Friday, November 5, 2010

ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY: DON'T BLINK AUDIO BOOK- REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

WELCOME TO
BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S
"ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY"
I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THIS FRIDAY'S
"ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY"
AUDIO BOOK CHOICE IS.....
DEADLINE EXTENDED!

GIVEAWAY ENDED
DON'T BLINK
BY JAMES PATTERSON
and HOWARD ROUGHAN

READ BY DAVID PATRICK KELLY

ABOUT THE AUDIO BOOK:

The good
New York's Lombardo's Steak House is famous for three reasons--the menu, the clientele, and now, the gruesome murder of an infamous mob lawyer. Effortlessly, the assassin slips through the police's fingers, and his absence sparks a blaze of accusations about who ordered the hit.

The bad
Seated at a nearby table, reporter Nick Daniels is conducting a once-in-a-lifetime interview with a legendary baseball bad-boy. In the chaos, he accidentally captures a key piece of evidence that lands him in the middle of an all-out war between Italian and Russian mafia forces. NYPD captains, district attorneys, mayoral candidates, media kingpins, and one shockingly beautiful magazine editor are all pushing their own agendas--on both sides of the law.

And the dead
Back off--or die--is the clear message Nick receives as he investigates for a story of his own. Heedless, and perhaps in love with his beautiful editor, Nick endures humiliation, threats, violence, and worse in a thriller that overturns every expectation and finishes with the kind of flourish only James Patterson knows.




ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
James Patterson has had more New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1976, James Patterson's books have sold more than 170 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. Mr. Patterson also writes the bestselling Women's Murder Club novels, set in San Francisco, and the top-selling New York detective series of all time, featuring Detective Michael Bennett. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family.

Howard Roughan cowrote
Honeymoon and Sail with James Patterson and is the author of The Promise of a Lie and The Up and Comer. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and son.

MY REVIEW:

James Patterson and Howard Roughan pair up again to give readers DON’T BLINK, a new Patterson thriller, that starts out with a bang, or I should say, an “eye opener”. Touted as “the scariest Mafia thriller since The Godfather”, DON’T BLINK is indeed an action packed, intriguing crime novel. However, while it is traditional Patterson with the short chapters, twists and turns, likable characters, including abhorrent but captivating villains, I think one would have to think twice before comparing it to Mario Puzo’s masterpiece. I am a huge James Patterson fan and never miss a book, and indeed thoroughly enjoyed this one, but still have to back away from the comparison to Puzo’s classic that so many fans hold in such high esteem, myself included. That said, DON’T BLINK, told from the central character’s point of view, was appropriately titled as I didn’t blink, or put the book down, but read it straight through, and enjoyed every minute of it! I then listened to it on the audio, read so well by David Patrick Kelly, and enjoyed it all over again! Nice car time listening!

With reporter Nick Daniels, readers meet an agreeably likable narrator who just happens to attract trouble without really trying. He is portrayed as an easygoing guy, as well as being written as a genuinely nice person readers can easily relate to. Just doing his job as a reporter, he is trying to interview a former famous pitcher for the NY Yankees, Dwayne Robinson, who has been a recluse since he dropped out of baseball and shunned by fans for basically walking out on one of the teams most important games by just not showing up. Bouts with panic attacks and alcohol kept Robinson from speaking out about what happened but now that he is ready to talk, he has called on Nick Daniels to be THE ONE to handle his reentry into society.

Unfortunately, Nick’s meeting with Robinson is set at Lombardo’s Steakhouse, a famous restaurant where one goes to see and be seen, on the same day that a hired killer, Bruno Torenzi, assassinates Vincent Marcozza, the lawyer, or consigliore, of Mafia Don Eddie “The Prince” Pinero. Seated at the next table, Nick unknowingly, at first, picks up on his interview tape recorder, what Torenzi says to the victim before he violently kills him. This “smoking gun”, or recorder, makes Nick Daniels a prime witness and focus of the investigation by the police, FBI, DA (who is also about to announce his candidacy for mayor as well as dating Nick’s ex), and of course, any and all local crime families!

When Nick begins to do his own investigation, he realizes that although all outward signs point to Pinero getting revenge, since Marcozza botched his trial and thus got Pinero convicted, there is something more to this. As Patterson’s trademark chapters click off, and Nick’s roller coaster ride begins, readers will probably have a lot of suspicions as to the real person behind the murder, probably changing their minds as fast as the pages turn and the theories vary. But there is one fact in all this that remains constant. Nick is still working for a magazine whose Editor, Courtney, just happens to be Nick’s true love. Unfortunately, she is currently engaged to the owner of the magazine, the wealthy, obnoxious cad, who Nick can see right through. Courtney and Nick have a one time romantic encounter and that not only makes Nick more and more positive of his feelings for her, but also starts to eat away at her resolve about her engagement. Their chemistry is enchanting as you find yourself rooting for Nick in this situation as well. Nick becomes even more likeable when you see him with his widowed older sister and his niece, fourteen-year-old, Elizabeth, who also happens to be blind. Elizabeth is a scene stealer and allows another part of Nick to be revealed as he is a tender protector and friend to this lovely young teen.

As Nick, and those he loves, all find themselves in danger, and the violence escalates and the bodies start to add up, Nick finds he literally has no place to hide and so as much as he’d like to avoid it, he finds he must take matters into his own hands to get this mystery solved. He is given valuable evidence but has no time to even look at it before his friend who gave it to him is also brutally murdered. Now Nick really has what everyone wants and how he tries to get out of this, is what makes the story move so quickly and keep your interest. The story has all you could want in a thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read a few reviews that didn’t like the story and commented on certain literary aspects about the characters and plot line which has to make me laugh. This is JAMES PATTERSON!…. and along with Howard Roughan, they give readers what they expect to find when reading one of his mysteries. The action and fun, the entertainment and mystery, the characters and locales, all add up to the reason Patterson is THE best-selling author there is. Enjoy the audio book, and get over yourself, I say, as this is what an enjoyable reading is all about. 

    
GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO ANNA AND MY FRIENDS
AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE THREE COPIES OF THIS
EXCITING NEW AUDIO BOOK
MYSTERY TO GIVE AWAY!

THE RULES:

--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY


HOW TO ENTER
+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN THIS JAMES PATTERSON AUDIO BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON HOW YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU CAN PUT THEM ALL AND AS LONG AS YOU LIST THEM SEPARATELY, THEY WILL EACH COUNT AS SEPARATE ENTRIES
  
+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO JAMES PATTERSON'S WEBSITE HERE AND COMMENT ON SOMETHING NEW AND INTERESTING YOU FIND AT HIS SITE.

+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP WEBSITE HERE WHERE JAMES PATTERSON'S BOOKS ARE LISTED. LOOK AT THEM AND NAME ONE OTHER PATTERSON BOOK YOU MIGHT LIKE TO READ. IF YOU HAVE READ THEM ALL, NAME A FAVORITE.

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, NOVEMBER 22!

GOOD LUCK!

98 comments:

holdenj said...

When I read about the Steakhouse and the mafia connections, I knew this would be a book I'd like to hear!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am a GFC follower.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I think his Dollars for Scholars idea is great. He always seems to have a good idea on ways to give back to kids.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I'd like to read Private.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Steve Capell said...

James Patterson is one of my favorite authors so that alone is one reason that I would love to win this audio book. I have often wondered how two authors approach a book and I read an interview of Patterson once where he stated, "If I'm working with a co-writer, they'll usually write the first draft. And then I write subsequent drafts." In any case, James Patterson and Howard Roughan have turned out some really fantastic mystery thriller novels. Thanks for opportunity.

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

Nise' said...

I've been a long time fan of JP and just started listening to audios of his books and have loved them.

nisethusfarAYyahoo.com

Nise' said...

Can't wait to read the next Alex Cross installment.

nisethusfarATyahooDOT

petite said...

I am a follower. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

This book sounds unique and something different for me. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I have read many of his earlier books which I enjoyed. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I have read a book (fiction) that involves the Russian Mafia in San Francisco and then googled it and found a lot of not so good facts. It should be interesting how the Italian Mafia and the Russian mafia do when they battle it out in New York.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/? See the above link for an audio giveaway of 'Don't Blink'

I tweeted. My twitter name is Carolee888

Anonymous said...

I follow this blog with
GFC.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow this blog with Facebook.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow this blog under the name of Carolee888 on Twitter.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am an e-mail subscriber to this blog.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I visited James Patterson's website and now he has a Cross Fire poll. I answered the questions and found it interesting that the most people who answered were women. I thought his books would be liked by both men and women.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

traveler said...

This author's books have always been riveting so this one should be too. saubleb(at)gail(dot)com

traveler said...

I have a favorite which is Roses are Red. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

One of the James Patterson's books that I read was 'Judge and Jury'.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I would like to win this James Patterson audio book because I have never read a Patterson book I didn't like. He is one of my favorite authors.
susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I follow on GFC.
susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

On James' web site he has a short video on his new book The Gift.
Looks great!
susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I have been wanting to read Kiss the Girls ever since I saw the movie.
susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

KatieCan86 said...

I would love to win this for my stepmother because she LOVES James Patterson!

Thanks!

katiecan86@yahoo.com

Linda Kish said...

I always enjoy the quick pace of his books. I never have a chance to get bored.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I haven't had a chance to read Alex Cross's Trial yet.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

You can get started reading Cross Fire on his site.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Bcteagirl said...

My first audiobook was a Patterson, so I would love to keep up the tradition :)

teagirl1 at telus dot net

Bcteagirl said...

I follow via google friend connect!
teagirl1 at telus dot net

Bcteagirl said...

Tweet!
http://twitter.com/bcteagirl/status/778650668498944

missreneer said...

I want it simply based on your review.
Thanks for the great giveaway :)

mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com

missreneer said...

I follow your blog with GFC.
Username: missreneer :)

mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com

janetfaye said...

I want this because I like James Patterson's books and I like to listen to audio books.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

i follow you on GFC - janetfaye

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Cindy W. said...

I love James Patterson's work. He's extremely talented. Would love to win a copy of Don't Blink.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I am a GFC follower.

Smiles,
Cindy W

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I am an email subscriber.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I enjoyed Sunday at Tiffanys as it was quite different then any of his other books.

Cindy W

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot[com

Reading said...

I have wanted this one for a while. I have listening to audiobooks while I work out.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I follow on GFC

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

i visited his web site. I can't wait to read Private.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Jeff said...

http://twitter.com/jeff72768/status/6067379092062208

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=167782203244241&id=100000609680005

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=167782203244241&id=100000609680005

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I follow RSS feed
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I'm a facebook Fan
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I follow you on twitter
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I'm a GFC follower
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I'm a email subscriber
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I follow you on network blogs
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I follow you on network blogs
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I've read and liked The 9th Judgment
jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

James has sold more books than any other author (according to Bookscan), and in total, James's books have sold an estimated 170 million copies worldwide.

Thats a huge accomplishment!

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/6069934945734656

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=170820069608889&id=100001087052807

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I follow RSS feed
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a facebook Fan
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I follow you on twitter
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a GFC follower
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a email subscriber
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I follow you on network blogs
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

The subject of a Time magazine feature called, "The Man Who Can't Miss," James Patterson is the bestselling author of the past year, bar none, with more than 16 million books sold in North America alone.

WOW! shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I've read The 9th Judgement. I really liked it!

shundelt@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=163154910388211&id=100000641625482

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/#!/Romantic73/status/6071789532749824

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow RSS feed chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a email subscriber
chirth7@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

+5 swag shundelt@yahoo.com

bloggingmom said...

I just love all of James Patterson's books so naturally I would love to hear this one! garczynski(at) aol (dot) com.

bloggingmom said...

I follow this blog on Facebook.

bloggingmom said...

I follow this blog on Twitter.

misskallie2000 said...

I love James Patterson's books so I know this will be a great audio book. I have read 12 or more of his books and have 2 on my TBR stack.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter this great giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I tweeted giveaway
http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/6400358150569985

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I am old GFC Follower

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I follow via Networked blogs

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I follow via google reader

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

FB follower(@Brenda Hill)

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Old email subscriber

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Also old follower via twitter (@misskallie2000)

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

You can watch James chat with Al Roker and about the new Catch a Killer Facebook game coming later this year on James site.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I want Christmas at Tiffany's by James. Did not find on list but would love to read this book.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/6415246273019904

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Patterson's books are a treat in themselves but both his Alex Cross and Women's Murder Club books have made for some great hours in front of the tube.


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Follow you on GFC- Lisa Richardf/alterlisa


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Follow you by email

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Follow you on Twitter@alterlisa

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Follow you on Facebook-Lisa Ann Richards

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

JP is giving away Book Dollars for Scholars to upcoming college students. Wow! that is so generous.

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Trying to pick your favorite Patterson book is like trying to pick your favorite child, can't be done. But I've reread and re-watched "Kiss the Girls" probably the most

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Laura H. said...

Thank you! You are the queen of great giveaways!

I would like to win because I'm a HUGE fan of James Patterson. While I have not read all his books yet, including this one, they are on my TBR list. Besides, I need something to listen to in the car on the way to and from work.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Tweeted giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/MamaHendo3/status/6794902524399617

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

E-mail subscriber.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

GFC follower (Bornajhawk).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Networked Blogs follower (Laura Grassie Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

"Liked" on FB (Laura Grassie Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

From his website, I learned that the author regularly donates thousands of books to troops overseas.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Another book of his I saw on the Hachette Book Group website that I would like to read is "Sundays at Tiffany's", especially since it's going to be on TV later this year.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY