Sunday, August 8, 2010

NY TIMES BEST SELLER QUEEN OF THE NIGHT: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
QUEEN OF THE NIGHT

BY J. A. JANCE

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The New York Times bestselling author brings back the Walker family in a multilayered thriller in which murders past and present connect the lives of three families

Every summer, in an event that is commemorated throughout the Tohono O'odham Nation, the Queen of the Night flower blooms in the Arizona desert. But one couple's intended celebration is shattered by gunfire, the sole witness to the bloodshed a little girl who has lost the only family she's ever known.

To her rescue come Dr. Lani Walker, who sees the trauma of her own childhood reflected in her young patient, and Dan Pardee, an Iraq war veteran and member of an unorthodox border patrol unit called the Shadow Wolves. Joined by Pima County homicide investigator Brian Fellows, they must keep the child safe while tracking down a ruthless killer.

In a second case, retired homicide detective Brandon Walker is investigating the long unsolved murder of an Arizona State University coed. Now, after nearly half a century of silence, the one person who can shed light on that terrible incident is willing to talk. Meanwhile, Walker's wife, Diana Ladd, is reliving memories of a man whose death continues to haunt her.

As these crimes threaten to tear apart three separate families, the stories and traditions of the Tohono O'odham people remain just beneath the surface of the desert, providing illumination to events of both self-sacrifice and unspeakable evil.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A voracious reader, J. A. Jance knew she wanted to be a writer from the moment she read her first Wizard of Oz book in second grade. Always drawn to mysteries, from Nancy Drew right through John D. McDonald's Travis Magee series, it was only natural that when she tried her hand at writing her first book, it would be a mystery as well.

J. A. Jance went on to become the New York Times bestselling author of the J. P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, three interrelated thrillers featuring the Walker family, and Edge of Evil. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, and Tucson, Arizona.

MY REVIEW:

QUEEN OF THE NIGHT by J.A. Jance is the fourth book in the Walker Family series and the author does wonderful character analysis especially in the first part of the book. Readers learn what happened to the characters in the past and present as well as how they are connected with each other. Readers will also see how certain characters' lives parallel each other. The story is set in Arizona where there are a group of Native Americans who are ex-military and work with the border patrol to keep watch along the part of Mexico and the United States that borders their reservation.

This group is known as Shadow Wolf and Dan Pardee and his dog, Bozo, are part of this diligent group. For the most part, the only action Dan has seen involves drug smuggling and illegal immigration even though they are supposedly part of the anti-terrorism group. However, that all changes when Dan comes across a mass execution of four people. First, he assumes it is a drug deal in which something went terribly wrong, but then certain things he notices just don’t make sense. Trying to figure out what caused this horrible crime, Dan works with murder investigator Brian Fellows. Brandon Walker, a retired police officer, currently working on a cold case of an Arizona student, is also brought in when they realize their case may be connected to his. Little did Walker know that he is somehow personally tied to this cold case.

It seems that Diana Ladd Walker, Brandon’s wife, continues to experience some kind of contact from the dead stemming from her frightening past. This involves Andrew Carlisle who was set up to rape her by her late husband, Garrison Ladd, as well as the man who kidnapped Lani, her adopted daughter. The kidnapper, Mitch Johnson, is also making these “visits” to Diana. At the same time, little four-year-old Angelina Estalante becomes known as a “Ghost Girl” when she survives a brutal massacre at a time when her family was instead supposed to be celebrating the yearly tradition of blooming of the Queen of the Night flower. Now an orphan, Angelina knows what it’s like to be an outsider and this is something that Dr. Lani Walker (all grown up) understands as well. Tragedies like this can label people and effect how others react with them, and so Dr. Walker identifies with how Angelina feels as does Dan Pardee who first found her and feels responsible for her. Being half-Apache, Pardee also knows what it is like to be an outsider especially as he works in the area of the Desert People, the Tohono O’odham.

With all these detailed characters to keep straight and the book being told from different points of view, readers must follow very carefully. Jance blends past and present as she has the Walkers and key characters work meticulously in this compelling and suspenseful mystery to finally connect the multiple storylines. This is my first J. A. Jance book and I enjoyed it a great deal. I will say you must be patient and attentive as you get to know the characters which is like a story unto itself. Then when the action really begins to move almost halfway through the book, you have all you need to know in order to enjoy the “can’t put down” second half of QUEEN OF THE NIGHT by J. A. Jance.


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO SHAWN AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS BEST SELLING
NEW BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!




--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THIS BOOK THAT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO WIN AND READ IT

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR THAT YOU FIND INTERESTING BY GOING TO THE "FUN STUFF" SECTION ABOUT HER AT THE HARPER COLLINS WEBSITE HERE.

+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO J. A. JANCE'S AUTHOR PAGE ON FACEBOOK AND "LIKE HER". LEAVE A COMMENT THERE ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY YOU HAVE ENTERED. YOU CAN FIND HER ON FACEBOOK HERE!

GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST,
AUGUST 21!

GOOD LUCK

81 comments:

Cindy W. said...

Wow! I'm first! I find this book interesting because it is a 'multilayered thriller' and ties murders together from the past and present. I love a good thriller!
Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I went to the Harper Collins site & read the fun stuff about J.A. Jance. When asked what she would be doing if she wasn't writing she said she would be dead. I guess you could say that writing is her life.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Winning Readings said...

Angelina's character intrigues me...

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Steve Capell said...

I like authors that include their personal experiences into their books and I found out that this author has done that. Jance stated, "The eighteen years I spent while married to an alcoholic have helped shape the experience and character of Detective J. P. Beaumont." I too love thrillers and would love to read this book. Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am iuntrigued with this novel for its characters, the locale and the integration of past and present. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

This author has written so many wonderful novels and the setting is super. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

This book is fascinating because it delves into various stories which are interconnected and thrilling. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

It is interesting to note that the author lived in Bisbee, Az. which is such a unique place. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

skkorman said...

I "discovered" J.A. Jance only a couple of years ago and have since gone back and read every one of her books I could get my hands on. I think she's a terrific storyteller and writer and your review sounds like she has another hit on her hands. PLEASE enter me to win!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

skkorman said...

Jance is a dog-lover and has a golden retriever named Daphne.

skkorman AT bellsouth.net

skkorman said...

I now "like" J.A. Jance on Facebook and left a comment there about entering to win her book here.

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net




+1

Margie said...

I like parallel stories that come together in the end. And, my favorite genre is the mystery.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

The author has always been drawn to mysteries, and she wanted to be a writer since second grade.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

+5 Swag
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

debbie said...

I have read other books by her. They are always really good. I think this one sounds like it has a good plot,also.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Jolee said...

I think the many characters sound challenging and fascinating. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Find it fun that Jance reminds herself of Jessica Fletcher. ;-) joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Linda Kish said...

I love a good thriller and J.A.Jance's books are always great.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

She has a red golden retriever which is her favorite animal.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

I found it most interesting that she would: My desert-island book would be…
a collection of Shakespeare's plays

I follow on gfc

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

I have never read any of her books, so this would be a first for me! The book sounds really interesting - I like a both with several different sets of characters!

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

rubynreba said...

I would like to read this because I like thrillers!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

If she couldn't be a writer she would be dead!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

ossmcalc said...

First of all, I really love to read a good thriller, and this book definitely seems to be one. Plus, Jance blends past and present as she has the Walkers and key characters work meticulously in this compelling and suspenseful mystery to finally connect the multiple storylines. In other words, I would love the challenge of keeping all of the characters straight and where they fit into the story line. I would love to read this book.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/20694175693

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

It seems quite logical that the fictional character who most resembles the author is Jessica Fletcher.

thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I went to J. A. JANCE'S AUTHOR PAGE ON FACEBOOK AND "LIKE HER". I did not find a place where I could leave a comment.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Unknown said...

This book sounds very interesting and there is alot of suspense. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

What's not to like about this book? A really good murder mystery is always a joy to read.


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I love that Jance's mystery career started the same place my love of reading did--Nancy Drew books.

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/alterlisa/status/20701831660

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Facebook comment.Lisa Ann Richards Entered this contest http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2010/08/ny-times-best-seller-queen-of-night.html for a chance at Queen of the Night

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

+5 Swagbucks


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I would like to read this book because it has many layers and you worry about the little boy with asthma going deeper in the woods. Will they find him in time?


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

The author has a golden retriever named Daphne.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I "liked" J.A.Jance on FB.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

grannyvon said...

I found that the Queen of the Night Flower is really a flower but besides that I love books about bordor protrol because immagration is in the newws now. Thanks for the entry ybutler@oppcatv.com

grannyvon said...

I have real J.A. Jance before I read all the Joanne Brady servies. I like her style of writing. I think its amazing that she knew she wanted to be a writer when she was in the second grade. Thanks for the chance to win. ybutler@oppcatv.com

Benita said...

I'd like to read this book because I enjoy reading thrillers. This one sounds promising.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Fun fact- When the author's not reading or writing, she's chasing after grandkids.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mona said...

I love the thrillers that ties the characters from first book of the series and continues ( live baldacci, lisa gardner, and many many more).
This book looks awesome.. when there is a thriller connecting the investigator personally with case that he/she solves. I would really love to read this book.
Thanks for the organizing this giveaway.

patelmona0113@gmail.com

Mona said...

I went to the Harper Collins site & read the fun stuff about J.A. Jance. I like 2 things: 1) when asked what if she couldn't be a writer, she answered dead.. 2)when asked what is her writing rituals includes, she answered coffee and playing solitarie..
I have not read her books but after reading the excerpt of other 3 books of this series.

patelmona0113@gmail.com

Mona said...

I "liked" J.A. Jance on Facebook and left a comment about entering to win her book here.

patelmona0113@gmail.com

Mona said...

I love to read and collect the thriller books. I would love this book and also would love to have this book in my collections.

patelmona0113@gmail.com

Mona said...

I love thrillers like this one. I would love to read this book. I have not read Jance's books but her books are in my TO READ list from now. I always find good authors from various sources ( Bingo is one the sources) and then i start reading that author's novel from the first and just love it.

patelmona0113@gmail.com

Thanks!

Andrea I said...

I want to read it just because it's a J A Jance book. I've read most of them in the different series.


andrea.infinger@gmail.com

Andrea I said...

I liked her writing rituals of drinking coffee and playing solitaire when she didn't know what to write next.

andrea.infinger@gmail.com

Andrea I said...

Liked her on Facebook and posted a comment about the giveaway under her post Where do Book Tours Come From.


andrea.infinger@gmail.com

Beverly said...

I love thrillers and have never read her before - so I would love a chance to win one! Please enter me, thanks for hosting. old follower.
bevsharp@desch.org

Mona said...

+5 swagbucks. I joined swagbucks.com today.

patelmona0113@gmail.com

CherylS22 said...

I like stories that interweave families & generations. This looks like a great thriller.

Thanks for the giveaway ~
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I find it interesting that J.A. Jance's perfect day would include
reading and golfing.
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I would like to read it - I like a story with many characters and side story lines.

A Musing Mother said...

Granny has a few interesting experiences to engage in (grandkids) for a little while!

ntaylor228 at yahoo dot com

Mona said...

+5 FB Fan Bonus

patelmona0113@gmail.com

Thanks!

bison61 said...

interesting that the book is being told from different points of view

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Unknown said...

https://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/21657624916

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000641625482&v=wall&story_fbid=147967655230703&ref=mf

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/chirth7/review/45005530/

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=533391661&messageID=6680324648&hash

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

this was funny, she must absolutly love writing.

If I couldn't be a writer, I would be…
dead.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO J. A. JANCE'S AUTHOR PAGE ON FACEBOOK AND "LIKE HER". LEAVE A COMMENT THERE ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY YOU HAVE ENTERED.

I did this. chirth7@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I've read her books before. We love them here at our house. So I'm always up for her latest thriller!! shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/21662314939

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100001087052807&v=wall&story_fbid=128178407228262&ref=mf

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/shundelt45/review/45007072/

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=540593519&messageID=6679344275&hash

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

My one wish would be…
to live long and prosper.
My son in law will love this he's a huge star trek fan. lol

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I did this. Couldn't find where to leave my own comment I had to comment under a post.
+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO J. A. JANCE'S AUTHOR PAGE ON FACEBOOK AND "LIKE HER". LEAVE A COMMENT THERE ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY YOU HAVE ENTERED.

shundelt@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

I'd like to win the book for my wife. She love thrillers.

urbanL said...

http://twitter.com/jeff72768/status/21664847687

urbanL said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000609680005&v=wall&story_fbid=135562193153384&ref=mf

urbanL said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/Jeff72768/review/45008085/

urbanL said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=540594583&messageID=6679345400&hash

urbanL said...

As a trekkie I had to pick:
My one wish would be…
to live long and prosper.

urbanL said...

+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO J. A. JANCE'S AUTHOR PAGE ON FACEBOOK AND "LIKE HER". LEAVE A COMMENT THERE ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY YOU HAVE ENTERED
I did this left a comment under "The Eagle Has Landed"

Allison said...

I love when books intertwine multiple families. Sounds like a great read!

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

I thought her dead response was funny.

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Meredith said...

I think this sounds like a good thriller with many cases tied together.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

I liked JA Jance on FB

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

Ms. Jance's deserted island book would be a collection of Shakespeare's plays.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

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