Gratitude Giveaway Hop Nov 17-27!

Welcome to the Gratitude Giveaways Blog Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and co-hosted by All-Consuming Books.   This hop runs until November 27th which will give you plenty of time to enter all the giveaways.

There are 300 blogs each saying thanks to their followers by offering a simple, easy, one entry giveaway. No long list of optional entries on this hop - they are not allowed. I am #244 in the list.

This is a great time for me to say Thank You to my followers. You give me encouragement and smiles. :-)
THREE Winners will each get $10.00 Gift Certificates of their choice - Amazon, B&N, or select books with $10.00 value at The Book Depository.

Open Internationally as long as you can find a gift card you can use OR as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.

Easy Entry:  To enter just follow this blog any way you like (email, goodreads, GFC, facebook, twitter, etc.) and fill out the form.

If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFdDcHh1dkdYOGYxbFUxMXNPU090Nmc6MQ


Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hop along now to enter other great giveaways!

Blog Tour: The Great Scots & Highland Heat Nov 18-22

Do you love the Scots and Highlander stories? Here is your chance to learn about two new releases and maybe win both books! The tour schedule is below - check back 11/19 for my reviews and giveaway.

The

Great Scots & Highland Heat

Blog Tour with

Amanda Scott

and

Margaret Mallory

When Scotland’s Queen Annabella dies, her devastated niece, Lady Marsaili Cargill, takes charge of the seven-year-old prince James, who is second in line to the throne. But rumors abound that the King’s brother—the Duke of Albany—will stop at nothing to fulfill his ambition to govern Scotland. But before Marsi can help the young prince escape to the safety of St. Andrews Academy, she will need to confront the men seeking to use her—and accept the help of the King’s devoted master archer, Sir Ivor Mackintosh. With traitors and assassins all around, Marsi and Ivor must risk all for the little prince James, while hoping for a future that will allow their love to flourish.

HIGHLAND HERO
By Amanda Scott
ISBN: 978-0-446-57430-3
Published by: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING
Genre: FICTION, ROMANCE
Available now in mass market

Alex MacDonald is known for his skill as a warrior, his prowess with women, and his vow to never take a wife. But now his chieftain has asked him to make the ultimate sacrifice: wed Glynis MacNeil, a lass famed throughout the Highlands for her exquisite beauty—and defiant ways. Familiar with heartbreak, Glynis refuses to fall for another handsome scoundrel. Yet when Alex’s past sins force an unlikely union, Glynis gives in to temptation and becomes his wife. Will their newfound passion be strong enough to fight the enemy that threatens their home, their clan, and their very lives?

THE SINNER
By Margaret Mallory
ISBN: 978-0-446-58310-7
Published by: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING
Genre: FICTION, ROMANCE
Available November 1 in mass market

The Tour is November 18-22

Posting Date    Tour Participation    Blog URL
11/18/11    Review & Giveaway    http://blog.readaholic.info
11/18/11    Feature and Giveaway    http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/
11/18/11    Feature    http://www.dgr8mom.com/
11/18/11    Giveaway    http://www.justanothernewblog.com
11/18/11    Giveaway, Q&A    http://www.sosaloha.blogspot.com/
11/18/11    Interview      http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com
11/18/11    Giveaway    http://asthepagesturn.blogspot.com
11/18/11    Giveaway    http://takingtimeformommy.com
11/18/11    Review, Interview, and Giveaway    mybookaddictionandmore.com
11/18/11    Giveaway    http://maryinhb.blogspot.com
11/18/11    Giveaway    http://bodicerippernovels.wordpress.com
11/18/11    Giveaway    http://hangingwithbells.blogspot.com/
11/18/11    Giveaway    www.lovetoreadforfun.com
11/19/11    Interview & Giveaway    http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/
11/20/11    Giveaway    http://brokenteepee.com
11/20/11    Giveaway    http://thefictionenthusiast.blogspot.com
11/20/11    Review    http://saveyspender.com
11/20/11    Review    http://onebookshy.blogspot.com
11/21/11    Review, Interview, and Giveaway    http://www.seducedbyabook.com/
11/21/11    Giveaway    http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com
11/21/11    Other    marygramlich.blogspot.com
11/22/11    Giveaway    http://paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com
11/22/11    Review    www.BoekiesBookReviews.com
11/22/11    Review    http://bookslikebreathing.blogspot.com
11/22/11    Giveaway    http://www.startingfreshnyc.com/2011/07/historical-romance-group-blog-tour.html

Book Review and eBook Giveaway: Renegade Hearts by Anne Patrick

This is a story that woes your heart.

Renegade Hearts

by Anne Patrick

Format: DRM Free ePub
Vendor: Desert Breeze
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 9781612520810
ISBN-13: 9781612520810
[Linked to Christianbook.com; also available at Amazon, B&N]
Genre: Inspirational Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Description
Single mother, Jenny Holloway, has her hands full running a 1200-acre ranch, and keeping her daredevil son out of the emergency room. So when her foreman suggests she hire on his son Gil Montgomery, who just got home from the war, Jenny jumps at the opportunity of having another skilled cowboy around. Gil was used to taking orders, even from women. What he wasn't prepared for was the feelings this little firecracker of a woman triggered in him. Jenny is a lot like the bronco she's rescued and is now trying to break. The unexpected death of her husband has left her jaded and afraid to risk her heart getting broken again. Somehow, he has to gain her trust and prove that he isn't going anywhere.

Review: This is a plus, plus read for me: horses, a little suspense and warm family romance.

Jenny is a strong woman fighting to continue the success of the cattle ranch she and her husband, Rick, struggled to build. Jenny has learned that she has to be tough so she isn’t taken advantage of in the competitive and tough world of cattle breeding. Her husband has been dead for several years and in addition to the ranch, Jenny has her hands full with their 10 year old son, Zach.

Gil is the 32 year old son of the ranch foreman. He has returned home to recover from injuries received in Iraq. Gil is glad to have the hard ranch work to distract him from his war memories. Even more distracting is the feisty boss lady. Even though she is experienced and capable it is clear that she is trying to handle everything by herself. When he sees her face down a rogue horse he is ready to step in and protect her. She may not think she wants or needs another man around, but Gil is determined to show her he is the right man to help her with the ranch and with raising a young boy.

It is wonderful that Gil realizes the importance of developing a relationship with Zach as well as going slowly with Jenny. Jen has to be coaxed to see that she can take the risk of loving again.

The characters are real and draw you into their world. Even young Zach is a well developed character and you can feel the exuberant boy in him. The author portrays good detail for the cattle ranching and breeding business that provides fullness for the setting and plot. There are trained horses, horses to be trained and foals to marvel over. The plot includes a bit of thievery and suspense, in addition to the romance. Both plot elements kept me interested in how things would be handled. 

There are gentle themes of forgiveness and obedience together with underlying threads of lives grounded in faith, miracles and blessings. The writing flows beautifully.  Although there were one or two minor items that seemed repeated that didn’t bother my full enjoyment.  This is a truly lovely, sweet read that will leave you with a nice “ahhh” felling when it is done.

Anne writes suspense, sweet romance and inspirational romance.  I met Anne through The Sweetest Authors group where there are wonderful authors writing sweet stories. This is the third story I have read by Anne and I feel confident to say that I will always be glad to pick up her works for an encouraging, refreshing, sometimes suspenseful, and always warm read.

Thank you to Anne for the ARC to enjoy and review. Anne is generously offering an eBook copy to one lucky commenter.

OPEN WORLDWIDE.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR an eBook Copy of Renegade Hearts:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.

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

3.  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.
(Four total entries possible.)

* Open Worldwide.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on November 25, 2011.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 26. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? November 14, 2011

This meme starts at Book Journey!

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 seem to be on a roll - once again it was a busy week with lots of good reading.  I finished five books again.  I posted five reviews and two giveaways. I posted a Fantasy Pack Giveaway Announcement.  I posted my regular Friday Pick Giveaway; Saturday Sharing Beyond Books, and Sunday posts. 

I still need to keep posting at least five reviews a week to keep up with the reading! :-)

I did get to visit a bit at the end of the week.
These were last week's posts plus a Winner post not listed.

•  It's Monday What are You Reading? November 7, 2011.

• Book Review: The Revisionists by Thomas Mullen. Sci Fi thriller;  my Rating: 4.25.  

• Fantasy Prize Pack Giveaway Announcement.

• Book Review: Too Wicked to Wed by Cara Elliott.  Historical Romance;  my rating 4.5.

• Book Review: Deliciously Sinful by Lilli Feisty. Contemporary Romance;  my Rating: 3.75. 

• Forever Romance Turning Up  the Heat Giveaway - two books for three winners. 

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 11, 2011.  Open Worldwide. Ends 11/17.

• AudioBook Review: No Rest for the Dead by Various Authors. Mystery; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review and Print and eBook Giveaway: Blackberry Summer by RaeAnne Thayne.  Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25. eBook Open Worldwide. Ends 11/25.
  

• Sharing Beyond Books #22 Comment Giveaway.  Open Worldwide. Ends 11/18.

•  Sunday Words of Encouragement November 13, 2011. 

Finished Reading:

 1. Print

 

 Deliciously Sinful
by Lilli Fiesty

The review with double giveaway 
is linked above.

2. Print
 

Blackberry Summer

by RaeAnne Thayne
The review and giveaway for the print plus a Christmas ebook are linked above.

3. Kindle

Gift of the Heart

by Suzanne Barrett

This is a wonderful Novela for Christmas 
or anytime reading! 

I'll be posting a review 

with Giveaway later this week. 

Description:
Amy Wilson struggles to make a home for herself and her small son in the Northern California town of Riverton. Widowed and alone, and saddled with debt from her husband’s failed business, she vows to pay off his creditors herself and remain independent from her overbearing in-laws.

Shay McHugh is dissatisfied with his life. At thirty-three, he has a home on the river which he has just remodeled, a white Porsche, a powerboat, and a position as manager of Riverton’s ValuKing Supermarket. But lately he finds life doesn’t offer the fulfillment he craves. Something is lacking. When he meets Amy, he has an overwhelming desire to protect her, which is exactly the thing Amy has been escaping. Can the two set aside their differences and make room for love?

4. Kindle

Renegade Hearts

by Anne Patrick

This is a very lovely cowgirl + cowboy story. I will post the review later this week.

Publisher's Description

Single mother, Jenny Holloway, has her hands full running a 1200-acre ranch, and keeping her daredevil son out of the emergency room. So when her foreman suggests she hire on his son Gil Montgomery, who just got home from the war, Jenny jumps at the opportunity of having another skilled cowboy around. Gil was used to taking orders, even from women. What he wasn't prepared for was the feelings this little firecracker of a woman triggered in him. Jenny is a lot like the bronco she's rescued and is now trying to break. The unexpected death of her husband has left her jaded and afraid to risk her heart getting broken again. Somehow, he has to gain her trust and prove that he isn't going anywhere.

5. Print
 

A Match Made in Heaven

by Shari MacDonald

This is our Church Book Club Selection 

- our meeting was postponed till next Saturday so I will post the review and Giveaway next weekend.

This was light, fun and sweet.

Line Edits/Releases: 

I have the last of the Dark Bride Series, 

Seduced by Darkness, releasing this week.

Currently reading:

1. Print/Kindle  AUTHOR GUEST POST AND GOODIE BAG GIVEAWAY 11/17!

The Storm that is Sterling

by Lisa Renee Jones

This one sizzles!

Review, Author Guest Post and 

Giveaway to post on Thursday, 11/17. 

Product Description
Award-winning, bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is breaking out of series romance success into single title with her fast-paced, paranormal romantic suspense series full of dark danger and sizzling hot passion.

Sterling Jeter, Renegade Super Soldier, is fearless, powerful, and wildly unpredictable. His life-threatening mission is to save the beautiful, brilliant astrobiologist Rebecca Burns from ruthless villain Adam Rain. But their immutable mutual attraction threatens to put them in the path of death... or worse...

2. Print/Kindle - WATCH FOR FOREVER ROMANCE GREAT SCOTS AND HIGHLAND HEAT BLOG TOUR THIS WEEK!

The Sinner

Margaret Mallory

I am looking forward to reading this for Double Book Tour on Saturday 11/19.

Book Description

Series: Return of the Highlanders 2 | Publication Date: November 1, 2011

THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS: BOOK 2

Four fearless warriors return to the Highlands to claim their lands and legacies. But all their trials on the battlefield can't prepare them for their greatest challenge yet: winning the hearts of four willful Scottish beauties.

IRRESISTIBLE DESIRE

Alex MacDonald is known for his skill as a warrior, his prowess with women, and his vow to never take a wife. But now his chieftain has asked him to make the ultimate sacrifice: wed Glynis MacNeil, a lass famed throughout the Highlands for her exquisite beauty-and defiant ways.

Familiar with heartbreak, Glynis refuses to fall for another handsome scoundrel. Yet when Alex's past sins force an unlikely union, Glynis gives in to temptation and becomes his wife. Will their newfound passion be strong enough to fight the enemy that threatens their home, their clan, and their very lives?

3. Print/Kindle

Highland Hero

by Amanda Scott

This is the second book for Saturday's Blog Tour Duo.

Book Description

Series: Scottish Knights | Publication Date: October 1, 2011

LADY IN DISGUISE

Lady Marsi Cargill refuses to marry a man who wants her land rather than her love. To escape her arranged betrothal, she disguises her noble lineage and accompanies her young cousin--the future King of Scots--on a secret journey across the Highlands. Their guide is a mysterious knight known only as Hawk. Heat flares between the beautiful maid and the brooding warrior, but when Marsi's true identity is revealed, Hawk's desire gives way to fury...

KNIGHT AT THE READY

Summoned by the King to guard his son, Sir Ivor "Hawk" Mackintosh now has two royals to protect. This daring, willful woman has invaded Hawk's every thought, and laid siege to his heart. Soon the solitary soldier is yearning for a life with Marsi at his side and in his bed. But as their passion grows, so too does the danger surrounding them. Powerful enemies watch their every move, and to survive, Hawk and Marsi must fight for Scotland's future-as well as their own new-found love.

4. Audio:

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

by Laini Taylor

I am a good third into this and really like it so far.

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 2011 Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

I still didn't get too far into In Winter's Shadow  by Gillian Bradshaw - it is on hold while I read the scheduled books. 

I am also listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. 

I am at Ezekiel 30 and 2 Peter 1.

Line Edits: I am working on two Novellas for release and continuing to work on Smashword and print releases.

November is another busy month.
 
Scheduled Reviews and Tours:

11/17 The Storm That is Stirling by Lisa Renee Jones with Author Guest Post - Sourcebooks
11/17 to 27th Gratitude Giveaway Hop - Mine will be International although the list currently says US

11/19 Blog Tour: Forever Romance Great Scots and Highland Heat - two book Reviews and Giveaway -     Highland Hero by Amanda Scott and The Sinner by Margaret Mallory

11/22 Embrace the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney with Guest Post -Sourcebooks

Additional Publisher Books

 Sourcebooks:
         Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish by Grace Burrowes
         The Highlander's Heart by Amanda Forester
FaithWords:  Paper Angels by Billy Coffey
Hachette: Three Day-Town by Margaret Maron
Little and Brown:
         Help for Writers by Roy Peter Clark 

         Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson

Remaining Author Selections - These are now into November and I am going to be pushing to get them in between the publisher selections.
Karen Wiesner -Souls on (B)oring Street [Denim Blues Mysteries Book 3]

Nibi Soto - The Chronicles of Quant
Nathan Patrick Hardt - The Second Sonata


[To be posted:
These were read and ready for reviews for Authors. I am sending out interviews for these. I hope to post them all soon.
Quest for Magic by Jean Hart Stewart - Read; review to be posted with interview.
Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get) and To See (What You See is What You Get) by Nicole Zoltack - Both Read; setting up author interview with reviews.
Steamrolled by Pauline Baird Jone. Read; review to be posted with author interview.]

Sunday Words of Encouragement November 13, 2011

This post is very late today because our daughter and her family came over after church and we had a lovely day together. As we get closer to Thanksgiving I am ever mindful of the blessings I have.
I am just going to share an awesome song, verses for today and a quick prayer thought.

Verses for Today:

2 Thes 2: 13-15  NIV

13But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings^c we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 

This morning we gave thanks for Veterans and all those who serve to protect our country. We prayed too that we would find full freedom through the Holy Spirit to reflect Christ's love and glory to the world.