Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Give thanks today and at all times for all things: for trials that bring us to rely on God and give us compassion to help others; for blessings beyond what we can imagine with which we can share to help others; for unmerited grace and mercy; for salvation and everlasting life. I thank you Almighty God, my creator, my redeemer and my guide.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Book Review and Giveaway: Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

This is a clean, YA romantic suspense.
Missing
by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

Paperback: 265 pages
Publisher: Brigham Distributing (October 5, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935217305
ISBN-13: 978-1935217305
Genre: Romantic Suspense, LDS
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 5, 2009
A BYU-Idaho choir tour in British Columbia turns out to be anything but ordinary when soloist Stacie Cox spots a kidnapped child from Rexburg during a performance. Before Stacie can alert the authorities, the little girl disappears. Stacie vows to find and rescue her, a choice that forces her to deal with her guilt-ridden past and another little girl that haunts her dreams. When the handsome Matt Brennan helps Stacie in the search, she tries to resist the attraction she feels for him. Yet as he gains her friendship and trust, her resolve to never fall in love begins to crumble. And after a series of harrowing events, Stacie must decide if she is willing to sacrifice her life - and a possible future with Matt - to save a stranger.

Reviews:
Stacie is a young college student with a lot of determination. As a young teen she was present at the tragic death of a child. Although it was not her responsibility, the mother, Grace Smythe, blamed her and Stacie has had to deal with the trauma of that event. Stacie has also had to live with the knowledge that a genetic decease may cause her to die young, as her mother did. She vows that she will never marry or have children so they won’t have to go through that traumatic loss.

Stacie is with her friends in the BYU-Idaho choir program on tour in British Columbia. Her usual accompanist is sick so she begins to practice with Matt. While preforming her special solo, Stacie sees a woman and a young girl in the back of the room. Stacie sees a birthmark when the girl’s scarf shifts and Stacie is convinced that the child is a little girl missing from Idaho.

The rest of the trip Stacie is intent on running down clues to find the missing girl. Her efforts are disrupted by her choir schedule and by scepticism from the police. Grace Smythe has befriended the missing girl’s mother and claims that any information provided by Stacie is lies.

While Stacie is pursuing the search, her long time friend Zach is trying to find a way to get her to accept his courtship and see him as more than a friend. Matt, who has a girlfriend back home, begins to be drawn to Stacie’s beauty, strength, caring nature and unwavering loyalty. She appreciates his help but wants to resist her attraction to him.

In between Stacie’s searching the author shows glimpses of the kidnapper, Adrienne, and the child. It is clear that Adrienne is psychotic although the reasons are not revealed until later in the book.

I enjoyed the moral characters of Stacie, Matt and their friends but for some reason I did not become invested in the lives of the characters. The suspense and mystery are well done with the views from the kidnapper helping to build the tension. The story reads easily and the romance is sweet. If you enjoy sweet, YA and suspense you might try this story.

I won this over a year or so ago so it is my TBR and Just For Fun read this month.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for autographed trade Paperback Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 30, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 1, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Q&A with Anita Clenney and Giveaway of Guardians of Stone!

Please help me welcome Anita Clenney, Author of Guardians of Stone.

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?
AC: I have a general idea where the series is going, but things always change. I’m notorious for last minute changes. I suspect I drive my agent and editor crazy. And hubby. 

Q2. Do your characters live with you or haunt your dreams as you write?
AC: I’m not one of those writers whose characters tell her what to do, but they’re always there in the back of my mind. Plotting is my favorite part of writing, so it’s great to just call the characters up and plot as I’m driving or at the movies. And while I don’t dream about the stories after the fact—the warrior series started with a dream—I have really interesting dreams about related things. For instance, this week I’ve been dreaming about vampires. They’re really intense scenes. I have used some in stories.

Recent release - Order:
Amazon | Barnes&Noble

Q3. What is one of the best tips you’ve received on writing?
AC: Just write the damned book. Seriously, if you’re a procrastinator like me, you’ll find all kinds of excuses to write later. Later is sometimes too late.

Q4. Do you have any strange habits when you write?
AC: No, but I’m always a little strange.

Q5. What is the single most important thing you've learned about managing your career?
AC: I have a serious need for better priorities. It’s hard for me because I’m spontaneous. I want to do what I want when I want, but I’m trying to change that so that I do what needs to be done before it needs to be done.

Q6. What is the craziest thing you've done to research a story idea?
AC: I do most of my research online, so it’s interesting, but not much crazy action.

Q7. What is your writing space like?
AC: I have two spaces. My PC is, of all places, in my laundry room. Not very inspiring, but it’s quiet, and I can easily throw in a load of laundry as I write. I have another desk in my dining/living room where I can be with the family and still write while they’re watching TV. This space has all my favorite things nearby (not laundry). I have a massive amount of candles in gorgeous candle holders, and my mirrors and topiary and moss balls, all the things that I’m obsessed with. Did I mention that I’m obsessed with lots of things?

Q8. What do you hope your readers get out of your books?
AC: Adventure, hope, and a fun ride.

Guardians of Stone is definitely a fun ride! Thank you Anita for sharing your writing and sharing about yourself today!

Pre-order:
Amazon | Barnes&Noble| Books-A-Million | Turn The Page

About Anita Clenney

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Anita Clenney writes mysteries and paranormal romantic suspense novels, including the bestselling Connor Clan series. Clenney grew up an avid reader, devouring Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books before moving on to mysteries and romance. It was only after several successful but wildly different careers — including work as an executive assistant, a real estate agent, a teacher’s assistant, and a brief stint in a pickle factory — that she discovered her untapped passion for writing. Clenney’s first novel, Awaken the Highland Warrior, won the Single Titles Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives with her husband and two children in suburban Virginia.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a Trade Paperback Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.
For 2 Extra bonus entries comment on this Interview or my Review (See previous post)
* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 30, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 1, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: Guardians of Stone (The Relic Seekers) by Anita Clenney

If you like action as in Indiana Jones and Lara Croft, I think you will like this relic seeking action adventure!

Guardians of Stone (The Relic Seekers)
by Anita Clenney

Paperback: 290 pages
Publisher: Montlake Romance (December 4, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1612186548
ISBN-13: 978-1612186542

Genre: Action, Adventure
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 4, 2012
Kendall Morgan is a human bloodhound. Spending her childhood hunting relics with her ambitious archeologist father, she knew the two of them shared a sixth sense for the history and location of objects—sometimes even people. What she didn’t know was that their paranormal gift could ultimately be their undoing.

After the tragic plane crash that killed her father as well as her childhood best friend, Kendall dedicated her life to finding and protecting relics. When mysterious, sexy billionaire Nathan Larraby hires her for his latest expedition—the search for four powerful relics—she’s thrown into a world of high-octane danger. He sends brooding mercenary Jake Stone to watch Kendall’s back, but he may have created danger of a different kind.

As the team chases down clues, a man called the Reaper makes a play for the artifacts and will stop at nothing to put them to his own sinister use. What’s worse is that Nathan hasn’t told the whole story, and the dark secrets he’s keeping could cost them the mission…and their lives.

Review:
Kendall learned to hunt ancient treasures with her archaeologist father. She has inherited a special, “sixth” sense that allows her a telepathic connection to objects, recognizing their history and often clues about their ownership. While Kendall was just a young girl their adventures lead to the death of her father and her childhood best friend, Adam, who haunts her relationships.

Kendall, with her unique skill, doesn’t have much chance of normal work or normal romance. She has recently been hired by the mysterious, sexy, billionaire Nathan, who is a collector of relics and a recluse. Nathan has also engaged the services of dark, brooding Jake to serve as a body guard for Kendall. Jake and Kendall would both rather work alone. Jake especially doesn’t like Kendall complicating matters, and aggravating him, as she keeps slipping off on her own to investigate leads.

In spite of physical attraction, Kendall and Jake are at odds as they proceed to follow the clues to the ancient castle where the box is believed to be hidden. They have to safely negotiate booby traps as well as facing mysterious monks guarding the treasure. Not to mention they are dodging other murderous treasure seekers, like a very nasty collector known as The Reaper.

This story eases into the search but once at the castle the action is on and the movement non-stop. Kendall gets help from a ghostly apparition and later a sweet, ancient monk. It becomes clear that Nathan didn’t tell the full story about the box and there are other relics that need to be gathered and protected too. There are additional conflicts in the jealousy of Nathan and Jake and Nathan has other secrets that are hinted at but not yet revealed.

I liked the tough characters, the mysteries and the action. There is plenty of tension and build up but always an interruption to physical intimacy. There are elements that reminded me of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft which was fun. My attention was fully engaged and the reading was fast paced. There were a few blips and items unresolved in this book but that didn't diminish my enjoyment. There is a surprise hook at the ending that has me waiting for the next book in the series.

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

Even far into the book Jake and Kendall are still at odds:

“You’re the most stubborn, irritating woman I’ve ever met.”
“You’re a jerk.” Location 2438.

Thank you to Ms. Clenney and Montlake Romance for providing this book for review and Giveaway (see interview post). Also thank you for sharing in interview.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Mailbox Monday November 19, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
FOR NOVEMBER: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is (updated) BermudaOnion's Weblog!

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.