Book Giveaway / The Pearls of the Stone Man

Author: Edward Mooney Jr.

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (March 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402238312

Book Description:

If you've ever loved someone to the depth of your being, someone who for one reason or other needed to move on, you know the power of a parting wish. The story of Joseph and Anne, his wife of fifty-three years, is the story of just such a wish-one that only true love could try to achieve. And for Joseph the strength to build the stone wall-a special reminder from Anne's childhood-will take him places he never expected and that you will never forget.

The Pearls of the Stone Man takes us beyond generations and our own stone walls to the very humanity that unites us all-and shows us the incredible power of one couple's love to last beyond parting and forever change the lives of those they touched.

Giveaway Details:

Sourcebooks has given me the opportunity to give away 3 copies of "The Pearls of the Stone Man." All you need to do to enter is:

*Be or become a follower of Everything Victorian and more...

*Be sure to leave a comment including your email address.

*Giveaway will take place on June 7th, 2010.

Good luck and happy reading!

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Author: Seth Grahame-Smith

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; First Edition first Printing edition (March 2, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446563080

Review:

The book begins in the year 1818. The setting is a one-room cabin, where nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln watches at his mother's bedside. She's suffering from something called "Milk Sickness." She passes away.

Later when Abe learns that his mother's death was actually the work of a vampire, he sets out to avenge her fate. This knowledge will comsume his life.

From the inside jacket of book: While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.
Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation..

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Lessons In French

Author: Laura Kinsale
Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (January 26, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402237014

Laura Kinsale's Lessons in French is a well-told historical romance, which also has it's humorous side. At the age of twenty-seven, Lady Callista Taillefaire has settled into the life of a country spinster, breeding cattle on her estate. But her quiet existence is turned upside down when a love from the past, Trevelyan d'Augustin, comes back into her life. Not wanting to be a "spoiler" I just want to say that Lessons in French has everything a historical novel should have: history about the era, romance, peppered with a little suspense and wit.

Searching for Pemberley

Author: Mary Lydon Simonsen
Paperback: 496 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (December 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402224397






My Review:

On a trip to England, after World War II, an American woman, Maggie James, sets out to investigate a rumor concerning Jane Austen's writing of literature's famous Pride and Prejudice. The history of Pemberley begins to open as she meets the residents of a beautiful stately mansion in the countryside. Was this the actual home of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy? Through reading a series of old documents, Maggie begins to unravel the history and personalities behind one of the most beloved romances in literature.

The author's writing flows with ease from page to page, making it an easy, fast read. It's a story that brings new insight, meaning, and possibilities to an old favorite that is sure to fascinate Austen fans.

(Thanks to SourceBooks for my review copy.)

THE WINNER IS.....

The winner of Willoughby's Return is Laura Hartness. Congratulations! Please send me an email with your mailing address.

Thanks to all who entered.

Jane Odiwe: Author of "Willoughby's Return" Interview + Book Giveaway

Author: Jane Odiwe
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
(November 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 140222267X

Dear Friends,

We are so fortunate today to be interviewing, Jane Odiwe, author of the new Jane Austen sequel, Willoughby's Return. Her publisher, SourceBooks, is also giving away one brand new copy of the book, to a lucky reader of this interview--you can find out how to enter at the end of the posting. Happy reading!

Now to our interview:

1. What inspired you to write about the main character?

I’ve always had a soft spot for Marianne Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility. She’s a heroine who wears her heart on her sleeve and never loves by halves. In Jane Austen’s book Marianne has two great love affairs – firstly, with the dashing Mr Willoughby, who ignites the feelings of her first great passion but who lets her down badly, and secondly, with Colonel Brandon, an older, steadier man who is the real hero, the one she marries. The ending of Sense and Sensibility surprises some readers who can’t believe that Marianne really loves the Colonel enough to marry him. This intrigued me, and the fact that she is a character we easily identify with – I’m sure most people have known a Willoughby at some stage in their lives, but have been able to move on and find lasting, true love with somebody who really suits them. Colonel Brandon has also suffered from the disappointment of a first love and I wanted to explore not only their relationship but also how the impact of those first attachments might affect their lives together.

2. What is your favorite line from this book?

Gosh, what a good question! This is a difficult one, but when Marianne meets Willoughby again and has to be escorted into dinner by him she finds herself in a very difficult situation. Here’s the line: Despite purposefully leaning as far away from him as she was able, she could not help but be aware of his nearness, and of his smell, emanating like an elixir from a bygone age, mingled into a potpourri of fragrant images from the past.

3. When did you know you wanted to be a writer and how long have you been developing your craft?

I was a very small girl when I first started writing, but then I wanted to write and illustrate children’s books. I still have a series of little books about the ‘Smiles Family’ that I made when I was about eight or nine. I think it’s taken a lifetime to develop my craft and I’m still learning now!

4. Is reading a large part of your life? Which book/books made the biggest impact on your writing?

Of course Jane Austen is a huge influence. Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and all of her books have made the biggest impact. But I also love any books by Frances Hodgson Burnett, (The Making of a Marchioness) Edith Wharton, (The Age of Innocence) and Fanny Burney (Evelina) to name but a few of my favourite writers. There are so many wonderful books out there that it’s hard to choose. Writers of the past rather than the present are my biggest influence because those are the books I tend to prefer – I love the quality of writing that you get in an older book.

5. Who is your favorite writer?

No contest – Jane Austen. Her books have been the pleasure of my life and the reason I have become a published writer. She is recognised now as a genius, but I wish she had known in her lifetime how her writing would eventually be regarded - how much her work is revered and loved today!

6. Does storytelling run in your family?

We all enjoy a good book or story. My parents encouraged us to read and told stories when I was young. I hope I’ve passed this love of storytelling to my children. My husband is a brilliant storyteller – I think he’d write a marvellous book.

7. When creating the story, which is the most difficult, the beginning, middle, or ending?

The middle is the most difficult for me, most definitely. I think you have to be able to keep the reader interested in turning the pages and keeping up the momentum being careful not to give too much away too early and tying it all up too soon before you get to the end.

8. What is the writing process like for you? Are you a morning person or night person? Do you have a special place you like to go to for inspiration? What energizes you?

I am a morning person, but that can mean very early morning. Sometimes, I wake at three in the morning with an idea, and I have to write it down because if I don’t I’ll forget it before I wake up again the next day. I think I must be solving problems in my sleep because this happens quite a lot. There is something lovely about writing in the early hours when there is no one about – my little writing room is next door to my bedroom so it’s very easy to pop in there and switch on the computer. I love my room, I am so lucky to have one all of my own. It’s lined with books, and filled with objects, pictures and paintings that I love. I have a desk before the window and watch all the world pass by whilst I’m writing. It’s great inspiration.

9. What advice would you have for emerging writers?

Keep striving to learn how you can improve your writing, and read, read read! Remember why you started writing in the first place when you get bogged down with problems – that’s sometimes forgotten when you are in pursuit of getting published and you’ve just received a rejection letter.

10. What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

I sometimes get to meet the people who have read my books – I can’t tell you the thrill it is when someone tells me or writes to tell me that they enjoyed a particular book. I indulge myself in my favourite activity on a daily basis and also get to spend huge chunks of the day in another century in Jane Austen’s world (or my version of it, at least) – what more could anyone wish?!

Thank you, Ms. Odiwe, for the interesting answers and much good luck with your new book.

Readers please remember: SourceBooks is giving away one brand new copy of "Willoughby's Return."

To enter:

*Please leave a comment with your email address for 1 point
*Become a Follower for 5 points (tell me if you already are)
*You must be a resident of the USA or Canada to win.

*Winner will be announced on November 10, 2009

(Thank you to SourceBooks for the giveaway copy)

My Review of Willoughby's Return can be found below.

Willoughby's Return / Review

Author: Jane Odiwe

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (November 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 140222267X

My Review:

After her marriage to Colonel William Brandon, Marianne (formerly Marianne Dashwood) seems more settled and content, but things are about to change, drastically, for the normally impetuous heroine, when the Colonel is called away. An unexpected, charming, old flame resurfaces, opening up old wounds and new passions.

In this new sequel to Sense and Sensibility, Ms. Odiwe has captured Jane Austen's style with ease and eloquence, making this book a rare reading delight.

Note: I will interview author Jane Odiwe on November 3rd. Please drop by!

(Thank you to SourceBooks for my complementary review copy.)

THE WINNER IS.....

The winner of The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy is MARILYN. Congratulations!! Please send your address to me by email.

Thanks to everyone who entered.

Interview with Sara Angelini + Giveaway

Author: Sara Angelini
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (October 2009)
ISBN-10: 140222110X

Today I am interviewing Sara Angelini, author of The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy. Ms. Angelini has kindly agreed to answer some questions concerning her life and writing.

I am also giving away 1 copy of The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy on Oct. 12th, compliments of Sourcebooks. To enter:

*Leave a comment with your email address for 1 entry.
*Become a follower for 3 entries (let me know if you already are.)
*Blog about this giveaway for 3 entries (let me know if you do this).
*Last day to enter is October 11th.
*Drawing is open to Us and Canada residents only

Author interview:

1. What inspired you to write about the main character?
The main character, Will Darcy, is a contemporary version of Mr. Darcy. In Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, we don’t really get to know Mr. Darcy very well. We know that he’s wealthy, proud, not afraid to speak his mind, and well-liked by those who know him. But we don’t really know what he’s like: what makes him tick. Does he have a sense of humor? Is he content? Does he understand the responsibilities of his position or does he take his wealth for granted? We see shades or hints but never the full picture. That is perhaps one of the most intriguing things about Mr. Darcy. Austen has given him “good bones” but left it up to the reader’s imagination to flesh him out.

2. What is your favorite line from this book?
“Should I make the check to F. Darcy? Middle initial U?”

3. When did you know you wanted to be a writer and how long have you been developing your craft?
I have always been a writer, even as a little kid. I wrote little two-page books and illustrated them; I wrote poems for my mom on holidays. In junior high and high school I enjoyed writing essays and often had my work read by the teacher in class. My father thought I should have been a journalist, but I wound up going to law school. I still get to write every day, but it’s not very creative.
I don’t think I actively strive to develop my craft. As a mom and full-time lawyer, it’s hard to find the time to sit down and write. I see it more as a pleasant pastime, a way to unwind when I can. That keeps it from becoming a stressful task.

4. Is reading a large part of your life? Which book/books made the biggest impact on your writing?
Reading is a large part of my life but I do not have enough time to devote to it anymore. These days I read maybe a book a month; shameful, I know.

5. Who is your favorite writer?
It depends on my mood. I do love JK Rowling; my husband and I like to read Harry Potter out loud to each other, complete with character voices. I also recently re-read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series; such a wonderful look at history!

6. Does storytelling run in your family?
I would say humor runs in our family, but not storytelling.

7. When creating the story, which is the most difficult, the beginning, middle, or ending?
The beginning, hands down! I can have a fully-formed story pressing against the dam, ready to burst forward, but I cannot get it down on paper until I’ve got the beginning down.

8. What is the writing process like for you? Are you a morning person or night person? Do you have a special place you like to go to for inspiration? What energizes you?
I like to write at night, when the house finally gets quiet. I don’t have an office anymore so I usually end up on the couch with a laptop listening to music. I get a lot of inspiration when I’m in my car on the commute to work; I listen to the radio and somebody will say something funny or I’ll hear a song that will inspire a scene. I am energized by getting the ball rolling. As many writers know, the toughest challenge to writing is just sitting your butt down and getting started. Once I have eliminated distractions and begin to write, it’s like gliding down a hill on a sled; brisk, fun, and maybe leaves your cheeks pink.

9. What advice would you have for emerging writers?
I’m not really the person to give advice to emerging writers as I’m still one myself! The one piece of advice I followed - write what you know - worked for me, so maybe that will work for someone else.

10. What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Getting to tell a story exactly the way you want it. So many times I’ve read stories that I liked but that I felt were missing something, or that I hated and wanted to revamp from top to bottom. When you write, you are in full control of your characters. Every stumble and success comes from you. Of course you also have nobody but yourself to blame!
Thank you so much for having me here at Serenity Gate, it’s been great fun!
____________________________


READERS...DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!

OCTOBER 7TH: Author Interview with Sara Angelini / The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy

Author: Sara Angelini
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (October 2009)
ISBN-10: 140222110X

Book Description:
A sexy, bold adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that re-paints favorite characters in twenty-first century colors.

Judge Fitzwilliam Darcy, a legal expert on both sides of the Atlantic, is ready to hang up his black robe and return to the life of a country gentleman—until he meets Elizabeth Bennet, a fresh-faced attorney with a hectic schedule and no time for the sexy but haughty judge.Tempers and sparks fly in Judge Darcy's courtroom— and outside, in a series of chance encounters that give each of them pause—as the two match wits and try to fight their overwhelming attraction. When they meet up in England at an international law conference, they embark on a hot, heavy affair. Back in the States, though, ethical considerations intrude, and each is subjected to a torturous period of soul-searching before they can find their way back to each other.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A BOOK GIVEAWAY WITH THIS INTERVIEW. PLEASE DROP BY!

THE WINNER IS.....

The winner of a copy of The Other Mr. Darcy is Sheila. Congratulations! Please email your address within 48 hours.

Thanks to everyone who entered. Stay tuned for more giveaways in the near future!

The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy

Author: Sara Angelini
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (October 2009)
ISBN-10: 140222110X

Book Description:

A sexy, bold adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that re-paints favorite characters in twenty-first century colors.

Judge Fitzwilliam Darcy, a legal expert on both sides of the Atlantic, is ready to hang up his black robe and return to the life of a country gentleman—until he meets Elizabeth Bennet, a fresh-faced attorney with a hectic schedule and no time for the sexy but haughty judge.
Tempers and sparks fly in Judge Darcy's courtroom— and outside, in a series of chance encounters that give each of them pause—as the two match wits and try to fight their overwhelming attraction. When they meet up in England at an international law conference, they embark on a hot, heavy affair. Back in the States, though, ethical considerations intrude, and each is subjected to a torturous period of soul-searching before they can find their way back to each other.

My Review:

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett are once again united in the new sequel, The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy, a contemporary love story based on Jane Austen's unforgettable Pride and Prejudice. In this sequel, the wealthy Darcy is a notable judge who has become bored with his profession when he meets the attractive attorney, Elizabeth.

As soon as I heard about the new book I could hardly wait to read it, but from the very beginning I was surprised when the historically charming Mr. Darcy, one of my favorite gentleman heroes in literature, started dropping the rather crude and vulgar F-bomb. Even though this is a modern-day novel, I felt this one element was completely out of character and was taken too far. Overall, the book was an interesting adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

(Thank you to Sourcebooks for my review copy.)