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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

We have 4 Winners!

Thanks to all who participated in the Easter Egg blog hop!  You're all very supportive.

I put everyone's name in a bag and drew four names.

Winner #1 wins "Journey Of Honor". Congratulations to Jennifer (book noise).

Winner #2 wins "Wild Irish Rose". Congrats to Sue B!

Winner #3 wins "English Trifle".  Congrats to Stacie!


Grand Prize winner get the $10 gift card from Starbucks. Congrats to.... (drum roll please)....
VELVET Hubler!

I will send emails out to you, letting you know.  You are all awesome!

~Marie~

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Blog Hop

Hey all, I'm doing another blog hop. These are so fun!! 

I'm participating with a bunch of other blogs in doing a Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza. Follow this link to see others who are having giveaways
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/giveaway-hop-page.html



I'm giving away FREE print books I have reviewed lately -
"Journey Of Honor" by Jaclyn M. Hawkes, "Wild Irish Rose" by Deborah L. Weikel, and "English Trifle" by Josi Kilpack!


http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Honor-Jaclyn-M-Hawkes/dp/1599360594/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303175452&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Irish-Rose-Deborah-Weikel/dp/1935217666/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303175425&sr=1-1

http://www.josiskilpack.com/books/culinary-mystery-series/english-trifle

AND...the grand prize winner will receive a $10 gift certificate from Starbucks!

All you have to do to enter my giveaway become a 'follower' of this blog and leave a comment with your contact information. (Open only to those who live in the United States)

~Marie~

Friday, April 15, 2011

Interview with Danielle Thorne

I want to introduce you to a new author I've just found. Danielle Thorne has written a Regency romance - Josette. The book cover caught my eye, then I read the blurb, and I KNEW I wanted to read this book. I am a HUGE fan of Jane Austen (Pride & Prejudice is my favorite still). Her story reminded me of Jane Austen's stories. Gotta love when that happens!

Danielle was nice enough to let me interview her. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as I have.



Marie: Danielle, tell us a little about yourself.


Danielle: Hi Marie, and thanks for having me. Raised in the south, I currently write from outside of Atlanta, Georgia. I grew up in a large family and have four sons of my own. We keep busy with music, scouting and a few sports now and then. For the most part, we love to eat, travel, play video games and watch Mythbusters and Animal Planet shows.


Marie: Tell us about your new release and what inspired you to write this.

Danielle: JOSETTE is a Jane Austen-inspired Regency that recalls the strict rules and expectations of the era. Josette Price sees her future in Beddingfield Park. While her brother, George, needlessly pursues a naval career, she promises to watch over their beloved parents and the park estate. Nothing would make Josette happier than to see her sister and her self settled within the palings of Beddingfield. But dark, brooding Captain Carter rides into their lives with news that ruins everything: George has been lost at sea. Learning the park is entailed to their cousin, Edward, Josette must decide between marrying her fickle relation or helping her besotted sister trap him in her stead. Only Captain Carter and his delightfully spinsterish relatives can stop the Price girls from making a choice that would be the greatest tragedy of all.

I loved writing JOSETTE and dabbling into the culture of early nineteenth century England. Jane Austen wove so much wit and charm into her stories, they inspired me to dream up one of my own. I have to admit, being a genealogist with U.K. roots, I enjoyed the research as much as I did the writing process.




Marie: Oh, I totally love the Regency era. (dreamy sigh) And you did such a wonderful job putting the reader into that era! So, out of all your stories (either written by you or not), who is your favorite hero and why.

Danielle: My favorite literary hero is Captain Jack Aubrey from the MASTER AND COMMANDER series, by Patrick O'Brian. This seafaring naval officer is the most three dimensional character I've ever discovered. He is brilliant and oafish at the same time; courageous and at moments, foolhardy. I love his vulnerability as he struggles to advance his career through adventures and battle at sea. The supporting cast he plays off of are beautiful and memorable as well.


Marie: How did you become a writer? What or who inspired you?


Danielle: I began writing at a very early age, before I could do multiplication! Most of my childhood and young adult work was poetry, but as I matured I began to dabble with short stories. After some freelance work online and my youngest child started school, I felt like I was ready to tackle novel writing. It's definitely been a growing experience.


Marie: I envy writers like you who knew you loved writing way back at an early age. So tell us, what stories are in your future?


Danielle: I'm immersed in two novels at this time, both young adult. One, THE SEA KING, is my tribute to J.M. Barrie's Neverland. Peter Pan was my first love. Jack Sparrow may very well be my second! I am also close to wrapping up a paranormal, again my first, with a young adult heroine. Not my usual fare, but I'm inclined to follow where my inspiration leads me. As far as any more Regencies, I do have one in the works I hope to finish this year for 2012.


Marie: Oh, Danielle, they all sound so intriguing. I'll look forward to when they're released. How can your fans get a hold of you? Do you have blogs, website, or a newsletter?

Danielle: My month newsletter can be subscribed to at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThePrivateerNewsletter/?yguid=197416267

My blog which features monthly giveaways and other fun ideas is:
http://www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com/

And I hope everyone will visit me at my website: http://www.daniellethorne.com/

Don't forget Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Danielle-Thorne/100000700796495

Thank you!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Review: Against The Odds

I have to tell you about a new author I've come across. I met Jewel Adams in one of my writer's groups, and since I'd heard so much about her stories, I knew I had to read one...or two...or more.



"Against The Odds" is a tender, romantic, and endearing story of a woman, Raine, who has been hurt from a previous relationship. Through her journey to recover, she meets Hayden - one very kind-hearted cowboy. (Gotta love cowboys, darlin')  She becomes friends with Hayden since she's not ready for a new relationship, but over time they grow to love each other - with a few bumps along the way.

This story is about love and committment, about trusting and believing. Jewel Adams has written a very sweet and emotional love story that will stay on my mind for quite some time. Well done, Jewel!

You can learn more about Jewel and her books right here - http://www.jadamsnovels.com/ 

~Marie~