BW13 - L is for linky love

I'm currently reading an e-book by an author I discovered during ROW80 called Hush Money by Susan Bischoff.  Another one of my blogging authors I stumbled over.  Over the past year, a few aspiring writers I've been following have had their first books published or decided to self publish. Of course, I just had to read their books. Or new to me authors who've been around awhile but I just discovered them.     So today I thought I'd throw a little linky love their way and introduce you to some of them.   Check out their blogs, check out their books.

Jody Hedlund - her debut novel The Preacher's Bride 

Susan Bischoff of Hunting High and Love -  the Talent Chronicles

Kait Nolan (hostess of Row80)  - The Mirius Novella Trilogy

Michelle Davidson Argyle of The Innocent Flower - debut novel "Cinders" 

Karen Harrington's of Scobberlotch - "Janeology "

K.M. Weiland's of Wordplay - "A Man Called Outlaw", plus "Behold the Dawn" and nonfiction writing book:  "Crafting Unforgettable Characters: A Hands-On Introduction to Bringing Your Characters To Life."

C.J. Darlington's "Thicker than Blood" and "Bound By Guilt"

Christine Fonseca - "Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students."  Excellent, excellent book and she's recently released "101 Success Secrets for Gifted Students." 

Susan Helene Gottfried of West of Mars - "Trevor's Song" and "the Demo Tapes Year 1 and Year 2"

Follow them for a while and get to know them.  I have read or have most of their books in my TBR stack waiting to be read.  Happy Reading!

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

Link to your reviews:

BW12 - K is for Kane

Ben Kane

Happy Spring!  Do you like historical fiction?    Me, not so much....they often times can be, well, dull, flat and boring.  I am pleased to say I've discovered one author whose writing is excellent. His stories capture your imagination, his characters are three dimensional and the historical aspects are educational to say the least.  I had the pleasure of reading "The Forgotten Legion" last year by Ben Kane and totally fell in like with his writing.   He approached me asking if I'd be interested in reading his book and I'm so glad I took him up on his offer.  

Check out my review of story here, then come on back.  

The Forgotten Legion is book one is a trilogy following several characters:  Romulus, Fabiola, Tarquinius and Brennus in ancient Rome.  The other two books in the trilogy are

Released March 16, 2010

and

U.S. Release date: March 29, 2011

Ben sent me two copies of The Silver Eagle, one to give away, last year. It unfortunately got buried in my bookshelves.   I came across it the other day, slapped myself silly up side the head for losing it and decided to read it.   Coincidentally or should I say synchronicity in the works, Ben contacted to let me know The Road to Rome was coming out in the U.S. and would I like a copy to read and review.   Emphatic yes with a heartfelt apology for forgetting about the other book.   

It all actually works out well since I won't have to wait to find out what happens to the characters in the next book.  I already have it.  :)   So my darlings, I will be reading both books and hosting a giveaway mid April.  If you love historical fiction and you haven't checked out Ben Kane yet, then now is the time to do so.  His parents are Irish, which pretty much makes him Irish so the books can apply to the Ireland Reading Challenge and the Armchair Traveler.

It's that time of year again.  Get your spring reading list together and sign up for the Spring Reading Thing 2011 hosted by Katrina of Callapidder Day's.  If you haven't done it before,  It's a fun, low pressure, set your own goals reading challenge.  I participate every year. 

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

J is for Judge

The votes from both the folks on Well Trained Mind board and comments here are as follow:

The Pint Man -  3   (Pub fiction - setting a bar)

Silent Mercy   - 0     (legal thriller)

Comedy in a Minor Key   - 2   (Jewish holocaust type of story)

Where Shadows Dance  -1  (historical detective thriller) 

Bound by Guilt  - 0  (Christian thriller) 

By Nightfall - 2 (relationship story)

The Pint Man wins. Will download it to my nook and let you guys know how I like.  Thanks for playing.  

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

Link to your reviews: 

BW11 - J is for judge

I have a challenge for you this week:  Judge a book by its cover.   Much easy said than done, believe me.  The task is to pick out a book based on its cover.  However, you can not look inside or on the back to see what it is about. Nor can you look up the information online.   Based on its cover, decide what you think its about and write up a little snippet, either here or one your blog.  Read the book and then let us know if you were right, close or not even in the ballpark.  

The first time I ever did this was for another challenge by Jenners of Life with Books who hosted the Take a Chance Challenge.  I went into the bookstore and failed miserably.  I just couldn't keep from checking out the synopsis.  I went online instead to Amazon and picked out books based on their covers. I selected 5 unknown to me authors and then using Random.org selected one of the books.You can read about it here.


Saturday James and I went to Borders and I decided to give it another try.  I browsed through the books and then I saw this one:

There wasn't a whole lot to go on, it was beautifully packaged and captured my attention so decided to buy it.  My guess based on the cover, the title and information provided:  It's a historical fiction mystery, involving an intriguing lady, thorny roses represent death so must have a murder or two and the maze, many puzzles to figure out.  I know that's generic but that's the best I can do.  What do you think? 


I went on to Amazon and picked out a few random books based on their covers.  I know absolutely nothing about them.  Your task, pick one and tell us what you think it is about.  

The Pint Man by Steve Rushin

Silent Mercy by Linda Fairstein

Comedy in a minor Key by Hans Keilson

Where Shadows Dance by C.S. Harris

Bound By Guilt - C.J. Darlington

By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham

They all looked rather intriguing to me.  What about you?  Would you pick up any of them because of the cover?   Pick out which one you think I should read.  I'll read the book that gets the most votes, then report back to you what it was about.  



It's daylight savings time again - hope you didn't forget to set your clocks forward.   

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

Link to your reviews: 

BW10 - I is for Ireland!

Kylemore Abbey

I just finished reading In the Woods by Irish author Tana French and it was quite good. I'll be reviewing soon.  Since St. Patrick's day is coming up next week, there are some events occurring around the blogosphere you might want to consider joining in on.   Carrie of Books and Movies is hosting a month long readalong of Faithful Place, French's 3rd book in the series.  I've also picked up "The Likeness" as well which continues the character Cassie's story.   The schedule is as follows:

Reading Schedule:

Week One (3/1-3/7): Chapters 1-6
Week Two (3/8-3/14): Chapters 7-12
Week Three (3/15-3/21): Chapters 13-18
Week Four (3/22-3/28): Chapters 19-23

Weekly Post Schedule:

Week One’s reading: March 10th
Week Two’s reading: March 17th
Week Three’s reading: March 24th
Week Four’s reading and wrap-up post or review: March 31st

Carrie will  be posting her thoughts every Thursday along with Mr. Linky for whoever wants to join in and post their thoughts as well.    You still have time to join in if you want.  I'm a bit behind in reading, but will be catching up soon.  

Mel of The Reading Life is hosting a week long event "The Irish Short Story" during the week of March 14 to March 20th.  She'll be posting daily about short stories written by Irish authors:  James Joyce, Elizabeth Bowen, Frank O'Conner, Oliver Goldsmith, Sean O'Faolain,  Oscar Wilde, and Liam O'Flaherty.   Join in the fun and read a few short stories by Irish authors. 

I have a few books on the shelves by Irish authors I will be reading this year including:

Bram Stoker's "The Snake's Pass."  He wrote it back in 1890 and is the only one of his novels set in Ireland. It is his first novel and was published about seven years before  Dracula.  He is an Irish writer and has a few other stories and short stories that he's written besides Dracula.  

Patrick Taylor's "An Irish Country Christmas"

J.D. Robb's "Treachery in Death." One of her characters, Roark, is full blooded Irish so it counts.  :)

Irish mystery author Declan Hughes' "The Wrong Kind of Blood."

Another event I just discovered is the Irish Blog Awards which will be held on March 19th in Belfast. Not that any of us have time to take a trip to Belfast at the moment.  However, the website is interesting and has many links to irish blogs broken down by science/education, humor, personal, youth and newcomer.   I haven't had time to check out all the links yet, so can't vouch for any of them. But will have fun exploring when I have more time.

And since Lent is coming up on Wednesday, and I'm Irish and Catholic, I'll leave you with a bit of Irish humor: 

An Irishman moves into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry , walks into the pub and promptly orders three beers. The bartender raises his eyebrows, but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly at a table, alone.

An hour later, the man has finished the three beers and orders three more. This happens yet again. The next evening the man again orders and drinks three beers at a time, several times. Soon the entire town is whispering about the Man Who Orders Three Beers.

Finally, a week later, the bartender broaches the subject on behalf of the town. "I don't mean to pry, but folks around here are wondering why you always order three beers?"

"Tis odd, isn't it?" the man replies. "You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America , and the other to Australia . We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers whenever we drank as a way of keeping up the family bond."

The bartender and the whole town were pleased with this answer, and soon the Man Who Orders Three Beers became a local celebrity and source of pride to the hamlet, even to the extent that out-of-towners would come to watch him drink.

Then, one day, the man comes in and orders only two beers. The bartender pours them with a heavy heart. This continues for the rest of the evening. He orders only two beers. The word flies around town. Prayers are offered for the soul of one of the brothers.

The next day, the bartender says to the man, "Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know-the two beers and all"

The man ponders this for a moment, then replies, "You'll be happy to hear that my two brothers are alive and well. It's just that I, meself, have decided to give up drinking for Lent."

 What books on your shelves by Irish authors or with Irish characters will you be reading?

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

 Link to your reviews: