Two for Sorrow

"Two for Sorrow" by Nicola Upson Book Tour

From the author of "Angel with Two Faces" and "An Expert in Murder" comes "Two for Sorrow." This mystery, featuring detective Josephine Tey, is the third in a series featuring this female sleuth.

The story goes back and forth between the time of the actual crime and decades later when Josephine Tey writes a book about the two women who were accused. This, however, brings her to a modern-day killer. Will she be able to solve the crime?

Check out "Two for Sorrow" to find out how this story ends. Mystery lovers and fans of British ficition will enjoy this series. I think we'll be hearing more from Nicola Upson!

Book Tour: My Heart Stopped Beating

"My Heart Stopped Beating" is the story of a young woman who never seems to be able to catch a break. First her own mother doesn't seem to like her very much. Her father is her life-line. When both parents die in a car accident, "Chamed," as the author is known, is sent to live with family members. There she suffers horrible abuses. The story just keeps going from there.

I have to be honest, I thought this book was disturbing. I know this type of thing does happen in life, though, and it is important to bring awareness to the public about abuse of any type. This is a tough read, too, because it was originally written in the author's native language. The translation has purposely been left a bit rough so the original feeling would come through. This is not an EASY book to read, but if you like to try to understand the mind of someone who has had to get through life kicking and screaming, it does pull at your heart to make a difference in our world.

Please see yesterday's post for an excerpt of the book. Thanks for stopping by the "My Heart Stopped Beating" virtual tour!

Guest Post by Author "Chamed"

The following is an excerpt from the book "My Heart Stopped Beating," the story of a young woman struggling with abuse that seems to follow her from one place to another. Watch for my review coming tomorrow!

Happily Crying

When Patti came to visit us, she looked at me with contempt, she sat sadly in a corner of the sofa, I smiled at her

fondly, she looked at me and started talking with a hoarse and thick voice, full of indignation. Her face, pale and dejected, her eyes like a cat, she stared long at me.

I could not escape the stare of those eyes. Within them there was a contempt incomprehensible to me, I did not understand its origin. A hatred that penetrated through me and tore me like a blade. She used to tell me that I looked like my father. She always reminded me that I was not like other girls. I said nothing, out of respect. She

repeated, “Who has bread has no teeth.”

At that time, I could not understand. Now it all comes to light. I also understand why my cousin has the same name as my father.

I could not imagine her not being angry, when she came to visit us and brought her daughter Michel with her. She

kicked me and screamed, “You’re a cripple, handicapped.”

I answered by agreeing with her in a soft voice, to acknowledge the truth. Mom wished me always to show respect.

Sometimes I thought of dying sooner than my parents! “I don’t want to, I would cause my parents pain.”

As for myself, I grew up bearing insults and humiliations for my illness. I’m living years of my life that would never

have been without the help of my father.

I remember the day when I said to Mom, “I must show you something, sit down and watch carefully!”

Dad helped me get up, I removed the device from my leg, leaned, and, step-by-step, I began to walk without any help or braces.

When I finished making the rounds of the room, Mom was stunned. She burst into tears.

“Why are you crying?” I asked.

My father looked at me. “She’s happy, it’s normal to cry.”

Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYhOBmDJkdU

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Heart-Stopped-Beating/231869093494435

30 Day Music Challenge: Day 23

Day 23 – A song that you want to play at your wedding

Well, I'm already married, and I have absolutely NO interest in getting married again if something should happen to my husband. So, I'll share our wedding dance song. Daniel and I picked "On the Side of Angels" by LeAnn Rimes. It took us forever to decide on a song, but this one turned out to be perfect.

We also played "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack. Daniel's grandparents and his parents joined us on the dance floor as we played the song for all the generations to come. My parents weren't there, but that's a story I won't get into right now.

30 Days of Me: Day 14

Day 14- A picture of you and your family

We're missing a few family members here, but you can only see my graduation pictures so many times before going crazy. So, here is a picture of my daughters and me. It was taken sometime last fall.

What I Won in July

Old Mother Hubbard Dog Snacks on The Life of Rylie... and Bryce, too!- My mom's dogs will be very excited to see us soon.

30 Day Music Challenge: Day 22

Day 22 – A song that you listen to when you’re sad

As I've discussed before, I don't really feel sad too often. Please see my post Emotion if you missed it. I also discovered that I don't go out looking for music to listen to in this case, either. But, since this is a music challenge, I thought I'd share the one song I did identify as something I listen to when sadness hits. This is "Worried Shoes" by Karen O and the Kids from the "Where the Wild Things Are" soundtrack.