My Holiday Swap Package!!

I got my Holiday Swap package this week from

Serena at Savvy Verse & Wit!
Early Christmas ~ Yes I opened it!

Lots of Goodies and two books!

I never heard of either book but reading the blurbs they both sound extremely interesting!

Nice shower gels and splash - I will smell really good!

Three very cool and pretty elastic book marks! They slip over the cover and then mark two - four places with ribbons!
These will come in handy so I can mark a page for notes on a review and (don't throw anything at me) not bend the corner of the page ever so slightly 'till I can make note of the thought I had on that page!

The chocolates didn't last past lunchtime!!
I'll remember Mrs. Field's brand as they were yummy!

Thank you so much Serena!

Good Job especially since I didn't have a wish list posted when I signed up!!

Giveaway and Review of Evidence of Angels by Suza Scalora!

Title:  Evidence of Angels
Author:   Suza Scalora
Genre:   Illustrated Gift Book/Childrens
Publisher: HarperCollins Books
Buy Link
ISBN: 978-0-06124343-1
Release Date: September 29, 2009

Rating:  5.0 of 5.0

Author Website

Product Description:
Open your eyes.
Open your mind.
Open your heart.
They are with you every day.
They are everywhere.
They are angels.
Open and begin your journey. . . .

Review:  Anyone who has ever thought about guardian angels or any good angels would love this book!

The book is filled with pictures like the cover – absolutely beautiful images and brushes of angels!!  The author gives a very gentle story of her loss of a loved one and then her journey to healing and peace through the vision of angels captured in her photography in her everyday surroundings!

Near the beginning of the book Ms. Scalora mentions an ancient tome on angels that she is given by a being of light at the city library.  My first impulse was to go online to look up that book. But I didn’t want to interrupt the lovely flow of the text.  As I continued to read and experience the warmth and peace of this remarkable book, it no longer mattered whether I looked up the ancient volume!

Angel of Harmony

Experiencing Angels displays Angels of grief and of comfort; of seasons and colors; of courage, healing, peace, love and more.  It is written with a flow that moves with the beautiful representations of the various angels who are depicted as offering insight and strength for our inner needs. The author includes letters written to her of others who saw angels or who were seeking help to see angels for comfort or healing!

Although this may have a listing as a Children’s book – it is not.  Children may well love the bright vibrant, or soft and soothing but still colorful, illustrations, as my two year old granddaughter did. However, the message of miracles and an everyday presence that keeps us from being alone are to be experienced by adults.  This book is a treasure as a gift for someone who needs hope and peace or a book to keep handy in your own home to provide you with a sense of angelic protection and calm.  I truly feel a warm peace each time I pick up the book and look at the beauty of it!

You can see pages from the book at this link.

Ms. Scalora has generously offered to giveaway one of these beautiful books!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Please visit the author's site and tell me something you find there!! (Use the author website link above or go to http://myth.com/). REMINDER: You MUST COMMENT TO ENTER and Please include your email address or make sure your e-mail is available on your profile, so that I can contact you if you win.

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

3. For another entry, share this giveaway on your blog, my space, facebook or Twitter and tell me where you shared it.

4. It is not necessary to enter separate comments unless you want them spaced out for numbering in the random number generator.

(Three total entries possible.)
Angel of Winter


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

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


This contest will close Midnight (Central) on December 30, 2009 so you will have the book mailed in the New Year! The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Wow! Growing Followers - Watch for new Follower Giveaway at 200!

I thought we just celebrated 152 followers and now I am pushing 200! My goodness!!!  Thank you people for following.  I hope after this crazy month of giveaways calms down that you will stay to comment on the reviews and continue to meet new authors!!  I'll be doing another follower giveaway when the number reaches 200!

With a little luck I'll hit 200 followers as an early Christmas present or maybe birthday present!  Yes my BD is coming up on December 27!

Is everybody getting tired of giveaways?  I hope not! I still have several review book giveaways to be posted!

I am trying to think what I will due to celebrate my BD and the New Year!  I could do a gift card for my age!! That would make someone really happy except I'd have to tell my age!! LOL.  I'll be thinking on it and get it posted this weekend!! If you have suggestions feel free to make them!  Just know that I'm not up to buying an eReader just yet as much as I'd like to!!  I might have to stop doing the follower giveaways and save up for an eReader giveaway.... hmmmm???

Garden Bloom Day December 15, 2009

This meme can be found at May Dreams Gardens.

I was out to seminar all day so just getting this posted - but it is still the 15th!! I took these pictures this morning!
I am glad the Christmas Cacti are still blooming for today's pics and they didn't drop their buds like last year!
I think this one is two plants as some are light pink and others are the bright shrimp orange/pink.

Here is the purple one:

and the "baby" hasn't bloomed yet!

The rest of our outside flowers got moved in doors when the weather dipped to freezing last week

so our spring room is now a garden room:

 

A lot of the geraniums and mums need cutting back.

Tiger Lily is under the table - she had to be where the action was again!

Giveaway and Review: Kismet by K. Starling

Title:    Kismet

Author:   K. Starling 

Genre:   Contemporary, Autumn Rose Over 40+

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Buy Link

ISBN: 978-1-60435-421-8
Release Date: September 24, 2009
Heat Rating: Sensual (Publisher Rating)

Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Author Website

Blurb:  Love blossomed in 1940 but life intervened. Can Harold and Bea regain that lost passion after seventy years?

Harold and Bea met and fell in love in 1940. Both enlisted to fight in WWII and then came home to marry other people. Now, seventy years later, they agree to attend a high school reunion. Neither of them know if the other will show or what happened so many years ago. These two find that a broken proposal is hard to forgive but when you're almost ninety you don't have time for regrets.

Review:   This is a wonderfully sweet romance gem!

The blurb gives a good synopsis of the basic story.  The charm is in the telling! It is fun to learn what happened that kept these two apart years before and how they each fared during the intervening years.  There is contentment and sorrow portrayed along the way and a chance for newfound joy when they reconnect.

Bea is quite a colorful and mouthy character!  No shy, quiet grandmother here!  Harold is a very sweet man who lives with his divorced daughter, Stephanie, and gets to visit often with a charming young granddaughter.  Bea’s cleaning man and helper, Jonathan, is another likable character who helps keep things rolling. 

The high school reunion scenes will have you chuckling!  The writing tone is warm and comfortable.  At 88 pages you can read this in one sitting.  I liked the poems at the beginning too!  Treat yourself to the enjoyment of this cute, heartwarming and somewhat sassy story of sweet reunion!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

Download of Kissa's book!

1. Comment here telling me if you know of an over 40+ romance - either real people or a book. Please include your email address, so that I can contact you if you win.  NOTE: YOU MUST COMMENT AND LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL OR HAVE YOUR E-MAIL AVAILABLE IN YOUR PROFILE TO BE ENTERED.
2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.
3. For another entry, share this giveaway on your blog, my space, facebook or Twitter and tell me where you shared it.
4. Another extra entry if you comment on Kissa's interview.
5. It is not necessary to enter separate comments unless you want them spaced out for numbering in the random number generator.
(Four total entries possible.)

• This contest is open to anyone who can get a download of a pdf!!
  

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on December 28, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Interview with Kissa Starling, author of Kismet!

Please help me welcome Kissa Starling who has taken time from the holiday season o share in this interview!

M: Your website tells us how you started writing very young. How long did it take you to get published?

Kissa: I was very interested in writing at a young age but didn’t think of writing romance until a few years ago. I entered a Christmas contest I came upon on the internet and was so sure I would win. I didn’t but they did send me a lot of feedback and said they liked my writing. A few months after that I signed my first contract. That was before I adhered to the philosophy about putting all of ones eggs in one basket. I signed four contracts with that publisher and they closed down. It took me about a year to recoup from that. I’ve learned to vary my interests now and things are going great!

M: Oh OUCH – That was a hard lesson!
How many books do you have now??

Kissa: (Had to look at my website for that) I currently have nine single titles out, eight stories in anthologies, and four releases scheduled so far for 2010. Cracker Cowgirl will be released in January from Red Rose Publishing, Vegas Vixens 4Ever will be released in February from Love You Divine Publishing (all proceeds go to charity), Rick’s Story will be released around the beginning of the summer and Lil’ Pet Brat will be released in May by Cleis Press.

I have many other stories on the way…

M: That is good news for us readers!!
What genres do you write? Are there any you would like to write in or don’t see yourself writing in ever?

Kissa: I write in a variety of genres. Of course that all has to do with how you describe genres. I usually do it by readers. I have one set of readers who only read my lesbian works, another that only read my Lifestyle Series, some who read anything labeled erotic romance and then others who prefer the sweet, behind closed doors, kind of romance. I enjoy them all. I read, and write, by my moods, so I have to say I have delved into every area I’m interested in so far. That doesn’t mean I won’t branch out even more in the future. I doubt I will ever write m/m stories because I have no experience with those and don’t usually read them either. That said, some authors are such great story tellers that I read them and the gender of the couple doesn’t matter at all.

M: Well siad! How important to know your readers!!
Can you describe your writing in three words?

Kissa: Multi-modal experience.

M: Interesting choice of words but I think it fits!!
Kismet is such a lovely, sweet story. What was your inspiration for this book?

Kissa: A lot of my stories begin with a thread of truth. I heard a story about an older man remarrying and his family wasn’t happy about it. Not long after a few authors at Red Rose Publishing decided to do a series of books that focused on love after forty. Nancy O’Berry headed the project and we had so much fun working together. I love making characters as southern as possible and Harold gave me that chance. Things kind of barreled from there.

M: I may just have to look for more of that series – this one was so heartwarming!
What is something unique about you that you would like to tell the blogger audience?

Kissa: I’m a kid at heart. My husband still records all of the Christmas specials for me every year. I love to play in the once-a-year snow we get here in Georgia. Oh yes, and I still color every chance I get!

M: Ha – an artist in more than one media!

To learn more about Kissa please visit her website: www.kissastarling.com

Comment on the interview for an extra entry in the Giveaway but make sure you enter the Giveaway post!

Winner of Avenging Allaire!

 Thank you to everyone who entered!  I am guessing that not everyone reads eBooks or pdfs which is a shame as you will miss out on some wonderful books!

I noted as I went through the list on this group that several entrants forgot to leave their e-mail info. I counted all 10 entries and fortunately Random.org picked one so I didn't have to deal with checking profiles to find an e-mail!

Congratulations go to:

I will e-mail you - please respond to confirm within 72 hours.
 BTW - I had to include this link to a fun interveiw with Allaire and Margie! This gives you a small bit of feel for the author's SASS!

Five Winners of It Happened One Night!!

First I confirmed comments, followers and postings!! That resulted in 72 entries! Then off to Random.org I went for five numbers!!

#7 - S7Anna (Facebook post)         Confirmed
#42 - JustPeachy36 (Comment)  Confirmed
#16 - Donnas (Following) - Won elsewhere New Winner #70 Twifanheather! (Comment)
#26 - Pam Keener (Following) Confirmed
and last (but of course not least!)
#53 - Sharon54220 (Following) Confirmed

I'll be e-mailing each of you to fill out the form;
please confirm that you have!
Enjoy the book when you get it!!
I'm enjoying reading it tonight!

Monday's Mailbox December 14, 2009

This Meme starts with Marcia

at The Printed Page

I received two books last week that weren't review books:

Branded by the Sheriff by Delores Fossen - won on the November Giveaways at J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Thank you J. Kaye!
I like to read Harlequin books
for quick reads in between other books!

I also won Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

at Anne Bradshaw's Place!

I look forward to reading this

romantic suspense from one of the authors

at The Sweetest Romance Blog

and group.

What are you reading on Mondays? December 14, 2009

Join this meme at:
J. Kaye's Book Blog

I finished some very good books last week!
[Note re codes:  YGR is You Gotta Read Reviews; CR is CataRomance Reviews, BTL is Between the Line/WRDF - these are the three sites where I read and review.  There are links under Some Friends on the sidebar for each of these. MBS is this blog - Martha's BookShelf!]

Finished:

PB:  ----------------

Kindle2:  Wayward Angels - Wounded Warriors Book 4 by Karen Wiesner.  This was a wonderful story giving insight into the struggles of coping with Bipolar disorder! Review to be sent in this week for the author and YGR. An interview and Giveaway with Karen Wiesner, a multi-published author, is coming in January!

            The Spell by Regan Taylor - This romantic suspense has paranormal overtones in the nature of reincarnated lifes.  Lots of mystery and sensual intensity! Review to be sent to CR.

           Right Under Her Nose by LeAnn Coston. This is a good story of two long time friends where the man realizes he loves her but she can't seem to see what is under her nose. Review to be sent to CR.

          Love Thy Neighbor by Patricia Bates. I very much enjoyed this Historical western with feuding neighbors who are too stubborn to admit they love each other! Review to be sent to YGR.

Audible: ---------

Audio CD: True Blue by David Baldacci.  This is a very good action thriller.  J.Kaye and I did a "listen along" on Twitter which was a lot of fun. Audio from Hachette; Review to be posted soon at MBS.  Giveaway in progress.

**************************

 Currently reading: 

PB:  It Happened one Night by Lisa Dale. Can long time friends recognize that they may be meant for one another amid the complication that she is pregant by anothe man? Giveaway ended last night - courtesy of Hachette.  Hoping to post the review late today or Tuesday morning.

Getting Lucky by Carolyn Brown. Neighboring ranchers butt heads!  J.Kaye and I will be doing a Twitter read along on this one starting this week. Reviewing for CR.

Then I'll get back to:
Don't Look Down by David Laing Dawson. A thriller about four murderers, 18 to 81, in a forensic psychiatric ward. Reading and reviewing for author through Bostwick. Only just started into this.

Kindle2:  Angel and the Lawman by Barbara W. Starmer.   Historical Western. Reviewing for CR.

Next up:  Call Me Kate, Meeting the Molly Maguires by Molly Roe - Historical fiction about a 14 year old who infilitrates a secret Irish organization.  Reviewing on my blog, MBS, for Tribute Books.

and Released by Kimber Chin. A short suspense. Reviewing for YGR.

Audible: (March to the Sea by David Weber and John Ringo, my own TBR - on hold again - no reading on this till I get reviews caught up.)

Audio CD: What the Dog Saw by Malcom Gladwell.  I just started this and it started much better than I expected from the blurb!  Audio from Hachette. Reviewing for YGR.  Giveaway in progress.

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 13, 2009

I think our Pastor's Advent meanings vary from what I found online.  But that is okay.  According to our Pastor today the candle signifies the shepards and PRAISE!

We can sing praises with the angels in this familiar Christmas Hymn!

A Verse for Today:
Isaiah 9:6 (New King James Version)

6 For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Have a wonderful week and don't forget to give PRAISE as we get closer to Christmas Day!!

Some Holiday Blog Giveaways to Checkout!

Contests to enter!!

Easy Contest to enter- Your choice of one of her books from Betty Sullivan but hurry ends 12/13!

Visit Leontines Book Realms and Realms on Our Bookshelf (ROOB) for chance to win Tasting Fear by Shannon McKenna. Ends December 20.

At Cherry Mischievous
A Christmas Hamper giveaway with FOUR books, maybe more.  First four are urban fantasy I think including Hush Hush (Fitzpatrick) and Storm Front (Butcher) - I really want to read a Butcher book soon.  Ends December 31!

Jennifer Haymore is hosting a Giveaway of Elizabeth Hoyt's Prince trilogy!! Ends December 31.

Twelve days of Christmas Giveaways at Books, Movies, Reviews - be prepared for some music when you check out the link!! They run through the first week of January!

Win the Poison Study - I listened to this on Audio and highly recommend the trilogy!  One series where I want the books as well as the audio! *BG*  Closes 01/15/10.

Giveaway eBook: 12 Days of Christmas by Linda Swift

Another Christmas eBook Giveaway from Author Linda Swift - Thank You Linda for two lovely book giveaways!

12 Days of Christmas
Available through Awe-Struck Publishing

BLURB:

Leigh and Russell have not seen each other in years when they come to Kentucky to spend the holidays with Leigh's Grandmother Amelia.  Russell's own grandmother lived next door until her death and they had been in love before Russell left for college.  Leigh waited for his return but to her disappointment, he never came back.

When they meet again, the attraction between them is stronger than before but many complications exist.  Leigh's husband and young son were killed in a car accident in upstate New York.  She blames herself for her son's death and vows never to be a mother again.  She left her elementary teaching job and moved to Florida where she now sells real estate.  Russell is a successful building contractor in Arizona, a divorced father of two, whose wife just remarried and will be moving overseas.  She has offered custody of their girls, four and eleven, to him and he must decide now.

When Russell asks Leigh to marry him, she thinks he needs a mother for his children and doesn't want the job. Will he be willing to say no to custody in order to get Leigh to say yes? Can she become Russell's wife if it means depriving him of his beloved daughters?

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Leave a comment telling me if you go home for Christmas and what you look forward to most!

Please include your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

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.

4.  For another entry visit Linda's site and sign her guestbook or friend her at her MySpace or Facebook and tell me in a comment if you did!

5. You may make all entries in a single comment or separate comments. Since I haven't numbered the comments yet I have to put names/entries on a list for numbering anyway, so posting separately doesn't make a difference unless you post at different times so your numbers are not consecutive!

That is four total entries possible.

This contest is open to anyone who can read an eBook!

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on December 20, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Giveaway Holiday Story from my first Florida Author - Linda Swift!

Hi blog friends.  If you follow the blog a bit you may have noticed I put out a call for Florida Authors to spotlight. Linda Swift contacted me for another reason but when I realized she was from Florida I said "Hey, Can I spotlight you and your books?" and she said "Sure - want to do some Giveaways?" Well - what do you think I said?

Now isn't that a great way to kick off introducing Florida Authors?

Linda has two Christmas books out and has offered an eBook win for each!

LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY
Available through The Wild Rose Press

BLURB:

Kala’s position as tour guide at a Kentucky Welcome Center isn’t enough to cope with debts left by her late husband’s illness, but she manages to make ends meet until her car quits running. To save money on repairs, she enrolls in an auto-mechanic class taught by Rex, a handsome part-time instructor whose heart needs repairing, too After recently losing his important job and family, he has sworn never to get involved with another woman.

Kala discounts her growing attraction to Rex when she learns he is years younger, until the winter storm of the century throws them together. When the Interstate closes down, Kala opens her home to a houseful of strangers.

Despite fire, flood and friction, she creates an old fashioned holiday rich in the true spirit of Christmas. In the process, Kala and Rex discover the greatest gift of love.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Leave a comment telling me if you have ever been snowbound, where it happened and how long you were snowbound!

Please include your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

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.

4.  For another entry visit Linda's site and sign her guestbook or friend her at her MySpace or Facebook and tell me in a comment if you did!

5. You may make all entries in a single comment or separate comments. Since I haven't numbered the comments yet I have to put names/entries on a list for numbering anyway, so posting separately doesn't make a difference unless you post at different times so your numbers are not consecutive!

That is four total entries possible.

This contest is open to anyone who can read an eBook.

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on December 20, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick 12-11-09

More books to pick from!

Yes! I have a new group of books plus the ones not yet selected form pick#1 and pick#2.  BUT I also have some additional clarifications.

Issue 1:  Some of the books I have listed may be in the win list for my SaSR weekly drawings - eventually all of the books will be in both lists. So I have to say 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 SaSR file list before I announce that winner!

The problem comes then when the SaSR winner picks a book that is in the remaining Friday shelf picks! So I may have to announce later on Friday or Saturday that a certain book has been eliminated from those that are available. If that occurs either people choosing that book can comment naming a new choice or if/when their name is drawn they can pick another book at that time. I hope that makes sense and won't upset anyone!

Issue 2:  I had forgotten to put any restrictions for international winners. I don't want to preclude them but the postage can certainly be prohibitive. :(

SOOO - how about a compromise.  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 your choice of gift card.

Now here are this week's books!

Put Your Dreams First - Handle your [entertainment] business HY[E]B by Thembisa Mshaka

Delivered by Christmas Anthology - Linda Howard, Joan Hohl andSandra Steffen

The Woman Next Door by Barbara Delinsky

Until Prove Guilty by J.A. Jance

One Night with a Prince by Sabrina Jeffries

Maverick Wild by Stacey Kane

Red Fire by Dierdre Knight

Cloud Nine by LuAnn Rice

The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe

One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon

Under the Mistletoe by Mary Balogh

The Bartered Bride by Mary Jo Putney

Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank

Payback by R.I. Kaiser

The Angels of Darkness by Caleb Carr

Dream in Color - How the Sanchez Sisters are Making History in Congress

Next week I'll start to add in some audio books!

Winner of Friday Pick 12-04-09!

Well - I have decided to have two winners each week for the month of December anyway!

Congratulations to Friday Pick 12-04-09 Winners:

who chose: Kissing Midnight by Emma Holly 

AND





who chose: The 11th Hour by Bradley Warshauer

I will e-mail the winners to send me their snail mail addresses! 

Enjoy your reading!!