Sunday, September 21, 2014

Book Review: Of All the Gin Joints: Stumbling through Hollywood History


Hi all,

Are you a fan of movies and stories about celebrities old and new? Can't get enough of those often told stories of celebrities misbehaving? Then you are going to love this new book by Mark Bailey, Of All the Gin Joints: Stumbling through Hollywood History. It was the title that drew me in (can't ignore an old Bogart line), and the stories kept me reading. I received this novel from NetGalley and Algonquin Books in return for my honest review. So here it is, more about this book full of hilarious stores and my review.

 

Of All the Gin Joints: Stumbling through Hollywood History
Mark Bailey

 
Book Description:

True tales of celebrity hijinks are served up with an equal measure of Hollywood history, movie-star mayhem, and a frothy mix of forty cocktail recipes.

Humphrey Bogart got himself arrested for protecting his drinking buddies, who happened to be a pair of stuffed pandas. Ava Gardner would water-ski to the set of Night of the Iguana holding a towline in one hand and a cocktail in the other. Barely legal Natalie Wood would let Dennis Hopper seduce her if he provided a bathtub full of champagne. Bing Crosby’s ill-mannered antics earned him the nickname “Binge Crosby.” And sweet Mary Pickford stashed liquor in hydrogen peroxide bottles during Prohibition. From the frontier days of silent film up to the wild auteur period of the 1970s, Mark Bailey has pillaged the vaults of Hollywood history and lore to dig up the true—and often surprising—stories of seventy of our most beloved actors, directors, and screenwriters at their most soused.

Bite-size biographies are followed by ribald anecdotes and memorable quotes. If a star had a favorite cocktail, the recipe is included. Films with the most outrageous booze-soaked stories, like Apocalypse Now, From Here to Eternity, and The Misfits, are featured, along with the legendary watering holes of the day (and the recipes for their signature drinks). Edward Hemingway’s portraits complete this spirited look at America’s most iconic silver-screen legends.

Buy:



 
My Five Star Review:

Hang on lovers of old and new Hollywood, it's going to be a bumpy ride! As well as some stumbling, passing out, and even law-breaking. But mostly, you are going to laugh out loud at the crazy antics of your favorite Hollywood icons. Love them or hate them, the Hollywood bunch sure know how to have fun, and in Of All the Gin Joints: Stumbling through Hollywood History, you get to hear about some of their most memorable drunken times. Bogie and his pandas, Sinatra and his toupee, how directors loved to drive their actors crazy and how actors loved driving the studios insane. It's all here. Stories of the stars and their favorite beverages as well as their hangouts.

As a lover of old Hollywood, I couldn't wait to dive into this book telling stories of celebrities from the silent era on up. Some stories I had heard before from reading biographies of celebrities, and others I had not. Many made me laugh out loud. From its inception and throughout the 40s, 50s and even 60s, Hollywood was a wild place, (still is) and the stars seemed like children no one could tame. Drunk children. But you can't help but laugh at some of the stunts they pulled. The author also tells stores from the sets of top movies as well as all the famous hangouts, old and new. And to top it off, recipes of some of the celebrities favorite drinks are included.

I really enjoyed this book. It was amusing and entertaining. I'd recommend it to anyone who has a passion for fun stories from Hollywood.

(I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Algonquin Books in exchange for my honest review.)

 
Cheers,
Deanna

Friday, September 19, 2014

Giveaway! Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash!

October Giveaway!

Yes! Another one! Be sure to enter to win!


229 giveaway


It’s time for the next $229 Kindle Giveaway Hosted by I Am A Reader.
We are giving away 2 great prizes both valued at $229.
Winner’s choice of a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash!

The first prize is available via the rafflecopter below.
The 2nd is available only to those share this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter the 2nd giveaway in the rafflecopter.

Win a Kindle Fire HDX 7", Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only)

The price of this Kindle recently dropped to $199. The winner will still receive a prize valued at $229.


Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)


Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)
Each of these bloggers/authors paid to help sponsor this giveaway.



Sponsor List
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A Leisure Moment: A Casual Conversation about our Love for Literature
Artist/Author BT
A&E KIRK, YA Paranormal Authors
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Author Claudia Burgoa
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Author Zoe Forward
Helen Smith (author)
MyLadyWeb: Women's History & Women Authors
Mini Myths: Be Patient Pandora! / Play Nice, Hercules!
Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
Author - Cindy A Christiansen
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Laurie Here - Contemporary Fiction and MORE
Author Kimber Shook
MamaNYC
Melissa McClone, Author
Crystal's Tiny Treasures
Deanna Lynn Sletten, Author
Page Flipperz Ya
Sarah Ballance
C Family of 6
Danyelle Ferguson, Author
YA Author Fabio Bueno
Lori's Reading Corner
Books are my life
BookHounds
Author Inger Iversen
E.B. Black


Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Giveaway here:

http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups



Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only), $229 Amazon.com Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International).

Ends 10/27/14

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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Book Review: Once Haunted, Twice Shy (Peyton Clark #2) by H.P. Mallory


Hi all,

I received an advance copy of this latest novel by H.P. Mallory from NetGalley and Montlake in exchange for my honest review. I came into this novel without having read book one of the series, but that didn't seem to make a difference. It was fairly easy to catch up with what was going on in the story. I have read other books by H.P. Mallory, so I knew what her writing style was like and I was looking forward to an entertaining read. So…on to the book and the review.

 
*Check Below for the link to one of H.P. Mallory's books for FREE on Amazon Kindle (Deal may expire so check price before buying.)*

 
Once Haunted, Twice Shy
Peyton Clark Book Two
H.P. Mallory

 
Book Description:

After agreeing to let the spirit of Drake Montague inhabit her body, Peyton soon discovers that the twentieth-century French policeman may be dead but his lothario longings sure aren’t. Now she has to find a way to explain to her sweet, sexy boyfriend, Ryan Kelly, that a spirit has taken up residence in her head, whispering French words of affection day and night.

While Peyton is torn between her love for a living man and her growing affection for one deceased, supernatural activity in New Orleans spikes—and something wicked this way comes. With the help of her friends (and a little voodoo), Peyton learns that the demonic spirit of the Axeman may still dwell in her home. To stop bloody history from repeating itself, Peyton will have to travel back a century to confront the Axeman at his roots, with the help of a certain handsome—and suddenly flesh and blood—police officer in the Big Easy.

 
Coming September 16, 2014 to:



 

My Review:

Peyton Clark has a problem—she is currently possessed by Drake Montague, a twentieth-century French policeman who happens to also be quite sexy. Peyton hasn't yet been able to tell the new man in her life, Ryan Kelly, about the man who inhabits her body because she knows he won't be very happy about it. On top of that, spirit activity is going crazy in New Orleans, and Peyton finds it is up to her and Drake to figure out what is responsible and stop it. All in a day's work, right?

Once Haunted, Twice Shy has all the right elements for those who love a good paranormal romance story and adore New Orleans. Peyton is a strong character who is trying hard to deal with, not only having a stranger occupying her body, but managing that along with her budding romantic relationship. Strong description brings you into the scenes of the story. Voodoo, demons, and spirits abound in this fast-paced novel with an ending that will have you wanting for more. And luckily, there will be more!

 

About H.P. Mallory:

I started my writing career as a self-published author and was lucky enough to hit both the Amazon and the Barnes and Noble bestseller’s lists with my two series, the Jolie Wilkins series and the Dulcie O’Neil series. Most recently I hit the New York Times and the USA Today lists with books in the Jolie series.

I signed with Random House (Bantam imprint) to write three books in the Jolie Wilkins series (Witchful Thinking, The Witch is Back and Something Witchy This Way Comes). Now I love the fact that I’m both a traditionally published author as well as a self-published one (with my Dulcie O’Neil series).

I’m a huge fan of anything paranormal and I always have been. I get super excited whenever they have those Twilight Zone Marathon days and anything ghost or vampire related will always attract my attention.

My interests are varied but aside from writing, I’m most excited about traveling. I’m extremely fortunate to have been able to live in England and Scotland, both places really having a profound effect on my books.

Follow her on:


Twitter: @HPMallory



*Try one of H.P Mallory's books for FREE – To Kill A Warlock (Book One Dulcie O'Neil Series) is FREE on Amazon Kindle as of this posting. I can't guarantee it will be for long, so grab it now! Click Here

Enjoy!

Deanna

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Giveaway! Win a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash

 
Hi all,
 
It's Giveaway Time! Enter to win!
 
229 giveaway



It’s time for September’s $229 Kindle Giveaway Hosted by I Am A Reader.

We are giving away 2 great prizes both valued at $229.

Winner’s choice of a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash!



The first prize is available via the rafflecopter below.

The 2nd is available only to those blogs who share this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter the 2nd giveaway in the rafflecopter.


Win a Kindle Fire HDX 7", Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)


Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)


Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)
Each of these bloggers/authors paid to help sponsor this giveaway.



Sponsor List

I Am A Reader
Feed Your Reader
A & E Kirk, Author
Inspired Kathy
Lori's Reading Corner
Talia Jager, Author
Mother Daughter Book Reviews
Krysten Lindsay Hager
Every Free Chance Books
Romance Under Fire
I Love to Read and Review Books :)
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Elizabeth Isaacs
Author Kimber Leigh Wheaton
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Author - Cindy A Christiansen
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Author Deb Atwood
Author Claudia Burgoa
Start Publishing
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True North Publishing
Whiskey Creek Press
Deanna Lynn Sletten, Author
Luthando Coeur
Bette Lee Crosby
Against Idleness & Mischief (BOOKTUBE)
BookBunnyPR
Victoria Allred



Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International).

Ends 9/30/14

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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kiss A Cowboy Review on The Romance Reviews

Hi all,

I'm so excited to share with you the latest review of my new romance novel, KISS A COWBOY. I'm so honored that The Romance Reviews rated it as a Top Pick and gave it 5 Stars!

The Romance Review
 
 
"KISS A COWBOY was my first experience reading work by indie author Deanna Lynn Sletten, and Ms. Sletten's well-paced and touching story between a cowboy and a city girl thoroughly held my interest from the onset and has definitely won her a new fan."
 
 
 
I'm thrilled that the reviewer enjoyed KISS A COWBOY. I hope you'll take a moment to stop by and read the entire review. Click here.
 
 
 
Also, while you are at The Romance Reviews, stop by and enter to win a $100 Gift Card as well as many, many more prizes in the FALL INTO LOVE PARTY.  It's going on the entire month of September!
 
 
 
 





Cheers,
Deanna