Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Kiss of The Goblin Prince by Shona Husk

This is a nice romance and fast read.

Kiss of the Goblin Prince: Shadowlands series

by Shona Husk

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140226206X
• ISBN-13: 978-1402262067

Available in Kindle and other ebook formats.

Genre:  Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012 | Series: Shadowlands

"Steamy, sensual, and dangerous...Dark and delicious."—Fresh Fiction on The Goblin King

The Man of Her Dreams

He is like a prince in a fairy tale: tall, outrageously handsome, and way too dark for her own good. Amanda has been hurt before, though. And with her daughter's illness, the last thing she needs right now is a man. But the power of Dai King is hard to resist. And when he threads his hands through her hair and pulls her in for a kiss, there is no denying it feels achingly right.

In a Land of Nightmares

After being trapped in the Shadowlands for centuries with the goblin horde a constant threat, Dai revels in his new found freedom back in the human realm. But even with the centuries of magic he's accumulated, he still doesn't know how to heal Amanda's daughter—and it breaks his heart. Yet for the woman he loves, he'd risk anything...including a return to the Shadowlands.

Review:
Dai is an ancient warrior whose family was cursed as goblins for nearly two thousands years.  Now that the curse has been broken (Book 1, The Goblin King) Dai and his brother Roan are able to live again as humans in the “Fixed Realm” which is the human world instead to the dark Shadowlands where the Goblins dwelled. Dai sought out magic for years trying to break the Goblin Curse.  He has become a mage but wants to make better use of the magical skills.  He is in conflict with the Birch Trustees who are refusing to return his library of magical books.

Amanda meets Dai at the wedding of her sister-in-law, Eliza, who is marrying Roan.  Amanda lost her husband seven years ago, before their daughter, Brigit, was born. Amanda has clung to the memory of her first love as she struggles as a single mom taking care of a child with serious asthma illness.  For the first time in seven years Amanda is drawn to a man.  Dai immediately notices the thread of attraction and desire between them. He has been abstinent for an even longer time with his tortured past and secrets keeping him from making love to any woman.

There is a lot of magical use woven through the story and I enjoyed Ms. Husk’s method of showing the weave of magic within objects through Dai’s eyes.  An eerie character from Birch Trustees, Vexicon, shows up to question Dai’s use of magic. There are other characters who turn out to have a past life connection to Dai, including his cousin Meryn who turns up human and hiding in the Shadowlands. Dai stages a rescue even though Meryn doesn’t recognize him and attacks Dai during the rescue. I’m am curious to see what the author has in store for Meryn in book three.

I enjoyed the reluctant passion between these two.  Amanda must decide to give up the loyalty to her dead husband so she can have a present life.  Dai must risk sharing his scars with Amanda in the hope that she might love him in spite of his horrible past. There is some repetition of their respective struggles but fortunately the story keeps moving. Although the romance is the focus, the persistent warmth and charm of it kept me interested until the action scenes appeared near the end of the story.  If you like a warm romance with magical overtones this is a solid entertaining selection.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Here are two quotes regarding Dai’s visual gift:

If he let his vision slide, he could see the threads of magic that made everything...or that everything made, depending on the school of magical theory.  Location 194

Amanda was changing the fabric of his reality with just a glance and a smile. Location 2953.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing this book for review.

This is set in Perth, Australia for the Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my ARC challenge list.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for ARC Copy:
1. Tell me if you know another story about Goblins Or share why you would like to read this book. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.

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

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

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 18, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on May 19. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: Creative Spirit by Scott Nicholson

This is an engaging ghostly tale!

Creative Spirit

by Scott Nicholson

• File Size: 481 KB
• Print Length: 314 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Haunted Computer Books (December 2, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006HKLNAI

Genre: Horror
My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2, 2011

"Scott Nicholson explores the dark legends of the southern end of the Appalachian mountain chain, a nightmare country that ends in Stephen King's yard."-- Sharyn McCrumb, author of The Ballad novels

When artists gather at a remote Appalachian estate for a retreat, they are unaware that their energy is feeding something unwholesome. Sculptor Mason Jackson and dying parapsychologist Anna Galloway must uncover the dark secrets of Korban Manor before their spirits become trapped forever.

--------------------

CREATIVE SPIRIT

A modern Gothic thriller

After parapsychologist Anna Galloway is diagnosed with terminal cancer, she has a recurring dream in which she sees her own ghost. The setting of her dream is the historic Korban Manor, and she's compelled to face the secrets of her soul.

Sculptor Mason Jackson has come to the manor to make a final, all-or-nothing attempt at success before giving up his dreams. When he becomes obsessed with carving Ephram Korban's form out of wood, even Anna can't divert his bizarre passion.

The manor itself has secrets, with fires that blaze constantly in the hearths, portraits of Korban in every room, and deceptive mirrors on the walls. With an October blue moon looming, both the living and the dead learn the true power of their dreams.

Review:
I am sometimes hesitant to read horror stories as I fear (no pun intended) they may be too dark or gruesome.  This horror story is creepy and has some gruesome aspects but I found it surprisingly engaging.

The story begins in 1898 introducing the reader to several important characters: the head of the manor, Ephram Korban, and a young maid, Sylva. It is quite apparent that there is some terrible magic in use and Ephram has a strong hold on Sylva who is drawn, perhaps fatally, to him.

The author then brings us to the present day and introduces a group of artists from different media who have come to the secluded resort at Korban Manor.  Mason is a part time sculptor who is there on a grant for his last effort to produce a work that will make him famous, make his mama proud and allow him to leave his day labor jobs.  Anna is a specialist in parapsychology. She is dying from cancer and has been drawn to the Manor in search of a ghostly image she thinks is herself.  Anna and Mason have some immediate disdain for each other, as do many of the other guests who include a famous, vain writer, a cynical journalist, a gay couple, one of whom is a freelance photographer, a pair of musicians and some amateur artists.  All of the guest have come on retreat with the hopes of breathing fresh air into their work and dreams.

The Manor is beautiful but creepy with pictures of Ephram in every room and fires blazing all the time.  The guests seem to be inspired in feverish and dramatic work but they do not see that their dreams may lead them into a terrible nightmare. What price are they willing to trade for what they seek in success?

Slowly Mason and Anna begin to see that there is something dark, obsessive and wrong in the Manor and how it effects them. They are still at odds but perhaps they will have to work together if they want to uncover the dark secrets before the magic and spells of the Blue Moon pull them where they don’t want to go.

Mr. Nicholson weaves a marvelous tale with characters who draw you in. I felt vested in both Anna’s pain and feelings and Mason’s dreams and frustrations. I was pulling for them from the early pages of the book. The tension and anticipation of fear built as I waited to discover what monsters would be around the next corner in the house and tried to determine, along with the guests, which passages were dreams and which were real.  I actually have notes in my Kindle at passages where I say “Oh gosh” and “nooo, nooo!” 

Some of the ghostly aspects were not completely surprising but the author has given them a particularly dark and unique aspect under Korban.  There is an unexpected twist as the drama reaches its climax. I was surprised too by many pieces of introspective wisdom that are shared and these added to my enjoyment of the story.  If you are up for an engaging mystery in a dark setting you should try this story.

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Some wisdom tidbits:

Death wasn’t a release. Death...was just another prison, this one full of the same suffering that shadowed the living. Only here, there was no escape, no hope, and still nobody to belong to.  Location 3754.

The toughest critics weren’t in New York or Paris. They weren’t in the art schools.... Sometimes they lived in your mirror.  Location 4049.

Thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book for review.

This was set in the Appalachian mountains in North Carolina for My Where Are You Reading challenge. I will also add it to my ARC and New Author lists.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny

This is beautifully written and full of wonderful historical tidbits.

The Book of Madness and Cures

by Regina O'Melveny

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: John Murray Publishers (April 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1848547064
• ISBN-13: 978-1848547063

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2012

Dr. Gabriella Mondini, a strong-willed, young Venetian woman, has followed her father in the path of medicine. She possesses a singleminded passion for the art of physick, even though, in 1590, the male-dominated establishment is reluctant to accept a woman doctor. So when her father disappears on a mysterious journey, Gabriella's own status in the Venetian medical society is threatened. Her father has left clues--beautiful, thoughtful, sometimes torrid, and often enigmatic letters from his travels as he researches his vast encyclopedia, The Book of Diseases.

After ten years of missing his kindness, insight, and guidance, Gabriella decides to set off on a quest to find him--a daunting journey that will take her through great university cities, centers of medicine, and remote villages across Europe. Despite setbacks, wary strangers, and the menaces of the road, the young doctor bravely follows the clues to her lost father, all while taking notes on maladies and treating the ill to supplement her own work.

Gorgeous and brilliantly written, and filled with details about science, medicine, food, and madness, THE BOOK OF MADNESS AND CURES is an unforgettable debut.

Review:
Gabriella has always been inquisitive and a seeker of knowledge. She loved following her father during his doctoring rounds and listening to his comments on ailments and cures.  She had been his helper to gather and compile information for the Book of Diseases that he would someday publish. Gabriella was distressed when her father left to travel and learn more diseases for his book. She didn’t understand why she could not go along and was left with her nagging and negative mother who only wants Gabriella to settle into a proper young lady and find a husband.

Gabriella remained home for ten years, keeping her own notes and caring for women with their singular diseases, including frailties of the mind. But the male dominated society of doctors of Venetia in 1590 do not wish to acknowledge a female doctor. Since her father was no longer around to sponsor her she is banned from the society and university.  Gabriella decides to search out her father by following his trail across the continent.

Gabriella sets off with her faithful servant/companions, Olmina, more of a mother than Gabriella’s true mother, and Olmina's husband, Lorenzo, who has been a protector to Gabriella in place of her father.  As she pursues "the bread crumbs" of her father’s path, Gabriella meets other Doctors, some friendly and encouraging and some obviously jealous, suspicious and condemning. Gabriella learns hints about her father’s behavior that she doesn’t want to believe.

There is danger along the way as traveling is not safe, especially for a young attractive lady. Gabriella almost finds a place and a man to settle with but another clue pulls her back to her search.  What condition will her father be in if she can even find him alive?  Will finding him help Gabriella find herself?

Ms. O’Melveny has created a wonderful image of life as it may have been for a spirited woman whose dreams of being more than a chatelaine, mate and mother brought jeers and antagonism. Gabriella’s striving to be a female Doctor helping women was difficult enough but the risks were increased in a repressed society where even herbal cures were often considered witchcraft.  The story is told in third person POV and the author uses journal entries of diseases to reveal the level of information - or sometimes lack thereof - existing at the time.

Gabriella is a strong minded and interesting character. The plot is suitably interesting and the story is richly and beautifully portrayed. The descriptions of Venice, Edenburg and Marooco, as well as travels between are alternately breathtaking and fearsome. If you enjoy historical fiction that portrays an strong, engaging protagonist in a difficult but true to times setting I think you would enjoy this work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabriella’s relationship with her mother:

..."Why not marry a good doctor? Why must you be one?" ....this time I simply stared at her, fierce and speechless with hurt. We were on opposite sides of a deep channel, no bridge between us. The sea ran on in the dark. Page 21.

Beginning the travels:

... I watched the Zattere retreat, then San Marco appear beyond the other bell towers, steeples, canted roofs, the other quarters shabby, mossy, glorious, gleaming, prayerful, lively, sorrowful, muted, exuberant, fleshy, fabulous, then diminished–made one by distance, faint, flat, bluish white, thin as gauze I might use to wrap a wound. Page 32.

A distinction between Lorenzo and Gabriella’s father:

My fist closed over the box and I pressed my head against Olmina, crying. Lorenzo had carried my teeth like seed pearls as he watched me grow into a woman. And still I wanted to travel to the ends of the earth – to Marocco now – for the father who’d abandoned me. Page 261.

A Big Thank You to Anna at Little Brown & Co., Division of Hachette, for providing this book for review and copies for giveaway!

This book will be added to my ARC and New Author challenge lists.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you find there.
2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.
(Two total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS!

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

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

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on May 18, 2012.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on May 19 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.
 

Launching Today: Allergies, and Awesome You

Do you have a child with allergies? Can you imagine life allergy free?

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Allergies, and Awesome You: Believe You Can Get There Too!

This book, through a life story of an allergic child, will empower you and your children.

Allergies, and Awesome You” is a part of the AmazingAllergist’s Awesome Series that empowers allergic children to live and lead great lives, allergy-free. It is a by-product of the author’s extensive medical knowledge, vast experiences as an allergy specialist, and the desire to make a difference, one allergic child at a time.

Learn more here - http://amazingallergist.com/book/

About the Author

Atul N. Shah, MD, FACAAI, FAAAAI, is a celebrated author of this AmazingAllergist book series, founder of www.AmazingAllergist.com, and the medical director of www.Center4AsthmaAllergy.com. He is a board certified allergist who has earned an honor of fellowships in both the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

He has personally treated more than 20,000 patients, made a significant impact on more than 100,000 lives as an allergist so far, and earned the nickname “AmazingAllergist” from his patients and peers. His work is rewarded daily with numerous compliments of smiling patients and their families. He has been recognized with various awards, including the America’s Top Physicians’ Award, the Patients’ Choice Award, and the Most Compassionate Physicians’ Award. He believes that every allergic child and individual has a potential to live a great life, allergy-free. His desire to empower allergic individuals translated into this series of books.

Meet the Author

Buy the book - http://amazingallergist.com/book/

Join our online community

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AmazingAllergist

Twitter - https://twitter.com/LifeAllergyFree
 

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Pump Up Your Book Tour and the AmazingAllergist are giving away a FREE KINDLE FIRE! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to win! This giveaway is only open to U.S. and Canada citizens. Deadline is June 1 and announced on June 2. If you are the winner, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife (at) gmail.com or Tracee Gleichner at tgleichner (at) gmail.com. You have 48 hours to reply. If we do not hear from you in 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Thanks and good luck!

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Mailbox Monday May 7, 2012

Welcome to Mailbox Monday which I am hosting for May 2012.
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) but is now hosted at Mailbox Monday and through various blog hosts.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. 
(I'll try to post this a bit earlier, about 10 pm Central on Sunday Nights. Today we had a four hour power outage so I had to wait until late to post.)

For book bloggers books are our gardens, don't you think?

I didn't realize how long it has been since I posted for Mailbox Monday.

I have several books for the past few weeks:
Two Review Books:
Henny on the Couch by Rebecca Land Soodak for Hachette Spring Books Review
Lucky in Love (A Lucky Harbor Novel by Jill Shalvis for May 24 Forever Romance Blog Tour: Book Review and Giveaway

Two Books Won:

Frantic: An Ella Marconi Novel 1
by Katherine Howell
Won at Giveaway by the Author in Mid April at The Eclectic Reader
Thank you Katherine and Teddyree

Little Shepherd

by Cheryl C. Malandrinos (Author), Eugene Ruble (Illustrator)

Won at Giveaway during Pump It Up 5th Year Anniversary
Thank you Cheryl and Pump It Up.

See how fun it is to get books??
How about you? What's in Your Mailbox this week?