Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Sharing Beyond Books #49 Comment Giveaway May 19, 2012

Welcome to SBB! Made it through another week! The weather is beautiful and I expect to actually get in the pool this week.

Thank you to all those who commented last week.

The most favorite mode of transportation was flying, 5 votes. The second surprised me: cars (including highway travel and road trips), 4 votes. Then 3 votes for trains and 1 each for bus and cruising. I like that Birgit prefers walking... definitely not a US thing where you generally have to get in a car to get anywhere. :-)

I'm so sorry for those whose Mother's are gone or ill. I was pleased to read that many of you share favorite authors with your Moms.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #48 comments is: #3 Linda K. There are still 8 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Linda please choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, 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 #49 Questions

Q1. Margaret asks: When reading a historical fiction does it bother you if the facts are not historically correct??

A: I do enjoy reading historical fiction and I wouldn't be happy with obvious errors... like a zipper or snap before they existed... although in truth I wouldn't know that unless I looked it up. I suppose most historic details I wouldn't know were correct or not, especially history of another country. So I guess the story facts have to feel right for the time. I did find several interesting blog articles about errors in details.

I have been annoyed reading foul language in a historical novel not because it didn't exist but it would rarely have been spoken in presence of the ladies and to me can better be referred to (muttered curse, etc.) rather than actually using the word(s).

Oh - well - try to come up with an image for this one! LOL
Image found at http://www.teamscw.net

Q2. My question this week: What is your favorite vegetable to eat??

A: I really do like vegetables although I am not a big salad eater. When I make a salad I put in only a little lettuce and lots of everything else. But -- my favorite vegetable is Artichoke! Sometimes I will have just that for dinner - steamed and served with butter for dipping.

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. :-) The question list is being replenished! Thanks for sending in questions!

Your turn to share:

1. Margaret asks: When reading a historical fiction does it bother you if the facts are not historically correct??

2. What is your favorite vegetable to eat??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 10 books available to choose from. Also I have added the Review and ARC Box now.

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, May 25, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winners of The Book of Madness and Cure and ARC of Kiss of the Goblin Prince

Congratulations to Winners

Two Copies of The Book of Madness and Cure

Tea and Beth

ARC Copy Kiss of the Goblin Prince

Rachel

Thank you to everyone who entered.
Tea, Beth and Rachel please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form so I can mail out or let the Publisher know to send the books. Please reply within 72 hours!

Interview and Giveaway (Open Worldwide) with Jacquie Rogers, Author

Hello Jacquie! Thank you for sharing at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Questions for Jacquie:

Q1 What inspired you to write western romance?

JR: Thanks so much for inviting me today, Martha! Ah, western romance—I have a contemporary out although right now I’m peddling my western historical series, ♥ Hearts of Owyhee ♥, so I can apply the answer to both. Mostly it has to do with where I grew up, which is in Owyhee County in the southwest corner of Idaho.

Time sorta passed us by out there, although we were blissfully unaware of it. Our family went to Grange dances on Saturday nights where they played Little Brown Jug and old songs of that ilk. Not a week went by but what there would be some sort of community event—a farmer might be laid up and need his fields plowed, disked, harrowed, and planted; or maybe someone was building a house. We’d pack up food and tools, then make a day of it. I had no idea that people didn’t do this everywhere.

Then there’s the history of the place. Drive south and you can visit a mining town, Silver City, that never knew it was supposed to be a ghost town. Many of the buildings have be preserved and made into residences. The Idaho Hotel is still in operation. And it still doesn’t have electricity. It’s a wonderful place to spend a day.

Not too far from our farm is an old stage stop. We explored every inch of it as kids, played cowboys and robbers, and had a ball. Oh, and we rode our horses all over everywhere. In the other direction from the stage stop is Graveyard Point, which is well-known in rockhound circles for its geodes. We didn’t much care about that but we sure had a lot of fun riding there and swimming in the canal below. Some of these features are in the third book in the series, Much Ado About Mavericks, which will be released in a couple weeks.

What specifically inspired me? Maybe it was those Holsteins—I wanted them to be Texas Longhorns. Or it could’ve been Dad’s Buick, which I thought of as a stagecoach under attack. As a kid, my mind kept thinking up all these stories and, well, I guess I just never grew up!

Q2 I just reviewed Much Ado About Marshals and I see that you have a new title out called Much Ado About Madams. Are your books stand alone or part of a series and if series did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent book(s) flow from the first?

JR: The series, ♥ Hearts of Owyhee ♥, is actually a set of books connected by time, location, and a few peripheral characters. It’s not a true series with an overall story arc, or any cliffhanger endings. The books can be standalone and read in any order. In fact, the second book, Much Ado About Madams, actually takes place a couple years before MuchAdo About Marshals, which was released first. I’m currently writing Daisy’s sister’s story in the fourth book, Much Ado About Miners. I’m not very far into that book yet so it will be at least six months before it sees the light of day.

Q3 Please share with us one surprising thing about your experience writing Much Ado About Marshals, or about something else related to your career as a writer.

JR: I had to do quite a bit of research into patent medicines and I, in my naïveté, had no idea that heroine and cocaine were common ingredients in them. Anyone could get these medicines and many substances that are illegal or regulated now were as common as aspirin. (Side note: In 1900, Bayer trademarked both Aspirin and Heroin, but lost the trademarks in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles.)

I used Hoffstetter’s Stomach Bitters, which contained heroine, so the widows, who both took it for “nervousness,” displayed signs of heroin addiction, which I also had to research. Of course, addiction wasn’t common knowledge so my characters’ perspective was mostly that the widows were a little crazy. Another patent medicine, Dr. Liebig’s Lost Manhood Restorer, well, I’ll just let everyone wonder how I used that. Hahaha.

Q4 How do find your characters and personalities? Is there any special inspiration?

JR: Cole Richards came from several sources. His pure heart and altruism come from a man who owned a farm near ours. His dilemma came from a song about a woman who was in love with two men, and I wondered what that would be like if the two men were brothers, from the “losing” brother’s point of view. And the identity issues come straight from Shakespeare, who loved to write romantic comedies where no one was who anyone else thought they were. I find that concept irresistible!

Daisy was one of the most stubborn characters I ever worked with. I knew the moment I imagined her bounding up the steps of the Oreana general store (now a church) carrying a package, that this was a fireball of a woman who knew what she wanted and was absolutely determined to get it, whether it was appropriate or not. But I didn’t know exactly what she did want, and she simply wouldn’t tell me. She taunted me and refused to cooperate until I guessed her secret. She’d let me write about two chapters, then slam on the brakes. Finally, after many iterations, there she was pouring her heart out to me, but still laughing at me because she’d given me a rocky ride.

Q5 Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

JR: Happy.

Q6 What gave you the idea to create the smart, loveable character of Katie, the mule?

JR: Her owner was rather eccentric—he over-compensated for his small stature by learning Kung Fu, and he certainly didn’t follow any trends. Others thought they had it made when they could buy a blooded horse, so he bought a blooded mule. Then I did quite a bit if research on mules because I’ve never owned one. I always thought they were like horses only more stubborn. Come to find out, mules that come from superior horse and donkey stock are far smarter, stronger, and have completely different personalities than horses do. In one training manual, the author equates mule personality more to that of a dog only more intelligent. Add in the current passion for mule racing, and Katie the racing mule was born.

She doesn’t play a large part in the book, but a strong one. And even more importantly, she spawned the idea for Socrates in Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues and Merlin in Willow, Wish For Me.

Questions for Daisy:

Q1 Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

Daisy: Determined.

Q2 What is something you would never be caught dead doing/saying?

Daisy: I’d never be stuck out on a farm raising chickens and children while my husband had all the fun.

Q3 Do you have any pet peeves?

Daisy: I simply cannot abide dishonesty. If a man can’t tell the truth, I won’t be giving him the time of day.

Q4 When did you first become interested in crime investigation?

Daisy: I’m not sure whether my interest in forensic criminology came from the dime novel heroine, Honey Beaulieu, Lady Detective, or whether she triggered my latent interest. Have you read Mark Twain’s Life on the Mississippi? Fascinating book, and in that story, fingerprints were used to identify the murderer. And in real life, there was Kate Warne who worked as a Pinkerton detective before the War Between the States. I always admired her.

Q5 What is the one thing your readers would be surprised to know about you?

Daisy: I can track clues, sort out what’s real and what’s bogus, and spend hours examining whorls in a fingerprint, but those organizational skills don’t transfer to, um, (whispers) housekeeping.

Find Jacquie and her books at these links:

Much Ado About Marshals (Print): http://amzn.com/146639952X

Much Ado About Marshals (Kindle): http://amzn.com/B0058ON1LS

Much Ado About Madams (Kindle): http://amzn.com/B007HRTQ0O

Website: http://www.JacquieRogers.com

Romancing The West: http://romancingthewest.blogspot.com

Jacquie’s blog: http://jacquierogers.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JacquieRogersAuthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JacquieRogers

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jacquierogers

Thank you to Jacquie for offering a GIVEAWAY for one lucky commenter:

US Only: Autographed print copy of MuchAdo About Marshals
Canada or International: Kindle copy of Much Ado About Marshals and a $10 Amazon gift certificate.

Daisy's Final Question for the giveaway:

Daisy: If faced with the dilemma where being honest and true to the person you love would place your closest friend in danger of losing his life, you’d __________.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
1. Make a meaningful comment on the Interview or Review - something more specific please than "nice review", "good interview" - note some detail. :-).
2. For an extra 2 entries, answer Daisy's Final Question.
3. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.
(Four total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER - either print or kindle + GC!

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 1, 2012.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on June 2 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Book Review: Much Ado About Marshals by Jacquie Rogers

This is a delightfully fun, sweet read.

Much Ado About Marshals

by Jacquie Rogers

Paperback: 306 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (October 24, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 146639952X
ISBN-13: 978-1466399525

Genre: Historical Romance

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 2011

Buy a copy and see for yourself what everyone is talking about. Once you read just one of Ms. Roger's books, I can assure you that you'll be a fan... Diana Coyle, NOR Reviewer

*** CTRR Award ***

Jacquie Rogers creates a witty, delightful, and downright amusing book with impressive charming players. Cherokee, Coffee Time Romance and More Reviewer

Like romance? Love stories about the old west? Want a dreamy cowboy to cuddle up and read about? Then this is the book for you.

~~My Eclectic Bookshelf, 5 dragonflies

Daisy Gardner wants to be a detective just like dime novel heroine Honey Beaulieu. To her delight, her sister shot a bank robber and he got away, so now she even has a crime to solve. But her parents insist she marry a man whose farm is miles from town. She can't solve crimes stuck out there. What better solution than to marry the new marshal!

Rancher Cole Richards saves his friend from robbing a bank, but is shot for his efforts, and now is a wanted man. His friend takes him to Oreana to see the doc, where Cole's mistaken for the new marshal. Now he faces a dilemma few men have to face--tell the truth and hang, or live a lie and end up married. Either way could cost him his freedom.

Review:
Daisy is a feisty and curious young lady of the America 1885 West. Her parents own the local general store and want her to settle down with a save, successful farmer. But Daisy has a mind and will of her own and she has decided that she will marry the new marshal. She plans to be a female detective working right by his side.

Cole Richards is mostly unconscious when his faithful, but somewhat bungling friend, Bosco, brings him to the Doctor in Oreana. Daisy helps the Doctor tend to the injured stranger who they think is the new marshal since he fits the description and they got a wire that the Marshal would be arriving late due to an attack and leg injury. Daisy immediately sets her sights on winning “the Marshal.”

The problem is that Cole knows he is not only not the Marshal but he believes that Daisy’s sister can identify him as one of the men who bungled a bank robbery a week or so before. Cole thinks he isn’t good enough for the sweet, stubborn lady who is bent on getting fingerprints to proof the identity of the bank robbers. The Marshal’s resistance is frustrating to Daisy but she will do whatever it takes, even if it means she has to stoop to feminine seduction.

In addition to the fun push and pull between Daisy and “the Marshal” there are several other delightful, quirky characters. Daisy’s best friend, Sarah, is looking for a handsome man too. The reputable farmer is nice but not alluring. On the other hand the latest stranger in town, the rugged, smart, 'Sam Jones', does catch her attention. And Jones has the best trained and smartest mule, Katie, who might just steal the show even over the troublesome mutt, Winky, who knocks over an occupied privy!

Ms. Rogers has presented some really likeable characters in a fun, ‘mistaken identity’ plot. There is sweet sensual interest with a zing of sassy innuendo. The flow of the story is easy and light as you chuckle through the frustrations of the characters. I recommend this to anyone who likes romantic comedy and historical western romance. When you want something fun to read - pick this up and enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few fun quotes:

Cole's thoughts on his cowhand buddy:

Few men had bigger hearts than Bosco, even if the poor fellow was one ox short of a team. Location 335.

The Judge has Daisy lock in the cell with Cole:

[Daisy:] "You have no charge against me..."
"The charge is the refusal to listen to the evidence."
"I have not refused to listen to any evidence. I know the facts."
Judge Glover chuckled. "Case in point." Location 5813.

I am glad I won this book and appreciate Jacquie agreeing to an interview and Giveaway - see the next post.

I will add this to Idaho for my Where are You Reading Challenge. It will also go on my TBR and New Author Challenge lists.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick May 18, 2012

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome! Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

Happy Friday folks. Have you had a good week? I have -- busy but good.

Thank you to all who entered May 11 Pick. There were TWO Automatic winner this week (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks).
There was one book blocked by multiple requests again.
Carol L picked the Long Way Home
Linda K picked the The Ripple Effect

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from May 11 Pick:

janhvi chose a Gift Card
and

Maria chose Blood and Glory

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual or sexy and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks.

For sure My Rooms contain books!!
Image found at Hanging Plaques

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books suitable for international

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Sleeping Arrangements by Madeline Wickham

Game Over by Fern Michaels

Forever Victoria by Dorothy Garlock

Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

Gentle From the Night Meagan McKinney (spine creased)

In Too Deep by Tina Wainscott

Gabriel's Lady by Ana Seymor

Wildflower by Jill Marie Landis

*Love and Other Four Letter Words by Caroline Mackler

*The Carousel by Rosamund Pilcher

*Shades of Grace by Barbara Delinsky (audio tapes)

Nightshade by John Saul

The Heart of Justice by William L. Coughlin

Cross Country by James Patterson

Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012
Some of the books on the right end are smaller and suitable for overseas mailing. :-)

Skylight Confessions by Alice Hoffman

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (spine damage)

~~An Earl to Enchant by Amelia Grey (spine damage)~~

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

~~When Dreams Come True by Cathy Maxwell (slight spine wear)~~

A Week in Winter by Marcia Willett

~~Slow Heat by Erica Spindler~~

~~The Trouble with Joe by Emilie Richards~~

Midnight Hour by Debra Dixon

September Morning by Diana Palmer

Beneath the Surface by Annie White (slight spine wear)

~~The Amazing Mrs. Polifax by Dorothy Gilman~~

*The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott

*Summer's Belle by Paige Winship Dooly
*Not Looking for a Texas Man by Lass Small
*Ladies Start Your Engines

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012
These are Paired sets - two per author.
Four are parts of series the others are just singles by the same author.
Winners get both books if you pick these.

~~Nora Roberts~~
Inner Harbor (#3 Cheasapeake Bay Series) and Blue Dahlia (SC) (#1 In the Garden Trilogy -(nice trilogy!)
~~Dick Francis~~
~~Smokescreen (SC) and Field of Thirteen~~

New Group #25 January 12, 2012

*Smaller books on the right would be okay for most international mailing.

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson

~~Long Way Home (Friends Romance Series) by Wendy Corsi Staub~~

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

~~The Firebird Deception (Silhouette Bombshell) by Cate Dermody~~

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

*Prime Time by Sandra Brown

*Out of the Blue (Allegheny Hopes) by Janice A. Thompson

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011
(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)

~~Green Calder Grass by Janet Dailey~~

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.

Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

~~Death Angel by Linda Howard~~

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011

Singles:

Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011

There are eight mysteries and I have asterisked nine books that are smaller and would be good for oversea choices if so desired.

Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

* I. O. U by Pickard, Nancy (spine creased)

Stand by Me Anthology with Dallas Schulze, Roberta Leigh and Linda Randall Wisdom (spine creased)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Singles

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books:

Group #19

Singles

Primary Colors - audio tapes

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!

Not all of these are two from a series but several are. Each pick gets two books.

~~Patricia Cornwell Pair:~~

~~Cruel and Unusual~~

~~At Risk (Win Garano)~~

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick in November 27, 2009 and in two years I posted 26 groups of 16 books to find new homes! (March 2012)

I have periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 356 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.

WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List
#17
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
~~Saving Faith by David Baldacci (Audio Book)~~

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

~~Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith~~

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---

List #14

~~Blood And Glory (Soldiers Of War) (Soldiers of War, Book 1) by Larson Reed~~

~~Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom~~

Here is set #13 of Used books!

Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read. Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!" Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....

Group #12

~~The Ripple Effect by Lynn Erickson~~

Group #11

Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher

Looking Back by Belva Plain

The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2

The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3