Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf: April 2012

Sunday, April 29, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? April 29, 2012

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I finished three books, one of extra length, which was good considering I didn't get to read too much this weekend because I attended a L.I.V.E. Connect event. I posted two book Giveaways as well as my usual regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

Once again I had fun visiting a dozen or so blogs last week on Sunday night. I didn't get back to visit more later. Thanks to the nice people who visited me too.

These were last week's posts plus Winner post not listed (and yet to be posted).

It's Monday What are You Reading? April 23, 2012.

Book Review: A Light on the Veranda by Ciji Ware; Time Travel, Historical Fiction; my rating 4.25.

Book Feature For a Good Cause: End Malaria.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: A Highlander's Prize by Mary Wine; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0.

Giveaway Plus Interview with Sara Humpreys. Ends 5/4..

Book Review: Untouched by Sara Humpreys; Paranormal; my rating 4.25.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 27, 2012. Open Worldwide. Ends 5/3.

Sharing Beyond Books #46 Comment Giveaway. Open Worldwide. Ends 5/4.

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 29, 2012.

Finished Reading:

1. Print

Untouched

by Sarah Humphreys

I enjoyed this!

Review, author interview and Giveaway are linked above.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Rise of Empire (Riyria Revelations)
by Michael J. Sullivan

This is a wonderful action epic series; two books in one. I will post my review this week.
Reviewing for Orbit through NetGalley.

3. Audio

The Withering of Willoughby and the Professor

by Joe Bevilacqua

This was very unusual - wacky.

I will post the review later this week.

As heard on Sirius XM Radio and NPR stations!

Line Edits/Releases: Our children's release seems to be downloading better now.

Currently reading:

1. Print:

The Book of Madness and Cures

by Regina O'Melveny

The premise on this is quite interesting and the writing is beautiful.

I will be offering one copy for Giveaway when I post the review.

Reading for Little Brown & Co.

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2012

Dr. Gabriella Mondini, a strong-willed, young Venetian woman, has followed her father in the path of medicine. She possesses a singleminded passion for the art of physick, even though, in 1590, the male-dominated establishment is reluctant to accept a woman doctor. So when her father disappears on a mysterious journey, Gabriella's own status in the Venetian medical society is threatened. Her father has left clues--beautiful, thoughtful, sometimes torrid, and often enigmatic letters from his travels as he researches his vast encyclopedia, The Book of Diseases.

After ten years of missing his kindness, insight, and guidance, Gabriella decides to set off on a quest to find him--a daunting journey that will take her through great university cities, centers of medicine, and remote villages across Europe. Despite setbacks, wary strangers, and the menaces of the road, the young doctor bravely follows the clues to her lost father, all while taking notes on maladies and treating the ill to supplement her own work.

Gorgeous and brilliantly written, and filled with details about science, medicine, food, and madness, THE BOOK OF MADNESS AND CURES is an unforgettable debut.

2. Kindle

Creative Spirit

by Scott Nicholson

I will start this a bit later this week.

Reviewing for the author.

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2, 2011

"Scott Nicholson explores the dark legends of the southern end of the Appalachian mountain chain, a nightmare country that ends in Stephen King's yard."-- Sharyn McCrumb, author of The Ballad novels

When artists gather at a remote Appalachian estate for a retreat, they are unaware that their energy is feeding something unwholesome. Sculptor Mason Jackson and dying parapsychologist Anna Galloway must uncover the dark secrets of Korban Manor before their spirits become trapped forever.

--------------------

CREATIVE SPIRIT

A modern Gothic thriller

After parapsychologist Anna Galloway is diagnosed with terminal cancer, she has a recurring dream in which she sees her own ghost. The setting of her dream is the historic Korban Manor, and she's compelled to face the secrets of her soul.

Sculptor Mason Jackson has come to the manor to make a final, all-or-nothing attempt at success before giving up his dreams. When he becomes obsessed with carving Ephram Korban's form out of wood, even Anna can't divert his bizarre passion.

The manor itself has secrets, with fires that blaze constantly in the hearths, portraits of Korban in every room, and deceptive mirrors on the walls. With an October blue moon looming, both the living and the dead learn the true power of their dreams.

I am again listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean.

[Reading and listening on my new MP3.]

Instead of studying with the Tyndall One Year Bible this year I am studying with Through the Bible in One Year by Alan B. Stringfellow. It is a Study that I used for teaching back in around 1989 so I will enjoy it again. This week's reading will be the Proverbs and the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Line Edits: Working on new line edits; have several book conversions reading to upload to Kindle/Smashwords.

I have brought a couple of April books into May to finish which gives me 11 or so books scheduled to read for review in May.
This month I have several Promo events without reviews; THREE KINDLE GIVEAWAY EVENTS!

May Scheduled Events:

May 1-8 - BookBlast for Elemental by Emily White; a $100 Gift Code to Amazon.
May 1 - Pump Up Your Books Tour for Unconquered by J.D. Davis; Month long giveaway for a Kindle!
May 4 - Pump Up Your Books Tour Guest Post and Giveaway for I Want to Help by Thomas Laresca
May 8 - Pump Up Your Books Tour for Allergies, and Awesome You; Month long giveaway for a Kindle Fire!
May 15 -30th BookBlast Blogger's Kindle Fire Giveaway

May 16 Novel Publicity Tour with GC Giveaway: Charlinder's Walk by Alyson Miers
May 19 Review and Author Interview: Much Ado About Marshals by Jacquie Rogers
May 24 Forever Romance Blog Tour: Book Review and Giveaway Lucky in Love (A Lucky Harbor Novel by Jill Shalvis

Unscheduled but Planned for April:

Hachette-
Henny on the Couch by Rebecca Land Soodak

Sourcebooks:
Under Fire (Elite Force: That Others May Live) by Catherine Mann
Kiss of the Goblin Prince: Shadowlands series by Shona Husk

AudioJukebox
To be Determined

Author Reviews:
Creative Spirit by Scott Nicholson
Foolish Games (Book 3 of the Family Heirlooms Series) by Karen Wiesner
Dangerous Favors by Joyce DiPastena.

NetGalley
I have several chosen but not sure if they will make May reading.

[To be posted - I am setting these up for interview/feature days.
These were read and ready for reviews for Authors.
Quest for Magic by Jean Hart Stewart - Read; review to be posted with interview.
Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get) and To See (What You See is What You Get) by Nicole Zoltack - Both Read; setting up author interview with reviews.]

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 29, 2012

We were away this weekend for a L.I.V.E. (Laypeople In Vital Exchange) Connect event. We had wonderful fellowhip with the host church and families. The internet was weak so I didn't get anything posted last night. It is nice to be home but we are tired.

This paragraph is from one of the small group meetings. It struck me as a great thought to share for Sunday Words.

God is a good Father. He hears the cries of our hearts and answers but it isn’t always the answer we want or are looking for. God, who sees all and knows all, answers according to His will not ours. Yet, do we only think he has answered our prayers when He says yes? When life turns out the way we hope and pray it will, we thank God and know He loves us. But what about those times when God seems silent or worse yet, things go the opposite way that we have been praying? God still loves us dearly during those low times in our lives. He has a plan. Remember, God’s greatest work was to do nothing while his son died on a cross...

This was a worship song we sang in service this morning.

A Verse for Today:

2 Corinthians 9:8 (New Living Translation)

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

I am thankful for God's love and abundance that gives us enough love to share if we allow Him to use us.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Sharing Beyond Books #46 Comment Giveaway April 28, 2012

Welcome to SBB! I had to work on this a bit earlier since I will be in activities Saturday evening at our L.I.V.E. weekend event.. We are having a wonderful time sharing in an extended family!

Thank you to all those who commented last week. I love reading your answers and learning more about you!

It is wonderful that several of our commenters are writing books and Birgit is published!! (Now we can go grab her book and encourage her!) I think I would enjoy reading about Mystica's orphans. Linda K claims not to like writing and it took a paragraph to say that. LOL It gave me a big smile.Maybe Mamabunny will find her bunny book and share it with the public! :-)

Interestingly several of us did keep diaries or journal in our teens but it appears that only Carol L keeps it up. Carol W did have cousins find her teen diary - how frustrating. And I got another chuckle that marybelle's travel diary consisted mostly of food.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #45 comments is: #6 CAROL W. There are still 8 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Carol W please let me know if you want a GC (if you are international) or choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, OR pick from the ARC box and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #46 Questions

Q1. This week Birgit asks: Imagine you could pick a "setting" for your next life - which one would you choose? Space Opera? Historical romance? Cozy mystery? Etc.??

A: This is a hard choice as some Historical romance settings seem elegant...but only if you are rich. But that may be true of any time. I would choose.... Space Opera. Then again, after looking up images I noted there are a lot of difficulties in space!

Space Opera with lots of struggles!

Q2. My question this week: What is/has been your favorite time piece??

A: I had a nice little Timex watch that lasted for years until the band wore out. I also had a Rolex once upon a time but it stopped working and got lost at the repair shop. I also love a beautiful sun dial. But my favorite time piece has to be a Grandfather clock! We had one in our home when I was young and we have one now that chimes every quarter hour. It looks a lot like the one pictured below and we got it after visiting the Black Forest Cuckoo Shop in 2005.

Image found at Brown's Clock Shop

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions but some of you others might want to get in a question or two as we have a few people submitting most of the questions so far. Either way - it works for me. :-) The question list is being replenished! Thanks for sending in questions!
During April questions were contributed by Abby, Mamabunny13, Louisa and Birgit. The winner for a book pick is LOUISA. Please pick a book and fill in the form.
Your turn to share:

1. Birgit asks: Imagine you could pick a "setting" for your next life - which one would you choose? Space Opera? Historical romance? Cozy mystery? Etc.??

2. My question is: What is/has been your favorite time piece??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 10 books available to choose from. Also I have added the Review and ARC Box now.

SBB Rules: a) Must be a follower;
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.

I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, May 4, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 27, 2012

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome! Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

Hello everyone. I had a strange, productive in spurts week. I lost half of today meeting with movers to oversee packing of our sons storage to be shipped by the military. I will be off computer more than usual this weekend as my DH and I, together with another couple from our church, are heading out to minister at a L.I.V.E. weekend function. We are Lay people In Vital Exchange sharing time, testimonies, song and lots of food with another church. We haven't done this for about 10 years so we are excited to share again. It will cut into reading time this weekend (unless I really want to be antisocial) but it should be a "reviving" weekend.

Thank you to all who entered April 20 Pick. There were No Automatic winners this week (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks).
There are several 3rd picks though so maybe next week we'll have some automatic. Sorry several choices were blocked by multiple requests, and once again one was picked on Random.org.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from April 20 Pick:

kiki chose the Nora Roberts pair
and

Carol M chose the Dick Francis pair
(Carol - I am surprised you have not read this well known mystery author. I hope you enjoy the books!)

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual or sexy and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks.

Has it been raining books for April for anyone??

Credit:© Images.com/Corbis

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012
Some of the books on the right end are smaller and suitable for overseas mailing. :-)

Skylight Confessions by Alice Hoffman

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (spine damage)

~~An Earl to Enchant by Amelia Grey (spine damage)~~

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

When Dreams Come True by Cathy Maxwell (slight spine wear)

A Week in Winter by Marcia Willett

Slow Heat by Erica Spindler

~~The Trouble with Joe by Emilie Richards~~

Midnight Hour by Debra Dixon

September Morning by Diana Palmer

Beneath the Surface by Annie White (slight spine wear)

The Amazing Mrs. Polifax by Dorothy Gilman

The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott

Summer's Belle by Paige Winship Dooly

Not Looking for a Texas Man by Lass Small

Ladies Start Your Engines

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012
These are Paired sets - two per author.
Four are parts of series the others are just singles by the same author.
Winners get both books if you pick these.

~~Nora Roberts~~
Inner Harbor (#3 Cheasapeake Bay Series) and Blue Dahlia (SC) (#1 In the Garden Trilogy -(nice trilogy!)
~~Dick Francis~~
~~Smokescreen (SC) and Field of Thirteen~~

New Group #25 January 12, 2012

*Smaller books on the right would be okay for most international mailing.

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson

Long Way Home (Friends Romance Series) by Wendy Corsi Staub

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

The Firebird Deception (Silhouette Bombshell) by Cate Dermody

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

*Prime Time by Sandra Brown

*Out of the Blue (Allegheny Hopes) by Janice A. Thompson

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011
(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)

~~Green Calder Grass by Janet Dailey~~

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.

Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

~~Death Angel by Linda Howard~~

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011

Singles:

Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011

There are eight mysteries and I have asterisked nine books that are smaller and would be good for oversea choices if so desired.

Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

* I. O. U by Pickard, Nancy (spine creased)

Stand by Me Anthology with Dallas Schulze, Roberta Leigh and Linda Randall Wisdom (spine creased)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Singles

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books:

Group #19

Singles

Primary Colors - audio tapes

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!

Not all of these are two from a series but several are. Each pick gets two books.

Patricia Cornwell Pair:

Cruel and Unusual

At Risk (Win Garano)

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick in November 27, 2009 and in two years I posted 26 groups of 16 books to find new homes! (March 2012)

I have periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 345 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.

WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List
#17
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
~~Saving Faith by David Baldacci (Audio Book)~~

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---

List #14

Blood And Glory (Soldiers Of War) (Soldiers of War, Book 1) by Larson Reed

~~Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom~~

Here is set #13 of Used books!

Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read. Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!" Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....

Group #12

The Ripple Effect by Lynn Erickson

Group #11

Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher

Looking Back by Belva Plain

The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2

The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3

One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

The Sixth Sense

The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Pick #5

See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel

The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole

Misfortune by Nancy Geary

Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6

Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan

Pick #7

Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8

(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape

The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes

No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9

~~Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology~~

On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes

Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10

The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)

~~Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)~~

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Book Review: Untouched by Sara Humphreys

I absolutely love the warmth and charm of the Amoveo shifters...at least the good guys. The bad guy “Purists” are suitably twisted and evil!

Untouched

by Sara Humphreys

Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (April 3, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1402258461

ISBN-13: 978-1402258466

Also available in Kindle and other ebook formats.
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 2012 | Series: The Amoveo Legend

SHE SHOULD BE SEEN, BUT NEVER TOUCHED...

Kerry Smithson's modeling career ensures that she will be admired from afar, which is essential since mere human touch sparks blinding pain and terrifying visions.

EVERY GOOD MODEL NEEDS A HEAVENLLY BODYGUARD...

Dante Coltari is hired to protect Kerry from those who know who she is—or more importantly what she is—and want her dead because of it. Nothing could have prepared him for the challenge of keeping her safe. But, strangely, his lightest touch brings her exquisite pleasure rather than pain, and Dante and Kerry have an otherwordly connection that might just pull them through.

Praise for the Amoveo Legend series:

"Sizzling sexual chemistry that is sure to please."—Yankee Romance Reviews

"A moving tale that captures both the sweetness and passion of romance."—Romance Junkies, 5 Blue Ribbons

"Fascinating...the characters haunted my dreams...I'm dying for the sequel."—Long and Short Reviews Best Book

Review:

Kerry has been an outcast all her life because touching others brings her pain and overload of negative sensation. Even her adopted parents learned not to share affection with her. The only person she could safely touch is Samantha and whenever they touch Kerry sees a large gray wolf. Now, surprisingly, Kerry discovers that when her persistent and sexy bodyguard, Dante, touches her she feels all sorts of wonderful tingles!

Dante knew from the first time he saw Kerry (see Book 1 - Samantha and Malcolm’s story) that she was his mate, even if she is a hybrid, like Sam, half human and half Amoveo. Dante isn’t really trying to crowd her but he is anxious to convince her that he wants only her happiness and he needs to protect her from the Amoveo natural human enemies, the Cadeo. He knows she is also in danger from attack by the “Purists” who object to any human mingling in the clan lines.

Dante (a red fox) knows he can trust Malcolm (an eagle) and Sam (a wolf) but they are trying to celebrate a little honeymoon time. He is pretty sure he can trust his friends, easy going Steven (a coyote) and stoic William (a gyrfalcon). Beyond that group they are not sure who can be trusted, even those in the Amoveo Council, since Dante’s own father, a Council member was one of the Purists who attacked Sam and Kerry before.

The rolling banter between lonely but confident model Kerry and eager Dante is great fun. He calls her “Princess” and she calls him neanderthal or “Tarzan.” The setting of her lingerie fashion shoot is a run down plantation in the Bayous of Louisiana. The place is creepy and nearby in New Orleans are Voodoo shops and the purveyors of spells and witchcraft.

The story moves along well with the fun sensual banter, the repeated threats against “the traitors” and finally with the action of the attack and rescue. There are twists revealing characters as friends and foes. There are a few bad words but I’m willing to read over those for the sheer joy of the strong love reflected in this series. If you like shifters who are not only hot but romantic, and a romance spiced with danger, this is a perfect series for you! I’m definitely looking forward to William's story and more excitement in the next installment.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Feel the warm glow:

She'd never been the focus of such love, devotion and fierce protection. As a model she'd had total strangers fantasize about her ... but no one--no man -- had every really loved her. Page 226.

Samantha kept saying he was the missing piece to Kerry's puzzle, but the truth was that Kerry was his. They fit. He wouldn't lose her. Not now. Not ever. Page 257.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing this book to read and review. Sourcebooks is also sponsoring a Giveaway of TWO Copies which I have included with the author interview. And don't miss the interview answers from Dante too!

A good part of this story is set in or near New Orleans, LA for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also include this book on my ARC challenge.

Giveaway + Interview with Sara Humphreys, Author of Untouched

Hello Sara! Thank you for sharing at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf. I have really enjoyed your characters and exciting action in the Amoveo Series!

Questions for Sara:

Q1 Congratulations on your successful Amoveo Series! I believe there are to be five books - is that right? I love to ask this question about series: did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent books flow from the first book?

SH: Hi! Thanks for the congratulations J Yes. There are going to be five books in the series but I did not have them all plotted out. When I was writing UNLEASHED, I figured out the story for UNTOUCHED. It pretty much worked out that way for the whole series. I get the idea for the next book as I’m writing the one prior and sometimes it changes. For example, in the original version of UNTOUCHED the villain was different but I realized that I liked that character far too much to make him evil and kill him off.

Q2 Have you found that any of your skills as an actress add extra help to your career as an author?

SH: Definitely. I use sense memory recall when I’m writing, just as I did when I was performing. As a writer, you have to be able to get inside the head of the characters and understand where everyone is coming from and what their motivations are. It’s actually quite similar to acting.

Q3 Please share with us one surprising thing about your experience writing Untouched, or about something else related to your career as a writer.

SH: When I was writing Untouched, it was the first time that music played a significant role in the creative process. I heard the song Honey on the Skin and it sparked a wealth of ideas for the story. Now I use music all the time, but it’s especially helpful when I need to spark a lazy muse.

Q4 Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

SH: Tenacious. I’m like a dog with a bone and won’t let go until I get where I want to go. My mother calls it tunnel vision and it can be both a blessing and a curse. I try to use it for good and not for evil.

Q5 How did you come up with the idea for Sara’s Angels?

SH: I heard the term “street team” and just kind of ran with it. I put the idea out on Facebook and asked if any of my readers would want to help do some promo in their hometowns. I was shocked by the response! We’re up to 50 angels in 29 states and 3 countries. I’m always looking for more. J The girls on the team came up with the name. I really like it and I’m so lucky to have this vibrant group of women on my side.

Questions for Dante:

Q1 Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

D: Protector.

Q2 Briefly, can you share with the readers if you have any special plans on how to win over Kerry?

D: I’m going to show her that she has nothing to fear from me and that my only desire is to make her happy. If that doesn’t work, I’ll be tempted to throw her over my shoulder and carry her off like the Neanderthal that she thinks I am. But since I doubt that would get me anywhere, I’d probably ask her best friend, Samantha what the hell I’m doing wrong.

Q3 Do you have any special vulnerabilities?

D: Yes. Kerry. I’ve never met a woman who can set me on edge with one look but she sure has managed that. It’s both unsettling and sexy as hell.

Q4 What is something you would never be caught dead doing/saying?

D: Where can I get a good mani-pedi?

Q5 What is the one thing your readers would be surprised to know about you?

D: I’m an excellent cook and my specialty is breakfast…in bed.

Final Question: If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

SH: If Dante were to bring you breakfast in bed….he would bring….?

UNTOUCHED BY SARA HUMPHREYS – IN STORES APRIL 2012

She should be seen, but never touched…

Kerry Smithson's modeling career ensures that she will be admired from afar, which is essential since mere human touch sparks blinding pain and terrifying visions.

Every good model needs a heavenly bodyguard…

“Red-hot love scenes punctuate a well-plotted suspense story that will keep readers turning pages as fast as they can.”

—Publishers Weekly Starred Review

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sara Humphreys has been attracted to the fantasies of science fiction, paranormal, and romance since her adolescence when she had a mad crush on Captain Kirk. An actress and public speaker, Sara lives with her husband--who is very considerate of her double life--and four amazing boys, in Bronxville, New York. For more information, please visit http://sarahumphreys.com, Like her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Amoveo and follow her on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/authorsara.

Sourcebooks has graciously offered TWO Copies of Untouched for Giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
1. Answer the Author's Question above (the last of the interview questions.)
2. For an extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.
3. For an extra entry, make a meaningful comment on the interview.
4. One more entry for commenting on the Review.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 4, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on May 5 with 72 hours to complete the winners' form.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: The Highlander's Prize by Mary Wine

This story has likeable and passionate characters struggling to find love through an interesting political intrigue.

The Highlander's Prize

by Mary Wine

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (April 3, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402264712
ISBN-13: 978-1402264719

Also Available in Kindle and other ebook formats.

Genre: Historical Romance

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 2012

BASTARD ROYAL DAUGHTER, PAWN IN A DEADLY GAME

Sent to Scotland to be the king's mistress and produce an heir, Clarrisa of York has never needed a miracle more. But the brusque Highland laird who kidnaps her is a bit too rough to be considered divine intervention.

HE'LL DO ANYTHING TO THWART HIS KING

With rival lairds determined to steal Clarrisa from him and royal henchmen searching for her all over the Highlands, Laird Broen MacNicols has a mess on his hands. Worse yet, there's a magnetic attraction between them, although he's betrothed to another. But even an independent–minded lady like Clarrisa knows that a Highlander always claims his prize...

Review:
Clarissa of York is an illegitimate but acknowledged daughter of a King. She is raised with no fondness but rather as a pawn for a power trade in marriage. Her choices seem to be risking being killed as a threat to the throne or to be obedient and provide a royal blooded heir to the King of Scotland. When she is kidnaped she is frightened for her future but relieved to be out of the immediate trap. As time goes by she begins to hope that she might have another choice - a chance at a life with freedom and happiness.

Laird Broen MacNicols volunteered to steal the English ‘princess’ from the spineless King James to trade her for a favor. The King has failed to resolve disputes among the clans leaving the likelihood of clan battles that will kill many good men. The Scots are dividing between the Royalists who support King James and those who want to replace him with his son in hopes he will be a better King for Scotland.

Broen found it fairly easy to snatch Clarissa but he finds it much harder to keep her as others seek to kill her or seek to take advantage of the political power she might bring. Broen starts out with a promise to deliver her alive and he is intent on keeping that promise... or at least half of it. He wants her alive but now he doesn’t want to deliver her to anyone else. But Broen is betrothed to another and how can he keep Clarissa against the orders of his superiors?

I like how Ms. Wine has shown Clarissa as a lonely girl who isn’t allowed a normal life with friends but certainly was never given the life of a princess either. Clarissa does have a wonderful fiery personality and I enjoyed the simmering distrust and tension that slides into a different passion between Clarissa and Broen. I also liked several of the secondary characters, especially Broen’s outspoken and brave mother, Edme, his clever but reluctant betrothed, Daphne, and his friends who step forward to help him win the woman he has fallen in love with.

I liked the historical background and the visual settings of the story. The romance is prominent but there is an underlying intrigue and political circumstance that add an extra obstacle of interest. This is an easy read and I recommend it to readers who enjoy passionate romance with a strong-willed and confident Highlander hero.

~~~~~~~~~~~

A few quotes to give you a flavor:

He wanted her. Plain, simple and blunt.
Brute...
He was one, indeed, and his fiery English captive liked that quality best of all. Page 123

“I’m sorry ye do nae know what a home is, lass.”
... “Maybe you can teach me.” ...
“I’d like to lass.” Page 275

“They love each other. Parting them is a sin against the heart God gave us to feel love with....” Page 309

Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing this book to read and review.

I will add this to my ARC challenge.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
1. Visit the Author's website and tell me something that interests you there. This is required for entry.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Two total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 4, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on May 5 with 72 hours to complete the winners' form.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Book Feature for a Good Cause: End Malaria

End Malaria, http://www.EndMalariaDay.com , is an astonishing new book by more than sixty best selling business authors and social thought leaders who joined together to share information in a book whose entire profits go to buy malaria bed nets. Malaria is a disease that causes more childhood death than HIV/AIDS.

Malaria bed nets are simple nets that hang over a window or a bed. They're treated with a chemical that mosquitoes hate. The mosquitoes fly away, they don't bite, people don't get malaria.

Every single penny spent on the Kindle edition goes to Malaria No More, giving them enough money to buy one or two bednets and to deliver them and be sure they're used properly. Low overhead, no graft, no waste. Just effectiveness. None of the authors or anyone at the Domino Project receive money to be part of this project.

Wait, there is one ulterior motive: We hope you are inspired. One of the sixty plus contributors might share a gem or spark an idea. The book is a collection of essays from 62 business and social thought leaders about the key drivers to live a life of meaning and impact. Contributors to the book (all of whom donated their work) include David Allen, Tom Peters and Keith Ferrazzi; TED speakers Brene Brown and Sir Ken Robinson; New York Times' best-sellers Jonah Lehrer, Gary Vaynerchuk and Dan Pink; Daymond John and Dave Ramsey; and leaders from organizations such as Google and GlaxoSmithKline.

There's a second motive: Stepping up feels right. It's a few clicks to buy a book and for the rest of the day, or even a week, you'll remember how it felt to save someone's life.

END MALARIA was born out of a passion to save lives by author and Senior Partner of Box of Crayons Michael Bungay Stanier. Teaming up with marketing and publishing innovator and creator of Squidoo.com Seth Godin, they found a way to sell a book and give away all of the profit in the fight against malaria.

" This is the power of authors working together, the power of ebook distribution and most of all, the power of people who care to make a difference. Over and over, we're seeing that a new generation cares about business not just as a way to make money, but as a way to make a difference. These authors (and their readers) are making a difference at the same time they're saving lives." - Seth Godin.

Learn more about End Malaria Day:

Buy the book: