Paula McLain’s fictional account of Paris in the glorious 1920s told from Hadley’s viewpoint feels real and authentic. (McLain studied several biographies of Hadley, A Moveable Feast, correspondence between the couple, as well as works by the Hemingways’ friends F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein.) Where Feast is seen through Ernest’s eyes, The Paris Wife tells Hadley’s story – how she loved Ernest, and why she ultimately had to let him go become the great Papa Hemingway.

Hadley met Ernest in Chicago in 1920 when she was 28 and thinking her chance at love had passed her by. Why, by the standards of the day, she was practically an old maid! How surprised she was when this handsome wannabe-writer took an interest in her at her friend’s party. And even more surprised when a letter arrived “Special Delivery” the day after she returned home to St. Louis.

“You on the train and me here and everything emptier now you’re gone. Tell me are you real?”

Wouldn’t you swoon if you read those words in a letter marked “Special Delivery”? I know I would. (Of course, I’d swoon if I received anything handwritten from a fellow – much more romantic than a text or email.)

The book follows the couple as their love burns bright along the Seine, as Ernest struggles to write what’s true on his Corona typewriter, and as Hadley encourages him with every draft and revision. Until Ernest, always looking for the next big thing, moves on, forcing Hadley to let him go.

“I can’t quarrel with you anymore and I can’t see you much either, because it hurts too much. We’ll always be friends – delicate friends, and I’ll love you ’til I die, you know.”

Though the two went on to marry others (Ernest several times), they kept in touch over the years, and it’s obvious from later writings that the love they shared in Paris never went away. Ernest himself said so:

“No one you love is ever truly lost.”

Here’s the description for the first, of  hopefully many, of the Gotcha Detective Series:

Mimi Capurro, owner of Gotcha Detective Agency, has been hired to protect New York Times bestselling author, Lauren Silke, who was recently assaulted in the bathroom at a paranormal conference. Though Mimi is hired to act as bodyguard for Lauren’s upcoming book tour, plans change when Lauren’s assistant is murdered and the slaying is a replica of a scene from Lauren’s newest novel. A novel that hit bookstores the same day as the killing. Now instead of playing bodyguard, Mimi is cracking computer code, and chasing down vampires. These vampires come alive on the streets of Santa Cruz, as part of a live-role-playing game. Mimi must find the connection between the vampires and the author to track down the killer. This would be much easier if Detective Nick Christianson wanted her investigating the case. Nick, Mimi’s old college fling, is the lead homicide investigator. Though he wants her off the case, he also wants to pump her for information. Nick may have used her in the past, but this time she’ll use him to try to catch the murderer first.

Mimi is a great character. She has depth, an interesting history that gets weaved into the plot line and a great set of supporting characters. Her fellow colleagues at the Gotcha Detective Agency add humor. My personal favorite is Charles. He’s the computer nerd with a great sense of humor. He brings common sense into the novel, but pries a lot into Mimi’s personal life when Nick shows up into the picture.

Now Nick, my imagination had a lot of fun with him. I never like to see a screen adaptation of a book I’ve read because I think my imagination is better than the casting. Jamie does a great job of describing Nick and I guarantee you can picture his looks, his movements and his arrogance in your head as the words from the page processes through your brain.

The plot of the story moved quickly and was peppered with a few good chuckles along the way, complements of Mimi and Nick. I loved that I did not know who the killer was. I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more and was absolutely pleased to find out that another book is in the works. I cannot wait to see what happens on Mimi’s next adventure. Let Us Prey is up on my list of favorite novels ever. It’s something I know I can pick up and read over and over without getting bored.

All this plus a cozy throw!
Package includes:

Michael Buble “Christmas” album (Target edition with 3 extra songs) ~ $17 value

Lady Antebellum “A Merry Little Christmas” album ~ $7 value

ILU “text” Coffee mug, in honor of Dani Stone’s, “No Place Like Home” story and her crazy coffee cup collection ~ $7 value

Cozy throw to cuddle up and read Sleigh Ride with! ~ $30 value

Box full of books including:

FALLING TOGETHER by Marisa de los Santos (hardback, $26 value)

YANKEE DOODLE DIXIE by Lisa Patton (hardback, $25 value)

RECKONING FOR THE DEAD by Jordan Dane (mass market paperback, $8 value)

AND SHE WAS by Alison Gaylin (mm paperback, ARC, no retail value)

SLICKER by Lucy Jackson (trade paperback, $15 value)

SPIN by Catherine McKenzie (trade paperback, ARC, no retail value)

THE ATLAS OF LOVE by Laurel Frankel (trade paperback, $15 value)

DRAGONSWOOD by Janet Lee Carey (trade paperback, ARC, no retail value)

How to Enter:

Send (forward) your receipt from the purchase of SLEIGH RIDE by end of day Nov. 30th, 2011 to buzzbooksusa (at) me (dot) com. A confirmation e-mail in return will confirm your entry in the contest.

Where to buy Sleigh Ride: (as of 11/11/11)

print book from our Buzz Books site here

for the nook: BN.com for nook

or the print book or ebook for the kindle: Amazon

Sleigh Ride includes short stories by Samantha Wilde, Maria Geraci, Maggie Marr, Megan Barlog, Malena Lott, Dani Stone, Jenny Peterson.

About the Book
MAMA takes thirteen year old Serena and her sister to the U.S. in search of fortune leaving behind family, stability and the colors of the Caribbean. They drive from Miami to Hollywood where their money and luck run out, and the 1963 Ford Galaxie becomes their first American home. Guided by the memory of her native Curaçao and the words of her wise grandmother, Serena confronts challenges and grows up quickly. What gifts will this new country bring and at what price?

Here are the links and good luck!

To buy the book visit: http://thehouseofsixdoors.com/promo

To register for the trip visit: http://thehouseofsixdoors.com/promo/register.html