Thank God for a Book, Of Blood and Sorrow by Valerie Wilson Wesley (Day 3)
By APOOO • Nov 20th, 2008 • Category: Thank God for a Book Giveaway •
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I have friends who are book lovers and swear by the Valerie Wilson Wesley’s Tamara Hayle series. I’m a die-hard mystery, suspense, thriller lover. But, when it comes to mysteries, I prefer the likes of James Patterson’s Alex Cross character/series. I want my mysteries to be fast-paced, action-filled, cat and mouse themes. I don’t care if the main character has a lover, wife, significant other, or hasn’t had sex in six months. Not my concern…but catching the perp is.
My favorite book by Valerie Wilson Wesley is Playing my Mother’s Blues…and while Wesley’s previous mystery left me unsatisfied, I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by Of Blood and Sorrow and would recommend it to Tamara Hayle fans. For more about Of Blood and Sorrow, CLICK HERE to read the review from APOOO reviewer Angelia.
To enter to win a copy, read the details below.
Now, how TO ENTER TO WIN.
If you would like to win a copy of Of Blood and Sorrow by Valerie Wilson Wesley, leave a comment on this post, along with your email address, by midnight EST, Sunday, November 23. You can increase your chances of winning, by entering more than one comment, but each additional comment must be meaningful and different. Also, if you post about this giveaway on your own blog and link back to APOOO, you get two more entry points. This contest is open to US and Canadian residents. I will use random.org to choose the winner. The winner will only be notified via the Web site, so you will need to come back to the Web site to see if you have won. The winner will be announced on Monday, November 24.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(All are about Valerie Wilson Wesley)
Have you read any books by Valerie Wilson Wesley?
If so, what are some of your favorite reads?
What do you think of the Tamara Hayle character as a sleuth, private detective?
If you could have dinner with Wesley, what questions would you have for her about Tamara Hayle?
I was at a book festival several years ago, and Wesley mentioned that she would really like to write more contemporary fiction and move away from writing the Tamara Hayle mysteries. She has written several contemporary fiction books. If you’ve read any of them, share your thoughts as to whether or not you like them better than the Tamara Hayle series.
It’s Thanksgiving weekend and you’ve invited Ms. Wesley to join you and your bookclub for a weekend to remember. What events would your book club come up with to keep Ms. Wesley entertained. If you don’t belong to a local book club, share what the two of you would do together for your get-together weekend.
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I enjoy Tamara Hale mysteries by Valerie Westly. I have read I think just about all except this one. Nope I do not like the comtemporary books better. I just like reading mysteries, and I enjoy my girl Tamara.
BUT I understand Valerie wanting to spread her wings, and try something new. Who knows it may do very well for her, although we…I will miss Tamara.
I really enjoy the Tamara Hale mysteries. I also like Patterson. Just give me a crime and a solving. Michele Martinez is a new on the scene. Her books are Procedural and are a little heavy on the romance, but well done.
I don’t like Wesley’s women’s fiction. I really struggle with following an author from one genre to the next. I’m always disappointed in the switch.
I enjoy the Tamara Hayle mystery series. Like all books in a mystery series - there are some I enjoy more than others.
What I enjoy about the Tamara Hayle mysteries - are the sense of place, how Tamara works throught the issues of balancing raising her teenage son, work her profession, figure out what to do with her love life. And of course there is Basil - which always is topic of discussion when discussing the Tamara series.
But my fav book of Ms Wilso is - “Playing My Mother’s Blues”
My granddaughter love the “Willimena Rules” series. These are chapter books for girls - 9 - 12 but they have been reading them since they were about 6. Ms. Wilson says that she will be writing more in this series in the future.
I do not have an issue when an author writes in different genres.
Have you read any books by Valerie Wilson Wesley? Yes, but it was years ago and my memory is not that great. If my bad memory is correct, the books take place in my home town and that always intrigued me. I have heard good things about the series, so I do see myself picking these books up in the coming months.
If so, what are some of your favorite reads? Bad memory
What do you think of the Tamara Hayle character as a sleuth, private detective? Boy, am I so not good at this…Bad memory
If you could have dinner with Wesley, what questions would you have for her about Tamara Hayle?
I was at a book festival several years ago, and Wesley mentioned that she would really like to write more contemporary fiction and move away from writing the Tamara Hayle mysteries. She has written several contemporary fiction books. If you’ve read any of them, share your thoughts as to whether or not you like them better than the Tamara Hayle series.
It’s Thanksgiving weekend and you’ve invited Ms. Wesley to join you and your bookclub for a weekend to remember. What events would your book club come up with to keep Ms. Wesley entertained. If you don’t belong to a local book club, share what the two of you would do together for your get-together weekend.
We would indulge in my favorite pass time, shopping(more window shopping than anything else these days), mani, pedi and eyebrows, and then some good wine at the new wine bar downtown my friend told me about.
She’s a good talent. One of the first AA mystery writers I’d ever run across. And I am a Whodunit buff! LOL.
Have you read any books by Valerie Wilson Wesley? 4 or 5
If so, what are some of your favorite reads? Dying in the Dark, Devil’s Gonna Get Him and When Death Come Stealing.
What do you think of the Tamara Hayle character as a sleuth, private detective? I absolutely love her…finally a female detective we can be proud of…
If you could have dinner with Wesley, what questions would you have for her about Tamara Hayle? Why can’t see have more of a love interest?
I read the first two Tamara Hayle books when they came out years ago. I haven’t kept up with the series but I really enjoyed them.
PatriciaW´s last blog post..Is it 2009 Yet?
I haven’t read them all but I have enjoyed the ones I have read.
The last one I read was Dying in The Dark. I’m not sure if that was the last one or if I have missed one since then.
I love that she is a woman, most sleuths feature a male.
She is just an average woman and mother. I enjoy all Wesley’s books.
I would ask her if any of the books have been sent out to become films.
I’d love to see the Tamara Hayle mysteries become movies.
Dawnny´s last blog post..What I’m Reading Now
When Death Comes Stealing I think that is the name of her book was a favorite for me. I’ve read most of her books. Playing my Mothers Blues was NOT a favorite of mine. I do like the author
Have you read any books by Valerie Wilson Wesley?
Yes
If so, what are some of your favorite reads?
Willemena Rules! I picked this series up for my first grader, so we could start reading chapter books. She loved them.
I myself read a Tamara Hayle Mystery: Easier To Kill.
What do you think of the Tamara Hayle character as a sleuth, private detective?
I enjoy her. It was a little clumsy, but I enjoyed it.
If you could have dinner with Wesley, what questions would you have for her about Tamara Hayle?
If Tamara was a real person or comprised of multiple people? Which mystery was her absolute favorite? What inspired her to do the mystery series? Has the series been successful? What is the main question readers ask her?
I was at a book festival several years ago, and Wesley mentioned that she would really like to write more contemporary fiction and move away from writing the Tamara Hayle mysteries. She has written several contemporary fiction books. If you’ve read any of them, share your thoughts as to whether or not you like them better than the Tamara Hayle series.
Unfortunately I haven’t read anything else, it’s the case where I said I’d try her other books and just haven’t.
Its Thanksgiving weekend and you’ve invited Ms. Wesley to join you and your book club for a weekend to remember. What events would your book club come up with to keep Ms. Wesley entertained? If you don’t belong to a local book club, share what the two of you would do together for your get-together weekend.
Well because I don’t belong to a local book club, what I would do was take her to a few places in Chicago where I would like to see her mystery set in. There’d be the train station, you know back in the day a mystery always had a train in it. From there we’d hit Wrigley Field, maybe that would explain why the Cubs can’t do anything and then Soldier Field. To add to the mix, we’d hit some of the places Obama’s tour would include such as Grant Park and even the set of Oprah’s show.
I’m just commenting–not entering the contest because I already have this book.
Have you read any books by Valerie Wilson Wesley? Yes, all of her books thus far.
If so, what are some of your favorite reads? I prefer her detective series over her other books.
What do you think of the Tamara Hayle character as a sleuth, private detective? She’s a character with flaws but that makes her real.
Shelia´s last blog post..Is Dating like a Job Interview?
Okay, I’m back, because I posted before I saw the contest rules and I wanna win.
I’ve read the entire Tamara Hayle series. Even got my husband hooked on it.
My favorite Valerie Wesley Wilson book is definitely When Death Comes Stealing. Also really loved Where Evil Sleeps and No HIding Place. Loved them. Hated when they came to and end.
I like Tamara. I like the fact that she’s a sistah and she’s got guts. Wesley did an excellent job fleshing out this character and making her memorable. I like the suspense of when she’s in a bind and doesn’t have her gun. I know she’s going to get out of it, but it’s always tight. I love that. Love how she interacted with that Basil Dupree.
What would I want to know about Tamara? What kinds of books does she read.
I don’t like her women’s fiction. I really tried to read that Playing My Mother’s something book, but I just hated it. The writing was good, the story just didn’t interest me. I couldn’t connect with the main character.
If she was coming to my house for Thanksgiving, she’d be disappointed this year. My kids will be gone and I’m having Chinese. But if I was having friends over we’d have to discuss one of her books in detail. Play some games like Trivial Pursuit, Outburst, and Pictionary. Those games me and my friends play. Somebody’s always bringing a game to the party. We’d also watch a good chic flick and pause the DVD to talk about it in the middle. Fun, fun.
Okay, so did I win. :o)
Rhonda,
Where you at? I may have to come over!!!
Nardsbaby´s last blog post..Nardsbaby gave 5 stars to: Simply Divine
Girl we have so much fun. Outburst and Taboo are the best party games. Then the movie is always fun, because you always have those folks that hate for you to pause the movie. We really showed out when we watched Dreamgirls, because I swear I was supposed to be a singer and my peeps tell me I can’t carry a tune.
Whoo Hoo! this looks like a great read. I have not read anything by this author but it looks good!!
I have read all of her mysteries, including OBAS. I agree that this was better than her last two. I want her to bring back Basil in a strong role. I also read two of her three literary contemporaries and loved them both. VWW is a very nice person.
Dera´s last blog post..My name is Dera and I am a bookaholic
I haven’t read one of her books in years but I did enjoy it and this one sounds interesting in the review definite add to my list of books I may get when I have the money lol.
Woo Hoo.. I have read all of the Tamera Hayle mysteries… But I must admit I have not read this one yet
I really need to get back on top of my game… I have been stuck in romance land for a while now… I have heard a lot of good reviews about this book..
I have never read any of this author’s books.
Jennifer C.´s last blog post..The Closest Book
I have not read any of her books but…………adding to my books to my book list as we speak. Thanks for for the information as I love a good mystery, suspense, thriller and I definitely love me some James Patterson, now I got a woman writer………WooHoo!!
Hey Rhea thanks for stopping by and good luck in the contest at any rate if you get a chance to pick up any of the prior books by Wesley…please do so. She’s worth your while.
I have not read any books by this author. Actually, I had never heard from her until this contest, but I love mysteries, so I really would like to win this book!
have not read any, and am very surprised I have not..what would we do with a group weekend- lots of fun, no sleep- scrapbooking, shopping is fun but love doing things where you get to be with people - anything where you are hanging out having fun..might go for a spa treatment after a hiking day..who knows..but might even do a cooking day where you learn to cook and take a wine class to learn about wines or do a mixolgy class and get ripped together and do karokee would love to read- mrs.mommyy@gmail.com
Valerie is the reason that I read today, the Tamara mystery books is what got me hooked into reading. I read her very first mystery and from that day forward I read mystery and write about it also. When it comes to mystery she is the lady to not be mess with. When she stepped out of mystery for that little time I wasn’t liking it because it took away from my reading of her mystery. Please stick to the mystery and I will be looking out for more to come.