Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Blog Tour with Tempted by A Warrior by Amanda Scott

Join us on this blog tour to Medieval Romance.

Lady Fiona, wed in haste, has never known marital peace. When last she'd seen her cruel husband Will, he'd struck her - and she has no memory of what she did next - only that she woke later alone in her bedchamber. Will has gone missing, and Fiona fears that in her rage and terror she might somehow have killed him. When her husband's cousin Sir Richard comes to search for Will, Fiona is touched by his warm nature. A knight and warrior, Richard is drawn to Fiona's brave manner, quickly seeing in her an equal measure of inner courage. Confessing that she fears having killed Will, Fiona accepts Richard's offer to help her. Pursuing together the mystery of Will's disappearance, they fall in love. Meanwhile the English are reinforcing their garrison in the Scottish Borderlands, putting Fiona, Richard, and Scotland in peril....

Author Bio

Amanda Scott, best-selling author and winner of the Romance Writers of America's RITA/Golden Medallion and The Romantic Times' awards for Best Regency Author and Best Sensual Regency, began writing on a dare from her husband. She has sold every manuscript she has written. More than twenty-five of her books are set in the English Regency period (1810-1820), others are set in fifteenth-century England and sixteenth-and eighteenth-century Scotland. Three are contemporary romances. Amanda lives with her husband and son in northern California.

Coming Soon

View all books by Amanda Scott

Participating Blogs:
http://www.bibliophile23.wordpress.com 7/5/2010 Review
www.maryinhb.blogspot.com 7/5/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com 7/5/2010 Feature, Giveaway
http://amomentwithmystee.blogspot.com/ 7/5/2010 Review, Giveaway, Q&A
http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com 7/5/2010 Feature, Review, Giveaway, Guest Post
http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com 7/5/2010 Giveaway
www.amusingreviews.blogspot.com 7/6/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://ajourneyofbooks.halfzero.net 7/6/2010 Feature, Review, Giveaway
http://momofboyswithtoys.blogspot.com 7/8/2010 Feature, Review, Giveaway
http://tweezlereads.blogspot.com 7/8/2010 Feature, Review, Giveaway, Guest Post
www.mgpblog.com 7/10/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://www.rundpinne.com 7/10/2010 Review
http://mom2mycrazy2.blogspot.com 7/10/2010 Review, Giveaway
Http://thedmlibrary.com 7/11/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com 7/11/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://detweilermom.blogspot.com 7/12/2010 Review, Giveaway
www.justjenniferreading.blogspot.com 7/12/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://thethriftythings.blogspot.com 7/12/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://brokenteepee.blogspot.com 7/13/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com 7/13/2010 Giveaway
http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/ 7/14/2010 Feature, Review, Giveaway, Guest Post
http://triciareads.blogspot.com 7/14/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com 7/14/2010 Review, Giveaway, Q&A
www.booksoulmates.com 7/14/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com 7/15/2010 Review, Giveaway
www.rexrobotreviews.com 7/15/2010 Review, Giveaway, Q&A
http://thisbookforfree.com 7/15/2010 Feature, Review, Giveaway
http://fallingofftheshelf.blogspot.com 7/15/2010 Feature, Giveaway
http://www.candidclevercosteffective.com 7/16/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://mommyreadstoomuch.blogspot.com 7/16/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://thefictionenthusiast.blogspot.com/ 7/16/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://www.renees-reads.blogspot.com/ 7/16/2010 Review, Giveaway
my-book-views.blogspot.com 7/16/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://booksandneedepoint.blogspot.com 7/16/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://dkay401-challenges.blogspot.com/ 7/16/2010 Review, Giveaway
http://simplystacie.net 7/16/2010 Review, Giveaway
www.libslibrary.blogspot.com 7/16/2010 Giveaway
http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/ 7/16/2010 Review, Giveaway
www.tarmyblogspot.blogspot.com 7/16/2010 Review, Guest Post

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Blog Tour with Giveaway! Loucinda McGary, Author of The Wild Irish Sea

Please join me to give a warm "hello" and welcome to
Loucinda McGary – The Wild Irish Sea

Guest Blog

Water Water Everywhere

Not long ago, my critique partner (CP) and I were discussing our current works-in-progress (WIPs). After we finished our line-by-line assessments of each others’ chapters, we started to discuss overall themes and motifs in our work. She made the observation that water figured prominently in all my novels.

My first reaction was denial. Astrologically, I’m a fire sign and I’m not attracted to earth or water signs. And I’m not keen on being wet in my everyday life either. Rain is fine, as long as I’m inside, not out in it. I’ve never been much of a swimmer… okay, I can barely keep myself afloat, and I hate water in my ears or nose! Large bodies of water scare me a little. Confession time – when I’m on a cruise (and I’ve been on sixteen of them), I’m always a bit nervous if I can’t see land.

For an aqua-phobe like me to write about water made no sense. But then I looked at my three finished books and my WIP and saw that she was correct! Every one of my stories contains a strong water related element.

The Wild Sight: An Irish tale of deadly deeds and forbidden love

My first book, The Wild Sight has a number of scenes in a marshy area called the fens. These particular fens are connected to the largest fresh water lake in Ireland, Lough Neagh. And if that’s not enough (minor spoiler alert), one of the characters drowns in the lake. Yes, my CP was correct. This book had a ‘watery’ connection.

Treasures of Venice Book number two was The Treasures of Venice. The story is set in Venice, Italy which is known for… CANALS! Big DUH moment. All the characters spend quite a bit of time in boats of every description, motorboats, barges, gondolas. In two key scenes (minor spoiler alert), the hero winds up taking a very chilly dip in a canal. No point in belaboring the obvious any further, this book has a major water element.

The Wild Irish Sea: A windswept tale of love and magic

Let’s move on to my current release, The Wild Irish Sea. As if the title weren’t a big enough no-brainer, there’s even crashing waves on the cover! Um, look a wee bit lower than that open shirt… See?

Once again, the main characters spend a lot of time in various kinds of boats, row boats, motor boats, even a sail boat. As the title suggests, the sea plays a major role in this story both literally and metaphorically. Not only is the sea wild, but it is also mysterious and dangerous, as well as life giving.

My characters in The Wild Irish Sea also interact with marine mammals, namely seals who play an important part in the story. I’ve always had a fondness for seals and sea lions, and I greatly admire how agile and graceful they are in the water, unlike me. Plus there were all those wonderful Celtic legends about selkies. In case you aren’t familiar with selkie lore, here’s a brief explanation by one of my Irish characters:

Parker shifted his weight to a more comfortable position before he admitted, “Actually, I’m not even sure what a selkie is. Can you fill me in?”

The teen looked askance, like he couldn’t believe a grown man could be so ignorant. “Why they’re seals, of course. Enchanted ones who can shed their skins and look like humans.” He crossed his arms and huffed out a dismissive breath. “Can’t believe someone named O’Neill never heard of selkies. Even if ya are a Yank.”

“Clearly my education has been sadly lacking,” Parker said, sorting out this newly discovered information. “Why would a selkie want to be human?”

Connor’s brow furrowed, as if he’d never considered such a question. “I expect they’re curious. Or maybe even bored. The thing is, if you find their selkie skin and hide it, they can’t turn back. They’re stuck in human form, but they pine for the sea forever.”

Parker made a sour face. “Too tragic. Nope, definitely don’t want to be a selkie. I don’t even like the ocean that much.”

The boy appeared unconvinced.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little glimpse into my watery stories, especially my new release The Wild Irish Sea. Have you read other books with references to water in them? What are some objects or motifs that your favorite authors use?

Praise for Loucinda McGary: “A masterful blend of mystery, magic, and romance.”

The Long and Short of It Reviews

Drawn together by a force they can’t resist…

The telepathic image of her twin brother fighting for his life sends Amber O’Neill rushing to the rocky shores of Ireland. Desperate to find him, she turns to reclusive local inspector, Kevin Hennessy.

Bound together with a passion as relentless as the tide…

His past full of pain, Kevin has withdrawn from the world. But when the rain-drenched American appears on his doorstep with her wild tales of danger, something more than her sensuous beauty makes it impossible for him to turn her away.

The wildness of the sea, the mystery of a selkie prince, and a dangerous band of ruthless smugglers bring two lost souls together in a connection of mind, body, and spirit that can’t be denied...

About the Author

Loucinda McGary took early retirement from her managerial career to pursue her twin passions of travel and writing. She sets her novels of romantic suspense in some of the fascinating places she has visited. She was a finalist in the 2006 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest in Romantic Suspense. She lives in Sacramento, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.loucindamcgary.com/

GIVEAWAY! Sourcebooks is allowing a giveaway of this wonderful book to TWO lucky winners!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. For your main entry please answer Loucinda's question in blue above. Make sure you leave your e-mail address!

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.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Three total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL! Two winners!

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

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons

* This contest will close Midnight (Central) on July 27, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Monday, July 12, 2010

New Winner for Desire Me

Kaye advised that she had already won Desire Me (The Legend Hunters) at another site. So random.org helped pick a new winner:

Congratulations!
I will send the form to complete.

Five Winners of Desire Me by Robyn DeHart

CONGRATULATIONS

to Winners of

Desire Me (The Legend Hunters)

by Robyn DeHart

Thank you everyone who entered.
Tomorrow I will send the form to the winners to complete.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Mailbox Monday July 12, 2010

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week.

This Meme starts with Marcia at The Printed Page.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

This was a really lovely mailbox week!

I got eight -count them 8! - books for participating in the Hachette Blog Talk Radio Programs last month! Thank you Hachette and Anna.

Here are the books I picked, all from authors I have not read yet. *BG*