick up this book when it is added to our collection on Tuesday.  Happy reading!

Buy the book:

     Amazon

       Barnes and Noble
      Parnassus Books

About the author:

Hank Phillippi Ryan is the bestselling author of eight award winning novels of suspense. National reviews have called her a "master at crafting suspenseful mysteries" and "a superb and gifted storyteller."

Her newest book, WHAT YOU SEE is a Top Pick! And is dubbed "exceptional suspense." It received a starred review from Library Journal which says: "Readers will find themselves racing to the finish!" 

Her 2014 book, TRUTH BE TOLD, won the AGATHA Award for best mystery, and is a Library Journal Best of 2014. It received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal, which says, "Drop everything and binge read!" 

THE WRONG GIRL has the extraordinary honor of winning the Agatha Award and the Daphne Award, and is a seven-week Boston Globe bestseller and Anthony Award nominee. 

THE OTHER WOMAN won the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was listed as a Best Book of 2012 by the Kansas City Star, the Sacramento Bee, Suspense Magazine, and The Boston Globe, won the prestigious Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was the only novel nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity, Shamus and Daphne awards for Best Novel of 2012.

Her first four mysteries, beginning with the Agatha Award-winning PRIME TIME, feature Charlotte McNally, a Boston television reporter. FACE TIME was a BookSense Notable Book, and AIR TIME and DRIVE TIME were both Anthony and Agatha Award nominees for best novel of 2009 and 2010.

Hank is also an award-winning investigative reporter at Boston's NBC affiliate. Her work has resulted in new laws, people sent to prison, homes removed from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in refunds and restitution for victims and consumers. In addition to 33 EMMYs and 13 Edward R. Murrow awards, Hank's won dozens of other honors for her ground-breaking journalism. She's been a radio reporter, a legislative aide in the United States Senate and an editorial assistant at Rolling Stone Magazine.

Hank is a founding teacher at Mystery Writers of America University and served as 2013 president of national Sisters in Crime.

Connect with the author:

Facebook

   Twitter

   Website

Book Review: Surviving Ice by K.A. Tucker

Members of the Vise Library were selected to review Surviving Ice.  We received a copy of K.A. Tucker's book for an honest review.

About the book:

The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths series and Burying Water—which Kirkus Reviews called “a sexy, romantic, gangster-tinged page-turner”—returns with a new novel packed with romance, plot twists, and psychological suspense.

Ivy Lee, a talented tattoo artist who spent the early part of her twenties on the move, is looking for a place to call home. She thinks she might have finally found it working in her uncle’s tattoo shop in San Francisco. But all that changes when a robbery turns deadly, compelling her to pack up her things yet again.

When they need the best, they call him. That’s why Sebastian Riker is back in California, cleaning up the mess made after a tattoo shop owner with a penchant for blackmail got himself shot. But it’s impossible to get the answers he needs from a dead body, leaving him to look elsewhere. Namely, to the twenty-something-year-old niece who believes this was a random attack. Who needs to keep believing that until Sebastian finds what he’s searching for.

Ivy has one foot out of San Francisco when a chance encounter with a stranger stalls her departure. She’s always been drawn to intense men, so it’s no wonder that she now finds a reason to stay after all, quickly intoxicated by his dark smile, his intimidating strength, and his quiet control.

That is, until Ivy discovers that their encounter was no accident—and that their attraction could be her undoing.

Surviving Ice is the last book in Tucker's thriller series.  And boy is it a good one!  This book begins with Ivy's uncle, Ned, being killed by two men while she hides in the back room of his tattoo shop.  The man he was giving a tattoo to is also killed by these men.  The police seem to think it was a basic robbery gone wrong, but Ivy doesn't believe it.  She can't quite understand what happened, but she knows there is more to the killing.  Enter Sebastian: a former Navy SEAL turned defense security man who is slightly connected to Ned's death.  He is there to find out if a secret that Ned was going to exploit is something Ivy know about.  At first he just watches her and tells her his is interested in getting a tattoo from her.  As Sebastian digs more into the secret (which is way more than what his boss is admitting to) he starts questioning if what he is doing is the right thing.  After realizing that Ivy doesn't know about the secret, he also realizes that she could have clues to identify the men who killed her uncle.  This makes Ivy very dangerous to Sebastian's boss and very vulnerable to the men that killed Ned.  Ivy doesn't know about the threat and doesn't know what Sebastian is hiding.  What started out as a job for Sebastian is something that quickly turns to something more.  He is afraid the secrets that he is keeping from Ivy will destroy something he never thought possible.  This book is crazy intense and pulls at your heartstrings so many times.  I loved how different Ivy and Sebastian were from each other on the outside, but deep down they understood the other since they were so similar.  Tucker always makes you feel like you are immersed in that world and that all of these people could be real.  This book is a great way to wrap of the series (don't worry if you haven't read the other books in this series; you won't be lost, but you will get to see a few familiar characters) and I can't wait to see what is next for K.A. Tucker to write!

Buy the book:

     Amazon

       Barnes and Noble
      Parnassus Books

About the author:

Born in small-town Ontario, K.A. published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons.

She has come a long way from working in crayon. All four books (ANATHEMA, ASYLUM, ALLEGIANCE and ANOMALY) in her best selling YA Paranormal Fantasy series - Causal Enchantment- are available now. 

Her USA Today best selling New Adult Contemporary, TEN TINY BREATHS--originally self-published--was acquired by Atria Books (a division of Simon & Schuster), and is available now, along with subsequent books in the series: IN HER WAKE, ONE TINY LIE, FOUR SECONDS TO LOSE, and FIVE WAYS TO FALL. Also out from Atria Books is her Romantic Suspense series: BURYING WATER and BECOMING RAIN are available now. CHASING RIVER will be out in July, 2015.

K.A. is a voracious reader and currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

Connect with the author:

Facebook

   Twitter

   Website

Fall Reading Challenge: The Year of Necessary Lies by Kris Radish #FRC2015

This fall, members of the Vise Library are going back to school by participating in a Fall Reading Challenge. We have received copies of several books from publishers for honest reviews. We hope that you enjoy these reviews (and books)!

The book for our Feminist Studies class is The Year of Necessary Lies by Kris Radish.

About the book:

One amazing year in a remarkable woman¹s life journey becomes the inspiration for generations when she takes a huge risk, follows her heart, embraces forbidden love, and unwittingly becomes the champion of a winged world that is on the brink of extinction. It’s 1903, the world is poised for drastic change, and Julia Briton is a naive, beautiful Boston socialite who suffers a series of devastating losses and discovers that her beloved husband is involved in the plume trade―the massive slaughter of birds for use in the fashion industry. When Julia is secretly ushered into the early 20th century by a group of brazen female activists, she boldly risks everything and embarks on a perilous journey to the wilds of untamed Florida, a place of great danger where men will stop at nothing to get what they want and where one man, and a faithful friend, force her to make yet more life-changing decisions. Years later, when Julia’s great-granddaughter, Kelly, discovers some hidden tape recordings in her famous great-grandmother¹s dresser and learns the real truth about Julia’s year, a year that changed the course of history, she must decide what to do with her grandmother¹s incredible legacy. Will she keep the real “secret of the year”, or will she be brave enough to follow her own heart?

Kim Radish's book is a wonderful story about being strong and overcoming obstacles.  The main character, Julia joins a group of strong women that stand up to the fashion industry and the plume hunters in order to stop them from making plume hats for women.  This is in the early 1900s when women had very little power and were less likely to be heard.  Julia's marriage has been a very hard one and once she finds out her husband is plays a part in what Julia and the Audubon Society are trying to stop she goes on a journey to Florida.  This gives Julia a chance to do some soul searching and to find out what is really important to her in life.  Not only is this book very entertaining but it opens up the eyes for the reader about a few social issues.  It also gives the reader to do a little soul searching themselves and helps them realize that just being you is okay. 

Buy the book:

·    Parnassus Books

·    Barnes and Noble

·        Amazon

About the author:

Kris Radish grew up dreaming about living a Nancy Drew-like life and always held her own passion for writing very close to her heart. A former journalist, nationally syndicated columnist, magazine writer and university instructor, Radish also loves to tell stories about the times she picked nighcrawlers, served beer to cowboys, worked on a tomato farm and hung out of the side of a fast moving helicoper.

Radish is now the bestselling author of ten novels and has captured the hearts of legions of fans with her heartwarming, real, passionate and often hilarious novels. Her stories focus on the important bonds of female friendship and celebrate the common feelings, heartaches, loves, and struggles that all women share. She loves to call her work "true fiction" because she addresses the real emotions that women live and share every day.

She is also the author of three non-fiction books, writes poetry, is the mother of two young and very feisty adults, is known for her wild laugh and wilder hair, and is working on her eleventh novel and fourth non-fiction book. Radish is also co-owner of The Wine Madonna - a wine lounge in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida where she hosts book groups from around the country

Connect with the author:

·        Facebook

·        Twitter

·       Website

Fall Reading Challenge: Shattered Blue by Lauren Horowitz #FRC2015

This fall, members of the Vise Library are going back to school by participating in a Fall Reading Challenge. We have received copies of several books from publishers for honest reviews. We hope that you enjoy these reviews (and books)!

The book for our Supernatural Studies class is Shattered Blue by Lauren Horowitz.

About the book:

For Noa and Callum, being together is dangerous, even deadly. From the start, sixteen-year-old Noa senses that the mysterious transfer student to her Monterey boarding school is different. Callum unnerves and intrigues her, and even as she struggles through family tragedy, she’s irresistibly drawn to him. Soon they are bound by his deepest secret: Callum is Fae, banished from another world after a loss hauntingly similar to her own.

But in Noa’s world, Callum needs a special human energy, Light, to survive; his body steals it through touch—or a kiss. And Callum’s not the only Fae on the hunt. When Callum is taken, Noa must decide: Will she sacrifice everything to save him? Even if it means learning their love may not be what she thought?

In a book told from multiple view points, Shattered Blue will keep you wildly entertained throughout the whole book.  Noa is the main character and is one of the strongest characters that I have read in awhile.  She is an artist (you get a few of her poems throughout the book) and you will just really like her for who she is!  You also will feel for her and her family as they are dealing with the loss of Noa's sister.  The family dynamics of this book are so descriptive.  Callum is very interesting since he takes human's happiness and their energy through touching them.  This makes the forbidden relationship with Noa even more intriguing.  You will get to know his story and why he was banished from Earth little by little. You also find out that Callum's little brother, Judah, is a hunter sent to find Callum.  Judah appears to be a little bit of a bad boy and that is all I am going to say about that!  There are so many plot twists that you will not see coming (sorry you won't find those out from me!) and you will be completely stunned by the cliffhanger.  I can't gush enough about how well written this book is and will leave you captivated.  I am not looking forward to waiting for Bird's next book - at all.

Buy the book:

·    Parnassus Books

·    Barnes and Noble

·        Amazon

About the author:

LAuren – or ‘Bird’ as she is often known – is a screenwriter and novelist lucky enough to call both Los Angeles and Kauai home. Bird also counts herself lucky that writing exists as a profession—how else could she share the crazy, fantastic worlds in her head? Bird studied writing at Harvard University with novelist Jamaica Kincaid, where she won several prizes including the Edward Eager Memorial Prize for fiction. She’s a proud member of the Writers Guild of America.

Connect with the author:

·        Facebook

·        Twitter

·      Website

Book Review: Reclaim Me by Ann Marie Walker & Amy K. Rogers

Members of the Vise Library were selected to review Reclaim Me.  We received a copy of Ann Marie Walkers's & Amy K. Rogers' book for an honest review.

About the book:

As the heart-pounding Chasing Fire trilogy concludes, a dangerous entanglement leaves Hudson and Allie wondering how much they're willing to risk for the love they can't live without...
 
There's almost nothing Alessandra Sinclair wouldn't do for Hudson Chase. He was her first love, and she's determined that he'll be her last. But when the terrible truth Hudson has been hiding comes to light, Allie finds herself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a man from her past who's determined to use what he knows to ruin Hudson. Now, the only way to save the man she loves may be to lose him forever...
 
Hudson has always known that the secrets he keeps could be his downfall, but he never expected them to put Allie's life in danger as well. It's time for him to come clean--before everything he's ever wanted is destroyed...
 
Includes previews of REMIND ME and RELEASE ME, the first two books of the Chasing Fire trilogy.

Let me tell you that Reclaim Me is actually the third book in a trilogy by these two authors.  I wasn't aware of that when I first got this book.  It took me a little bit of time to figure out who was good (Allie & Hudson) and who was bad (the ex with a chip on his shoulder, Julian).  Now that we have that out of the way, let's get to the book!  Allie has left Hudson (not permanently) to handle some business with Julian.  This involves a lot of anger, blackmail and quite a bit of danger as well.  Hudson also has some issues of his own to work out and has Allie by his side to do just that. I don't want to mention anymore about that, because then I would give away a lot of the plot and what is the fun in that? (You want to read the book right?)  What I will say is that you will be fighting for Allie and Hudson to squash Julian (this guy is a creep and will do pretty much anything for some money) and his scheming ways.  These two have to learn to trust each other in order to work together so that they can be together.  You will really root for these two and enjoy the side characters that round them out.  This book is full of excitement and you will definitely will be on the edge of your seat the entire time.  This book comes later out this month so keep your eyes peeled for it!  If you need a good distraction, this is definitely where you need to look!

Buy the book:

     Amazon

       Barnes and Noble
     

About the author:

Ann Marie Walker writes steamy contemporary romance and is co-author of the Chasing Fire series (Remind Me, Release Me, Reclaim Me) from Penguin Books. She and her writing partner Amy K. Rogers met online and instantly bonded over their love of alpha males, lemon drop martinis and British supermodel David Gandy. You can find her on twitter as @AnnMarie_Walker or via her website www.AnnMarieWalker.com

Connect with the author:

Facebook

   Twitter

   Website

About the author:

Amy K Rogers writes contemporary romance and it the co-author of the Chasing Fire Series (Remind Me, Release Me, Reclaim Me) from Penguin Books. She and her writing partner met online and instantly bonded over their love of alpha males, martinis, and British supermodel David Gandy. You can find her on twitter as @Amy_KRogers.

Connect with the author:

Facebook

   Twitter

   Website