Thank you to everyone who entered.
First I have one automatic win where the book was named four weeks in a row and no one else named it for those four weeks: Jane gets Time to Run.
Now the drawn winners:
CONGRATULATIONS
to the Winners of Friday Pick March 18, 2011
lkish77123
and
Carol M
lkish77123 chose Through the Grinder
and
Carol M chose Malice Domestic
Please email me addresses and choice of bookmarks if desired.
Sorry to be a bit late posting the winners for the Hop.
The week was a bit tight getting ready for another trip. I always feel like I have to finish all the work on my desk even though that is impossible.
Thank you to all who entered and thanks for the kind comments on the bookmarks made by my friend. She'll be making some more for a special giveaway I am having in April.
Which will prevail? Passion or moral duty and honor? Highland Heat by Mary Wine
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402237391
ISBN-13: 978-1402237393
Genre: Historical Romance My Rating: 4.0
Ruined, betrayed, and banished…
As brave as she is impulsive, Deidre Chattan’s tendency to follow her heart and not her head has finally tarnished her reputation beyond repair. But when powerful Highland Laird Quinton Cameron finds her, he could care less about her past—it’s her future he’s about to change forever…
Review: This is a solidly entertaining highland romance.
Deidre was barely a young woman when she lost her heart to a deceiving man. He proclaimed love and promised marriage but was really using her to strike out at her betrothed. Disgraced and broken hearted she goes to the convent. She tries to be content and work through her shame but it is hard to dampen a true nature of passion.
Quinton, Laird Cameron, once met Deidre and was impressed by her fiery spirit. When he meets her at the convent he immediately taunts her with suggestive teasing. She faces off with him but is unable to stop him from searching the abbey for the Queen.
Shortly after the search the Queen does seek refuge in the convent. When she meets Deidre she decides that they look enough alike to have her play decoy. The Queen offers Deidre a position as one of her Ladies in Waiting in exchange for help. Deidre sees this as a way to have a better life and a way to make her father proud of her. She helps the Queen slip off but Deidre is soon captured by Cameron’s men. They take her to Quinton thinking they have successfully delivered the Queen to him. Quinton immediately recognizes her and is pleased with his men even if they got the wrong woman.
Deidre wants to leave the Cameron clan and go to her position with the Queen but Quinton has a different idea and has no intention of allowing her out of the keep. Thus the conflict continues in their personal battle. Quinton may be able to prevail in getting Deidre to succumb to the chemistry between them but can he capture her spirit and get her to stay? Deidre has to struggle with the internal battle of desire against the need to not dishonor her father by her actions.
The dialogue is suggestive and sexy; the conflict keen and fun. There are escapes and danger and of course a passion that flares bright and hot. This has it’s own share of wisdom and I liked when Laird Douglas says to Deidre:
“We were all young and innocent once, lass.”...”Now ye understand what the world is really like. Some crumble when they kicked in the jaw, but others pick themselves up and become stronger. They take the sting and pain and use them to fortify themselves.” Page 255.
That is just the sort of person Deidre is.
The characters are very likable and this is a fast, easy read. I enjoyed this romance but give caution that there is some brash, raw language.
xxx
Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there.
Please leave your e-mail!
2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.
3. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.
(Four total entries possible.)
It is not necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on April 8, 2011. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
I am so pleased to welcome Helen Hollick for interview today at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.
Thank you so much for agreeing to share about your writing experience.
Helen: It’s my pleasure to be here!
Q1. I'm always interested to discover the story behind the story. Where did the inspiration for your historical fiction, I Am The Chosen King, come from?
Helen: The English edition of I Am the Chosen King is called Harold the King, I originally wrote it about twelve years ago – it took about a year to research and another year to write.
King Harold II died on October 14th 1066 defending England against invasion by Duke William of Normandy, and Harold is my hero.
Having finished my Arthurian Trilogy (The Kingmaking, Pendragon’s Banner and Shadow of the King) I had to decide what subject to write about next. Two things convinced me to do the Chosen King (Harold)
I went on a day trip to see the site where the Battle of Hastings took place in 1066. While walking the battlefield, going down the hill, I suddenly felt that if I turned around I would see King Harold’s army on the ridge, ready to fight.
An exhilarating but somewhat scary moment!
Shortly after, I dreamt the scene that became chapter two, where Earl Harold was riding beside the River Lea with his brothers and father and saw for the first time the woman who was to become the love of his life – Edyth Swanneck.
Well, I just had to write the novel.
I wrote the story because I was fed up with history books starting with the Norman Conquest, and the idea that the Normans were good for England. They weren’t. William had no right to the throne and Harold was our legitimate, crowned King.
I stripped the Norman version of Norman propaganda and told the story that led to the Battle of Hastings from the English point of view.
It is a novel of love and life; of battle and betrayal…. a story based on history, but with the gaps filled in by intuition, imagination and emotion.
I am also co-scriptwriter to the UK movie 1066 – which is currently in pre production – a very exciting project!
Wow - I didn't realize that about the movie and that IS definitely exciting.
Q2. Please share one surprising thing about your experience writing this book, or about your research efforts.
Helen: I had, before I started to write, intended to be more neutral about the conflict between the English and the Normans - while researching I was aware that I did not much like William, but when it came to writing his scenes, getting to know him, to live inside his skin as it were, I realized how much I utterly loath the man!
Some scenes I found hard to write as the dislike was difficult to overcome. I reckon there is something in my ancestry that makes me hate him so!
I have to say how impressed I was with the depth of the personalities. You really have a gift for that.
Q3. How does writing historical fiction (The Forever Queen and The Chosen King) compare with writing paranormal (Sea Witch and your “pirate series”)? What are the main differences, and what do these forms of writing have in common?
Helen: Oh there is one very big difference *laugh*; my hero in the Pirate Series - Jesamiah Acorne – gets to stay alive at the end of the book!
My research and style of writing is the same, although I do not go so deep with background detail with the Sea Witch Voyages, as they are more action adventure as opposed to historical fiction. I do also take a little “poetic licence” with a few facts – but that is the nice thing about writing “make believe” as opposed to “real thing”.
My sailing detail is as accurate as I can get it though, thanks to maritime author James L. Nelson who is my nautical editor.
My aim with the Sea Witch Voyages is to write an entertaining and enjoyable read, one that is a mixture of the Pirates of the Caribbean, Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series, Hornblower and Indian Jones all rolled into one – in other words a darn good, typical sailor’s yarn.
I enjoy researching and interpreting the known facts. Putting flesh and bone on the basic skeleton - the conjectured bits that join fact and fiction together – is also an enjoyable, challenge.
Interpreting why things happened, and what made people in the past do the things they did and turning those into a believable, readable novel is the skill of a writer. But, equally, I enjoy making up the pure adventure of the Sea Witch Voyages. The restrictions of sticking to fact is lifted, the freedom of sailing away with a boatload of imagination is such fun to write – and I hope, to read!.
I am also enjoying the freedom to explore my main characters in Sea Witch – especially Jesamiah and his woman, Tiola, a white witch. Because I am not restricted by their being real characters who did real things in the past I can develop them as I want…. although both of them are revealing hidden surprises as I write each new book, which is so exciting!
I see with your description of the Sea Witch series that I will have to read them. They sound lively and fun.
Q4. Do your characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?
Helen: Oh yes, very much so! As I said above, I decided to write Chosen King / Harold because of a dream. I often heard Arthur while writing thePendragon’s Banner Trilogy – and as for Jesamiah…. Well it’s quite nice knowing I have my very own eye-candy dish of a pirate standing behind my right shoulder. I often hear him laugh, and I get the occasional grumble when I’m not writing a chapter fast enough. I had the same for Arthur. Harold was more of a patient gentleman though. All I had from him was a polite reminding cough when the writing was going too slow. Me? A demented scribbler? Never!
Ha! I can just picture them over your shoulder now!
Q5. Do you have any rituals that help you get in the mood to sit down and write?
I can’t write if something needs doing – I can’t concentrate if I know I have something like these blog questions to answer, for instance. So I usually get “work” done first in the day then settle down to write, research or edit in the afternoon or evening.
That sounds like a nice plan. I always seem to be doing my blog "work" at night.
Q6. Do any of your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing? (Do you include any of your animals?)
Helen: I’ve often based scenes with horses on my own and my daughter’s horses. In Chosen King, Edyth Swanneck’s pony trips and she tumbles off. That is very much from life! The cats and dogs that appear are based on experience as well – in Shadow of the King a dog falls over a waterfall; that really happened to our dog, Nesta, just as it was written.
I find some of your scenes seem so real that it doesn't surprise me they might be based on real personal happenings.
Q7. Which do you find is most important to you as a writer, voice or story? Why?
Helen: Oh story I think. Why? Because as a reader I have always found the story to be important – the escapism into the depth of the tale, the excitement of what is going to happen in the next chapter or at the end.
A book is a door into another world; if the story fails to grab the imagination and propel you through that door for five minutes, an hour – several hours, then the book isn’t doing what it should be doing: transporting you to “elsewhere”.
Very well said. I love to escape into another world in my reading!
Q8. What do you hope your readers get out of your books?
Helen: I very much hope they get the same enjoyment as I did in writing them. My main characters are my friends, to me they are not just people from the past or make believe pirates. They exist – not on this plain, maybe, but they do exist.
I hope readers fall in love with my heroes, detest the bad guys, shout with laughter at the amusing bits, and weep tears at the sad scenes.
I am not too much of a weeper but I dreaded reading the end of Chosen King because I knew I would be crying.
Q9. Are you likely to wake in the middle of the night with a fantastic idea for a character or a plot? And what do you do when you wake up like that?
Helen: Often, although I get most of my ideas in the shower; must be the swirl of ozone triggering the little grey cells, (as Poirot calls them)!
I’ve a pretty good memory for my plot and story, so I usually remember. I have been known to get up at some unmentionable hour and start writing though, or sit here at my desk not realizing that it is two in the afternoon and I am still only draped in a towel and my hair has long since dried beyond combing!
Oops. I hope you don't get unexpected visitors at the door in that condition. :-)
Q10. How involved do you get in and do you enjoy doing the promotion side of selling the book to the public?
Helen: I am very involved with promotion, especially for the Sea Witch Voyages, as for those I am only with a small independent publishing house in the UK and they do not have the huge resources of Sourcebooks Inc.
I thoroughly enjoy “chatting” to and meeting people on Facebook and Twitter. I have made many new friends because of my books through the Internet – and that is just so fantastic! It’s nice to know that people are out there reading my books and falling head over heels for my hero, but it’s even nicer making new, interesting, lovely friends. I am so, so lucky!
Promoting isn't always easy and it is wonderful that you enjoy the sharing with your audience.
Q11. What was the first book you ever read OR what books made you want to be a writer?
Helen: The first book I can remember was one of the Little Grey Rabbit books by Alison Uttley. I remember coming out of the library clutching it so tightly because it was one I hadn’t read (or had read to me) I was about 4. The books that made me want to write were a series of pony books by Ruby Fergusson – and Rosemary Sutcliff’s fabulous Roman Britain stories. Her way with words is just breathtaking.
Those are all new to me and I may just have to look them up. Maybe read Little Grey Rabbit to my granddaughter.
Q12. What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?
Helen: I am currently working my way through C. W, Gortner’s historical novels; TV I watch very little of, but I enjoy good quiz shows, Foyle’s War, Morse and Lewis. I usually have Mike Oldfield on the stereo, especially Tubular Bells II & III, and his Music of the Spheres. I also listen to the soundtrack from Master and Commander and Last of the Mohicans when I’m writing. Very evocative (and my favourite movies).
I love the music from Last of the Mohicans too. I think it is haunting.
Q13. What is something unique about you that you would share with your readers?
Helen: Gosh, giving away my secrets here! Of an evening, when it has turned dark I like plugging in the lights that are out in the garden (yard) just beyond my office window. They are Christmas outdoor lights really, all in a lovely royal blue. I also often light a few candles. Its so relaxing to have these twinkling away while I’m writing.
There you go - a dreamy setting for other world writing.
Q14. If you could have the readers finish a sentence, what would it be??
Helen: Harold slowly looked up, it was an effort, for he was so angry, so very angry with being betrayed…..
The year is 1066. Earl Harold Godwineson of Wessex is lawfully chosen and crowned by the English Lords as King of England - for there is no-one else with the ability to defend the land against the threat of conquest by Duke William of Normandy.
Power and Passion, Love; Loyalty and lust for a throne - One Kingdom, Two Men, One Crown
Review: I have to say that I was a bit overwhelmed as I finished this book because I found it to be so emotionally gripping.
The book blurb and the video stress the year 1066 but that is actually the very last part of this book. This wonderful story and covers the years from 1043 leading up to 1066 where it culminates with the brutal and devastating Battle of Hastings where the English Army under King Harold II battles the Duke of Normandy who had invaded England intent on taking the crown.
There were times I had a hard time putting the book down as I was so absorbed in the lives of the characters. Earl Harold is a warm, loving husband (although lovely wife of 20 years is a handfasted wife) and loving father. He is also a strong warrior and intelligent diplomatic leader. The book portrays his growth from a sensitive young man to a a respected leader who is chosen as King, not so much by his ambition but by his dedication to duty and love of country.
Duke William is also portrayed as he matures. His childhood is effected by his illegitimacy which leads to his becoming a cold and harsh leader. He ruthlessly claims and controls Normandy and then sets his sights on the English Crown. He is a man who would rather wipe out a town than offer terms of surrender. Most of his lords are loyal out of fear and intimidation. Although he develops a special relationship with his wife, Mathilda, who is a remarkably strong and astute woman, William has little time or affection to spare anyone else, even his children.
The story is full of men (and women) fighting for power with jealousies, unreasonable expectations and betrayals. King Edward is a loved king but a weak ruler. He has an acrimonious relationship with his very strong mother, Emma, (The Forever Queen) and a cold relationship with his wife, Edith who is Harold’s sister. Edith eventually learns how to insinuate her counsel on Edward but, in concert with another brother, Tostig, she is greedy, cruel and overly ambitious without considering the consequences for those around them.
The family dynamics are quite interesting and the constant jostling and battling for favor and position gives one pause to think how difficult it would be to live under such conditions. The writing is rich and descriptive of the countryside, the buildings, the weather and the people. Most importantly the author does an absolutely fabulous job of weaving the lives, loves, ambitions and personalities of the characters so they become alive to the reader. I was surprised that this read faster than I expected. I did however dread reading the last 50 or so pages as I was so caught up in Harold’s life that I did not want to face the ending I knew was coming: that fateful 1066 Battle of Hastings. If you love a truly rich historical that you can become immersed in I highly recommend this series.
xxx
If you missed it - here is the link to my review of The Forever Queen.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review.
This giveaway is limited to US entries because of the weight of the book. TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:
1.Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you find there.
Please leave your e-mail!
3. For and extra entry answer the Question posed by the Author at Q.14.
4. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.
5. 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 only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on April 8, 2011. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
.
by Mary Wine
Helen: The English edition of I Am the Chosen King
is called Harold the King
, I originally wrote it about twelve years ago – it took about a year to research and another year to write.
, Pendragon’s Banner
and Shadow of the King
) I had to decide what subject to write about next. Two things convinced me to do the Chosen King (Harold)
and The Chosen King) compare with writing paranormal (Sea Witch and your “pirate series”)? What are the main differences, and what do these forms of writing have in common?
My research and style of writing is the same, although I do not go so deep with background detail with the Sea Witch
Voyages, as they are more action adventure as opposed to historical fiction. I do also take a little 
“poetic licence” with a few facts – but that is the nice thing about writing “make believe” as opposed to “real thing”. 
Helen: I’ve often based scenes with horses on my own and my daughter’s horses. In Chosen King, Edyth 
Swanneck’s pony trips and she tumbles off. That is very much from life! The cats and dogs that appear are based on experience as well – in Shadow of the King
Helen: I am very involved with promotion, especially for the Sea Witch Voyages, as for those I am only 
with a small independent publishing house in the UK and they do not have the huge resources of Sourcebooks Inc.
