MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #23 Publisher Sourcebooks

SPOTLIGHT: PUBLISHER SOURCEBOOKS

I'm not sure how I got lucky to become a reviewer for Sourcebooks but I am very thankful! I have enjoyed doing reviews for them since December 2009 and I appreciate the fine variety and quality they offer.

I have enjoyed a variety of romance: contemporary, historical, paranormal, suspense.
There have been wonderful romance reads which can be found at the Casa VIP line from classic authors like Georgette Heyer, Elaine Coffman, Jennifer Blake, Laura Kinsale; new authors like Terry Spear, Grace Burrowes, Lydia Dare, Ashlyn Chase; and British Authors like Jill Mansell and Phillipa Ashley.
Check out Sourcebooks British Babe Book Brigade. 


There has also been rich historical fiction from authors like Helen Hollick, Margaret Campbell Barnes and Susanna Kearsley. 

Here’s a link to Sourcebooks' eBook Specials page where you can sign up for a newsletter that let’s you know about eBook deals on a regular basis: http://www.sourcebooks.com/readers/browse-our-lists/ebook-specials.html

Beth and Danielle at the Sourcebooks publicity team sent a box of books for my blogoversary giveaway. They even included the ribbons - isn't that so sweet!
Thanks ladies and Sourcebooks for your kindness and wonderful hours of reading!

 Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain (Elizabeth I Trilogy)

     Wild Highland Magic

Whispers in the Sand                                         The Werewolf Upstairs
A Crowded Marriage                                                      Cowboy Trouble
For the King's Favor                                                       Highland Heat

There are several books here I wouldn't mind reading myself!

OPEN US AND CANADA ONLY.

ENDS 10 PM Central July 30, 2011.

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Blogoversary Grand Giveaway! July 18, 2011

I have decided that July 18 is my true anniversary date since that was my first real post.
SO this is the Blogoversary Grand Day. *BG*

I still have two more Blogoversary spotlights to post this week with lovely book giveaways from Hachette and Sourcebooks - so don't miss those! 
And don't forget Giveaways #12-22 which are still open. Check the right sidebar or the Let's Party Post.

I have eight prizes in this Giveaway: Six book packages for US and Canada followers (six Winners) and two international Winners (see below the yellow divider).
These book packages are from my "bookshelves" or boxes of books.
I tried to cover mixed genres to offer variety.
These packages are giveaways open ONLY to US and Canada entries:

• Must be a follower and state how you follow (GFC, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads); you can find links for these on the sidebars.

Pkg #1 Historical Romance 
(review copies)

Pkg #2 Romantic Suspense
(review copies)

Pkg #3 YA
(one review, one ARC)

Pkg #4 Inspirational 
(new books)

Pkg #5 Fantasy
(new books)

 

 Pkg #6 Audiobook Lovers
(review or personal copies)

 Winner's choice one larger Audio book (CD or Cassette) plus one smaller or two smaller Audio Books.

There is a selection available at this post link.

For the US/Canada entries please complete THIS FORM.

Open US/Canada.

Ends July 30, 2011 at 10 PM Central.
NOTE - winners will be announced on Monday August 1 and the post will be include the Winners Form link to claim the prizes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FOR INTERNATIONAL FOLLOWERS I am repeating the Flash Giveaway for TWO WINNERS: Winner's Pick of any book from the 36+/- on the Review and ARC giveaway lists.
These rules apply:

•  Must be a follower and state how you follow (GFC, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads); you can find links for these on the sidebars.

• Choice must be a book from the Review and ARC lists. (Why from these lists? My way of an extra thanks to the publishers and authors who made the books available to me to read.)

• Check out the available books, make a choice and leave a comment saying what book you would like!
 

Don't forget to state how you follow - GFC name, Twitter name, etc.Only one follow name is necessary to be eligible.

I will mail my review or ARC copy OR order the chosen book through Book Depository provided the postage or book cost is under $10.00. (If the book at BD or postage is more than $10.00 then the winner will get a GC of $10.00.)

Open INTERNATIONAL ONLY - US and Canada please enter the Pkg giveaways through the FORM above the yellow divider.

Ends July 30, 2011 at 10 PM Central.

NOTE - winners will be announced on Monday August 1 and the post will include the Winners Form link to claim the prizes.

Blogoversary Winners for Giveaways ended through July 15

CONGRATULATIONS to Blogoversary Winners! 

Thank you to all the sponsors and to everyone for your support and entries! Thanks for visiting authors and commenting.
Here are winners from Giveaways #1 through #11.  I have emailed the giveaway sponsors with winner emails.
More winners coming up next weekend. :-)


1. Giveaway #1: Spotlight Author Cym Lowell $30.00 Amazon Gift Card bison61
and Autographed Book Riddle of Berlin -Both OPEN WORLDWIDE. phillygal

2. Giveaway #2: Spotlight Author Sandy James Choice backlist ebook. OPEN WORLDWIDE.  Avalonne

3. Giveaway #3: Spotlight Author Jacquie Rogers Choice of two trade paperback novels. OPEN US ONLY. Marlene

4. Giveaway #4A: Spotlight Publisher Tribute Books CALL ME KATE eBook - Three winners!  Krystal, Avalonne and Faith, Hope and Cherrytea
Giveaway #4B: Spotlight Publisher Tribute Books  FIRE MEN eBook - Three winners!  Linda K, Maria and Meredith
Giveaway #4C: Spotlight Publisher Tribute Books FRAMING FAITH eBook - Three winners!   Krystal, Maria and Faith, Hope and Cherrytea
Giveaway #4D: Spotlight Publisher Tribute Books SLIPPERY WILLIE'S STUPID UGLY SHOES eBook - Three winners!  Linda K, Victoria and Meredith

5. Giveaway #5. Spotlight Author Suza Kates Choice of a print book. OPEN US and CANADA. Lucky47

6. Giveaway #6. Spotlight Author Susan Helene Gottfried Two eBooks. OPEN WORLDWIDE. Krystal

7. Giveaway #7. Spotlight Author JL. McDougall $25.00 Amazon Gift Card. OPEN WORLDWIDE.  augustlily

8.  Giveaway #8. Spotlight Author Diane Craver Print Copy of A Christmas Gift. OPEN US ONLY.  Brenda H

9.  Giveaway #9. Spotlight Author Carol North eBook Copy of Love's Reflection. OPEN WORLDWIDE.  

Mamabunny13

10. Giveaway #10. Spotlight Author Patricia Andres Two Childrens' books. US or CANADA.  Margaret

11. Giveaway #11. Spotlight Author Karen Michelle Nutt Two eBooks. OPEN WORLDWIDE.  Aik

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information. Ignore the bookmarks section since most of the giveaways will be sent directly by the authors/publisher.

MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #22 Author Lynda Coker

SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR LYNDA COKER

I met Lynda in 2009 through Between the Lines Review site at Writers and Readers of Distinctive Fiction. I enjoyed doing reviews for the site until I got busy with my blog. Lynda writes contemporary romance. I have reviewed Lynda's novella, Payback In Wayback.

The Ocean Between
I asked each author to answer two questions for their spotlight.
The first I asked and the second they provided

Question #1:  Why do you write/what do you hope your readers get from your books?

A:  I write because the characters in my head deserve to have their stories shared with others. I hope that my readers are entertained, and that they experience the emotional journey and adventure of life as we might dream it.

Question 2:  Are You working on a new book at this time?

A:  Yes, I am. Due to health concerns, I took a couple of years off from writing, but now I'm working on two projects that I hope to finish this year. One is a follow up to 'The Ocean Between'. Califar and Jessica, the secondary characters in that book, get their own story, and what an adventure these two are having. They're lost in the desert right now. I could rescue them at any time, however, they won't stop fighting long enough to listen to me. So, I guess they'll have to find their own solution. :)

Payback In Wayback

Please visit Lynda here or her links below.
For extra credit you can comment at one of her blog links or email her to say "Hi" and "Thank you" for the support and giveaway.
Colorcrazed
Facebook
Twitter

Giveaway donated by Lynda:
Autographed print copy of The Ocean Between.

OPEN US ONLY.
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MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #21 Author Karen Wiesner

SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR KAREN WIESNER

I first met Karen through reviewing her books for YGR. I have reviewed all of the Wounded Warrior books (a wonderful series!) and Karen and I had an Interview chat  series in May 2010. Karen writes beautifully emotional inspirational romance.

Karen has too many books for me to show them all. I have included some of the covers for the 1st books in different series, some available now and some coming soon.
I have just posted a review for Retired and on the Rocks (Denim Blues Mysteries, Book 1) which starts one of her newer series, the Denim Blues Mysteries. I note she has a new Cowboy Fever series coming later this year and next year.

I asked each author to answer two questions for their spotlight.
The first I asked and the second they provided.

Question #1:  Why do you write/what do you hope your readers get from your books?

A:  The premise of my Family Heirlooms Series is how nuggets of faith can be passed down as family heirlooms from parent to child, sibling to sibling, spouse to spouse. Members of the Samuels family are the main characters in each story. I love the reality of dealing with issues that married couples and families deal with on an everyday basis, mingled with the struggle that goes along with those issues in the Christian walk. I think the realistic quality of the material is what appeal to so many women—the situations are things that you can apply to your own life.

Question #2:  Please tell us about Glass Angels, Book 4 of the Family Heirlooms Series. What do you like best about Samantha, the heroine, and why do you think readers will relate to her?

A:  Samantha and Kyle’s story has been inside me for a very long time, and when it was finally done, I couldn’t have been more thrilled. They’ve both been through so much—in their personal lives and in their romance, so working them toward a happily ever after…especially after the traumatic incidents that closed Book 3 of the series, Foolish Games, was so satisfying for me.

Samantha has one of the worst things imaginable happen to her—she’s raped by the brother of the man she loves. But she’s a fighter. Though initially it’s a situation she can’t handle, when she and her friend open the Glass Angels rape clinic, she’s become a stronger person. Glass as a material is contradictory—hard enough to be a tool or a weapon yet utterly fragile. Samantha feels she is a glass angel: fragile, transparent, broken into sharp pieces that cut her with every memory. Even though Samantha had been shattered by what happened to her, she realizes that she can be stronger than she was before—stronger despite and because of what happened to her. Samantha has to deal with an issue that so many people struggle with—forgiving someone who doesn’t deserve forgiveness. I think it’s a powerful book that hopefully can change lives.

I think both of these things are so realistic of any human being. We all struggle with overcoming the hold traumatic events hold over us and learning to forgive for them.

Please visit Karen at her links below.
For extra credit you can comment at one of her blog links or email her to say "Hi" and "Thank you" for the support and giveaway.
Website
First draft in 30 days
Falcons Bend and
Jewels of the Quill
If you would like to receive Karen’s free e-mail newsletter, Karen’s Quill, and become eligible to win her monthly book giveaways, send a blank e-mail to KarensQuill-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/GAexcerpt.pdf


Giveaway donated by Karen:
Download of GLASS ANGELS, Book 4 of the Family Heirlooms Series

OPEN WORLDWIDE.
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MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #20 Author Pauline Baird Jones

SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR PAULINE BAIRD JONES

Pauline and I met online in late 2009.  Pauline asked me to review her Sci Fi Romance, The Key. Although Pauline sent me the print book, I ended up listening to it on Audible and loved the strong heroine and the sci fi space world. Pauline's books established me as a definite fan of sci fi romance.
Pauline defines her genre now as Sci Fi Romance. However if you check her website you will see that she also writes romantic suspense,  humorous/mystery/suspense, and even nonfiction.
Pauline has been so kind to me considering I owe her three reviews. I have made positive comments on the books around the blog community but just didn't get the reviews written/posted. I am planning to do a day devoted to the reviews and hopefully an interview with Pauline soon. Watch for that next month when I review Steamrolled which I am excited to start once July books are read.
I did post the review this morning for her novella Steam Time and the other good stories in the anthology, Dreamspell Steampunk.

If you are curious about sci fi romance this is a great series to hook you in.

In Order of Release:

(Project Universe 1) The Key

(Project Universe 2) Girl Gone Nova

(Project Universe 3) Tangled in Time

(Project Universe 4) Steamrolled

(Project Universe 5) Dreamspell Steampunk; Steam Time (short story)

Stand-alone:

Out of Time
I asked each author to answer two questions for their spotlight.
The first I asked and the second they provided.

Question #1:  Why do you write/what do you hope your readers get from your books?

A:  My third grade teacher used to read to after lunch (wise woman). I only remember one of the books she read to us. It was a story about a baby sitter who has to save her charges from a flash flood and then keep them all alive until they can be rescued. It had adventure, danger and a gentle romance. I loved it and checked it out from the library later to read again. It was the first of many books that gave me a thrill, a chill, the delight of first love. I'm a long, long, long way from third grade, and I've read a lot of books since then, but I still feel a shiver of anticipation, a flutter of hope when I open a book by a new-to-me author. And if the book delivers? I close it with a sigh of delight and little regret its over already.

As an author, that is what I hope to deliver to readers. I want my books to be a place to escape from the real world for a while. I hope to give them a thrill, a chill, a little romance and maybe a chuckle or two.

Question #2:  What made you decide to write science fiction romance?

A:  Every time I tell someone I write science fiction romance, somewhere out there my former science teachers wince--though they knew I was making up science before I did. I feel like I ought to post a warning in the front of my books: No real science was used in the writing of this book. So what happened, you ask? How does one make the move from writing romantic suspense to outer space?

My theory (notice how I slip science-like words in like I use them all the time?) is that what I really write, what I've always written is action adventure. I thought it was romantic suspense because it was contemporary. Then I wrote a book called OUT OF TIME. It is an action adventure time travel to World War II. I loved writing the action and I particularly loved writing an adventure in World War II. I "came out" as an action adventure author with that book.

Looking back, I think it is actually a rather natural progression to move my stories into space because there is so much scope for action AND adventure. To those who fear science as much as I do, let me assure you that any real science is accidental. My science IS as fictional as my stories, so no degree or science background required to read or enjoy my books. (grin)

And for those of you who just don't like space, I have a back list of humorous romantic suspense--and I never discount the possibility of a return to Earth. :-)

When I made the leap from reader to author, my main goal was to give back the delight I have felt.

Please visit Pauline at her links below.
For extra credit you can comment at one of her social links or email her to say "Hi" and "Thank you" for the support and giveaway.
Website - Perilous Pauline
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Giveaway donated by Pauline:
$20Amazon Gift Card.

OPEN WORLDWIDE.
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