Review and Giveaway - Dominic by Hazel Statham

 Treat yourself to a sweet engaging story!
Dominic by Hazel Statham

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 510 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Wings ePress (August 1, 2007)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English

Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: 4:75

Product Description
When Dominic returns from a night of revels to find a badly beaten youth on his doorstep, little does he know that she is to become in turn his pupil and his love.

Rusticated to his father’s estates, he again meets Sophie in her boyish guise and agrees to become her tutor – treating her as a boy. However, their idyll is short-lived when the duke arrives at Stovely and Sophie, transformed once more into a beautiful young woman, is forced to return to London.

Review:
This is a lovely pre/early Regency Romance set in 1776 that reminded me of the writings of Georgette Heyer. The tone and style are authentic to the time period with wonderful descriptions of the settings, clothes and activities.

Dominic is a 24 year old Earl who is living wild, and losing heavily at the gaming tables. One evening he stumbles to his bachelor home to find a beaten young urchin at his door. He first thinks the “boy” is a thief but, realizing it is a girl, he thinks perhaps she is a light skirt. After she defends herself, he is able to get her to explain that she has run away from her brother who promised her to a man as a gambling debt. Before Dominic can help her, “Jack” slips away and he puts her out of his mind.  The first third of the story develops the arrogant character of  Dominic and the troubles that send him to the country.

I really like Sophie’s naive, but feisty and brave character.  Dominic first meets her alone on the streets posing as a boy. Then Dominic meets her again in the country as a young lady at a country dance, although he doesn’t immediately recognize her. Again she masquerades as the boy “Jack” to enjoy the freedom of outdoors and riding.  She convinces Dominic to teach her to shoot and fence. This leads to a close and warm friendship between them.

Dominic’s best friend becomes enamored of the vibrant Sophie, creating a love triangle that embroils them in trouble. Sophie is infatuated with Dominic but she knows he is not interested in marriage which is being pushed upon him by his father. Nor will Sophie let her Aunt finagle or trap Dominic into marrying her.

The story includes horses, action, misunderstandings and witty dialogue that makes it fun and engaging. If you like Regency and especially the Georgette Heyer feel, you will love this book. I am very pleased that I stumbled upon Hazel at CoffeeTime Romance in June and won this book to read. I look forward to reading more books from this author.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE EBOOK:
1. Leave a meaningful comment on the interview or review; OR
Answer the Question the Author posed at item 11; OR
Alternative comment: visit the author's website and tell me something you learned there. Please leave your e-mail!

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.

(Three total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open Worldwide.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on September 10, 2010. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Interview - Hazel Statham, Author of Dominic

Today we welcome Hazel Statham all the way from Staffordshire, England to share a bit of her writing with us.
Q1.    For you - what makes a romance novel a great love story, and who are some of your favorite authors to read?

        Hazel:  I need to empathize and connect with the hero and heroine.  To feel their joys and woes.  Like the heroine, I need to fall in love with the hero.  Once this is achieved, I am well and truly hooked.  I adored Rochester and even now, some forty-eight years later, he remains my ultimate hero.  Of course, over the years he has been joined by many others as I have read books by Heyer, Austin, Kinsale, Putney and various others too numerous to mention – but I always return to Rochester.

Martha:  Yes, we do like to fall in love with the hero. Those are wonderful authors and I must say that your writing brings Heyer to my mind.
Q2.    Can you tell us what inspired you to write this time period?

           Hazel:  I have always adored history and at the age of fifteen, when I started to write, I chose Victorian times but when I read ‘Regency Buck’,  my first Heyer, I knew I had found MY era and I now write, with the exception of two Georgians, in the Regency period.

Martha:  Those are lovely romance eras I think with lots of room for feminine conflict.
Q3.    What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

            Hazel:  I write mainly for my own amusement.  I do not write to a formula but how I want the story to unfold.  The greatest revelation was that people enjoyed reading my work and it was of value to others
Martha: I certainly enjoyed reading Dominic and hope to read more of your stories!
Q4.    What comes first for your stories? The plot or the characters?

           Hazel:  I think I have to say the plot.  Once the idea of a story enters my head, I then develop the characters.  However, I’m not a great planner.  I have an idea in which direction I want the story to go but am not averse to the occasional diversion.  I just go where my characters take me.  I sometimes hear a statement coming out of their mouths that I never even thought of but just go with the flow.

Martha: I love how authors can be led by their characters!
Q5.    In Dominic what is something your heroine would never be caught dead doing or saying?

           Hazel:  She would not admit how difficult her life had been on the streets of London and her dread of having to return there. However, despite her fears, she feels it is the only course open to her when her aunt is intent on forcing Dominic to marry her.

 Martha: Sophie does have quite a bit of honor and spunk.
Q6.    What scene do you like most and would never cut from Dominic?

            Hazel:  I think it has to be the scene in the library after the ball.  It’s a very telling scene and a time of great revelation to Dominic
.

Martha: Yes- that is a lovely scene.
Q7.    If your publisher agreed to send you anywhere in the world to research your new book, where would that be?

                Hazel:  I would love to visit London again.  There are so many places that inspire me.

Martha: I visited London in 2005 and would love to visit again too.
Some quick finish the sentence statements:
Q8. Why I write ...
Writing is a compulsion I just can’t ignore.  I write to fulfill a need in me to recreate my own historical world.

Q9. I am reading/watching/listening to ...
I have just finished watching the film ‘Waterloo’ and the charge of the Scots Grays (so very well depicted), never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

Q10. My inspiration is ...
The romance and elegance of the Regency and Georgian eras inspires me to recreate it in my work.
Q11. If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?
Hazel:  I have read and enjoyed (not enjoyed) Hazel’s work because ……

Martha: Okay - I will answer: ... because Dominic is a fine historical romance with lively characters, dialogue and entertaining plot.

Thanks so much for visiting with me Hazel and thank you for offering an ebook copy of Dominic to a lucky commentor. See the Giveaway with the Review.

Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick Giveaway August 27, 2010

So - is everybody happy to be back in school?

NOTE: New rules for international participants. I learned over the past weeks that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00.  If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a hone that will make me happy. :o)

Okay - I've been promising a new set of "used" books for giveaway and finally I got the picture!


List #15

Double Exposure (Brio Girls) by Kathy Wierenga

Wicked Widow  by Amanda Quick

A Little Magic by Nora Roberts

Imitation in Death by J. D. Robb

A Hot And Sultry Night For Crime Anthology; Jeffrey Deaver plus

A Heart Speaks by LaVyrle Spencer

The Texas CEO's Secret (Silhouette Special Edition) by Nicole Foster

Almost Forever (Sarah) by Linda Howard

Seizure by Robin Cook

A Secret Affair by Barbara Taylor Bradford

An Arranged Marriage (Zebra Historical Romance) by Jo Beverley

If There Be Dragons by Kay Hooper

Silver Falls by Anne Stuart

Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller

The Scoundrel by Claire Delacroix (this has some discoloration on the top of the book although it doesn't appear damaged)

Cold River by Carla Neggers

List #14

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

Blue Screen (Sunny Randall) by Robert Parker

Golden Buddha by Clive Cussler

Proof of Intent: A Charley Sloan Courtroom Thriller by William Coughlin, Walter Sorrels

Blood And Glory (Soldiers Of War) (Soldiers of War, Book 1) byLarson Reed

The Hangman's Knot: A Novel (Billy Tree Mysteries) by David Wiltse

The Darkness by Jason Pinter

Off Season by Jack Ketchum

The Color of Law: A Novel by Mark Gimenez
Atlantis by David Gibbins
Depraved Indifference by Joseph Teller
Lines of Defense by Barry Siegel
Must the Maiden Die (Seneca Falls Historical Myster) by Miriam Grace Monfredo
Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom
The Summons by John Grisham - Audio CDs

Here is set #13 of "new" Used books!

Immortal Sins by Amanda Ashley
Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways, Book 1) by Lisa Kleypas
Flamingo Diner by Sherryl Woods
Death Cruise (St. Martin's True Crime Library) by Don Davis
Bed of Roses (Topaz Historical Romance, Je 519) by Suzanne Simmons
The Angel by Carla Neggers
Ain't She Sweet? by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Anansi Boys by Neil Gairman
The Bone Garden: A Novel  by Tess Gerritsen
Atonement by Ian McEwan
The Hellion by LaVyrle Spencer
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
The Outside Man by Richard North Patterson
The Night We Met: The Panty Raid\Frame By Frame\Three Wishes (Harlequin Signature Select) Anthology
Pamela Morsi, Karen Kendall and Colleen Collins

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read.  Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!"  Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....
Group #12
The Ripple Effect by Lynn Erickson
First King of Shannara (Shannara Trilogy, Prequel)  by Terry Brooks
Seal Team Oneby Dick Couch
Motion to Suppress by Perri O'Saughnessy
Presumption of Death by Perri O'Saughnessy
McNally's Puzzle by Lawrence Sanders
Pandemic by Daniel Kalla
Lethal Practice by Peter Clement
The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip M. Margolin
The Burning Man by Phillip M. Margollin
Double Jeopardy by William Bernhardt
The Genesis Code: A Thriller by John Case
Death Takes Passage (Alaska Mysteries) by Sue Henry
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1) by Stephen King


Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Hothouse Orchid by Stuart Woods - CD Audio
Taking the Fifth by J.A.Jance
Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher
Swan Road by Rebecca Brandewyne
The Protector by Madeline Hunter
Looking Back by Belva Plain
The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly
Rainmaker by John Grisham - Audio Tapes
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (Oops - better make sure my daughter has read this one!)

PLEASE NOTE UPDATED RULES IN RED BELOW!

I am going to continue to include the full list updated with chosen books crossed off.  You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see each post and the book pictures if you want!  I am happy to say that so far about 96 books have found new homes! YAY.  I pulled a couple of hardbacks and larger books as the postage cost was prohibitive. 

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books!  And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by the Friday Pick Giveaways.

I originally posted ten Friday Pick posts with 16 books each.  I will strike out the books as they are chosen. Some of the books may be chosen by winners in the SaSR weekly drawings. So it will be first pick to the one who claims it.  SaSR winners are announced Friday mornings (or afternoon if I get busy!) and it usually takes that person a bit of time to get back to me. That means the Friday Pick winner who is drawn Thursday night will usually get the choice named in their comment as I will have time to remove it from the file list before announcing the winner at SaSR.

Note new rules at the top of this post regarding international winners.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists (less whichever books might be picked by the comment or SaSR winners each week).  PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM SETTING A NEW CUT OFF TIME AS THURSDAY  NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce the next Friday.
ALSO, TO SAVE ME EXTRA WORK, I WILL ASK THE WINNERS TO CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND E-MAIL ME THEIR ADDRESSES at mesreads@gmail.com.  I will confirm receipt of the addresses.  If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder over the weekend but I won't be so rushed on Fridays!  So I still recommend that you leave your e-mail especially if you are new and I don't have a way to find it!

Thanks for helping these books find a new home!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

List 1

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Almost Single by Advaita Kala

Pick#2
Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey
Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann
The Crush by Sandra Brown
The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross
The Lighthouse by Mary Schramski

Pick #3
Delivered by Christmas Anthology - Linda Howard, Joan Hohl andSandra Steffen
The Woman Next Door by Barbara Delinsky
Red Fire by Dierdre Knight
One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon
Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman
Twelve Acres by Barbara Delinsky
Black Ice by Anne Stuart
Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford
CORRECTION:  This was not The Last of The Mohicans based on the Novel by James Fenimore Cooper - although I do have that;  The book in the group is The Sixth Sense (a book my son left me when he went off to the service).
The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)
Warning Signs by Stephen White
The Forgotten by Faye Kellerman
Swear by the Moon by Shirley Busbee
Montana Bride by Barbara Clark (A)

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
Jake's Return by Liana Laverentz (A)
The Jester by James Patterson - Audio Tapes
Firestorm by Nevada Barr
Manhunt by Janet Evanovich - Audio CDs
The Darkroom by Minette Walters
The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole
Surrender a Dream by Jill Barnett
Misfortune by Nancy Geary
False Prophet by Faye Kellerman
Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes
A Kiss of Fate by Mary Jo Putney (SC)

Pick #6
Tin Man by Dale Brown
The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*
On Bear Mountain by Deborah Smith
The Edge of Town by Dorothy Garlock
The Elusive Flame by Kathleen Woodwiss
The House of Women by Alison G. Taylor
The Healer by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan
Mistletoe and Mischief by Patricia Wynn

Pick #7
In Her Defense by Stephen Horn - Audio Tape
A Perfect Gentleman by Barbara Metzger (slightly creased)
Scarred by William Heffernan (spine creased)
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape
The Path to Her Heart by Linda Ford (Personally Autographed)
Deception Point by Dan Brown
X-Men 2
Hunted by William W. Johnstone (spine frayed at top)
Man of My Dreams by Johanna Lindsey (spine frayed a bit at bottom)
Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8
(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
Stormy Weather by Carl Haasen - Audio Tapes


Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland - Audio Tapes (box creased but tapes good)
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian (sc)
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes
Vertical Run by Joseph R. Garber (sc)

Pick #9
Spyder Web by Tom Grace - Audio Tapes
The Closers by Michael Connelly
Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology
The Rogue and the Rival by Maya Rodale (Personally Autographed)
Final Appeal by Lisa Scottoline (spine creased)
The Lost World by Michael Crichton - Audio Tapes
Evil Whispers by Owl Goingback

On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murrray
Darkfall by Stephen Laws
Runaway Heart by Stephen J. Cannell
Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes
Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10

The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)
Double Blind by Ken Goodard
The Hunter by Gennita Low (sc)
Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief by Dorothy Gilman - Audio Tapes
The Trouble with Mary by Millie Criswell
Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)