Follow 1outnumberedmom on Twitter

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Review & Giveaway - Try Darkness by James Scott Bell

This Giveaway is Closed!
Try Darkness by James Scott Bell

Here's what the book says:

Ty Buchanan is living on the peaceful grounds of St. Monica's, far away from the glamorous life he led as a rising trial lawyer for a big L.A. firm. Recovering from the death of his fiancée and a false accusation of murder, Buchanan has found his previous ambitions unrewarding. Now he prefers offering legal services to the poor and the under-represented, from his "office" at local coffee bar The Freudian Sip. A mysterious woman with a six year old daughter comes to him for help. She's being illegally evicted from a downtown transient hotel, an interest represented by his old law firm and former best friend, Al Bradshaw. Buchanan won't back down. He's going to fight for the woman's rights.
But then she ends up dead, and the case moves from the courtroom to the streets. Determined to find the killer and protect the little girl, who has no last name and no other family, Buchanan finds he must depend on skills he never needed in the employ of a civil law firm.

About the Author:
James Scott Bell's fiction has been compared by Booklist and the Los Angeles Times to Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, two of his favorite authors. A former trial lawyer, Jim was also fiction columnist for Writers Digest Magazine and adjunct professor of writing at Pepperdine University. His book on writing, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure, is one of the most popular writing books available today.

After graduating from Taft High School in Los Angeles, Bell went on to play basketball at the University of California, Santa Barbara where he pursued a degree in Film. But his love of writing shot to the forefront of his interests. While still in college, Bell's writing got him a spot to study with Raymond Carver, one of America's most honored writers. Bell also won an award for a screenplay he wrote in his senior year.
After graduation, Bell moved to New York to write for the theater. Almost immediately he was cast in a small role in an Off Broadway production of Othello, "and I began my actor phase." That phase included stints in several Off Broadway productions and in television commercials. "Commercials were nice," Bell remembers. "I'd hold up a tray of hamburgers for McDonald's and keep getting these residual checks. What a business."
While in New York Bell met his wife to be, an actress, and decided one thespian in the family was enough. He went to the University of Southern California Law School, graduated with honors and won the American Board of Trial Advocates' Award as the top student in Trial Practice. He was a litigator for a year with a large L.A. firm before opening up his own office.
He now writes full time. His favorite writers, in addition to Chandler and Hammett, include John D. MacDonald and Michael Connelly. Visit his website at http://www.jamesscottbell.com/

Here's what I say:
I have to start by saying that I did not realize that this book was the second in the series until I had read a good portion of it and was starting to feel a bit lost. Not to say that the book cannot stand alone but more that I just had this gut feeling that there was more to the back story. The story is so fast paced and unexpected that I was gripped right away and I think that is why I was feeling that I wanted more. I am definitely going to have to go back and "start at the beginning" with the first book - Try Dying, especially before the next one - Try Fear! I have always been a big fan of what I call, judicial storylines. Where there are lawyers and courtrooms and cases and all sorts of whodunit. I especially like the stories of the innocents being vindicated - which is exactly what is going on in these stories. The main character - Ty - is exactly the sort of man I like to read about - some minor flaws but full of morals and a dollop of good old fashion honor. I really think that if you like thrillers with a lawyer spin, you will like this book.

Win it! Valarie at Hachette Book Group has graciously agreed to giveaway 3 copies of Try Darkness!
So here is how you can win:



Mandatory Entry: (open to US and Canadian residents only, must provide mailing address - no PO Boxes - if you win)(you must do this one first or I will be forced to remove all of your entries)
Leave a Comment with your email address (feel free to use the antiSPAM version - yourname[at]yourserver[dot]com) who your favorite murder/mystery author is.

Get More Entries: (LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY)
Become a Follower of Busy Moms Who Love to Read using Google Friends Connect (see sidebar)
Tweet about this Giveaway (include @1outnumberedmom and #giveaway in your tweet)
Follow me on Twitter @1outnumberedmom
Become a Facebook Fan (see sidebar)
Vote for the April Book Club Selection (see sidebar)
Enter one of my other giveaways
Add a comment to another post on this blog (a real comment, please)
Grab my button (see sidebar) and put it on your blog (include a link to your blog in your comment) (5 entries)
Add a post to your own blog about this giveaway (include a link to your post in your comment) (8 entries)

I wish you the best of luck! All entries but be received by 11:59pm PST on April 2th, 2010 to be counted.

Disclaimer: Although I did receive a free copy of this book for review, I was in no other way compensated to post this review.


If you are an author or publisher and you would like for me to review your book, please contact me directly: polsen11[at]comcast[dot]net




65 comments:

  1. I like James Patterson

    mandalarctic@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Following you on Twitter (@mandalarctic)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Entered This One is Mine

    mandalarctic@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Have your button (1)

    http://adventuresinwinterland.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. Have your button (2)

    http://adventuresinwinterland.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Have your button (3)

    http://adventuresinwinterland.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Have your button (4)

    http://adventuresinwinterland.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  8. Have your button (5)

    http://adventuresinwinterland.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. James Patterson and Dan Brown. I also am a subscriber to your facebook fan page and I follow on Twitter


    Email: latoyao@mac.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh this book looks like a great read. I'm a big James Patterson fan.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I entered your "this one is MINE" giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hey I like Koontz....I don't know that he's technically murder/mystery but sometimes there are murders and sometimes it's mysterious..hee hee I'm a Facebook fan too

    mbritton@paleskull.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ive actually never read a mystery murder book before so i don't have a favorite yet

    ReplyDelete
  14. Michael Connelly is my favorite.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I follow on GFC - janetfaye

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Facebook Fan - Janet Fri

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  17. 1. I have your button:
    http://janetsbookplace.blogspot.com/

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  18. 3. I have your button:
    http://janetsbookplace.blogspot.com/

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  19. 5. I have your button:
    http://janetsbookplace.blogspot.com/

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  20. 1. I blogged:
    http://janetsbookplace.blogspot.com/2010/03/busy-moms-who-love-to-read-try-darkness.html

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  21. 2. I blogged:
    http://janetsbookplace.blogspot.com/2010/03/busy-moms-who-love-to-read-try-darkness.html

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  22. 3. I blogged:
    http://janetsbookplace.blogspot.com/2010/03/busy-moms-who-love-to-read-try-darkness.html

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  23. 4. I blogged:
    http://janetsbookplace.blogspot.com/2010/03/busy-moms-who-love-to-read-try-darkness.html

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  24. 5. I blogged:
    http://janetsbookplace.blogspot.com/2010/03/busy-moms-who-love-to-read-try-darkness.html

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  25. 6. I blogged:
    http://janetsbookplace.blogspot.com/2010/03/busy-moms-who-love-to-read-try-darkness.html

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  26. 7. I blogged:
    http://janetsbookplace.blogspot.com/2010/03/busy-moms-who-love-to-read-try-darkness.html

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  27. 8. I blogged:
    http://janetsbookplace.blogspot.com/2010/03/busy-moms-who-love-to-read-try-darkness.html

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I like James Patterson.
    lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm a Follower of Busy Moms Who Love to Read using Google Friends Connect. lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I follow you on Twitter @1outnumberedmom. lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm a Facebook Fan. lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love james patterson.

    bridgetmsw at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love James Patterson. His books are awesome. P.D.James is a close second.
    polo-puppy-fluffy[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm a follower on GFC - MarionG.
    polo-puppy-fluffy[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I voted for the April selection.
    polo-puppy-fluffy[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I like Steven James.

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Twitter follower!

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I entered the Between Two Kingdoms giveaway!

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thanks for the chance. I like James Patterson.

    sharon54220@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am a follower via GFC

    sharon54220@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I follow on Twitter - sharon54220

    sharon54220@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I am a fan on Facebook-sharon54220

    sharon54220@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Interesting looking book
    time4mommy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I'm a huge JSB fan!! Loved book 1 and have been waiting to get my hands on #2!

    ~Mimi
    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. following you as bigguysmama on GFC

    ~Mimi
    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Following you on Twitter as bigguysmama

    ~Mimi
    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Here's my tweet: http://twitter.com/bigguysmama/status/11459700641

    ~Mimi
    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Voted for Love @ First Site for your April choice.

    ~Mimi
    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Became a FB fan as Mimi Baker

    ~Mimi
    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. #1 Added your button on the left sidebar for Book Reviewers. Woven by Words @ http://wovenbywords.blogspot.com

    ~Mimi
    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. #2 Added your button on the left sidebar for Book Reviewers. Woven by Words @ http://wovenbywords.blogspot.com

    ~Mimi
    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. #3 Added your button on the left sidebar for Book Reviewers. Woven by Words @ http://wovenbywords.blogspot.com

    ~Mimi
    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. #4 Added your button on the left sidebar for Book Reviewers. Woven by Words @ http://wovenbywords.blogspot.com

    ~Mimi
    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. #5 Added your button on the left sidebar for Book Reviewers. Woven by Words @ http://wovenbywords.blogspot.com

    ~Mimi
    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I am a follower and would love to win.

    Eileen
    wiseowlreviews@aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I'd like to read this.

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I am a HUGE Stephen King and James Patterson Fan!!!!

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I am a follower

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I am a twitter follower


    sarahsblogoffun

    sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I'll say James Patterson.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Follower via GFC.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

I love love love love to hear what other people think - share your thoughts so we can start a dialogue!