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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

New Book Alert-Book Blast: The Witch of Napoli by Michael Schmicker + Giveaway

02_The Witch of Napoli Cover

The Witch of Napoli by Michael Schmicker
Paperback & e-Book, 342 pages
Published: January 15, 2015 by Palladino Books
ISBN: 0990949028
Genre: Historical Fantasy

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Book Blurb:

Italy 1899: Fiery-tempered, erotic medium Alessandra Poverelli levitates a table at a Spiritualist séance in Naples. A reporter photographs the miracle, and wealthy, skeptical, Jewish psychiatrist Camillo Lombardi arrives in Naples to investigate. When she materializes the ghost of his dead mother, he risks his reputation and fortune to finance a tour of the Continent, challenging the scientific and academic elite of Europe to test Alessandra’s mysterious powers. She will help him rewrite Science. His fee will help her escape her sadistic husband Pigotti and start a new life in Rome. Newspapers across Europe trumpet her Cinderella story and baffling successes, and the public demands to know – does the “Queen of Spirits” really have supernatural powers?

Nigel Huxley is convinced she’s simply another vulgar, Italian trickster. The icy, aristocratic detective for England’s Society for the Investigation of Mediums launches a plot to trap and expose her. The Vatican is quietly digging up her childhood secrets, desperate to discredit her supernatural powers; her abusive husband Pigotti is coming to kill her; and the tarot cards predict catastrophe.

Praised by Kirkus Reviews as an “enchanting and graceful narrative” that absorbs readers from the very first page, The Witch of Napoli masterfully resurrects the bitter 19th century battle between Science and religion over the possibility of an afterlife.

Praise for The Witch of Napoli:

“Impressive…an enchanting, graceful narrative that absorbs readers from the first page.” -Kirkus Reviews

Where to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | RJ Julia

About Michael Schmicker:

03_Michael Schmicker AuthorMichael Schmicker is an investigative journalist and nationally-known writer on the paranormal. He’s been a featured guest on national broadcast radio talk shows, including twice on Coast to Coast AM (560 stations in North America, with 3 million weekly listeners). He also shares his investigations through popular paranormal webcasts including Skeptiko, hosted by Alex Tsakiris; Speaking of Strange with Joshua Warren; the X-Zone, with Rob McConnell (Canada); and he even spent an hour chatting with spoon-bending celebrity Uri Geller on his program Parascience and Beyond (England). He is the co-author of The Gift, ESP: The Extraordinary Experiences of Ordinary People (St. Martin’s Press). The Witch of Napoli is his debut novel. Michael began his writing career as a crime reporter for a suburban Dow-Jones newspaper in Connecticut, and worked as a freelance reporter in Southeast Asia for three years. He has also worked as a stringer for Forbes magazine, and Op-Ed contributor to The Wall Street Journal Asia. His interest in investigating the paranormal began as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand where he first encountered a non-Western culture which readily accepts the reality of ghosts and spirits, reincarnation, psychics, mediums, divination,and other persistently reported phenomena unexplainable by current Science. He lives and writes in Honolulu, Hawaii, on a mountaintop overlooking Waikiki and Diamond Head.


Find Michael Schmicker: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway:

Please note that this is a tour wide giveaway and therefore it is not hosted by me.

To enter to win one of two copies of The Witch of Napoli simply enter the form below.

Rules:

  • Giveaway starts on April 20th at 12:01am EST and ends at 11:59pm EST on May 1st.
  • Giveaway is open to residents in the US, UK, AUS/NZ only and you must be 18 or older to enter.
  • Winners will be chosen via GLEAM and notified via email.
  • Winners have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
  • Please email Amy @ hfvirtualbooktours@gmail.com with any questions.

The Witch of Napoli Book Blast

 

Follow the Tour!!

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On Twitter: #TheWitchofNapoliBookBlast   #HistoricalFantasy   #Paranormal  

On HFVBT Tour Page

 

Copyright © 2015 by The Maiden’s Court

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

New Book Alert - Book Blast: A Dream Called Marilyn by Mercedes King & Giveaway

02_A Dream Called Marilyn Cover

A Dream Called Marilyn by Mercedes King
Paperback & eBook, 180 pages
Published: March 23, 2015 by Triumph Production
ISBN: 0692375155

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Book Blurb:

In the summer of 1962, nothing could prepare Dr. Charles Campbell for his first meeting with his new client, Marilyn Monroe. A reputable psychiatrist, he’s been hired by a studio executive to handle and subdue the star, no matter what it takes. Although he’s been warned about Ms. Monroe’s unpredictability, she’s not what he expected, and resisting her natural charms will test his fortitude.

In the days that follow, Charles’ world is turned upside-down. His marriage has been under pressure and is still fragile from one of his wife’s antics. Obsessed with reinvigorating her acting career, Helen Campbell often ignores her motherhood duties. Charles does as much as he can to hold the family together and to protect his young daughters, but the strain has reached a new intensity for all of them.

Charles’ sessions with Marilyn range from sensual to bizarre. She even threatens to go public with information that could ruin her career and destroy President Kennedy’s administration.

Desperate for advice, Charles enlists help from a former college pal, Bertrand Miller. A private detective, known for seedy practices, Miller isn’t new to Hollywood’s underside—or even to Marilyn’s secrets. He advises Charles to be careful, as it’s rumored that the mob will silence Marilyn to protect Kennedy.

But Charles makes the mistake of getting too personal with Marilyn. Although his intentions are well-meaning, those keeping an eye on Marilyn couldn’t care less, which makes Charles a target for the mob and the FBI. Saving Marilyn from her self-destructive ways and crossing doctor-patient boundaries, might also cost Charles Campbell his life.

Excerpt of A Dream Called Marilyn:

Dr. Charles Campbell tightened the knot in his tie, knowing that today was the biggest day of his career. Maybe even his life. He promised himself–no, swore to himself–that he wouldn’t let his infatuation get the best of him, that he would hold it together when he met her for the very first time, right there in his office.

He’d cleared away the dust, made sure his diplomas hung T-square straight, and he’d washed his hands. Repeatedly. He’d made sure his gray suit and navy blue tie were pressed to perfection. Like most red-blooded, breathing males he’d taken a beating from inside his chest whenever he saw her on the screen. She had that way about her, being able to stir a man’s desires and make you fall in love with her effortlessly. With that teasing smile and that vulnerable naivety she exuded, she could make any man melt, abandon any morals he held. And her curves. Well, Charles couldn’t think on that. Not today.

He’d treat her the way every psychiatrist was expected to treat a patient. Charles promised himself he wouldn’t flinch or become a caricature of himself when he touched her hand. There would be no unbuttoning of his collar or adjusting the air conditioning unit. And his eyes would not wander. That was his resolve.

He dabbed the beads of perspiration from his forehead. Theirs would be a business relationship, he reminded himself. According to the studio contact, the man who’d arranged today’s meeting, this was a woman in desperate need of his professional services. They would establish a doctor-patient association. Yes, simple as that. Charles would uphold the fine reputation he’d built in Los Angeles and tend to her like he would any female client.

Why, he’d treated a number of actors and actresses, from those struggling with sexual identity issues to depressive diseases. Those famous for their cowboy roles, those noted for their singing and dancing. Even those known for the flip of their hair or their on-set tantrums.

But who was he kidding? There was no one like her. Would she notice his resemblance to Rod Taylor? Remark that his hair was lighter, but that the similarities were uncanny. Perhaps his only hope was that she¾

A knock sounded, interrupting his rambling thoughts.

Charles opened the door to his office.

And there she was.

“Miss Monroe.” He stepped aside, held out his hand to welcome her in. “Please.”

Her eyes flashed that shy but friendly grin he’d seen in her movie characters as she entered, a crème-colored shawl hugging her bare shoulders. Interesting, Charles thought, for a sultry June afternoon.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Monroe.” Charles offered his hand.

Marilyn stole a surmising glance of the room, which served as the outer room and waiting area for Charles’ practice. How he wished he’d spruced up the walls. She shook his hand, almost as if the gesture were new to her. Her pink linen dress reminded him of her outfit from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes when she sang, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”. This dress was shorter, sleeveless but with a high neckline, and sans gloves and diamonds.

“Thank you for seeing me, Dr….?”

Charlie reddened. “Dr. Campbell.” Hadn’t the studio contact mentioned his name to her? And as the man from the studio crossed his mind, he found it curious Marilyn had come alone; he’d expected her to be escorted, handed off almost. “May I get you anything? A glass of water perhaps?”

“No, thank you.” She smiled, sweetly yet cautiously. Charles couldn’t blame her. Here was a woman who’d been raised in turmoil, endured multiple heartbreaks and divorce, professional difficulties, much of it in the public eye. All while being rotated through various doctors.

“Would you like to sit here or in my office?”

“Wherever you’d like me.”

The lump that jumped into his throat almost knocked him unconscious.

“There is a couch in here.” He said it as his hand slid the door open to his inner office. “Well, I only mean that it’s probably more comfortable….”

He was certain he sounded lustful, perverted. Minutes into his first session and he was blowing it! Did he have any hope left of instilling confidence in her, in gaining her trust?

To his surprise she laughed. An unexpected, breathy release that made his own breathing pause. She sashayed into Charles’ inner office and seated herself on the burnt-orange couch–how he wished he’d bought a new one!–tucked her legs up beside her and leaned onto the arm.

Instinct struck Charles; he nudged his tie loose, undid the top button of his collar.

He reached for the pad of notepaper and pen on his desk, desperately hoping she hadn’t noticed his acute failure to behave better than an ordinary man.

“I know why I’m here.” She spoke with a sudden perkiness that caught Charles off guard. Many of his clients had battled resentment, denial while sitting on that couch.

“Oh?” He sat in a tufted vinyl chair across from her.

“Yes.” Her eyes were wide. Trusting. “You see, I’m dangerous.”

“To yourself?”

“Not exactly.” Her smile returned. “I know it will be hard for you to understand, and I’m not sure how much I should tell you, for your own good.”

It was too early for Charles to gauge how serious Marilyn was. Their initial encounter was still warm and clutter plagued his mind. He had to shove aside the characters she’d played, the magazine articles he’d read about her, and momentarily ignore disparaging details he’d read about her in the file from the studio contact. Charles had to figure out who Marilyn really was.

Where to Buy: Amazon

About Mercedes King:

03_Mercedes King AuthorA founding member of Sisters in Crime Columbus, Ohio (affectionately dubbed SiCCO), Mercedes King can be found elbow-deep in research, reading, or enjoying the local bike path. Combining her love of pop culture with history, she created A Dream Called Marilyn, a novella focusing on the last weeks of Marilyn’s life.

O! Jackie is a fictional take on Jackie Kennedy’s private life–and how she dealt with JFK’s affairs. Unable to quench that thirst for Kennedys, Mercedes wrote The Kennedy Chronicles, a series of short stories featuring Jackie and Jack before the White House and before they were married.

Plantation Nation follows Emma Cartwright, a 16 year old Southern girl who disguises herself as a young man and fights for the Union Army.

Find Mercedes King: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway!!

Please note that this is a tour wide giveaway and therefore it is not hosted by me.

To enter to win a copy of A Dream Called Marilyn (5 copies are up for grabs) or a $50 Amazon Gift Card please see the Gleam giveaway below.

  • Giveaway starts on April 20th at 12:01am EST and ends at 11:59pm EST on May 1st.
  • Giveaway is open to residents in the US only and you must be 18 or older to enter.
  • Winners will be chosen via GLEAM and notified via email.
  • Winners have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
  • Please email Amy @ hfvirtualbooktours@gmail.com with any questions.

A Dream Called Marilyn Book Blast Giveaway

 

Follow the Tour!

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On Twitter: #ADreamCalledMarilynBookBlast   #MarilynMonroe   #HistFic

On HFVBT Tour Page

 

 

Copyright © 2015 by The Maiden’s Court

Monday, April 20, 2015

Interview with Amalia Carosella & Giveaway

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Amalia Carosella to The Maiden's Court as a stop on her blog tour.  I have a lovely interview with her to post today to help you get to know her better as well as her book, Helen of Sparta.  Stay tuned at the bottom of this post for a tour-wide giveaway.  Welcome Amalia!

02_Helen of Sparta Cover

Heather: Everyone knows of Helen of Troy – why choose to write of her days in Sparta?

Amalia Carosella: Everyone does know Helen of Troy. Fewer people know who she was before she became infamous as Helen of Troy. I wanted her to have a chance to define herself and forge her own identity, separate from Paris and Troy, and not only that, but also to tell a story that not everyone already knew. Her abduction by Theseus is so often overlooked, but it’s these small footnotes in myth that I love to explore!

H: I can honestly say that I am one of those that falls into the category of not knowing of her abduction of Theseus!

H: In writing this novel, what inspiration/sources did you work from?  How much history/mythology is there about this pre-Troy time period to build off of?

AC: There’s a perfect amount of history for writing, in my opinion! Most of what we know about the political and cultural elements of Bronze Age Greece comes from the Linear B tablets found at a few Mycenaean sites, and the general archaeological record. We know there were incredibly large palaces, and that society was highly organized in regard to trade and production of goods (both because the tablets reveal careful inventories and because we find evidence of widespread trade of goods in the region). We have a pretty good idea of what foods they were eating as staples and what livestock they husbanded.  We even know which “nation” had the best medicine and maybe more interestingly, we know that they  knew where to send for the best physicians! Basically, we have a lot of broad strokes, which provide a really fantastic foundation, without getting in the way of a good story, if that makes sense.

As far as the mythology goes, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are the most significant and the earliest narrative sources. They were written probably 400-500 years after the fact, but we know from the language and the technology  described in the epics that their oral roots stretch back into the bronze age. There are also several familiar gods and goddesses referenced in the Linear B tablets – Poseidon Earth-Shaker, Zeus, and Hera, to name a few. I drew from Homer, Hesiod, Euripides, Pseudo-Apollodorus, Plutarch, and Ovid, among others, in order to piece together a coherent narrative of Helen’s early life and Theseus’s later years. A lot of the earliest sources for the epic cycle surrounding the Trojan War have sadly been lost, so we have to rely on the later sources (who quote them or summarize them) to fill in some of the background!

H: Helen is depicted in various ways in mythology – as a wayward woman driven by her desires; a sorrowful and regretful woman; a treacherous and devious woman.  What is your version of Helen like?

AC: My Helen is still young. She’s only just reached marriageable age, and is still struggling to figure out what it means to be a daughter of Zeus and face the blessing/curse of her beauty. She knows what’s coming – this terrible war, fought over her – and she’s desperate to find a way to subvert it. She wants to have some control of her life and her fate, rather than just remaining the pawn of her father/family or the gods.

H: This is not your first novel, or mythology based novel for that matter.  What is different about this novel from those that you have written previously under the name Amalia Dillin? 

AC: Helen of Sparta is very firmly grounded in the historical Bronze Age, and so is her story. My Fate of the Gods books are more focused on the gods as characters – Thor, and Adam, and Eve are all working beyond the perception of the everyday person – while Helen’s story is much more human. She’s working within the world, rather than acting as a puppet-master outside of it. My Fate of the Gods books also hopscotch through thousands of years from the mythical Creation to the future, rather than exploring just one time in history – so there are some pretty big differences which mark my Amalia Dillin works as Fantasy, and my Amalia Carosella title(s) as Historical!

H: I have read that Helen of Sparta is designed to stand alone, but that there is also more story to tell.  Are you working on a continuation or sequel?  Are you working on something else?

AC: Helen of Sparta encapsulates a small piece of Helen’s mythology – particularly, the lesser known myth of her abduction by Theseus, the king of Athens and the son of Poseidon – in that respect, it’s complete within itself as an exploration of that myth. However, it certainly does not encompass all of Helen’s journey through the whole of her mythology, leaving a lot more of her life to retell! I’m currently working on writing another book, continuing her story, and I’d love to share more of not just her story, but also the stories of the other heroes and heroines who surround and weave through her mythology, and Theseus’s!

03_Amalia Carosella Author

Amalia Carosella graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelors degree in Classical Studies and English. An avid reader and former bookseller, she writes about old heroes and older gods. She lives with her husband in upstate New York and dreams of the day she will own goats (and maybe even a horse, too).  She also writes fantasy and paranormal romance as Amalia Dillin.

Find Amalia Carosella: Website | Facebook | Twitter: Amalia Carosella | Twitter: Amalia Dillin | Goodreads

02_Helen of Sparta Cover

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Book Blurb:

Long before she ran away with Paris to Troy, Helen of Sparta was haunted by nightmares of a burning city under siege. These dreams foretold impending war—a war that only Helen has the power to avert. To do so, she must defy her family and betray her betrothed by fleeing the palace in the dead of night. In need of protection, she finds shelter and comfort in the arms of Theseus, son of Poseidon. With Theseus at her side, she believes she can escape her destiny. But at every turn, new dangers—violence, betrayal, extortion, threat of war—thwart Helen’s plans and bar her path. Still, she refuses to bend to the will of the gods.

A new take on an ancient myth, Helen of Sparta is the story of one woman determined to decide her own fate.

Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | RJ Julia


Follow the Tour!!!

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On Twitter: #HelenofSpartaBlogTour    #HistoricalFiction

On HFVBT Tour Page

Tour-Wide Giveaway

I am happy to share with you this tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $40 Amazon Gift Card!  Please note, as this giveaway is tour-wide, I am not in control of anything to do with this giveaway.

  • Giveaway starts on April 1st at 12:01am EST and ends at 11:59pm EST on April 22nd.
  • Giveaway is open to residents in the US only and you must be 18 or older to enter.
  • Winners will be chosen via GLEAM on April 23rd and notified via email.
  • Winners have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
  • Please email Amy @ hfvirtualbooktours@gmail.com with any questions.

Entries are made through the GLEAM application below.  Good luck!

Helen of Sparta

 

Copyright © 2015 by The Maiden’s Court

Friday, April 17, 2015

Book Review: Inspector of the Dead by David Morrell

inspector of the dead

Inspector of the Dead by David Morrell
Book 2 in the Thomas de Quincey series
ARC, 352 pages
Mulholland Books
March 24, 2015
★★★★ ½☆

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Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller

Source: Received from publisher as part of HFVBT tour

The year is 1855. The Crimean War is raging. The incompetence of British commanders causes the fall of the English government. The Empire teeters.

Amid this crisis comes opium-eater Thomas De Quincey, one of the most notorious and brilliant personalities of Victorian England. Along with his irrepressible daughter, Emily, and their Scotland Yard companions, Ryan and Becker, De Quincey finds himself confronted by an adversary who threatens the heart of the nation.

This killer targets members of the upper echelons of British society, leaving with each corpse the name of someone who previously attempted to kill Queen Victoria. The evidence indicates that the ultimate victim will be Victoria herself. As De Quincey and Emily race to protect the queen, they uncover long-buried secrets and the heartbreaking past of a man whose lust for revenge has destroyed his soul.

Brilliantly merging historical fact with fiction, Inspector of the Dead is based on actual attempts to assassinate Queen Victoria.

When I started this book, I honestly couldn’t remember what had happened during Murder as a Fine Art – so I had no idea what to expect from reading this one. The only thing I remembered what that I had really enjoyed the previous book. And guess what, I really enjoyed this one too! I absolutely inhaled this one.

Thomas de Quincey, his daughter, Emily, and Scotland Yard men Ryan and Becker are all back and up to their necks in another murder mystery that is somehow surrounding Queen Victoria. The relationships and connections between these characters builds on the first book in a very natural manner. These are characters that I easily fell in love with during Murder as a Fine Art and just grew more dear. Again we travel from those seedy locales to the palace of the Queen and everywhere in between as Victorian London comes to vivid life in the pages of this book. Morrell is one of the best writers I have found to express the Victorian world in a way that is palpable to readers.

When looking back at my review of Murder as a Fine Art, one of the things that I found interesting was how my perception had changed over the style of the book. While reading the first book, I found that I did not really appreciate the shifting perspectives as well as the shift between narration and the journaling of Emily de Quincey. While reading Inspector of the Dead, I did like how these different sections were utilized to move the plot forward. I’m not sure if it is just that I was more used to the style after having read the first book or if the nature of the story being told just fit better with the style.

I never saw the resolution of this mystery coming – I actually was misled in another direction – which is a great mark of a mystery novel where they can tend to be very formulaic. I can’t wait to see what Morrell has up his sleeve for another book in this series as he finds these little nuggets of history to spin his mystery/thriller.

If you would like to preview the story before reading it, why not try out this excerpt of the book? On Morrell’s website he has some great photoessays on the locations featured in the book – check them out (about halfway down the page)!

Reviews of this book by other bloggers:

Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | RJ Julia

 

Also by David Morrell:

David Morrell has written many contemporary set thrillers, of those, his historical thrillers are as follows:

murder as a fine art

Murder as a Fine Art (Thomas de Quincey book 1)
[My Review]

the opium eater

The Opium Eater (Thomas de Quincey short story)

Find David Morrell: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+


Follow the Tour!

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On Twitter: #InspectoroftheDeadBlogTour    #HistoricalMystery

HFVBT Tour Page

 

 

Copyright © 2015 by The Maiden’s Court

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Book Review: The Evergreen Bride by Pam Hillman

the evergreen bride

The Evergreen Bride by Pam Hillman
Book 3 in the 12 Brides of Christmas series
Kindle e-book, 50 pages
Shiloh Run Studios
October 20, 2014
★★★★☆

Genre: Christmas, Historical Romance, Christian Fiction, Short Story/Novella

Source: Purchased from Amazon for Kindle

Mississippian Annabelle Denson dreams of visiting cousins in Illinois and seeing a white Christmas. In the face of her excitement, Samuel Frazier hides his growing affection for her behind a quiet smile and a carpenter’s lathe. Samuel starts to worry that if she goes, Annabelle won’t return. Can he convince her to stay?

A little delayed and unseasonal review – but I didn’t want to wait until next winter to post the review of this book I read last Christmas.

The Evergreen Bride is an excellent inclusion in the 12 Brides of Christmas series! One of my favorites. It is such a sweet story. All Annabelle wants is to have white Christmas and come the end, she certainly gets one! Samuel is in love with Annabelle, but isn’t sure if she reciprocates, however he is willing to let her go to Illinois so she can have what she wants most. Annabelle and Simon are two people dancing around the idea of being interested in one another but not being willing to reveal too much about themselves. I loved the motivations behind these characters.

I really liked how the title was well integrated into the story. Samuel and his partner, Jack, Annabelle’s brother, run their own sawmill. The sawmill figures into the story as a frequent setting. I’ll let you figure out how the titular bride figures into things ;) There is nothing surprising here or twists and turns, but it is a straightforward light romance.

Such an innocent story that comes together well at the end.

I hear rumor that there will be a sequel coming potentially titled The Lumberjack Bride.

Reviews of this book by other bloggers:

 

Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Also by Pam Hillman:

claiming mariah

Claiming Mariah

homestead brides

The Homestead Brides Collection

oregon trail romance

The Oregon Trail Romance Collection

stealing jake

Stealing Jake

Find Pam Hillman: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest


12 brides

You're invited to a Christmas wedding...that is twelve of them!  Discover the joy of an old-fashioned Christmas romance with these twelve heart-warming stories.

Also in the 12 Brides of Christmas series

the advent bride

The Advent Bride by Mary Connealy (Book 1)
[My Review]

nutcracker bride

The Nutcracker Bride by Margaret Brownley (Book 2)
[My Review]

The gift wrapped bride

The Gift-Wrapped Bride by Maureen Lang (Book 4)

the yuletide bride

The Yuletide Bride by Michelle Ule (Book 5)

the gingerbread bride

The Gingerbread Bride by Amy Lillard (Book 6)

the nativity bride

The Nativity Bride by Miralee Ferrell (Book 7)

the christmas tree bride

The Christmas Tree Bride by Susan Page Davis (Book 8)

the festive bride

The Festive Bride by Diana Lesire Beandmeyer (Book 9)

the christmas star bride

The Christmas Star Bride by Amanda Cabot (Book 10)

the snowbound bride

The Snowbound Bride by Davalynn Spencer (Book 11)

fruitcake bride

The Fruitcake Bride by Vickie McDonough (Book 12)

Find 12 Brides: Website | Facebook

 

Copyright © 2015 by The Maiden’s Court

Monday, April 13, 2015

Mailbox Monday #187

MM

I'm almost starting to think that I should make these a monthly event since that is how often I appear to be posting these!  Here is what I have acquired over the last couple of weeks.

17 carnationsamong the fair magnoliasarthurbeneath the heart of the seacleofiery crossgalagher's prideGallagher's Choicegallagher's hopegolden appleher irish surrenderpendragonpope joanqueen of the wavesrebel queenthe black roodthe oregon trailthe tapestryvoyagerwritteninmyownheartsbloodyoung jane austen

Received for Review:

  • Young Jane Austen: Becoming a Writer by Lisa Pliscou (received from author) - just a lovely little book and so different.  Review coming soon as I already inhaled this book.  I'm not a huge Jane Austen fan by I enjoyed this on.  I agreed to review it because I was interested in the format and structure of the book.
  • The Tapestry by Nancy Bilyeau (received from the publisher) - looks like I have a marathon coming up of Bilyeau's books because I have them all to review.
  • The Oregon Trail: An American Journey by Rinker Buck (requested via Netgalley) - I have always been interested by all things Oregon Trail and this one is the author's trek across the trail.
  • The Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran (received from author) - Michelle Moran, need I say more!
  • Gallagher's Pride by M.K. McClintock (audio download from author) - I had read the Christmas short story collection last Christmas and loved the author's storytelling style of a western historical fiction romance.  Great audio production - another series of books I inhaled!
  • Gallagher's Hope by M.K. McClintock (audio download from author) - see above
  • Gallaher's Choice by M.K. McClintock (audio download from author) - see above
  • Cleo by Lucy Coats (requested via Netgalley) - love everything Cleopatra and this is a YA take on her life.  The only one I have read as a YA on her before was Royal Diaries series book.
  • Beneath the Heart of the Sea by Owen Chase (requested via Negalley) - I am going to pair this one with Nathaniel Philbrick's The Heart of the Sea.
  • Among the Fair Magnolias by Tamera Alexander, Shelley Gray, Dorothy Love, & Elizabeth Musser (requested via Netgalley) - I am loving anthology/compilations lately and especially those set in the South.
  • Purchases:

  • Arthur by Stephen Lawhead (Kindle purchase) - I have been working on building by Lawhead collection for awhile.
  • Pendragon by Stephen Lawhead (Kindle purchase) - see above
  • The Black Rood by Stephen Lawhead (Kindle purchase) - see above
  • The Golden Apple by Michelle Diener (Kindle purchase) - I have enjoyed the few Diener books I have read and have started collecting her works.
  • Her Irish Surrender by Kit Morgan (Kindle purchase) - I have been picking up the books in the Holiday Mail Order Brides series throughout the year and this one was on sale during St. Patrick's Day.
  • Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross (Kindle purchase) - I have heard so many good things about this book, I jumped on it when there was a sale.
  • Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson (Kindle purchase) - Titanic set - so of course I grabbed it.
  • The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (Audible purchase) - Diana Gabaldon, need I say more!
  • Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (Audible purchase) - see above
  • Written in My Own Hearts Blood by Diana Gabaldon (Audible purchase) - see above
  • Giveaway Wins:

    • 17 Carnations by Andrew Morton - Won from Goodreads First Reads - scandal, royalty, WWII!

     

    And that about wraps it for me!  What did you receive this past week?

     

    Copyright © 2015 by The Maiden’s Court