Guest Post by Isable Cooper, Author of No Proper Lady

Isabel Cooper Guest Blog, Author of No Proper Lady
Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf; September 22, 2011

Let me get started by saying that it’s great to be on Martha’s Bookshelf, and that I really appreciate the chance to talk a little about No Proper Lady and my writing process in general.

Science fiction and fantasy has been a huge influence on my work, both No Proper Lady and, well, just about all the other fiction I’ve ever written. I started out with fairy tales and Disney movies, moved on to Lord of the Rings and similar epic fantasy pretty quickly, and had gained a pretty good familiarity with the horror end of the spectrum, largely via Lovecraft and King, by the time I was a teenager. My own tendencies are more along the fantasy end of the spectrum, as I like woogy spiritual stuff, but I can definitely appreciate some good space opera as well.  At the moment, as well as the works I mentioned above, my favorite fantasy authors include Robin McKinley, Terry Pratchett, Jacqueline Carey, S.M. Sterling, E.E. Knight, Mercedes Lackey, Jim Hines, and a slew of others. Being extremely nerdy, I’m also more than passingly familiar with roleplaying games and video games, and with the fantasy worlds portrayed there.

When I think about writing No Proper Lady, I can point to quite a few fantasy and science fiction works that definitely had an influence. There’s Terminator, of course—thus the tag line of the novel—but the beings Joan and Simon end up fighting owe a whole lot to Lovecraft and King. Sterling and Knight (and King as well, via the Dark Tower and The Stand) contributed to my fascination with post-apocalyptic Crapsack Worlds (tm TV Tropes, and you should only Google *that* site if you have a lot of time on your hands) and to the way Joan’s ragtag band of doomed future heroes constructed their society and traditions. Lackey’s Elemental Masters series is a great one for Victorian occult weirdness, and everyone else…well, I can’t point to anything specific, but my mind, magpie-like, picks up anything shiny and keeps it around for later. Add to that a general interest in the Victorian Age and the high weirdness that was going on there—or that people thought was going on there—and a general love for the badass warrior woman archetype, and I was pretty well off to the races.

I like to say that I write the way that a friend of mine mixes cocktails: you take a little from here, a little from there, the end of the bottle of peppermint vodka, and add a bunch of Hershey’s Syrup. Hopefully it’ll end up tasting good. At least you’ll have fun in the process. I immensely enjoyed writing No Proper Lady, and I owe all the authors I mentioned a lot for giving me the inspiration to, er, put everything in a blender and hit “frappe”. I hope you’ll have as much fun with the final result.

NO PROPER LADY BY ISABEL COOPER – IN STORES SEPTEMBER 2011

It’s Terminator meets My Fair Lady in this fascinating debut of black magic and brilliant ball gowns, martial arts, and mysticism.

England, 1888. The trees are green, the birds are singing, and in 200 years demons will destroy it all. Unless Joan, a rough-around-the-edges assassin from the future, can take out the dark magician responsible. But to get close to her target she’ll need help learning how to fit into polite Victorian society to get close to her target.

Simon Grenville has his own reasons for wanting to destroy Alex Reynell. The man used to be his best friend—until his practice of the dark arts almost killed Simon’s sister. The beautiful half-naked stranger Simon meets in the woods may be the perfect instrument for his revenge. It will just take a little time to teach her the necessary etiquette and assemble a proper wardrobe. But as each day passes, Simon is less sure he wants Joan anywhere near Reynell. Because no spell in the world will save his future if she isn’t in it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debut author Isabel Cooper lives in Boston and maintains her guise as a mild-mannered project manager working in legal publishing. She only travels through time the normal way and has never fought a demon, but she can waltz. Her next book, No Honest Woman, will be in stores in April 2011. For more information, please visit http://isabelcooper.wordpress.com.

Book Review and Two Copies Giveaway: No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper

This is a different plot and enjoyable read.
No Proper Lady 
by Isabel Cooper

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402259522
• ISBN-13: 978-1402259524

Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating:  4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
It's Terminator meets My Fair Lady in this fascinating debut of black magic and brilliant ball gowns, martial arts, and mysticism.


England, 1888. The trees are green, the birds are singing, and no one has any idea that in a few hundred years, demons will destroy it all. Joan plans to keep it that way. All she has to do is take out the dark magician responsible-before he summons the demons in the first place. But as a rough-around-the-edges assassin from that bleak future, she'll have to learn how to fit into polite Victorian society to get close to her target.

Simon Grenville has his own reasons for wanting to destroy Alex Reynell. The man used to be his best friend-until his practice of the dark arts almost killed Simon's sister. The beautiful half-naked stranger Simon meets in the woods may be the perfect instrument for his revenge. It will just take a little time to teach her the necessary etiquette and assemble a proper wardrobe. But as each day passes, Simon is less sure he wants Joan anywhere near Reynell. Because no spell in the world will save his future if she isn't in it.

 Review:  This is an interesting plot with likeable characters.
Joan comes from a future world that has been devastated by dark magic and evil demonlords. She is a warrior trained at hand combat, knives and with guns that attach to her own blood vessels for power and agility. She never had a real childhood as she has been training and battling black creatures since she was in her teens.  She has also been prepared for the most important mission.  She is being sent 200 years back in time to destroy the book and the man who started the world down the path of black magic.

Joan arrives in an old druid’s circle in the woods of the Grenville estate on a bight day in 1888. Simon Grenville happened to have been riding by and is surprised to meet this half-naked woman and even more shocked when she displays her warrior skills to kill a few hounds of evil that have either followed her or been sent for Simon.

It is a lucky coincidence, or more likely fate, that brought these two together. Simon know the black magician, Alex Reynell, who is Joan’s target.  Simon and Alex grew up together and were fascinated with spiritualism and magic. Simon couldn’t stop his friend when Alex began to delve deeper into dark magic.  Recently Alex performed a possession on Simon’s sweet sister, Emily. Simon agrees that Alex must be stopped but rather than a straight assassination he still has hopes that his childhood friend might be redeemed.

The plan involves molding Joan into a lady who can then enter society and lure Alex. It isn’t a perfect plan but the options are limited. As Emily helps teach etiquette to Joan, Joan tries to stay focused on the mission and Simon tries to resist his ever growing desire for Joan.

I really liked this different plot and Joan, Simon and Emily are very likeable characters while  Alex is a smarmy, snake-like villain.  The writing has a good flow although the plot is a little slow as much of the book is spent on quieter activities preparing for the meeting and fullfillment of the mission. Still it kept my attention in anticipating the ultimate confrontation between Joan and Alex.

 ~~~~~

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to  review and for offering two books for giveaway.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for TWO COPIES:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.

2.  For two extra entries comment on the Author Guest Post.

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

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

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

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

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 7, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 8. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Life is Not a Stage by Florence Henderson

I very much enjoyed this memoir!

Life Is Not a Stage: From Broadway Baby to a Lovely Lady and Beyond 

by Florence Henderson

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Center Street (September 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599953889
• ISBN-13: 978-1599953885

Genre: Memoir
My Rating: 4.25

Product Description:
For millions of people around the world, Carol Brady is synonymous with motherhood, but growing up as the youngest of ten children in rural Indiana in the aftermath of the Great Depression, Florence Henderson lived a life quite different from that of the quintessential TV mom she later played on television.

Florence's father was a dirt-poor tobacco tenant farmer who was nearly fifty years old when he married Florence's twenty-five-year-old mother, and was nearly seventy when Florence was born. Florence's childhood was full of deprivation and abandonment. Her father was an alcoholic at a time when there was no rehab or help for the disease. Their home rarely had electricity or running water. When she was twelve, Florence's mother left the family to work in Cleveland and never returned.

Florence opens up about her childhood, as well as the challenges she's faced as an adult, including stage fright, postpartum depression, her extramarital affairs, divorce, her hearing loss, and heart problems. She writes with honesty and wisdom of how her faith and ability to survive has brought her through rough times to a life of profound joy and purpose.

Review:  This is a strong, uplifting memoir from a “Lovely Lady.” I don’t read lots of memoirs but I like to pick a couple a year. I am so glad I picked up this one.

I remember Ms. Henderson from the TV series, The Brady Bunch. I had no idea of the earlier successes she had on stage and Broadway in Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, South Pacific and many other productions. Florence was very active, before and after The Brady Bunch, in variety TV shows, commercials, Las Vegas acts and game shows like The Hollywood Squares (which I do remember).

This book reveals an overview into Florence’s life and career.  More importantly it tells how she pushed through her difficult childhood, strove as a professional to fulfill “the show must go on” motto, married and managed to raise four children while juggling her successful career, and finally, in her mature adult life, with the help of hypnotherapy, grew to understand her emotional struggles. The book gives a glimpse of the change of moral attitudes from the restrictive 1930s through the rebellious ‘60s and then the more liberating ‘70s and ‘80s.

As the blurb notes, Florence shares details of many emotional and physical struggles. You might expect the stage fright, but I was surprised to learn of the postpartum depression and the loss of hearing among other issues revealed.  Florence’s childhood and early years were carried by her mother’s phrase “It will never be noticed on a galloping horse.”  She learned not to address any real problems but to just keeping pushing through. That gave her determination but also brought her to the point of exhaustion physically and emotionally.

This is a quick, easy flowing and nostalgic read. The memoir is direct, open and honest. Although she mentions other actors, directors and other well known figures of the eras, this is not a “tell all” type of expose.  It is focused on Florence’s experiences and how even fleeting contact with some people, even strangers, may have helped her see beyond herself.

Florence doesn’t hide the unpleasant things in her life but doesn’t dwell on them in a negative fashion either.  There are a few industry secrets and many tidbits of wisdom laced throughout the book.  Florence presents a message that there is a real life that goes on behind the stage persona and it is a certain positive spirit and strength of faith that carried her through with grace. The memoir is infused with her determination, professionalism, sense of humor and her singular effervescence.  If you like memoirs, or if you would like a fairly gentle nostalgic glimpse of stage and TV in these pivotal years, I am confident you would enjoy this book.

###

Thank you to Hachette Center Street for this book to review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.
 For fun, tell me of a production or show that you recall seeing Florence Henderson in.

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

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

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

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

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 7, 2011. (This month's book giveaways will all end on the 30th except for Friday Picks, SBB or other special posts.)
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 8. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: The Lonely Mile by Allan Leverone

If you want a fast, full-on action thriller, check this out!

The Lonely Mile 

by Allan Leverone

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 1402 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: StoneHouse Ink; 1 edition (July 18, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005DAX06I

     Genre:  Thriller
     My rating:  4.5

Product Description
When struggling hardware store owner Bill Ferguson witnesses a kidnapping in progress, he reacts instinctively, breaking up the crime and saving a young girl. But the kidnapper, a sociopath known as the “I-90 Killer,” escapes and vows revenge, targeting Ferguson’s own daughter as his next victim. Now one terrified father must unravel a plot that may go much deeper than he realizes, racing against time to save his only child from an unthinkable fate.

Review:  The suspense never stops in this thriller.

Bill Ferguson is the hardworking owner of two hardware stores, struggling to make ends meet. His wife left him for a dentist with a stable income.  He has a wonderful teenage daughter who is beautiful, smart, and athletic.  Bill was once a serviceman so he has sharp reactions. When he realizes that a man is kidnapping a teenage girl he instinctively steps in to stop the crime. He saves the girl and is cheered as a hero.

Unfortunately his actions have caused the I-90 Killer to focus his attention on Bill and his lovely blond daughter. Bill is working with FBI Special Agent Angela Caufield to decipher any clues. The FBI think a letter threat is just a scare but they provide Carli with extra protection at home and school. But the killer wasn’t bluffing and he slips by the defenses and snatches Carli.

Now Bill must push through his memory for clues to find this maniac before Carli is killed; or before the maniac abuses her and sells her into slave trade as the FBI agent suspects.  Can Bill rescue his daughter in time? Are there other forces working against his rescue attempt?

The story is presented third person from different views which keeps it moving fast.  It jumps right into the evil world of Martin, the twisted kidnapper. Then moves to Bill at the rest stop as he perceives the kidnapping.  There are points where the reader is following these two, Carli or the FBI agents as the action continues.  This gives really good emotional involvement as well as keeping the suspense and tension ratcheted!

The reading is easy which is nice for an intense thriller. It reminds me of a James Patterson suspense.  There were a few editing items I would have corrected but they didn’t detract from the all out action and suspense. If you like thrillers I highly recommend you try this story. I definitely  want to read more from this author.

xxx

Thank you to the author and Pump Up Your Book Promotion for the opportunity to meet this fine author.

It's Monday! What are you Reading September 19, 2011?

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.

I was so busy with the trip/touring that I didn't get to read as much as I thought I might. I only finished three books.  I posted three reviews, one with Giveaway.  As usual, I posted the regular Friday Pick Giveaway; Saturday Sharing Beyond Books, and Sunday posts.

I didn't get to visit at all this week due to the spotty internet and cost to stay online.  These were last week's posts plus Winner posts not listed.

•  It's Monday What are You Reading? September 12, 2011.

• Audiobook Review Crescent Lake by David Sakmyster. Horror, Thriller; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Lord and Lady Spy by Shana Galen. Historical Romance; my rating 4.5.  Ends 9/30.

• Q&A Interview with author Shana Galen.

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 16, 2011.  Open Worldwide. Ends 9/22.

• Audiobook Review The Ghosts of Ragged Ass Gulch. Mystery; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #14 Comment Giveaway.  Open Worldwide. Ends 9/23.

•  Announcement for Blog Tour of The Wounded Heart September 26-28.

•  Sunday Words of Encouragement September 18, 2011. 

Finished Reading:

Audible:

The Ghosts of Ragged-Ass Gulch

• UNABRIDGED
• by Bill Pronzini
• Narrated by Nick Sullivan

Genre:  Mystery

My Rating: 4.0

Ravaged by time and abandoned by the people who once flocked there in search of golden nuggets, Ragged-Ass Gulch is a ghost town. What’s left is a small, proud, and close pack of people who aren’t looking for change. But change seems to be afoot as several mysterious fires plague the town. That’s where the Nameless Detective comes in….

Kindle:

The Lonely Mile 

by Allan Leverone

Good Thriller! Review to be posted 9/20. 

Reading for Pump Up Your Book Promotions.

Product Description
When struggling hardware store owner Bill Ferguson witnesses a kidnapping in progress, he reacts instinctively, breaking up the crime and saving a young girl. But the kidnapper, a sociopath known as the “I-90 Killer,” escapes and vows revenge, targeting Ferguson’s own daughter as his next victim. Now one terrified father must unravel a plot that may go much deeper than he realizes, racing against time to save his only child from an unthinkable fate.

Print:

Life Is Not a Stage: From Broadway Baby to a Lovely Lady and Beyond

by Florence Henderson

This is quite lovely and lots of surprises for me. 
I hope to post the review on Wednesday the  21st.
Read for Hachette - Center Street.

Line Edits/Releases: 
This week we released Soylent Red by Jamieson Wolf

Owen is a schizophrenic with multiple personality disorder. Inside of him are three other personalities that fill up his waking and dreaming hours.
Residing inside of the Sunny Dale Rest Facility, Owen, at his doctors urging, begins to chronicle the pieces of his past with a black leather journal and a felt tip pen. She believes that through writing, and through movies, memories can be triggered and Owen can be cured.
But then the other personalities within him start writing for themselves.
When people begin to die in the SunnyDale Rest Facility, Dr. Miranda Stapleton knows that Owen may be responsible, but she is willing to do anything to hide Owen’s secret. But it is not Owen who is responsible. It is someone inside of him…
Told entirely in patient assessments, journal entries, poetry, pictures and pop culture references, Soylent Red is a dark descent into a human mind and one personalities quest to live beyond the skin.
After all, what is a little blood and death if you can live forever?

Currently reading:

Print/Kindle:

No Proper Lady

by Isabel Cooper 

I am enjoying this.  
I hope to post the Review on 9/22.
Reading for Sourcebooks.

Product Description
It's Terminator meets My Fair Lady in this fascinating debut of black magic and brilliant ball gowns, martial arts, and mysticism.

England, 1888. The trees are green, the birds are singing, and no one has any idea that in a few hundred years, demons will destroy it all. Joan plans to keep it that way. All she has to do is take out the dark magician responsible-before he summons the demons in the first place. But as a rough-around-the-edges assassin from that bleak future, she'll have to learn how to fit into polite Victorian society to get close to her target.

Simon Grenville has his own reasons for wanting to destroy Alex Reynell. The man used to be his best friend-until his practice of the dark arts almost killed Simon's sister. The beautiful half-naked stranger Simon meets in the woods may be the perfect instrument for his revenge. It will just take a little time to teach her the necessary etiquette and assemble a proper wardrobe. But as each day passes, Simon is less sure he wants Joan anywhere near Reynell. Because no spell in the world will save his future if she isn't in it.

Print:
The Wounded Heart: An Amish Quilt Novel 

by Adina Senft

I will be starting this tomorrow. 

The Review and Author Q&A are set for 9/28.

Reading for Faithwords (Hachette).

Product Description
When a business offer turns into something more personal, Amelia is torn between what logic tells her is right, and the desire of her heart.

A widow with two small children, Amelia Beiler is struggling to make ends meet. She is running her late husband's business, but it's not what she was raised to do, which is run a home. When she gets an offer for the business from Eli Fischer, she's only too relieved to consider it-especially when it looks like Eli's interest might include more than just the shop. But when she begins to experience strange physical symptoms and is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, it's difficult not to question God's will. If she pursues the treatment she believes in, she risks going under the bann. But how can she allow Eli to court her when she can't promise him a future?
Includes instructions to make the quilt block featured in the novel.

Kindle:

A Christmas Gift  

by Diane Craver

I had to get this converted for Kindle

so I hope to read it this week.

Reading for the Author.

Product Description

Justin Reeves is a man who has it all: a good job, a loving wife and children who are the center of his universe. Justin also has a secret he's hidden from everyone his entire life-or so he thought. Quite innocently his small daughter, Debby, stumbles upon his secret and is shocked by what she finds. She confronts her father with the awful truth, and together they embark upon a journey which takes her father from the darkness of shame into the light of victory.

Drawing from true events in her own childhood, author Diane Craver captivates the reader from page one to a stunning climax which will touch your heart and impact your life forever in this must-read story of love's triumph over adversity.

Audible/Audio 

Immortal by Gillian Shield.

I haven't been able to download the rest because of the internet being weak on the ship.  So this is on hold.
This is another free summer download at AudioBook Community - SYNC YA Listening.

I have other audibles but haven't decided what to listen to yet.


Kindle:
Tenderfoot
by Amy Tupper

This will be the next in line.
Reading for the Author.

Product Description
Jules is running. With the death of her mother behind her, she arrives at college in Chapel Hill ready to focus on friends, classes, and Andrew, the sweetest guy a girl could crush on. But Nick, the campus rock star, is always around, pressing every last one of her buttons. Things get strange when Nick plays his guitar, and even stranger when Jules discovers he wears a pendant identical to her dead mother’s. She wants answers. When her family’s secret is revealed, Jules must choose between running away from the one person she has opened up to or running with him toward an unknown future.

I am also listening to The Listener's Bible NIV 

read by Max McLean. I am at Job 35, Isaiah 53 and Galatians 5.

Line Edits: Will be working on setting up print releases as soon as I return. If it's not one thing it surely is another. :-)

September Review Books - 13 or so - that should keep me busy. :-)

Scheduled:

9/20  The Lonely Mile by Allan Leverone (Pump Up Your Book)
9/28  The Wounded Heart: An Amish Quilt Novel by Adina Senft (FaithWords)

Center Street
Life Is Not a Stage: From Broadway Baby to a Lovely Lady and Beyond by Florence Henderson
Forbidden (The Books of Mortals) by Ted Dekker, Tosca Lee

Sourcebooks:
No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper

Author Selections:
Karen Weisner - Love Is Blind and It Don't Pay the Bills Either (Denim Blues Mysteries, Book 2) (read)

and Souls on (B)oring Street [Denim Blues Mysteries Book 3]
Anne Patrick Renegade Hearts
Nibi Soto - The Chronicles of Quant
Diane Craver - A Christmas Gift
Amy Tupper - Tenderfoot
Nathan Patrick Hardt - The Second Sonata
Caedem Marquez - The Path Home



[To be posted:
These were read and ready for reviews for Authors. I am sending out interviews for these. I hope to post them all in September.
Quest for Magic by Jean Hart Stewart - Read; review to be posted with interview.
Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get) and 

To See (What You See is What You Get) by Nicole Zoltack - Both Read; setting up author interview with reviews.

Steamrolled by Pauline Baird Jone. Read; review to be posted with author interview.]