Contact email: mesreads AT gmail.com
###Winner Announcement Posts are linked here.###

GIVEAWAYS ARE NOW LOCATED ON THEIR OWN PAGE - CLICK ON TAB ABOVE; Giveaways also linked on right sidebar.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Winners of Christmas Gifts!

Thank you to everyone who entered.  I found it interesting that there were 13 international entries to 30 US/Canadian entries.  A nice split. I loved learning where people were and what temps you were having.  I forget that some of you are starting summer as we start winter. :)

CONGRATULATIONS
to the winners!

Package #1 - Snowman Package:
KATE N
(from Canada)

Package #2 - Moose Package:
LINDA H
(from USA)

International GC
KULSUMA from the UK

I will need addresses from Kate and Linda and a choice of gift card from Kulsuma. I will try to get an email off to each of you tomorrow but feel free to email me if you get to it first. :o)  mesreadsATgmail.com

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain

A devil meets his match.
Devil's DesireDevil's Desire by Laurie McBain

  • Paperback: 312 pages
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (November 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402242417
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402242410
      Price:  Print $9.00; Kindle $5.38
     Genre: Historical Romance
     My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
They called him the devil...
With his seductive golden eyes and sin-black hair, it's no wonder Lord Alex Trevegne has earned himself the sinister title-not to mention his reputation as one of the most notorious rakes in England.
And she's the only one who can conquer him...
When fate throws Alex and Elysia into a scandalous situation, Alex suddenly finds it surprisingly difficult to tear himself away from her.
As an unexpected passion blossoms between them, Elysia begins to wonder if after a lifetime of heartache she's finally found heaven in the arms of the devil.
Review: Good characters - to like or not - and engaging writing make this interesting.
I have to admit that I liked Elysia’s character through most of the book.  She is strong minded but nice and down to earth. She doesn’t put on airs and is kind to the servants.  I felt for her hardship and was waiting for her vicious Aunt to have a comeuppance later in the book.  I was a bit disappointed that she didn’t fight harder later in the story.

Alex was a little more difficult to like.  He is extremely arrogant and seemingly shallow in his feelings toward his mistresses and companions. Although he does have feelings for his brother and ultimately for Elysia, he doesn’t show or express them much.  He is good to his servants and animals so he can’t be all bad. However, he does have a mean and cruel streak in his arrogant and dictatorial dealings thus hurting Elysia rather than offering kindness to her or even a good dose of seduction other than ravishment.  I found this difficult especially considering the age difference with him being a seasoned rogue in his 30s and Elysia being a naive innocent barely 18.

I thought the story was a bit disjointed as it moved from the focus of Elysia and Alex’s conflicts to a new plot thread fairly late in the book.  We meet an important new character a good two thirds into the story and then get some tense action in the new plot.  This line kept my attention fixed for the remainder of the book which was a good thing as I had not been fully engaged at the beginning. 

That is the basis for my saying I had mixed feelings about the book.  I really liked the premise and I liked the ending.  I wish it had flowed a bit better and that loose ends had been dealt with. I will want to read more by this author and see if other books have the same good intensity with better flow.  This book still worked for me as good entertainment even with the disjointedness.
xxx
Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:

1. Comment on the review; maybe tell me how you feel about a cruel hero.
Please leave your e-mail!

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

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

(Four total entries possible.)
It is not necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on January 11, 2011. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Winners from Midwinter's Eve!

Sorry to run late on announcing Winners on this.  I had forgotten to print out the list while at the office on the 23rd so I had to run in to do that.
Thank you to everyone who entered!
CONGRATULATIONS
to the Winners!
$20 Gift Certificate goes to
make your photo sparkle
Zoe (strandedhero)

and

by Cassandra Clare
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)
will be sent to 
photo effects online
Asenath

Winners have been emailed.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

It's Monday! What are you Reading December 27, 2010?

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

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.

I finished three books last week and posted three Reviews, two with ARC Giveaways; one Author Interview; one Comment Giveaway and a week of  Christmas Videos.

As noted before, for this feature I will only be giving a rating and a short summary comment on books I read from my TBRs or as fillers - which aren't many :).

Again I didn't have too much time this past week to reply to comments or visit. I keep hoping to improve.

These were last week's posts plus Winner posts not listed.

Finished Reading:
The Winter SeaPrint (and Kindle):
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley; 
Historical Fantasy Romance.
Review and ARC Giveaway linked above.

Devil's Desire  
Print: Devil's Desire
by Laurie McBain; Historical Romance.
I had mixed feelings as I read this to the
very engaging ending.
I will post a review and ARC Giveaway this week.

Kindle: Kentucky Blues by Cat Shaffer; 
Romantic Suspense. Review is linked above.
Kentucky BluesProduct Description from Turquoise Morning Press
Elise Drummond has never forgotten her first love – and never expected to learn via the grapevine that he was back in Brookville and living with her mother. Sam McCade had broken her heart, and she wasn’t about to let him destroy her mother’s as well. A quick trip back to Kentucky to lay down the law and she could get back to the safe life she’d built for herself in Kansas City.

When Sam McCade went on the run in the middle of the night to save his sister from her abusive husband, there was only one person he could trust to help them, Hannah Drummond. He expected the local gossips to have a field day with his return to Brookville, but he never dreamed Elise would roll into town to check out the situation for herself.

And he certainly never imagined that in order to save his sister, Elise would be willing to sacrifice herself as the pawn in a dangerous game of catch the monster when his brother-in-law decides to take back what he wants – no matter who stands in his way.

Audio: -------

Line Edits/Releases: Haven't quite gotten the new releases up as we work out final details.  


Currently reading:
Print: Wolf Fever by Terry Spear; Paranormal Romance.
Wolf FeverThis author has the knack of drawing you in right away even though I am less than a quarter into this.  Reviewing for  Sourcebooks.
Product Description
She may be his destiny, but she's not his first choice...

Hospital nurse and newly turned red werewolf Carol Woods is being pressured by her pack leader to find a mate, but he's the only guy in the pack who remotely attracts her.

Why is he playing so hard to get?

The fate of the pack rests on his shoulders...

Gray pack leader Ryan McKinley doesn't want anything to do with Carol unless she's willing to embrace her wolf nature-no matter how beautiful she is.

But when a virus infects the local lupus garou pack, Ryan realizes just how wrong he's been not to seize the moment with the woman he's come to love. And now, it may be too late...
Kindle:  No Greater Love by Kinzie Monroe; Inspirational.  This is a story with an interesting premise/plot.  I am enjoying the inspirational aspects and interested in how it will turn out.  I am reviewing this for the author.

Product Description
No Greater LoveWhat would you do for $300 million dollars? Would you commit murder, even as an act of mercy? That’s what Leah Dalton is asking of five of her closest friends. The co-founder and CEO of Dalton Software Inc., has spent the last six months searching desperately for a cure to the cancer that is eating away at her brain. Finally, realizing she is fighting a losing battle, she devises a plan that will give her back some control of her life. Deciding if she’s going to die, she is going to be the one who chooses how and when.

Inviting five of her closest friends and a local attorney to her estate to spend a week, she shares the news of her impending death and asks for their help. Afraid of the painful death she knows is just around the corner, she offers them the chance of a lifetime. She wants one of them to kill her. She doesn’t care how as long as it’s painless and appears to be accidental or natural. In return for their good deed, the person will receive $300 million dollars.

Will one of her friends take her up on the offer? What would you do?

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)
Audible:  Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) by Cassandra Clare. Listened to a bit more. Now that I finished the Audio CD for review I will continue to listen to this from my own wish list.

Line Edits: Working on final adjustments for: ΕΞΙΣ: gods, ghosts, and battered cellphones by Anne Abad. A collection of science fiction stories - was delayed for a cover change.
Love from the Ashes by Pat Andres, a paranormal romance mystery, should be getting released this week.
Also I am moving closer to two more releases, in addition to these two.


Remaining December books:

Print:

The Sherlockian by Graham Moore.  Reading for Hachette.


Nothing else on the December schedule but I have pretty full calendars for January and February already with Hachette and Sourcebooks commitments.  I am sifting through other requests to decide which other books to pull in.
I will post a January list in a few days so following friends can help me to pick the reading order and I can giveaway another comment book. :o)

BTW- Monday the 27th is my Birthday - I may go shopping with my daughter and my son's girl friend. I just can't think of anything I want to shop for although I would be glad to go to the book exchange store if they are open on Monday. We'll see.

Enquiring Minds - Meme Week 17 PLUS Comment Giveaway + Winner

Thank you for the wonderful sharing last week! 
THE WINNER FROM ENQUIRING COMMENTS from week #16 on December 18 is Raissa who gets to pick a  Christmas book or if she is international then a Book Depository Book or a GC.

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 17 QUESTION
Only 1 question this week.

1. Share with us a favorite childhood holiday moment?
I have many years with lots of good memories  - I was going to pick a current one until I saw it was to be a childhood memory.
Hmmm - One special memory is when I was about 10 years old.  I loved monkeys as a child.  That year I received a gorilla that was almost as big as me. I had "Charlie" until I put him in storage while I was in college. Unfortunately he ended up with bugs and I had to get rid of him.
One other wonderful memory is making Christmas cookies with my mother and sister. That was always fun.

So how about you? Do you have a fav childhood memory to share.   
This week we will do another Christmas book from the Christmas Books for Giveaway.
Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by next Friday, December 31 at 10PM central. Then hopefully I will announce the winner on Saturday!

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