Audible Book Review: White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner, with Print Giveaway

This is a family drama with intrigue and historical touches from the Holocaust as added interest.
White Picket Fences 
    UNABRIDGED
    by Susan Meissner
    Narrated by Bernadette Dunne

LENGTH 9 hrs and 19 mins
RELEASE DATE 10-06-09
Program Type Audiobook
PUBLISHER Random House Audio
Genre: Christian Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
When her black sheep brother disappears, Amanda Janvier eagerly takes in her 16-year-old niece, Tally. The girl is practically an orphan: motherless, and living with a father who raises Tally wherever he lands - in a Buick, a pizza joint, a horse farm - and regularly takes off on wild schemes. Amanda envisions that she, her husband Neil, and their two teenagers can offer the girl stability and a shot at a "normal" life, even though their own storybook lives are about to crumble.

Seventeen-year-old Chase Janvier hasn't seen his cousin in years, and other than a vague curiosity about her strange life, he doesn't expect her arrival will affect him much - or interfere with his growing, disturbing interest in a long-ago house fire that plagues his dreams unbeknownst to anyone else.

Tally and Chase bond as they interview two Holocaust survivors for a sociology project and become startlingly aware that the whole family is grappling with hidden secrets, with the echoes of the past, and with the realization that ignoring tragic situations won't make them go away.

Will Tally's presence blow apart their carefully-constructed world, knocking down the illusion of the white picket fence and reveal a hidden past that could destroy them all - or can she help them find the truth without losing each other?
©2009 Susan Meissner; (P)2009 Random House

Review:

Tally’s father is off on one of his many adventures having left her in the care of her grandmother. This is nothing new except that her grandmother has died and no one can reach her dad. Tally is suddenly brought home to live with her Aunt. Tally doesn’t want to tell Aunt Amanda where her dad has gone but she is becoming more concerned the longer he is out of touch. Amanda worries about her brother but also is worried for Tally’s state of mind.

What may appear at first to be a stable, normal home setting, complete with the “white picket fence”, turns into a stressed filled home. Everyone is keeping secrets and they are disrupting the family peace.

Chase has repressed memories from a traumatic fire when he was a child. Aunt Amanda wants to speak openly about the memories and get counseling help if needed. Uncle Neil doesn't think Chase remembers and he doesn't want to bring it up. Neil spends more and more time in the garage working on nice woodwork projects for others without recognizing that his wife and children feel that he has abandoned them.

Chase actually is struggling with the memories seeking to remember portions which have been blocked. While he tries to cope with this, he, Tally and Chase’s best friend work on a school project interviewing two men in a nursing home who lived through the Holocaust and helped to sneak babies out of the Ghetto.

There is very interesting history provided through the interviews of the delightful characters. Although the story starts a bit slowly, it twists with the intensity of Chase’s emotions, some not so appropriate choices by Amanda and some delightful connections that tie the characters. 

I particularly liked a section where Chase has an epiphany and a new beginning. I also enjoyed the history of the German Ghetto which was new to me. My ladies book club all enjoyed the book but we felt there were some issues left unresolved. Reading through the author’s notes at the end of the print and Kindle version gave some perspective on this. The notes were not part of the Audible file. 

The book is Christian fiction but not at all preachy and the characters are far from perfect. I recommend this story to those who enjoy intrigue in a family setting.

Audio Notes: I was very impressed with the narrator’s ability to capture the different ages, voices and emotions for the characters. It enhanced the story for me and made it move more quickly than reading would have.

I read this for my local Ladies Book Club. I downloaded it on Audible to speed my "reading" time.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR PRINT 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 Only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 22, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on March 23, 2013.
Winners are asked to respond by email or the linked winners form within 72 hours of the announcement.

Book Review and Giveaway: Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane) by Elizabeth Hoyt

Once again Ms. Hoyt does a good job of mixing action, lonely characters and a new chance at love.  Book 5 of this series.
Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane)
Elizabeth Hoyt

• File Size: 547 KB
• Print Length: 385 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0749958162
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (February 26, 2013)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007ZFPRL0

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
"Elizabeth Hoyt has outdone herself." --Jennifer Ashley, New York Times bestselling author

WHEN STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT
He lives in the shadows. As the mysterious masked avenger known as the Ghost of St. Giles, Godric St. John's only goal is to protect the innocent of London. Until the night he confronts a fearless young lady pointing a pistol at his head-and realizes she is his wife . . .

BECOME LOVERS . . .
Lady Margaret Reading has vowed to kill the Ghost of St. Giles-the man who murdered her one true love. Returning to London, and to the man she hasn't seen since their wedding day, Margaret does not recognize the man behind the mask. Fierce, commanding, and dangerous, the notorious Ghost of St. Giles is everything she feared he would be-and so much more . . .

DESIRE IS THE ULTIMATE DANGER
When passion flares, these two intimate strangers can't keep from revealing more of themselves than they had ever planned. But when Margaret learns the truth-that the Ghost is her husband-the game is up and the players must surrender . . . to the temptation that could destroy them both.

Review:
Lady Margaret’s secret fiancé, Roger, is murdered, supposedly by the Ghost of St. Giles. Margaret is grief stricken and even more distressed when she realizes she is pregnant. She is hastily married to Godric St. Johns and retires to his country estate. She loses the child and only returns to London for two reasons-- to seduce her husband in hopes of conceiving another child and to seek revenge against the man who murdered her true love.

Godric has shut himself off from the world after the lingering death of his beloved first wife. Godric agreed to a marriage of convenience and has been fine with Margaret away in the country. He is surprised when she shows up at his London home with his sister, a great aunt and a pregnant dog and no apparent plans to leave anytime soon. The home has been allowed to gather cobwebs with no female touch, minimal servants and a master who is disinterested. The only thing that Godric has been interested in is he secret activities as the Ghost of St. Giles. Meg is surprised to discover that her own husband is the dashing, confident Ghost who faces danger to protect innocents in St. Giles.

Although Godric at first refuses to become intimate with his wife, he is aware of the ‘light and laughter’ she brings into his home. He ends up striking a deal with Megs but what starts as duty soon flares to passion and slowly simmers in caring. Godric is the first to move beyond the past and determine that he wants a life with Megs. Margaret has not yet chosen to release her heart to love again. Now Godric must help her get beyond her obsession with the past so they may have a chance at a future, even as that chance is threatened by his own dangerous activities.

I enjoyed the growth of Meg and Godric as they give up their personal ghosts and learn that, as Godric says: “Life is by necessity for the living.” The sexual passion is steamy, real and loving. In addition to the growing romance, the story has plenty of action with Godric rescuing children and being relentlessly pursued by Captain Trevillion who is determined to catch the Ghost and is suspicious of Godric’s nighttime outings. I also liked the myth that is shared at the beginning of each chapter as a parallel to the story.

This is book five of the series and I suppose it might work as a stand alone. However, I do recommend reading the prior books to get the full enjoyment of the surrounding characters and the prior romances. I look forward to more adventures of the Ghost of St. Giles.

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

Godric realizes that Meg has restored life to his world:

Godric stood, watching as Megs turned and beamed at him, all glorious, vibrant life. Everything he was not. Everything worth protecting. Location 2370.

I received this ebook through NetGalley from the publisher for an honest review and with the opportunity to host a Giveaway.

The wonderful team at Forever Romance at Hachette are GIVING A FULL PRINT SET OF ALL FIVE BOOKS IN THE SERIES to one lucky US winner!!

 ENTER BY RAFFLECOPTER BELOW

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

* This contest is open US Only.
* No P.O Boxes.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 22, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on March 23, 2013.
Winners are asked to respond by email or the linked winners form within 72 hours of the announcement.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Thief of Shadows (Maiden Lane) Elizabeth Hoyt

This is a grand blend of intrigue, tension and romance. Check back tomorrow for my review and giveaway of Lord of Darkness, Book 5 in the series!

Thief of Shadows (Maiden Lane)
Elizabeth Hoyt

• Paperback
• Publisher: Grand Central Pub 2012-06-26; First Edition edition (2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455508322
• ISBN-13: 978-1455508327
• ASIN: B008XH5FTI

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: June 26, 2012

A MASKED MAN . . .
Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles-protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .
Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society-flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons-Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar-and his lips so tempting.

A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY
During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything-the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

Review:
The book description does a good job of summarizing the primary characters and storyline.
Isabel is alone with certain liberty as a wealthy widow.  She is one of the Ladies’ benevolence patronesses who support the foundling home. One of the other aristocratic ladies, a frivolous heiress, decides they need an aristocratic manager to represent the home in society settings claiming that the commoner, Winter Makepeace, just doesn’t have the right skills. Isabel is one of several of the ladies who appreciate Makepeace’s dedication and managerial skills. She takes up the challenge to tutor him in social skills rather than allow him to be removed from the home. She would not normally mix with a common schoolteacher but she is drawn to the similar loneliness she sees in the solemn, mysterious man.

Isabel saved the Ghost of St. Giles from a mob and is intrigued by the injured man. Soon she begins to make a connection between the dashing, masked avenger and the quiet, intense schoolteacher. As she tutors Winter a desire builds in her even as he tries to resist her temptations. The tables turn when the previously celibate Winter finally succumbs to Isabel’s spell. She brings light to Winter's darkness. His desire, honor and intensity seeks to bind them for the future but she pulls away because of her own secret.

Winter has learned that young girls are being snatched off the streets to serve in a sweat shop where they are being starved and ill-treated. The location of the operation is moved just when he thinks he can rescue the girls. Now he must continue his hunt, as the Ghost of St. Giles, but he has more to risk than ever before.

There is a wonderful dance of dialogue and romance between these characters. The action begins immediately and the background story is filled with the dangers and evils in St. Giles and heroic efforts to help innocent children.  Although the sexual scenes are a bit raw in graphic description of the passion, there is love, natural chemistry and wonder shared. You can skim over the sexual details if need be and still enjoy the conflict of the relationship and the suspense, intrigue and danger of the plot. There are secrets, excitement and surprises to keep the reading moving quickly. I really like Ms. Hoyt's writing and this series for the exciting plots and the enjoyable dance of the couples as they resist the love that flows from their passions.

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

As Isabel tutors Winter their practice goes beyond the dance steps:

    “And yet you are a passionate woman,” he whispered as he took her hand and raised it. They circled each other as he spoke. “Has anyone cherished you just for yourself?”
    She looked up and laughed at him. “This question from the man who takes care of everyone yet whom no one takes care of?”  Page 111.

I received this book from Grand Central, Hachette for an honest review.

Mailbox Monday March 11, 2013

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
For MARCH: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Caitlin @ chaotic compendiums!
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. 

I added only two review books this week. :-)
How are your mailbox and TBR piles doing?

Review Titles

I received another print from Grand Central - Hachette
releasing in April

Cowboy Take Me Away
by Jane Graves

and 

I selected an ebook from Novel Publicity

for review on March 23.

This looks like a fun read.

The Persnickety Princess

by Falcon Storm

Wins

I have another win, still not received.

Purchased

None this week.

Free

I did download more free Kindle Titles linked through Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink and Kindle Review.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? March 11, 2013

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had a busy week at work and I will be scrambling the next couple of days as I have several closings and then fly out to Portland on Wednesday for EPICon 2013.

Reading was good: I completed four books and posted three reviews. There was one review ARC giveaways and a Giveaway Hop. I also posted the usual Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I did get to visit a bit this week but only late in the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me too.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? March 4, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday March 4 2013.

• MBS No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop! March 5th - 11th.

• Book Review, Spotlight and Giveaway: Cursed by Lynn Ricci; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.0. 

• Book Review: The Return of Cassandra Todd by Darrel Nelson; Christian Suspense; my rating 4.25.
  

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 8, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 3/14/13.
  

• Saturday Snapshot (3/9/13) Birds in Hawaii.
  

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Lady Eve's Indiscretion by Grace Burrowes; Historical Romance; my rating 4.5. Open US and Canada. Ends 3/22/13.
  

• Sharing Beyond Books #90 Comment Giveaway 3/9/13. Ends 3/15/13.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 10, 2013.

Finished Reading:
1. Print

The Return of Cassandra Todd
Darrel Nelson
This was very good. The review is linked above.

2. Print and Audible

White Picket Fences 
    UNABRIDGED
    by Susan Meissner
    Narrated by Bernadette Dunne
This was a drama with a little mystery.

We all enjoyed it.

I will post the review this week.

3. Print

Thief of Shadows (Maiden Lane)
Elizabeth Hoyt
Reading this reminds me why I enjoyed this series! I'll post the review either Monday or Tuesday. :-)

4. eBook/Kindle

Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane)
Elizabeth Hoyt
I enjoyed this.
I will post this review and a Giveaway 
on 3/12 thanks to Hachette.

Line Edits/Releases:

Tomorrow we are releasing two titles by Barbara Miller: Rolltop Relic, a cozy mystery and Hometown Christmas Carol, a romance novella.

Currently reading:

1. Audio

Silver (An OgmiosTeam Adventure)
by Steven Savile
I have started listening again. 
There are interesting characters. 
I am reviewing this for
Crossroad Press through Audiobook Jukebox.
Book Description
Publication Date: January 5, 2010
Sometimes the truth is anything but honest.
Sometimes the stories everyone knows by heart are lies.
Sometimes lies are all we have left.
CLICK ON TITLE FOR FULL DESCRIPTION

2. Print and eBook/Kindle

Free Fall (Elite Force)
by Catherine Mann
I have enjoyed her prior titles so I am looking forward to reading this from Sourcebooks.
I will be posting a review and ARC Giveaway.
Book Description
Release date: March 5, 2013 | Series: Elite Force: That Others May Live

"Catherine Mann writes an amazing combination of keen suspense, unique characters, and heart-stopping romance. I'm a fan!"—Lori Foster, New York Times bestselling author of Savor the Danger

On This Mission, There Are No Accidents...

Pararescueman Jose "Cuervo" James is the guy they call for the most dangerous assignments. He lives for his job.

On a high-risk rescue deep in the African jungle, Jose encounters sexy, smart Interpol agent Stella Carson. They'd once had an affair that burned hot and fast, but family is everything to Stella, and Jose just can't go there.

Fate has thrown them into the deadly hot zone together, and sparks will fly...but only if they can live to tell about it.

3. eBook/Kindle

Sportsman’s Bet
by Judy Nichols
This looks like a good cozy mystery.
I am reading and reviewing at request of the Author.
Book Description
Publication Date: July 24, 2012
Velma Saunders, the town clerk of Tobias, North Carolina never had a kind word to say to anyone. In fact, most people were afraid of her, including her boss, Mayor Mike Ellis.

Still, the whole town is shocked when Velma's body is found in the Municipal Building's old bomb shelter. The only clue to her murderer is a copy of a cryptic message from a Nigerian Email scammer.

All the evidence points to Mayor Mike, who's charged with killing Velma. Investigator Ian Dodge, a British transplant who's never quite taken root in the Deep South, sets out to find out who else hated Velma enough to kill her.

In the course of his investigation, Ian discovers the dark secrets Velma has been hiding all these years, and exactly why she was so mean.

4. eBook/Kindle

 Scent of Magic (The Healers)
by Maria V. Snyder
I have enjoyed three other series by this Author;
Reviewing through NetGalley.
Book Description
Publication Date: December 18, 2012
As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomaniacal King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confidant, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon's opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon's most horrible creations yet: an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible…again.

I continue to listen to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. [Reading and listening on MP3.]  I am studying with the Tyndall One Year Bible this year, hoping to read daily along with my DH.

Line Edits: We are doing well with several more releases being prepared. I an also doing more Smashword conversions this week.

Now for March I have 17 on the list + 2 TBRs still to be determined so it should go nicely at about four a week. Reading is going well but I do need to up the number of reviews each week to four.

MARCH Scheduled: 
3/11 Review: Thief of Shadows (Book 4 The Maiden Lane Series) by Elizabeth Hoyt (Hachette)
3/12 Review: Review and Giveaway: The Lord of Darkness (Book 5 The Maiden Lane Series) by Elizabeth Hoyt (Hachette)
3/13 or 14: Giveaway: The movie-tie-in edition of ADMISSION (Hachette)
3/20-25 2nd Annual Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop
3/21+/- Review: Miranda's Mount by Phillipa Ashley
3/23 Review: The Persnickety Princess by Falcon Storm (Novel Publicity)
3/27 Review, Interview + Cross the Line by Jack Patterson (Partners In Crime)

Unscheduled 

Sourceboooks
     Free Fall (Elite Force) by Catherine Mann
     A Shot of Sultry by Macy Beckett

Hachette
    Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt
    Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt
    Jake by R.C. Ryan

Thomas Nelson (through NetGalley invitation)
     An Angel by Her Side by Ruth Reid

Audios:
    White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner (Ladies Book Club)
For Audiobook Jukebox
    Silver by Steven Savile
    Did You Miss Me by Karen Rose

NetGalley:
    Scent of Magic (The Healers) by Maria V. Snyder
(Maybe if I can fit it in) Hammer of Angels: A Novel of Shadowstorm by G. T. Almasi

Authors:
     Sportsman’s Bet by Judy Nichols
     Miranda's Mount by Phillipa Ashley

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - Lady of Devices, a steampunk adventure novel (Magnificent Devices)
by Shelley Adina
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: TBD