Sharing Beyond Books #102 Comment Giveaway June 1, 2013

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.

My work week was a bit quieter and I had another relaxing day today in between doing some book work. Is everyone ready for summer?

Thank you to all who shared last week.

There were about 10 commentors who like models and of those four like faces and six do not.want faces because they want to imagine the character. Many commented that the important thing is that the covers be consistent with the genre and the characters. That is a peeve of mine too and I have one this week that didn't fit. Terri pointed out too that the cover format should be consitent within a series.

It seems the majority of us are shower people, some for speed and simplicity, even to get to the bed to read sooner! :-) 18 prefer showers, 8 baths and several like both. A couple of people commented that they prefer the bath for relaxing.

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The Winner from SBB #101 comments is: #24 cheryl c who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #102 Questions

Q1. Birgit asks:  Did a pet ever eat, ahem, destroy one of your books??

A: Yes, I have had dogs chew on my books. Usually they only get the covers but one of them did gnaw off a chunk of a corner before I realized he had a book.  

 Catch the title on this book. :-)

Image found at Natural Dog Blog.

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: What is the worst damage a pet has ever caused??

A: Hopefully we don't have any dog bites although that is possible. We had a billy goat who gouged my hubby's thigh one time. He was trying to play but it was scary.

Image found at Slice of America Films.

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 draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We can always use fresh questions. I do have a group of questions from the same submitters so if you have a question don't be afraid to ask!

Your turn to share:

Q1.  Birgit asks: Did a pet ever eat, ahem, destroy one of your books??

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: What is the worst damage a pet has ever caused??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books , the Christmas Giveaway Books, or the Updated ARC/Review List .

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, June 7, 2013 at 10 PM central.

8 Days of Desire Blog Tour with Vicky Dreiling and Jennifer Haymore -- #Giveaway

8 DAYS OF DESIRE with JENNIFER HAYMORE & VICKY DREILING

@JenniferHaymore
@VickyDreiling
@ForeverRomance

TWO WINNERS CAN WIN A SET OF BOTH BOOKS! Sponsored by Forever Romance.
MUST HAVE US ADDRESS to win.

 ENTRY THROUGH RAFFLECOPTER FORM

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Extra Entries:

• 2 Extra Bonus PER AUTHOR - if you comment on the Author's 5 Top picks and name your top pick actress and/or actor. Please leave comment on the review posts.
•  For 2 Extra Bonus entries Visit Vicky Dreiling website and tell me something you find of interest.
•  For 2 Extra Bonus entries Visit Jennifer Haymore website and tell me something you find of interest.

* Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old
* US mailing address (no PO Boxes).
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 14, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 15, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

#Author Feature and Book #Review: The Duchess Hunt by Jennifer Haymore

This is a fun read -- bit of a Cinderella story with some mystery.
The Duchess Hunt (House of Trent)
by Jennifer Haymore

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Forever (June 25, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455523399
• ISBN-13: 978-1455523399

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

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.

Review:
Sarah is the gardener’s daughter. As a precocious youngster she was rescued from an attacking blackberry bush by the ‘lord of the manor’, a young Simon. He took her into the house for medical care and his eccentric mother welcomed her to the family clan for schooling and play time. She grew up with the five boys and little baby Esme as playmates even though she ultimately became a housemaid dreaming impossible dreams about loving Simon.

Simon is serious and dedicated to restoring the family reputation after the scandals his promiscuous parents made of their lives. Nearing 30 he realizes that it is time for him to seek a proper wife. Problem is he has difficulty being attracted by any woman but Sarah even when he is in London and she is home on the family estate.

Simon is called home and gathers all of his siblings because their mother, with her man and maidservant, has disappeared. There is no sign of struggle and it is possible that she took off for an unannounced visit but it is unlikely that she would worry the family with no word at all. Simon begins a different ‘Duchess Hunt.’ He decides to investigate in London and takes along Esme with Sarah now elevated to the position of Lady Companion.

Sarah is strong and calm and helps to steady Esme who is uncomfortable in society settings. But residing in the same house presents a strong temptation for Simon and Sarah. At first Simon is reluctant to ‘dally’ with a servant even though he doesn’t think of her as such. But Sarah has weighed the costs and accepted that she wants a season with Simon before he moves on to marry someone else.

A local peer coerces Simon into a marriage proposal for his suitable young daughter. Simon feels  nothing.for the girl who has clearly been groomed to marry nobility.  Simon is too honorable to continue the liaison with Sarah and Sarah learns that having an affair without losing one’s heart is easier said than done.

I liked the underlying touch of mystery with the mother’s disappearance and the facts used to blackmail Simon. I particularly liked how Ms. Haymore found a way to face the blackmail and how the family pulls together. The Duchess is not yet found by the end of the story but there are solid leads to follow.

Simon and Sarah make a warm pair. The sexual interaction is pretty steamy although done with a premise of love and discovery. I enjoyed not only the primary characters in this story but also the secondary characters. I especially like the eldest, illegitimate brother, Sam, the out of control angry, second son, Luke, and the resilient, if timid, Esme. The other two brothers, Mark and Theo, have warm personalities too. I look forward to more stories to continue with the other siblings. I recommend this story to historical romance fans who especially like a touch of Cinderella happiness.

This is the second book for June 1 spotlight event. I received this book from Forever/Hachette for an honest review.
I am happy to be participating in a Blog tour for this title and What a Wicked Earl Wants by Vicky Dreiling.

Jennifer shares her TOP 5 Favorite Period Actors with us:
·                  #5 Hugh Jackman in Les Miserables
·                  #4 Paul Bettany (Chaucer in A Knight’s Tale and Dr. Stephen Maturin in Master & Commander)
·                  #3 Liam Neeson as Rob Roy
·                  #2 Clark Gable as Rhett Butler
·                  #1-Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy

Learn more about Jennifer at: 
JenniferHaymore.com
Twitter @jenniferhaymore 
Facebook.com/jenniferhaymore-author

Click HERE FOR A CHANCE to WIN both books!

#Author Feature and Book #Review: What A Wicked Earl Wants by Vicky Dreiling

This story has wonderful characters, fun dialogue and good conflict that makes it engaging.

What a Wicked Earl Wants (Sinful Scoundrels)
by Vicky Dreiling

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Forever (May 28, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455522872
• ISBN-13: 978-1455522873

Genre: Historical Romance

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

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 ...

Review:
Andrew is a notorious rake who has vowed never to marry. He lost his parents and younger brother to an accident when he was away at University. Although he has never thought it through he apparently figures if he doesn’t get close to anyone he can’t suffer the pain of loss. So all of his relationships are superficial and that is the way he likes it.

Laura is a young widow with a teenage stepson. She loved her husband, although he was twenty four years older. When he became sick shortly after their marriage Laura cared for him through his illness and became mother to young Justin. Justin is now 17 and pushing the boundaries with the wrong friends. He is drinking, carousing and staying out all night.

Andrew, the Earl of Bellington and known as "Bell" is attracted to the beautiful widow. He spots her son hiding a flask at a ball. The next day he calls on Laura to return the flask. They are interrupted by a visit of the boy's uncle and guardian, Montclief, who threatens to take Justin away if he discovers he is misbehaving. In an effort to assure Montclief that she can handle the boy, and he will have male guidance, Laura announces that she and Andrew are engaged.

The attraction between them sizzles but Laura has no plans to marry again. If she did she would want a forever kind of man, not a short term love. Andrew realizes that Laura, as a Vicar’s daughter, is not a woman to dally with. But Andrew allowed the pretend engagement and has committed to help with Justin. The pair spend time together allowing a friendship to grow. The proximity becomes hard to resist and Laura begins to think she will regret it if she doesn’t follow her heart and at least have a short time with Andrew.

I really liked Laura and Andrew. The chemistry between them is wonderful and the dialogue is playful and fun. Montclief’s threat and the emotional walls of the couple keep the story interesting as it moves along. Montclief is a good villain and Laura's friend, Lady Atherton, is lovely secondary character. There is some sexual interaction but it is only a small element of the story that is much richer by reason of the well developed characters and conflict. The story is engaging and the love that grows is sweet and full. I recommend this to romance readers who love it when a rake falls in love! I look forward to more books in this series.

I received this book from Forever/Hachette for an honest review.
I am happy to be participating in a Blog tour for this title and The Duchess Hunt by Jennifer Haymore.

Vicky shares her TOP 5 Favorite Period Actresses with us:
1.       Jennifer Ehle in BBC version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
2.       Emma Thompson in SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
3.       Kate Winslet in SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
4.       Gwynneth Paltrow in EMMA
5.       Maggie Smith as the Dowager Duchess in DOWNTON ABBEY (I just love the outspoken matriarchs!)

Learn more about Vicky at:
VickyDreiling.com
Twitter @vickydreiling
Facebook.com/vicky.dreiling

Click HERE FOR A CHANCE to WIN both books!

Saturday Snapshot (June 1, 2013) Growing Garden

This week I am sharing some of the growing bounty from our own garden. :-)

Our first meal from the garden was a week ago and included potatoes and garlic.
Here is a photo of the fresh picked goodies.

Here is the cooked meal. 
My DH is sometimes called "One Pot Bob". 

This week we had beans and green peppers. 

Soon we will have corn and tomatoes. 

It has been a lot of fun going out each week to photograph the progress in the garden!

Thanks to all who stop by and visit. I didn't get to visit last week so I hope to make up for it this Saturday.

A big Thank You to Alyce at Alyce of At Home With Books who has hosted this meme for a number of years. She is taking a summer hiatus at her blog and the new host will be Melissa at West Metro Mommy. Thank you to Melissa for picking up the responsibility. 

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 being hosted this summer by West Metro Mommy. 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.