Monday, July 6, 2009

One Scream Away Blog Tour, review, and giveaway!

Synopsis:

Beth Denison is a young single mother with a growing business in antique dolls. Young, beautiful, and active, she is raising her daughter in a wealthy and safe neighborhood. That she has a small almost imperceptible scar on her face and strong training in self defense are two small clues that Beth is more than she seems. When she receives threatening phone calls from a dangerous man in her past, Beth's life is turned upside down.

Killer Chevy Bankes is just paroled and lives to execute his revenge against antique doll expert Beth Denison. A master of disguise and a methodical killer, Bankes is a dangerous and motivated man. To prepare Beth for what's coming, he carefully prepares messages in the form of staged victims and antique dolls that he mails to her one by one.

Former FBI Special Agent Neil Sheridan is called in to consult when the police find bodies that are eerily similar to the crime scenes left by a serial killer that Sheridan knew well - and had previously killed. The investigation leads Neil Sheridan to Beth and seeing Beth with her young daughter reminds Sheridan of the family he'd lost. Sheridan must establish the mysterious link between Beth and Bankes. Sheridan must learn Beth's secrets to stop the killings from escalating. As Beth and Sheridan learn to work together to stop Bankes, they are surprised by the strength of their mutual trust, affinity and attraction.

Review:
One Scream Away reads like a fast paced thriller. It struck me as carefully crafted with strong characters and a complex plot. The three main characters, Chevy Bankes, Beth Donovan and Neil Sheridan are strong flawed characters whose motivations are made clear and coherent. While certain scenes have graphic violence, the book is not disturbing - just sufficiently action packed to be an engrossing read. In this way, the book reminds me of the contemporary action/FBI romances by Julie Garwood.

I would recommend the book to readers of action novels and readers of contemporary romances in equal measure.

Publisher: Forever (June 30, 2009) p 464.
Courtesy of Hatchette Book Group.

About the Author, from the author's website:

bio pic

My writing career began in the closet, where--thankfully--my first several novels remain. As a full-time choral conductor and assistant professor of music education, I didn't consider goign public with my fiction. It was strictly clandestine and only a hobby. Then the needs of small children convinced me to switch to part-time teaching. For the first couple of years as a mostly stay-at-home-mom, it was all I could do to complete the metamorphosis from domestically-challenged career woman to culinary-queen and housework goddess. (Okay...Some transitions are never fully realized.) But later, when the kids got old enough to be in school for six hours a day, the characters in my head found time to come out again. Murderers, cops, victims, lovers. I started writing down everything they did and said, then finally decided to see if anyone but me wanted to read about them.

Now, I lead a double life. Some days are spent in the university classroom or at the rehearsal podium; others spent chasing villains on my laptop.

So what do I do when I'm not creating music teachers or psycho murderers? (Two unrelated populations, I assure you.) With a husband, two children, and way too many furry, feathery, and scaly things, there isn't a lot of time left. It's enough to keep up with the house, the yard, and the family schedule, and hope no one on my laptop gets murdered when I'm not looking.

To learn more, visit Kate Brady's website.


PARTICIPATING BLOGS:
http://www.chickwithbooks.blogspot.com/ - July 6 review and giveaway
http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset - July 6 review
http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/ - July 6 to 17 review and giveaway
http://reviewfromhere.com/ - July 7 review
http://debbiesworldofbooks.com - July 7
http://www.startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/ - July 8 review and giveaway
http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/ - July 9 or 10 review and giveaway
http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com/ - July 10 review and giveaway
http://chicbookreviews.blogspot.com/ - July 10 review and giveaway
http://trinsnook.blogspot.com - July 10 giveaway conclusion
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com - July 11 review and giveaway
http://www.morbid-romantic.net - July 11 review, giveaway, and Q&A
http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com - July 11
http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/ - July 12 review; giveaway concludes July 17
http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/ - July 13 review
http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/ - July 14 review and giveaway
http://imbookingit.wordpress.com/ - July 14 review and giveaway
http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/ - July 15 review and giveaway
http://justjenniferreading.blogspot.com - July 15 review and giveaway
http://www.beckyworkman.blogspot.com/ - July 15 review and giveaway
http://seductivemusings.blogspot.com/ - July 15 review and giveaway
http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/ - July 15 review and giveaway.
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com - July 16
http://www.thisbookforfree.com - July 17 giveaway and Q&A
http://www.cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/ - July 17 review and giveaway
http://www.mgpblog.com/

CONTEST DETAILS:

To enter, please tell us (a) if you collect anything, and what you collect or (b) if you don't collect anything, what you would collect if you had an unlimited budget and tons of space or (c) an organizing tip. I would love to collect Matisses, Miros and first edition books.

Rules:
1. Please include your email address, so that I can contact you if you win.
2. For an extra entry, sign up to become a follower and mention this in your comment. If you're a follower, let me know and you'll get the extra entry.
3. For an extra entry, become a subscriber and mention this in your comment. If you're a subscriber, let me know and you'll get the extra entry.
4. For an extra entry, blog about this contest and post the link.
5. Leave a separate comment for each entry or you'll only be entered once.

The contest is limited to U.S. and Canada. No P.O. boxes. The contest ends on midnight of July 24, 2009.

Thank you so much Anna and Hatchette Books Group for this opportunity!

Did you notice that this book sounds like a mix of thriller and romance? Quick reminder & plug: ThrillerFest starts this Wednesday. Online registration ends tomorrow at 6 pm.

70 comments:

  1. One Scream away sounds like a very action packed book! I'm adding it to my tbr list.
    chey127 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I collect Bobbsey Twin books.

    mj.coward[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I follow.

    mj.coward[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Monkeys - stuffed, porcelain, any kind!

    ReplyDelete
  5. If it counts, I collect books, and would love to have an unlimited budget to go (even more) nuts on them.

    This looks like a good book, please enter me into this drawing. Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
    jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. i collect coins:) money is always a good thing HEHEHHE
    wadesherry@hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I collects owl stuff and Magic the Gathering Novels

    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. follower
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. subscriber
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have a HUGE Barbie Doll collection. It started when I was ! I love all things Barbie to this day!

    IAmHiMaintenance(at)aol(d0t)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. And I follow your blog! Take a peek over to the left <~~~

    Did I mention how great this book sounds!?!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I also subscribe by mail! : ) So that's 3 for me so far...oooh, I need to go blog! lol

    ReplyDelete
  13. I collect porcelien miniture shoes. I have about 74. Also,I collect amish thing-dolls,postcards-anything amish.Thanks! I would love to read this book! jacquecurl1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am a follower already. jacquecurl1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I collect books...children's books, adult books, coffee table books, photo books....and pieces of art from my travels.

    melacan at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. We collect Department 56 houses - have over 100 of them.
    msboatgal at aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. already a follower

    msboatgal at aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I collect unique jewelry. Musical pendants, rings that have hidden compartments, etc.

    LadyVampire2u(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am already a follower of your blog.

    LadyVampire2u(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have this book tour and your blog listed up on a post at my own blog here: http://ladyvampire2u.blogspot.com/2009/07/enter-at-your-own-risk.html

    LadyVampire2u(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I sort of "collect" sunflowers. I just like sunflowers, so I tend to buy things with sunflowers on them.

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I follow

    nfmgirl At gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I subscribe

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I collect autographs! No organizing tip, however!
    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would love to collect shoes. I have many pairs but would love more. Thanks for this giveaway and please count me in

    chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I subscribe

    chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Gaby-I am a follower already :D Me? I just started collecting Little Golden Books. Their small, cheap and lots of titles to choose from-plus most garage and book sales have them. I also seem to collect cat fur as we have three of them - but I don't think that counts lol

    BevE
    merryweatherbookblog@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I collect anything cat-related.
    amanda
    catss99@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm a follower
    amanda
    catss99@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I am a follower of Google.

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Please count me in for contest.

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Blogged about contest on sidebar.

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com

    http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love collecting a Lori Foster books.

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I collect earrings. I love them all and can`t seem to pass up a pretty pair if I notice them in the stores

    Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at CoolCanucks.ca


    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I follow

    Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at CoolCanucks.ca


    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I collect sea glass. I pick it up whenever I can and place it randomly in one of several Zen gardens I have in the house.

    Thanks a lot!

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm a follower of your blog. I just found it. Like it a lot. :)

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I subscribe via my google reader.

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I blogged your giveaway too!

    http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/07/giveaways-keep-rolling-in.html

    Thank you again. This looks awesome!

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. This sounds like a great read. Put it on my tbr list.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I used to collect old teacups and saucers.
    My entire collection was smashed to smithereens during a move and I never started it up again.

    southrngal(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I collect old coins. This book sounds great. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  44. If I did collect something it would probably be keychains
    Liz

    liztapioka14 [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I follow!
    Liz

    liztapioka14 [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Sounds like an interesting book.

    budletsmom at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I follow.

    budletsmom at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I subscribe.

    budletsmom at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I blogged it:

    http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-07-18-09.html

    ReplyDelete
  50. I collect Cherished Teddies.

    Thanks for the giveaway ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I just became a follower.
    megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I just subscribed via Google Reader
    megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I used to collect plates, nothing right now,
    I am a subscriber.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I collect Magnolias - anything Magnolia such as ceramic, paintings and prints! This goes back to my Mississippi roots. My sister gave me a Magnolia antique tea set that is one of my favorites of the collection.

    Thanks for a great giveaway!

    Cindy
    Socmom213@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I am a follower of your blog on Google.

    Cindy
    Socmom213@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I also subscribe by email.

    Cindy
    Socmom213@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Well, although it makes me feel somewhat like a dinosaur, I actually collect telephone cards (the kind that were inserted into the phones, not the scratch-off ones). The rise of cell phones has sort of brought the availability of phonecards to a screeching halt, though . . .

    I'm a follower!

    lahlstedt (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I collect Made in occupied Japan figures

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I collect ceramic chickens and roosters. kkasten911 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I'm collecting books by Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart and Phyllis Whitney.
    Carol M
    mittens0831 AT aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I'm a follower.
    Carol M
    mittens0831 AT aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I'm a subscriber.
    Carol M
    mittens0831 AT aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I collect first editions of my favorite authors. I have not read this author as yet, but would love to. Thanks for this chance. marleen d marleenandlouie@cox.net

    ReplyDelete
  64. I collect teapots; there are so many beautiful ones! I would love to read this book. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  65. I collect ink pens and books.
    kiyoko5@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  66. I would collect monet paintings
    thehighflyer3@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete