Thursday, February 6, 2014
Delay in Posting Friday Pick February 7, 2014
I had round two of Chemo treatment today (Thursday) and slept most of the afternoon. It is 8:30pm now and I am going back to bed. I can't do Random.org until after 10pm so I plan to make the selections and upload the post early Friday morning. :-) Thanks for understanding.
Audio Book Review: Forever His: Stolen Brides, Book 1 by Shelly Thacker
This is an intensely romantic time travel, medieval tale.
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.
Note: the Kindle version appears to be free at the time of this posting.
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
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Print Giveaway: The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret to America's Future by Jonathan Cahn; Winner: NATASHA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Print Giveaway: White Rogue by David R. Fett M.D., Stephen Langford & Connie Malcolm; Spy Thriller;
Winner: BETH C (rubynreba)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway Ended January 18, 2014
Attention Shana Galen Fans! A Pre-Order Gift Offer and A Giveaway from SOURCEBOOKS. Winner: SANDY X
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway Ended January 11, 2013
Giveaway: Angel Christmas by Patricia Rice, Mary Balogh & 3 more; Anthology, Christmas, Angels. Winner: CASSIE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway Ended January 6, 2013
Book Blitz Feature - Double Life of Incorporate Things
GIVEAWAY $50.00 GC
Winner: Check Rafflecopter or Author website
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaways Ended January 3, 2014
Giveaway: Christmas in Lucky Harbor by Jill Shalvis
US Print. WINNER: BONNIE H.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway: Carving Angels by Diane Stringam Tolley
WINNERS: US (Print) VICTORIA; International (eBook) ERIN F
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway Ended December 18, 2013
Giveaway: Christmas at Harrington's
by Melody Carlson
Winner: MEGHAN S
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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! :-)]
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Print Giveaway: The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret to America's Future by Jonathan Cahn; Winner: NATASHA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Print Giveaway: White Rogue by David R. Fett M.D., Stephen Langford & Connie Malcolm; Spy Thriller;
Winner: BETH C (rubynreba)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway Ended January 18, 2014
Attention Shana Galen Fans! A Pre-Order Gift Offer and A Giveaway from SOURCEBOOKS. Winner: SANDY X
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway Ended January 11, 2013
Giveaway: Angel Christmas by Patricia Rice, Mary Balogh & 3 more; Anthology, Christmas, Angels. Winner: CASSIE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway Ended January 6, 2013
Book Blitz Feature - Double Life of Incorporate Things
GIVEAWAY $50.00 GC
Winner: Check Rafflecopter or Author website
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaways Ended January 3, 2014
Giveaway: Christmas in Lucky Harbor by Jill Shalvis
US Print. WINNER: BONNIE H.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway: Carving Angels by Diane Stringam Tolley
WINNERS: US (Print) VICTORIA; International (eBook) ERIN F
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway Ended December 18, 2013
Giveaway: Christmas at Harrington's
by Melody Carlson
Winner: MEGHAN S
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
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.
* 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.
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
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.
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.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
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?
Sleeping Dogs: A Novel
by Tony Vanderwarker
A thriller written with guidance from John Grisham -
Sounds interesting!
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.
None this week.
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
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.
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.
and a Sci Fi/fantasy.
by G. Michael Hopf
I have eyed this series for a while now.
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.
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
A Carly Phillips Collection
(Love Unexpected Series) [Kindle Edition]
Carly Phillips (Author)
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
