Saturday, August 8, 2009

NO MAD by Sam Moffie: Review, Interview, and Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY IS OVER!
NO MAD

by SAM MOFFIE

ABOUT THE BOOK (from Amazon.com Product Description):

Racing home to share news of a long awaited book deal, Aaron Abrams unexpectedly finds his wife and beloved brother TOGETHER. Tossing a few mentionables into the car, along with his golden retriever, Churchill, his now only trustworthy lifelong companion, Aaron embarks on an odyssey like no other. With his own music as a backdrop, while guzzling his favorite Newman's Own Virgin Lemonade, Aaron begins in Youngstown, Ohio, travels interstate 80 in Pennsylvania, and continues into Gettysburg, Pa., Boston Ma., Roswell, NM., to name a few, ultimately ending his road trip in scenic Niagara Falls. Along the way, he continues to embrace each moment, every situation, all relationships and brief encounters. Never losing his zest for life, Aaron stays positive, upbeat and open for adventures, not letting his ex-wife-to-be interfere with his new found freedom, while at the same time rediscovering and recreating bonds that will never be broken. The game of Jinx has never gotten so much attention; what that means the reader is soon to discover.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND AN INTERVIEW:


Forty-Eight years of age, Sam resides in Youngstown, Ohio. When not writing and reading, he enjoys a glass of red wine with his muse. NO MAD is his third novel. You may contact him at uel0409@aol.com.

MY INTERVIEW WITH SAM MOFFIE:
Here are the question Mr. Moffie answered for me...

1. What have you just finished reading?

I just put down The Cider House Rules by John Irving.

2. What books would you say have made the biggest impression on you, especially starting out?

Four books. The World According to Garp By John Irving. Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

3. What gets you started on a new book? A character or story idea or….?

Both a character and story idea usually work in tandem to get me started.

4. What is something about you that you would want people to know about you that we probably don’t know?

I was born deaf in my right ear.

5. What is your best advice to anyone, including young people, who want to be writers?

Damn the rejections. Keep on trying.

6. What is something you would like to share with us about writing your favorite genre in general?

I like being labeled "quirky", so I guess it's fun to write quirky things.


"BINGO'S" REVIEW OF SAM MOFFIE'S NO MAD

Sam Moffie has written a witty and easy to read book about a middle age man's journey-a journey during, and through, a time in his life when he rediscovers himself. Main character, Aaron Abrams, takes this journey as a well developed character the reader will love, laugh, and possibly at times feel sorry for, or embarrassed by. Abrams grows personally and learns much about himself in this happy-go-lucky and well-written tale. This is a fun ride and one I enjoyed.

Mid-40's English teacher and fiction author Aaron Abrams gets wonderful news from his agent that his new book has a deal with a $100,000 advance. Delirious about this, Aaron races home to tell his wife the news only to find she has news for him! He finds her naked with his older brother, also au natural, floating around their pool. Deciding to shock the sexually involved couple as he has been shocked, he dumps ice on them and then proceeds to pack his suitcase and take off with his wonderful dog, Churchill, trying to leave with an "I don't care" impression.

Maintaining a positive attitude, or one that blocks out what happened, Aaron takes off and heads to his agent, Jane Wang's office, where he proceeds to take to bed her assistant Elizabeth. Aaron almost falls for her until he remembers he just fell out of a 20 year partnership and so he begins a journey to do some research for his book.

Along the way, he learns a lot about himself. Part of the book is about college friends/frat boys, and how they change over the years as they make life choices. With that backdrop, you know the humor is going to get a bit more decadent with the subjects ranging from the collegiates' activities and political, as well as social, actions. Newman's Own Lemonade, air-guitars and Jinx, take on new meaning with the story and with Aaron.

Abrams journey from Ohio to New York to Wyoming and finally to Niagara Falls will have you laughing and traveling right along with him. You will find yourself, despite some rather bawdiness and politically incorrect parts, still rooting for Aaron. The descriptions and use of classic rock music, move the story along and give it more depth because of their significance. The memorable characters that Moffie creates for Aaron to interact with along the way, make the story richer as well as funnier. The sub-plots allow for wandering away from the main theme but also add to the book over all. Everything is cohesive and comes together as we read how Aaron Abrams handles his life changing experience and self-discovery as a result of it.

I highly recommend this book for both men and women. If you aren't a fan of some of the bawdier episodes or language, than you may want to pass but I didn't find any of it gratuitous but rather parts that made up the wonderful whole book called NO MAD by Sam Moffie!


THE GIVEAWAY
Thanks to Tracee and the
PUMP UP YOUR BOOK PROMOTIONS,
I have a copy of this super fun book to giveaway!

RULES:
U.S. Residents only
No P.O. Boxes, Please
Include your email address in your comment

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: Comment below and YOU make up a new title for this book after reading my review (no offense to Mr. Moffie, just for fun)

+1 MORE ENTRY: Comment below and tell if you follow and how or where

+1 MORE ENTRY: Comment below and post or tweet about this giveaway and leave a link

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE IN BY
6 PM, EST, AUGUST 20

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!



37 comments:

Libby's Library said...

How about: Fool Me Once, Shame on You.

Thanks!

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

I'm a follower - thanks so much.

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Well, for a title I guess I'll go with "Jinxed Again!"

Please enter me.

I follow on Google Reader.

Thanks!
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

wheresmyrain said...

i am no good at titles,but ill give it a shot
umn..since its a cross country trip
maybe
"double sided roads"
eh? i like noMAD
wheresmyrain at yahoo dot com

Debbie said...

Boy, that's tough. How about: When Life Gives you Lemons.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

KR said...

How about " Trust is for Fools and Old Men" ?

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

KR said...

i follow on Google Reader.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Unknown said...

love your blog. i love connecting with other reviewers, readers, and writers. i'm following you now. you should visit/follow mine. i have all things books...
nice seeing you.
xo

Cindy said...

How about: Only Churchill Knows!

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Cindy said...

I follow your blog on Google.

I also subscribe by email.

I also follow you on Twitter. Username is Soccermom213

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Cindy said...

I follow you on Twitter. Username is Soccermom213

I tweet often about your blog and giveaways and will do so again today!

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Renee G said...

I'll go with "Runaway"
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

Debbie F said...

How about The Long Road. the literal meaning - his trip and the 'long road' of life and the different places that live takes you. (never claimed to be good at titles! LOL)
Thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I follow - google reader!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Mermaid2x said...

Golly! I like Neas Nuttiness' suggestion "Fool Me Once..." but how about "No Stone Unturned" ? I read a book similar to this with a female central character that did the same thing (can't recall the title but loved the book). Kind of like Thelma and Louise but with dog and dude. I'd love to read it!

rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

From your review I'd name the Book, The Game of Jinx.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I think my title would be "Road trip with Churchill"!

Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I'm a follower on Blogger dashboard and google reader =O)

Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Glenn said...

How about 'Goin' For a Ride with Churchill'. Thanks for the giveaway.

glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

How about "JINXED"...

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'm a follower :)

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

ccqdesigns said...

I really dislike the title of this book. I am glad I stopped to read the review because the title did not get my interest at all, neither did the book cover. I am not good at titles, but what about "Round-About". Isn't that what they are called? We don't have them down here in the south, but they are in other parts of the country and all over Europe.

rebecca[dot]cox[at]charter[dot]net

ccqdesigns said...

I follow you on google reader.

rebecca[dot]cox[at]charter[dot]net

Esme said...

How About Double Whammy



chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Esme said...

I am following.

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Esme said...

cococroissantsbook giveaway: NO Mad http://bit.ly/Nntmq

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Sheila (bookjourney) said...

Great review! I loved it! I am a follower...

I would name it "Getting Out Of Dodge"


journey through books @ gmail dot com

Beth said...

How about "Aaron's Trip"

Please enter me...

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

minishoes1 said...

How about-caught in the act. Thanks!jacquecurl1@gmail.com

minishoes1 said...

I already follow. jacquecurl1@gmail.com

rubynreba said...

Discovering New Bonds
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Nancye said...

New title: "Crazy Journey"

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follower on Blogger


nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet Tweet!!

http://twitter.com/
NancyeDavis/status/3420637865

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

JoanneR said...

Follower. Thanks for the chance!

sharon54220 said...

Hmm!!!!!!!!!!!
Where Will I End Up?

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I'm also a subscriber

sharon54220@gmail.com

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY