Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The Things That Keep Us Here | Blog Tour Review & Contest


Authoress: Carla Buckley
Length: About 400 pages
Available formats: Hardcover, Kindle
Genre: Adult Fiction | Part disaster thriller & part drama thriller

My summary: An avian flu outbreak traps Ann in her home with her two daughters, estranged (soon-to-be-ex-husband), and his young pretty assistant. Now Ann must find the courage to protect her daughters, keep the world at bay, and face her crumbling marriage.

Book blurb: "Trapped inside the house she once called home, Ann Brooks must make life-or-death decisions in an environment where opening a door to a neighbor could threaten all the things she holds dear."

My say: Reading this story is like reading the journal of a woman who goes from suburbanite to survivor. In the beginning I wanted to slap her for the silly things she focused on but by the end I understood her and marveled at her bravery and diligence.

My verdict: The Things That Keep Us Here is about one family and their emotional journey through survival. It is slow but fans of dramatic thrillers will enjoy this thought provoking story.

My recommendation: Do not read this tale expecting action. Read it expecting a very realistic tale of a mother who through sheer will and maternal extinct pulls her self and her children through the unthinkable.

My favorite part: The author adds to the realism by sandwiching mock exerts from different news agencies in between chapters.

My star rating: 3 stars; While I didn't love this book I think I would adore it as a film or TV show.

My kiddie-o-meter: This one is best reserved for older teens and adults. It covers what occurs when humans are left to their own devices for survival. True ugliness, malice, murder, and theft run-a-muck when people lose the conveniences and institutions that help them function.

My cover thoughts: While I love this cover I am not sure it adequately suits the novel. A quarantined suburban neighbor would be more accurate.

My notes:
Visit Carla Buckley's page to read the Prologue and see her tour schedule.

 My final say: This thought-provoker left me wondering, "What would I do?"

My contest:
I have TWO copies up for grabs.
My gently used ARC and a brand new copy that will come from the publisher.
To win a copy simply comment with your email address below.
You must be a follower and resident of the US to enter.
Contest ends March 14th.

Thank you to Pump Up Your Book Promotion for making this review possible.
The Things That Keep Us Here = Entry 2 in my Thriller and Suspense Reading Challenge 2010 hosted by Book Chick City.
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50 comments :

  1. Ooh, I saw this at Barnes and Noble the other day and was intrigued!

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  2. Ohh, this looks like a great read! I would love to be entered.

    echs2007@gmail.com

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  3. Oh! This looks interesting, so count me in :)

    Lucy
    delightfulreviews[at]gmail[dot]com

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  4. Great review Juju. Sounds very interesting.
    I would love to read it. Please
    count me in! Thank you =)

    Bere
    bere4estrella(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  5. Juju, I love how structured and organized your reviews are. I seriously feel like I'm reading out of the LA Times when I read your reviews!

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  6. Sounds like an interesting read! I love your reviews!
    Can't enter your contest as I'm not a resident of the US, but good luck to those who enter! :)

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  7. Hmmm...this book does have an interesting premise. I'm not sure it is quite my thing though. Great review!

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  8. LOL, I totally missed the contest part....

    jennala@ cfl . rr . com

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  9. Amelia: Thanks darlin' :)

    Welcome Jenn, Jenny, and Lucy :)

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  10. oh, I also love the cover! it's a pity it doesn't really fit the book, which also sounds great!
    I guess go ahead nad enter me.
    zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

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  11. This one is on my TBR. Please enter me in the contest.

    stephaniet117(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. I have seen alot of this book lately. It looks good to me. i like that kind of book.

    Please enter me!

    forevereading at gmail dot com

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  13. Wow! Lots of comments already. How exciting! Thanks for the great review. This book has been very popular and has received many fabulous reviews during Carla's virtual book tour.

    Good luck to all who enter.

    Cheryl

    www.pumpupyourbook.com

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  14. Hi there, no need to enter me. Just popping in to say I have this posted at Win a Book for you.

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  15. Great contest!
    The review was amazing! Hope to win, so I can check it out!

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  16. forgot my email! I can be so blond sometimes...

    pirate_pony2 at yahoo dot com

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  17. I'd like to be included, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com

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  18. This one looks good, please enter me.

    jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  19. would love to read this one

    wheresmyrain(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. I saw this somewhere...probably on GR...and come to think of it, it was probably from *you* marking it. ;p Anyway, I thought it sounded interesting, but I didn't give it much thought. Even though you didn't love it, I think you made it sound even more interesting. Great, simple review. Count me in.
    ~Misty
    mbradenwf@gmail.com

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  21. Ooh this looks so good! I would love to be entered!
    sarashalash174@gmail.com

    You have an award over at my blog :)
    http://sarasbookjourney.blogspot.com/2010/02/award-time.html

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  23. Fab review! This book sounds *so* my kind of thing. I'll look out for this one - thanks for reviewing it.

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  24. These type of books always make me cry, and cry. Anything with families and emotion gets me everytime!

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  25. Interesting premise...thanks for the giveaway. Count me in.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

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  26. A read doesn't always have to be fast-paced. If it really is that thought-provoking...

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  28. Sounds really interesting, and I could definitely see it being turned into a movie/tv show. Great review!

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  29. I might pick this one up. Not my normal read

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  30. This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  31. Please enter me! I'd love to read this one.

    thanks
    rebecca.bradeen@verizon.net

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  32. Just commenting to say that this sounds interesting. Not really my type of book, so I'll pass this giveaway. But good review, thanks for the honest opinion!

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  33. I may get the sample on my Kindle. Love those samples.

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  34. Great review!! I don't think this is the kind of book for me though...a husband plus his pretty assistant-yikes!! I'm scared already!! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

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  35. No need to enter me, as I have an ARC of this book. Just wanted to say I enjoyed reading your thoughts and you've made me look forward to picking this one up soon!

    --Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

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  36. Anna: Thanks for stopping by :) I can't wait to see what you think :)

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  37. This sounds great, and I would love to read it!! Also, I follow.

    misusedinnocence@aol.com

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  38. justpeachy36@yahoo.com

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

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  39. Please enter me in the contest.

    kmichellec87(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    Thank You!!!

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  40. You're right, the cover doesn't make sense at all!

    wohlh8988@hotmail.com

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  41. I would love to win this book, I read every day.

    mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

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  42. This one sounds interesting - and a bit crazy. I like the apocalyptic setting, but the character growth sounds like it comes out of something hard to deal with. I like your review - so enter me! *grin* Thanks!

    celialarsen(at)gmail(dot)com

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  43. This book sounds very intriguing. I would love to read it.

    I am a follower.

    seriousreader at live dot com

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  44. Ooo, I've been hearing a lot about this one. Would love the chance to read it. Count me in, please!

    Thanks! :0)
    librarygrinch at gmail dot com

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  45. I have been looking at this one for a while. Please enter me.

    neverendingshelf@gmail.com

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  46. Very Profound sounding book. I would love to read.
    Pls add my name to the hat. Thanks the the great review.

    I am old follower via GFC


    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  47. I often like these kinds of books but they are also scary, especially as a parent. But I would much rather read a scary story than live it. Thanks for the offer!

    5wrights1[at]verizon[dot]net

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  48. Please enter me in this giveaway!

    I'm a follower.

    familyhistree at yahoo dot com

    Sarah E

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  49. I like books that are written about the what ifs during an emergency/disaster.


    Please enter me in the giveaway.


    maynekitty///at///live///dot///com

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  50. ***Please note: This contest has ended. The winners were announced 3/16/2010.
    (http://www.talesofwhimsy.com/2010/03/contest-winners-donut-days-and-things.html)
    Please stay tuned and continue to check my right-hand sidebar for more upcoming contests. Thank you to everyone that entered.****

    ReplyDelete

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