Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Saturday Snapshot (Dec 1, 2012) Alaska Cruise - Towel Animals

Except for an occasional photo in the future, this is the last or our Alaskan Cruise Snapshot highlights.
[Next week I hope to start sharing from our visit to Hawaii as we leave 12/6!]
I always love the Towel Animals they make on the cruise so here are our six animals that greeted us at night.
There isn't one on Day 5 because we confused our cabin steward by eating at a different time and he didn't get to turn down the beds and leave a pet for us.

Day 1 - Mr. Snake

Day 2 - Mr. Pig with Attitude

Day 3 - Cutie Elephant

Day 4 - Ms. Dino

Day 6 - Pup with Attitude

Day 7 - Heart :-)
A sweet note to end our cruise!
Which reminds me--- Yesterday, November 30, was my 27th wedding anniversary!!
(Too bad I spent the day traveling to and from Orlando to attend a real estate closing.)
I will have to pull out our wedding album and get some of the photos scanned. :-)

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Blog Tour Interview with Author Lisa Mondello

Please help me give a nice Holiday Welcome to Lisa Mondello author of All I Want for Christmas is You.

Book Available at:

Amazon Barnes and Noble iTunes Smashwords

(Free at Amazon, iTunes and Smashwords; $.99 at B&N!)

Thank you, Lisa, for sharing with Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Q1. What inspired you to write this particular title?

LM: I love Christmas stories. Who doesn’t ? Each year I would stock up on Christmas books and read them one after one during the holidays. I was caring for an injured stray kitten who’d been hurt by a neighbor’s dog and I started singing All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. It was August, so yes, I was a little early for the holiday. But from that moment, that stray kitten became a stray dog and a family of foster kids and a displaced single mom.

Q2. What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?

LM: A teen? I remember reading the book Always, a reincarnation romance story. I loved it! I must have read it five times when I was in high school. I lost the original book when I went to college, but I managed to track down a used copy a few years ago.

Q3. What are some of the best tips you’ve received on writing?

LM: Keep writing. And writing. Then finish it. There are a lot of writers who have parts of books on their hard drive but nothing complete. You can always revise a manuscript that needs work. So even if it doesn’t feel like it’s great when you’re writing it, keep writing and finish it.

Q4. Is there any one thing you struggle with in your writing?

LM: Confidence. I’m never confident I’m going to pull the story together until about 80% of the way through the story. This comes from the fact that I’m a puzzle writer and I write in pieces. I’ve always wished I was more linear in my writing, but I’m not. My brain doesn’t work that way.

Q5. Do you have any strange habits when you write?

LM: Strange? No. I’m just a coffee fiend. I have to have a cup of coffee on my desk even if I’m not drinking it. Okay, so maybe that’s strange.

Q6. Which authors have influenced you most how?

LM: There are way too many to even list. I’d say that the type of author who influences me is the kind who can make me forget that I’m a writer. If I’m critiquing the story, either good or bad, as I’m reading a story, then I’m not fully engaged. But if I can get so wrapped up in a story that I forget about the craft of writing, I love it.

Q7. Please share your most rewarding experience since being published.

LM: There are steps and I don’t think any one of them is any less important than the last one. Getting your first contract is always a rush. Finally in your first contest, another rush. Winning, even nicer. It brings validation because writers are such insecure creatures. Getting reader mail is awesome! Getting paid is always nice, too! I don’t think any writer ever sits back and says, “I’ve made it.” Made what? There is always something more to strive for, either in her career or creatively. I’m always reaching for that next thing, which is why I write all over the place. I don’t stick to one type of writing. That keeps me fresh and I hope the readers see that in the stories I create.

Having just enjoyed All I Want for Christmas... I'd say that that story is fresh and wonderfully enjoyable.

About the Author:

Lisa Mondello (a.k.a. LA Mondello) has held many jobs in her life but being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring! She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her first book, All I Want for Christmas is You, was the winner of the Golden Quill contest for Best First Book and to date has had over 400,000 downloads worldwide.
She is currently the author of 14 novels under the name Lisa Mondello and LA Mondello. You can find more information about Lisa Mondello at http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com
www.LisaMondello.blogspot.com
@LisaMondello
http://www.facebook.com/lisa.mondello.1

VISIT THE FULL BLOG TOUR TO CHECK OUT OTHER FEATURES AND GIVEAWAYS.

Book Review: All I Want for Christmas is You by Lisa Mondello

A delightfully, warm read filled with Christmas Magic!
All I Want for Christmas is You
(Contemporary Holiday Romance)
(Fate with a Helping Hand)
by Lisa Mondello

File Size: 347 KB
Print Length: 200 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B005KDG236

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Holiday
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
CURRENTLY FREE TO ENJOY ON KINDLE!

Book Description
Publication Date: August 30, 2011
BOOK 1 in Fate with a Helping Hand Series
Sometimes fate needs a little hand...
Santa Claus is going to have a rough season... Lauren Alexander is raising her daughter alone. Abandoned by her family for her decision to keep her daughter Kristen, she has done a pretty good job for the last six years. Or she thought she had. That's why she is crushed when little Kristen gives up her wish for a toy or goodie and instead asks Santa for a present for her mother. She wants Santa to bring a Daddy. Delivering Daddies isn't Santa's bag.
But this Santa has a plan...
Kyle Preston knows what it is like to be abandoned too. Luckily he found the support of loving adoptive parents and has turned himself into one of the most successful Real Estate developers in town.
Building a house is easy. Building someone's trust is a whole other story. But with a little helping hand, a little Christmas magic can make all the difference in the world.

Review:
Lauren has built a home for herself and her daughter, Kristen. She has had to make it on her own since the child’s father wanted nothing to do with them and even her own parents put her out when she refused to release her newborn for adoption. Lauren has kept herself from involvement with men figuring that they aren’t trust worthy and her daughter doesn’t need the trauma of a man who might abandon them. It is with dismay that Lauren learns that her adorable daughter has asked Santa for a Daddy for Christmas. Not only is Lauren alarmed by Kristen’s request, but she had to learn it from a handsome man in the parking lot who turns out to be the store Santa.

Kyle is immediately drawn to the sweet child and to the beautiful mother. At first he only intends to help her when her car brakes down in the parking lot, but soon he wants to do more for mother and daughter. He invites them to Christmas with his parents and siblings and discovers that he wants to set up a family with Lauren and Kristen. What will it take to convince Lauren to trust him not to leave her like the other men in her past?

I really enjoyed this very warm story. The characters, including young Kirsten, are charming. Kyle's family is what love and family are all about and it is so good that he wants to share the emotions. The story reads smoothly and quickly and actually made me choke up at one point. :-) This is a great story to read when you need a quick, little pick-me-up smile. I am interested to read more from Ms. Mondello.

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

Kyle tries to understand his attraction to Laura:

She’s just another woman, he told himself. A beautiful woman with eyes like the full moon and full lips made for stealing a sweet kiss. Location 471.

Kyle wonders how a man could abandon Laura:

[how a]....man could live without the laughter just waiting to bubble up from the depths of her soul to fill his own. She was full of life just waiting to burst free. Location 692.

I received this for review from the Author through Bewitching Blog Tour.

This story is set in Brimfield, Massachusetts for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will add this to my New Author Challenge list too.
Fate with a Helping Hand Series includes:

Book 1 ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU
Book 2 THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT
Book 3 THE KNIGHT AND MAGGIE'S BABY

Blog Tour Link

Friday, November 30, 2012

"Christmas Books" Giveaway Hop Dec 1-Dec 7

Welcome to the "Christmas Books" Giveaway Hop
December 1st to 7th
Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Laurie Here
(I am publishing my link now as I will be in the air over the next 5 hours returning from a closing in Orlando.)

Well - don't you know I forgot to take pictures of the additional Christmas books I had pulled for this and now I am out of town.
SO--- Here's what I am offering - TWO WINNERS get to pick Choice 1 OR 2.

Choice 1: Winner gets two books: one book pick from my existing Christmas Giveaway List of Books plus they will get one additional surprise Christmas book (Open Internationally but subject to postage fees not exceeding $8.00 or so).

OR

Choice 2: Winner can pick one CHRISTMAS book at The Book Depository - value up to $12.00. OPEN INTERNATIONALLY

ENTER THROUGH RAFFLECOPTER!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hop along to share the Holiday Cheer from all of these participating blogs:

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 30, 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! Counting Down! - 25 days to Christmas!... 6 days to Hawaii trip! I have been busy trying to tie up office work as I prepare for our trip!! I have also been trying to get rest so I am feeling a bit better - less crudly - yay! [Ok - that may not be a word but it works for me. :-)]
I hope everyone is getting ready for a special and beautiful Holiday month!

****I plan to post some more pairs and singles next week. Then I'll give some special little gifts with the December wins - to celebrate the season and to celebrate starting the fourth year of Friday Pick!****.

Thank you to all who entered the November 22 Pick. There was one automatic winner this week (the first and last comments (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). Once again, three titles were blocked picks this week; one was won!

Linda K chose Palindrome. (Glad to see you back online and to know things are ok.)

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from November 22 Pick:

Anita won (through the block - Finally) Hard News

and
Abby gets a GC

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.

Image found at Des Plaines Public Library
Are you looking forward to gifting books? I am.

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

PAIRS:
~~Gena Showalter:~~
     ~~The Darkest Kiss and the Darkest Night~~
Mary Balogh:
     Simply Perfect and A Summer to Remember
~~Tami Hoag:~~
     ~~Ashes to Ashes and A Thin Dark Line (Both have spine creasing)~~
Dick Francis:
     10 LB Penalty and Risk
Tom Clancy:
     Op-Center State of Siege and Op-Center Mission of Honor
SINGLES - CHRISTMAS TITLES (Better sizes for international)
*A Gift of Murder by M.D. Lake (slight spine creasing)
*The Mistletoe Wager by Christine Merrill
*Deck the Halls by Arlene James (slight spine creasing)
*A Holiday Prayer by Deb Kastner (slight spine creasing)
*A Family for Christmas by Kate Welsh (slight spine creasing)
*A Regency Christmas Anthology - Lyn Stone, Carla Kelly and Gail Rainstorm

New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012

~~Demon's Fire by Emma Holly~~
- Oops upside down book! NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley
The Gift by Constance O'Day-Flannery
The Days of Summer by Jill Barnett
~~Tangled by Mary Balogh~~
Please Remember This by Katleen Giles Seidel
Twice Upon Time by Nina Beaumont
Angel of Midnight by JoAnn Power
Heart of the Hawk by Justine Dare
~~[One for the Money by Janet Evanovich]~~
Touchstone by Linda Hilton
Restless Hearts by Marta Perry
Rogue Stallion by Diana Palmer
The Boy's Tale (Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries) by Margaret Frazer
Calculated Revenge by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
~~A Delecate Deception by Jenna Jones~~

New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
I pulled some more books from several of my boxes.

~~In the Presence of Enemies by William J. Coughlin~~
Shattered by Dick Francis
~~Shadow Fires by Dean Koontz~~
~~Hard News by Jeffrey Deavers~~
~~Palindrome by Stuart Woods (spine creases)~~
~~Afterimage by Jay Brandon~~
~~Tall, Dark and Cajun by Sandra Hill~~
Hot Streak by Susan Johnson
~~When Lightning Strikes Twice by Barbara Boswell~~
~~Ice Blue by Anne Stuart~~
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
~~Thunder Creek by Jill Gregory~~
~~His Lady Mistress by Elizabeth Rolls~~
~~The Body They May Kill by Audrey Stallsmith~~
Beautiful Dreamer by Elizabeth Lowell
~~Summer Light by Luanne Rice~~

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)

~~A Dangerous Devotion by Barbara Kyle~~

~~An Independent Woman by Candace Camp~~

Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham

Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

Mistress by Amanda Quick - Audio Cassettes

*Long Time Coming by Sandra Brown

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

~~Winning Ways by Barbara Boswell~~

~~Gifts from the Heart by Jillian Hart~~

*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

*Close to Home by Carolyne Aarsen

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

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

*Love and Other Four Letter Words by Caroline Mackler

*The Carousel by Rosamund Pilcher

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

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (spine damage)

*The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

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.

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

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

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)

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

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

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

~~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!---(All gone).

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 three years I have posted 33 groups of 16 (528) books to find new homes! (November 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 437 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--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

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---(All gone)

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

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford