Sharing Beyond Books #23 Comment Giveaway November 19, 2011

Hello There - Welcome again to Saturday Night and Sharing Beyond Books! 
Thanks for your comments this past week.

Well the majority of us do have some issues with pronouncing weird names - why do we think that our pronunciations are wrong instead of the other person? There was another good number of you who like weird names or at least expect them in certain genres.  Then there were a couple who weren't fazed by strange names.

I did know that Canadians celebrate a different Thanksgiving but I guess I didn't think about other countries not having a Thanksgiving celebration. Some of you shared recipes for "national" holidays and that works. Quite a few of the favorite recipes came from cookbooks and Michelle's Settlement Cookbook sounds interesting. Aik gets recipes from the internet - and I have to tell you that my DH tried a scrumptious pumpkin cake recipe from the internet last weekend. It'll be a new favorite. :-)

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The Winner from SBB #22 comments is: #11 Margaret. There are still 9 'love' books to pick from, 5 Christmas choices and 2 Summer titles below so Margaret please choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, the one summer book below OR pick from the ARC box and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #23 Questions

Q1. Mary P asks: Which cover is your current favorite??

A:  That is hard as there are so many really nice covers. I am prejudiced because I think Suzannah Safi makes some great covers for the eTreasures books. This one happens to be one that I really like as I think the translucent hands on the face are just so cool.

Q2. I'm sticking with sort of a holiday's theme. Whether it is a thanksgiving, a Christmas or some other national celebration - What is your favorite Holiday scent? 

A:  There are several lovely holiday scents like cinnamon and gingerbread but I think that my favorite is pine/evergreen.  

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Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask.  Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form.  At the end of each month I will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions but some of you others might want to get in a question or two as we have a few people submitting most of the questions so far.  Either way - it works for me. :-)

Your turn to share:

1. Which cover is your current favorite??

2.  What is your favorite Holiday scent??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 14 books available plus 2 left in the Summer titles to choose from. Also I have added the Review and ARC Box now.

The Days of Summer: A Novel

My copy is a paperback from 2006

with a different cover.

A Summer Affair (Calhoun Chronicles)
I love Susan Wigg's historicals!

SBB Rules: a) Must be a follower; 
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.

I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, November 25 at 10PM central.

Winners: Utterly Charming, I Didn't Ask to Be Born and Sierra Bride

CONGRATULATIONS 

to the Winners and thanks to those who entered.

 ARC Copy of Utterly Charming

by Kristine Grayson

Wanda

 ARC of I Didn't Ask to be Born

by Bill Cosby

Maureen

 eBook of Sierra Bride

by Suzanne Barrett

Laura H.

ALL WINNERS please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form so I can mail the books out and let Suzanne know to send the ebook.  Please reply within 72 hours! 

Mini Interviews and Scots/Highland Giveaway: TWO Books - THREE Winners!

Please learn a bit about these two fine authors who share some writing thoughts below.

The

Great Scots & Highland Heat

Blog Tour with

Amanda Scott

and

Margaret Mallory

Mini Q&A with Amanda Scott:

Q1.  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?

o   I’ve done both. My Isles/Templar series began with a two-book contract, for which I’d planned to write about the twin brothers who became the progenitors of Clan Maclean/MacLaine. Those books are Highland Princess and Lord of the Isles. I knew how the hero and heroine of Highland Princess had met and married, because their story is true and documented. I also knew that the twin brother of Lachlan the Wily, the hero of Highland Princess, was known as Hector the Ferocious. That gave me a clue to his personality, and I knew that he had married Christina Macleod of Glenelg. But I knew nothing more, so I gave Christina a bunch of sisters. Then I recalled that the Knights Templar had likely ended up in Scotland not long before these stories took place and realized how easily I could bring them in. Well, the series grew to six books (from Highland Princess to Lord of the Isles on my book list at www.amandascottauthor.com). I do write a general outline for trilogies now, if only to decide how I’m going to connect the 3 books. For example, with my new Scottish Knights trilogy, Highland Master [Forever, Feb 2011], Highland Hero [Oct 2011], and the forthcoming Highland Lover (Forever, April 2012), the stories take place in early fifteenth-century Scotland at a time when the third man in line for the Scottish throne was utterly ruthless and determine to rule Scotland. The heir to the throne was a reckless, womanizing profligate, and the next person in line was a seven-year-old boy. My plan for the Scottish Knights trilogy was for the heroes to be three close friends, all knights who had studied together under the Bishop of St. Andrews but who never, as students, knew each other’s real names. Those heroes do all that they can to help the rightful heir in his battle against the murderous efforts of his wicked uncle to seize Scotland’s throne. Generally, I do plan and outline what I write, but I always leave myself an opening in case a secondary character in one book simply cries out to be the hero or heroine of the next. I’ve posted the first chapter of Highland Hero [Forever, Oct 2011] on my website www.amandascottauthor.com. If readers have questions or comments, they will also find a link there to my email, which is amandascott@att.net. I have learned a great deal from readers, love to hear from them, and I answer all messages.

Q2.  What inspired you to write this genre?

o   I didn’t know that I was writing Romance when I started. I thought I’d just written a historical novel. So it came as a surprise to learn that there were categories. I’ve written 58 books in all so far, set in the English Regency and Victorian periods and in Wales, as well as the Scottish Historicals that I’m writing now. I have a Master’s Degree in British history with an emphasis on England and Scotland, and my heritage is Scottish on both sides with the addition of Welsh on my father’s side. Although I have written a number of books set in the Highlands and have ancestors who were Fergusons from Galloway or Perth and Jamisons from Clan Gunn and Orkney, most of my Scottish ancestors hail from the Borders (Scott, Douglas, Logan, and related septs). I tell people I have horse thieves (reivers) hanging from every branch of the family tree.

Q3.  If you could jump into a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

o   If you mean one of my own books, I can’t imagine. I’m in them – at least, my mind is – when I write them, but I would not want to live in the 14^th or 15^th century. I spend my summers in a rustic cabin in the High Sierras with no road, no sewer, no telephone, and no Internet. That’s enough historical living for me. I like libraries, iced mochas, and driving fast cars. Living in a drafty, smoky castle might be a hoot for a sennight or so, and I love good haggis, but after that…nae, moran taing! (no, thanks)

Please check out my Review of Highland Hero - a sensual richly historical read. 

Mini Q&A with Margaret Mallory:

Q1.   What are some of the best tips you’ve received on writing?

Stephen King’s recommendation in his book, On Writing, to set daily and weekly writing goals has been enormously helpful to me. When I am writing the first draft of a book, I live by my daily and weekly word count or page goals.

I keep an index card by my computer to remind me of Dwight Swain’s advice inTechniques of the Selling Writer to leave out the boring parts.

Q2.  Do you have any strange habits when you write?

I often get caught up in my work and stay in my pj’s far too long.

Q3.  Which authors have influenced you most how?

I’ve always been a big reader of all kinds of fiction. It’s hard to say which of so many authors influenced me, but I loved the old historical sagas by James Clavell and Michener  for immersion in another time and place, the Judith MacNaught and Julie Garwood historical romances for emotional connection to characters, and the old spy thrillers by Le Carré and Ken Follett for suspense and intrigue.

Please check out my review of THE SINNER - a sexy read.

Thank you to Jillian at Hachette for these two books to read and for providing THREE sets of BOTH BOOKS for giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for BOTH BOOKS: 

1. Visit BOTH Margaret's website and Amanda's website and tell me something you found interesting and each site.
You must visit both please.   This is required for entry and worth TWO entries.

2.  For extra entry, comment on one or both of the reviews - worth one entry each.

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

4. For two more 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.
(Seven total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!

* 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 December 2, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on December 3 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Book Review: Highland Hero by Amanda Scott

This has sweet romance in a story rich with history and intrigue.
Highland Hero
By Amanda Scott

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (October 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446574309
• ISBN-13: 978-0446574303

     Genre:  Historical Romance (heavy on historical)
     My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

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.

Review: Hawk is a surprising hero to a child and a damsel in distress.

Marsi is a character who grew on me. She is a Royal ward so it is not so surprising that she is rather spoiled and accustomed to her own way.  The Queen has died leaving her week husband in command. The youngest son, eight year old James, will be sent away to keep him from the hands of Albany who seeks to control the Kingdom, through manipulation if not through murder.  Marsi is James cousin and, to avoid an unwanted betrothal, she disguises herself as a nursery maid to hide with James and their nursery mistress. 

The King is afraid of Albany’s influence and has called upon Ivor, “Hawk”, to escort the young heir to safety. Hawk is attracted to the bright young woman and, considering her manners and saucy tongue, soon suspects that she is more than a maid. Marsi is cautious with Hawk but slowly finds herself trusting him and feeling safe - and other things - when near him.

Hawk is a stern character but kind, smart, trustworthy and a handsome Highlander to boot. Marsi is young, impulsive and spoiled but her strengths - smart, warm hearted, brave and beautiful - win out.  I liked how young James’ character is portrayed as arrogant but kind hearted. There is danger as the group travels through a countryside covered with enemies, spies and gossips.  I learned some interesting details about marital contracts in Scotland; also a sweet tidbit about the ring on the third finger.

I really enjoyed how the romance developed slowly, sweetly and with some irony but definite integrity.  The romantic scenes are sensual and a smaller feature within a story full of history and intrigue.  It read a little slower as I was keeping track of the noble politics. I like this more than I expected (I’m not sure what my reluctance was).  Now I want to go back and read the first in the series and look forward to the next one.

A Fav Quote:
"You will find me," she murmured, feeling warmth at the very thought of him.

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for providing this book for review and giveaway.  Please see the review of The Sinner right before this one and look at the next post for the Giveaway post.

Book Review: The Sinner by Margaret Mallory

This is a Scottish Highlander romance with strong, sexy characters.

The Sinner (Return of the Highlanders 2)

by Margaret Mallory

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446583103
• ISBN-13: 978-0446583107

Genre:  Historical Romance (heavy on the romance)
My Rating:  3.75 of 5.0

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?

Review:  There minds said they didn’t want to marry but their passion said something else.

Glynis was married to a Scottish oaf against her will. Within a few months she was disgusted by his open philandering and she left him after pointing a knife at his sensitive parts. Now she is set on avoiding another marriage. To escape her father’s efforts to find a new husband she decides to go to her mother’s family.  Glynis blackmails Alex to take her to Edinburgh since he is headed that way.

Alex has a reputation with the ladies and has no intention of settling down even when his clan leader is implying that an alliance would be helpful.  Before leaving home the local prophetess advises Alex that he will be called upon to help three women: one will bring danger, one will give him a surprising gift and the third will fulfill his deepest desires. Alex agrees to go to another clan to negotiate support but not a marriage alliance.  When he first meets Glynis she is disguised as a lumpish figure with red face marks that are slipping.  He finds her attempts to avoid attention very humorous. The second time he sees her he is awed by the beautiful nymph on the beach. Against his better judgment he agrees to escort her to Edinburgh.

As they travel together Alex is tortured by her temptations. Finally Glynis decides that before she becomes a celibate old maid she wants to have a quick affair with Alex.  The couple proceeds to have a passionate affair while each continues to claim they do not want to marry. Then they are put in a situation where they must marry. Glynis agrees that marrying Alex is better than alternatives but she she doesn’t trust him to be faithful.

I enjoyed the underlying story and I did like Glynis and Alex as strong, fun characters. However much of the book is steamy love scenes. I understand that the intimacy helps give depth to their relationship and creates conflict for the distrust issues, but it was too much sex action for me. Fortunately there was some intrigue and action and the whole story moved pretty quickly.  I still like the author’s writing and I like the series enough that I will try the next one in hopes that the plot substance out weighs the sexual scenes.

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for providing this book for review and giveaway.  Please see the Giveaway post for two books - the next post after the second review of The Highlander Hero.