In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. To see this weeks list of participants go here.
I had a great mailbox week - here's what I received so be on the lookout for reviews in the next few months for these great books! Thanks to the great authors, publishers and publicists who sent me these books.
Welcome to week eight of my feature where I preview what I will be reviewing this week and also where you get a chance to enter to win one of the books I am reading this week plus two books from my giveaway page. All you have to do to enter is leave your name and email in the Rafflecopter below. All other entries are optional. Open to US/Canada only, ends 12/3. NOTE: Dark Star, A Love by Any Measure and Hunted are not available to be won as I am reviewing ebook copies of the books.
First up last week's winner is:
Anita Yancey
I will be contacting Anita, but I need to do a little work to my giveaway page to make sure it is up-to-date, so if you see this Anita, email me at crystalfulcher(at)ec.rr.com. Go back to this post to see what your choices are, or give me a day or two to update the giveaway page. You will have first dibs on the giveaway page over my other giveaways since this one ended first.
Monday:
Hospice Tails by Debra L. Stang (WOW Tours) - join me for a guest blog and a review
Funny, sad, and irreverent, Hospice Tails shares the stories of pets who traveled to the door of death with their humans. Meet King, an abused pit bull fiercely loyal to his rescuer, Jasper and Jackie, Amazon parrots who sang their person to his final sleep, Washington, a golden retriever who became the only connection to the world for an Alzheimer's patient, and ten other animals who accompanied their beloved people on the hospice journey.
Tuesday:
Remembering You by Tricia Goyer (Litfuse Tour)
Television producer Ava Ellington cannot refuse her grandfather's last wish--that she accompany him to Europe on a tour of World War II battle sites. Ava has little interest in historical battles, but this may be her last chance to break down the barriers that have grown up between them, and she sets off, camera in hand, ready to record and report on their journey. She and Grandpa Jack are greeted in Paris by Paul, her grandpa's best friend, and his grandson Dennis. The Dennis who just happens to be Ava's first love. History comes alive as the group travels across Europe--from the romantic sights of Paris to the bleak battlefields of Belgium to the Austrian labor camp these men liberated so many years before--and Ava sees a side of her grandfather she's never known before. As he shares his memories of those bitter days on the battlefield, she begins to understand how his experiences in the war made him the man he is today. Throughout the journey, Ava and Dennis are drawn together in ways neither of them expected. Can their memories of the past lead to a bright new future?
Dark Star by Creston Mapes (Rock Star Chronicles #1) (Media Guests Tour)
Can Fame, Wealth, and Power Buy Happiness?
Everett Lester and his band, DeathStroke, ride the crest of a wave to superstardom. But the deeper they become immersed in fame, wealth, and power, the more likely they are to be swallowed alive by the drugs, alcohol, and discontentment that have become their only friends. Everett is headed down a perilous road of no apparent return when he’s charged with the murder of his personal psychic. The only hope he can cling to comes from Topeka , Kansas , and the letters written by a prayerful young lady who lives there. Consistent and persistent, the notes cut straight to Everett ’s empty heart, offering a fulfillment he’s never grasped before. But what if he’s found guilty of murder? Will he recognize the spiritual battle that’s raging for his soul?
Wednesday:
A Love By Any Measure by Killian McRae (Publisher Tour, Tulipe Noire Press)
An Irish lass. An English lord. A love that overcomes all boundaries.
August Grayson has secretly dreamt of the girl living on his family’s Irish estate since childhoods spent together in Killarney. Now a proper Lord of the British Empire, he knows that Maeve could never be more than just a distant fantasy. Still, if only... Maeve O’Connor owns nothing in this world but her good name, which proves just enough to win a proposal for a marriage of convenience to a good, Irish lad. Until the wedding, however, she’s in dire straits. Rent on the cottage she and her father share is due, but there simply isn’t the money to pay. Driven to desperation, Maeve hopes Lord Grayson, her childhood-chum-turned-dashing-English-rogue, will prove lenient when she comes seeking clemency. The temptation presented proves too much, and August offers Maeve a compromise: should she permit him twice as long on each succeeding visit to do whatever he wishes in pursuit of his pleasure, he will consider her rent paid. Starting with a mere five seconds, pulses soon out race the ticking clock, as August’s desires become Maeve’s own. Passion blinds them to the challenges closing in on both the Irish and English fronts, threatening to destroy the love they’ve discovered. Working to bridge that which divides them, tempting fate with each stolen kiss, and torn between desire and obligation, Maeve and August must strive to overcome all and find a love by any measure...
Thursday:
The Christmas Village by Melissa Ann Goodwin (WOW Tours - Guest Blog & Review) When 12-year-old Jamie Reynolds comes to his grandparents' Vermont home for Christmas, he just wants things to go back to the way they were before his dad disappeared. Time and again he is drawn to Grandma's miniature Christmas Village, where he imagines that life is perfect. Late one night, the village comes to life before his eyes, and his fantasy of escaping into it becomes very real indeed. Jamie discovers that the village is called Canterbury, where the year is 1932. He becomes fast friends with Kelly and Christopher Pennysworth, and is taken in by Ida, who runs the local boarding house. But he also makes a dangerous enemy of the mysterious and menacing Jim Gordon, whose return to town is nothing but trouble.
As Jamie desperately races against time to find his way back home, he is suddenly faced with a terrifying choice: to go ahead with his plan to leave, or to stay and help his friends, at the risk of never going home again.
Friday:
Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield(Author tour)
Caitlyn, a telepath, lives in a world where all paranormal talents are illegal. She is on the run from government ParaTroopers. When Caitlyn falls for Alex, a Normal, and discovers dangerous renegade Paranormals, she must choose between staying in hiding to protect herself or taking a stand to save the world.
Saturday:
Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep (Mythos Academy #2)
Logan Quinn was trying to kill me. My Spartan classmate relentlessly pursued me, swinging his sword at me over and over again, the shining silver blade inching closer to my throat every time. A smile tugged up his lips, and his ice-blue eyes practically glowed with the thrill of battle... I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Academy, and I have no idea how I’m going to survive the rest of the semester. One day, I’m getting schooled in swordplay by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gorgeous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invisible archer in the Library of Antiquities decides to use me for target practice. And now, I find out that someone at the academy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword..
Ah yes, Thanksgiving. Nothing says the holidays like sitting around a fully decked out dining room table with mouthwatering temptations waiting to be gobbled up. Everyone waits anxiously for the big reveal… the turkey!
Lovingly prepared since early that morning, the turkey is brought out in a covered, silver serving platter. Aunt Edith smacks little Tommy's hand as he attempts to steal a candied yam dripping with marshmallow. The collective breath is held as the silver cover is removed… revealing… a zombie turkey!
What-what? That's right folks, this year, we are celebrating this American holiday paranormal style. And what says paranormal holiday better than a walking, talking zombie turkey?
This zombie turkey brings you important tidings of great prizes that shall be for all people… who participate and win of course.
November 25-27 you could win up to $200 in prizes!
Three days. Four YA paranormal books. Five chances to win!
And who are these crazy paranormal authors? Check them out. It's like the Nightmare Before Christmas, Thanksgiving style!
Emlyn Chand, author of Farsighted
"Psychic or not, you'll never see the end for this one coming! Emlyn Chand is pioneering 'the next big thing' for YA." ~ Emily Reese, author of Second Death
Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still "see" things others can't. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.
Monster Mash: Emlyn says… I. AM. WEREWOLF! And why's that you ask? First off, my name (Chand) literally means moon in Sanskrit. Next, werewolves are super cool--we can blend in with common folk, and then out of nowhere, kapow! I'm a werewolf, and I sure am hungry. Lastly, Team Jacob 100%. Now excuse me while I cock back my head and howl at my namesake.
Patti Larsen, author of Family Magic"Patti Larsen is truly gifted because I read Family Magic cover to cover and I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment!" ~ from Goodreads review
Sixteen-year-old Sydlynn Hayle is the daughter of a powerful witch and a demon lord, but she just wants to be ordinary. When her coven comes under attack, Syd must face the fact only her power can save her family's magic.
Monster Mash: Patti says… I am a witch. Naturally. I weave spells with my words, cast incantations from my keyboard, mix up the very best potions in my cauldron of documents. You want to stay on my good side. Trust me. Unless you enjoy waking up as something... unnatural.
Kimberly Kinrade, author of Forbidden Mind
"Forbidden Mind is a thrilling, dark and deeply romantic read that had me sitting on the edge of my seat and eagerly awaiting the next installment." ~Refracted Light Young Adult Book Reviews
Paranormal teens with unimaginable powers. An evil organization with deep secrets. When Sam, a girl who reads minds, meets a boy who controls minds, she discovers her future isn't what she thought. Together they must escape and free the others… or risk losing everything-and everyone-they love.
Monster Mash: Kimberly says… I may look like a demon, but I'm actually a succubus. Enchanting and seductive, I weave stories that will fuel your passions and make you fall in love. But be warned… once you fall under the spell of my words, your world will never be the same.
John Corwin, author of The Next Thing I Knew
Corwin does a phenomenal job of including humor throughout this novel. This book was like . . . Ghost (the movie) meets The Host (by Stephanie Meyer) meets MIB (Men In Black the movie). ~Maryann, Chapter by Chapter
The afterlife is the last thing on Lucy's mind until she and every other human on the planet drop dead and find themselves in the hereafter. Lucy drags her social life back from the grave and enlists her friends to figure out the rules of the afterlife and, more importantly, to discover who or what killed everyone and why anyone would do such a mean thing.
Monster Mash: John says… I am a ninja. After all, vampires are simply ninjas with fangs. They can hide in plain sight, right in your living room. Jump out and scare the wits out of you. Drop a smoke bomb and poof! All you're left with is stinky smoke in your house and soiled underclothes.
The Prizes
Four $25 Book Entries: For each of the four books in the contest, you can enter to win $25 (up to $100 in giveaways!) Simply buy a copy of the book (each is priced at just 99 cents for this special promotion) and email the proof of purchase for that book OR submit the first sentence of the fifth chapter for that book to ParanormalTurkey@gmail.com. Winners will be chosen randomly. Each person can submit one entry per book. Here are the links for each book:
And... if you buy all FOUR books, you are entered to win the Grand Prize!
The Grand Prize
One randomly selected reader who enters to win all four book prizes (Family Magic, Farsighted, Forbidden Mind and The Next Thing I Knew) will win the grand prize of $100.
So go on now and pick up a copy of these fantastic paranormal reads before the zombie turkey eats you!
What? Still around? Then enjoy these fun book trailers and Paranormal Turkey Tour trailer. (Then go buy the books.) Also, leave a comment and help your favorite blog host win a $50 prize!
Notes:
All winners will be chosen randomly using random.org.
Amazon links are provided, but books purchased through any online vendor will qualify with proof of purchase.
As Black Friday is drawing to a close I hope all of you who partook of the sales and shopping had great luck and lots of fun. I stayed at home and read and enjoyed time with my youngest son.
So here is the winner of the marvelous Black Sun's Daughter series, including Book #4 which comes out next Tuesday 11/29, Killing Rites by M.L.N. Hanover. So take a look at these magnifcent book covers once again and then check and see if you are the winner. The winner will also be emailed and has 72 hours to contact me to claim their prize (a little longer than normal due to the holiday weekend)
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My Review: I love Marian, she is such a fun character. She's not afraid of much and she says what comes to mind and it makes her a delight to read, she is definitely not a shrinking wall flower of a girl. And in addition, the entire Wynswich family is a delight as well, even the stuffier members of the family turn out to be quite fun and likable.
I haven't read Regency romance in awhile and I forgot what I was missing in the really good ones, and Marian's Christmas Wish is one of the ones that really stands out. It has wonderful characters, starting with Marian and her witty comebacks and schemes. Her brother Alistair is a trouble-maker as well and rather amusing. Percy and Ariadne are the more proper ones in the family, but they are still interesting characters in their own right. Of course, the earl, Lord Ingraham is a fascinating character as well. Not much is known about him in the beginning, but I liked him from the start from the way he interacts and helps Marian get out of tough spots. He continues to shine through the rest of the book as well.
The plot is great as well. The wonderful thing about historical romance is even though this was previously released back in 1989, it reads perfectly today. So those of us that missed this gem in 1989 get a chance to read it now and it does not seem dated in the least. There are several things going on in the plot that keep it moving and keep it interesting and of course there is the romance of Marian and Lord Ingraham front and center even though it comes about slowly through the whole book. The plot never lost my attention and I enjoyed every minute of my reading.
With witty dialog, amusing situations, great romance and just all-around good fun, Marian's Christmas Wish is a stellar book to me. Marian is a delightful character who endeared herself to me and Gil is the perfect match for her. I also loved Marian's family and just thought every part of this book was well-done and interesting to me the reader. I am thankful that it was re-released because it was a phenomenal book to get a chance to read.
My Rating: 5.0/5.0
About the Book: Miss Marian Wynswich is a rather unconventional young lady. She plays chess, reads Greek, and is as educated as any young man. And she's certain falling in love is a ridiculous endeavor and vows never to do such a thing. But everything changes when she receives a Christmas visit from someone unexpected--- a young and handsome English lord.
About the Author:
A newcomer to Cedar Fort, Inc., Carla Kelly is a veteran of the New york and international publishing world. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas for Donald I. Fine Co., Signet, and Harlequin, Carla is the recipient of two rita Awards (think oscars for romance writing) from romance Writers of America and two Spur Awards (think oscars for western fiction) from Western Writers of America.
Recently, she's been writing regency romances (think Pride and Prejudice) set in the royal Navy's Channel Fleet during the Napoleonic Wars between england and France. She comes by her love of the ocean from her childhood as a Navy brat.
Carla's history background makes her no stranger to footnote work, either. During her National Park Service days at the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, Carla edited Friedrich Kurz's fur trade journal. She recently completed a short history of Fort Buford, where Sitting Bull surrendered in 1881. Following the "dumb luck" principle that has guided their lives, the Kellys recently moved to Wellington, Utah, from North Dakota and couldn't be happier in their new location. In her spare time, Carla volunteers at the railroad and Mining Museum in Helper, Utah. She likes to visit her five children, who live here and there around the United States. Her favorite place in Utah is Manti, located after a drive on the scenic byway through Huntington Canyon.
And why is she so happy these days? Carla looks forward to writing for an LDS audience now, where she feels most at home.
Purchase from B&N.com, Alibris.com or The Book Depository and help My Reading Room earn money to continue to fund giveaways.
FTC Information: I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.
I have retail links on the site that do net me a percentage profit, but all profit goes back into the blog for mailing giveaways and for hosting more of my own giveaways. So please consider buying through one of my links if you were planning on buying from B&N or The Book Depository anyway, it will help defray the costs of the giveaways so I can continue to pass on books to you.
The end of the year is creeping up, and it’s time to clear some space on the bookshelves. What better time to give away books than the holidays? Instead of running out to the stores on Black Friday, stay in and win new or new-to-you books. The hosts for this hop are Heather from Book Savvy Babe, Jenn from The Bawdy Book Blog, and Lisa from Alive on the Shelves. The dates: 12:01 AM Friday November 25 through 11:59 PM November 27.
I'm definitely staying in and I plan on enjoying my day reading and adding to my giveaway page so you can have more to choose from. My giveaway is open to US/Canada only due to shipping costs and is for any 4 books from my giveaway page (and I will be adding more books over the weekend as I clear off my shelves). All you have to do to enter is fill in your name and email in the Rafflecopter below, any other entries are optional. Enjoy your day and make sure you check out all the other great giveaways as well!
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