Book Feature with eBook Giveaway: Creative Spirit by Scott Nicholson

"Scott Nicholson is a writer who always surprises and always entertains."- Jonathan Maberry, Dust & Decay

CREATIVE SPIRIT

A paranormal thriller by Scott Nicholson

After parapsychologist Anna Galloway is diagnosed with terminal cancer, she has a recurring dream in which she sees her own ghost at Korban Manor. She’s compelled to visit the historic estate to face her destiny and the fate 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, he is swept into a destructive frenzy that even Anna can’t pull him from.

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.

View or sample Creative Spirit at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Kobo, Smashwords, BN.com, or Goodreads. Look for Liquid Fear and Chronic Fear from Amazon’s Thomas & Mercer imprint.

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

CREATIVE SPIRIT is Scott Nicholson’s revised edition of the 2004 U.S. paperback THE MANOR. Scott is Kindle bestselling author of 12 novels, including THE RED CHURCH, DISINTEGRATION, LIQUID FEAR, and SPEED DATING WITH THE DEAD. Connect with Scott on Facebook, Goodreads, LibraryThing, Twitter, blogspot, website or Amazon page

I won't get to review the book until next year but Scott is providing one ecopy of Creative Spirit for giveaway now, so check out the book details and the giveaway rules and good luck!
 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 WORLDWIDE

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 21, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 22. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement. 

Giveaway Three Audiobooks of Timesplash & Prequel!!

A month or so ago I posted a review of a good audiobook, Timesplash!  The author, Graham Storrs, has written a prequel, in the form of a short story, and recorded it in audio himself.  The publisher contacted me to host a giveaway - cool right?!  So here is a chance to pick up an extra audiobook to enjoy during holiday travels.

This giveaway you enter through the Rafflecopter below. Note there are several extra entries like commenting on the post

Mini Review: Party Time is a prequel to Timespash. It describes a group meeting when the "brick" thrown back in time was tested. While one young man is excited about the science of the brick disappearing in time, another is hyped on the party that will occur with the residual effect - the backwash that creates the splash. This is interesting and I like the author's reading. But be warned that the language is very raw with quite a bit of the "f" word. The ending is great... "we're going to need a bigger cage."
Check more information about Timesplash at this link!  Thank you Iambik for a good audio listen and an awesome giveaway opportunity!
Closes December 19, 2011.

Guest Blog by Anita Clenney with Giveaway!

I am pleased to welcome 

Anita Clenney, Author of Embrace the Highland Warrior

to Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.
Thank you for sharing some of your writing wisdom - and humor - with us today.

Adding a Touch of Humor

I love humor in stories. Of course it has to be tailored to the story or it can feel out of place, but even a dark paranormal or a thriller can benefit from stirring a grin in the reader. But funny is a funny thing. It’s difficult to tell if it really works, or if it just sounds funny to you. It usually takes some outside opinions to see if the humor hits the mark.

I always include some of these lighthearted moments in my stories to balance out the warriors and demons and vampires battling for the world. Brodie is my prankster. He’s a tough warrior, but he loves jokes; refilling a wine glass, slipping a fake snake into a female warrior’s bed. Bet he won’t do that again, because the warrior was Anna, and Anna doesn’t like snakes, real or plastic.

In the second book of my Scottish paranormal series, Embrace the Highland Warrior, the humor is even stronger, thanks to two old ladies. One is the heroine’s aunt. I should say, the heroine THOUGHT Nina was her aunt. But there are lots of things in Shay’s life that aren’t what they seem. Matilda, the aunt’s cousin, is the real kicker. Matilda has brilliant red hair, wears garish clothing, can’t hear worth a darn, loves gambling, and she’s claimed to be 49 years old since Shay was in elementary school. Matilda causes more trouble than a wound up toddler. Here’s what happens when Nina and Matilda try to play matchmaker.

  

Shay woke in the night. She heard a thumping sound downstairs. The noise didn’t concern her as much as the fact that she was draped over Cody and they were both naked. She lay for a minute, reliving what they had done, wondering how different things might have been if she had known he hadn’t ignored the letters. Would she have forgiven him for hiding her identity and moved on? Maybe to this? His life? His bed?

Cody nudged her shoulder. “Don’t follow me this time,” he said, untangling his limbs from hers and slipping out of bed.

She watched him pull on his boxers and pick up a gun from under a pillow on the sofa before easing out the door. Shay scrambled quietly for her clothes. She crept down the stairs, not far behind him. She couldn’t see his face, but she felt his glare. The front door was cracked. The chill of night air brushed her skin. As they slipped outside, busy little whispers met her ears, a grunt, and then another thump. Cody turned on a bright flashlight. She didn’t know where he got it. Shay saw a flash of red and heard a squeal as Matilda’s hands flew up in the air. The wheelbarrow dumped over, and Jamie rolled out like a sack of flour.

***

“We panicked,” Matilda said, between gulps from her water bottle. “So I thought if I gave him a little of my sleeping medicine—”

“A little?” Shay said, her voice shrill. “He’s out cold.”

Cody had carried Jamie back to bed and was with him, making sure Jamie was only drugged, not dying.

“Well, I may have given him too much. We didn’t want him to wake up in the car. He’s big, and he looks strong. That’s a nice, sturdy wheelbarrow. I need one of those to move rocks in my garden,” Matilda said.

“Where were you taking him?” Shay asked.

“Somewhere safe,” Nina said. “We didn’t want to hurt him. He seems like a nice boy. We just wanted him out of the way.”

“Out of the way of what?” Shay asked, exasperated.

“You and Cody,” Nina said.

“Cody and me?”

Nina clutched her robe tighter. “Here you are, back home after all these years, and we’re thinking you finally came to your senses, and Jamie shows up to ruin it all.”

“He wants to marry you,” Matilda said. “We couldn’t have that.”

Oh, heavens. “You think Cody and I are…?”

“But of course, dear,” Nina said. “We’ve always known. We were just waiting for you two to realize it.”

Matilda clutched her water bottle. “For a smart girl, you can be slow sometimes.”

Playing matchmaker is bad enough, but when Matilda is thrown into the middle of a group of covert warriors who must secretly protect humanity from demons, and are now faced with vampires as well, she becomes as much of a threat to the clan’s existence as the demons.

Cody headed to the kitchen and met Duncan. “Anybody seen Matilda? She’s missing again.”

Coira stopped wiping the kitchen table. “Bloody hell.” She slapped her hand over her mouth and then frantically crossed herself.

“It’s all right, Coira. Matilda could make a saint curse.” Cody sighed. “Nina hasn’t seen her?”

“She’s the one who alerted us.”

“She’s probably out terrorizing the guards,” Ronan said. “She asked one of them if this was some kind of gigolo set-up.”

Cody grimaced. “We’ve got to get her out of here before she destroys thousands of years of secrecy.”

“I saw her headed toward the library earlier,” Coira said. “Her and that giant cat.”

“The library? Damn it. The secret passages.” Cody hurried down the hall with Duncan and Ronan behind him. The hidden door stood open.

“Blimey,” Duncan said. “Might as well start offering tours.”

Cody stuck his head inside. “Matilda? I hear something,” he said to the others. “Anybody got a flashlight?”

“Here.” Ronan pulled one from his sporran and turned it on. The three men entered the stone passage, following the narrow beam of light.

“That way,” Cody said. “Matilda?”

They heard running, and a second later, Matilda flew into Cody’s arms. “Oh, thank heaven.” Her hair stood on end, covered by cobwebs. Red lipstick was smeared down her chin. “I got lost. I couldn’t figure out which way I came in. I don’t know what to do. I think I killed a man.”

“You killed a man down here?” Ronan asked, glancing at the others.

“Over there, around that corner. But I don’t think he was a man. I saw this shadow and thought it was one of you. I called out, and he leapt at me. He hissed. I’ve never heard a man hiss.”

“You sure it wasn’t the cat?” Duncan asked.

“No, I was holding the cat, only because it was dark, and my flashlight was dying,” she said, defensively.

Cody moved toward the corner where Matilda pointed. “Nothing here.”

“How did you kill him?” Ronan asked, eyeing Matilda doubtfully.

“Holy water.”

“Where the hell did you get holy water?” Duncan asked.

“Well, I was clutching my bottle of water to my chest. I carry one with me so I don’t get dehydrated. The doctor said I need to stay hydrated. And I got lost, like I told you, and I started praying somebody would find me, and since I was holding the water, I guess the praying must have blessed it. Or it might have been the cat.”

“The cat blessed the water?” Duncan asked, scratching his head.

“No. Killed the man. When he hissed at me, the cat hissed back and jumped at him.”

Cody caught Ronan and Duncan’s worried gazes.

“Then I threw my water bottle at him.” Matilda held her hand over her heart. “I think I might faint.”

“Come on, Matilda,” Duncan said. “I’ll take you up. Ronan and Cody will check it out. I’m sure it was just a shadow.”

“I’ve never seen a shadow with red eyes.”

“It couldn’t be,” Ronan said, his voice somber, as Duncan led Matilda away. “Maybe she’s insane.”

“She’s not normal, but she’s as sharp as your sword.”

“What the hell did she see, then?”

Cody aimed his light along the walls. “Damn.”

“What is it?” Ronan joined him, his gaze on the beam of light on the floor. A bottle of water lay in a pile of dust.

GIVEAWAY!
Sourcebooks is giving away two copies of Embrace the Highland Warrior to random commenters. My question is: What’s the funniest story you’ve read, or the best example of adding in humor?

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada but anyone can answer the question. :-)  Please let us know with your comment if you are not eligible for the giveaway.
Giveaway ends December 2, 2011 at 10pm Central.

Embrace the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney—In Stores November 2011

They were driven apart by a timeless secret…

Cody MacBain let the woman of his destiny slip away. A member of an ancient clan of Scottish warriors, he grew up beside Shay Logan as her secret protector, but his heart compelled him to become more. Until Shay’s true identity was revealed, and the fated pair’s chance was gone…

But danger will drive them back into each other’s arms…

Shay fell for the boy next door, suspecting nothing of the ancient secrets he guarded. After a stinging betrayal, she’s determined to banish the memories of her first love forever. But the past can’t let go, and the boy she once loved has returned to her a warrior determined to protect her from the unspeakable evil fate has planned…

About the Author

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Anita Clenney writes mysteries, and paranormal romantic suspense. Before giving herself over to the writing bug, she worked in a pickle factory and a preschool, booked shows for Aztec Fire Dancers, and has been a secretary, executive assistant, and a real estate agent. She lives with her husband and two children in suburban Virginia. To find out more information, please visit http://www.anitaclenney.com/, follow her on Twitter @anitaclenney, or like her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/anitaclenneyAUTHOR.

And Embrace the Highland Warrior can be purchased here:

http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-Highland-Warrior-Anita-Clenney/dp/1402251262

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embrace-the-highland-warrior-anita-clenney/1100076266

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Embrace-Highland-Warrior/Anita-Clenney/9781402251269

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/embrace-the-highland-warrior/id468777516?mt=11

Guest Post and Giveaway by Lisa Renee Jones

Please welcome Lisa Renee Jones, Author of The Story That is Sterling who shares a Guest Post on Planning the Series. Make sure you read to the end to find out how to enter for Lisa's Giveaway!

Thank you for having me here today at Martha’s Bookshelf to celebrate the release of THE STORM THAT IS STERLING! 

Today I’m talking about planning the series or letting it happen since Sterling is a part of a series. I’ve written a number of series but probably the most comparable to my Zodius series is my KNIGHTS OF WHITE with Harlequin. With both my Zodius series and my Knights of White the books each lead to the next book in the series. With my Knights of White I usually left a bit of a cliffhanger. The main story was resolved with a HEA but the next character got into some sort of mess. This made it especially important to have planned the next book in the series. I knew from book 1 of that series that a romance I hinted at in book 1 would be headed a certain place in book 6. My readers jumped on that and had lots of questions after each book about that teasing storyline. I had something about that couple in all of the books. 

In the Zodius series, I’ve planned in advance and I’ve known where I was going from the beginning. However, I have to say, that the leader of the Renegades, Caleb, hasn’t cooperated. I had his story planned a certain way and a female character has demanded she be his love interest and I just didn’t see that coming. It doesn’t fit my plan but yet, it is the plan now. In DANGER THAT IS DAMION you will have a very good idea who Caleb’s love will end up being. So, while I’m for planning, I do let my characters lead me. That is part of the fun of writing and living the story as I write it. 

In DANGER THAT IS DAMION you will meet Chale and he is my planned hero for book 4. I love Chale who is a Harley riding, wild and wicked, man with a Sterling like sense of humor. I hope you will get as attached to him in book 3 as I did. Now, in Sterling’s story Damion is a HUGE part of the book. You will know him well by the end of book 2. 

To celebrate Sterling’s release I have a bag of books and yummy holiday treats. All you have to do is comment. Tell me what you like, or dislike, when you are reading a series. And how many books into a series do you read? 3? 10? What makes you lose interest?

Lisa

Here is the buy link for Sterling! 

http://www.amazon.com/Storm-That-Sterling-Renee-Jones/dp/1402251599/ref=tmm_mmp_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1320559147&sr=1-1

Booklist review:

The Storm That Is Sterling.

Jones, Lisa Renee (Author)

Nov 2011. 384 p. Sourcebooks/Casablanca, hardcover, $6.99. (9781402251597).

The exciting Zodius futuristic suspense series features soldiers enhanced by a GTECH secret military experiment. Sterling Jeter, who is assigned to guard Rebecca Burns, the scientist working on an antidote for the highly addictive and fatal drug ICE. But Rebecca is also the high-school dream Sterling was never able to realize. She has cancer and tangling with bad guys who want her science skills for their ends has left her an ICE addict, too. She wants to take advantage of her time left with Sterling, while Sterling wants to protect her. As danger mounts, they try to sort out who is trustworthy. The GTECH and science details can best be followed with the help of the index, but they do not overwhelm the appealing characters or action. Jones’ suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann. Alpha, military, and paranormal romance readers will want Jones’ entire series.

  

Sterling Jeter has remarkable powers and has shown himself

to be just about indestructible. But beautiful, brilliant Rebecca

Burns knows that even a Super Soldier needs comfort, and so

much more…

But she can see that deep down,

he’s just a man…

Sterling and Rebecca’s teenage romance was interrupted,

but years later the heat between them flares back to life.

Even though it endangers everything they’re fighting for, it’s

impossible to resist picking up right where they left off…

Read an extra excerpt HERE:

http://www.lisareneejones.com/books/the-storm-that-is-sterling/sterling-excerpt/

Gratitude Giveaway Hop Nov 17-27!

Welcome to the Gratitude Giveaways Blog Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and co-hosted by All-Consuming Books.   This hop runs until November 27th which will give you plenty of time to enter all the giveaways.

There are 300 blogs each saying thanks to their followers by offering a simple, easy, one entry giveaway. No long list of optional entries on this hop - they are not allowed. I am #244 in the list.

This is a great time for me to say Thank You to my followers. You give me encouragement and smiles. :-)
THREE Winners will each get $10.00 Gift Certificates of their choice - Amazon, B&N, or select books with $10.00 value at The Book Depository.

Open Internationally as long as you can find a gift card you can use OR as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.

Easy Entry:  To enter just follow this blog any way you like (email, goodreads, GFC, facebook, twitter, etc.) and fill out the form.

If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFdDcHh1dkdYOGYxbFUxMXNPU090Nmc6MQ


Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hop along now to enter other great giveaways!

MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #7: Author JL McDougall

SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR JL MCDOUGALL

I know Jaime from participating in Pump Up Your Books Blog Tour. She has offered another generous gift prize for my followers through my Blogoversary!

Jaime is working on books that help authors promote plus some other warm hearted things!
So You Want to Write a Guest Post: An Author's Guide to Promoting with Guest Blogging

Here are Jaime's Q&As!

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

A:  I have been telling stories since before I learned how to write them. My childhood was never a dull one with the most ordinary things becoming fantastic adventures. I write because it is within me to write.

At the moment, I have only written short non-fiction for Chicken Soup for the Soul books and a non-fiction guide for authors who want to promote via guest posting, so I hope readers find it useful! However, I do have a paranormal romance novel I am planning on publishing by August.

When it comes to my fiction, I simply want readers to feel. I think that is the goal of any good writing. Readers might feel in love with the leading character, feel swept up in a fantasy world or want to scream at a character to 'get out of the house! There is a murderer in there!' No matter what it is, if the reader has felt something, I have done my work an author well.

Question #2: Why write the 'So You Want' books? What's next?

I originally wrote the 'So You Want to Write a Guest Post: An Author's Guide to Promoting with Guest Blogging' after seeing two guest posts come through. One was about three sentences long. The other? About three thousand words long. It was clear to me that these authors had no clue about readability, the ideal length for guest posts or even how to follow clear directions.

Now these are two extreme cases, but paired with a lot of questions I have recieved over the years about guest posts, inspiration for an ebook struck. I created a guide that doesn't assume you know a certain level about guest blogging; it takes you through all the basics including formatting a guest posts, ideal length, topics to write about and even where to find blogs that accept guests posts.

I do plan to turn this into a series for not only authors but book bloggers as well. I have the bones for a few guides worked out, including on focusing on online book tours and another focusing on making your book blog the best it can be. But immediately next on my list is my paranormal romance novel that I'm just finishing the final edits on. (So I'll be back soon!)

You can find Jaime at:
Facebook 
Twitter
Website

The book is available:
ebook on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Want-Write-Guest-Post-ebook/dp/B0052F477U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308725900&sr=8-1
ebook on Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/59424

Generous Giveaway donated by Jaime:
$25 Amazon Gift Certificate

OPEN WORLDWIDE.

PLEASE ENTER WITH THIS FORM:  

If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEdmMXpTcEFjVWpha2ZHY2lwR2xSbHc6MA

MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #1: Author Cym Lowell

SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR CYM LOWELL

Cym was so generous in his support that I am kicking off the giveaways with his spotlight!

I met Cym online through Book Blog when he started this wonderful event where I have been posting reviews most Wednesdays for the past two years:

Every Tuesday afternoon Cym hosts a linky for bloggers to link their reviews. Not only do we get to see what others are reading and visit each other to say "hi", but every week Cym picks one of the link posts to win a $15 Amazon eGC! Sometimes he has an extra book prize package too. How generous is that? To reward us for something we love doing anyway!!

Cym is an author and I recently reviewed his thriller Riddle of Berlin. 

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

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

A:  In each of the stories I have written, I know that I have tried to blend a thrilling story with characters having emotional issues that each of us face in our lives. I have thought that this makes the stories real, not escapist (like James Bond stories, to me at least).

As I have thought about all of this, I know that I love the process of writing and improving my skills. Each discussion group, agent discussion, reviews, and other event adds to my knowledge base. I am avid, persistent student. While commercial success has not yet arrived, enjoyment has been a bountiful harvest. I love it!

Question #2: Of all the reviews that have been posted to CymLowell's blog, which have been your favorite?

A: All of the reviews that we have published in the blog, and other places, have been instructive. I find that I enjoy the most, reading books addressing emotion and life, and the least stories full of gruesome murder, violence, or seemingly endless chases with characters that seem flat as boards. One of my favorite series right now are Jon Land’s books about Kaitlin Strong.

Please visit Cym here to say THANKS for the support and Giveaway.
www.cymlowell.blogspot.com 

Giveaway donated by Cym:

Item #1: $30.00 Gift Card

Item #2: Autographed hard back copy of Riddle of Berlin


Cym is offering both prizes WORDLWIDE! See - I said he was really generous!

THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS - one drawn for the GC and one for the book.


ENTER THE FORM HERE:
If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGRpWW9Ldk5OLTRfZEpLUHJTOW9hZ1E6MQ

This giveaway will close at 10PM Central on July 15, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Book Review and Giveaway Three Copies: Never a Gentleman by Eileen Dreyer

A marriage of convenience for an intrepid ugly duckling.
Never a Gentleman (The Drake's Rakes series) 
by Eileen Dreyer

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Forever (April 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780446542067
• ISBN-13: 978-0446542067
• ASIN: 0446542067

      Genre: Historical Romance
      My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
HE HIDES HIS TRUE COLORS . . .
Miss Grace Fairchild is under no illusions about her charms. Painfully plain, she is a soldier's daughter who has spent her life being useful, not learning the treacherous ways of the ton. She may have been caught in a scandal with society's favorite rogue, but how can she marry him when it means losing herself?

WHILE SHE HIDES HER TRUE SELF . . .
Diccan Hilliard doesn't know which of his enemies drugged him and dumped him in Grace's bed, but he does know the outcome. He and Grace must marry. To his surprise, a wild, heady passion flares between them. Yet Diccan is trapped in a deadly game of intrigue Grace knows nothing about. Will his lies destroy Grace just as he realizes how desperately he needs her? And how can he hope for a future with her, when an old enemy has set his murderous sights on them both?

Review: This one will tug at your emotions.
Grace may not be a beauty but she is a beautiful person: kind, giving, strong, courageous. She is recognized as an honorable spinster and revered by the soldiers whom she helped as she traveled the wars with her officer father. She has learned to be inwardly strong, self dependant and not to reveal her emotions or her dreams.

Unexpected circumstances land Grace in bed with the impeccable Diccan who is a government diplomat known in ton circles as “The Perfection.” He has always been kind to Grace but she knows he doesn’t want to marry her. But Diccan is trapped in espionage that requires he retain his honor and marry the gray wren.

Diccan doesn’t expect to feel any attraction to Grace and is surprised to discover that he enjoys her company especially when they ride together and share time as she gains confidence in herself. They even share a passionate night that engages them both. But Diccan cannot allow any outward affection to show or his enemies will use her against him. So he distances himself and allows his espionage duties to put him back in the arms of his former mistress. He ignores the humiliation and difficulties Grace faces as she first tries to maneuver in a society that rejects her and then scorns and pities her as well.

I am not a fan of infidelity so the blatant relationship with the mistress bothered me and made it hard for me to always like Diccan. There is also a very strong voyeuristic scene where Grace is put in a position to watch her husband and his mistress. That was difficult to get through because of the pain I felt for Grace. The author does an excellent job of evoking heartache for Grace and pride in her strength.  Even if I wasn’t sure I agreed with her actions, they played well in the story and ultimately allowed sorrow and acceptance for Diccan’s character. I think it is hard sometimes to understand the 19th century position of women as property.

The story moves along quickly with many interesting side characters adding to the fullness. The mystery flows through the entire story with some surprising revelations.  At the end the conspiracy remains to continue in the next book which will tell the story of Grace’s fiery friend and Diccan’s cousin, Kate.

xxx

Thank you to Hachette for this book to read and for providing THREE copies 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 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.) 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 May 6, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Book Review and Giveaway, Two Copies, Welcome to Last Chance by Hope Ramsey

This book is a welcome delight!

Welcome to Last Chance by Hope Ramsay

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Forever; 1 edition (March 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446576093
• ISBN-13: 978-0446576093

     Genre: Contemporary Romance
     My Rating:  4.75 of 5.0

Dear Reader,

Yes, our town is way off the beaten path, but strange, wonderful miracles happen a lot around here.

I've owned the Cut 'n' Curl beauty shop for years, and I've seen folks come for a visit, then stay for a lifetime. Take Jane-that pretty firecracker of a girl who just arrived in town. I would swear she's running from something. She came with only five dollars in her pocket but she's worked real hard to make a fresh start. She's turned my son Clay's life upside down without even realizing it.

And thank goodness for that! Ever since Clay left his country western band, he's played everything too safe. He needs to take a chance on Jane. Besides, the more he tries to keep his distance, the more he'll realize that he and Jane are singing the same tune.

But I should quit ramblin' and go check on Millie's permanent wave. Next time you're in Last Chance, be sure to swing by. We've got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon,

Ruby Rhodes

Review:  Last Chance turns out to be a great place for a new chance.

Jane has had a bit of a struggle with life. She ran away from home when she was 17 headed to Nashville to become a country singer.  Fate had other plans and she ended up changing her name to Mary and geting a bus ticket to Miami. She’s had to take a few odd jobs over the years but she managed to get the money for cosmetology school and save toward her dreams. She was doing pretty well until she hooked up with a slick fellow who promised to take her to Nashville and introduce her to the right people. Unfortunately he introduced her to the wrong people and now she is on the run again using the last of her money to get to Last Chance, SC.

Clay is a sensitive musician who started a successful band in Nashville before losing the girl and coming back home. When he sees this gorgeous young lady eyeing his not so experienced friends he figures he better head her off at the pass. He’s had his share of heartache rescuing needy women and he’s decided to look for a mature woman to settle down with. Somehow that doesn’t stop him from feeling like a crazy teenager around Jane.

Jane surprises Clay because she won’t take money or help from him. She is determined to work, with the help of his mother, Ruby, and she is set on making her own way and taking care of herself.

The local match maker tells Clay that he needs to watch for his soul mate to come in town on the 9:30 bus. Within a few weeks he has three women that have arrived on the 9:30 bus: the crazy Jane; his first true love who has returned after a devastating divorce; and his last heartbreak who left him for the lead singer in the band.

Meanwhile, Clay’s older brother, the local Sheriff, has decided that Jane aka Mary (or is it Mary aka Jane?) is bad news. Not only does he want her away from Clay and their mother but he is accusing her of murder.

The quirky match maker has told Jane she needs to look for more than a knight in shining armor. Could a nice guy, boy scout type like Clay ever accept Jane’s shaky past and see beyond her trouble?

This book is full of fun, quirky characters, funny hijinks and lots of warm tender emotions. There is even a sweet Biblical message of protection and faith seen through the innocent eyes of a child. This was a fast read and an uplifting breath of fresh air. I am anxious to read the next book in the Last Chance series.

Thank you to Hachette for this book to read and for providing TWO copies 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 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.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL!

THERE WILL BE TWO 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 April 1, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: The Linen Queen by Patricia Falvey

A poignant portrait of a young woman's growth in 1940's Ireland.
The Linen Queen: A Novel by Patricia Falvey

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Center Street (March 2, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599952009
• ISBN-13: 978-1599952000

Genre: Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Product Description:
From Patricia Falvey, the acclaimed author of The Yellow House, comes The Linen Queen, a moving tale of love and loyalty set in Northern Ireland during the Second World War.

Winning the Linen Queen beauty competition—and its prize money—at first seems the answer to Sheila McGee’s prayers, giving her the means to escape her small mill town. Unfortunately, before she could set her plans in motion, the Belfast blitz makes it impossible for her to get the travel papers she needs. Another opportunity opens up, however, when the Americans—and Captain Joel Solomon—arrive, but even as Sheila fights to hold on to her dream, the war marches ever closer, threatening to engulf her and her friends in the flames of hatred and destruction.

Review: This is a beautiful story, set in an an unusual time and place, of a young girl's growth into a caring woman.

Sheila was Daddy’s little girl but her father left when she was a child and never returned. Sheila and her self centered mother live in a basement room beneath her strict Aunt and drunken Uncle. Sheila’s mother derides Sheila and uses guilt to take all of Sheila’s earnings.  Sheila even has to share her bed when her Aunt takes in a bitter and frightened waif. Sheila dreams of leaving her small town and now that she is 18 she has the chance to win the mill Linen Queen competition and make her escape.

Sheila’s best friend is Gavin, her childhood playmate, who took over the cargo boat  business after his father died. Sheila and Gavin have a favorite meeting place where they can look out across the water at the beautiful mountains and on a clear day they can see the lush green of the three surrounding counties. Sheila longs to go away on one of the ships while Gavin is always happy to return to port and home.  They have been like brother and sister but it seems that moody 22 year old Gavin is developing a different interest in Sheila.

Sheila is depressed when she is not even chosen for the Linen Queen competition. Although she is really a good girl, her reputation is one of a flirt.  She is independent and a bit brash, but never shabby.  Surprise circumstances result in her winning the title and money but she doesn’t get to go away because the war comes.

Many of the girls see the bright young American soldiers as a way to leave the drudgery of their lives.  Sheila slowly develops a friendship with Jewish Captain, Joel Solomon. Joel is a sober and pessimistic man who is drawn to Sheila’s vibrancy even as he acknowledges that he will probably not live through the war.  Sheila doesn’t truly love Joel but can she use him to get away from Ireland to England? Meanwhile she is at odds with Gavin who is angry at the American efforts and begins to get pulled into the IRA rebellion.

The story moves over several years showing Sheila’s character growth from her inward, self-interest focus to a giving and caring person. She is the strongest among her friends and even though there are struggles and falling outs she is there to pull them together.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story showing the insecurities, jealousies and struggles of these young Irish women.  The setting and characters are beautifully and richly portrayed.  I loved this particular bit of comfort from the orphanage Rabbi: “I have always believed that when a person dies his soul melts into tiny pieces and lodges in the hearts of those he loved.” Page 180.
I highly recommend this emotional spotlight on a unique character in a special place and time.

 xxx

Thank you to Sarah and Center Street division of Hachette for the book to read and review.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:

1.Mandatory entry: Visit the author's website and tell something of interest you find 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. (So sorry this can't be international. The book is available at Book Depository though.)
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on April 1, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Book Review and eBook Giveaway: God Wars: Living With Angels by Rob Tobin

This story presents a different view of angels, demons and humans.
God Wars: Living With Angels by Rob Tobin

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 337 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Echelon Press (February 25, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004PLNKZM

     Genre:  Urban Fantasy
     My Rating:  4.0

Product Description
Sixteen-year-old old gymnast, Diana Jalinowski, had it all, including a shot at the Olympics, thanks to her talent, dedication, and a strange “other” power that allowed her to do things others couldn’t. Then a deranged hoodlum drove Diana off the road and into a wheelchair, killing her family in the process.

Years later, as a paraplegic law student, Diana meets Professor Lessage, an odd, brooding man who talks her into doing a paper on the legal ramifications of the Salem Witch trials. Suddenly Diana’s life takes another sharp turn, right into witchcraft, a demon she can’t resist, an angel she can’t trust, 3-foot tall aliens she can’t defeat, and the chance to get even with all the bad people out there… unless of course she destroys the world in the process.

Diana has justice in her hands, and she’s really, really pissed off.

Review:  This story has a wonderful message of forgiveness and love wrapped up in a horror tale of battle between good and evil to save the world.

Diana had a special power even as a young teen. She used that power to strike out in anger and humiliate a bully who wanted to pick on the young challenged children she helped.  Unfortunately the bully struck back with a vengeance. He drove her family off the road, killing her parents and paralyzing Diana from the waist down. Diana manages to become a law student and to seek ways to help victims of abuse but she continues to struggle with her own anger and bitterness.  Sometimes Diana still strikes out in anger and violence and she meets Doctor Sean Dominico as a therapist to help her cope with her anger. Dominico is professional, gorgeous and kind.  Diana fantasizes about him but believes he would never be interested in a cripple like her.

Diana is assigned a research paper on Salem Witch Trials by intense Professor, John Lessage. While researching, Diana finds a resource book written by Doctor Dominico. Diana also memorizes volumes of spells and finds she can use her power while invoking the Latin incantations.  Diana is suddenly attacked by a monster and Doctor Dominico comes to help her.  She doesn’t realize that each time she fights out in anger and violence there is a greater responsive violence that bounces right back at her.  Dominico tries to explain the phenomenon to her but she is slow to understand. Diana wants revenge against her parents' murderer but her actions open the way for greater demons as her bitterness and anger fuel the evil monster who is soon growing gigantic and wiping out cities.

Ultimately Dominico reveals that he is an angel living on earth to try to help humanity by fighting the demon monsters.  As he and Diana join forces a third, alien, presence makes an uneasy alliance with the demon and the already horrific battle intensifies.

The story gets a bit far fetched bringing to mind first Godzilla type attacks and then space ship battles with the only defenses coming from the lightning mind powers of Diana and Dominico, with a few other angels who help once or twice. There is plenty of action and evasive maneuvering to allow the heroic team to recoup and romance a little. This gives Dominico time to explain an interesting history of the earth, angels and demons.  He also tries to convince Diana that she cannot win with hate and violence, which only hurt and diminish her own soul, but she must find a way to give forgiveness and love.

There is some raw (foul) language and gore of battle. The story, even in its weirdness, kept my attention. The author expresses a unique creation theory. I enjoyed the message of forgiveness even though it is presented in a very strange, but engaging, story.  I can recommend this as an unusual read.

xxx

I was provided this book to read by the author through Bewitching Blog Tours to read and review.

THANK YOU TO ROB TOBIN WHO IS OFFERING AN EBOOK AS A GIVEAWAY.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR AN EBOOK COPY:

1. Visit the author blog and tell me something of interest you find there.
Please leave your e-mail!

2.  For two extra entries, comment on the author guest post.

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

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

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

* This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on March 29, 2011. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Help Me Pick My Next Audible Read

I have some really good books lined up to read on my Audible and I will get to purchase two more under my subscription this week.  (I get two new book credits on the 19th of each month.)

I need help to decide which Audible to listen to next.  Here are my choices:
I am pretty sure (unless someone makes a recommendation that I can't resist) that I will buy these two books on 3/19 as I really want to read them:

#1. Outside In
by Maria J. Snyder

#2. Glory in Death: In Death, Book 2 

by JD Robb

I already own these ready to read 
(and  few others I am not listing yet).  
With so many good choices see why I need help picking?

 #3. One Second After
by William R. Forstchen

#4. The Iron King (Harlequin Teen) 

by Julie Kagawa

#5. Darkfever (Fever Series, Book 1)
by Karen Marie Moning

#6. Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1)

by Patricia Briggs

#7. The 39 Clues Book 1: The Maze Of Bones - Audio
by Rick Riordan

#8. Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, No. 4)

by Janet Evanovich

#9. First Comes Marriage (Huxtable Series)
by Mary Balogh

#10. Fancy Pants 

by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

SO there you go: 10 choices.  I numbered them to make noting a choice easy by number if you want. Or you can make a new recommendation if there is an Audible book you really think I should read next and it is not on my list.

Here's how this Giveaway will work:

Make a comment picking TWO Audible books you want me to read next. I will read the book that gets the most votes, then probably (no guarantee) the book with the second most votes.  (I reserve the right to pick the second read from the remaining choices just because I could change may mind right?)
I will do a random draw to select TWO winners from all commenters.
Any US or Canadian winner will get their choice of an audio book below OR from the February Love Books for Giveaway, the December Giveaway list OR the back review and ARC lists. (Scroll down at that post to see those lists.) Any International winner will get the same book choices if postage is under $8.00 or an $8.00 Gift Card, PayPal or Book Depository selection.

Ends March 18th at 10pm Central because I will be ready to make my purchases on the 19th!!

Here are Audiobooks a comment winner can choose from if they would rather have audio than print book:

The Taste of Innocence CD (Cynster Novels)


Don't Blink By James Patterson, Howard Roughan(A)/David Patrick Kelly(N) [Audiobook]


Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family


The Postcard Killers


Whiteout


The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town


The Juror

The version I have is CDs not cassettes-
Warning this book has very rough language.




Secular Sabotage: How Liberals Are Destroying Religion and Culture in America


Marriage and Other Acts of Charity: A Memoir


Right on the Money: Financial Advice for Tough Times.