BBAW Interview Exchange

I hope you have noticed that we are celebrating Book Blogger Appreciation Week this week! My interview partner was Evelyn at Evelyn N. Alfred blog. It was nice to meet another blogger that I might not have crossed paths with if we both were not participating in the BBAW events. Evelyn sent me the questions below to answer!

1. How long have you been book blogging?

Just at two months!
What motivates you to keep going?

I really enjoy sharing with authors and readers! I like having a place to post the reviews I do for authors and publishers that are not for the sites I review for.

2. How do most of your followers find you?

I think they have found me through the chat groups I participate in!

Do you Twitter?

I am very new to Twitter – I have an account and I may visit once a day to see what others are doing but I don’t make many comments myself.

3. Do you ever review poetry or independently published books?

[I noted that Evelyn likes and writes poetry at her blog!] I have not reviewed poetry yet but I would as I love poetry- I read and wrote lots of poetry when I was young! I have reviewed independently published books or at least one which was self published if that is what you mean!

4. You mentioned being contacted by an author. Are there any authors out there that would make you faint if they contacted you?

HA! Good question!! I don’t faint easily so I probably would only gulp and go speechless! I saw Heather Graham at the RWA bookfair in Orlando this year – I think all I did was look at her across the room!! LOL I would love to have an interview or a good chat with Mary Balogh, Catherine Coulter, Christina Dodd, Julie Garwood, Merline Lovelace or Julia Quinn!! And those are only a couple of the HR authors who I love!

5. Are you as motivated to write reviews for books you don't enjoy?

I’m still motivated to write the review but it is harder to write a review for a book I didn’t enjoy. I have to take more time to be specific about what I liked and what I didn’t like so that the author might know an area that needs improvement…. at least in my humble opinion. I don’t wish to ever discourage an author! But sometimes there are books that just don’t make it for me!

6. Which authors can you always count on to write a good book?

I named some authors in my answer to 4 that I can count on to write a good book. In addition to those “big name” authors I would include these newer authors whose books have consistently been good books: Miss Mae and Rebecca Vickery. Recently I have been reading lots of "new to me" authors with very good books!! I am hoping all their books will be as good as the first ones I have read!

7. What are some of your favorite memes?

It’s Monday What Are Your Reading? (Join this meme at: J. Kaye's Book Blog) and What’s in Your Mailbox (This Meme starts at The Printed Page). I’m planning to start following another meme on the 15th of each month about Gardening!

Thanks for the fun questions Evelyn!

Review of Dreams Do Come True

This is the review posted today for the SaSR Tuesday R&R contest event.

Title: Dreams Do Come True
Author: E.A. West
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.0 of 5
Page count 26
Heat Rating: Sweet
Reviewed by: MarthaE

Publisher: TWRP- White Rose Publishing

Buy Link: http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/cartage.html?option=com_cartage&main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=Dreams+Do+Come+True
Blurb: Aspiring author Cassie Teague has been rejected…again. As she considers giving up her dream of getting published, a handsome editor walks into her life and makes her wonder if God has more in store for her than just writing.
Acquisitions editor David Jameson wants more than just Cassie’s book. But will office politics destroy his hope for the future?

Review: This is a lovely, sweet romance!

Cassie has just received another manuscript rejection letter and is ready to give up. The very handsome stranger who just walked into the cafe can’t help but overhear the conversation as Cassie’s waitress friend, Gayle, tries to encourage her. David also encourages Cassie and she is excited when he reveals that he works for a publishing house. He agrees to read her book and likes it. Although he passes the book on to another editor in his office to avoid impropriety, the personal contact he has already had put both his job and Cassie’s manuscript chances at risk. When the promised book contract doesn’t appear and David doesn’t make any contact with Cassie for a week she is not only hurt but fears she has been misled by a smooth talking stranger. Did she once again misinterpret God’s plans for her life? And will she have to give up on her dreams of being published and finding the right mate?

There is a lot of angst and some heartache in the story, but, with a little forgiveness, it has a wonderful happy ending! The characters are likeable and the story very believable. In fact I imagine that the dejection and stress that are portrayed are all too real to authors! The writing is smooth and easy and the spiritual message is not at all preachy. The elements work together to make this a lovely, quick, uplifting read.

Author website and blog:
http://eawest.mcphitty.com/
http://thewestcorner.blogspot.com/

BBAW Tuesday Giveaway!

Two $6.00 gift certificates (two winners) at White Rose Publishing "Where faith is the cornerstone of love".

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Follow the link to the Publisher site and tell me what book you might like to get! Include your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

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

3. For another entry, share this giveaway on your blog, my space, facebook or Twitter and tell me where you shared it.

You may include all your entries in one comment. (Three total entries possible.)

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on September 18, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

BBAW Monday Giveaway!

Two $5.99 gift certificates (two winners) at Desert Breeze Publishing. Lots of wonderful books there!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Follow the link to the Publisher site and tell me what book you would like to get if you win! Include your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

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

3. For another entry, share this giveaway on your blog, my space, facebook or Twitter and tell me where you shared it.

You may include all your entries in one comment. (Three total entries possible.)

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on September 17, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

What Are You Reading September 14, 2009

Join this meme at: J. Kaye's Book Blog
AND A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO J. KAYE FOR MAKING THE SHORTLIST OF AWARDS FOR BOOK BLOGGER APPRECIATION WEEK - YOU FULLY DESERVE IT!!

9/14/09

Finished reading:

PB: Hardball by Sara Paretsky – the first V.I. Warshawski book I have read. A solid mystery that gets you caught up about a third into it and keeps you following clues to the end! I'll be doing the review later this week to post at my blog for the publisher.

Audible: ------

Kindle2: The Macgregor's Daughter by Dee Julian an historical romance set in 1775 Scotland. I really liked this romance packed with action and mystery! A Gotta Read rating for YGR! The review should be posted today.

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Currently reading:

PB: THE TEXAS CEO'S SECRET by Nicole Foster – Sillouette Special Edition. Looks like a nice quick read!

Audible: March to the Sea by David Weber and John Ringo - Book Two in the Prince Roger (originally "Royal Brat") Sci Fi series. I liked the first one and the narrator... this one is starting out with more fun military adventure.

Kindle2: Shorline by Jennifer Loy. This is a story about a merman and a female human doctor. I am about 35% into it and it is very entertaining! Reviewing for BTL/WRDF.

A Treasure for Sara by Allison Knight - an historical romance set in 1895 Yukon Territory. Just started on this when I realized I had a deadline on the Loy book so have to get that one done and then get into this one! Reviewing for the author.

Audio CD: Ravens by George Dawes Green. A definite psychological, suspense Thriller with a diabolical antagonist! I like the story so far but not the bad language!