Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Winners of Defining Twilight!

We have TWO WINNERS OF Defining Twilight!

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

and

OKAY - so those are a little gruesome but considering we are dealing with Vampires - sort of - I just COULDN'T RESIST!!!

I will e-mail Marianna and Wojos1979 to send there addresses within 72 hours!

Review and Giveaway - Courtesy of READING GLASSES SHOPPER!!

I don't know about the rest of you busy readers but sometimes my eyes need help!! Of course it is all the reading and NOT my age! ;D

Haley from Reading Glasses Shopper (an Affordable Style company) was nice to offer me a pair of reading glasses to review for hosting a giveaway!! The company sells reading glasses, reading sun glasses, and bi-focals at great prices - nothing over $20. You can check out the current sale plus there is free shipping on orders over $30.00!

There is a wide selection and since I have narrow eyes I choose The Southport which appeared to be good for a smaller face. I was pleasantly surprised when I received the glasses to discover the nice packaging with wooden case and a pen! There is a picture at the link for the Southport but here are my pictures:

The glasses are attractive and very sturdy but not heavy. I have been using them for about three weeks now and the hinges are still nicely snug making me feel they will be dependable for some time!
I choose magnification of +1.75 but there is a wide range to choose what is best to help your eyes.

Not all the glasses come with a case but The Dot, for example, comes with a soft carrying pouch, and the Dakota comes with a small metal case.

I had not priced glasses recently so imagine my surprise when I walked into a local department store this past weekend and discovered that most of the reading glasses were $17.00 and up! And the selection did not seem at all as nice as the Southport!!

The Company has recently launched a great reading glasses glossary and eye health glossary you might be interested in, too. Check out the links - lots of interesting data there!

So if you can use a pair of reading glasses for yourself or a friend, follow the entry instructions for a chance to WIN!

Reading Glasses Shopper links:
Website: Reading Glasses Shopper
Reading Glasses Shopper Facebook page
@RdgGlassesShopr (Twitter)

Thank you to Haley and Reading Glasses Shopper for the glasses and Giveaway.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR A PAIR OF READING GLASSES:
Open only to US and Canadian residents - No P.O. Box addresses. The glasses will be shipped directly after the winner chooses the style, color and magnification.

1. Visit readingglassesshopper.com and tell me what style you might like to get if you win! Include your email in your comment 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, share this giveaway on your blog, my space, facebook or Twitter and tell me where you shared it.

4. One more entry if you become a fan at the Reading Glasses Shopper Facebook page.

You may include all your entries in one comment. Four total entries possible.

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on February 3, 2010. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Note: Reading Glass Shopper provided the glasses for my review. I have received no other compensation and the review expressed herein is my honest opinion after use of the glasses.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Giveaway SEDUCED BY A ROGUE by Amanda Scott



Category: FICTION, ROMANCE
Format:MASS MARKET
Publish Date:1/1/2010
Price:$6.99/$8.99
ISBN:9780446541343
Pages:400

Book Description
A fair-haired beauty at 19, Lady Mairi is heiress apparent to her father Lord Dunwythie's rich barony. He has carefully taught her how to manage their estates, but a feud between his clan and the Maxwell clan is brewing as the two families edge toward a clan war - their dispute over money owed. Mairi's father believes he owes nothing, and of course Mairi sides with him.

When the impulsive and blue-eyed Rob Maxwell chances to meet Mairi in a barley field, they feel instant attraction, despite their families' antagonisms. Knowing he must put his clan first, Rob enacts a plan to force Dunwythie to pay his debt: Rob kidnaps Mairi, making the abduction appear the work of a stranger; then he and his sheriff-brother offer to help Dunwythis rescue his daughter IF, and only if, he will pay them the monies due. Yet after Rob captures Mairi's body, she captures his heart. When Dunwythie summons the aid of the most powerful clan in all Scotland (the Douglases), clan-tensions rise to a fever pitch. Love takes its own feverish course, as Mairi and Rob join forces to prevent a clash between hot-headed clans, and to protect their budding love.

I didn't realize I was supposed to be doing a Q&A with this so I had not sent in any questions. Instead I will share one of the "fun facts" presented at Hachette from the author:

While I was writing Seduced by a Rogue, a new kitten adopted us. Although I love cats, I rarely put them in my books. However, when our new kitten, a particularly fierce and funny little beast, stubbornly kept climbing all over me and my keyboard as I tried to write, somehow he also strolled into Seduced by a Rogue as Tiggie Whiskers. His favorite trick is to drape himself over my left shoulder and peer at the screen as if he is checking out everything I write. The wee editor’s real name is Willie Magee.

The kitten is a cute "character" in the story!

Many thanks to Hachette and to Anna for this giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. This story deals with threats of "clan wars." Comment here telling me if you know any families that have been involved in family feuds! 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. I haven't quite finished reading to do my review but I will post it soon. Come back and comment on the review for an extra entry!

(Four total entries possible -once I post the review.)

THERE WILL BE FIVE WINNERS!
* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information was provided by the publisher.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close Midnight (Central) on January 29, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Remember to visit the other Blog Tour Stops to read reviews, Q&A, and enter more giveaways:

Review of THREE MINUTES BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Paige Ryter

Title: THREE MINUTES BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Author: Paige Ryter
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Buy Link
ISBN: 978-1-60435-494-2
Release Date: December 10, 2009
eBook $5.99
Pages 168
Heat Rating: Sweet

Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
Author Blog
Reviewed by: MarthaE

Blurb:
When Sydney White is hit by a huge roll of Christmas wrapping paper at her mall wrapping job, sexy pediatrician Colin Taylor rushes to her rescue. Unable to find her purse or keys, Sydney can't even recall the phone number for her brother's new home, so Colin offers his home as a place of refuge. While there is a physical attraction, Sydney knows their worlds are far apart and it'll only be a matter of time before he finds someone else in his own social class. Can a Christmas miracle save their love? Check the clock because they've only got Three Minutes Before Christmas until the magic is lost.

Review: This is a wonderfully fun story with some great, sweet bantering between the characters!

Sydney comes from a wealthy family but is insistent on making it on her own with NO help! She has determined that she hates all rich people and wants nothing to do with them. Now she is terribly attracted to the handsome doctor who has rescued her but she is convinced that she is not his class and he will abandon her after she is well again.

Colin had noticed the beautiful red head before he witnessed the hit that gave her a concussion. Now he wants to take care of her until he can convince her that they belong together! He is a character that you can really, really like!

I really enjoyed the fun repartee between the characters. I liked the experiences with the concussion and the hospital. The jealousy of another Doctor adds some additional tension. Sydney’s negative attitude towards wealth and accepting help does seem a bit extreme… at one point she really lets it affect her and puts herself in danger. I was glad when she finally softened a bit.

The writing and story moves along at a smart, almost sassy pace. I thought there may have been too much focus or repetition on Sydney’s negative attitude about rich people. Even with that the story was fun, the chemistry nice and the love and ending heartwarming! I would recommend this book for a quick warm romance and I will look forward to more writing from this author.

This is my Tuesday R&R review at SaSR.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Mailbox Monday January 11, 2010

This Meme starts with Marcia
at The Printed Page

I won The Silent Gift by Michael Landon, Jr. and Cindy Kelley

at The Printed Page!

Thank you Marcia!

During the Great Depression, Mary's husband walks out on her and their disabled son, Jack. Suddenly they're on their own in world that despises the poor. Then Jack receives a mysterious ability. Where has it come from? Can a young boy who can neither speak nor hear counsel and comfort seekers? Bittersweet and heartwarming! 368 pages, softcover from Bethany.