Audio Book Review: Forever His: Stolen Brides, Book 1 by Shelly Thacker

This is an intensely romantic time travel, medieval tale.

Forever His: Stolen Brides, Book 1
by Shelly Thacker
 Narrated by Julia Motyka

 Length: 15 hrs and 5 mins
    Series: Stolen Brides, Book 1
Format: Unabridged
 Release Date:09-26-13
Publisher: Summit Avenue Books
Genre: Time Travel Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
On New Year's Eve, she tumbles 700 years back in time - and into the bed of a darkly handsome knight.

Sir Gaston de Varennes wanted a docile bride who would fit into his plans for vengeance and justice, but a trick of time finds him married to a thoroughly modern American lady who turns his castle, his life, and his heart upside down. Will her desperate secret tear them apart after only a few bittersweet weeks of stolen passion - or will they conquer mistrust, treachery, and time itself to discover a love that spans the centuries?

Winner of the National Readers Choice Award: Best Historical Romance of the Year

The Stolen Brides Series: One falls through time and finds herself married to a dark stranger...one may never reach her royal wedding if she can't resist her rugged protector...one is abducted by a mysterious swordsman and swept away to a secret island paradise. Three regal brides are about to discover that falling in love with a warrior is the most dangerous adventure of all.
©1993 Shelly Thacker Meinhardt (P)2013 Shelly Thacker Meinhardt

Review:
Celine Fontaine is a twenty-three year old woman of wealth and sophistication. She had been engaged to a charismatic man until some hoodlums tried to steal his car and she suffered a bullet wound in the back. Her ambitious family doesn’t understand her panic attacks nor do they know that she must soon go through another operation to remove a fragment of the bullet that could otherwise end her life. She is struggling with her fears as she stares at the moon through the window of the family ancestral chateau in France. Suddenly she is struck by the light of a lunar eclipse. When she stumbles from the flash of light she finds herself in an oddly familiar room that looks totally different. She is dismayed when she learns that she has been whisked 700 years to the past.

Everyone thinks Celine is Lady Christiane Fontaine, the convent raised cousin of Sir Gaston’s vicious enemy, Duc Alain de la Tourelle. Gaston is convinced that Tourelle murdered his father and elder brother. The battle between Gaston and Tourelle has angered the King to the point that he ordered Gaston to marry Lady Christiane. Gaston could not refuse to marry as ordered but he could refuse to consummate the marriage. He is sure it is just a matter of time to uncover proof of Tourelle’s treacherous lies to reveal to the King so he can seek an annulment.

Gaston is a fierce, handsome warrior who earned the title of the Black Knight. Gaston tries to humiliate Lady Chrisitane by treating her no better than a house servant. But she soon makes friends in the household as she treats everyone with kindness and makes changes around the fortress to help make things easier and improve conditions.

Gaston doesn’t believe Celine’s claims to be from a future time even if there are oddities. And he is adamant that their union will not be consummated no matter how fierce their attraction. He can’t decide if he should keep her close so he knows what threat she poses or stay away from the overpowering temptation. Meanwhile Celine desperately tries to find a way to return to her time for the surgery she needs to save her life.

This story has wonderful chemical attraction and frustrating tension. The medieval settings are believable and beautiful. The time travel dilemma is also believable and well done. There were a few too many vivid sexual encounters for my tastes but they were nicely handled and could be skimmed over without losing the intimacy and emotional depths growing between the pair. If you like medieval and/or time travel romance and strong minded characters who struggle against the pull of true love this is a story you should check out.

Audio Notes: Initially I struggled with the rather breathy narration. Julia Motyka does a good job with the French and accents but has to work to portray the deep, manly voice of the warrior knight. Still, this is a story that I think was easier for me to listen to than if I had picked it to read in print.

I received this audible download to review for the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.

Note: the Kindle version appears to be free at the time of this posting.

Another Month of Winners- December Through January!

I apologize to all these winners - I have been late in picking the winners again. I have listed some on the sidebar during the week but this is the first they have been listed in a Winner Announcement.
So here are the Winners to bring us up-to-date.
{Note- Friday Pick and Sharing Beyond Books Winners are announced each week and listed in the sidebar too so they are not included in winner link listing - you can check those winners by clicking on Friday Pick link or Sharing Beyond Books link found on the right sidebar.}


Giveaways Ended January 24, 2014:

Spontaneous Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop. WINNERS: Entry #161 Kathie S. and Entry #17 Kamla L.

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Print Giveaway: The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret to America's Future by Jonathan Cahn; Winner: NATASHA

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Print Giveaway: White Rogue by David R. Fett M.D., Stephen Langford & Connie Malcolm; Spy Thriller; 
Winner: BETH C (rubynreba)

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Giveaway Ended January 18, 2014

Attention Shana Galen Fans! A Pre-Order Gift Offer and A Giveaway from SOURCEBOOKS. Winner: SANDY X

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Giveaway Ended January 11, 2013


Giveaway: Angel Christmas by Patricia Rice, Mary Balogh & 3 more; Anthology, Christmas, Angels. Winner: CASSIE


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Giveaway Ended January 6, 2013

Book Blitz Feature - Double Life of Incorporate Things
GIVEAWAY $50.00 GC
Winner: Check Rafflecopter or Author website

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Giveaways Ended January 3, 2014

Giveaway: Christmas in Lucky Harbor by Jill Shalvis
US Print. WINNER: BONNIE H.

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Giveaway: Carving Angels by Diane Stringam Tolley
WINNERS: US (Print) VICTORIA; International (eBook) ERIN F

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Giveaway Ended December 18, 2013


Giveaway: Christmas at Harrington's
by Melody Carlson
Winner: MEGHAN S
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ALL WINNERS - if you have not already done so - Please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form AND you can email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I will arrange the mailing or notify the publishers.
[I ask that all winner's fill in the form as it helps me keep track of when I have completed the mail outs or notice to the publishers rather than tracking individual emails. But of course -- feel free to email me too! :-)]

Book Review and Giveaway: In One Year and Out the Other Collection

This is a fun anthology to kick off a new year!
In One Year and Out the Other
Cara Lockwood, Pamela Redmond Satran, Beth Kendrick, Megan McAndrew, Tracy McArdle, Kathleen O'Reilly, Eileen Rendahl, Diane Stingley, Libby Street, Christina Delia

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (November 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416530932
• ISBN-13: 978-1416530930

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Short Story Anthology, Chick-lit
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 28, 2006
Out with the old, in with the new, and on with the party!
Maybe it's just another midnight...or maybe there really is magic in the air when December 31st becomes January 1st, and confetti kisses and champagne toasts kick off a new year, a new romance, a new look, a new attitude.

Celebrate the start of something new with In One Year and Out the Other...a sparkling collection of all new stories by today's rising fiction stars:

Cara Lockwood puts self-improvement to the test with 528 resolutions -- not least of which is "Do not sleep with married men" -- in "Resolved: A New Year's Resolution List"...Pamela Redmond Satran instructs a single mom in the fine art of partying like the boys (have lots of sex, don't worry that you're too fat) in "How to Start the New Year Like a Guy"...Diane Stingley shows a twentysomething why there's more to life than waiting by the phone for a New Year's date in "Expecting a Call"...Megan McAndrew seizes the day -- or just a very special one-night stand -- for a single food stylist hungering for more in "The Future of Sex"...and more great tales from Kathleen O'Reilly, Beth Kendrick, Eileen Rendahl, Tracy McArdle and Libby Street.

Review:
This is a fun collection of short stories perfect to greet a new year or to provide quick, break-size reading chuckles. There are ten stories running between 30 to 60 pages each. I wasn’t crazy about all of them but many were fun and introduced me to new-to-me authors.

Resolved: A New Year’s Resolution List by Cara Lockwood kicks off the set with a ridiculous 500+ long list. Clearly the character has issues to work through!

Expecting a Call by Diane Stingley is a fun New Year’s eve twist on a Christmas Carol.

Halo, Goodbye by Kathleen O’Reilly is a sweet view from a young woman who died New Year’s eve and has to find a way to let go and move on.

The characters were a bit desperate or shallow in one or two of the stories, like The Future of Sex and The Luckiest People. But all in all I enjoyed the quick reads and the theme being new year, resolutions and new beginnings. 

I pulled this from my TBR to read for the new year.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the gently used Print Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.  

For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review OR 

tell me about another book by any of the authors that you enjoyed.

* This contest is open to U.S. address only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on February 14, 2014.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after February 14, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Mailbox Monday February 3, 2014

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
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) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday.

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

I had one book from an author for review and three books I picked up at NetGalley; plus two ebooks I purchased. 

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Reviews

Sleeping Dogs: A Novel 
by Tony Vanderwarker
A thriller written with guidance from John Grisham -
Sounds interesting!

NetGalley Picks:

Two Dystopia/Futuristic Survival Stories
and a Sci Fi/fantasy.

  The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series)

by G. Michael Hopf
I have eyed this series for a while now.

Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series) 
by A. American
This is another Survival series I want to try.
I think I will get the first book with an Audible credit.

  The Memory of Sky: A Great Ship Trilogy by Robert Reed
This sci fi/fantasy caught my eye. 

Won

None this week.

Purchased

Two Kindle purchases:

The Bigtime Series (Bigtime superhero series, e-bundle) [Kindle Edition]
Jennifer Estep (Author)

This looked like a good set for 99 cents

Truly Madly Deeply, 

A Carly Phillips Collection

(Love Unexpected Series) [Kindle Edition]
Carly Phillips (Author)

This is another set for 99 cents that looked like fum.

Free

Plus I downloaded 40 free Kindle titles this week.  Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday! Waht Are You Reading? February 3, 2014

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.

Last week was interrupted by an icy Wednesday. Most businesses in our county were closed due to inexperienced drivers on icy roads. I had a little extra reading time, then enjoyed Saturday morning with my family as the kids came to help prepare the garden for planting.

I finished three books and well into another audible. I posted three reviews, one with feature giveaway.
Plus I posted the regular weekly memes and posts (except the Saturday Snapshot). 

I did some visiting mid and end week which was nice.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday What are You Reading? January 26, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday 1/27/14.

• Book Review with Giveaway Link: Warrior's Moon by Jaclyn M. Hawkes; Medieval Historical Romance; my rating 4.25.  Ends 2/23/14.

• Audio Book Review: Flight of the Bowyer by Kenneth R. Lewis; Political Thriller, Futuristic; my rating 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 31, 2014. Open Worldwide. Ends 2/6/14.

• Book Review: Ashes & Alchemy (The Gaslight Chronicles) by Cindy Spenser Pape; Sci Fi, Steampunk, Fantasy; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #137 Comment Giveaway 2/1/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 2/8/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 2, 2014.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible

Fifth Grave Past the Light: Charley Davidson, Book 5
    UNABRIDGED
    by Darynda Jones
    Narrated by Lorelei King
        Series: Charley Davidson, Book 5 
Another good addition to the series.
I hope to post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print/ ebook/kindle

The Sheriff's Surrender (Ladies' Shooting Club)
by Susan Page Davis
We ended up postponing our Club meeting. I'll still post the review this week with giveaway.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

 Beyond the Shadow of Canderlay Manor
by Dee Julian
I’ve enjoyed this author’s previous historicals
and loved this one too!
I will post a review later this week.
Book DescriptionPublication Date: January 7, 2014
In Regency England, Morgan Spence sets his mind upon achieving two goals. Acquiring his father’s abandoned ancestral estate and finding a wealthy bride to foot the bill for its restoration. Having accomplished the first part of his plan, Morgan moves into the neglected manor and soon discovers he’s not alone.

Afraid for her very life, Isabelle Lindley is forced into seclusion by the disfigured ruffian who burned her cottage and chased her into the forest. For the last three months she’s been hiding in a secret room at Canderlay Manor, depending upon the kindness of an old caretaker. When the new owner takes up residence, Belle tries to frighten him off by pretending to be a spirit, but the hoax backfires and nearly ends the man’s life.

After a near fatal accident, Morgan isn’t sure if he’s dealing with a ghost or clever intruder. When he discovers the truth, his plans for the future sail slightly off course, leaving him more determined than ever to avoid losing his heart.

Line Edits/Releases:

We released another Poetry collection: What Will Suffice by Barri Bryan
The subject matter of these one-hundred poems is diverse and varied with vivid and recognizable impressions, originality of diction, and variance in tone. Each poem has a life of its own. The theme is the common thread of humanity that speaks to the heart through many forms, melodious language, and personal emotions.  The author's devotion to craftsmanship lends immediacy and expressiveness to a wide variety of charming and introspective poetic images.
Genre: Poetry, Pages: 89


Enter the bi-monthly drawings at eTreasures Publishing Facebook page.
This week's giveaway link:  New giveaway to be linked soon.

Currently reading:
1. Audible

Conspiracy in Death: In Death, Book 8
UNABRIDGED
    By J. D. Robb
    Narrated By Susan Ericksen
        Series: In Death, Book 8 
I realized I had jumped over this one. Another intense investigation with Eve and Roarke.
Publisher's Summary
With the precision of a surgeon, a serial killer preys on the most vulnerable souls of the world's city streets. The first victim: a sidewalk sleeper, found dead in New York City. No bruises, no signs of struggle. Just a laser-perfect, fist-sized hole where his heart had once been. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is assigned to investigate. But in the heat of a cat-and-mouse game with the killer, Dallas' job is suddenly on the line. Now her hands are tied...between a struggle for justice - and a fight for her career.

Crack another case with Eve Dallas.
©2007 J. D. Robb; (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

2. eBook/Kindle

The Furnace (The Tanner Sequence)
Timothy S. Johnston
This has a good hook to start!
Reviewing for the author; to post with giveaway.
Book Description
Publication Date: December 23, 2013
Dead Space, 2401 AD

Kyle Tanner is about to die. Alone, floating in a vacsuit only a few million kilometers from a massive, uncaring sun, he has barely enough time or juice to get out a distress signal before either his oxygen runs out or he succumbs to the radiation.

When the CCF sent investigator Kyle Tanner to SOLEX One, a solar energy harvester past Mercury, he thought it would be an open-and-shut murder case. A crew member was found dead, minus his head and hands. Not the worst Tanner has ever seen, but the deeper he delves, the more nightmarish it becomes. A shadowy figure, bleeding from his hands, assaults Tanner in his quarters. Then two more turn up dead, missing their heads and hands as well.

With no one to trust and everyone a suspect—even the intriguing chief engineer, Shaheen—Tanner must navigate a crew on the brink of madness to uncover a conspiracy that could threaten the whole of the human race. Even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice…

3. Print

New Frontier
by Jeremy Lee
I am enjoying the weaving of the mystery in this sci fi. Reviewing for Blog Tour on February 13.
Click on book title for full description.

I am up two days ahead with my daily Bible reading. :-)

Line Edits: We are now finalizing formatting for a couple of print releases, two ebook re-releases, as well as working on a new children's release.

I am still enjoying reading books from my own TBR. :-) Looks like I may have only read 14 books in January which is down a little for me.  Then again, it was comfortable. So far I have seven books selected for February with more to come.
My backlog for review is still five so I hope to do four or five reviews this week to catch up.

February Scheduled-
I expect a couple of unscheduled Giveaways this month again.
2/13 New Frontier by Jeremy Lee - Novel Publicity Tour Review.

Sourcebooks:
   R is for Rebel – Megan Mulry 

NetGalley:
  The Furnace (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston 
  The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series) by G. Michael Hopf
  Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series) by A. American
  The Memory of Sky: A Great Ship Trilogy by Robert Reed

Authors
   Sleeping Dogs: A Novel by Tony Vanderwarker

AudioBook Jukebox 
Making some new selections. 

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