Blogoversary Winners for Giveaways #12-#18 ended through July 22

CONGRATULATIONS to Blogoversary Winners! 

Thank you again to all the sponsors and to everyone for your support and entries! Thanks for visiting the authors and commenting.
Here are winners from Giveaways #12 through #18.  I will email the giveaway sponsors with winner emails.
Seven more giveaways open to next weekend. :-)


12. Giveaway #12. Spotlight Publisher eTreasures Publishing Three sets books and goodies!
Mary, Christine and Winnie.

13. Giveaway #13. Spotlight Author Patricia Bates eBook and spotlight in Publisher's Corner ezine.  Onge.

14. Giveaway #14. Spotlight Author Suzanne Barrett Print Copy of Late Harvest. OPEN US and CANADA. Scottsgal.

15. Giveaway #15. Spotlight Author Jean Hart Stewart eBook choice from backlist. OPEN WORLDWIDE. Maria (pronounced Mariah).

16. Giveaway #16. Spotlight Author Anne Patrick Print Copy of Lethal Dreams. OPEN US. Library Lady.

17. Giveaway #17. Spotlight Author Danielle Thorne. eBook of Josette. OPEN WORLDWIDE. Beverly.

18. Giveaway #18. Spotlight Author Joyce DiPastena Print (US) or ebook (International) of Illuminations of the Heart; Plus Martha's Print Copy (US) of Loyalty's Web. Choice: Gayle;  Print of Loyalty's Web: Cheryl C.

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information. You may ignore the bookmarks section if your prize will be sent directly by the authors/publisher. I will share winners' email with the author so watch for an email from the author.

Book Review: Lady of Seduction by Laurel McKee

This is a warm romance with historical intrigue.
 Lady of Seduction (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (June 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446544779
• ISBN-13: 978-0446544771

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
It's a mad, ill-advised journey that leads the usually sensible Lady Caroline Blacknall to the legendary isle of Muirin Inish, off the windswept coast of Ireland. Even so, she doesn't expect to find herself shipwrecked and then rescued by a man she believed she would never see again. A man who, long ago, held her life in his hands . . . and with it, her heart.

Reformed rake Sir Grant Dunmore knew he could never forget the beautiful woman he once endangered nor will he ever forgive himself. But history seems doomed to repeat itself, for as long as Caroline stays on the island, she is trapped in a secret plot that could forever free Ireland-or turn deadly for all. And yet, now that she is in his arms again, how can he dream of ever letting her go?

Review: This is an engaging read with steady intrigue and growing romance.
Lady Caroline is the quiet bluestocking of the Blacknall daughters. She met Sir Grant four years earlier (Duchess of Sin) when he showed her the wonderful antique manuscript The Chronicle of Kildare. She was fascinated by the book and the man but suffered disillusionment when Grant kidnaped her older sister and her. Grant was injured in a fire as he escaped and Caroline didn’t really expect to see him again.

Now Caroline’s older, scholarly husband has died and she is restless.  She sets out to the isle of Muirin Inish with the purpose of seeing The Chronicle of Kildare.  Of course to see the book she will have to see Grant.  Before Caroline reaches the isle she is shipwrecked. She is pulled from the water and awakens to look into the eyes of the man she seeks. Caroline still finds him devastatingly attractive even with the burn scars along the left side of his face.

Grant has secluded himself in a derelict castle on a reclusive isle. He knows that his past was misdirected and he hopes to find a way to redeem himself.  He has dreamed of his short exposure to Caroline but he never expected to see her again. 

Caroline is stranded by storms in a castle that is shrouded in mystery and darkness. Although Grant is willing to give her access to his library he isn’t willing to let her see The Chronicle and he wants her to remain out of sight while he receives some expected guests. Caroline doesn’t obey orders well and manages to stumble into troubles.  First she finds secret doors in the library and later she runs into the French Captain whom Grant was trying to hide her from.

The story is driven by the growing relationship between Caroline and Grant. The romance is lovely and sensual. Running behind the romance is the underlying intrigue involving the United Irish rebellion. There are spies, betrayals, murder attempts, a race against time and pretty much constant danger. 

The writing is easy, the descriptions rich, and the story moves along well. The combination of action and romance makes for an engaging story presented with the backdrop of an interesting historical event. I love this summary that underlies their love: “I save you, you save me,”... “I think it’s our fate.”

xxx

Thank you to Hachette for this book to read and review. Check the triple book Giveaway in Forever's Hot Historical Romance blog tour.

Forever Historical Romance Blog Tour Giveaway

Once again Hachette is offering a package Giveaway! THREE Books for THREE Winners!!

Three authors with historical romances with handsome Highlander or Irish heroes and spirited heroines. Great romances to heat up your summer nights. :-)

Lady of Seduction

By Laurel McKee

ISBN: 9780446544771

Published by: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING

Genre: FICTION , ROMANCE

Published on: 6/01/2011

Format: MASS MARKET

 

 Laurel McKee - Five fun facts.

 Tamed by a Highlander

By Paula Quinn

ISBN: 9780446552363

Published by: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING

Genre: FICTION , ROMANCE

Published on: 7/01/2011

Format: MASS MARKET

Paula Quinn - Five fun facts.

Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel

By Sue-Ellen Welfonder

ISBN: 9780446561778

Published by: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING

Genre: FICTION , ROMANCE

Published on: 8/01/2011

Format: MASS MARKET

Sue-Ellen Welfonder - Five fun facts

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. Comment on at least one of the three reviews. This is required for entry.

Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel
Tamed by a Highlander
Lady of Seduction

2. Follow me and let me know how you follow: by GFC, Subscribe or Twitter.

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

4. For TWO more entries - tell me a fun fact for any of the authors - fun fact links are under each book information above.
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

(Seven total entries possible.) THREE winners!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* Only one winner per household.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on August 12, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries. 
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on AUGUST 13 and will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: Tamed by a Highlander by Paula Quinn

A story with lots of stubbornness and conflict.

Tamed by a Highlander by Paula Quinn

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever; 1 edition (July 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446552364
• ISBN-13: 978-0446552363

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating:  3.5 of 5.0

Product Description
A LOVER'S PROMISE
Connor Grant left his first love in the Highlands, vowing to return after serving in the king's army. Seven years later, he is still fighting for the crown, and his victories are legendary-both in the battlefield and in the bedroom. Yet he's never forgotten his bonnie lass. And he certainly never expected to see her amidst the splendor of the British royal court: beautiful, breathtaking, and tempting him past the point of no return.

A LADY'S DESTINY
The night he left, Mairi MacGregor banished Connor from her life forever. Now her heart belongs only to Scotland. As part of a secret alliance, she journeys to London in search of information . . . only to find herself face to face with the one man she swore she'd never trust again. Though Mairi's body still craves Connor's touch, she can't forgive his betrayal. But a traitor lurks in their midst and to protect her beloved Highlands, Mairi must make a leap of faith and join forces with Connor-even if it means losing her heart to him again.

Review: I enjoy Ms. Quinn’s writing but found this heroine annoying.

Mairi is a strong heroine but her primary feature is her stubbornness. As a six year old minx, Mairi declared herself in love with nine year old Connor. When he was nineteen Connor was called to leave his home in Scotland to go to England to serve in the king’s army.  Although he repeatedly asked Mairi to come to him she refused to leave Scotland. She felt betrayed at his abandonment. Mairi determined not to rely on any man and she learned to fight with sword, blade and spying skills.

Connor is devilishly handsome but more importantly he is honorable and loyal to his duty and to his love.  Granted he hasn’t been a monk for the seven years he was separated from Moira but his bedroom reputation may be exaggerated. On the other hand the legends of his battle victories are deserved.

Connor tried to forget Mairi after she refused to come to him and refused to even open his letters.
But seeing her again in England he knows that she is the only woman for him - if he can only get her to forgive him.  Moira has to fight to maintain her anger as Connor stirs her repressed passion and love for Connor.

Mairi is allowing Lord Oxford to companion her in order to get his secrets about the Cameronians. Oxford’s sister, Lady Elizabeth is intent on seducing Connor or trapping him into marriage. This adds more opportunities for misunderstandings and conflict between Connor and Mairi.

I liked Connor but I found Mairi's shallow attitude overly annoying. It takes half the book for Mairi to be willing to listen to Connor's side . The sexual scenes are bold and lusty - more so than I recalled from the earlier books in this series.

I was glad that the last twenty percent of the book was filled with the spy intrigue. I found the political issues over the Catholic and Protestant power struggles interesting although sad.  I would have enjoyed the story more if there had been more plot focus on the intrigues and less childish stubbornness plus I could have done with a little less bold sex. Ah well - the story is well written and some readers will enjoy the points that I did not.

 xxx

Thank you to Hachette for this book to read and review. Check the triple book Giveaway in Forever's Hot Historical Romance blog tour.

Book Review: Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

This is a good tale with a heroine determined to win her highlander mate.

Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel (Highland Warriors 2) by Sue-Ellen Welfonder.

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (July 26, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446561770
• ISBN-13: 978-0446561778

     Genre: Historical Romance
     My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
The second book in the Highland Warriors trilogy, in which three heroes make a pact to insure that a rival clan doesn't take over their glen and cause destruction. At the same time, three women will plot to marry these heroes to help insure peace.

In TEMPTATION OF A HIGHLAND SCOUNDREL, Kendrew Macintosh's reputation precedes him: he wields an ax with deathly precision, strikes fear into his enemies, and lusts after beautiful women. But Kendrew has never met someone whose passion rivals his own-until an unexpected encounter with a mysterious woman. Unfortunately, he soon discovers that the vixen is Isobel Cameron, daughter of an enemy clansman. Their relationship is forbidden and Kendrew breaks away immediately. Isobel has her own scheme. She has lusted after Kendrew for some time and plans to draw the fierce warrior back into her arms. But in the darkness, villainous forces are at play--an enemy is determined to keep the two lovers apart, even if it means death.

Review: I enjoyed the characters, the ghostly assistance and the fast paced action of this book.

Isobel Cameron is the sister of the Cameron Chief and is a fiercely passionate highlander. She has made a pact with the sisters of the other two clan chiefs. It isn’t easy for the three rival clans to share the glen where they live. But the option to truce is to have the King banish them all from the land. Although the men are particularly hard to coax into friendship, the sisters of the three leaders have agreed to seek peace through marriage to the other clan leaders. Catriona MacDonald has already married James Cameron in Sins of a Highland Devil. Now Isobel has her sights, and her heart, set on Kendrew Macintosh the brawny leader of the Macintosh clan.

Kendrew is a vibrant, fierce warrior who would much prefer battling with his ax than seeking making friends with his neighbors. Kendrew is known to favor the women too but he particularly avoids any Lady and he isn’t interested in settling down. On a night of rivalry, Kendrew is attracted in the dark to a seductress; their passion is intense until he discovers that the woman is Isobel Cameron, not only a Lady but the sister of one of his rivals.

Isobel has her task set out for her to convince Kendrew to fall in love with her. She has to show Kendrew her Highlander strength and her love for the wild country. I appreciated Isobel’s unflagging determination.

As Isobel tries to capture Kendrew’s affections there is a sinister force stalking Kendrew and others in the glen that lends mystery and suspense to the story.  The chase and tug between Isobel and Kendrew is enjoyable. The passion between the couple is warm and rich. I liked the interventions from the glen’s legendary ghosts as well as the ghostly draegan master who tries to help protect Kendrew and his clan.

This story is a good blend of conflict, mystery, romance and a bit of magic. It read quickly and easily for a satisfying read.

 xxx

Thank you to Hachette for this book to read and review. Check the triple book Giveaway in Forever's Hot Historical Romance blog tour.