Sunday's media madness...

I am currently working through a wonderful book challenge at Book Chick City and my February read was called Heat Wave by Richard Castle.  Some of you may recognize the authors name from the television show Castle.  The book is based on the characters of the show so if you are a fan it adds an extra dimension to the book, if you don't watch the show it won't matter when reading the book.  Heat Wave is the story of Nikki Heat, a tough as nails female detective in New York City.  Her current case takes place during one of the cities hottest heat waves, making everything she does just that much more difficult.  On top of the heat and cities rolling blackouts, she has been saddled with a civilian ride along, Jameson Rook.  Jameson is a well known, extremely handsome, magazine journalist with friends and poker buddies most people only dream of knowing, and a knack for playing just outside of the rules.  The story opens with Detective Heat and her team investigating the probable murder of a wealthy real estate mogul who, as it turns out isn't as wealthy as everyone thought.  The ever changing list of suspects will keep you guessing through the whole book, was it the wife, the nanny, the business manager, the Russian, or the ex mistress?  Every twist and turn brings Nikki closer to the truth and the reader more and more eager to find out if their hunch is right.  This is a fast paced and fun read for anyone that likes mysteries or enjoys the weekly television series.  So, you may ask, just who is the ghost writer for this book since Richard Castle is a fictitious TV character?  Well it seems this is the best kept secret since we all wondered who shot JR on Dallas.  If I had to wager a guess myself I would say look at the guest stars on the show, Stephen J. Cannell, James Patterson, and Michael Connelly.

The book is available new in paper back from Go Hastings for $5.66, hard cover from Overstock for $12.80 and the unabridged MP3 audiobook read by Johnny Heller also at Overstock for $15.28, Overstock has free shipping through February 28, 2011.  The Kindle edition is available from Amazon for $5.00 as is the Nook version from Barnes and Noble.

 

If you are a fan of the TV show Castle on ABC you will see the similarities between the characters in the book and the characters in the series, the obvious two being Richard Castle/Jameson Rook and Detective Kate Beckett/Detective Nikki Heat.  If you haven't seen the shows they are a great mix of drama and humor with a good mystery to keep you in suspense until the end.  If you would like to check out the show you can purchase seasons one from Buy.com for $19.98 with free shipping and season two from DVDs Direct for $21.95.  If you would like to watch on line or find out more about the show, actors, books check out the Castle website.

I hope everyone is enjoying the last day of the weekend.

C.Q.

Sunday's media madness...

Yesterday I mentioned that I am taking a Mystery & Suspense book challenge over on Book Chick City's blog.  Well today I would like to let you know about the first book I choose to read.  Its called Deadly Reunion by Ron Handberg.  Mr. Handberg went to the University of Minnesota and my mom remembered him from when she was going there.  When she found out he had made the leap from broadcast journalism to mystery author she was thrilled and read his first book, Savage Justice in a weekend.  While he was in broadcast journalism in Minnesota he started the I-team or Investigative Team which now is prevalent in almost all markets doing in-depth pieces on everything from tainted food at grocery stores to bad politicians.  For his outstanding work he was inducted to the Museum of Broadcasting on October 11, 2008.

His most recent book in the News Room series, Deadly Reunion, is the story of a young girl who was raped and murdered on her way home in 1992.  Believed to be one of three girls killed by a serial killer, the case was never solved.  Now, over 15 years later at his class reunion News Director George Barclay finds out about her death and starts asking questions and dredging up the past.  This book has a great news room sub context with the possible sale of the the TV station to a huge corporation that is threatening to remake the station in the image they want.  Drawing on his past experience in the field Mr. Handberg really makes you really feel like you are in the studio with the characters.  This book will leave you guessing until the end.  If you enjoy reading John Sandford's "Prey" books or are a fan of Brian Freeman you will enjoy this and all the books in this series.

Here is the Synopsis from Fantastic Fiction: "George Barclay would be the first to tell you that he is an unlikely hero, that he has never done anything remotely courageous in his entire life. A talented, respected television journalist, yes, but in most other ways an ordinary man, something of a social misfit at that: overweight, single, shy, ill-at-ease almost everywhere except in his newsroom.

So how does he become the center of an intriguing mystery surrounding the rape and murder of a high school classmate almost twenty years before?

A mystery that puts Barclay and those around him in the sights of a psychotic killer who has been hiding in the shadows of time. It is a story of teenage obsession, of a long-lost first love, and of Barclay's efforts to find justice for a woman he hardly knew, justice that has eluded police for decades. All in the face of a professional crisis that could cost him and his colleagues their jobs, and their city the loss of a great television station."

I was able to find the book through DeepDiscount for $13.45 with free shipping. Remember to order through Ebates to get an additional 2.5% cash back on your purchase.  If you have a Borders near you and would like to pick it up today for an even better price you can find it for $14.95, but with the Borders in store coupon for 1/2 off any one item your total cost would be $7.48 plus your local tax.

If you decide to read this I would be interested to know what you think.  If you are interested in taking the reading challenge just click the button along the side of my blog.

Have a great Sunday everyone!

C.Q.

Happy New Year...

Well it a new year, full of promise and hope.  Mostly I am hoping I keepteh promises I made to myself.  I have two resolutions this year, fist to exercise more.  I have kept it simple so I stick to it, Monday and Thursday is Yoga, Tuesday and Friday is at least a half hour on my stationary bike while listening to a book on CD, Wednesday and Saturday is arm exercises with my little weights and Sunday is the dreaded sit ups.  That pretty much covers all areas, arms legs and core, so baring any health issues this year I should be able to keep that going.

My second goal for the year is to make time to read more.  I love to read but I seem to always put it off for "later" which has resulted in an overflowing library and a Kindle that is about ready to burst at its seams.  To help push this goal along I have joined the Mystery and Suspense Challenge 2011 over at the Book Chick City blog.  I have added the button at the side of my page as well so you can find it easily later.  If you would like to join the challenge just hop over to her page and check out how to sign up.  The goal of the Challenge is to read 12 book throughout the year in the Mystery/Suspense category.  You do not have to have a blog to join the challenge, plus, you can register to win a copy of The Survivor by Sean Slater from Simon and Schuster UK.  My first book for the challenge will be Deadly Reunion by Ron Handberg.  My mom went to school with the author and I have read all his books.  He is a wonderful, although not prolific, writer.  This book is the fifth book in his News Room series and takes place in Minneapolis, something I enjoy because its always nice to be able to picture where the characters are at any given time.  I will write more about this book and the series in Thursdays Media Madness, but you can always check it out for yourself at Amazon. 

Both of the resolutions will cost me nothing more than I have already spent which is an added bonus.  All the exercise stuff I already have, the stationary bike was moms, the hand weights I got last year at Target for an incredible price of $2.00 and the Yoga DVD I found on eBay for under $10.00, the matching book a friend gave me and the mat I have had for over 10 years (how's that for good intentions?).  As for all the books, I will admit that they are my weakness, OK, them and paper for scrap booking, but almost everyone was purchased on sale, in a thrift store, with a coupon or as a BOGO item so I do try to keep it in line.

What are your New Years resolutions?  I sure would love to hear them and also, did you keep last years promises?  I know I didn't but I had some health issues to deal with that made it hard, this year I honestly think I can stay on track.

It's 2011, have a fantastic first day!

C.Q.