Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Heart of Iron by Bec McMaster

This has strong characters, engaging conflict and fun steampunk elements.
Heart of Iron London Steampunk Book 2
by Bec McMaster

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 7, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402270305
• ISBN-13: 978-1402270307

Genre: Steampunk, Paranormal Romance
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Release date: May 7, 2013
"Deftly blends elements of Steampunk and vampire romance with brilliantly successful results...darkly atmospheric and delectably sexy."—Booklist Starred Review for Kiss of Steel

In the mist-shrouded streets of London's dreaded Whitechapel district, werewolves, vampires, and a clockwork army are one step away from battle...

No One to Trust

Dangerous. Unpredictable. That's how people know the hulking Will Carver. And those who don't like pretty words just call him The Beat. No matter how hard Will works to suppress his werewulfen side, certain things drive him beyond all control. And saucy Miss Lena Todd tops the list.

Lena makes the perfect spy against the ruling Echelon blue bloods. No one suspects that under the appearance of flirtatious debutante lies a heart of iron. Not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can't wrap around her finger and the one man whose kiss she can never forget. He's supposed to be protecting her, but he might just be her biggest threat yet...

Review:
Lena is a young woman caught between worlds. Her scientist father died leaving the family in debt. They moved from the aristocratic side of London to Whitechapel Rookery where the working class struggles. While Honoria works her chemical experiments, Lena builds clockwork mechanical toys. Lena did not want to remain in the lower classes so she is living with her Guardian on the edges of the Echelon, the ruling vampire blue bloods. Her position is precarious without a blood protector and more and more she feels she doesn’t belong in either society world.

Will is a werewulfen in a city that has basically banned all of his kind. The only other werewulfen are caged slaves or side-shows. He is unpredictable, even among his friends, and it has taken him years to learn to keep his nature in control – sometimes barely. He is fascinated by the beautiful and intelligent Lena who once had a bit of a crush on him. But he knows that he can have no relations or future with a human.

Lena has become a courier of messages for a rebel group, the Humanists, humans and mechanists (those with metal enhancements) who are seeking release from the oppression by the Echelon and the government-owned blood draining factories. Although she originally thought the communications were mostly innocent it appears that they are being used by a violent faction of the subversive group. Her continued co-operation and participation in their efforts is now being coerced by blackmailed threats to injure her family.

Will serves as Lena’s bodyguard but she even manages to slip away from him and keep secrets. What he does know is that she is in danger. He will fight through mechanical monsters, and jeopardize his own freedom by risking the liaison position with the foreign werewulfen; a position that he has been appointed to by the Prince.

As the days tick down to a precarious peace conference, Lena becomes deathly ill. Will is devastated as danger presses in.

I really enjoyed the mechanical elements and especially the intensity of the danger in the plot. The characters are strong, well developed and there is also intensity in the forbidden attraction between Lena and Will.  Be forewarned that the sexual interaction is on the hot side but I skimmed through that and still enjoyed the story.  This is a good story for those who like intrigue, steampunk and conflicted romance.

I received this book from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Review 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 ONLY.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 7, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 8, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: Secretly Smitten Anthology

Four delightful stories that tie mystery and love together beautifully.
Secretly Smitten Anthology
Colleen Coble (Author, Contributor), Kristin Billerbeck (Contributor), Denise Hunter (Contributor), Diann Hunt (Contributor) 
 

• File Size: 939 KB
• Print Length: 383 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 140168713X
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 8, 2013)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Genre: Inspirational Romance
My Overall Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Individual ratings listed with the stories.

Book Description
Publication Date: January 8, 2013

Summer, fall, winter, spring—Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!

There’s a secret in Grandma Rose’s attic—a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?

The mystery intrigues Rose’s three granddaughters—Tess, Clare, and Zoe—and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?

Join popular romance novelists—and real-life BFFs—Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter for four delightful intertwined tales of mystery and sweet intrigue.

Review:
Dog tags of a man who supposedly died in Korea are found in the attic. The dog tags belonged to David who was the first love and fiancé of Rose. Rose’s granddaughters, Tess, Clare and Zoe, decide to investigate even though their mother Anna warns against it. Each story tells a new love story while moving the investigation forward another step, exposing long hidden secrets and betrayal.

Love Between the Lines by Colleen Coble. Rating  4.25
Tess has a few extra pounds and doesn’t expect there will ever be a man who would choose her. She is attracted to Ryan, the owner of the local dairy, ice creamery. But Tess is nothing like Ryan’s first wife and sister-in-law who are beautiful fashion mavens. Unknown to Tess, Ryan is attracted to Tess too. She is down to earth, real and natural which he finds refreshing after his first wive’s compulsive perfectionism.

Ryan owns the home that used to belong to David’s family. Tess offers to help Ryan clean his attic which will allow her to search for clues about David but also brings Tess and Ryan time together. Ryan’s daughter, Sophia, is fond of Tess too. She loves how Tess, who owns the local book store, is willing to dress up and make voices when reading stories to the children.

I enjoy Ms. Coble’s clear, real-to-life characters, settings and plots. The romance grows slowly and sweetly, with the added warmth of a young child. The dialogue is very real and natural.

Make Me a Match by Kristin Billerbeck. Rating 4.25
Zoe is the younger, vibrant sister who loves helping the seniors in Smitten. She’s decided to sink everything she has into a new business: Cupid’s Arrow Matchmaking Services. Zoe believes the business fits in with Smitten’s efforts to become a tourist attraction as a romantic get away.

As Zoe prepares her new storefront for an opening singles event a handsome man walks into the ladder she is using. She doesn’t need trouble before she even starts but it seems trouble may have found her in the form of the new town manager, William.

William is a trouble shooting, rule-making and enforcing manager.  He’s been brought in to help get the town selected for a new rail station which would really help the town economy. William likes Zoe but he sees code violations in her building that make it unsafe. He wants to help Zoe but if he doesn’t take a hard stand he’ll be risking his own job.

The conflict between these two is fun as impulsive Zoe immediately takes a defensive stand in opposition to William’s concerns. There is good humor as the family keep trying to match-make the pair.  I enjoyed the faith based references of trust that the author slips into the story.

Knit One, Love Two by Diann Hunt. Rating 4.5
The girl’s mother, Anna, lost trust in men and love after their father left her and the girls behind to start a new family with another woman. Anna managed to help make ends meet with her knitting shop, The Sit ‘n Knit. She loves the colors and textures of the materials and loves helping other women in the community with their projects. She is reluctant to trust the interest of Michael, who is the handsome son of Emma, a customer who is suffering from cancer. Besides, Michael is a retired, career officer who he has been a loner for a long time and is struggling with an estranged son.

A skiing injury lands Michael cabin bound and Anna offers help. When Anna decides to raise a herd of sheep to supply wool for spinning Michael is there to help her.  Slowly a friendship edged with desire builds.

I enjoyed the vulnerability of these characters as they learn to release their fears and begin to trust. The warm, mature romance is very lovely. I also liked Anna’s firm faith and willingness to seek guidance from the Lord.

Love Blooms by Denise Hunter. Rating 4.5
Clare is the middle child and a lady with a green thumb. She is the one who keeps to routine; steady and practical.  She has recently lost her boyfriend who decided that she was just too predictable and ‘boring.’ It is a surprise when she hires a drifter to help at the nursery that she manages.

Ethan lost a buddy in war and has lived from town to town following where he feels God directs him to help. He was desperate for work when he arrived in Smitten and now is looking for God’s meaning in bringing him to this charming town. He is attracted to Clare but he doesn’t want to start something since his visit is only temporary.

Ethan and Clare both have fear, control and trust issues to overcome. It is wonderful to watch them shift their views so that they can come together. This story also does a great wrap up for the mystery and the healing for the betrayal that occurred in Rose’s past.  I had tears in my eyes by the time this ended.

The book concludes with some great Reading Group Guide questions that dig a little deeper into emotions and reactions. This would make a great group read as well as a lovely read for anyone who likes inspirational romance.

I received this anthology from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley for an honest review.

Attention Audio Fans, YA, Classic Readers: Check Out SYNC - #syncya!

SYNC Summer 2013 Titles Revealed!
 

Twelve weeks of free audiobook downloads, combining a popular contemporary YA title and a classic paired by theme, start May 30, courtesy of audiobook publishers, AudioFile, and OverDrive.
DON'T MISS OUT – SIGN UP TODAY!

Check out the great Summer line up starting with:

May 30 – June 5, 2013
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, read by Rebecca Gibel (AudioGO)
The Tempest by William Shakespeare, read by a Full Cast (AudioGO)

And here is one in June I am looking forward to:

June 13 – June 19, 2013
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, read by Will Patton (Scholastic Audiobooks)
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, read by Robert Ramirez (Recorded Books)

Well - Really I am looking forward to all of them. I hope you'll join me and share the news!
 

SYNC News to Share
We would love to have you spread the news on your social networks!

• Twitter – Our hashtag is #syncya.
• Blog – Images, copy, and SoundCloud embeddable clips available for your blog here.
• Facebook – Like us here and share!

TEXT syncya to 25827 for alerts on the SYNC title releases.

Mailbox Monday May 27, 2013

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
For MAY: the Mailbox Monday Tour host is Abi at 4 the Love of Books. 
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. 

[Oops - Failed to update the opening sentences.] 
I received three review titles this past week and picked up three at NetGalley.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

REVIEW

What a Wicked Earl Wants
by Vicky Dreiling

and

The Duchess Hunt
by Jennifer Haymore

Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy 
by Jeff Gunhus
For July Book Blast Tour







These three were Net Galley Pickups:

Anonymous Sources
By Mary Louise Kelly
A thriller pitting a driven reporter against spies in Washington, D.C.

The Bane (The Eden Trilogy) (Volume 1)
by Keary Taylor
Dubbed: "The Terminator meets the Walking Dead"

 

Silent Warrior

by Lindsey Piper
Criminal warriors pair up
in this "edgy" short prequel
to a new series.

Won

None this week.

Purchased

None this week.

 

Free

I downloaded a handful of free Kindle Titles linked through Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink and Kindle Review.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? May 27, 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 tense work week but reading was okay. I finished four books and posted four  reviews, three with Giveaways. I also posted the weekly Mailbox Monday meme, Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Snapshot, Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway and Sunday Words.

I visited Saturday Snapshot posts late in the week. This week I have to try to visit Monday meme posts.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? May 20, 2013.

• Mailbox Monday May 20, 2013.

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Undone by Sara Humphreys, Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review and Giveaway: New Wings by Donna Stanley, Inspirational Fiction; my rating 5.0. 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 24, 2013. Open Worldwide. Ends 5/30.
  

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Barefoot in the Sun by Roxanne St. Claire, Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25.
  

• Saturday Snapshot (5/25/13) More Wildlife in the Backyard
  

• Audio Book Review: Inherit the Stars by James P. Hogan, Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #101 Comment Giveaway 5/25/13. Ends 5/31.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 26, 2013.
  

Finished Reading:

1. Print

New Wings 
by Donna Stanley
I really enjoyed this inspirational fiction about angels.
The review with Giveaway are linked above.
Click on title for full Book Description.

2. Audio

The Empty Mirror
by James Lincoln Collier
This is a different tale. I will post a review this coming week.  Reviewing for AudioGo through AudioBook Jukebox.
Click on title for full Book Description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Celtic Tales, Told to the Children
by Louey Chisholm

• File Size: 114 KB; Print Length: 120 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: B005G8RSLU

This is a collection of three old fashion, Celtic-based, fairy tales:
The Star-Eyed Deirdre, The Four Swans and Dermat and Grania. I listened to this during my drive this week. The tales are fun and magical but maybe not quite right for children. They include a child whose beauty brings unrest and civil war; a wicked stepmother who separates children and father with much sadness; and a disobedient, stubborn and scheming daughter who runs off with a superhero whose sons are set for revenge of their father's murder by his long time, jealous enemy.
I found it fun as a very quick listen.
I picked this as my Just For Fun, from the Kindle shelf read for May.

4. Print

Better Than Chocolate (Life in Icicle Falls) 
by Sheila Roberts
Reading this IS better than chocolate (especially when dieting!).
I will post a review with Giveaway this week.
Click on title for full Book Description.

Line Edits/Releases: 
We have several new eBooks and prints ready to go soon.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (also Print)

What a Wicked Earl Wants (Sinful Scoundrels)
by Vicky Dreiling
 I received this during the week for an upcoming tour spot.
I am really enjoying it!
Reviewing with Author feature on June 1 for Forever/Hachette.
Book Description
Release date: May 28, 2013 | Series: Sinful Scoundrels
WILL A RAKE'S WICKED WAYS
Andrew Carrington, Earl of Bellingham, believes in being a gentleman, whether it's fishing a soggy stranger out of the Thames or assisting a fetching lady into his bed. If the stranger becomes a friend and the lady a mistress, all the better. He certainly welcomes the opportunity to help Laura Davenport, a dazzling young widow with a rebellious stepson. Her gratitude, he hopes, will take an amorous form. But from the moment he sets foot in her drawing room, he gets far more than he bargained for ...
LEAD THE LADY ASTRAY?
It was a moment of desperation. On the brink of losing her stepson, Laura turned to the notorious Lord Bellingham for help. Suddenly she, a vicar's daughter, is in the precarious position of resisting his tantalizing advances. How Bell earned his wicked reputation is clear; the surprise is how much more there is to him than the gossip sheets could possibly reveal. Now every moment with this dangerously desirable man puts Laura's good name at risk-and promises pleasure unlike any she has ever known ...

2. Audible

Hexed: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 2 [Unabridged]
by Kevin Hearne (Author), Luke Daniels (Narrator)
This is a fun series with enjoyable narrating.
This is from my own Audible Library.
Publisher's Summary
Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, doesn’t care much for witches. Still, he’s about to make nice with the local coven by signing a mutually beneficial nonaggression treaty when suddenly the witch population in modern-day Tempe, Arizona, quadruples overnight. And the new girls are not just bad, they’re badasses with a dark history on the German side of World War II.
With a fallen angel feasting on local high school students, a horde of Bacchants blowing in from Vegas with their special brand of deadly decadence, and a dangerously sexy Celtic goddess of fire vying for his attention, Atticus is having trouble scheduling the witch hunt. But aided by his magical sword, his neighbor’s rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and his vampire attorney, Atticus is ready to sweep the town and show the witchy women they picked the wrong Druid to hex.
Listen to more Iron Druid Chronicles.
©2011 Kevin Hearne (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

3. Print 

The Duchess Hunt (House of Trent)
by Jennifer Haymore
This is the second book for my June 1 spotlight event.
Book Description
Release date: June 25, 2013 | Series: House of Trent (Book 1)
THE DUKE'S DESIRE
Simon Hawkins, duke of Trent, is no stranger to scandal. Rumors and innuendo have darkened the House of Trent for decades, and it has fallen to Simon to restore his tattered family name. He lives by a strict code of honor, but when he is called home to investigate his mother's disappearance, the distinguished duke will tangle with temptation. For there waits the only woman he has ever loved-and the last woman he should desire . . .

Sarah Osborne has spent her life dreaming of Simon's touch. But dukes do not long for lady's maids-or so Sarah believes, until a stolen kiss sparks a passion that could be her ultimate undoing. As the couple begins a forbidden romance, a cunning enemy plots to destroy the duke and everything he loves. Now, caught in a blackmailer's web, Simon faces an agonizing choice: sacrifice his family's future or break Sarah's heart.

4. Print

The Sweet Spot (Sweet on a Cowboy)
by Laura Drake
This looks like an interesting story with pain and reunion.
Book Description
Release date: May 28, 2013 | Series: Sweet on a Cowboy (Book 1)
A Love as Big as Texas . . .Charla Rae Denny was the perfect wife with a perfect life, content to keep the home fires burning while her husband, JB, competed as a champion bull rider. Then their son died in a tragic accident-and everything fell apart. Divorced and saddled with a hill of bills and a failing ranch, Charla must now cowboy up to put her life back together.

James "JB" Denny doesn't stay where he isn't welcome. So when Charla shut him out of her grieving heart-and their home-a year ago, he took comfort where he could find it. Now after seeing beautiful Charla again, he wants it all back. She can't work the ranch alone, and deep in his heart he knows he can be the man she needs. But after so much history and heartbreak, can JB convince Charla to take a risk and give their love a second chance?

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: Several more releases being prepared for the next few weeks. I am still doing more Smashword conversions in between print formatting.

I have fewer books lined up for May so I can pick some more that I want. Eight I still have several print books so three will push into June. 

May Scheduled:

Sourcebooks: read - to be reviewed.

Hachette - Forever
      The Woman He Loved Before by Dorothy Koomson 
     Haven Creek (A Cavanaugh Island Novel) by Rochelle Alers
     The Sweet Spot (Sweet on a Cowboy) by Laura Drake
     It Had to Be You by Jill Shalvis 

NetGalley
    Complete for this month

Harlequin
    
Audios
     Hexed: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 2 by Kevin Hearne (My own library)

Author Titles
     TBD 

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - Done.
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords: Done