A Winner for CSN!! Congratulations!

CSN Stores Website!

I have to say that I was really impressed by all the wonderful products the entrants found at the CSN site!!  Thank you to everyone who particiapted!

The winner of the CSN Giveaway is:

VICKI!! 

Congratualations!!

I have sent an e-mail.  Please respond within 72 hours so I can send your information on to CSN!

[Note:  A thank you to Cym Lowell who explained to me how to do the screen shots!]

Reading to Review: By The Book by JoAnn Carter

Reviewing for Between the Lines Reviews for WRDF
[Review should be posted this week]

Title:  By the Book

Author: JoAnn Carter

Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Genre:  Inspirational Rosette

Page Count: 70

Release Date: 6-26-2009

Price: 2.00

BUY LINK

Blurb: Perky 24 year old police dispatcher, Sarah Murphy, is held captive by images of her past. She doesn't trust men and is determined to hold onto her heart at all costs. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Dylan Eldredge of the Hampton Police Department believes she’s the woman God has intended for him and is equally determined to have her for his wife. Will he be able to prove he’s the man for her?

JoAnn Carter's Website

GIVEAWAY! Five Copies of TAMED BY A LAIRD

If you missed winning this one over the past couple of months here is another chance!  THANKS to Anna and Hachette Books!  There will be FIVE (5) Winners!!

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Forever (July 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446541370
• ISBN-13: 978-0446541374

National bestselling author Amanda Scott sweeps readers back to the turbulent fourteenth-century Scottish Borders, where valiant men and women risk everything for their land. Jenny Easdale is ready to accept her fate. She's agreed to marry a man she will never love - yet not before slipping away for one last adventure. Following a traveling minstrel troupe, she's whisked into a world of intoxicating freedom. Then, all too soon, she finds herself in danger - from a vengeful political plot against Scotland and from the man who has come to take her home.
Amazon Buy Link

TO ENTER:

1. Comment here telling me what you think about arranged marriages. Please include your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

4. Leave a separate comment for each entry or you'll only be entered once. (This method is used to make it easier to put the entries into the random generator!)

(Three total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close Midnight (Central) on November 20, 2009. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Reading to Review: Trapped by Connie Mann

Reading to Review for Between the Lines Reviews for WRDF

Title: Trapped
Author: Connie Mann
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
BUY LINK!
320 Pages
Heat level: Sensual
Print ISBN: 1-60154-455-3


BLURB: It’s every woman’s worst nightmare: Had her daughter witnessed a murder?

 Beneath the homey, small-town facade of Riverlake, Florida, an unnamed evil lurks. When a guest at the local Bed and Breakfast turns up dead, tough single mom Sam Collins is convinced her young daughter knows more than she's saying. Sam vows to do whatever it takes to protect Lindsey from harm. She’ll sell the family-run marina she’s devoted her life to saving. She’ll even join forces with Danny Hastings--the one man she never expected to see again--the one who can destroy everything she holds dear.

 But can they stay alive long enough to protect the daughter he didn’t know he had?

Author Website:  Connie Mann

A Blog Discovery - Not Quite A Book Blog but an Author: Paul Levinson

I came upon a "new to me" blog last week that I didn't include in my Friday Book Bloggers Discoveries Meme because the blog is more a TV blog than a book blog.  The blog is Paul Levinson's Infinte Regress.

I don't watch much TV so that doesn't get me but what was interesting is Paul's new book:

New New Media

I happen to think the cover is Very Cool!  Even better this book looks very interesting.  Here is the product description listed at Amazon:

YouTube, blogging, Wikipedia, Twitter, Facebook, Second Life and other “new new media” are transforming just about every aspect of our culture from the way we elect Presidents to how we watch television. New New Media details the benefits, opportunities, and dangers of these transformations.

There is a link to a free Chapter on Twitter in Paul's sidebar!

In addition to several nonfiction books, Paul has also published five fiction books including The Plot to Save Socrates.

From Publishers Weekly:

In this light, engaging time-travel yarn, Levinson (The Silk Code) ponders the problem of saving someone who refuses to be saved, in this case Socrates, the Athenian philosopher condemned to death in a shameful moment for democracy. ....

If you visit Paul's blog site - you will see a picture of a man on a ladder in a BIG library! I just LOVE that picture and want to steal it!  I won't of course.... but I want to!  LOL

Thanks Paul for lettimg me tell a little about your works here!

REVIEW - The Pumpkinnapper by Linda Banche

Title: The Pumpkinnapper
Author: Linda Banche
Genre: Historical
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Buy Link

ISBN:

Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
Heat Rating: Sweet/Sensual
Author Website: http://lindabanche.blogspot.com/

Reviewed by: MarthaE

Blurb: Pumpkin thieves, a youthful love rekindled, and a jealous goose. Oh my!
Last night someone tried to steal the widowed Mrs. Emily Metcalfe's pumpkins. She's certain the culprit is her old childhood nemesis and the secret love of her youth, whom she hasn't seen in ten years.
Henry, Baron Grey has never forgotten the girl he loved, but couldn’t pursue, and so decides to catch Emily's would-be thief. Even after she reveals his childhood nickname--the one he would rather forget. And even after her jealous pet goose bites him in an embarrassing place.
Oh, the things a man will do for love.


Review: This was a wonderfully sweet quick read! I really enjoyed it! Sorry – no horror to this – except maybe for the goose biting!

Emily and Henry didn’t realize they loved each other when they were young. He went off to school and she was courted by and married another man. Now fate, with maybe a little help from friends, gives them a second chance. Will they take the chance or will they forever shield their hearts not knowing how the other feels?

I have to say that I loved Henry, the goose, in this story! We had two African geese many years ago and they do make good watch guards! He was a great addition to the story.

The actual Pumpkinnappers are really the only Halloween part of the story and there is not a lot of explanation for them. They do serve to help bring Emily and Henry together.

Both the heroine and hero are very pleasant characters, independent and strong, but full of kindness and humor. I liked the interesting bits of background given regarding the pumpkin cultivation. The writing flowed nicely with a good blend of descriptions, sweet romance and smooth action. I will look forward to longer stories from Ms. Banche based on this fine short piece!

This is my Tuesday R&R review at SaSR.

Monday's Mailbox October 26, 2009

This Meme starts at The Printed Page    

I haven't posted this for a couple of weeks so I have several items!

The Becoming

Won at Patricia's Vampire Notes from 10/6/2009 interview comment.
Thank you Patricia and Author Jeanne Stein


Won Second place in Giveaway to celebrate the release of Love Thy Neighbor by  Patricia Bates - Putting Hisotry back in Romance

THANK YOU Patricia!  [Good news! I now have Love they Neighbor to review for YGR Reviews!]

Christmas for the Cowboy

                             and

Borderline Sin

I just received three books from several shout outs at Romance Junkies Readers.  Thank you Chaos Cat and RJR!

Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison

 The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook

(Everything I Know About Love and Marriage)

               and

                                   SkinGame by Ava Gray

I may have to reduce the number of review books I am reading so I can get to some of the good books I have won this year!!!

What are you reading Monday October 26, 2009

Join this meme at:

 J. Kaye's Book Blog

Finished this week:

PB: A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi. A good psychological thriller.  I have to do the Review this week and post here- probably on Thursday!.

Audible:  --------

Kindle2: Killer Dolls by Angelica Hart and Zi.  This was a fun Romantic Suspense! Review Posted at YGR.

The Show Must Go On by Kim Sheard. A very good sweet romance!  I have to finish the review and send it in to YGR.

Pumpkinnaper by Linda Blance.  I got this to read as my Halloween read.  Review will be posted here and as my SaSR review on Tuesday !

Audio CD: -------

**************************

Currently reading:

PB:  The Hidden Man by David Ellis – Crime mystery from Penguin/Putnam. Just started but it is already interesting! Will review and post at my blog.

Audible: On Hold

Kindle2:  Mirror Mirror by Karen Wiesner.  Book 3 of the Wounded Warrior Series. About 15% into this and am enjoying it.  Ms. Wiesner can really capture the reader.  (This revised and updated version coming out soon.) Reading and reviewing for Author and YGR.

Audio CD: I Can See You by Karen Rose. Romantic Suspense. Down to the last two discs now!! This is a wonderful mystery and romance - really good! One villain has been revealed but I still don't know who the serial killer is! Reviewing for YGR.

Expecting a couple of new review Audio books in this week to start after this one!

Finished for Review: The Show Must Go On by Kim Sheard

Title:  The Show Must Go On
By: Kim Sheard | Other books by Kim Sheard
Categories: Contemporary Mainstream ROMANCE
Word Count: 41,588
Heat Level: SWEET (the cover may be misleading!)

Published By: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.

Allyson Parker, the stereotypical shy librarian, finds an outlet for her wilder side by performing in community theater. There she can become someone else, someone infinitely more interesting and confident. Partnered in her first romantic lead with newcomer Matt Dauer, she begins to hope that life can imitate art. But can she overcome her bashfulness and self-doubts, cultivated by years of frequent relocations, in order to keep his interest?

Matt moved to Washington, D.C. from Chicago to escape a cheating, diva ex-girlfriend, but he's now also far from his parents and two brothers. His greatest desire is to create a new family as close-knit as the one he left behind. He must return to that past, though, when his ex is involved in a serious car accident and he is called on to help. Will his benevolent act mean the end of his blossoming relationship with Allyson?


Review will go to You Gotta Read Reviews this week!

Sunday Words of Encouragement

Today our Pastor reminded us to seek JOY!

Our Choir song was a version of MY HOPE:

My Hope - Hillsong
You are righteous

You love justice

And those who honour you

Will see your face

I will arise and lift my eyes to see

Your majesty

Your holiness

And all I am will bless you

My hope is in the name of the lord

Where my help comes from

You're my strength, my song

My trust is in the name of the lord

I will sing your praise

You are faithful

A verse for today!

Romans 15:13 New International Version

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I pray today for the Light to shine in your life and for your heart to be filled with JOY no matter your circumstances!

My September 2009 Reading List

(Its a little late in October but I realized I hadn't posted the September list!)
September 2009 Books 127-140

Links will take you to the reviews!

Guide 
BTL = Between the Lines with Writers and Readers of Distinctive Fiction
CR = CataRomance (e= eBook)
MBS = Martha's Bookshelf
YGR = You Gotta Read

127. Movin’ Up with JJ by Kim Sheard (eBook) Contemporary 4.25 eCR
128. Meant to Be by Donna Marie Rogers (eBook) Contemporary4.25 [Fantastic] BTL
129. Midnight Frolic by Loree Lough (eBook) Contemporary 4.25 [Need to read] YGR
130. The Macgregor's Daughter by Dee Julian (eBook) Historical 5.0 [Gotta read] YGR
131. Hardball a V.I. Warshawski Thriller by Sara Paretsky (print) Mystery Thriller 4.5 MBS
132. 50 Days of Heaven by Randy Alcorn (Audible) Inspirational 4.0
133. Shoreline by Jennifer Loy (ebook) Fantasy- Merman 3.75 [Memorable Good] BTL
134. Turtle Soup by Danielle Thorne (eBook) Contemporary 4.5 CR-Singles
135. A Treasure for Sara by Allison Knight (eBook) Historical 4.25 MBS
136. When the Bough Breaks by Miss Mae (eBook) YA Mystery 4.5 [Need to Read] YGR
137. Loyaltys Web by Joyce DiPastena (print) Medieval Historical 5.0 MBS
138. The Texas CEO's Secret by Nicole Foster (print) Harlequin Contemporary 4.25 CR-Singles
139. Ravens by George Dawes Green (Audio CD) Physcological Thrillern3.75 [Want to Read] YGR
140. The Last Guardian by Stephen LaFevers (eBook) Sci Fi/Fantasy 4.5 [Need to Read] YGR

Winner of The Macgregor's Daughter eBook!

Thank you to all who commented on the interviews with Dee Julian and who entered the
 Giveaway of The Macgregor's Daughter.  Thank you to Ms. Julian for donating the eBook for a winner!


 AND THE WINNER selected by Random.org IS:

BUSY BEE!

I hope you will enjoy the book and come back and let us know your thoughts on it!

Book Bloggers Discoveries 10/23/09

This ia another meme at J. Kaye's Book Blog"!

Again, these may not be new blogs for J. Kaye but they are all new ones for me that I got to visit this past week!!

Melange's Book Reviews

The Crazy Life of a Bookaholic Mom

The Review Broads

At Home With Books

Reading for Sanity

Libby's Library  (and I just figured out today that this is Neas Nuttiness!)

Rainy Days and Mondays

I Read

A Journey of Books

There are lots of wonderful blogs out there!!

Next Book for Review: Mirror Mirror by Karen Wiesner

Book 3 of the Wounded Warriors Series
by Karen Wiesner
Newly Revised and Reissued!
Mainstream Romantic Suspense
ISBN: 978-1-60174-083-0 (electronic)
Electronic reissue coming January 15, 2010 from Uncial Press
ISBN: 978-0-578-03398-3 (trade paperback)


Trade paperback reissue coming soon from http://stores.lulu.com/karenwiesner

Twenty-five years ago, Gwen Nicholson-Nelson was in a car accident that almost claimed her life and left behind a strange gift. She can see the future...and death...before it comes to pass. She had a vision of her husband's death ten years before it happened in, for Gwen, chilling deja vu. During this time, she's also had a disturbing connection with another like her, a psychic who has the power to not only see into others but to manipulate and destroy.

For twenty-five years, as seemingly unrelated events convince Gwen she has no power of her own beyond bizarre sight, she's wondered why she was given the ability to see pain and death yet never to alleviate them. But when her nemesis targets Dylan Mitchell, the man she loves, and his daughter, all the pieces of the puzzle that have tormented her fall into place. Gwen must discover her own power, believe in herself and her destiny, and act--before her vision of Dylan's death comes to pass.

Karen Wiesner Website 

Book being reviewed for  You Gotta Read Reviews.

My FTC Required DISCLOSURE

The government in the form of the FTC has decided that bloggers must be clear in disclosing what compensation they receive and any affiliation to the entity that provided the "product" for review.
Actually the reasoning for this is explained in this article:
FTC to Social Media Marketers and Bloggers: Y'all Play Fair Now

SPECIFIC DISCLOSURE

I receive books from authors and publishers free of charge to enable me to write reviews. Some books I receive as a reviewer at three different sites: You Gotta Read Rreviews, Between The Lines for WRDF and

CataNetwork Reviewers.  I also receive books from several publishers, publicists and authors themselves.

Whether the review is at one of those sites or on my blog, I receive no compensation other than the book to read.  Sometimes I get permission to pass a review book on as a Giveaway or to host a Giveaway of a separate book, other than my copy.  I may on occasion do reviews or hold Giveaways for products other than books.

All reviews are my own opinions and I am not endorsing any book, publisher or product but merely sharing my reaction and recommendation regarding the book or item.  I may link to a buy site, publisher or author website.  I am not paid for such links or even asked to provide those links, except perhaps for specific Giveaways.  I am not affiliated with any authors, publicist, publishers or companies for books or products that I review or Giveaway. I do it as a convenience to readers and to encourage them to look at the author's works or occasionally to look at a product that may be of interest to my blog readers.  My goal in this blog is to encourage readers to find and enjoy authors!

I will not be including a link to this disclosure for each review or book or product announcement posted on my blog unless that appears to be required.  The link will appear on the sidebar of the blog.

GENREAL DISCLOSURE

This Statement is to serve as a disclosure for all blog links.

I do have links to various authors, publishers and sites on my blog.  I am not affiliated with any of these, other than the review sites mentioned above and various Yahoo Groups and other blogs I may be a team member on or that I may follow.  Also, I have become friends with various authors through Groups and Blogs and the author's websites may be linked.  I receive no compensation from any linked site on my blog, nor for any Giveaway on other blogs that I may post about.  I am not attempting to give an endorsement for any of the linked sites although, again, I wish to encourage and support authors and to encourage interaction between authors and readers.

************************************************

If you are interested in some of the news about the FTC Guidelines I have provided links to several articles of interest below (none of which I endorse *BG*) and may update from time to time.

Bloggers, Advertisers Alike Have Obligations Under New FTC Guides

FTC Confirms Bloggers Need Not Fear The $11000 Fines

Ad Group Calls on FTC to Rescind Blogger Rules

RAIN GUTTER Book Shelves From RaisingOlives.com!

Check out these really neat RAIN GUTTER BOOKSHELVES with a tutorial to build them from Kimberly at Raisingolives.com

I saw this picture while surfing blogs this week and I couldn't wait till Friday to post it with the Blog Discoveries.  I think it is just so wonderful it deserved its own post!!  Kimberly (who must be super busy raising 9 really good looking children!) has many other craft ideas and great information at her site.  Thank you Kimberly for letting me share this link!

What's Your Halloween Personality??

This is the Sweet and Sensual Romances Group game today courtesy of Blogthings.com! The link is at the bottom of the post.

What's Your Halloween Personality?

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyourhalloweenperson...

The scariest thing on Halloween is you! You definitely don't want any kids in costumes crossing your path - and you're willing to scare away any who do.

You're weird. You're downright deviant. And you use dressing up in a costume as an excuse to act out.

Your inner child is stubborn and a bit bossy.

You truly fear the dark side of humanity. You are a true misanthrope.

You're logical, rational, and not easily effected. Not a lot scares you... especially when it comes to the paranormal.

You are picky and high maintenance. If you wear a Halloween costume, it's only when you really feel like it. And it has to be perfect.

What's Your Halloween Personality?

REVIEW - Hardball, a V.I. Warshawski Mystery by Sara Paretsky

Title: Hardball, a V.I. Warshawski Mystery Thriller
Author: Sara Parentsy
Genre: Mystery Thriller

Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Putnam Adult; 1 edition (September 22, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0399155937
ISBN-13: 978-0399155932
Price: Hardback $15.75 eBook $9.99


Available from the following retailers:
Amazon  Barnes & Noble  Borders  Indiebound

Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Reviewed by: MarthaE

Blurb: Chicago politics—past, present, and future—take center stage in New York Times–bestselling author Sara Paretsky’s brilliant new V. I. Warshawski novel.

Chicago’s unique brand of ball is sixteen-inch slow pitch, played in leagues all over the city for more than a century. But in politics, in business, and in law enforcement, the game is hardball.


When V. I. Warshawski is asked to find a man who’s been missing for four decades, a search that she figured would be futile becomes lethal. Old skeletons from the city’s racially charged history, as well as haunting family secrets—her own and those of the elderly sisters who hired her—rise up to brush her back from the plate with a vengeance. A young cousin whom she’s never met arrives from Kansas City to work on a political campaign; a nun who marched with Martin Luther King Jr. dies without revealing crucial evidence; and on the city’s South Side, people spit when she shows up. Afraid to learn that her adored father might have been a bent cop, V. I. still takes the investigation all the way to its frightening end.

REVIEW:
This is the first V.I. mystery I have read and now I know why it is a popular series! This is a mystery that keeps you following clues until the full details are revealed!

I liked the crisp writing and the short chapters with titles that let you know what each chapter is about. The story started a bit slowly but soon it was building the mystery in the disappearance of V.I.’s cousin Petra and the mystery surrounding V.I.’s father and activities in his past.

V.I is a sharp, independent female investigator. She has been asked to help an old woman find her son, more for her sister, the Aunt, than herself. The problem is the young man has been missing for forty years! As V.I. starts looking for the missing man she discovers that his disappearance appears to be connected to the death of a young woman during the race riots surrounding Martin Luther King. The more she digs the more troubling facts she finds. V.I. is puzzled and angered to find her young, energetic cousin, Petra, searching through V.I.’s trunk of family treasures! Then Petra disappears after she has convinced V.I. to let her do some minor research. Now it seems that everyone V.I. questions is threatened as murder and arson follow in the wake of her investigations. It becomes clear that someone is willing to go to a lot of trouble to keep the past secret! But V.I. doesn’t know the word “stop” and she insists on pursuing the clues even if it means exposing some dirty family secrets.

The author does a good job portraying V.I.’s character, including her perfectionist “do it right - do it yourself” type personality that is partly responsible for her loneliness and aloneness. Although this book worked fine as a stand alone, it created a curiosity for me to read prior books to understand more about V.I.’s personalities and relationships and to read more good mystery stories!

A Big THANK YOU to Lydia at The Penguin Group who sent this book to me!
[This was not posted at SaSR as we are playing a game today instead of having a review!]

What are You Reading Monday October 18, 2009

Join this meme at:
 J. Kaye's Book Blog

It seems like I didn't get a lot read this week! Watching a five year old definitely cuts into reading time! But I have caught up with all reviews done and sent but one. 

I do have two books that will finish quickly now; maybe tonight or tomorrow. Then on to new books!

Finished this week:

PB:  ------

Audible:  --------

Kindle2: All or Nothing by Ashley Ludwig. A lovely, sweet Historical Romance. Review sent to YGR.

Love's Reflections by Carol North. A very fun sassy romance about a robot and her creator!  Reviewing for the author; to be posted on the blog in a few weeks.

Audio CD: -------

**************************

Currently reading:

PB: A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandi. Two thirds through this very gripping psychological thriller.  Reviewing for the author.

Audible: On Hold

Kindle2:  Killer Dolls by Angelica Hart and Zi.  I'm half way through this very snappy Romantic Suspense! I hope to finish tonight then review to be completed and sent to YGR.

Up next: Mirror Mirror by Karen Wiesner.  Book 3 of the Wounded Warrior Series. (This revised and updated version coming out soon.) Reading and reviewing for Author and YGR.

Audio CD: I Can See You by Karen Rose. Romantic Suspense. About 80%.  This is really good! Wish I was driving more so I could finish it and find out who the killer is! A very good mystery and romance! Reviewing for YGR.

Other Blogger Giveaways ending 10/20 through 10/30

Here are some interesting Giveaways to check out that end within the next two weeks!
I am posting for two reasons:
1) Yes, I get an extra entry if I post about some of these!
2) These are at nice blogs, they are good books and I thought others would be interested too!
And I understand that spreading the word to others who may enter may negate the effect of the extra entry given for posting! Have you ever thought about that? =D

Lucan by Susan Kearney at Park Avenue Princess. CLOSES 10/20/09

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell at Book Soulmates. CLOSES 10/21/09

Angel of Windword by Maggie Dove at Froggaritaville's Bookcase. CLOSES 10/23/09

Lucan by Susan Kearney at Froggaritaville's Bookcase. CLOSES 10/23/09

Tall Dark and Fangsome by Michelle Rowen at Froggaritaville's Bookcase. CLOSES 10/23/09

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books. CLOSES 10/24/09

A Highlander's Temptation by Sue Ellen Wellfonder at Pudgy Penguin. CLOSES 10/24/09

Bookshelf Cleaning Giveaway by At Home With Books. CLOSES 10/29/09

Show No Fear by Marliss Melton at Pudgy Penguin. CLOSES 10/30/09

Pendragon's Banner by Helen Hollick at Found Not Lost. CLOSES 10/30/09

Sunday Words of Encouragement

We praise you Lord! Thank you for your presence in church and everyday in our lifes!

FOREVER by Hillsong

I'll Worship at Your Throne

Whisper my own love song

With all my heart I'll sing

For You my Dad and King

I'll live for all my days

To Put a smile on Your face

And when we finally meet

It'll be for eternity

And Oh how wide You open up Your arms

When I need Your love

And how far You would come

If ever I was lost

And You said that all You feel for me

Is undying love

That You showed me through the cross

I'll worship You my God

I'll worship You my God

I love You

I love You

Forever I will sing

Forever I will be with You

Be with You

A verse for today:

Psalm 115:18 New American Standard Bible:  
But as for us, we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forever.   Praise the LORD! 

Congratulations To Follower Winner!

A BIG THANKS to my followers!

The winner of the second Followers Giveaway is:

KAYE!! 
I will be sending her a
$10.00 gift card of her choice!

I really enjoy followers and commenters!  You are all #1 in my blog!!

Which reminds me to say Thank You to the participants in the giveaway who commented on various blog posts that they liked.  My goal is to make this a fun place while sharing books I am reading, offering informative reviews and interviews and adding a touch of blessing!

Since I like giveaways and like rewarding followers and commenters you can anticipate that I will have follower Giveaways pretty regularly! =D

Announcing the Winners for ONE SCREAM AWAY!

Thank you to all who entered the Giveaway from Hachette of ONE SCREAM AWAY!

Here are the five winners:

Anne P - Confirmed

Deidre D - Confirmed

Tracey D - Confirmed

Michelle P - Confirmed
and

Haley - Confirmed

I have sent e-mails requesting you to send me your snail mail addresses. Please respond within 72 hours so I can get the list sent out to Hachette!

I hope you will each come back and let us know how you like the book!

A Book Blogger's Discoveries 10/16/09

This ia another meme at J. Kaye's Book Blog"!

Again, these may not be new blogs for J. Kaye but they are all new ones for me that I got to visit this week!!
Rundpinne
Blog Business World
Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! - Great playlist!
Revenge of the Book Nerds
My Life in Not So Many Words
Bookfan
So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
Novel Challenges
Seed Thoughts
Some of My Favorite Books
Violet Crush
Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

Garden Bloomer's Bloom Day October 15, 2009

This meme can be found at May Dreams Gardens.

Here are some pics from the garden this very morning!

You can see the nice green peppers but the critters that got the tomatoe plants last month are working on stripping these leaves now!

Here is our monster tomatoe plant making a comeback from being completely stripped last month!  It actually has some blooms already!

My DH bought a number of Chrysanthemums for the pool railing about a month ago.  This is the second flowering since we got them. 

Boy do they suck up the water!!

A few weeks ago DH tossed out some "pea" seed I think its called. 

The deer love this and will be in to eat some as long as our little dogs (who think they are big hunters!) don't scare them away!!

These are Bear and Princess, our great hunters,

 after a mad chase in the woods!

I'm wishing everyone a wonderful "blooming" day and October!!

I hope your Halloween is full of TREATS!

My Next Read for Review - Killer Dolls by Angelica Hart and Zi

Title: Killer Dolls
Author: Angelica Hart and Zi
Genre: Romantic Suspense
eBook
Publisher: Champagne Books
Published: September 2009
ISBN: 978-1-926681-01-6
Champagne Books Buy Link
Author's Website

While bio-terrorists use her handcrafted dolls to attack the innocent, Letti Noel falls for FBI agent Taut Johnson. Deceit is a growing barrier to their love, but it's the stalking terrorists that threaten their lives.

Interview Chat with Author Dee Julian - Part Four Conclusion: A Few Personal Questions!

Once again please help me welcome author Dee Julian, author of The Macgregor's Daughter, for the conclusion our chat.

If you didn't get a chance to read the earlier chats you can check them here:
Part One: The Writing Process.
Part Two: The Book - with an excerpt link.
Part Three: The Publishing Process - with the trailer.

M: When you are reading for pleasure, what is the one thing that will make you put down the book and quit reading?

Dee: In my particular genre, I’d have to say weak characters. Especially female ones. I admire a woman, real or imaginary, who respects herself and others. Confidence is very sexy, and it grabs your attention very quickly. It’s hard to get through a book when you find yourself disliking one or both of the main characters, and all you’re thinking is, “This person has no redeeming qualities. Why didn’t the author just kill her off?” For me, it’s almost as bad as watching a low budget horror movie where the girl’s struggling along a dark corridor, and for some reason she never looks behind her but every now and then timidly calls out, “Is anyone there?” Yes, sweetie, the bad guy is, and he’s coming up behind you with a butcher knife in his hand. Oh, and guess what? You just gave away your position. Goodbye.

M:  Oh My Goodness! LOL! I totally agree that kind of idiotic behavior drives me nuts!

What is the most unique thing about you?

Dee:  Hum…this stopped me for several minutes, because I don’t usually look at myself with that sort of question in mind. I have numerous idiosyncrasies, (just ask my husband) but none that would be considered unique. If I’m special at all, it should be because I am a one-of-a-kind person in God’s eyes. Yes, I can live with that.

M:  Lovely answer!

Tell us a little about your next book or WIP please!

Dee:  Sure, and thanks for asking. Promise Me is a few months from being finished. It is set in 1866 England. No Scottish dialect. Here’s bit of a teaser:

A hasty promise to her dying fiancé jeopardizes Lady Leah Sheridan’s future as well as her reputation. One year later, the deceased man’s older brother returns to England demanding answers. With an innocent child’s future resting solely in her hands, Leah has no choice but to break her promise. And pray her heart does not suffer the same fate.

M:  Ohhh- I am glad it won’t be too long before I get a chance to read another of your books!!

Dee:  A delightful chat, Martha. Thanks for inviting me.

Thank YOU Dee for joining me as my first interviewee! Thanks for answering all my nosey questions and thanks too for offering your book as a giveaway! Best wishes for continued success with The Macgregor’s Daughter and with the release of Promise Me!

Don't forget to check out the review and enter the Giveaway for a copy of the book!

Review of A TREASURE FOR SARA by Allison Knight

Title:  A Treasure for Sara
Author:  Allison Knight
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Champagne Books
Champange Books Buy Link
Published: February 2009
ISBN: 978-1-897445-41-9

Author's Website

Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
Heat Rating: Sensuous
Reviewed by: MarthaE


Blurb:  Thrust together by her dying father, Sara McGuiness must face the treacherous Yukon Territory with "Bear", a quiet giant of a man. Will they survive and learn to share a burning love born during the chill of a Northern winter?

REVIEW: I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely and heartwarming historical western!

Sara has left her home in Philadelphia to escape a marriage being forced upon her by her Aunt. She has traveled to the Yukon Territory to join her father who has written to her that he has a treasure for her. Although Sara is not prepared for the wilderness and cold, she is a very determined young lady and she is not going to be defeated!

Bear is a gruff “bear” of a man who picks Sara up “in town” to deliver her to his cabin where her father is staying.  Bear and Sara’s father have become good friends over many years.  Bear is resourceful and able but he is basically closed off.  He is taciturn and at first barely speaks to Sara as he trudges her through the rough paths on the many day journey from town to home.

Sara arrives to find her father dying.  She does all she can to help and in the process becomes mistress of the cabin, making it a home rather than just a dwelling.  But Bear lost his wife and child before he buried himself in the mountains and he does not believe he is worthy to ever have a woman again, much less fall in love.  He does everything he can to resist the warmth that Sara brings to the cabin.  He is determined to send her home as quickly as possible but fate works to strand her there for the winter months. There is a fair share of misunderstanding and doubt, especially for Sara who thinks she is unlikable since Bear is so eager to send her on her way.

Although there are some bad guys trying to find the rumored treasure and some friends too, the story really centers on Sara and Bear and life in the harsh but beautiful setting. The author has done a wonderful job of building a picture and an understanding for life in the rough little mining town and the isolation of the cabin. She also has created two great emotional characters who draw you into rooting for them to give in to the sensuous passion, love and life that they clearly could share if only they will take the chance.

Especially if you like western historical romance, you will like this treasure and you will want to read this so you can discover the truth of Sara’s treasure!!

This is my Tuesday R&R review at SaSR.

Would You Like Your Book or Product Reviewed?

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I love to review books and encourage authors. I read varied genres but I do not read erotica. Some of the books I read may have some graphic content and I will usually note that in the review as a content warning.

If you would like a review please e-mail me at mesreadsATgmailDOTcom. I will let you know if the book is one I would read and I will give you an approximate schedule time. The book will appear in my slideshow of current reads and a post of Current reviews. It will also be mentioned in the Monday What are you Reading Meme. 

Whenever possible I like to offer a giveaway with the review and with a giveaway there will be announcements at several other social networks such as Book Blogs and Twitter. Please note that my review will be based solely on my opinion and not a result of friendship or your being willing to allow a giveaway.

I am open to participating in interviews and blog tours.

I am also open to reviewing or hosting a giveaway for other products, preferably book related!

Again, my e-mail is mesreads@gmail.com

Current Review Book - I Can See You by Karen Rose

Title: I Can See You  (Audio CD)
Author: Karen Rose
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Hardcover: 496 pages
Available Formats: Hardcover, Paperback Large Print, Kindle, Audio CD
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; First Edition first Printing edition (August 5, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0446538345
ISBN-13: 978-0446538343
Amazon Buy Link
Author’s Website

Blurb: Eve Wilson was the victim of the villain in Don’t Tell, an assault which resulted in disfiguring injury. After the incident, Eve retreated into the virtual realm, seeking refuge from the public eye. Now, with the help of a surgeon, her face is mostly restored and she has returned to the real world. Now a graduate student, her goal is to research the use of the virtual world as therapy to improve self-esteem. But when a string of suspicious suicides connected to her Internet activities leads homicide detective Noah Webster to her door, Eve is forced back into an intoxicating world of Web sites, alternate identities, and secret passions. A world where her experience and expertise are key … and where she becomes a player in a deadly game, trapped in the fight of her life.

Current Review Book - ALL OR NOTHING by Ashley Ludwig

Title: All or Nothing
Author: Ashley Ludwig
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: White Rose Publishing
Page Count:  308
Available Formats: eBook amd Print
ISBN 1-60154-561-4
White Rose Buy Link
Author Website

BLURB:
A widow finds love.
A soldier seeks redemption.
A murderous bandit threatens to destroy them both.

RuthAnne Newcomb, a young widow starting over, nearly dies on the perilous winding road to Tucson, Arizona in 1876. The accident is a cover-up for a heinous crime at the hand of the murderous bandit El Tejano. Robbed and left for dead, all that remains for RuthAnne is her faith and her God-given talents. She needs both to endure the handsome, vengeful cavalry captain who saves her life.

Captain Bowen Shepherd offers aid in exchange for information leading to the criminal's capture. El Tejano is bound to strike again, likely against the only living witness to his crimes.

Bowen and RuthAnne must work together and risk everything to unmask the bandit. Will their newfound love, or their lives, be the cost of bringing a murderer to justice?