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.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Book #Review and ARC #Giveaway: The Magic of I Do by Tammy Falkner

A fun read especially for those who like a sensual focus.
The Magic of I Do
by Tammy Falkner


  • Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 4, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402268157
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402268151
Genre: Paranormal, Historical Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0


Book Description
Release date: June 4, 2013

Desperately Seeking Excitement...

With the temporary prohibition on magic on the land of the Fae, Claire Thorne might as well go back to the Regency world. The haut ton has just as many annoying rules as her world, but at least they have parties and dances. Plus, the roguish Lord Phineas "Finn" Trimble is there...

When the feisty faerie tumbles into his room through a magical portal, Finn can't believe how completely unpredictable she is. Even before the two stumble into a dangerous intrigue that threatens both their worlds, Finn discovers that his hitherto carefree life is about to go up in smoke...


Review:
Claire Thorne is a rather spoiled fairy. She has had an easy life in her fairy world but now that she is struggling with anger at her sister for marrying a human and for learning that her parents abandoned her as an infant and have lived in the human world since then. It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t their fault that they broke the rules with their mixed human to fairy marriage and the fairy authorities took the fae children and wiped their memories. She still blames them for letting her be raised without the full benefit of family.

Her parents and sister’s family are visiting the fairy world and hoping to change the rules regarding the mixed marriage situation. During a temper fit Claire propels herself back to the human world into the bedroom of the handsome rouge, Lord Phineas. They had shared one night of passion when he was supposed to be keeping her safe for his brother, Robin, Claire’s brother-in-law. He should have protected her innocense but compromised her instead. She went along with it willingly enough but warned him that she wouldn’t fall in love with him and he mustn’t fall in love with her.

Well– that night has left its consequences and Claire is scared to tell anyone, fae or human, of her dilemma. But she needs to figure out a solution pretty quickly before her problem becomes obvious. She also needs to stay out of the reach of the smarmy, cruel Earl of Mayden who seeks revenge against Finn and Robin.

I wasn’t enthralled with either Claire or Finn in the early pages of the book as they seemed selfish and self-centered. Fortunately their characters became more complex, softer, more loyal and likeable as the story progressed. I did like Claire’s magical gift through her art and thought that was a good touch.

I have to say though that a big part of this story is the sexual pull and play between Claire and Finn. I waited about half the book hoping there would be a larger plot. There is the danger posed by Mayden and a bit of the history of Claire’s family, but it is the smaller part of the whole presentation. The writing is light and sassy and this is an easy read. There was just too much emphasis on sex for my tastes.

This was the second in a series but read fine without having read the first book. This would be good for readers who like their romance centered on the sensual story of the romance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is where the danger begins:
   “What the devil do you think you’re doing?” Finn hissed as he circled around her.
   “Dancing, my lord.”...
   “Don’t play with that man, Claire,” he warned.
   Claire had no intention of playing with the earl. She intended to expose him. To ease some of Finn’s burden, if she could. He deserved a life free of men who wanted to do him harm. She could want to do him harm all day long, but no one else could hurt him, blast it all. Page 158.
I received this book from Sourcebooks for an honest review.
ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:


Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 
I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form. 
For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open to those with US or CANADA address.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 30, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on July 1, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

MBS - Spontaneous Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop

Okay - I may be a day late but there is still plenty of time to enter!
Thanks to Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not a Writer for sponsoring this. Kathy is taking a bit of a breather and if you have ever realized the number of hops and giveaways she hosts you can understand. It was barely leaving time for reviews...besides cutting into needed family time. I know I understand!

My Giveaway:  

Winner’s Choice: Paypal, Amazon.com OR The Book Depository.

Two requirements:
A. Follow Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf in some fashion.
B. Enter through the Rafflecopter.
Extra entry if you comment to share a Summer title. :-)

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Six Winners from Giveaways ending June 14 and June 21

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS!!

Giveaways Ended June 14, 2013

What a Wicked Earl Wants and The Duchess Hunt
TWO WINNERS:  
Entry #4 Kim
Entry #35 Marlene B.

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

Winner: Shelley (Callicolady)

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

ARC Giveaway: The Sweet Spot
Winner:  Martha L

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

Giveaways Ended June 21, 2013
Winner: Shelly H
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Winner: Jess1

Kim, Marlene, Shelley, Martha, Shelly and Jane please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I'll get the book mailed and or notify the publisher of your win.  Please reply within 72 hours!   

Thank you to all who entered!

Friday, June 21, 2013

Saturday Snapshot (June 22, 2013) Suntipped Trees

One early evening I was taking pictures in the garden and realized that the soon to be setting sun had tipped the tops of the trees in golden light. I decided to call them "suntipped."  The yellow at the top is the sunlight, not yellow leaves. I wish they were a bit clearer to show the awesome beauty of it.




Thanks to all who stop by and visit.

A big Thank You to Alyce at Alyce of At Home With Books who has hosted this meme for a number of years. She is taking a summer hiatus at her blog and the new host will be Melissa at West Metro Mommy. Thank you to Melissa for picking up the responsibility. 

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky being hosted this summer by West Metro Mommy. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Audio Book Review: And They Called Her Spider by Michael Coorlim

This is a fun, quick listen!
And They Called Her Spider:
A Bartleby and James Adventure, Book 1

    UNABRIDGED
    by Michael Coorlim
    Narrated by Wayne Farrell
        Series: Galvanic Century, Book 1
    LENGTH      56 mins
    RELEASE DATE      12-07-12
    PUBLISHER      Michael Coorlim

Gernre: Mystery, Steampunk
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Publisher's Summary
The Bartleby and James Adventures steampunk mystery series follows the cases of consulting detectives Anton Bartleby and James Wainwright through an alternate Victorian history.
In their debut adventure, London is in the grip of an unstoppable assassin known only as the Spider, and consulting detectives James Wainwright and Alton Bartleby have been commissioned to catch her.

Can the surly inventor and savvy gentleman track her down and stop her string of murders, or will Queen Victoria be her next victim?

Who Are Bartleby and James?
Alton Bartleby is a social savant, the scion of a once proud and noble bloodline, working to restore his family's name. James Wainwright is a brilliant engineer and inventor. Together they take on the cases that Scotland Yard cannot or will not handle.
©2011, 2012 Michael Coorlim (P)2012 Michael Coorlim


Review:
Alton Bartleby and James Wainwright work together as private detectives consulting, but not always welcome, with the authorities in a Steampunk Victorian world. Alton is all that is proper with his noble background and worldly social experiences, but he is in the position of having to work to rebuild his family reputation. James is a quirky engineer and inventor who can get lost for days in his laboratory, 'lair', before popping out with a solution or gadget to help in their investigations.

Alton and James have been called upon to help track and stop a sly assassin who is known as the Spider. She has been able to slip into places, through crowds and windows, where with acrobatic grace and moves she decimates her prominent victims with venomous dagger strikes. Then she boldly and blithely waltzes away to her escape.

There is a fear that the Queen is an intended victim and the detectives are in a race against time to stop the Spider. Once they have a clue to follow they press on diligently, even with some recklessness.

This pair reminded me of a lighter Sherlock Holmes and a more technically skilled Dr. Watson. The story is told from the view of James. They make a good pairing and balancing in their intuitive and deductive skills as well as their areas of experience. The story was fun and I loved the steampunk and mechanical aspect.

Audio Notes: The narrator presents the story with perfect British hauteur and aplomb. The pacing, of the story as written and read, is brisk and intriguing. I would be glad to read more by Mr. Coorlin and hear more narrating by Mr. Farrell.

This is a good choice for mystery buffs looking for a fun, fast hour. 

I received this MP3 download at Audible through AudioBook Jukebox.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails