The Elven Lords Blogger Hop - Stonehame

Today I am pleased to host Kathryne Kennedy as part of The Elven Lords Blogger Hop.

Stonehame

The elven lady La'laylia rules here, with her lavender scepter attuned to the gemstones of the earth. The palace is constructed of one gigantic piece of amethyst, and the very air within the court seems to be tinted with shades of purple. The courtiers sparkle with jewels on fingers and gowns, in lappets and stockings, but none of them dazzle the eyes as much as the elven lady herself, in a gown woven of diamonds.

Excerpts featuring Stonehame, from The Elven Lords Series by Kathryne Kennedy:

A City and the Palace:

The crowds thinned as they reached the edge of the city, stately mansions replacing the brownstone shops. Gems glittered in the very bricks of the homes, winking in a myriad of colors. Statues carved of crystal into the shapes of animals and birds glowed softly from cornices above, and beside the stairs of grand entrances below. Lions roared, dragons spread their wings, and gargoyles leered.

***

It seemed that the cities had grown more brilliant the farther they rode into the interior of Stonehame, their construction enhanced by the local crystal called from the depths by La’laylia of Stonehame, the crystal itself often colored and striated with vibrant hues.

Cecily could not imagine what Stonehame Palace might look like, for Giles had told her it had been crafted entirely of amethyst.

The Land:

At first it felt odd to see a crystal spire jutting from the middle of a swath of grassland, but Cecily had become accustomed to it the farther they had traveled into the sovereignty. But the mountain of stone that came into view once they’d cleared the buildings of the city astonished her.

Gray clouds moved over the skies, covering the brief morning sunshine, but even in that dimness the mountain of crystal blazed, as if it possessed some inner light. It sat in the middle of a field of tall grass, the enormous base of it a cluster of square-shaped stones angling inward toward the top into four-sided capped spires.

The dragons:

She had heard the dragons of the six other sovereignties had different powers associated with their elven lords: the black dragon of Firehame could breathe fire; the blue dragon of Dewhame, lightning; the green dragon of Verdanthame could breathe a mist that grew tangled briars and enormous trees. The silver dragon of Bladehame spat molten metal, the brown dragon of Terrahame emitted a roar that cracked the earth, and the violet dragon of Stonehame could turn anything to stone with his breath.

SEE GIVEAWAY BELOW: Question for readers to answer to be entered in the contest:

Amethyst plays an important role in Stonehame… What is your favorite type of jewel or gem?

 Follow the Tour

Elven Realm Blogger Hop Schedule

Featuring the Elven Lords Series by Kathryne Kennedy

2/6 “Dewhame”—hosted by Star-Crossed Romance http://star-crossedromance.blogspot.com/

Grand Prize: Small Desktop Fountain + signed copies of all three books in The Elven Lords Series

Runner-up Prize: All three books in The Elven Lords Series

2/7 “Firehame”—hosted by Books Like Breathing http://bookslikebreathing.blogspot.com/

Grand Prize: Red Candles (battery operated) + signed copies of all three books in The Elven Lords Series

Runner-up Prize: All three books in The Elven Lords Series

 
2/8 “Dreamhame”—hosted by SOS Aloha http://www.sosaloha.blogspot.com/

Grand Prize: Pretty Sparkly Make Up + signed copies of all three books in The Elven Lords Series

Runner-up Prize: All three books in The Elven Lords Series

2/9 “Stonehame”—hosted by Book Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/

Grand Prize: Purple Jewelry + signed copies of all three books in The Elven Lords Series

Runner-up Prize: All three books in The Elven Lords Series

2/10 “Bladehame”—hosted by The Royal Reviews http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/

Grand Prize: Sword Letter Opener + signed copies of all three books in The Elven Lords Series

Runner-up Prize: All three books in The Elven Lords Series

2/11 “Terrahame”—hosted by Debbie’s Book Bag http://debsbookbag.blogspot.com/

Grand Prize: Terra Cotta Wind Chimes + signed copies of all three books in The Elven Lords Series

Runner-up Prize: All three books in The Elven Lords Series

2/12 “Verdanthame”—hosted by Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell http://books-forlife.blogspot.com/

Grand Prize: Fairy Garden Orament + signed copies of all three books in The Elven Lords Series

Runner-up Prize: All three books in The Elven Lords Series

2/13 Elven Realm Blogger Hop Grand Prize Announcement—hosted by the Sourcebooks Buzz Blog http://www.sourcebooks.com/authors/the-buzz-sourcebooks.html

Anyone who comments on the other blogs throughout the blogger hop will be eligible for this overall grand prize, too-
Grand Prize: $100 B&N Gift Card + signed copies of all three books in The Elven Lords Series
Runner-up Prize: All three books in The Elven Lords Series

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Kathryne Kennedy for inviting me to participate in this Blogger hop and for providing the prizes!

Grand Prize: Purple Jewelry + signed copies of all three books in The Elven Lords Series

Runner-up Prize: All three books in The Elven Lords Series

This is the purple jewelry: lovely purple earrings:

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY: 

REQUIRED:  Leave a comment answering Kathryne's question above in red.  Make sure you leave your email as well.

THERE WILL BE A GRAND PRIZE AND RUNNER UP WINNER here and entrants have a chance for the Overall grand prize - see the 2/13 blog stop information.

* 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 February 19, 2012.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on February 20 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Giveaway and Interview with Samantha Grace, Author of Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel

Please help me welcome Samantha Grace to  Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Hello Samantha!

Q1.  What inspired you to write historical romance?

SG:  I love immersing myself in a world that doesn’t provide constant reminders that pull me out of the story. My life is so different from the historical heroine’s life that I’m able to take a vacation for a while. While I like contemporary, I might be reminded of my to-do list just from the mention of a cell phone. Things I don’t want to think about at the moment.

 I had never thought of it that way but maybe that is why historical romance was my favorite genre for years!

Q2.  Did you find anything "hands on" or unusual required when researching your books?

SG:  I had a lot of fun researching how to play Faro. In fact, the whole regency gambling scene was interesting.

 I've occasionally wondered how to play Whist too.

Q3.  What is the biggest obstacle you have to overcome when you want to write?

SG:  I think my biggest obstacle is one most moms face. I worry about being present enough for my family, especially when I have a deadline. My husband is incredibly supportive, but I feel it’s unfair to shift everything to him. He hasn’t complained, but I don’t like putting him in that position. Then my youngest has always been a Mama’s girl, so it’s hard for her when she gets less of my attention.

 It is challenging to juggle family and career.

Q4.  What is one of the best tips you’ve received on writing?

SG:  Keep writing. If you stop to research or edit what you’re writing, you can lose momentum. It’s okay to leave details blank in the first draft. Just place XXX in the spots that are going to require more research. (I also add a comment box with what I need to look up or I might not remember.) Then when it’s time to fill in the blanks all I have to do is search for XXX.

SG:  Here’s one of my tips: If you begin to hate what you’ve written and think you’re a horrible writer, it’s time to go to bed. It’s amazing how the little writing fairies polish it up while you’re sleeping.

Both of these seem like very good, practical tips!

Q5.  It looks like you are very busy with books coming out soon. Have these been in process for a long time and/or how do you find time to write while you are juggling your family?

SG: Fortunately, I have a couple of days off during the week to write while my kids are at school, so that has helped a lot. I was able to cut back about a year ago.

That is nice that you have days that you have the extra time.
Q6.  (a) How do find or develop your characters and personalities?

SG:  The characters basically appear and slowly reveal their personalities as we go along. I may know I need someone to stir up trouble or help the hero, but I don’t know who that’s going to be until they step forward. I view the first draft as our chance to get to know each other.

 That sounds like a nice way to meet and grow.

 (b) Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

SG:  I think to some degree there is a little bit of me in every character, but I think Lana’s brother, Jake, and I share a lot of similar traits. I, too, have a tendency to run into doorjambs or almost fall in front of a crowd. In college, I once got my heel stuck in the only hole in the sidewalk and had to get on my knees to pry my shoe free. Of course it was in front of the totally hot swimmer I had a crush on. These things only happen when I have a witness. I’m also extremely loyal like Jake, and once someone has wronged someone I love, I can’t let go of it easily, even though I’m quick to forgive when I’ve been wronged.

 Jake's loyalty comes through and I am interested in his story.

Q7.  Do you have an ancillary character in Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel that was the most fun to write?

SG:  I love Drew’s sister, Gabby, and I enjoy the two of them together. I think Gabby may have a lot of fun in store for me down the road.

Oh yes- Gabby is a spritely character who I am sure will have fun adventure!

Q8.  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?

SG:  Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half definitely developed from the characters who appeared in Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel. There was something about Amelia that pulled at my heartstrings from the beginning. She just wasn’t the stereotypical “other woman”, and I knew she was heroine material. It wasn’t until the second draft that I realized Jake and Amelia’s connection to one another. Book three came from a random story idea, and it felt right for this book. I keep a list of potential stories in a journal when inspiration strikes. I don’t develop them at the time. I just make a note and apparently the right characters tell me which one is their story.

Nice that you get help from the characters - I like that. :-)

Q9.  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

SG:  Hopeful! I’m not unrealistic and unprepared, but I hope for the best from people, and I’m rarely disappointed.

Nice choice and that gives a more positive aspect for life.

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

 My heart melts when ____________________.

Thank you so much for taking time to share (both your writing and this interview) with readers.

SG:  Thank you for having me as a guest, Martha. I really enjoyed your interview questions and I look forward to chatting with your readers. Samantha

Thank you to Beth at Sourcebooks for providing a print copy of this fun book for giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY: 

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you found interesting.
  This is required for entry.

2.  Answer Samantha's question in Q10 above - worth two entries.

3.  For extra entry, comment on my review - worth two entries.

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

5. 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.
(Eight total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER for a print copy.

* 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 February 17, 2012.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on February 18 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Book Review: Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel by Samantha Grace

This is a light historical romance with the tables turned on a carefree bachelor.

Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel

by Samantha Grace

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 7, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402258313
• ISBN-13: 978-1402258312

Genre: Historical Romance

 My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

 Book Description

Publication Date: February 7, 2012

HE'LL NEVER SETTLE FOR ONE WOMAN...

Debonair bachelor Lord Andrew Forest lives for pleasure and offers no apologies. But he receives a dose of his own medicine when his family's entrancing houseguest beds him, then disappears without so much as a by-your-leave. He'd like to teach the little vixen a thing or two about how to love and man...if he can find her..

AND SHE WON'T SETTLE FOR HEARTBREAK...

After the dashing man of her dreams is revealed as a lying scoundrel, heiress Lana Hilary is ready to seek a match with a respectable gentleman-if only they weren't so dreadfully boring. Unable to rein in her bold nature for long, Lana flirts with trouble and finds herself entangled with exactly the type of man she's vowed to avoid.

Review: I thought the blurb premise would make this a fun read.  It is light and fun but it didn’t quite meet my expectations.

Lana is a young heiress in her second season.  Her Mother is insisting that she find a suitable husband before she ends up “on the shelf.”  Lana doesn’t have the best self esteem as she perceives that her mother has always made negative comments about her fly away, bright red hair and her white skin that burns and freckles too easily.  Because Lana is an heiress she has had to avoid men who are clearly fortune hunters. Even if she doesn’t expect to marry for love, she longs to be cared for just for herself and not her wealth.  She discovers that she has an attraction to the wrong sort of men, or actually just one man - Lord Andrew.

Lord Andrew is clearly a scoundrel as Lana can tell when he rescues her from falling out of a tree to escape an overly eager, dull suitor. Andrew steals a quick kiss before they are interrupted by a widow who has come out for a rendevous. Lana’s beloved brother, Jake, also warns her away from Andrew whom he knows from the gambling halls and other places men visit.

Lana tries to stay away but Andrew is enchanted by her and continues his pursuit until he has captured her complete attention. When Andrew would back off, it is Lana that turns the tables on him by walking into a seduction and then walking away. 

There are several wrong assumptions and misunderstandings that create conflict, although some of these are predictable. There is also a sinister threat and a kidnaping that adds some needed action and excitement. 

The heroine and hero seemed a bit immature which may be understandable because they are rather young. Unfortunately I never totally warmed to them. Lana is young but trying to be worldly. She knows better than to become involved with a scoundrel but she decides to toss aside her good reputation for just the chance to be with him. Andrew is very charming and more so when he realizes that he is beyond the stage of finding pleasure in the night life and chasing skirts.  I really like the portion when he recognizes that he could have a ‘home’ with Lana.

It may have bothered me too that I didn’t see that the title truly fit the story.  This is an easy read and is my first experience with this author.  I think she has potential to improve on a nice, but slightly weak, beginning to this series. I am still interested in reading Jake's story in the next book.

A favorite passage: Andrew thinking to himself:

He had never believed himself capable of love, yet here he stood in a house he wished to make a  home for the one woman who had captured his heart.

Location 2587.

I received this book from Sourcebooks through NetGalley to read and review.
I will add this to my New Author and ARC challenges.
Please don't miss the interesting author interview and giveaway in the next post!

Book Review: Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

This story has likeable characters, family involvement and a second chance romance.

Exclusively Yours (The Kowalskis) 
by Shannon Stacey

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books; Reissue edition (December 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373776780
• ISBN-13: 978-0373776788

    Genre: Contemporary Romance
    My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
When Keri Daniels's boss finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.

Joe's never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he's intrigued to hear Keri's back in town—and looking for him. He proposes an outrageous plan—for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping trip, Keri can ask one question.

The chemistry between Joe and Keri is as potent as the bug spray, but Joe's sister is out to avenge his broken heart, and Keri hasn't ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe 2gether 4ever?

Review:
Keri and Joe were best friends and first loves in high school. Joe was sure they would go to college, marry and settle down in their home town. Keri realized in her senior year that she didn’t want to be like her mother: so and so’s wife, so and so’s mother. She wanted her own name to be recognized. As soon as they graduated she lit out of town to California to make her way as a news journalist where she could see her name in print.

Joe was left behind with no explanation and a broken heart. He buried himself in a bottle and only stopped when his drunken belligerence brought injury to one of his own family.  But during those dark hours he found wicked characters and dark plots that made him a famous horror author.

Twenty years later Keri is sent to get an exclusive interview with Joe. He makes a bargain with her - she must come along on the annual family camping vacation for two weeks. He’ll answer one question for every day she stays and participates under Joe’s “rules.” Keri reluctantly agrees since she has to get the scoop or lose her job.

Keri must face the full Kowalski family. Joe’s mother is convinced the two were always meant to be together. His sister Tara was one of Keri’s good friends until they suffered a falling out. She is suffering through a separation from her husband and is more than willing to take her anger out on Keri. Tara is intent on avenging Joe’s broken heart and making sure that Keri has no chance to hurt them all again.  Joe’s younger brother Kevin, although a couple of years younger, is all grown up and handsome and has a way with the ladies. He wouldn’t mind having some time with Keri if Joe would let him get near her.  Joe’s other brother, Mike, and his wife, Lisa, are busy with three lively boys and disagreeing on whether they should have another child. The kids are popping up unexpectedly taking pictures, splashing Keri at the pool or getting sticky marshmallow on her.

Keri insists that she is going home after the two weeks but Joe is hopeful that their sizzling chemistry will win her over. The story is full of emotional conflict, family friction, family fun, male jostling and sensual foreplay and fantasies, a few of which become reality.  The dialogue is real and snappy and the reading is light and fun. I first read this author in the Holiday Kisses Anthology and am glad to have read more from her. I think this would be a fun series to follow.

Fun phrases:
Keri to Joe:
“If I stand in one place too long the bugs will hang an all-you-can-eat buffet sign on me.” Location 548.
Joe to Keri:
“Dirty face. Dirty thoughts. I’m a guy– it all ties together pretty naturally for me." Location 1388

I received a Kindle copy of this book from Harlequin through NetGalley.

This book is set primarily in New Hampshire and will be listed there for my Where are you Reading list.
This will be added to my ARC challenge.

Follower Love Giveaway Hop 2012! Starts at Midnight

WELCOME TO 2012 FOLLOWER LOVE GIVEAWAY HOP!

I love my followers and wish you could all win. :-)
This hop is hosted by the fabulous Kathy at I Am A Reader Not A Writer and Rachael Renee Anderson 

The hop runs from Tuesday, February 7th through Tuesday, February 14th.

My Giveaway is for ANYONE who can get books from Amazon, Indie Presses, OR Book Depository. OR if Book Depository doesn't ship to you then I will do a PayPal or other gift card for that winner.  So hopefully this really does include EVERYONE.

There will be two winners:
$15.00 towards books at The Book Depository or $15.00 Gift Certificate from the vendor of the winner's choice.

The books can be any format: ebook, hardback, paperback or even audio for a total value of $15.00.

Rule #1 - You must be a follower of my blog in some form.
Rule #2 - ENTER USING THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM!
Giveaway closes 12:01 AM Eastern on February 15.  Winners to be chosen through the Rafflecopter system.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN HOPPING!