Giveaway: A Wedding in Springtime by Amanda Forester

A Wedding in Springtime by Amanda Forester Giveaway!

We [Sourcebooks and me too] are really excited about the new Regency trilogy coming from Amanda Forester! The first book, A Wedding in Springtime, comes out next month and has already received TWO STARRED reviews! 

 Thanks to Sourcebooks for this opportunity to share. (I wonder if I can win it at another blog.)

 

Book Description
Release date: May 7, 2013 

Her Timing Couldn't Be Worse...

Miss Eugenia Talbot's presentation to the queen is spoiled by a serious faux pas—the despicable William Grant made her laugh, right in front of Her Majesty. Now Eugenia is ruined and had better marry—someone, anyone—at once...

And His Couldn't Be Better...

Roguish William Grant has never taken anything seriously in his life. Until he meets Eugenia Talbot, who makes him feel and do thing he never thought he would.

Now Eugenia's great sense of humor and kindheartedness may be her undoing, unless William can help her find a husband. To his surprise, that's the last thing he wants to do...

To Enter for a print copy:

Share a brief story of the best, worst, funniest or most embarrassing part of your wedding or one you attended.

ENTRY REQUIRES COMMENT

* This contest is open US and Canada Only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on April 26, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on April 27, 2013.
Winners are asked to respond by email or the linked winners form within 72 hours of the announcement. 

What me - funny? Guest Post by Amanda Forester withand Giveaway

What me - funny?

by Amanda Forester

Two years ago I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the reviews of my first book, The Highlander's Heart.  I was thrilled when Publisher's Weekly gave me a favorable review writing, "the talented Forester has constructed a highly entertaining debut romantic comedy."   Great!  Wonderful!  Wait... comedy?  I wrote a comedy?

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good laugh as much as the next person, but I have no idea how to write anything amusing.  If someone asked me to write something funny, I would stare blankly and edge for the door.  Fortunately, I am not the one in control.  My characters are.  And they are infinitely more amusing than I could ever be. 

Take this moment in True Highland Spirit where my heroine, Morrigan, is trying to spark a little romance in her life:

Etiquette books were of no use whatsoever. Morrigan rummaged through her mother’s things trying to find something useful. She had spent the past two hours struggling to read a book that purported to be a guide for ladies but it was no help.

“Morrigan? Are ye… reading?” asked Alys.

Morrigan glanced up at her sister-in-law. “I think I might show my earlobes.”

“Pardon?”

“This book is no’ verra helpful, but it did warn showing the earlobe may send a man into an uncon­trolled, lustful frenzy.”

“Ye canna show yer earlobe. ’Tis no’ proper.”

“Hang proper. I’m looking for uncontrolled, lustful frenzy.”

I do enjoy reading humor.  In fact, I started reading romance during a particularly difficult time in my life and I naturally gravitated toward books that could make me laugh.  I already had enough of things that could make me cry.  It is the amazing power of humor to lift the spirit and to give the gift of laughter even in difficult circumstances.  Those books were vital and life-affirming to me - so important during the rough times. 

So when I write, I naturally write things I would enjoy reading.  This includes action, adventure, romance, and even if I don't intend it, a moment or two of humor to make it all the more enjoyable.  I especially enjoy characters who are able to laugh at themselves - a very important attribute we all could use!

Do you enjoy humor in books?  What authors have you read that make you laugh out loud?  I love books that make other people in the room stare at me because I'm suddenly overcome with giggles and they have no idea what is wrong with me.  Good times...

Comment for a chance to win a copy of True Highland Spirit!!

Stop by to visit Ms. Forester here.

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 30, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on March 31. 
Winner will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: True Highland Spirit by Amanda Forester

This is a delightfully warm and engaging Historical Romance complete with battles, intrigue and, of course, romance. 

True Highland Spirit 

by Amanda Forester

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (March 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402253079
• ISBN-13: 978-1402253072

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description

A HEATED RIVALRY...

Morrigan McNab is a Highland lady, robbed of her birthright and with no choice but to fight alongside her brothers to protect their impoverished clan. When she encounters Sir Jacques Dragonet, she discovers her fiercest opponent...

IS GETTING EVEN HOTTER...

Sir Jacques Dragonet will give his life to defend Scotland from the English. He can't stop himself from admiring the beautiful Highland lass who wields her weapons as skillfully as he does, and endangers his heart even more than his life...

Review:
This was quite an enjoyable read.
Morrigan has been dressing as a boy and fighting along side of her brothers for many years. She rejected the arranged marriage to a wealthy but much older and brutish man by threatening him with a sword.  When she realized the loss to her clan by her failure to due her duty, she set out to replace the money by participating in thievery. As a young woman, she sees other ladies, like her new sister in law setting up a comfortable home. She doesn’t expect she will ever have desires for a husband and home like that. Then she meets Jacques.

Sir Jacques first appears as a minstrel when Morrigan and her “crew” ambush a group of wealthy men. He stands back from the ruckus and one of Morrigan’s brothers claim that he can visit the McNabs and they will escort him to their lands. Jacques discovers Morrigan alone and realizes that she is a female, not a lad. They share a kiss but he is afraid he has offended her.

Jacques is much more that he reveals. Morrigan and Jacques are in circumstances the keep putting them together. Although he admires Morrigan’s spirit and is drawn to her, he knows he can never pursue her. His secrets will always keep them apart - not only the secret of why he is in Scotland, but also the secret of who he really is.

When Morrigan finally learns that Jacques is a knight, a spy and more, she realizes that they are enemies searching for the same treasure for different reasons. She also has to accept that they cannot have a future even though she is determined to have a least a night with him.

I really enjoyed the light, easy going relationship between the couple. There is plenty of action and political and church intrigue and betrayal. The romance is sweet and warm. The story moved very quickly and I easily finished it in two days. I loved that the author was able to share a salvation message in the secular story.

This has humor, a warm romance, intrigue, action and a fine message. What’s not to like? I recommend this especially to all the historical romance fans.

Some memorable thoughts:
Jacques thinking of Morrigan:

Yet Morrigan slipped past his defenses like his mercy giver blade sliced through gaps in armor, leaving a man dead. Location 624.

Morrigan thinking of Jacques:

So close, and yet a barrier loomed between them. Lovers and enemies. Location 2366.

A big "Thanks" to the author and Sourcebooks for this enjoyable book to read and review.

I will add this to my ARC challenge list.
Don't miss the author's guest post and giveaway in the next post!

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: The Highlander's Heart by Amanda Forester

This is a warm, sweet romance with plenty of Highland action to keep it moving well.

The Highlander's Heart

by Amanda Forester

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402253044
• ISBN-13: 978-1402253041

 Genre: Historical Romance
 My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2011

Fleeing into the wilderness to escape an abusive marriage, Lady Isabelle Tynsdale would sooner face down a wild boar than spend another night with her wretched husband. Battered by the elements, desperate to elude a band of attackers, and defending herself against, as fate would have it, a wild boar she is rescued by the handsome Laird David Campbell.

Campbell knows holding Isabelle captive for ransom is his best chance to temper the storm threatening to destroy his clan. The ransom of an English countess should be more than enough to pay off his debts to England and save him from an unwanted marriage. But Isabelle didn't escape her husband just to become another man's captive and Laird Campbell is seriously misguided if he thinks she's going to go quietly.

Review:  This is a very good active story with an "at odds" romance.
Lady Isabelle Tynsdale, at the age of 16, was given in an arranged marriage as the fourth wife of a powerful older Englishman. After a disastrous wedding night she moved home to live with her uncle. Five years later her uncle has died and she is traveling to seek an annulment of the marriage before her estranged husband tries to claim the estate she inherits.

While on the road Lady Isabelle’s party is attacked by Lord Tynsdale’s men intending to bring her home. She escapes into the woods but loses her horse and her way. She is being accosted by dirty bandits when she is rescued by a handsome highlander.  Isabelle is afraid to tell her rescuer her situation as she is sure he will send her back to her brutal husband.

Laird David Campbell is an enemy of the English King but he can’t strand this lovely young woman. He agrees to take her to the next town as he sure isn’t going to coddle her or return her to England.  When she tries to go off on her own again she runs into a boar! 

Although he has rescued her several times and they have grown close, when he learns that she is married his frustration makes him hold her for ransom.  Meanwhile he is torn between two clans who want him to marry and cement alliances with them. As if he doesn’t have enough troubles one of his seven sisters has been kidnaped on the way to meet her betrothed.

There is a lot of fun humor in Isabelle's mishaps and in the torture that David struggles with trying not to fall for the troublesome imp. David is drawn to Isabelle but has enough honor not to use her or abuse the friendship that has developed. There is a lovely message of faith as Isabelle is reluctant to believe that God would help her. A num explains that God is faithful to answer prayers but he doesn’t always do it how we expect. Also we have to be willing to look for His hand in the circumstances of our lives.

I really appreciated the good humor and the integrity of these characters.  The romance is a great example of magnets that repel until there is a flip and then they can't help but draw together. There is plenty of action and a good easy flow to the writing. This is an author I will definitely want to read more of.

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

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there.  This is required for entry.

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

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

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

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 9, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 10. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.