A GREAT WONDERFUL GIVEAWAY! PLUS DONATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH!

Author Nancy O'Berry has a new release that is coming out November 26, 2009.  It is special because all of the proceeds are being donated to Cancer research!

Here is the donation information:

All the proceeds from this book are being donated to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Tidewater fund. If you would like to make a donation or get in contact with them, please use the following website and address:

http://www.komentidewater.org/

119 S. Witchduck Rd., Suite 85

Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Komen’s National Breast Care Helpline:

To speak to someone about breast health and breast cancer concerns, please call 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636).

Breast cancer is a type of cancer where cells in the breast tissue divide and grow without normal control. It is a widespread and random disease, striking women and men of all ages and races. It is the most prevalent cancer in the world today, with about 1.3 million people diagnosed annually. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, and at this time, there is no cure.

But there is hope.

Thanks to heightened awareness, early detection through screening, improved treatment methods and increased access to breast health services, people have a greater chance of survival than ever before.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure national website, komen.org, offers comprehensive information about breast cancer risk factors, early detection and screening, diagnosis and treatment. Developed in conjunction with the Harvard School of Public Health, the site offers a one-stop resource for all the latest information on the disease.

I saw Nancy's announcement and told her this was wonderful as my own dear mom died of cancer when I was only 21.  She was a young 48.

Nancy offered to do a Giveaway to encourage others to buy the book! Let me give you some info on the book then make sure you check out everything in this GREAT PRIZE PACKAGE below the book blurb!!

STORMY WEATHER

Nancy O'Berry

Mainstream Romance: Contemporary

ISBN: TBA

Cover Artist: Nancy Donahue

Editor: TBA

Word Count: 17,460

Release Date: TBA

Nancy's Red Rose Publishing Link

As a woman, Lauren Phelps has suffered the worst life can throw at her. The loss of her breast, the rejection of her husband, a divorce can she pick up the shattered threads of her life and continue?

Cole McGuire met Lauren Phelps through a mutual friend, his mother. When Lauren took a medical leave of absence, he wondered if he would ever see her again. When she returned to Teague and Marshalls, he made sure she was transferred to his office. Now divorced, he wondered if he stood a chance to woo her.

Can Lauren learn to love again after the storm?

Sounds like an interesting story right? Now here is the prize package that Nancy has so graciously offered!

    *  A CD that contains pdf copies of not just Stormy Weather, but three more of Nancy's books: Holding on to Hope, Giving in to Charity and Destination Daytona!

    * A Print copy of Having Faith, the first book in the Sweetbrier Series.

AND

    * A Pink Canvas Book Tote with the Stormy Weather cover on it.

Isn't that a GREAT WONDERFUL Package!

Here are the lovely covers!

THANK YOU NANCY!




PLUS for every ten entrants I will pick a winner at the conclusion of the Giveaway to receive a download copy of Stormy Weather provided from me.  International entries will be accepted for these extra Giveaways so please let me know if you are overseas and entering for the extra Giveaway instead of main prize package!  International entrants will be counted toward the "ten" entries but eliminated for the main drawing. 

TO ENTER:

1. Comment here telling me your favorite charity. Please include your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

4. Leave a separate comment for each entry or you'll only be entered once. (This method is used to make it easier to put the entries into the random generator!)

5. Visit Nancy's Blog and leave a comment there and come back and tell me you did.

(Four total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* This contest will close Midnight (Central) on November 26, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all non international entries.

REVIEW- Queene of Light by Jennifer Armintrout

Title:  Queene of Light
Author:  Jennifer Armintrout

Publisher: Mira Books (September 29, 2009)
Genre:  Paranormal (but I would label it Fantasy)
Pages:  384 pages
ISBN-10: 0778326624
ISBN-13: 978-0778326625
Buy Link

Rating: 4.5 of 5




Blurb:  An unimagined destiny an undeniable passion.
In a time not long from now, the veil between fantasy and reality is ripped asunder—creatures of myth and fairy tale spill into the mortal world. Enchanted yet horrified, humans force the magical beings Underground, to colonize the sewers and abandoned subway tunnels beneath their glittering cities.

But even magic folk cannot dwell in harmony, and soon two Worlds emerge: the Lightworld, home to faeries, dragons and dwarves; and the Darkworld, where vampires, werewolves, angels and demons lurk

Now, in the dank and shadowy place between Lightworld and Darkworld, a transformation is about to begin…

Ayla, a half faery, half human assassin, is stalked by Malachi, a Death Angel tasked with harvesting mortal souls. They clash. Immortality evaporates, forging a bond neither may survive. And in the face of unbridled ambitions and untested loyalties, an ominous prophecy is revealed that will shake the Worlds.

 Review:  A unique fantasy setting and a very interesting plot make this an engaging read.

Ayla had a rough childhood growing up on the streets without the love of family or friends.  She is primarily a warrior, often sent on assignment into the Darkworld.  When she is not fighting Ayla is looking for a way to survive as best she can in a very harsh and difficult world.  Her mentor, who is the Queene’s brother, Garret, appears to cherish Ayla but as the story goes on you realize he has a nefarious reason to want her as his mate.

Malachi is a Death Angel who has lost his immortality as a result of his first encounter with Ayla.  Now he is abandoned and alone in Darkworld.  He sets out to kill the assassin who caused his fall.  Ayla and Malachi should want to kill each other on sight, but instead they are drawn by an attraction that neither understands!

I really got hooked into this story right away.  I enjoyed the unique world and the various characters described by the author.  I thought each of the primary characters in the story was defined with uniqueness and developed through his or her behavior.  There was action from the beginning that pulled me in and I felt the story moved along with a good tension. There were times when I just did not want to put the book down!  As the story approached the end I realized that this wasn’t going to finish and there must be a sequel.  I was a little disappointed because I was anxious to see what happened and the end of this book was weakened as the fate of the protagonists, and the world, was left up in the air.

I got the sense the author may have been trying to present a deeper message but I wasn’t in the mood to ponder it out!  Besides, I don’t always need a message to enjoy the read and I did enjoy this.  I will want to read the next book to uncover where the prophecy is headed! Maybe then I'll think on the message.

Interview with Author Cheryl Pierson - Part One: The Writing Process

M: Hello Cheryl, welcome!
Please share with us: What made you want to write in the first place?


Cheryl: Hi Martha. Thanks so much for putting together this wonderful series of reviews and interview questions! I appreciate this opportunity so much.

I think I have always wanted to write—my mom used to bring along a pad of paper and a pencil to keep me occupied in church. I didn’t draw much, but I did practice my letters A LOT. I used to write stories and poems in elementary school, and never did stop doing that. I wish I had kept everything I wrote, but a lot of it got thrown out when I was a teenager.

M: I don’t remember the pad and pencil in church but I can relate to the poems in school. I bet your work would be interesting for you to look back on.

Would you say you write from experiences or imagination?

Cheryl: I think my stories are purely from imagination, but my characters and settings are drawn on experience and upon people and places I’ve known in my life. (I should say, all except my truly “evil” characters, the villains, and those are mainly due to an overactive imagination.)

M: HA! I’m glad you only have to imagine those villains and that they are not anyone you have experienced.

Did you need any help staying motivated or getting any element of your stories to cooperate?

Cheryl: No, usually not. Although, as with most writers, some stories “write themselves” and others can be a bit more difficult to bring to fruition. I’m a “pantser” so I tend not to do much if any plotting at all, but my stories always take shape as I hoped they would and come about to a satisfactory ending.

M: It must be great when the story writes itself! I’m sure that sounds lots easier than it is!

With this new release how many books will you have out? What genres are they and do you have plans to write in any other genres?

Cheryl: Time Plains Drifter, to be released December 1 through Class Act Books, will be my second novel. It is my first time-travel/paranormal, and it takes place for the most part in 1895 in Indian Territory, although I truly wouldn’t classify it as a “western romance.”

My first book, Fire Eyes, was a western romance through and through. It was released in May through The Wild Rose Press.

I have a contemporary romantic suspense novel, Sweet Danger, coming out with The Wild Rose Press, but have no release date set as of yet. Hopefully sometime this next year.

And I’ve sold many short stories of all different genres to anthologies such as Chicken Soup and the Adams Media Rocking Chair Reader series.

M: I noticed those anthologies on your website and wondered about those. I’ll look forward to your suspense novel.

How about your Christmas short story? Is that contemporary?

Cheryl:  No, it’s another historical western, and one of the best things I’ve written, as far as I’m concerned. It’s got a touch of the paranormal in it—a miracle that happens on Christmas Eve—and that’s where the title came from, A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES. It will be available through The Wild Rose Press December 2, for $2.00. To read the blurb about the story and see if it might be something you’d like, go to:
A Night for Miracles

After December 2, you can link to my author page at The Wild Rose Press to purchase A NIGHT FOR MIRACLES, as well as my other stories and books that are already available with The Wild Rose Press. (Fire Eyes and my FREE READ, Until the Last Star Burns Out, are already available at my author page here.) UNTIL THE LAST STAR BURNS OUT is FREE and is also an historical holiday short story.

Please join us tomorrow November 19, 2009 with Sumana at I READ for Part Two – Questions about the Promoting Process.

Don't forget to comment here and on each event for extra entries but make sure that you enter the GIVEAWAY AT THIS LINK!

Review - FIRE EYES by Cheryl Pierson

Title:    Fire Eyes
Author:  Cheryl Pierson
Genre:  Historical Western
Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press
Buy Link
ISBN:  1-60154-470-7
Heat Rating: Hot (per TWRP)
Author Website:  Cheryl Pierson



Rating:  4.25 of 5.0


Blurb:  Beaten and wounded by a band of sadistic renegades that rules the borderlands of Indian Territory, U.S. Marshal Kaed Turner understands what the inevitable outcome will be for him: death. But Fate and a war party of Choctaw Indians intervene, delivering him instead to a beautiful angel with the skill to heal him. Jessica Monroe has already lost a husband and a brother to the outlaws who tortured Marshal Turner. As the rugged lawman lies bleeding on her bed, she faces a difficult decision. Can she afford to gamble with her heart one last time? For when Kaed recovers, he is sworn to join the other Territorial Peace Officers in their battle to wipe out the renegade gang once and for all. When vengeance is done, will Kaed keep riding? Or will he return to claim his future with the beautiful woman the Choctaw call "Fire Eyes?"

Review:  This story jumps into the heat of action and moves into a very strong romance!

Jessica is a really lovely character.  She has suffered but is brave, compassionate, patient and willing to help others.  The Choctaws call her “Fire Eyes” for the strength of determination and courage they see in her eyes!  She may be inwardly frightened of the Indians, but she is not going to show her fear but instead stands with her chin up and her eyes blazing.  Now they have brought this very handsome, independent and nearly dead Marshall Kaed to her, expecting her to keep him alive. She wants to heal him but doesn't want to lose her heart to a man she knows will leave.

Kaed is rugged, smart and determined to get the bad guys.  He was partially raised by the Choctaws so he knows them as family and friends.  But he doesn’t fit in their world any more than he fits in the world of the settled and refined Whiteman.  Kaed is an independent roamer, not the type to settle down.  Having to stay for some time to heal with a beautiful angel and a sweet baby girl puts some dangerous thoughts in his head.  He doesn’t want to commit to staying but he sure finds Jessica hard to resist and what will happen to her if he leaves?

I really like the background that the author blends into the story to show us the history and nature of the characters.  I had a good understanding of the actions of the characters because I learned a bit of what makes them tick.  This applies to the very nasty villain, Fallon, the other Marshals and even Standing Bear, the Choctaw chief who is Kaed’s Indian “father.”

The story jumps right into some strong action.  Then there is the touching development of the relationship between Jessi and Kaed that gives us a lot of the character background.  The story returns to the marshals trying to save two more young girls kidnapped by Fallon and his Brigade.  The plot is action filled with good guys chasing the bad guys and loved ones in danger!

There is some rough language which fits with the rough cowboys and some time period appropriate violence.  The love making is steamy but very loving.  The true story here for me is how the hero and heroine need each other and how Kaed, particularly, reaches his decision to commit!  A very enjoyable read.  (And a beautiful cover too!)

This is my Tuesday R&R review at SaSR.

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway for Ms. Pierson's books and comment here for an extra entry!

Monday's Mailbox November 16, 2009

This Meme starts with Marcia at The Printed Page    

I got in some great books the last two weeks!

Thank You to Isalys and Vanessa at Book Soulmates where I won 
Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell.

I attended an Author Chat with Denyse Bridger at the Long and Short Romance Review Yahoo Group and won a download of Hidden in The Mist.  Thank you LaSR and Denyse!

LaSR has chats on Wednesdays hosted by very gracious author Pauline Baird Jones and there is always a winner from the chat.

I also won from the LaSR chat a choice of books or download.

I received a download of  Don't Fence Me In by Marianne Arkins.

 

Thank you Pauline and
Marianne and Judy at LASR.

I commented on an interview with author Nicola Cornick at The Good Bad and the Unread and won THREE books - The Brides of Fortune Trilogy!!!  THANK YOU TGTBTU and Nicola!!
[I have to go buy the Prequel!]

Nicola sent a very nice note on a postcard with a gorgeous setting of Tomermoy, Scotland.  I was going to include a pic of that but I can't get my color scanner to work right now!

What are you reading Monday? November 16, 2009

Join this meme at:

 J. Kaye's Book Blog

Finished this week:

PB:  Matter of Class by Mary Balogh – an Historical Romance ARC for Valentines!  ABSOLUTELY CHARMING!!  Review to be posted at Singles, CataRomance.

Audible: ----------

Kindle2:     Winter Wheat by Barbara Wohlschlegel. This is a lovely Inspirational book and reads very quickly! Review sent to YGR.

Confederate Rose by Susan Macatee.  An Historical Romance with a woman disguised as a man in the Civil war - falls for a Yankee disguised as a reporter! Review to be sent to YGR.

Noella's Gift by Donica Covey.  A very sweet Contemporary Christmas Novella. Review sent to YGR.

Cupid's Folly by Erin Sinclair. A frisky, fun romance!  Review to be sent to CataRomance.

Audio CD: ---------

**************************

Currently reading:

PB:  Defining Twilight by Brian Leaf.  A vocabulary Workbook for unlocking the SAT, ACT GED and SSAT.  A very interesting concept.  Reading and reviewing for the Author.

Don't Look Down by David Laing Dawson.  A thriller about four murderers, 18 to 81, in a forensic psychiatric ward. Reading and reviewing for Bostwick.

Audible: March to the Sea by David Weber and John Ringo, my own TBR - continuing!

Kindle2: Avenging Allaire by Margie Church.  About 25% into this - already anxious to learn what will happen!  Contemporary Romance/Suspense; sequel to Awakening Allaire which I reviewed in August. Reviewing for the Author.

Queene of Light by  Jennifer Armintrout.  A Paranormal/urban fantasy I am reading and reviewing for Blog with a Bite!

Audio CD:  End the Fed by Ron Paul.  Will finish this tonight or tomorrow. Reviewing for YGR.

Next up:  Hope for Animals and Their World by Jane Goodall.  I am looking forward to this! Reviewing for YGR.

Sunday Words of Encouragement November 15, 2009

Our Associate Pastor today reminded us to have no idols or "things" in our lives to take priority over God! What are you thoughts about when you go to bed and when you wake up?

Here is a song to remind you that God is God Alone and in the good times and bad he is Unchangeable!

A verse for today:

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live...

We prayed this morning for help to stay focused and seek God first.

 

Garden Bloom Day November 15, 2009

This meme can be found at May Dreams Gardens.

Although we have had a couple of cool nights (40s) our weather is still mild.  Here are some pics from the garden Saturday morning.

We still have peppers coming!

We think this is a Rose of Sharron - anyone know for sure?  Very pretty blooms each year!

 

The blooming Saga Palm from our balcony! Note the orange seed pod.

Here is a close up of the seed pod - Can anyone say "Alien"??

Two Christmas Cactus on the front window sill are just starting to bud!

Tiger Lilly wanted to know what I was doing inside at the window!

She wouldn't stay there to let me get a better shot so I had to wait till she sat and posed so prettily!

New Series Reviews, Interviews and GIVEAWAY with Author Cheryl Pierson!

Over the next several weeks we will be visiting with Author Cheryl Pierson.  Cheryl has written several books and is celebrating her latest historical western release, Time Plains Drifter due out through Class Act Books in early December!

Fire Eyes, which is also an historical western was released in May 2009 by The Wild Rose Press.
A Night for Miracles is also to be released by The Wild Rose Press in December!

This is another mini team series shared at THREE BLOGS!

A special thanks to my blogger teammates for this series:  Sumana at I READ and Deanna/Ibeeg at MOM-MUSINGS.

The interview will be in four parts:

Part One – Questions about the writing process.

Part Two –. Questions about the publishing/promoting process and Fire Eyes

Part Three – Questions about the new book – Time Plains Drifter

Part Four – A few personal questions!

We will also be posting reviews for Fire Eyes and Time Plains Drifter.

Cheryl is giving a choice of her books to TWO lucky winners.

TO ENTER:  This is the Giveaway post! So you MUST ENTER HERE and leave your e-mail address to be entered in the Giveaway!  Extra entries at the events will not count unless you are entered HERE too!

Extra Entries:  You will get an extra entry for each comment made at any of the review and interview posts. That is a possible 7 additional entries!

We will start the numbering count with my posts and then continue them as Sumana and Deanna post their reviews and interview portions.  We will merge our lists to keep them chronological and when all is done we will submit to random generator!

For easier entry I am including the events schedule here and I will add the links as the reviews and interviews post!! 

11/15 -  here: Main Giveaway Post (this very post!)

11/17 - here: Martha's review of Fire Eyes.
11/18 - here Interview Part 1 - The Writing Process!

11/19 - at I Read: Sumana's review of Fire Eyes.
11/20 - at I Read: Interview Part 2 - The Publishing Process and The Book - Fire Eyes!

11/24 - at Mom-Musings: Interview Part 3 - The Book - Time Plains Drifter!

12/1 - here: Martha's review of Time Plains Drifter.

12/2 - here: Interview Part 4 - Some Personal Questions!

12/4 - End of the Giveaway at midnight CST; Winners announced on Saturday December 5th!

* This contest is open to residents of US and Canada for print book (as soon as available) or eBook and OPEN Internationally for an eBook choice!

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

We hope you will join us as we learn about another author and her good books!! See you Tuesday with the first Review!

We Have TWO WINNERS PLUS! YAY!

Well - I can tell you that was a bit of fun. 

I printed out the list of comments for each event. 

Then I went through and eliminated comments by Carol or the hostesses.

Next I had to eliminate some that didn't enter at the Giveaway post.  Sorry to any of you who wanted to be entered but didn't follow that instruction!

I numbered to confirm the total entry count.  The fun part was putting them in order by time entry - I had to do that three times to get it right with the total count! =o)

Finally I plugged it into Random Generator and got #s 19 and 37.

The lucky winners are:

PENNEY and DEANNA

And as a bonus Carol and I agreed that a special gift should go to ROBYN1 who commented on every event but one!  Great Job! Thanks so much for that extra effort!  So Carol has agreed to give Robyn her choice of one of Carol's eBooks! 

Penney and Deanna need to e-mail your addresses and Robyn1 e-mail me with your book choice!

Thank you to everyone who entered and commented on the different events!  We hope you enjoyed learning more about Carol North and her excellent books!!
Thanks again to Sumana at I Read and Crystal at My Reading Room for sharing in this mini-tour!

Finished for Review: Noella's Gift by Dorina Covey

Title: Noella's Gift
Author: Donica Covey
Publisher: Champagne Books
Buy Link (Currently on sale! $1.40)
Genre:  Contemporary/Christmas
Pages: Short
Heat Rating: Sweet

A disillusioned cop, and a bitter woman. Can a little girl take the bah-humbug out of their holiday?




Author Website: Donica Covey

A very sweet Christmas Story.  Review to be sent to You Gotta Read Reviews this week.

Finished for Review: Confederate Rose by Susan Macatee

Title:  Confederate Rose

Author: Susan Macatee
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Buy Link
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 240 pages
Format: eBook, Paperback
TWRP Heat Rating: Spicy

Disguised as a man to serve with her husband as a soldier in the Confederate Army, Irish immigrant Katie Rose O'Reilly vows to remain in the ranks and seek revenge on Yankees after her husband is killed at Sharpsburg. When she falls and almost drowns in a swollen stream, Southerner Alexander Hart, a Yankee spy, saves Katie from drowning, then nurses her through a resulting fever, keeping his identity secret from the feisty and beautiful Rebel soldier even as he finds himself falling in love with her. Can Katie reconcile her loyalties with her love?


Author Website:  Susan Macatee

I do like Civil War romances!
Review to be sent to You Gotta Read Reviews this week.

A MegaBook Giveaway - Hurry Ends November 15 Midnight.

I guess this has been my week for posting about other giveaways! :)

There is an awesome MegaBook Giveaway with Multiple Winners at
Teens Read and Write!  Easy entry form with extra entries for commenting, twitting, posting etc.
Looks like over thirty books and at least 23 winners!! And it is open to international entries too!!
BUT HURRY - this closes midnight November 15!




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A Great Kindle II Giveaway - hosted by Bibliofreak!

 I know several people would love to get a Kindle - here is another chance to win one!!!






Bibliofreak is having a GREAT Kindle II giveaway!  Easy initial entry and possible extra entries! Click on the link to enter.
Join the Great Kindle II GiveAway!
 Runs to December 18 so you can have the Kindle II by Christmas!



Don't you just love the kitty!  But note the Amazon boxes behind kitty and in the picture below! WHOO!

Book Blogger Discoveries

This ia another meme at J. Kaye's Book Blog"!

Once again, these may not be new blogs for J. Kaye but they are all new ones for me.

I am playing catch-up as I had not posted this meme for the past several weeks. These are blogs I found between October 23 and October 30th.

Velvet Rose

Wendi's Book Corner

Book Soulmates

Reading at The Beach

Melancholy Musings

Book Reviews by Buuklvr81


Next are blogs from October 30th to November 6th:

Welcome to Love Romances and More

The Christy Awards Challenge

Grammy Janet's Place

Bridgit's World

So many blogs! So little time! 

More Sweetest Author Giveaways Plus Other Nice Giveaways and Sites!

Some more contests from The Sweetest Romance Authors!



Heather Justesen is having a blog tour for her book, The Ball's in Your Court
Click on the link to get more info!  Runs through December 18!

Joyce DiPastena is having a Giveaway for Two Copies (one eBook and one print) of the Christmas anthology Stolen Christmas. Ends December 6, 2009.

Here is a blog, 4 The Love of Books, I found Thursday.  There are some wonderful contests:

• 
  
  
  Christmas Miracles by Cecil Murphey and Marley Gibson; open internationally! Ends November 23, 2009.
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Too Many Visitors for One Little House by Susan Chowdakiewitz; hurry on this one - drawing November 14th.
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  One Holy Night by J. M. Hotchstetler; drawing November 23, 2009.
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Abi also has several links to other contests plus several December giveaways. I'll pass on the December links in another week or so!  Thank you Abi - you have a lovely blog!
  
  
  

While I'm listing these nice blog contests I want to remind you that you can find lots of sweet books at these publishers:

Desert Breeze Publishing - Website

Desert Breeze Publishing Blog

Desert Breeze Publishing Connections Yahoo Group

White Rose Publishing - Website

White Roses in Bloom Blog  Check out some free reads down the right sidebar!

White Rose Publishing Yahoo Group



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Gifs.cc - Gifs and Animations for your website, free]

Part Four - Interview Conclusion with Author Carol North

PART FOUR – A FEW PERSONAL QUESTIONS!

M:  When you are reading for pleasure, what is the one thing that will make you put down the book and quit reading?

Carol: Not hunger, not thirst, not a ringing phone. I will only put down the book if one of my dogs is whining to go outside.

M:  HA!  I like the audio feature on Kindle2 as I can listen while I am in the kitchen scrounging a drink or snack!  For outside with the dogs I use my MP3 with Audible books!

What is the most unique thing about you?

Carol:  That which makes us all unique--being the sum-total of my experiences. I have a need to write about these experiences even if I was only observing the main action.  

For years, I was a single mother and family breadwinner. This experience drove me into male-dominated fields--working in and writing about trucking, construction, and information technology--so I could earn enough to support my kids. I learned a lot about the male animal and like to write from the man’s point-of-view, as I did for Love’s Reflection.

I love to read about experiences I haven’t had and places I haven’t seen.

M:  Wonderful.  Your readers are richer for your sharing your experiences through your books!

Tell us a little about your next book or WIP please!

Carol: I’m writing an early 20th century historical. It’s to honor two women I know of who barely survived WW I, and to give them the happy endings they never had.

M:  Oh – that sounds very interesting!! How lovely to write it to honor some friends! I’ll look forward to reading that book too!

Carol:  Thank you--Martha, Crystal, and Sumana--for conducting this virtual book tour. I greatly appreciate it. Hope everyone who has visited has left a comment and is entered in the drawings. I’m eager to send out those totes.



THANK YOU Carol for joining Crystal, Sumana and me on this interview series!
Thanks too for offering TWO TOTES as giveaways!  Best wishes for success on your new release, Miss Bisque and the Colonel, and on the re-release of Love’s Reflection!

Thank you readers/followers for following the interview series and don't forget to enter the Giveaway, check the rules and comment on the other reviews and interviews for extra entries:

11/3 -  Martha's review of Love's Reflection and Interview Part 1 - The Writing Process!

11/4 - at My Reading Room: Crystal's review of Love's Reflection and Interview Part 2 - The Book - Love's Reflection!

11/5 - at I Read: Sumana's review of Miss Bisque and the Colonel.

11/6 - at I Read: Interview Part 3 - The Book - Miss Bisque and the Colonel!

11/10 -  Martha's review of Miss Bisque and the Colonel.

11/12 -  Interview Part 4 - Some Personal Questions!
11/13 - End of the Giveaway at midnight CST; Winners announced on Saturday November 14th!

Finished for Review: Winter Wheat by Barbara Wohlschlegel

Title:  Winter Wheat
Author:  Barbara Wohlschlegel

Story Length: Rosebud - 210 pages
Genre: Sweet/Inspirational
Buy Link  e-Book $4.50

Blurb:
The youngest of four daughters, April Sennett wasn’t the son her farmer parents wanted and needed. Her father’s crippling accident compels her to return home and shoulder the arduous farm work under his vitriolic supervision. Her mother’s belated affection helps sustain her, but neighboring farmer Dan Clayton must often be called to April’s aid. She doesn’t know why he’s so willing to help her irreligious family—April’s father has spent years ridiculing the “Holy Claytons” for their deep-seated Christianity.

Dan’s gentle ways capture April’s heart, but it’s only after she falls in love with him that she discovers his engagement to a vivacious Christian girl. Reading the Bible only confirms April’s unworthiness for Dan. Can God take an impossible situation and give April her heart’s desire, or is she destined to a lonely life of working herself to exhaustion to save her father’s farm?


This was absolutely Lovely!  Review to be posted by the end of the week at YGR Reviews.

REVIEW - Miss Bisque and the Colonel by Carol North

Title:  Miss Bisque and the Colonel
Author:  Carol North
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing 
Buy Link
ISBN: 978-1-60435-463-8
Word Count 65,130
Rating:  4.5 of 5.0
Heat Rating: Sensual
Author Website



Blurb:  Miss Bisque is living a hand-to-mouth existence because her deceased husband set up his estate to hide his “secrets.” Colonel Parker Hill helps Miss Bisque become financially independent. When accused of murder, she may need more help than even the colonel can provide.

Review:   This is a very well written, emotionally charged and engaging contemporary romance!  There is surprising authenticity in the main character of Miss Bisque.

Miss Bisque is not a young girl but a mature woman who fulfilled her parent’s plans for her to be the perfect Southern socialite and corporate wife.   Unfortunately, her beloved husband, Johnny Bob, has died suddenly leaving assets tied up in Trust with only enough of a monthly stipend to pay the basics of her household expenses.  In order to have freedom without having to rely on asking the Trustees for money, Miss Bisque must earn her own money.

Her best friend suggests that Bisque sell some of her paintings.  Bisque realizes that she hasn’t painted since shortly before her marriage as her mother and her domineering husband discouraged such “unladylike” activity.  Now she decides that she must start to paint again not only to express her high emotions but also to earn money.  She determinedly sets out to find the right gallery that will suit her and her art.  This is where she meets the charming Colonel who owns a gallery and is immediately struck by Bisque’s work and by her as a beautiful woman.

The Colonel is rumored to be a ladies man who associates with the young women who work in his gallery.  But he is nothing but sensitive and gentle once he sets out to help Miss Bisque and he pursues her with great tenderness.  All her life Bisque has been placed behind fences, literally and figuratively. Only the Colonel is willing to encourage her to be independent, accomplish goals for herself and to be an equal in a world beyond the roles of a dutiful daughter, wife and mother.

I was impressed how the author describes the artistic process as though it is second nature to her.  The descriptions flow in almost a lyric fashion so suitable to the topic.  The story may start out a bit slowly as it sets the repressed character of Miss Bisque.  However, as soon as she begins to blossom you become caught up with her growing persona and are anxious to see her succeed.

Ms. North makes the setting and characters natural, down to earth and as real as your own friends.  She mentions books, movies and music that fit into everyday life.  But the most striking thing about the story was the emotional response that it evoked!  I was shocked by the pain of discovering the husband’s greatest secret and frightened by the sexual assault on Bisque.  I was hurt by the demeaning attitude of her family, and my heart pounded at the cutting betrayal by her friend.  Best of all I was warmly touched by the Colonel’s persistent tenderness and Bisque’s ultimate acceptance of her own worth.   If you like a mature romance packed with emotion, you will really want to read this book!

THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE TWO TOTES! AND COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW AND THE OTHER EVENTS AT THIS BLOG AND AT I READ AND MY READING ROOM FOR EXTRA ENTRIES!