Audio Book Review: The Trouble with Dukes, Windham Brides, Book 1, by Grace Burrowes

This is another charming Historical/Regency Romance by an author I like.
The Trouble with Dukes
Windham Brides, Book 1
By: Grace Burrowes
Narrated by: James Langton

Series: Windham Brides, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
Release date: 12-20-16
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Scottish Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Summary:
From the New York Times bestselling author of the beloved Windham series comes 'a wonderfully funny, moving romance,' (Eloisa James) perfect for fans of 'sexy heroes, strong heroines, intelligent plots, [and] enchanting love stories' (Mary Balogh).
THEY CALL HIM THE DUKE OF MURDER... The gossips whisper that the new Duke of Murdoch is a brute, a murderer, and even worse--a Scot. They say he should never be trusted alone with a woman. But Megan Windham sees in Hamish something different, someone different. No one was fiercer at war than Hamish MacHugh, though now the soldier faces a whole new battlefield: a London Season. To make his sisters happy, he'll take on any challenge--even letting their friend Miss Windham teach him to waltz. Megan isn't the least bit intimidated by his dark reputation, but Hamish senses that she's fighting battles of her own. For her, he'll become the warrior once more, and for her, he might just lose his heart.

Review:
Megan Windham is not the lead debutante although she is part of a wealthy, noble family. She is attractive, but short, a little feisty and her poor eyesight requires she wear glasses. She has not yet chosen a match but there is a particular, bullying man who is sniffing at her heals. She has secrets that make it awkward for her to refuse the attentions of Sir Fletcher. Megan is grateful to have Colonel, now Duke, Hamish MacHugh, step up as a buffer holding Fletcher at bay.

Hamish has terrible memories of the war as attested by his reputation now as the “Duke of Murder”. Very few people know the full story and Hamish has allowed the rumors as he expects to be out of London soon. Hamish is remaining in London to help escort his sisters through the London Season. As part of the activities, he finds himself sharing walks and waltzes with Megan. She brings out a softer side in him, but he thinks that she is hiding something that involves Sir Fletcher. The more Hamish sees Fletcher disrespectfully pursue Megan, the more Hamish is inclined to become her champion.

It has been too long since I enjoyed Ms. Burrowes rich romances. She creates engaging characters and threatened scandalous circumstances to overcome. I like the details she provides for society and war elements. I enjoy the friendship evolving into romance which is passionate but not gratuitous.

I thought that I had read and enjoyed earlier books in this series but now realize that I have read many of the Windham series but not the Windham Brides. So, I have more to look forward to. I recommend this author, book, and series to fans of historical romance.

Audio Notes: James Langton does a fine job with the narration. I was pleased he was able to provide fitting female voices as well as English and Scottish accents. The rich narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 8/9/18 Two for One Credit Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Here is a Link to other Burrowes’ titles I have reviewed.

#NetGalley Book Review: Patience for Christmas: A Holiday Novella

This is an entertaining historical Christmas novella by an author I really like.
Patience for Christmas: A Holiday Novella
by Grace Burrowes

File Size: 440 KB
Print Length: 113 pages
Publisher: Forever Yours (December 18, 2018)
ASIN: B07CRJ2QVP
Genre: Historical Romance, Holiday, Regency
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

A friendly holiday competition turns steamy in this Regency romance novella from the New York Times bestselling author of My One and Only Duke.
Previously published in Virtues of Christmas.
Advice columnist Patience Friendly's relationship with her stubborn, overbearing publisher, Dougal MacHugh, is anything but cordial. Dougal challenges Patience to take on a rival columnist in a holiday advice-a-thon, and sparks fly clear up to the mistletoe hanging from every rafter. Will Patience follow the practical guidance of her head or the passionate advice of her heart?

Review:
Patience is a determined young woman supporting herself by writing an advise column. A past betrayal by a young man has left her cautious of men and a natural champion for women. Patience’s columns have been getting a rival opinion from Professor Pennypacker.

Her publisher, Scottish, stubborn and overbearing Dougal MacHugh, challenges Patience to take on twelve days of advice against her rival. It would mean extra income for the publisher and the Patience too, even if it will cut into other activities.

Dougal sets out to work side by side with Patience to help choose the letters and get the columns completed. They banter with their opinions growing closer and closer while spending long hours working together. But Dougal has a secret that could cause a major backfire.

I totally enjoyed these feisty characters and the love that blossomed between them. The secret (easily guessed) is revealed to the reader long before it is inevitably revealed to Patience. The tension builds as the passion develops between the couple and we wait to see how Patience will respond to Dougal’s secret.

I enjoy Ms. Burrowes' writing style and this novella didn’t disappoint as I was thoroughly entertained. I recommend this as a quick, delightful Christmas romance. I recommend this author to readers who enjoy good historical romance with some heat but not too steamy.

Source: NetGalley 2018. This qualifies for 2018 NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: What a Lady Needs for Christmas (MacGregor Series) by Grace Burrowes

I really enjoyed this story with warm characters and a sweet building romance.
What a Lady Needs for Christmas (MacGregor Series)
by Grace Burrowes

• File Size: 1325 KB
• Print Length: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (October 7, 2014)
• ASIN: B00L5QGB7O
• Genre: Historical Romance
• My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
The Best Gifts are the Unexpected Ones...
To escape a scandal, Lady Joan Flynn flees her family's estate in the Scottish Highlands. She needs a husband by Christmas, or the holidays will ring in nothing but ruin.
Practical, ambitious mill owner Dante Hartwell offers to marry Joan, because a wellborn wife is his best chance of gaining access to aristocratic investors.
As Christmas—and trouble—draw nearer, Dante and Joan's marriage of convenience blossoms into unexpected intimacy, for true love often hides beneath the most unassuming holiday wrapping...

Review:
Lady Joan returns from a night where she hoped to share her dress sketches with another fashion enthusiast. Instead she was slowly primed with drink so that she doesn’t fully remember what happen. But she thinks that she has been compromised and after a week or so she begins to fear she may be pregnant. She seeks to escape Edinburgh to spend Christmas in Scotland where family are to meet. She is having trouble getting a ticket for the train until Dante Hartwell and his young daughter step up and invite her to join them in their train cars.

Mr. Hartwell is “an unlikely” rescuer. He is a Scotsman and a man in trade as the owner of several mills. He is a widower with two children, Charlie the exuberant child and Phillip the serious plodder. Dante’s sister, Margaret, is along to help and her presence makes it possible for Lady Joan to join their group. Dante had been in town looking to find a wife but felt out of place, not knowing the right protocols of the aristocracy.

Lady Joan longs for more than being a sedentary English aristocrat lady. She loves fabrics and designing and would truly love to work in fashion if only that were permitted and... provided she can deal with a child. Dante is a man in trade who wants an introduction to English aristocrats who might invest in his mills. He also needs a wife for his high spirited children. These might not seem like a likely pair but bit by bit they realize they like each other’s qualities. They decide to marry as a means of fulfilling each other’s needs. But they both hope for more and are excited to discover that love can grow, especially if they stop and communicate with each other.

I enjoyed the diverse views of the main characters and distinct personalities of the lively children. I also loved the descriptions that are rich with textures of touch and color. Grace Burrowes has an amazing ability to develop rich characters and build a warm, charmingly natural story around them. The sexual scenes are beautifully done to be an exploration of newlyweds, one totally innocent and naive and the other seeking to be gentle while finding a way to share passion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful story and recommend this, and Grace Burrowes, to all those readers who love Historical, Victorian Romance.

I received this from Sourcebooks through NetGalley for an honest review.

Book Review: The Traitor (Captive Hearts) by Grace Burrowes

This Regency romance raises questions of betrayal when loyalties become blurred and difficult during war.

The Traitor (Captive Hearts)

by Grace Burrowes 

• File Size: 1310 KB
• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (August 5, 2014)
• ASIN: B00HUTVG70

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency

My Rating: 4.25

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 2014

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes delivers a passionate, danger-filled Regency romance...

The past will overtake him...

Abandoned in France since boyhood, despite being heir to an English barony, Sebastian St. Clair makes impossible choices to survive a tour of duty in the French Army. He returns to England hoping for the peaceful life of a country gentleman, though old enemies insist on challenging him on the field of honor, one after another.

But this time, he will not fight alone...

Millicent Danforth desperately needs her position as companion to the Traitor Baron's aunt, but grieves to learn that Sebastian must continually fight a war long over. As Sebastian and Milly explore their growing passion, they uncover a plot that will cost Sebastian his life and his honor, unless he does battle once more-this time in the name of love.

Review:
Millie has become a companion to Lady Frederica in order to get away from her own cousins who would use her as a servant or marry her off to a man she doesn’t enjoy. Lady Frederica is a fierce, eccentric and determined woman who loves her nephew, the ‘Traitor’ Baron, Sebastian St. Clair.

Sebastian has had a difficult life. As a young English lad he was taken by his parents to visit France and remained there with his mother when the truce ended. He was abandoned to be raised by his French grandparents when his mother died. During the war he found himself in the position of an inquisitor, interrogating captive British officers. Rather than have the officers killed at the torturous hands of his superior, Sebastian found painfully creative methods of obtaining secrets and managed to arrange for their ransom to freedom.

Now that Sebastian has returned to the company of his aunt and his lands in England, he finds he has no peace and his life is in danger. He is continually challenged by British officers who scorn him as the “Traitor” Baron.

As a man who tends to view the world in terms of military strategy, Sebastian finds Millie to be a breath of fresh air. He recognizes that she too has had a lonely childhood and a difficult secret. He patiently helps her face her problem but he dare not pursue a relationship with her considering the guilt and dangers from his past.

Millie is willing to help Sebastian face his own dark nightmares but she believes she is unworthy to be his Baroness, even if he was willing to consider a relationship. After all, what nobleman would want an uneducated woman as a wife?

I loved the flawed and vulnerable characters of Millie and Sebastian and I loved how they helped each other find their own strengths. Their conflicts, the military allegories, and the underlying danger, make for a finely choreographed dance to romance.

Beyond the romance there is the puzzle of the threats to Sebastian’s life creates an interesting mystery. The story has a good hook and although the early pacing was on the slow side it seemed fitting for the difficult time of putting war behind and starting a new life. The word I noted for the atmosphere is “mellow”.

I am sorry I missed the first book in this series which I will have to get. I really appreciate the fine characters and engaging plots that Ms. Burrows continues to share with her readers. There is always a rich background of history underlying weave of mystery and well defined characters that are packaged into a reliably engaging romance.

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

The sort of ironic nuance I really enjoyed:

He’d asked her for a single rose, and she had flung an entire bouquet at him.
...
And each of her roses came with thorns. [Location 2775-2777.]

I received this ebook from Sourcebooks through NetGalley.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Lady Jenny's Christmas Portrait by Grace Burrows

This is a charming, colorful Regency that is rich in theme and presentation.
Lady Jenny's Christmas Portrait 
by Grace Burrowes

• Series: Windham Series
• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 24, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140226383X

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
A freshly wrapped Regency Christmas romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes.

What Lady Jenny wants for Christmas...
For Christmas, soft-spoken Lady Jenny Windham craves the freedom to pursue her artistic ambitions, though it will mean scandalizing her ducal parents and abandoning all hope of a family of her own. She confides her plans to successful artist Elijah Harrison when he's commissioned to paint a portrait of her small nephews, because assisting Elijah will bring Jenny that much closer to her heart's desire--won't it?

...Will break both their hearts
Elijah Harrison finds in his unlikely assistant not only an inspiring muse and unappreciated talent, but also a lovely and passionate woman. If Elijah supports Jenny's career, his own professional interests will suffer, but more significantly, he will lose Jenny forever. Both Jenny and Elijah must choose between true love and a lifelong dream.

Review:
Lady Jenny isn’t prepared to resign herself to becoming the eccentric maiden aunt of her family. They already are passing her from household to household to keep her busy. Meanwhile she sketches and paints while they scoff at her art because noble ladies, much like noble men, are not to engage in or be serious about pursuits like art. Jenny has decided that, even though it will be hard to leave her family behind, she will go to Paris after Christmas so that she can study art and seek respect for her talent.

Elijah Harrison is a well respected artist who has accepted a commission to do a portrait of Lady Jenny’s nephews. He hopes the juvenile portrait will be a success that will finally earn him a spot in the prestigious Royal Academy for the Arts. Then he can return home and show his titled father that his art isn’t a frivolous waste of time. Elijah is surprised to discover that Jenny loves art as much as he does but she is stifled by a family that has not shown appreciation for her talent. He thinks her work is amazing for an untrained artist and he finds her a delightful help working with the young boys and then again with her own parents. It is only Elijah’s long years of discipline that help him control his attractions to her as they work side by side sharing critiques and advise.

Jenny is thrilled to be working with Elijah who can understand her passion for art and her frustrations with her family. They soon begin to share a passionate attraction beyond their painting talent and Jenny is willing to push Elijah to explore that. Elijah has a high sense of honor but he is hard pressed to deny Jenny her dreams, even if it means letting her go to Paris when he really wants to keep her by his side.

I enjoyed the strong passionate spirits yet gentle love between these characters. I liked how their struggle and conflicts with familial issues and approval have impacted the decisions that have placed them where they are and direct the plans they are each making. The conflict kept me interested to see how it would get resolved.

I think this could be read as a stand alone but the reader might miss the richness of the preceeding stories for the family memebers.  I enjoyed the input of characters from earlier books. Burrowes consistently provides strong characters, good conflict and suitable charm. Although the beginning of this book seemed to be moving slowly, I discovered that the pacing suited the story. The writing is not rushed but paints a beautiful story, rich with the colors, textures and smells of the artists which made it vivid and a delight to read.

Enjoy this descriptive warmth as Jenny realizes that Ethan truly cares about her feelings:

   He was worried about her.
   Outside, the day was dreary, a winter morning making little effort to shrug off a blanket of clouds. Inside Jenny's heart, a rainbow sprang up, bright and warm.   Page 114.

I received this title from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.  

 For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest; Comment on the review OR Tell me if you have a favorite story by Grace Burrowes OR share why you would like to read this title.

* This contest is open to those with U.S. addresses only..
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 22, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED after November 22, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Sourcebooks and Grace Burrowes eReaders and More Giveaways in August!

I'm sharing this news in from Sourcebooks:

 

All month long, Sourcebooks and Grace Burrowes are going a little crazy with giveaways in honor of her latest Scottish Victorian Romance: ONCE UPON A TARTAN. It officially hits stores next Tuesday, but we’re getting things started August 1, which will start a full month of all things tartan and chances to win some great prizes.

Additionally—this week, The Bridegroom Wore Plaid is FREE in the iBookstore, as Apple’s Book of the Week. This price is also being matched at other online retailers (this is for the eBook only), and will only last until August 5. The Bridegroom Wore Plaid was a PW Best Book of 2012 in the romance category, and is the first book in Grace’s MacGregor Series.

 

THE ONCE UPON A TARTAN eREADER EXTRAVAGANZA!

For the first two weeks of August, Grace Burrowes is giving away one brand new eReader per day! That’s 10 eReaders, 10 Blogs, a different giveaway each day during the work week, August 5-9 and 12-16! Grace is giving away:

·         Four Kindle Paperwhite 3Gs

·         Four Nook HDs

·         One Nook Color

·         One iPad

Check the full schedule below to find out where you can enter to win your very own eReader (Open to US and Canada only)!

THE MACGREGOR SERIES PRINT BOOK GIVEAWAYS

Digital Reading not your thing? For the entire MONTH of August, each day (during the work week) a different blog will host a giveaway of print copies of The Bridegroom Wore Plaid and Once Upon a Tartan! This is a great opportunity for a chance to start the series from the beginning, and win two books (open to US and Canada only). The full schedule is below!

We are so looking forward to celebrating the release of this New York Times and USA Today bestselling author’s new book—we hope to see you along the way!

The Once Upon a Tartan eReader Extravaganza Schedule

8/5 RTBookReviews.com: Kindle Paperwhite

8/6 All About Romance: Nook HD

8/7 Delighted Reader: Kindle Paperwhite

8/8 Night Owl Reviews: Nook HD

8/9 Book Lovers Inc.: Kindle Paperwhite

Weekend

8/12 Discover a New Love: Nook Color

8/13 Book Savvy Babe: Nook HD

8/14 Jaunty Quills: Kindle Paperwhite

8/15 Fresh Fiction: Nook HD

8/16 Her Grace Notes: iPad

The MacGregor Series Print Book Giveaway Schedule

8/1 Book Hounds

8/2 RomFan Reviews     

weekend                             

8/5 In the Hammock

8/6 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

8/7 Manga Maniac Café

8/8 What's on the Bookshelf

8/9 The Royal Reviews  

weekend                             

8/12 Joan Swan's Blog

8/13 Cocktails and Books

8/14 Romancing the Book

8/15 Ramblings from this Chick

8/16 Books-n-Kisses

weekend                             

8/19 Anna's Book Blog

8/20 The Book Girl

8/21 The Reading Café

8/22 Seductive Musings

8/23 Peeking Between the Pages

weekend                             

8/26 Love Romance Passion

8/27 So Many Precious Books, So Little Time      

8/28 Thoughts in Progress

8/29 Debbie's Book Bag

8/30 Linus' Blanket

ONCE UPON A TARTAN BY GRACE BURROWES – IN STORES AUGUST 2013

Honor or happiness—he can’t have both.

Tiberius Flynn may be every inch an English lord, but smart, headstrong beauty Hester Daniels has no use for his high-handed ways--no matter how handsome, charming, or beguiling he is. They only see eye to eye in caring about the feisty little girl who is under their protection.

Tiberius's haughty insistence that his wealthy estate in England is a better place for the child than her beloved, rundown Scotland home sparks Hester's fierce protectiveness, and the battle lines are drawn.

Praise for Once Upon a Tartan:

“Burrowes creates a powerful story replete with heartfelt emotion and rich characterization... An instant keeper.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ stars, Top Pick of the Month

“Expert prose, likeable characters, realistic relationships, and believable complications create a pleasant and satisfying keeper.” —Publishers Weekly

“Warmth, sensuality, and humor infuse Burrowes’ writing, and fans of Suzanne Enoch and Sarah MacLean should enjoy this series.” —Booklist

“Grace Burrowes weaves her magic with words... a memorable love story—excellent and exquisite.” — A Long and Short Reviews Best Book

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes is the author of the acclaimed Windham Family Series, The MacGregor Trilogy and The Lonely Lords Series. Her debut novel, The Heir (2010), as well as The Bridegroom Wore Plaid (2012) were both included as Publishers Weekly Best Books of their respective years, in the romance category. A practicing attorney specializing in family law, Grace lives in rural Maryland, where she is working on the final book in the Windham series, Lady Jenny’s Christmas Portrait (October 2013) and third MacGregor story, The MacGregor’s Lady (February 2014), and many more books. Visit her website at www.graceburrowes.com for more information about all of her books, exclusive extras and her lively blog.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Lady Eve's Indiscretion by Grace Burrowes

This is a delightful romance, filled with horse knowledge as a bonus!
Lady Eve's Indiscretion
by Grace Burrowes

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 5, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402263805
• ISBN-13: 978-1402263804

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Release date: February 5, 2013
"Burrowes delivers red-hot chemistry with a masterful mix of playfulness and sensuality."—Publishers Weekly Starred Review
Lady Eve's Got The Perfect Plan
Pretty, petite Evie Windham has been more indiscreet than her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Moreland, suspect. Fearing that a wedding night would reveal her past, she's running out of excuses to dodge adoring swains. Lucas Denning, the newly titled Marquis of Deene, has reason of his own for avoiding marriage. So Evie and Deene strike a deal, each agreeing to be the other's decoy. At this rate, matrimony could be avoided indefinitely...until the two are caught in a steamy kiss that no one was supposed to see.

Review:
Lady Eve loved horses and the stable as a young girl. She soaked up knowledge about horses and developed a touch for them. Her family recognized her special gift with the horses but they realize that a scoundrel stablehand was romancing her. The demeaning experience at age sixteen left her feeling ruined. To make matters worse she suffered a terrible tumble from her horse as she escaped the rogue. The doctors said she wouldn’t walk again but Eve proved them wrong. However, she hasn’t touched a horse since and she is determined that she can never marry because of the secret she has never revealed.

Eve’s parents have set their sights to find good mates for Eve and her younger sister. Eve has always had attentive suitors but has managed to dodge them. Now she may have to select an appropriate, suitable, but disinterested mate.

Lucas, the new Marquis of Deene, is the last of his line except for an older cousin who has served as the family steward for years. Neither of them is particularly interested in siring heirs but the duty must be done. Lucas is resigned to marrying but his real interest is on thwarting his low brow, Irish brother-in-law, Dolan, and getting custody of his niece. Lucas believes that his sister was forced into an unwanted marriage and that Dolan is responsible for her death.

Lucas has always been friends with Eve’s brothers and is inclined to keep an eye out for her welfare. He steps in to deflect a few arduous suitors and offers a deal to Eve. He’ll help her find an appropriate mate and she can fill him in on the suitability of the marriageable ladies. They begin to spend time together, both trying to forget, but actually wondering, about the delicious kiss they once shared under the mistletoe.

Surprisingly Lucas abruptly gets Evie to take the reins of his curricle. Then he lures her to his stable to meet his prize stallion. Eve helps to deliver a foal and Lucas’ admiration for the petite, strong woman grows. Eve initially refuses Lucas’ kind proposal of marriage.  She wants a ‘white’ marriage with no intimacy and he needs an heir.

An unexpected visit catches them in a compromising situation and forces marriage on them. Once they are together Eve’s feelings begin to grow but she fears that Lucas will reject her if he discovers her secrets. Meanwhile Lucas is keeping secrets of his own and the discovery will cause trouble for their budding marriage.

I enjoyed the reluctant romance of these two characters. It is hard to fully appreciate Eve’s trauma but it makes sense from her societal view. Lucas is an absolute gem in his handling of Eve. Their biggest obstacle is failing to be truthful as they enter into the marriage. There is a bit of intrigue and wonderful horse racing to flush out the plot. I loved the wealth of horse knowledge shared through the story. Ms. Burrowes’ writing is as lively, warm and delightful as always. If you love horses and are a fan of historical romance I encourage you to read this story and more in the series.

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

Lucas is thrilled with Eve’s success:

When she was ebullient, when she was in roaring good spirits with her recent accomplishment, kissing her was... beyond description. Her confidence pulled him in; her joy pulled him under. Page 186.

Eve knows there is trouble in not trusting:

She fell silent. The word trust was too explosive, a Congreve rocket of issues lay therein, and not all on Deene’s side of the marriage.  Page 353.

I received this book from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR ARC COPY.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada Only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 22, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on March 23, 2013.
Winners are asked to respond by email or the linked winners form within 72 hours of the announcement.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight by Grace Burrowes

This is a delightful story and a great way to start my 2012 Christmas reads. :-)

Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight
by Grace Burrowes

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (October 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402268637
• ISBN-13: 978-1402268632

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description;
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Praise for RITA-nominated Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish: "An extraordinary, precious, unforgettable holiday story."—RT Book Reviews, 4½ stars, Top Pick of the Month, Best Historical Romance, RT Book Reviews 2011 Reviewers' Choice Awards 'Tis the Season for Scandal... Years ago Lady Louisa Windham acted rashly on a dare from her brother, and that indiscretion is about to come to light. She knows her reputation will never survive exposure. Just as she's nearly overwhelmed by her dilemma, Sir Joseph Carrington offers himself to her as a solution... But Sir Joseph has secrets as well, and as he and Louisa become entangled with each other, their deceptions begin to close in on them both...

Review:
Lady Louisa is the eighth of ten Windham siblings. The pressure is on for her to marry so her  younger sisters can find their mates. But Louisa has never been a ‘debutante’ type. She is more of a blue-stocking with her love of languages and ability to do complex math in her head. Louisa fears that a youthful indiscretion will bring scandal to those she loves.  Her older brothers are aware of the problem and are all quietly helping to gather and hide the evidence of her folly.

Sir Joseph is a wounded, honorable knight. He is a humble man who is happy  raising pigs and reciting poetry to his favorite, Lady Ophelia. Sir Joseph is in line to inherit a title which he’d like to refuse as he doesn’t want the extra responsibilities and obligations. Besides he already has his share of secret obligations. But Sir Joseph recognizes that it is time to find a wife to guide his sweet little girls who tend to baffle him.

Louisa and Joseph discover they enjoy each other’s company as they travel to London for the holiday festivities. They gently step in to protect each other from unwanted companions or embarrassing social circumstances.  Although Sir Joseph rescues Louisa from an unwanted compromising attack she still faces society scandal. He finds that he is pleased to propose a more permanent solution to her marital choices.

Louisa and Joseph discover a wonderful passion together but someone is sending each threatening notes to reveal their secrets. They are both insecure of the other’s feelings and they are frightened of the consequences of having to disclose their secrets.  Will their new found affection be able to survive their secrets?

These are two wonderful characters - an extremely intelligent and warm woman and a wounded war hero who is a romantic with a soft heart. The plot is sweet with conflicts, sensual tension and fear of exposure of their secrets. I love how Louisa’s parents and all of her siblings are willing to find ways to help her.  Sir Joseph is a perfect romantic knight sidling in champion Louisa. Grace Burrowes writes delightful historic romance and this entire series is wonderful. I look forward to the next stories. If you haven’t tried her books yet, this is a lovely one to pick up for Christmas cheer.

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

Louisa’s father contemplates his daughters:

His Grace loved his five adult daughters and would cheerfully have died to protect them, but as for understanding them... He might as well have tried to grasp the mental processes of... another species entirely.  Page 37.

Sir Joseph describes his girls to Louisa, giving her a compliment in the process:

“Their little minds are at once devious and innocent.  They can be obvious in their emotions and also unfathomable. They are passionate and reserved.”.... “They are already like you, my lady. They have that fascinating, unknowable quality.”  Page 67.

I received this from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit  the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 9, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 10, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway of Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish by Grace Burrowes

More than a wish - if you like infants and sweet domesticity this is a charmer to read.
Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish

By Grace Burrowes

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (October 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402261543
• ISBN-13: 978-1402261541

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 4, 2011

"Grace Burrowes passes 'the hair rose on the back of my neck' test...{her} voice embeds itself in your brain."
-USA Today

A luminous holiday tale of romance, passion, and dreams come true from rising star Grace Burrowes, whose award-winning Regency romances are capturing hearts worldwide.

All she wants is peace and anonymity...
Lady Sophie Windham has maneuvered a few days to herself at the ducal mansion in London before she must join her family for Christmas in Kent. Suddenly trapped by a London snowstorm, she finds herself with an abandoned baby and only the assistance of a kind, handsome stranger standing between her and complete disaster.

But Sophie's holiday is about to heat up...
With his estate in ruins, Vim Charpentier sees little to feel festive about this Christmas. His growing attraction for Sophie Windham is the only thing that warms his spirits-but when Sophie's brothers whisk her away, Vim's most painful holiday memories are reawakened.

It seems Sophie's been keeping secrets, and now it will take much more than a mistletoe kiss to make her deepest wishes come true...

"Burrowes's sensual love story...rises above the crowd with deft dialogue and delightful characters."
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Review:  I loved this book!  I ooohed at the baby and ahhhed at the handsome hero who shows Sophie how to handle an infant - even to changing the nappies! I chuckled and laughed out loud at the warm antics of various characters including the snipping remarks between the big brothers.

Vim has terrible memories that keep him away from his estates. But now his elderly Uncle and Aunt have summoned him home to deal with the infirmities that they have described of each other.  When Vim sees a lovely lady struggling to calm an unhappy infant he is more than willing to offer assistance.

Lady Sophie didn’t realize that her maid has run off leaving the child, Kit, behind. She has no idea how to manage a baby.  When Mr. Charpentier steps in to instantly soothe the boy she is momentarily alarmed that a strange man has spoken to her.  She quickly realizes that she needs his help.

Sophie doesn’t tell Vim that she is the practical daughter of the Duke’s household, but lets him believe that she is merely a competent servant.  The snow keeps Vim from traveling and one day turns into another. Kit charms them both as they begin to fall under the magical spell of sharing simple domestic joys. Then they fall into a sensual pull of passion which they try to resist until Sophie decides that she can have at least part of a Christmas wish if she is bold enough.

The story is expanded with more domesticity in views of Sophie’s brothers and two sets of “parents”.  The brothers, Westhaven, the heir, St. Just, the soldier, and Val, the pianist, are warm jokesters with their different personalities. Sophie’s parents, the Duke and Duchess, are portrayed with their proper, yet warmly caring ways while they await the late arrival of their children. Vim’s Aunt and Uncle are charming with their sweet elderly eccentricities and mischief as they also await the late arrival of their beloved nephew and heir.

An example of the humor can be seen in this scene:
Vim has finally left to travel home. Sophie’s three brothers have arrived to find her in a rather somber mood with an infant on her hands. They are also discovering evidence that someone else has been in the house with Sophie. As Sophie pauses to make an explanation the back door slams and they hear:
“Sophie, love! I’m back. Come here and let me kiss you senseless, and then, by God, we’re going to talk.”
Vim rounds the corner to find her three brothers glowering at him!  Oooops!

Sophie and Vim each think they do not have a future together. Yet they revel in the warm sensual feelings growing between them even knowing they will hurt when they part. Burrowes has another winner with this completely delightful story.  Having enjoyed three of the siblings’ stories in this wonderful series I will have to get Val’s story, The Virtuoso, too.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Review and Giveaway: The Soldier by Grace Burrowes

A richly emotional story.

The Soldier by Grace Burrowes

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (June 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140224567X
• ISBN-13: 978-1402245671

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Product Description
Even in the quiet countryside he can find no peace...

His idyllic estate is falling down from neglect and nightmares of war give him no rest. Then Devlin St. Just meets his new neighbor...

Until his beautiful neighbor ignites his imagination...

With her confident manner hiding a devastating secret, his lovely neighbor commands all of his attention, and protecting Emmaline becomes Deviln's most urgent mission.

Review: This is a delightfully engaging story.
Devlin St. Just, an elder son born out of wedlock to a Duke, returns home from the Peninsular war as a heroic but traumatized soldier. He has been awarded a title along with the estate of Rosecroft. While  inspecting the dilapidated lands he is confronted by a dirty but fearless child who demands that he ‘go away’.  Devlin bribes the child into the house for clean up and feeding only to discover that it is a young girl, Winnie. Next thing he knows, a lovely young lady charges in seeking the wandering waif.

Emmaline says she is the only living relative, a cousin, and unofficial guardian of the child who is the illegitimate daughter of the late earl. Emmie tries to take care of the child while she struggles to support herself by baking for the community. Emmie has a history of bad experience with men and is prepared for Devlin to be a barbarian. 

Devlin decides to provide a home and training for Winnie and offers to have Emmie serve as governess until another can be hired. Emmie moves into the estate bringing her bakery talents to the big kitchen. As everyone tries to settle into the new arrangements a soft dance of awareness  begins between Devlin and Emmie.  Each thinks the other is indifferent to their scents and touches, but steadily the attraction draws them together. Devlin thinks Emmie is keeping her distance because she wouldn’t want him with his war trauma. Emmie is set on leaving Winnie so that the child can have a better life - even if it breaks Emmie’s heart... not to mention the devastation to Winnie. A surprise from Devlin’s past brings understanding to the situation.

The characters struggle to balance independence, reliance and loneliness. The author deals sensitively with the Post Traumatic Stress from  Devlin’s war memories. She also gives surprising insight into the damage that war does to innocent children. The writing is smooth and easy to read.

My favorite lines from this book are the ending paragraph which is quite remarkable. Since I don’t want to list that as a spoiler, I will share this quote:
“You lose the worst memories,” Emmie said slowly, “and you lose memories of survival; forget them, and survival loses some of its meaning.” Page 183.

Three word description: Charming, elegant, tender.

xxx

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review and for providing TWO copies  for Giveaway!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Comment on the Author's Interview for TWO entries.
Please leave your e-mail!

2. Complete the Author's sentence at Interview Q10 for TWO more entries.

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.

(Seven total entries possible.)
It isn't 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 June 24, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.  TWO WINNERS!

Q&A Interview with Grace Burrowes, Author of The Soldier

Please help me to welcome author Grace Burrowes to Martha's Bookshelf today.

First let me say Congratulations on the success of your debut novel, The Heir, which has reached #31 on The New York Times eBook Fiction Bestseller List! That is a great achievement.

Q1.  I'm always interested to discover the story behind the story. Where did the inspiration for The Heir and The Soldier come from?

Grace: Thanks for the congrats! Making any list, much less THAT list caught me completely by surprise. As for The Heir and The Soldier…. There I was, minding my own business, scribbling away on the story of Douglas, Lord Amery and his dear Guinevere, and a complication popped up in the person of our own Gayle, the Earl of Westhaven. As readers know, Gayle was at one time engaged to Gwen, though that’s a story for another day. When I’d completed Gwen and Douglas’ manuscript, Gayle stuck in my mind—a younger son headed for the law, having to step into the role of heir while the family finances were in serious disarray and the Duke of Moreland yammers ceaselessly about holy matrimony… A good looking, single fellow with that many problems must be in want of a romance novel.

And again, I was minding my own business, scribbling away at Anna and Westhaven’s little book, and lo, out of the early morning mists of Hyde Park, comes this other fellow on his steed, none other than Devlin St. Just. Did anybody tell me Westhaven had an older half-brother? No, they did not. Am I complaining? No, I am not, but I am a little curious to know what other details this family is holding back on me and my readers.

Q2.  When you do a series do you have each book plotted out before you start the first one or do the subsequent books flow from the first book?

Grace: As is likely apparent from the foregoing, I am a victim of a mischievous imagination. Even for the books where I think I have the plot’s architecture figured out, I get thrown curve balls.

Q3.  Is there an ancillary character in your books that you had a lot or fun with? Might they appear in a future book?

Grace: Better to ask if there’s an ancillary character who isn’t going to appear in a future book! I was a little worried about Morgan, the hearing-impaired younger sister of the heroine in The Heir, because she had a significant crush on Lord Val even though she’s too young for him (at seventeen). Lately she has seen fit to admit this and a more suitable fellow has dropped into her life.

Valentine, of course, gets the next book. Douglas (Lord Amery), Heathgate, Greymoor, Viscount Fairly, Hadrian Bothwell, and a score of others all have books at least drafted, as do three of the Windham sisters.

Q4.  What would you say makes a romance novel a great love story?

Grace: Romance novels are essentially stories of courage and perseverance. It takes buckets and buckets of courage to trust another person, to become vulnerable to them and to accept their trust and vulnerability in return. In most novels, this already rocky relationship road gets further complicated by serious external problems, so when the happily ever after arrives, the characters have had to suffer—but suffer productively—to win through. We all want to know we’re lovable, we all want to know our suffering isn’t pointless. Romance novels that are well written address these fundamental needs.

Q5.  In your previous guest post you shared an interesting research tidbit about sidesaddles. Would you please share another surprising thing about your experience writing these books, or about your research?

Grace: OK, you asked for it: I toured a house in Edinburgh preserved as its wealthy owners furnished it circa 1811. Right there in the dining room, on a lower shelf of the gorgeous sideboard where all the food would be displayed, was a lovely old chamber pot. It had a special little niche where it sat until the ladies would withdraw, and the gentlemen would heed nature’s call while the port was passed around. I’d thought this practice was reserved for drunken lords of Georgian years, but I was wrong.

Q6.  Is any of your writing from your own experiences or is it completely your imagination?

Grace: This is an interesting question, because the grist for the imaginative mill is directly or indirectly my experiences. I love to bake, for example, so when Emmie punches down bread dough, I know exactly how that sounds, feels, and smells. I’ve done a lot of horseback riding, and I have a degree in music. (Westhaven is nudging me to also admit I’m a lawyer.) But I’ve never been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, never tried to parent a child I wasn’t related to, never fired a gun at anything living. I guess it’s a mix.

Q7.  Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?

Grace: Absolutely.  As noted above, I rode, I played the piano, and so forth. Then too, as a lawyer, I deal daily with unsalvageable relationships. It’s gratifying to be able as an author to take a relationship that appears to be in dire straits and have everything come up roses for the characters. 

 

Q8.  When you get time to read what authors do you read?

Grace: JR Ward, Mary Balogh, Loretta Chase, Robin Kaye, Carolyn Jewel, Sophia Nash, Meredith Duran, Julia Quinn, Julia Ann Long… so many books, so little time!

Q9.  What do you hope your readers get out of your books?

Grace: A few hours of entertainment, a smile and a sigh, a way to forget whatever mundane sand is getting into their gears so life doesn’t feel quite as burdensome.

Q10.   If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

Grace: Gads… How about, once upon a time there was handsome swain minding his own business, and along came….

Thank you for taking time to share. And thanks for writing wonderfully entertaining books.

THE SOLDIER BY GRACE BURROWES—

IN STORES JUNE 2011

Even in the quiet countryside he can find no peace...

His idyllic estate is falling down from neglect and nightmares of war give him no rest. Then Devlin St. Just meets his new neighbor...

Until his beautiful neighbor ignites his imagination...

With her confident manner hiding a devastating secret, his lovely neighbor commands all of his attention, and protecting Emmaline becomes Deviln’s most urgent mission.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace Burrowes is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of The Heir, also a 2010 Publishers Weekly Book of the Year. She is a practicing attorney specializing in family law and lives in rural Maryland, where she is working on the next books chronicling the loves stories of the Windham family. Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish will be in stores in October 2011, and The Virtuoso will be in stores in November 2011, with more to come in 2012!  For more information, please visit www.graceburrowes.com. 

For a chance to win a copy of this AWESOME book - check my Review and Giveaway Post.

Guest Post - Research Tidbits by Grace Burrowes

Grace Burrowes Guest Blog, Author of The Heir

I was warned that the best, most fascinating research results are invariably the ones you can’t really use in your book. In one of my books, I’m going to find a way to show the grooms prancing around on the ladies’ mounts sidesaddle, because this was apparently not an unusual practice. This interesting little tidbit was unable to make it into my debut release, The Heir (in stores this month).

The whole business of riding sidesaddle intrigues me. So much of riding is based on balance and on correcting the asymmetries we carry around as a function of posture and minor congenital anomalies. Who decided it would be a good idea for women to ride like this and would we have put up with it for so long if it weren’t so lovely to behold?

I learned that sidesaddles have never been mass produced, but rather, to this day are built one at time, usually to the exact measurements of the prospective owner. While the sources conflict, some claim a wealthy woman would own two saddles, one built to the left, one to the right so she might alternate to keep her fundament from becoming lopsided. This would require two riding habits as well, since the wrap of the skirt is designed to maximize both modesty and maneuverability.

I also learned that proper etiquette is for the gentleman who gives a lady a leg up to arrange her skirts for her. This is a matter of safety, since the lady might be occupied with managing a lively horse, while her skirts were yet tangled with her boots and stirrup. No doubt, this was the motivation for all those Regency swains to assist their ladies into the saddle.

Riding sidesaddle required a fair amount of skill for the rider and some special training for the horse. As a matter of comfort, a sidesaddle mount would usually be ridden only at the walk or the canter, since posting the trot is made difficult by the construction of the horns the lady hooks her legs around. I’ve been told the convention among the wealthy was that only women rode mares, though a woman might ride a gelding but a man would seldom ride a mare. (I have flouted this convention in more than one book, because good mares are too wonderful to be limited to only the ladies.)

But how was a lady’s horse to be kept in condition if she couldn’t ride for a period of time? The grooms rode the animal, sometimes with a conventional saddle, but also occasionally in the side saddle. There are specific cues for sidesaddle equitation, with the lady’s whip taking the place of her second leg, and the horse must be trained to comprehend those cues. The grooms would also be responsible for this training and for teaching the animal to carry its rider in a side saddle in the first place.

Finally, I came across a piece of side saddle lore that says only royalty rides to the right, while the rest of us ride to the left. On a recent trip to London I toured Buckingham Palace, where the sidesaddle Queen Elizabeth II rode in to view the Trooping of the Colour was on display.

Her Majesty, at least, rode to the left… Now how do I get that into a book?

THE HEIR BY GRACE BURROWES – IN STORES DECEMBER 2010

An Earl Who Can’t Be Bribed…

Gayle Windham, Earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the Duke of Moreland. To escape his father’s inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper.

A Lady Who Can’t Be Protected…

Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle that she works as his housekeeper.

As the two draw closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other, Anna’s secrets threaten to bring the earl’s orderly life crashing down—and he doesn’t know how he’s going to protect her from the fallout…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace Burrowes is the pen name for a prolific author of historical romances whose manuscripts have so far won, finaled, or garnered honorable mention in Romance Writers of America-run contests in Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, and Florida. Burrowes is a practicing attorney specializing in family law. She lives in rural Maryland and is working on her next book, The Soldier, set to release in July 2011. 

Thank you Grace for sharing some interesting tidbits with us today.Please see my review and Giveaway post too.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Heir by Grace Burrowes

Two words to describe this story: lush and engaging.
The Heir by Grace Burrowes

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (December 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402244347
• ISBN-13: 978-1402244346
• Price 6.99

Genre: Historical Romance - Regency
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Product Description from Sourcebook An earl who can’t be bribed...
Gayle Windham, earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the duke of Moreland. To escape his father’s inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper...

A lady who can’t be protected...
Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle Windham that she works as his housekeeper.
As the two draw closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other, Anna’s secrets threaten to bring the earl’s orderly life crashing down—and he doesn’t know how he’s going to protect her from the fallout...

Review: I really loved the deep characters, the tender romance and the voice of this story!

Westhaven is a strong primary character.  He is a staunch, British Earl/Duke to be with dedication to his business affairs and a fairly strict routine.  He seems a bit cold, almost crude, in the relationship with his mistress. But, after all, it is a business arrangement as he meets with her by appointment two days a week. He does not express his affections easily but he is deeply caring and loving to his family - except for his father pushing him to pick a bride.  His younger brother, Val, a gifted pianist, and his half brother, Dev, both end up residing with him.

Anna is a strong female character to match the Earl. She is a suburb housekeeper who goes beyond the day to day chores by adding style and personality to the house through flower arrangements, special meals and personal touches.  Her own warmth shines through in her efforts. But Anna has secrets. She is much more refined and educated than a usual housekeeper.  She is protecting another maid servant, Morgan, who is deaf and mute, and they are both hiding from something in their past.

Westhaven is planning to enjoy a quite summer but an unexpected misunderstanding gets his head bashed by his housekeeper. As Anna cares for the wounds she inflicted, he begins to notice how lovely and competent she is.  They first develop a companionable friendship which grows progressively closer.  Anna sees beyond his gruffness and soon succumbs to his gentle seduction. Although she begins to trust him with more than friendship, she continues to reject even his good intentions, as she is not willing to trust him to solve the problems of her past.  I had to agree with the Duchess’ sentiments at one point about knocking their heads together as Earl and Anna withdraw from each other for the wrong reasons.

I think the story has a wonderful depth of feeling to it from the Earl’s sternness to his edgy, almost wicked, sensual campaign, which is balanced by Anna’s lighter nature and the warmth of the family. There is a touch of legal issues which I liked too.

The writing flowed very nicely.  There is some rough language and fairly steamy sexual scenes but they seemed to fit the hero’s character and were consistent with the rich underlying passions of the protagonists. I am glad I did not get turned off  by it as the overall package was a good read.  I highly recommend this book and I hope to get to read the sequels or other works by this author.
Caution: Language and edge of erotic sexual content.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review and for providing TWO copies of The Heir for Giveaway!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY  - TWO COPIES:

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

2.  Comment on the Author's Guest Post for TWO entries.

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

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

(Seven total entries possible.)
It isn't 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 December 21, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.  TWO WINNERS!