Book Review and Giveaway: Blood Prophecy by Stefan Petrucha

This is well written but a strange story.
.
Blood Prophecy by Stefan Petrucha

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1 edition (November 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446555991
• ISBN-13: 978-0446555999

Price:   Paperback $6.99; Kindle $7.99
Genre:  Paranormal- Vampire
     My Rating:  3.75

Back Cover Description:
Man and monster are in his blood. . .
His name is Jeremiah Fall. A soldier of fortune, he has been fighting his own war for 150 years--ever since the beast in him was born.
Desperate to restore his lost humanity, Fall crosses the sands of Egypt, discovers a lost city off the coast of France, and finally arrives at the birthplace of all mankind. Shunning daylight and feeding only when he must, he battles the monster who transformed him forever. He can share his deepest secret with no one . . . not even the beautiful woman he starts to love, the only human who grasps the mysteries of an ebony stone as old as creation itself.
Across the world, across time, Fall seeks the stone's secret. But has he found a cure for himself or unleashed a final curse on all mankind?

Review: This is not a usual Vampire story and it is not a romance. I think the author is trying to make a philosophical point - my take on the point is that any life, even a Vampire's, has purpose.

I really liked the protagonist, Jeremiah Fall. He is turned into a vampire in the mid 1600s as a young man but with the help of his grandfather he learns to control the beast urges. I like his determination to not harm others even though he sees himself as a monster.  Over 150 years he continually struggles to maintain his “good” Puritan humanity as he searches out clues and riddles to discover what or who he is and to find a cure.  His search leads him ultimately to an obsidian stone in Egypt. 

When he finds the stone he also finds his enemy, the monster who created him, Skog.  There is also a beautiful young woman, Amala, who can translate the hieroglyphics on the stone and who seems enamored of Jeremiah.  Jeremiah tries to protect the stone by fighting off a group of suicidal fanatics, called Bandites, who worship the creature of the stone, Bandias. This group believe that there is nothing to live for and death is a great honor.  When Skog steals the stone and Amala, Jeremiah gets unexpected aid from one of the Bandites.  Along the journey Jeremiah learns that the legends say Bandias will lead to the destruction of the world with the help of Skog and by using a woman, Amala, as a breeder.   

Jeremiah has refused to feed on men and hasn’t learned all of the powers of his beast.  But now he must pit his super strength against the even stronger strength and wily powers of Skog and the stone.  Can Jeremiah withstand the stronger creatures or will he be convinced that life is an illusion not worth living?

The story started out well with good character development in Jeremiah and his family. I initially became engaged in Jeremiah’s history as he tells how he came to be where he is when the book starts.  There is some very interesting history of the American Puritans and Indians, Napoleonic campaigns and even Biblical Eden woven into the story.  But the tale got bogged in the middle for me as it was unclear where the author was taking it. I kept hoping that the purpose would get more clear. I did like the writing but I felt the entertainment value declined after the first half of the book. Although a hopeful message is revealed at the ending I was still left with a flat, rather than uplifted, feeling. But maybe I was too tired, or mentally not inclined, to ponder the message in the end. It might grow on me if I think about it over a few more days.

 xxx

Thank you to Hachette fiction division for the book to read and review.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE HARDBACK COPY:

1.Mandatory entry: Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you find there.
Please leave your e-mail!

2. For an extra entry: Tell me a favorite Vampire book you like. (OTHER THAN the Twilight series please!)

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

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

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

* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on February 8, 2010. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 21 PLUS Comment Giveaway

I didn't get to participate in week #20... which maybe was good since it was political.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 21 QUESTIONS

I like this weeks questions!

1. What is the outside temperature where you are today?

I was able to find the graphic below.  Our temperature is 34 outside - even in north Florida!  Inside we keep the temps closer to 68 so its a bit cold.  I am happy to go to work were I do set the temp at 73!

2. Do participate in any special winter sports or hobbies like skiing or snowmobiling, etc?
Sitting in front of the fireplace is my sort of winter sport... This is our Christmas morning fireplace. :-)

3. If you had to choose between a week long stay in a mountain lodge with lots of snow, activities, friends, food and beverages or a week alone on a deserted white sand island with just a bag of books and food and water which would you choose?

That is a really hard choice! Or not - I could do the lodge with everyone for a day or two but for a week... I'd rather the deserted beach and bag of books!

Your turn to share.  This week we will do the last Christmas book from the Christmas Books for Giveaway. Next week I have some Valentine and "Love" books planned to choose from.
Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the 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, January 28 at 10PM central

Book Review and Giveaway (older book): Alas Babylon by Pat Frank

How well would you survive and what would you contribute to a community isolated by nuclear war?

• Audible Audio Edition
• Listening Length: 11 hour(s) and 14 min.
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Unabridged
• Publisher: Audible, Inc. (December 21, 2010)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004GX2FQO

Price: Audible $20.95; Bargain Paperback $5.20
Genre:  Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
This true modern masterpiece is built around the two fateful words that make up the title and herald the end - "Alas, Babylon." When a nuclear holocaust ravages the United States, a thousand years of civilization are stripped away overnight, and tens of millions of people are killed instantly.
But for one small town in Florida, miraculously spared, the struggle is just beginning, as men and women of all backgrounds join together to confront the darkness. Will Patton's narration paints this classic tale as an ominous picture of the terrible possibilites of the nuclear age.

Review: This book is definitely an enjoyable classic.
I read this book initially when I was in high school or college.  I never forgot about it and a few years ago when I saw the book at a second hand shop I picked it up so it has been sitting on my shelf waiting for a re-read.  Earlier this month I saw the book on Audible so I got it with my monthly subscription.

This was particularly interesting because it was written and published in 1959 so keep in mind the impact on daily life would be even less than now with so many of our lives tied up with computers and other technologies that were not in use in the 1950s.  The story is set in a small river town in Central/North Florida and the protagonist is a lawyer (right up my alley).  Randy Bragg doesn’t have a lot of ambition and seems to be skating on his family’s reputation.  Randy’s ancestor was a prominent founder of Fort Repose. His older brother, Matt is a Colonel with the Strategic Air Command Base in Omaha.  As children the brothers developed a code for disaster: the phrase “Alas Babylon.”

Matt sends a telegram to Randy with the code phrase and tells Randy that he is sending his wife, Helen, and their two children to live with Randy because Matt has inside information and fears a nuclear attack by Russia. Shortly after Helen and the children arrive in Florida the fear because reality.  The bombs start in Miami and then continue to wipe out Tampa, Jacksonville and Orlando.

Although Fort Repose suffers only a little direct damage from the bombs, they suffer the lose of electricity, clean water, communication and food shortages.  Medical issues are addressed with difficulty but they are lucky to have Randy’s friend, Dan, the local small town doctor as part of their community. They also have to face looters and murdering highwaymen.

The story follows Randy’s conversion from no direction in his life before “The Day”, to taking charge of his neighbors as they pull together after “The Day”.  The story addresses issues of segregation and class strife in a small town in the '50s as well as the bigger problems of survival and isolation.

There are wonderful characters including the dedicated Doctor, a retired Naval Admiral who is an amateur Ham radio operator and Randy’s current love interest, Lib, who has to cope with Helen’s jealousy.

Will Patton is the narrator and does a very good job. The book moves along at a fast pace and held my interest well even though it is more than fifty years old.  I am looking forward to reading a more recent apocalyptic story to see how it compares to this classic Cold War story. I did enjoy listening to The Road by Comac McCarthy. 

--I am pretty sure this is the cover I remember from my youth.

 This is the cover for the book I have to giveaway:

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY for this 1993 used book:

1.   Comment telling me what book you read when you were younger that you would like to read again.  Please leave your email address.

2.  For an extra entry tell me of an Apocalyptic story you DO or DO NOT recommend.

3.  For another entry tell me if you have seen the movie THE ROAD and what you think of that.

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

5. For three 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.
(Seven total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL!

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

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on February 6, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Book Review and Giveaway, Three Copies: Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

I loved the characters with this interesting plot.
Sins of a Highland Devil (Highland Warriors) by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (January 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446561789
• ISBN-13: 978-0446561785

     Price: Print $7.99; Kindle $7.99
     Genre: Historical Romance
     My Rating:  3.75 of 5.0

Product Description
The first book in the Highland Warriors trilogy, in which three heroes make a pact to insure that a rival clan does not take over their Glen of Many Legends. At the same time, three women plot to marry these heroes to insure peace.

In SINS OF A HIGHLAND DEVIL, James Cameron is concerned when the King's decree states all three neighboring clans must have a battle to the death in order to lay official claim to the scared Glen of Many Legends. James attempts to make a pact with the heads of the other clans to fight this decree. But he ends up fighting his own fierce desire when coming head-to-head with Lady Catriona of the opposing MacDonald clan, who has her own plan for peace.

Review:   Since I particularly liked many of the characters in this book I thought it was a shame that two thirds of the book was sensual play instead of focusing on the interesting plot.

James Cameron is a sinfully sexy highlander chieftain, known as “The Devil”. Too bad for Catriona MacDonald that bonnie James is in the wrong highlander clan.

There is a long history of disagreements, often murderous, of the three clans who occupy the Glen of Many Legends.  The King has ordered the clans to submit 30 of their best warriors to battle to the death.  The clan with the most men standing after the battle will win the authority to reign the Glen.

Catriona is a flame haired beauty who is feisty, proud and bit reckless.  She met James Cameron when she was young and their encounters have gendered sparks ever since. No other man interests or excites her although she knows she shouldn’t have anything to do with a man from another clan.

James knows that he shouldn’t lust after the sister of an enemy chieftain. But he can’t help the consistent sizzling pull towards Catriona and what mere mortal man could resist her seductive provocations?

These characters are really wonderful as are their siblings who, I am sure, will offer their own headstrong battles in other books in the series. I also thought the challenge to find peace instead of slaughtering each other presented an interesting plot although it didn’t work out as I had hoped. I do not mind battle, blood and gore but this type of forced battle for spectacle wasn’t to my liking.  Although I prefer the battle results to the alternative they were not consistent with the King’s decree of “to the death.”

I did like the mystical aspects with ghosts, a great spirit stag and an ancient couple who add their riddled fortune telling wisdom and meddling spells to the story.  I also liked "the fate thread" pulling characters together. What annoyed me, although I am sure many romance readers would not be bothered by it, were the pages and pages of sensual imaginings with James fantasizing about Catriona and Catriona, not so innocently, imagining the things James might show or teach her.  A little sensual tension goes a long way for me and I thought that two thirds of the story devoted to that lustful chase was a bit much.  I was ready to get on with the mystery of the cloaked trouble maker stirring up each of the three clans and what tragedy or sacrifices would have to occur to achieve peace.

This is the first book I have read by this popular author and I have to wonder if other stories have the same ratio of sensual chase to interesting plot.  Yes the characters are grand and the plot is interesting but the book could easily have been seventy five pages shorter by cutting out the repetitive lustings. That would have made it more enjoyable for me.

THANK YOU TO HACHETTE FOR PROVIDING THE BOOK FOR MY REVIEW AND FOR PROVIDING THREE BOOKS FOR GIVEAWAY.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. Visit the Author's website or check out Five Fun Facts and tell me something you found interesting;
One of these is required for entry.  If you do both it will count as two entries.

Make sure you leave your e-mail address!

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

3. For three 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.
(Six total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL!

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!

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

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on February 2, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Queen of Last Hopes by Susan Higginbotham

Here is an author's theory of the life of Margaret of Anjou during the War of the Roses.
The Queen of Last Hopes: The Story of Margaret of Anjou by Susan Higginbotham

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (January 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402242816
• ISBN-13: 978-1402242816

Price:   Print $9.19; Kindle $8.73
Genre: Historical Fiction
My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Product Description

A man other than my husband sits on England's throne today.

What would happen if this king suddenly went mad? What would his queen do? Would she make the same mistakes I did, or would she learn from mine?

Margaret of Anjou, queen of England, cannot give up on her husband-even when he slips into insanity. And as mother to the House of Lancaster's last hope, she cannot give up on her son-even when England turns against them. This gripping tale of a queen forced to stand strong in the face of overwhelming odds is at its heart a tender tale of love.

Award-winning author Susan Higginbotham will once again ask readers to question everything they know about right and wrong, compassion and hope, duty to one's country and the desire of one's own heart.

Review: This is a strikingly emotional fictionalized story from a volatile time in history: the civil wars known as the War of the Roses.

Marguerite of Anjou is a niece to Charles VII, King of France.  She is betrothed at 14 to young King Henry VI with conditions for a truce between England and France.  Marguerite comes to England with hopes that she may help her young husband achieve a more lasting peace. Henry VI is a young King who is more willing to rely on prayer than war.  He is kind and loving but not an Alpha leader. Based on the requests from her French relatives, Marguerite talks Henry into ceding the city of Maine.  From that point on the English leaders encourage the view that Marguerite as a French woman and not a true queen of England.  She is never able to win over the English people although she does garner some true friends.

Even before Henry suffers from a time of madness, the House of York and other families of the nobility are jockeying for allies and weaknesses to take over the throne.  Brothers and cousins betray each other and when battles are lost the victors tend to wipe out the leaders of the losing armies with varying degrees of brutality.  Sometimes leaders are imprisoned for ransom or leverage but not always.

The author creates a compelling and emotional story for the 26 years of Margaret’s never failing efforts to keep or regain the throne for Henry VI and their son, Edward, Prince of Wales. The opposing forces spread rumors that Margaret had numerous lovers and that Edward is not Henry’s son. It is difficult to read the betrayals, frustrations and ultimately the heart aches that Margaret experiences.

The author did such a good job of pulling me into the lives of the characters that I had to remind myself this was a fictionalized version of events. I don’t cry often at stories but this had me fighting back tears over the last several chapters.  I would certainly read more by this author. If you enjoy historical fiction you should love this book.

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

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there.
Please leave your e-mail!

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

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

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

* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on February 1, 2011. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Wolf Fever by Terry Spear

What do you get when you mix a werewolf and a psychic?  A furry vision? Just joking - more like a sexy vision.

Wolf Fever by Terry Spear

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (December 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402237529
• ISBN-13: 978-1402237522

      Price: Print $7.99; Kindle $6.39
     Genre: Paranormal Romance (Werewolves)
     My Rating:  4.25

Product Description:
She may be his destiny, but she's not his first choice...

Hospital nurse and newly turned red werewolf Carol Woods is being pressured by her pack leader to find a mate, but he's the only guy in the pack who remotely attracts her.

Why is he playing so hard to get?

The fate of the pack rests on his shoulders...

Gray pack leader Ryan McKinley doesn't want anything to do with Carol unless she's willing to embrace her wolf nature-no matter how beautiful she is.

But when a virus infects the local lupus garou pack, Ryan realizes just how wrong he's been not to seize the moment with the woman he's come to love. And now, it may be too late...

Review: I enjoyed this easy read from beginning to end.  I can’t say exactly why it caught my attention but it did.  Maybe it is the combination of  the smooth  flow of the story and the nice strong, alpha characters with their conflicts to be reckoned with. There was a good steady pace with no slow areas.

Carol, who is a strong and dedicated nurse/helper, is struggling with having been recently turned into a red werewolf.  That is not her only problem.  She has been psychic since she was seven and has had to cope with those who consider her crazy, a freak or a fraud.  Her visions are showing her danger for the werewolves as they get stuck as wolves and cannot turn back. So she is fighting extra hard not to shift. Meanwhile the pack leader is concerned she will not have control and he thinks maybe he needs to find her a mate to help her transition.

Ryan is a PI gray werewolf from another pack who solved a murder case five months earlier with the help of Carol’s descriptions.  He doesn’t believe in psychics, especially after having a bad experience with a fraud. He is convinced that Carol overheard clues and that she couldn’t have seen the details in a vision. He is intent on questioning her further so he can put the case behind him.  Or maybe he really just wants to see more of her and has accepted that fact yet.

Ryan shows up in Silver Town a few steps ahead of some red wolves who try to kidnap Carol.  Now he is determined to be her protector even if he has to confront the local pack leader, and his two single twin brothers, to get the position.

There is plenty of action throughout the story: some fun times of play, some tense dangers and some very sexy chemistry.  The sensuality and sexual encounters are handled well.  There is lots of steam but no crudeness. The author gives consistent attention to werewolf detail.  I think this author has a knack for smooth writing that easily engages your attention and keeps you involved through to the end.  This is the second book I have read in this series and I really did enjoy it.

xxx

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

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there.
Please leave your e-mail!

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

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

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

* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on January 12, 2011. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Christmas Gifts Giveaway

My work life sometimes interferes and eats up my time during the day!  Then DH doesn't always like how much time I spend on the computer at night so "something has to give."  --- Hmmm that is an ironic choice of words - "give", well yes, I'll give but late. 
Sorry this post is too late to get the gifts there on time for Christmas.
Better late than never I usually say!

I have three packages:

#1 Snowman Package - US or Canada Only

A shelf sitting snowman, a green Christmas hand towel, a magnetic notepad, a tin of cookies, a small decorative pillow and two flavored lip balms.  Plus ONE BOOK choice from the CHRISTMAS BOOKS FOR GIVEAWAY.

#2 Moose Package - US or Canada Only

A shelf sitting moose, a white Christmas hand towel, a magnetic notepad, a tin of cookies, a small decorative pillow and two flavored lip balms.  Plus ONE BOOK  choice from the CHRISTMAS BOOKS FOR GIVEAWAY.

 

#3 $10.00 Gift Card for my International Friends Only

TO ENTER:

You must be a follower please.

Leave a comment with three items:

1. The Country you live in.

2. What you expect your temperature to be on Christmas Day.

3. Your email address.

AND FOR US and CANADIAN - Unless you indicate that you only want one particular package, your entry will go in for either.

I won't be in the office for mail on the 23rd, 24th or 27th so this will close at 10PM Central December 27.

Christmas Books For Giveaway

Here are the Christmas Books up for picks for the Enquiring Minds Comment Giveaway (ends 12/17/11) and the Christmas Giveaway I will get posted by Saturday!

UPDATE - 8/18/12 ONLY ONE BOOK remains from the original group - it  has ** in front of it and is highlighted in a light red block. 

I will add some more books and set up a new post soon.

I'll grab the Amazon book links as soon as I get a few more minutes.
It Happened One Night and Holly And Mistletoe (Silhouette Romances) have already been chosen.

Silver Bells
Snow Angels

Christmas Keepsakes: A Handful Of Gold, The Three Gifts, The Season For Suitors


A Very Gothic Christmas (Holiday Classics)
Snow Kisses
The Magic of a Family Christmas (Harlequin Romance)


 Christmas Cover-Up (Harlequin Intrigue Series)
 With Christmas in His Heart (Michigan Island, Book 2) (Larger Print Love Inspired #373) by Gail Gaymer Martin
 Her Christmas Protector (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #79) by Terri Reed
One Golden Christmas (Love Inspired Christmas Classic) by Lenora Worth

Visions of Sugar Plums: A Stephanie Plum Holiday Novel by Janet Evanovich
Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

** Snowbird by Stef Ann Holm

A Creed Country Christmas (Hqn) by Linda Lael Miller

Also - every Pick book in December will get a bit of glitter:  I have the Joy ornament and the bow in all five colors.

Stay tuned for the Christmas Giveaway post and DON'T FORGET THE MIDWINTER'S EVE HOP coming up next week! - See the badge on the right sidebar.

Book Review and Giveaway: Duchess of Sin by Laurel McKee

This story is full of interesting Irish history.
Duchess of Sin (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (December 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446544760
• ISBN-13: 978-0446544764  

     Price: Print $7.99 and Kindle $7.99
     Genre: Historical Romance
     My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

Product Description
Blonde and beautiful Lady Anna Blacknall is in the mood for mischief. Entering Dublin's most notorious den of vice, she finds herself in the arms of a mysterious, emerald-eyed Irishman. And although he is masked, his tender kiss is hauntingly familiar.

Conlan McTeer, Duke of Adair, has come to Dublin to fight for a free Ireland. But he's suddenly reunited with the young Englishwoman who had once claimed his heart, and his passion turns from politics to pleasure. When their sizzling encounter brings danger to Anna's door, she must decide where her loyalties lie-and quickly. For someone will do whatever it takes to destroy Conlan . . . and anyone he dares to love.

Review: I enjoyed the history of the Irish resistance to Unification as presented in this story.
I didn’t like Lady Anna initially as I thought she was selfish and reckless in her behavior as an 18 year old bored with her society lifestyle. It also was unrealistic to me that she came to no harm as she continued to sneak out to bad parts of Dublin at night without a footman or a disguise. Later you come to realize that Anna is confused and torn between being a proper, responsible “Lady” and indulging her carefree nature to be free from society dribble but still the gracious, giving “Lady” of the manor.  Although her character is likeable midway to the end, my feelings for the book had already been negatively effected.

Conlan Adair is a darkly handsome, intense Irish Duke. He cares for his lands and people and is willing to fight the governmental efforts trying to unify Ireland and England into Great Britain. As a powerful and influential landowner he has acquired a few enemies. Not the least of whom is a cousin who has tried to take Adair lands under a penal law that effected Catholic land ownership.  Interestingly, in addition to Lady Anna becoming more likeable as the book goes along, Conlan’s handsome cousin, Grant, had a changling character too: being detestable at times and vulnerable and sad at other times.

The story weaves around the political issues with Conlan being afraid to bring danger to Anna. At first Anna is oblivious to the danger or reasons behind it.  Slowly she becomes aware of the heated politics and she finally decides she is willing to risk danger and the lose of her reputation to be with the object of her desire, Conlan.   I did like how Anna’s past experiences were revealed bit by bit as the story progressed.

There is intrigue and danger to add action to the story. Also there is a secondary love interest involving Katherine, Anna’s beautiful, widowed mother.  I liked Lady Anna’s sister Caroline, the studious young lady, and might like that to read her story.

Although I did like the latter part of the book more than the beginning I can’t say that I ever fully warmed up to this one.  There are plenty of more favorable reviews for this so obviously it did not strike everyone as it did me. There are many good points, like the history, so don’t let my tainted response stop you from trying this historical romance.

Thank you to Anna and Hachette for allowing me to read and review this book and for providing books for Giveaway.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. Visit the Author's website and tell me something you found interesting. 
This is required for entry. 
Make sure you leave your e-mail address!

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

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

4.  For TWO more extra entries make a meaningful comment on the review.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

(Seven total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL! FIVE winners!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* Only one winner per household.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 23, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries. 

Book Review and Giveaway: The Remains by Vincent Zandri

Can the "remains" of a childhood trauma contribute to a new nightmare??
The Remains by Vincent Zandri

• Paperback: 375 pages
• Publisher: StoneHouse Ink; 1 edition (November 30, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982770502
• ISBN-13: 978-0982770504

• Price: Print $14.99; Kindle $2.99

    Genre: Thriller
    My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
Thirty years ago, teenager Rebecca Underhill and her twin sister Molly were abducted by a man who lived in a house in the woods behind their upstate New York farm. They were held inside that house for three horrifying hours, until making their daring escape. Vowing to keep their terrifying experience a secret in order to protect their mother and father, the girls tried to put the past behind them. And when their attacker was hunted down by police and sent to prison, they believed he was as good as dead. Now, it s 30 years later, and with Molly having passed away from cancer, Rebecca, a painter and art teacher, is left alone to bear the burden of a secret that has only gotten heavier and more painful with each passing year. But when Rebecca begins receiving some strange anonymous text messages, she begins to realize that the monster who attacked her all those years ago is not dead after all. He s back, and this time, he wants to do more than just haunt her. He wants her dead.

Review: Very well done! This mystery thriller kept my attention from beginning to end. I liked how the story is told by Rebecca describing current day events and in flash backs slowly revealing her childhood memories  when she and her twin sister were young teens and attacked by the monster in the woods.  The author skillfully builds the tension step by step.  He sets the stage for the villain, while presenting a full picture of Rebecca’s life through the secondary characters: her ex-husband, Michael, her best friend Robyn, an autistic savant art student, Franny, and even her sister, Molly, who gives her strength through memories.

Although each character adds to the story, Franny has a key role in racheting up the suspense as he paints images from Rebecca’s past that she thinks no one could know about.  Franny presents a new painting each day with a hidden word that initially only Rebecca can see. The first word is “listen” and this becomes alarming when Rebecca begins to get unexplained text messages, hears her name whispered and her cell phone ringing in the middle of the night. Each painting ads another edge to the chill of the story.

I liked the renewal of the relationship between Michael and Rebecca which gives the story a sense of hope and growth even in the midst of fear and evil.  There is sadness after the fear but then there is joy and new life too.  The story moves at a consistently engaging pace toward Rebecca’s inescapable confrontation with the child abductor. The story twists are more anticipated than unexpected - you just don’t know quite what they will be. Even though you know there will be an attack, the story keeps your attention as you wonder how and when it will happen.

I also liked the information supplied on savant autistic people.  I can easily recommend this as an enjoyable thriller read.

A phrase I liked:  "Fear warped time, bent it the same way it crippled my insides."

Thank you to the author and Pump Up Your Book Promotions for the book to read and review and for providing TWO copies for Giveaway!  Watch the trailer and read an excerpt at the Pump Up Your Book link.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY  - TWO COPIES:

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* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on December 22, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.  TWO WINNERS!