Winners of Friday Pick 11-27-09

Congratulations to:

CYNTHIA chose Unlaced by Kristina Cook!

Interestingly enough Kristina and I were both members of the same college Sorority! Different years and schools but it created a connection!

There was a good reason that I decided to pick two winners!  I must be tired cause I can't remember the reason other than my being in such a GIVING mood!*BG*

So the second winner is:

Sheere chose Married at Midnight an Anthology

I have e-mailed both winners to please send me snail mail!

Giveaway + Review of Avenging Allaire by Margie Church

Title: Avenging Alaire
Author: Margie Church
Publisher: Class Act Books
Genre: Erotic Suspense
Buy Link
ISBN 978-1-935048-37-4   1-935048-37-6
Word Count: 84,255
Contemporary Romance - Explicate sexual content

Rating: 4.5 of 5
Reviewed by: MarthaE

Blurb:
The exciting love story of Allaire West and Devon Mercer continues in the thriller, “Avenging Allaire.” The couple plans to marry and live happily ever after, but everyone from Devon’s father to their pistol-packing nanny, Lucy, is conspiring against them.

Lucy plots, with the help of her lover, to take advantage of Allaire’s psychotic relapses. Her goal is to turn Allie into a lunatic and steal Devon for herself.

Devon’s father calls in his million dollar ransom loan and Devon is forced to return to his father’s firm to repay it. It doesn’t take long for Devon to become suspicious about the revolving door of investors, brokers, and missing information.

In a heart-stopping turn of events, Allaire's life is again in jeopardy. Devon learns the truth behind Allaire’s kidnapping, the suspicious murders, and the business secrets.

Who will survive and who will pay as Devon desperately tries to avenge Allaire. Packed with murder, white collar crime, and plenty of spice, “Avenging Allaire” lives up to the author’s penchant for SASS - Suspense, Angst, Seductive Sizzle.

Review:  This sequel to Awakening Allaire is another sexy, tension filled suspense!

The story picks up where the first book ended.  Unfortunately for Allaire and Devon, Allaire is still a target for threats that wreak havoc on her recovery from the trauma of her kidnapping.  Devon steadfastly stands by her and tries to reassure her that he loves her and will be there to help her.

Devon is particularly frustrated that he is drawn back into his father’s firm.  He is more frustrated that he cannot seem to protect Allie from the nasty calls and pranks made by enemies who clearly know enough detail to trigger Allie’s fears.

I really think that the blurb says more than it should although it soon is obvious that Lucy is obsessed with Devon and out to get Allaire.  I also read a version of the book that had a synopsis and it too gave more away then I would want to know before reading the book.

The author’s voice is clear and direct.  My favorite part is that the mystery and suspense are very well plotted and the resulting tension keeps the book moving at a fast pace.  The sexual scenes definitely sizzle and are written to be loving and sensual.  However, for me there could have been fewer sexual scenes as I was anxious to get on to solving the mystery and revealing the conspirators and murderers!!

I love this author’s tag line: “SASS” – Suspense, Angst, Seductive Sizzle - which fit these stories to a T!  It is understandable why this is a bestseller.  If you like good thrillers with lots of sexual sizzle, this and the first book would be great choices!

Author's Website

Author's Blog

Author Margie Church has graciously agreed to give a free eBook of this Bestselling Book as a giveaway!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Visit Margie's website or blog and tell me something you learned about her or sign her guest book and let me know that you did!  Please include your email address, so 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, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

4. You may make all entries in a single comment or separate comments. Since I haven't numbered the comments yet I have to put names/entries on a list for numbering anyway, so posting separately doesn't make a difference unless you post at different times so your numbers are not consecutive!

That is three total entries possible.

This contest is open to anyone who can download an eBook!

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on December 14, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Lots of Good Giveaways!

Enter THIS WEEK Heather Justesen's Week Filled With Giveaways!  Click on the link here or on the button in the upper right sidebar!

 Check out two book Giveaways at Single Titles!

Win your own copy of SPINNING FORWARD by Terri DuLong by leaving a comment or question.  A winner will be chosen randomly on December 10. 



 

Be eligible to win your own Ebook copy of Sue Swift’s PUNKHEADS by simply leaving a comment or question for Sue.  A winner will be chosen randomly on December 12. 

End of the Year Contest at From Rambling to Interviews

"New books (ones that are the first of series) will slowly grow until the end of the year, where one lucky winner gets a totally awesome package of books (yes, some I've read, but they still look brand new. promise.) and other goodies. So, check back often as the list will continue to grow. Ends 12/20."

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Parajunkee's View is having a 200+ Follower Giveaway ending December 30, 2009.

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Sweet Romance Author Rachel Rager is having a December Contest to win the movie While You Were Sleeping - one of my favorites too. Just talk about her book By Love or By Sea to five people. Check the contest link for the rules.  Ends December 20, 2009.

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Book Junkie is having a Fabulous 35 book Birthday Bash!! 

You even get to pick some of the books you win!  Ends January 1, 2010!

Link a Review and Get Entered for a Kindle!

Cym Lowell sponsers the Book Review Party on Wednesdays where bloggers link their reviews.  This month he is giving away a Kindle to one lucky reviewer.  Three weeks to enter this month - each linked review gains an entry!  Check out the link for the rules to enter!!

Interview Conclusion with Cheryl Pierson! Part 4: A Few Personal Questions!

PART FOUR – A FEW PERSONAL QUESTIONS!

MQ:  When you are reading for pleasure, what is the one thing that will make you put down the book and quit reading?

Cheryl:  Cliches.  Or lazy descriptions such as, “He looked just like Tom Selleck in Magnum P.I.”  GAK!!!  I can’t take that.  Oddly enough, head-hopping does not bother me at all.  I grew up reading all kinds of stuff and that was perfectly normal even in the 70’s and 80’s, and accepted even by some of the biggest writing names out there.  It doesn’t jar me –I think because I can switch people so quickly since I have so many of them living in my own head.

M:  HA – people in your own head – yes!
Q:  What is the most unique thing about you?

Cheryl:  Hmm.  Well, that’s a tough one.  Maybe the fact that I was a classically trained pianist and taught piano for years myself, but now I’m lucky to practice a total of an hour a week.

M:  Wow  - classically trained pianist!  So I wonder if you will ever include some of that experience in your books!
Q:  Tell us a little about your next book or WIP please!

Cheryl: My next book, Sweet Danger, is a contemporary romantic suspense that takes place in Oklahoma City.
SWEET DANGER BLURB
When undercover cop Jesse Nightwalker enters Silverman’s Deli, he doesn't expect to find himself at the mercy of Tabor Hardin, a sadistic murderer he helped put in prison five years earlier.  Now, Hardin’s escaped, and he’s out for more blood—Jesse’s.
Lindy Oliver has had her eye on her handsome neighbor for several months.  Fate provides the opportunity for them to finally meet when they both choose the same deli for breakfast.  Becoming a hostage was not in Lindy’s plans when she sat down to share a pastry with Jesse, but neither was the hot kiss he gave her when bullets began to fly.  That kiss seals both their fates, binding them to one another with the certainty of a vow.
But Jesse’s got some hard-hitting secrets.  With both their lives at stake, Lindy has a plan that just might save them—if Hardin takes the bait.  Will they find unending love in the midst of Sweet Danger?

M:  Ooooh! Good blurb!
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom you would like to share with brand new or aspiring authors?

Cheryl:  Yes.  B e able to take criticism without letting it beat you down.  Although some people swear by their critique groups, I don’t believe in them.  Try to find a writing class where others are walking the same path you are.  It helps to have someone else who knows what you’re going through to talk with about it.  If your writing instructor gives you some criticism, try to listen to him or her without getting hurt or angry.  This is how you will get better at your own writing—to remember there is always room for improvement.  At the same time, make up your mind you are going to do it again and again, until it is the best it can be, and don’t give up.

M:  That is very good advise for new authors and anyone who is learn a new “trade”.  You can learn from constructive criticism if you will only learn to listen!!
THANK YOU Cheryl for joining Sumana, Deanna and me on this interview series!
Thanks too for offering one of your books as giveaways!  Best wishes for success on your new release, Time Plains Drifter, and also on Fire Eyes!

Cheryl:  Thanks again everyone for this awesome opportunity to give a bit of insight into Fire Eyes and Time Plains Drifter, and to tell you a bit about myself.  This has been a lot of fun!

LAST TWO DAYS to enter the Giveaway for Ms. Pierson's books and comment here for an extra entry!