Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Q&A Interview with Katie Lane, Author of Going Cowboy Crazy and Make Mine a Bad Boy

Today please help me welcome author, Katie Lane.

1Q. When you do a series do you have each book plotted out before you start the first one or do the subsequent books flow from the first book?

Katie: I have never sat down to write a series. It always happens about halfway through the first book. An Ah-ha moment so to speak.

2Q. What inspired you to write this genre?

Katie: Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss

3Q. Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?

Katie: Everything influences my writing. The monster truck with the flapping flags that passed me on the freeway. The twins the mother was trying to corral at the grocery store. The friendly people of west Texas. The neighbor’s dog. Pretty much everything.

4Q. Did you find anything "hands on" or unusual required when researching these books?

Katie: I traveled to west Texas a couple times. I said it was for research, but mostly I just went because I love the people and BBQ.

5Q. Do your characters live with you or haunt your dreams as you write?

Katie: Both. My husband jokes that he needs to add on another room. And when I’m deep into a story, a night doesn’t go by that I don’t dream about my characters.

Thank you, Katie for sharing your humor in your answers and your books!
Check out the Review and Giveaway post for a chance to win BOTH books!

Two Book Reviews and Double Giveaway! Going Cowboy Crazy and Make Mine a Bad Boy

Double fun with twin sisters and two hunky men, a cowboy and a biker. What's not to like?

BOOK ONE
Going Cowboy Crazy (A Deep in the Heart of Texas novel) by Katie Lane

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Forever (May 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446582786
ISBN-13: 978-0446582780

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Faith Aldridge wants answers. Bramble, Texas is the only place she can find them . . . as well as Hope, the identical twin sister she never knew she had. But the townsfolk reckon that shy city-girl Faith is really her long-lost sister Hope, back in Bramble at last. And they're fixin' to do whatever it takes to heat things up between her and Hope's long-time flame, Slate Calhoun. If that means rustling her car, spreading rumors like wildfire, and reining in some explosive secrets, well, there's no way like the Lone Star way . . .
But Slate's no fool. The woman in his truck may look like Hope, yet the way she feels in his arms is altogether new. He's determined to keep this twin in his bed and out of his heart. Trouble is, the real Hope is headed home, and she's got her own designs on Slate. If Faith wants to avoid heartbreak, she'll have to show a certain ruggedly handsome cowboy that this crazy-impossible love is worth fighting for.

Review: This is a fun fast read.
Faith doesn’t set out to impersonate her sister but the townsfolk latch onto the idea and don’t want to let go. So quiet, sunny city girl Faith gets a taste of what it’s like to be a sassy, brassy country home town sweetheart.

Most of the townsfolk may be blinded thinking Faith is Hope, but Hope’s high school sweetheart Slate, knows immediately that this sweet mouthed girl isn’t sassy, spitting Hope. Slate never felt this special hot zing with Hope. Even though it looks like Faith is set on getting info and then heading out of town to find Hope, Slate wants time to know her better before letting her slip away. But it’s a bit difficult to stage a quick, quiet affair when the town starts planning a wedding for Slate and Faith, who they think is Hope.

Faith came looking for a sister to call family but she discovers that she may have found more family than expected in this tight little town. Plus she’s found a sexy cowboy she could call family if she would agree to stay. But just when it looks like she could claim happiness, the real Hope shows up to claim her old sweetheart, Slate. They may be sisters but that doesn’t mean that some fur won’t fly. Faith may have to toughen up if she wants to prevail against her bigger than life twin.

This is a fun and fast read. The town is full of quirky characters and they all have stubborn streaks. Some of the scenario is a bit zany but I enjoyed the confusion of the town in reaction to the unexpected twins. I also liked Faith’s quiet, sincere personality and that fact that she is willing to see beyond the surface to encourage Slate, and others, to break out of their rut. The romance is steamy yet sweet and the writing is a perfect fit of charm and sass for a small Texas town that has a big heart.

BOOK TWO

Make Mine a Bad Boy (A Deep in the Heart of Texas novel) By Katie Lane

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Forever (May 31, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446582794
ISBN-13: 978-0446582797

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
THERE'S A NEW BRIDE IN TOWN!
Hope Scroggs is finally ready to get hitched. After years of sowing her wild oats, the former head cheerleader and homecoming queen has returned to Bramble, Texas, to marry her high school flame. But her perfect wedding plans are stomped to smithereens when her adoring cowboy two-steps down the aisle with someone else. Now Hope is stuck with the one man from her past she can't shake: Colt Lomax, an irresistible bad boy whose sultry kisses are hotter than the Panhandle in August . . .

Colt lives for freedom and the open road; he never gets attached, never looks back. Still, he can't forget the night of passion he once shared with Bramble's sweetheart--a night he wouldn't mind repeating. So, he piles on the Texas charm to tease the feisty beauty back into his bed, while she tries her darnedest to resist. But something unexpected is about to tie their fates together . . . and oh, baby, will it ever!

Review: I am glad I had Hope’s story to read right after Faith’s story.
Hope comes across as tough, rough and sassy. She has always been determined to push through the teasing to help others and support her home town. But few people looked beneath her brassy exterior to see the girl inside who was scared of failing. She doesn’t want the townsfolk who believe in her to know she didn’t make it in Hollywood. Now she has come home from one failure only to face another when she discovers that her high school sweetheart is not prepared to marry her. Instead he is marrying her twin sister, whom she didn’t know about until she looks up to see herself... only with short hair and a softer personality.

Standing on the sidelines as Hope realizes she has lost her “back up” plan is the town bad boy, Colt. He has always had a thing for Hope but never had a chance to express it since Hope and Slate were the town sweetheart couple. Rather than stick around to watch the seemingly perfect couple, Colt left town on his hot motorcycle and he’s been roading ever since.

Everyone has always seen Colt as the bad boy and they think he’s been in prison while away from town. Even Hope is convinced that he has been mooching off his sister and wealthy brother-in-law who owns the biggest business in town. When the business starts having trouble and Colt steps up to help everyone is surprised. But it seems it will take more than that for folks to see that Colt might be the perfect hombre to handle the town sweetheart, Hope.

This book continues the fast entertainment with the fun characters and fun twists to the plot. The reader may figure out what’s going on much earlier than the town but it is fun reading the conflict and reactions that take place. The attraction between Colt and Hope really sizzles. I particularly enjoyed Colt’s character as he gains more confidence in revealing who he has grown to be and in getting bolder in approaching Hope.

What will it take for Colt and Hope to get past their fears and face their fated future? I hope you get to read and enjoy the book to find out.

Thank you to Hachette for both books to read and offer for Giveaway.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR BOTH BOOKS:

1. Visit the Author's website OR check out the five fun facts and tell me something you found interesting. This is required for entry.
Make sure you leave your e-mail address!

2. For two extra entries comment on the Author Q&A Interview.

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

4. For two entries, 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.
(Six total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL!

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS WHO WILL GET BOTH BOOKS!

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

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

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 3, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Audible Book Review and Print Giveaway: Fancy Pants by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

What wonderfully rich characters and emotional tales Susan Elizabeth Phillips creates!

Fancy Pants

UNABRIDGED
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Narrated by Anna Fields

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

For Francesca Day, it's not the end of her world, but close to it. She's London-bred, wealthy, and sophisticated, but fate leaves her flat broke and stranded on a back road in Texas. Now she's got to deal with reality without her rich girl props. How can she do it? In Dallas Beaudine, gritty and handsome, lies the answer. He stops his car to help Francesca, whose life needs a tune-up, as well as her car. Stopping could lead to the biggest mistake, or best time, ever.

Review: This story has more than one romance and is emotionally stirring.

We meet Francesca at a “present” time (1990) and then flash back to her spoiled rich-girl childhood traipsing the world with her socialite mother. Beautiful Francesca has watched her mother charm men all her life. She has never had to work or worry about money. Then she is left bereft and impoverished at the age of 21. Francesca discovers that she is too short to be a model and her personality is too snobbish and aristocratic to help her find employment readily.

Francesca is talked into taking a small acting part in a film that lands her outside of Gulfport, Mississippi. When she stalks off the set and ends on an empty road she is lucky to get picked up by Texan charmer, Dallie Beaudine.

Dallie is the most gorgeous man Francesca has ever met and Francesca can’t seem to impress him with her own looks. As a 25 year old, carefree golfer, Dallie and his side-kick caddy, Skeet, travel from tournament to tournament. He does okay on minor courses but hasn’t been able to win in the major tournaments. Dallie had no idea how much trouble he was getting when he stopped to pick up a stray, crazy, British, spoiled “fancy pants”. Their personalities clash yet they are drawn to each other.

Just when Francesca thinks things are going to work out between Dallie and her, she learns a devastating fact that sends her on the run again. But little Francesca has grit. She fights to survive and to make a life for the baby that she finds is on the way. Sparks fly (again) when Dallie meets Francesca’s son, Teddy, nine years later.

Francesca gets an unexpected friend in Holly Grace and the book tells Holly Grace’s story too: her young friendship with Dallie, her continuing friendship with Francesca and her rocky romance as she feels her biological clock ticking down.

Although this is an older book, I enjoyed the setting as I was actively involved with the Honda Golf Classic during the 1970s and I recognized the famous golfers mentioned. I love the deep, full characters that SEP creates and their journeys to maturity and love. The banter is good and the plot is full of drama. The sexual scenes are pretty forward considering this was written in 1989 but they are healthy and not vulgar.

I have listened many books by this author on Audible and love the narrator, Anna Fields. Unfortunately she is no longer living. I am looking forward to listening to the latest story, Call Me Irresistible: A Novel, which includes Teddy all grown up.

xxx

Although I listened to this on Audible I had the book on my TBR.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR MY COPY OF the 1989 Paperback:

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest that you find there. Please leave your e-mail!

2. For an extra entry tell me if you have read this author and what you think about her books. If you have already read this book tell me about it and if you win this giveaway you may pick from the review or ARC books and I'll award this book to another winner.

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

4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Five total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on May 27, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

It's Monday! What are you Reading May 16, 2011?

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had another great and fun reading week. I finished six books and got a couple of reviews ready for this week. I posted three reviews, one with Hachette Giveaway and one ARC Giveaway; the Friday Pick giveaway; a blog announcement; Enquiring Mind Meme, Sunday post and winners' posts.

I only visited a handful of blogs last week. I'm still not online on my laptop at home as it seems to have lost the netgear software link. I hope to get it fixed this week as my DH's compute is just not the same for me.
These were last week's posts plus Winners' posts not listed.

It's Monday What are You Reading? May 9, 2011.

Book Review Be Careful What You Wish For by Sibel Hodge; Mystery, Romance; my rating 4.25.

Book Review and Three Copy Giveaway: The Guardian (Return of the Highlanders) by Margaret Mallory; Historical Romance; my rating 4.25. Ends 5/27.

Q&A Interview with Margaret Mallory, Author of The Guardian (Return of the Highlanders).

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 13, 2011. Ends 5/19.

Book Review and Giveaway: Hood (The King Raven Trilogy Book 1) by Stephen Lawhead. Historical Fiction; My Rating 3.5. Ends 5/27.

Enquiring Minds Meme Week #37 with Comment Giveaway. Ends 5/20.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 15, 2011.

Blog Tour Announcement: Double Trouble with twins and Cowboys featuring two books by Katie Lane.

Finished Reading:

Print:

The Guardian (Return of the Highlanders)

by Margaret Mallory

Solid Historical Romance

Review, Author Q&A and

Giveaway linked above.

Kindle:

Be Careful What You Wish For (Amber Fox Mystery)
by Sibel Hodge.
A fun female PI mystery.
Review linked above.

Print:
Going Cowboy Crazy (A Deep in the Heart of Texas novel)
and
Make Mine a Bad Boy (A Deep in the Heart of Texas novel)
By Katie Lane

A fine, fun romance duo.

Reviews, Author Q&A and Giveaway to post May 18.

Fancy Pants
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
More fun romance.

I will post a review and print giveaway this week

My own TBR.

Print and Kindle:

The Legend of Michael: Sin and Satisfaction (Zodius)

by Lisa Renee Jones

This starts a series on a
sexy sci fi romance

from Sourcebooks.

I will post the review and
ARC Giveaway this week.

Line Edits/Releases:

Released:
Desperate Measures

by Cindy Huefner Cromer

Romantic Suspense

Currently reading:
Print:

SEALed Forever

by Mary Daughtridge
Just starting this one.
Sourcebooks review.

Product Description
He's got a living, breathing dilemma...

In the midst of running an undercover CIA mission, Navy SEAL Lt. Garth Vale finds an abandoned baby, and his superiors sure don't want to know about it. The only person who can help him is the beautiful new doctor in town, but she's got another surprise for him...

She's got a solution...at a price...

Dr. Bronwyn Whitescarver has left the frantic pace of big city ER medicine for a small town medical practice. Her bags aren't even unpacked yet when gorgeous, intense Garth Vale shows up on her doorstep in the middle of the night with a sick baby...

But his story somehow doesn't add up, and Bronwyn isn't quite sure who she's saving-the baby, or the man...

Kindle:

Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get)

by Nicole Zoltack
Just starting this also.
Reading for the author.

Product Description
For the last ten years, Ana has spent summers with her Gram. With nothing to do, the closest beach two hours away, and Gram, who Ana is convinced is crazy, always in her garden talking to things that aren't there, Ana is bored out of her mind.

One day, Ana sees strange colors floating around Gram as she works in her garden. Gram says they're fairies. She can "See" them, and there are others who can see things. Ana's a Seer, too.

When Gram gives Ana a book that explains about the many different creatures, like selkies, unicorns, vampires, and others, Ana gets curious. She is shocked when she comes across the entry about famous werewolf hunting parents.

Determined to learn where she fits in, Ana's summer gets a lot more exciting as she sets off to find out what she can "see." Only problem is, she's not sure what to do when she finally discovers the truth. And she's not sure she'll live to tell anyone.

Next - I haven't decided whether to start the last review book, Mary of Carisbrooke: The Girl Who Would Not Betray Her King or start Illuminations of the Heart (Historical Romance Novels) which is a "won book" I have been wanting to read.

Audio/Audible - There is bound to be one or two. I just haven't decided yet.

Audible:

I am listening to The Listener's Bible NIV

read by Max McLean. I am at 1 Samuel 10, Psalm 120 and John 8.

Line Edits: I also have to finalize formats on Soylent Red by Jamieson Wolf, Sword of Virtue by Joy Brooks and Life After the Undead by Pembroke Sinclair.

Remaining Review books for May:

Sourcebooks:

Mary of Carisbrooke: The Girl Who Would Not Betray Her King by Margaret Campbell Barnes