Book Review and Giveaway: The Soldier by Grace Burrowes

A richly emotional story.

The Soldier by Grace Burrowes

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (June 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140224567X
• ISBN-13: 978-1402245671

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Product Description
Even in the quiet countryside he can find no peace...

His idyllic estate is falling down from neglect and nightmares of war give him no rest. Then Devlin St. Just meets his new neighbor...

Until his beautiful neighbor ignites his imagination...

With her confident manner hiding a devastating secret, his lovely neighbor commands all of his attention, and protecting Emmaline becomes Deviln's most urgent mission.

Review: This is a delightfully engaging story.
Devlin St. Just, an elder son born out of wedlock to a Duke, returns home from the Peninsular war as a heroic but traumatized soldier. He has been awarded a title along with the estate of Rosecroft. While  inspecting the dilapidated lands he is confronted by a dirty but fearless child who demands that he ‘go away’.  Devlin bribes the child into the house for clean up and feeding only to discover that it is a young girl, Winnie. Next thing he knows, a lovely young lady charges in seeking the wandering waif.

Emmaline says she is the only living relative, a cousin, and unofficial guardian of the child who is the illegitimate daughter of the late earl. Emmie tries to take care of the child while she struggles to support herself by baking for the community. Emmie has a history of bad experience with men and is prepared for Devlin to be a barbarian. 

Devlin decides to provide a home and training for Winnie and offers to have Emmie serve as governess until another can be hired. Emmie moves into the estate bringing her bakery talents to the big kitchen. As everyone tries to settle into the new arrangements a soft dance of awareness  begins between Devlin and Emmie.  Each thinks the other is indifferent to their scents and touches, but steadily the attraction draws them together. Devlin thinks Emmie is keeping her distance because she wouldn’t want him with his war trauma. Emmie is set on leaving Winnie so that the child can have a better life - even if it breaks Emmie’s heart... not to mention the devastation to Winnie. A surprise from Devlin’s past brings understanding to the situation.

The characters struggle to balance independence, reliance and loneliness. The author deals sensitively with the Post Traumatic Stress from  Devlin’s war memories. She also gives surprising insight into the damage that war does to innocent children. The writing is smooth and easy to read.

My favorite lines from this book are the ending paragraph which is quite remarkable. Since I don’t want to list that as a spoiler, I will share this quote:
“You lose the worst memories,” Emmie said slowly, “and you lose memories of survival; forget them, and survival loses some of its meaning.” Page 183.

Three word description: Charming, elegant, tender.

xxx

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review and for providing TWO copies  for Giveaway!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Comment on the Author's Interview for TWO entries.
Please leave your e-mail!

2. Complete the Author's sentence at Interview Q10 for TWO more entries.

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.

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

* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on June 24, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.  TWO WINNERS!

Q&A Interview with Grace Burrowes, Author of The Soldier

Please help me to welcome author Grace Burrowes to Martha's Bookshelf today.

First let me say Congratulations on the success of your debut novel, The Heir, which has reached #31 on The New York Times eBook Fiction Bestseller List! That is a great achievement.

Q1.  I'm always interested to discover the story behind the story. Where did the inspiration for The Heir and The Soldier come from?

Grace: Thanks for the congrats! Making any list, much less THAT list caught me completely by surprise. As for The Heir and The Soldier…. There I was, minding my own business, scribbling away on the story of Douglas, Lord Amery and his dear Guinevere, and a complication popped up in the person of our own Gayle, the Earl of Westhaven. As readers know, Gayle was at one time engaged to Gwen, though that’s a story for another day. When I’d completed Gwen and Douglas’ manuscript, Gayle stuck in my mind—a younger son headed for the law, having to step into the role of heir while the family finances were in serious disarray and the Duke of Moreland yammers ceaselessly about holy matrimony… A good looking, single fellow with that many problems must be in want of a romance novel.

And again, I was minding my own business, scribbling away at Anna and Westhaven’s little book, and lo, out of the early morning mists of Hyde Park, comes this other fellow on his steed, none other than Devlin St. Just. Did anybody tell me Westhaven had an older half-brother? No, they did not. Am I complaining? No, I am not, but I am a little curious to know what other details this family is holding back on me and my readers.

Q2.  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?

Grace: As is likely apparent from the foregoing, I am a victim of a mischievous imagination. Even for the books where I think I have the plot’s architecture figured out, I get thrown curve balls.

Q3.  Is there an ancillary character in your books that you had a lot or fun with? Might they appear in a future book?

Grace: Better to ask if there’s an ancillary character who isn’t going to appear in a future book! I was a little worried about Morgan, the hearing-impaired younger sister of the heroine in The Heir, because she had a significant crush on Lord Val even though she’s too young for him (at seventeen). Lately she has seen fit to admit this and a more suitable fellow has dropped into her life.

Valentine, of course, gets the next book. Douglas (Lord Amery), Heathgate, Greymoor, Viscount Fairly, Hadrian Bothwell, and a score of others all have books at least drafted, as do three of the Windham sisters.

Q4.  What would you say makes a romance novel a great love story?

Grace: Romance novels are essentially stories of courage and perseverance. It takes buckets and buckets of courage to trust another person, to become vulnerable to them and to accept their trust and vulnerability in return. In most novels, this already rocky relationship road gets further complicated by serious external problems, so when the happily ever after arrives, the characters have had to suffer—but suffer productively—to win through. We all want to know we’re lovable, we all want to know our suffering isn’t pointless. Romance novels that are well written address these fundamental needs.

Q5.  In your previous guest post you shared an interesting research tidbit about sidesaddles. Would you please share another surprising thing about your experience writing these books, or about your research?

Grace: OK, you asked for it: I toured a house in Edinburgh preserved as its wealthy owners furnished it circa 1811. Right there in the dining room, on a lower shelf of the gorgeous sideboard where all the food would be displayed, was a lovely old chamber pot. It had a special little niche where it sat until the ladies would withdraw, and the gentlemen would heed nature’s call while the port was passed around. I’d thought this practice was reserved for drunken lords of Georgian years, but I was wrong.

Q6.  Is any of your writing from your own experiences or is it completely your imagination?

Grace: This is an interesting question, because the grist for the imaginative mill is directly or indirectly my experiences. I love to bake, for example, so when Emmie punches down bread dough, I know exactly how that sounds, feels, and smells. I’ve done a lot of horseback riding, and I have a degree in music. (Westhaven is nudging me to also admit I’m a lawyer.) But I’ve never been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, never tried to parent a child I wasn’t related to, never fired a gun at anything living. I guess it’s a mix.

Q7.  Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?

Grace: Absolutely.  As noted above, I rode, I played the piano, and so forth. Then too, as a lawyer, I deal daily with unsalvageable relationships. It’s gratifying to be able as an author to take a relationship that appears to be in dire straits and have everything come up roses for the characters. 

 

Q8.  When you get time to read what authors do you read?

Grace: JR Ward, Mary Balogh, Loretta Chase, Robin Kaye, Carolyn Jewel, Sophia Nash, Meredith Duran, Julia Quinn, Julia Ann Long… so many books, so little time!

Q9.  What do you hope your readers get out of your books?

Grace: A few hours of entertainment, a smile and a sigh, a way to forget whatever mundane sand is getting into their gears so life doesn’t feel quite as burdensome.

Q10.   If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

Grace: Gads… How about, once upon a time there was handsome swain minding his own business, and along came….

Thank you for taking time to share. And thanks for writing wonderfully entertaining books.

THE SOLDIER BY GRACE BURROWES—

IN STORES JUNE 2011

Even in the quiet countryside he can find no peace...

His idyllic estate is falling down from neglect and nightmares of war give him no rest. Then Devlin St. Just meets his new neighbor...

Until his beautiful neighbor ignites his imagination...

With her confident manner hiding a devastating secret, his lovely neighbor commands all of his attention, and protecting Emmaline becomes Deviln’s most urgent mission.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace Burrowes is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of The Heir, also a 2010 Publishers Weekly Book of the Year. She is a practicing attorney specializing in family law and lives in rural Maryland, where she is working on the next books chronicling the loves stories of the Windham family. Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish will be in stores in October 2011, and The Virtuoso will be in stores in November 2011, with more to come in 2012!  For more information, please visit www.graceburrowes.com. 

For a chance to win a copy of this AWESOME book - check my Review and Giveaway Post.

Audible Book Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger

Historical charm, mystery and paranormal all blended beautifully in this delightful story.
Soulless: An Alexia Tarabotti Novel

• UNABRIDGED
• by Gail Carriger
• Narrated by Emily Gray

Genre: Steampunk,Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

Victorian romance mixes seamlessly with elegant prose and biting wit—and werewolves—in Gail Carriger’s delightful debut novel. Soulless introduces Alexia Tarabotti, a parasol-wielding Londoner getting dangerously close to spinster status. But there are more important things than finding a husband. For Alexia was born without a soul, giving her the ability to render any vampire or werewolf completely powerless.

Review: This is a great blend of paranormal, mystery and romance with lots of humor.

Alexia is a 25 year old “spinster.” She is attractive but not a real beauty having a strong nose and dark skin from her Italian father. She also has another difficulty - she is a preternatural or soulless. She has accepted her status and is more interested in science and paranormal issues than in finding a husband. But her mother and stepfather would be glad to find someone to sweep her out of their house, if not off her feet.

Alexia lives in a London society where paranormal creatures are recognized and required to register with appropriate governmental authority. Alexia tends to associate with the werewolves and vampires whom she can neutralize with her touch. Her uniqueness and identity have been kept secret because she might be considered an enemy as preternaturals used to hunt and destroy paranormal beings, especially vampires.

When a strange vampire tries to attack Alexia she defends herself with her touch and her trusty, silver tipped parasol. Unfortunately she accidentally kills the vampire. Lord Maccon, the werewolf Alpha and head of the government Bureau of Unnatural Registry (BUR),  steps in to investigate the death in an official capacity and finds himself dealing with conflicting urges to subdue or protect this hapless, but witty and intelligent, female.

Maccon tries, unsuccessfully, to keep Alexia out of the investigation. As they proceed they discover more strange, unregistered and disappearing paranormal beings. Alexia tries to maintain proper society decorum but she is always stretching the llimits as she exercises her curious and independent spirit. Alexia gets help from a very unusual, and rather flamboyant, vampire friend. Maccon is jealous only because he doesn't realize the fellow would be more interested in him than Alexia.

This book contains a wonderful blend of British wit, Regency ambiance, paranormal mystic, scientific exploration and polite but sensual romance. The narration took just a bit of time to get used to but the narrator really does a wonderful job fitting the British, Scottish and American accents, as well as the prissy, authoritative and dignified tones to the different characters. This was a delightful listen and I am ready to download the next book!

There are lots of charming quotable lines but here is one of my favorites:
“He was sure his control was around somewhere, if he could simply find it.” 
Lord Conall Maccon thinking to himself while he tries to resist seducing Alexia.

Three word description: Eccentric, humorous, warm.

Audio Book Week- Mid Week Meme

Jen at Devourer of Books is hosting this event (and I saw at over at Book Journey). I am jumping in a few days late but anyone who follows my blog knows I read...opps...make that LISTEN to audio books all the time. I will post my Audio Giveaway later today.

Current/most recent audiobook: 

• 1. I am listening to Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins on my tape player which I carry around. 
• 2. I just finished Audible version of Rapture in Death: In Death, Book 4 by J.D. Robb on my Creative Zen MP3.

Impressions: I am enjoying the WWII history in Luciano's Luck. It is moving nicely.
I love Eve Dallas and Rourke in the In Death Series! I will post that review with the print giveaway by week's end.  I have the next book in My Audible Library and will start it soon. :-)

Current favorite audiobook: Does anyone have any idea how hard it is for me to pick a favorite book or audiobook? No can do! So I'll list a couple of favs:

• 1> The Study series by Maria V. Snyder, as well as Inside Out and Outside In - okay let's include ALL of her books.  
• 2> The In Death series by J.D. Robb; 
• 3> A recent listen I loved: Soulless by Gail Carriger and I will be listening to the others VERY soon
• 4> An old time favorite audiobook: Lightning by Dean Koontz - this is a shelf keeper.

One narrator who always makes you choose audio over print:
I am not sure I would necessarily look at the narrator before picking audio over print although it could be a consideration if I have had a bad experience with a narrator (which I have). Here are some narrators I really enjoy:

• Anna Fields - I love her readings of Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books. Unfortunately she was tragically killed in 2006.
• The narrator of the In Death Series Susan Ericksen does a suburb job on accents and emotions.
• I have listened to many good detective stories narrated by Will Patton. He has a smooth deep voice that adds character.
• Another narrator I know I can trust to enjoy is Dick Hill who has read plenty of mysteries, military, sci fi, and even romance.
• In the paranormal genre I like Marguerite Gavin who narrates the Rachel Morgan series, the Kitty Norville series and more.
• Also, Gabra Zachman, who read the Study Series, and
• Emily Gray who reads the Alexia Tarabotti Series.

Genre you most often choose to listen to: It is very varied. I will listen to paranormal, mystery, romance, sci fi. I love an audio book because I can listen with hands free for choirs or driving.

If given the choice, you will always choose audio when: the book is long but available on audio I will choose audio because I can listen during chores, while exercising and before bed, getting up etc. Also, once I start a series I am apt to continue in audio/Audible.

If given the choice, you will always choose print when: the story is only available in print when I want to read it. Oh that isn't "given the choice." Sooo let's think. I will choose print for children's books so I can share them with my grandchildren. Books that shift in time, forward and back, like The Time Traveller's Wife, are a bit trickier in audio but you don't always know that before you select a book. There have been some books that I liked so much on Audible that I determined to buy the print books, i.e. the Study series by Maria V. Snyder.

How about you my commenting friends? Care to share how you feel about Audio books? (Note: Sharing a comment will gain an extra entry for the Audio Week Celebration Giveaway I will be posting.)

Audible Book Review: 39 Clues by Rick Riordan

I love when history and geography are wrapped in a fun read!

The 39 Clues, Book 1: The Maze of Bones

• UNABRIDGED
• by Rick Riordan
• Narrated by David Pittu 

Genre: Ages 9-12
My Rating: 4.0

Product Description
What would happen if you discovered that your family was one of the most powerful in human history? What if you were told that the source of the family's power was hidden around the world, in the form of 39 Clues? What if you were given a choice - take a million dollars and walk away...or get the first Clue? If you're Amy and Dan Cahill, you take the Clue - and begin a very dangerous race.

Review: This book is like Where in the World is Carmen San Diego meets Rat Race or It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World. Oh and lets not forget National Treasure too.

The elderly Cahill matriarch dies leaving a huge fortune and mystery. Instead of dividing the wealth among her many heirs, she leaves a Will that allows the heirs to choose: Walk away with a million dollars or take a clue that will lead to an amazing but undisclosed treasure.  Many people take the money but a few brave individuals and families opt to follow the clues.

Amy is a timid, but intrepid, 13 year old. She was very close to her grandmother and knows that Gram would want her to find the treasure. Dan is a 10 year old math whiz who has a hard time sitting still. The children have been living with a critical and unpleasant Aunt since their parents died.  Although the Aunt wants them to take the money (which of course she would ‘hold’ for them), the kids decide to take the clue as a team.

The clue sets them off solving riddles that lead them through haunts of Benjamin Franklin. They have to use their combined skills to figure out history clues and numeric puzzles.  There are shaky alliances with other family members but they learn pretty quickly that they can’t trust anyone as they narrowly escape one attack after another.

I used to love playing Where in the World is Carmen San Diego and similar history or geography games .  The clues are tricky enough for adults and might require a child to do some research but that is a positive learning point.  There is a website to join and get hints too. The plot is fun and the characters are diverse with a devoted butler, devious Uncles, jealous cousins, enthusiastic if bumbling family teams.  Some of the chase gets a bit wacky but I doubt that would bother a middle grader. Each clue centers around a different historical figure or event and I think that is a fun way to learn.

The narrator does a nice job with the voices and the excitement. The books have trading cards with puzzles that would give a challenge for middle graders so it might be more fun to get the actual books. But you will have to get all 10 books to solve the mystery. I enjoyed the listen and at some point will continue with the series but I have some other series that have my attention more right now.

Three word description: fun, educational, adventure.