This brings us to the end of my Christmas in October winnings. As you can see, I really don't need to request new books to review right now or participate in book tours to gain new reading material. There is plenty around here to keep me busy. Thanks to Penny's Tales and all the authors who contributed to this giveaway. Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season.
Willie has met an old flame, but is he willing to give up the decadence of Boston society for the man he loves?
For the past three years William Wilkerson has led the life of the privileged rich. Head of his father’s shipping business, Willie indulges in the pleasures of Boston’s fine young men to his heart’s content. That is, until he meets Fredrick, the one man who has captured his heart, again.
As his former tutor, Fredrick has been declared off limits by William’s father. Fredrick also believes he's beneath the attention of Wilkerson’s heir. Willie disagrees, but is he willing to throw away rank and privilege for the man he loves?
When Selena Dillon is caught in an assassination attempt on her planet’s ruler, she finds herself sentenced to twenty-five years servitude in the most feared military force, the Penal Regiments. Much to her surprise she enjoys the harsh military life and is quickly selected for officer training.
But something’s wrong, worlds are falling silent. There’s no cry for help and no warning, just a sudden eerie silence. When a flotilla of ships is despatched to investigate they exit hyperspace to find themselves facing a massive alien armada. Outnumbered and outgunned the flotilla fight a rearguard action, allowing one of their number to slip away and warn mankind.
As worlds fall in battle, and mankind’s fleets are decimated, Selena is selected to lead a team of the Penal Regiment’s most battle-hardened veterans, in a last ditch attempt to destroy the aliens’ home world. If she fails mankind is doomed. Little does Selena know that one of her crew is a psychopathic killer and another is the husband of his victim.
Can she hold her team together, get them to their target and succeed in the attack? Selena knows that if she fails then there will be nothing at all left to go home to.
When two dismembered and unidentifiable torsos wash up on a local riverbank, beautiful 29-year-old registered nurse Jackie Reeves, believes the killer is a man from her past with a history of mental problems. She contacts the dangerously handsome 34-year-old FBI Special Agent Walker Harmon, who arrives in the sleepy town of Pleasant Valley, and met with a reception of lies and threats from local police and citizens. Under constant pressure from both the media and public, along with taunting messages aimed at Agent Harmon and Jackie from person's unknown, the agent races against time to catch the killer before he strikes again, and before an innocent man is convicted. With a suspect list involving the victims' parents, ex-lovers, Satanists, a contaminated crime scene, corrupt police, and the motorcycle gang the Devil's Disciples, circumstances turn the hunt personal, as the hunters become the prey.
While she is travelling north to find sanctuary from the malicious gossip of the Ton, Lady Isabella Wormsley’s room in a Dalkeith inn is invaded by handsome Scottish Laird, Charles Lindsay. Charles has uncovered a plot to kidnap her, but Bella wonders if he isn’t a more dangerous threat, at least to her heart, than the villainous Graham Direlton he wrests her from.
Bella settles into the household of her Aunt Hatty Menzies in Edinburgh’s nineteenth century George Square where Charles is a regular visitor. She has been exiled to the north by her unfeeling mama, but feels more betrayed by her papa to whom she has been close. Bella hopes the delivery of her young cousin’s baby will eventually demonstrate her own innocence in the scandal that drove her from home.
Bella’s presence disrupts the lives of everyone connected to her. Direlton makes another attempt to kidnap her and in rescuing her a second time, Charles is compromised. Only a betrothal will save his business and Bella’s reputation.
Mayhem, murder and long suppressed family secrets raise confusion and seemingly endless difficulties. Will the growing but unacknowledged love between Bella and her Scottish architect survive the evil Direlton engineers?
Leaving the chapel in London’s 19th century Thames’ side where she teaches the alphabet to a raggle-taggle of urchins, Mariah Fox is charged by a stray pig. The quick intervention of Tobias Longreach saves her from certain injury. Mariah has always believed her destiny to be teaching. After the early death of her mother, she was brought up by her papa, Jerome, to believe that she could learn anything a boy could. She shares his vision of a future in which everyone, rich or poor, boy or girl, will be taught at least the rudiments of reading, writing, and counting.
Tobias was brought up a second son, but following his elder brother’s premature death, inherits an Earldom and the need to provide it with an heir. He comes to believe that Mariah will make a perfect countess and enrolls her papa’s help in securing her hand.
However, Sir Lucas Wellwood, whose debts have made him urge his sister to attempt to trap Tobias into marriage, has sinister intentions. Mariah suspects Wellwood has been mistreating his sister and she heads off impetuously to rescue her. Will Tobias and his friends reach Wellwood’s home before he can exact revenge on Mariah?
Julie Bond grew up in Europe as a military brat. She found her very first permanent home in Landry, GA as a teen going into high school. Almost four years later, she's having pre-graduation jitters and flashing back to an incident of school violence she experienced in Europe. She attempts to convince herself that it can never happen again, but continually finds herself flashing back to that day no matter how hard she tries.
The people around her present any number of problems for Julie, and she's hard put to keep from drowning under all the issues. Then Michael, a cool guy she's crushed on for three years, returns, and Julie now has one more thing to distract her as she prepares to leave high school. One thing she firmly believes in … no one will ever invade her classroom with violence again.
Once again, the impossible happens … once again, she's in a classroom with a madman holding a gun … once again, she must survive.
Italian-born Mina Calvi lives in a mansion in idyllic Orange County, California with her protective older sister, Paola. Unemployed again and aimless, Mina can’t seem to find her niche in her adopted country, but confusion and restlessness soon become the least of her problems. Someone is stealing from the software business owned by Paola and her husband, losses so great the business is sinking like the Titanic. And the strange death of a company employee turns out to be murder. Then, while, facing a loss so terrible she can’t bear it, Mina discovers an old family secret that turns her world upside down. There’s some solace in the arms of her blue-eyed lover, amateur sleuth Brian Starr, but danger still stalks her at every turn, edging closer and closer as Mina tries to untangle the web of lies, adultery and treachery, and put her life back together.
A short story about a girl who goes missing on Halloween and the unfortunate police officer who finds her.
Dylan Jones, seventh grader at Langdon Middle School lives the good life. His family has money. He gets most everything he wants. Even so, everybody likes Dylan ’cause he is a happy go lucky kid.
Miss Wickware, his seventh grade history teacher, tells the class they will be studying the United States in the late 1800 for the next few weeks. Everybody will be expected to present an oral report on a subject that is drawn from a box. Dylan draws The Orphan Train.
A penniless Dylan finds himself at the train station in New York in 1875 and he is as scared and unsure as the children getting ready to ride the Orphan Train. How will Dylan make it when money is nowhere to be found?
Showing posts with label Dianne Hartsock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dianne Hartsock. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Book Spotlight: Shelton's Homecoming by Dianne Hartsock
Shelton’s coming home, but after seven months of living apart, can he and Nevil pick up from where they’d left off?
Shelton’s grown tired of living a life separate from Nevil. So when Nevil is hurt in an accident at work, Shelton comes home for good. Feeling closer than ever to his lover, Shelton’s ready to make a lasting commitment to their relationship. But is that what Nevil wants? Nevil is less than enthusiastic when an old flame marries, leaving Shelton wondering if he’ll have to keep his dreams on hold indefinitely.
Read the reviews!
Arthur Bedwyr's review
4.5 stars
Shelton and Nevile is one of my favorite couples. After Shelton's Choice, I was a bit hesitant to read this book out of concern that the chaos in the third book was repeated here. Fortunately, it didn't happen.
This book starts with Nevile was hospitalized after an accident in his working site. Shelton, who still lived in CO, came home fast and was struck seeing his boyfriend laying on hospital bed. That made him realized how bad his decision in last book was. The next day, when Shelton came to bring Nevile home, he was surprised to see Nevile's ex was there. But, Percy actually came to visit and brought a news: He was getting married in New York. He asked Nevile to be his best man and invited everyone to be in his wedding, this weekend. The trip to New York brought joy and sadness. Joy for Percy (and his fiance Brandon). Sadness for Shelton as he longed to have what the other couple had. But he knew Nevile had never been one to bother to say, "I do..."
I really enjoyed reading this book. It returns to the style and feeling of the first two books: romantic, fun, and sexy. The writing is clear, the plots fit the length of the book. The issue is also interesting, not self-fabricated like in the previous one. With more and more states recognize gay marriage, the issue whether the boyfriends (or girlfriends) want to get married or not become a serious question for some couples. The only reason it lost half star is that the book could use less sex scenes. Still, it really didn't take much from my enjoyment (and relief) of this fourth installment of Shelton and Nevile's story.
Looking forward to the fifth book.
Mandy's review
I love Nevill and Shelton, and this was a really sweet continuation of their story!
Can't wait to see what the next one brings, although with how this one ended, I know what I'd like to see! :)
My only niggle was this one was maybe a bit heavy on the sex for such a short, but I managed somehow! LOL
Sadonna's review
I liked this follow-up story for Shelton and Nevil. It's contemporary and really reflects the kinds of decisions all couples have to make regarding life choice that will affect their relationships.
There were a few too many filler sex scenes in this one for my taste, but I really like this couple and I look forward to the next episode in their story.
Dianne grew up in a large, boisterous and loving family in California, spent ten years in the rocky mountains of Colorado, and now lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon.
She says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to do her writing. There’s something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside and a fire crackles on the hearth inside that kindles her imagination.
Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which she says is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
FB: http://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/diannehartsock
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4850270.Dianne_Hartsock
Shelton’s grown tired of living a life separate from Nevil. So when Nevil is hurt in an accident at work, Shelton comes home for good. Feeling closer than ever to his lover, Shelton’s ready to make a lasting commitment to their relationship. But is that what Nevil wants? Nevil is less than enthusiastic when an old flame marries, leaving Shelton wondering if he’ll have to keep his dreams on hold indefinitely.
Read the reviews!
Arthur Bedwyr's review
4.5 stars
Shelton and Nevile is one of my favorite couples. After Shelton's Choice, I was a bit hesitant to read this book out of concern that the chaos in the third book was repeated here. Fortunately, it didn't happen.
This book starts with Nevile was hospitalized after an accident in his working site. Shelton, who still lived in CO, came home fast and was struck seeing his boyfriend laying on hospital bed. That made him realized how bad his decision in last book was. The next day, when Shelton came to bring Nevile home, he was surprised to see Nevile's ex was there. But, Percy actually came to visit and brought a news: He was getting married in New York. He asked Nevile to be his best man and invited everyone to be in his wedding, this weekend. The trip to New York brought joy and sadness. Joy for Percy (and his fiance Brandon). Sadness for Shelton as he longed to have what the other couple had. But he knew Nevile had never been one to bother to say, "I do..."
I really enjoyed reading this book. It returns to the style and feeling of the first two books: romantic, fun, and sexy. The writing is clear, the plots fit the length of the book. The issue is also interesting, not self-fabricated like in the previous one. With more and more states recognize gay marriage, the issue whether the boyfriends (or girlfriends) want to get married or not become a serious question for some couples. The only reason it lost half star is that the book could use less sex scenes. Still, it really didn't take much from my enjoyment (and relief) of this fourth installment of Shelton and Nevile's story.
Looking forward to the fifth book.
Mandy's review
I love Nevill and Shelton, and this was a really sweet continuation of their story!
Can't wait to see what the next one brings, although with how this one ended, I know what I'd like to see! :)
My only niggle was this one was maybe a bit heavy on the sex for such a short, but I managed somehow! LOL
Sadonna's review
I liked this follow-up story for Shelton and Nevil. It's contemporary and really reflects the kinds of decisions all couples have to make regarding life choice that will affect their relationships.
There were a few too many filler sex scenes in this one for my taste, but I really like this couple and I look forward to the next episode in their story.
Purchase Shelton’s Homecoming at:
Breathless Press: http://www.breathlesspress.com/sheltons-homecoming
All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-shelton039shomecoming-851589-145.html
Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/sheltons-homecoming-mm
1 Place for Romance: http://1placeforromance.com/manlove/shelton-39-s-homecoming/prod_8143.html
She says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to do her writing. There’s something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside and a fire crackles on the hearth inside that kindles her imagination.
Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which she says is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
FB: http://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/diannehartsock
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4850270.Dianne_Hartsock
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Interview with Dianne Hartsock, Author of Alex
Dianne Hartsock lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play.
She says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write her tails. There’s something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside and a fire crackles on the hearth inside that kindles her imagination.
The intricate and fragile nature of the mind is always fascinating. Having worked with the public through various careers, Dianne has come to respect the resilience and strength of the human spirit. She’s always trying to capture that spirit in her writing.
Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop, which she says is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Dianne’s books include Trials of a Lonely Specter and Alex.
You can visit Dianne Hartsock at: http://diannehartsocksalex.wordpress.com/
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
After growing up in California and spending the first ten years of marriage in Colorado, I now live in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with my incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours I spend hunched over the keyboard letting my characters play. Currently, I work as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for me. When not writing, I can express myself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a lovely old house in Mar Vista, CA., in a large, boisterous and loving family.
When did you begin writing?
I’ve always been a story teller, and was very proud when my very first story in first grade was pinned up on the wall for everyone to read, the teacher liked it that much. I didn’t think much about writing again until seventh grade was a fantastic and talented creative writing teacher told me I had some talent and should develop it and maybe one day become published. She had me hooked! I’ve been writing ever since, though it wasn’t until about five years ago that I became serious about it. I went through a writing workshop given by Wolf-Pirate Publishing that really opened my eyes. And with this success with Alex and some online stories, I write every day and enjoy every minute of it.
Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?
Yikes. I suppose I’m a bit of a workaholic. I’m up at 7a.m. to get ready for work, then sit down to the computer for an hour, catching up on all the social media. If I’m very lucky, I might even have a little time for creative writing. I’m off to work at 9:15. Work all day, then home again at 6 p.m. to make dinner and spend time with the family. Hubby’s in bed by 8:30, and I jump right back on the computer until midnight, writing, editing, blogging, whatever’s on my ‘to do’ list that day. I am blessed to have Thursday and Sunday’s off for family outings and hopefully lots of writing!
What is this book about?
Raised in isolation by a physically and emotionally abusive parent, on her death, Alex is thrust into a world of violence and intolerance that bewilders and hurts him. He hears the cries of children, the screaming women. Alex has been left with horrible scars on his body and even worse scars within his mind. Even though it puts him in danger, he’s compelled to help those who call to him. He’s driven, motivated by his visions to rescue them and uncover the killer. When he can, he helps the police; yet some detectives suspect he’s the cause of the problem, not the solution. Often, Alex finds himself alone and afraid in a world he doesn’t always comprehend.
What inspired you to write it?
I’ve always been fascinated with the paranormal. I find the thought of being psychic intriguing to say the least. Alex started out as a vague idea I had I had one day I wondered what is would take to make someone psychic. I know a lot of psychics were born with their abilities, but I didn’t want that with Alex. I wondered what could change a person’s thought processes and open expand their minds to the possibility. I thought isolation would do it. Emotional trauma and abuse as a child. A mother with some with a touch of mental illness. These thoughts came together to form Alex’s character. The rest of the story built up around this.
Are you a member of a critique group? If no, who provides feedback on your work?
Writing can be lonely without support. Search around until you find a writer’s group you feel at home with. I belong to the Litopia Writer’s Colony, http://www.litopia.com/ which is the friendliest, most supportive group of people you could hope to meet. Their advice and gentle teaching has made me believe in myself as a writer.
Who is your favorite author?
C.J. Cherryh. I’ve fallen in love with more of her characters than I can count. I’d love to spend an afternoon discussing her worlds over a cup of coffee. Who was her influence for Tristen? Or her shy wizard, Sasha? What about Vanya? Josh Talley? So many others! Amazing writer.
Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?
Solstice Publishing: http://bitly.com/liLUSG
Amazon: http://amzn.to/r4qStN
Where can we find you online?
Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
FB: http://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/diannehartsock
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4850270.Dianne_Hartsock
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?
When you sit down to write, take a deep breath. Don’t think about how anyone else would write the scene. Forget about all the advice you’ve been given. Simply write the words as they come to you. It’s the best way to find your own unique writer’s voice.
What is up next for you?
At the moment I have a fantasy/adventure novel being considered by a publishing house. I have the sequel to this book written and am in the midst of edits and revisions. Also, I’ve been jotting down ideas and am about to start on the sequel to Alex. I’m excited to spend time with him again. I also have several short romances to be released as eBooks in the near future.
She says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write her tails. There’s something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside and a fire crackles on the hearth inside that kindles her imagination.
The intricate and fragile nature of the mind is always fascinating. Having worked with the public through various careers, Dianne has come to respect the resilience and strength of the human spirit. She’s always trying to capture that spirit in her writing.
Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop, which she says is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Dianne’s books include Trials of a Lonely Specter and Alex.
You can visit Dianne Hartsock at: http://diannehartsocksalex.wordpress.com/
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
After growing up in California and spending the first ten years of marriage in Colorado, I now live in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with my incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours I spend hunched over the keyboard letting my characters play. Currently, I work as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for me. When not writing, I can express myself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a lovely old house in Mar Vista, CA., in a large, boisterous and loving family.
When did you begin writing?
I’ve always been a story teller, and was very proud when my very first story in first grade was pinned up on the wall for everyone to read, the teacher liked it that much. I didn’t think much about writing again until seventh grade was a fantastic and talented creative writing teacher told me I had some talent and should develop it and maybe one day become published. She had me hooked! I’ve been writing ever since, though it wasn’t until about five years ago that I became serious about it. I went through a writing workshop given by Wolf-Pirate Publishing that really opened my eyes. And with this success with Alex and some online stories, I write every day and enjoy every minute of it.
Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?
Yikes. I suppose I’m a bit of a workaholic. I’m up at 7a.m. to get ready for work, then sit down to the computer for an hour, catching up on all the social media. If I’m very lucky, I might even have a little time for creative writing. I’m off to work at 9:15. Work all day, then home again at 6 p.m. to make dinner and spend time with the family. Hubby’s in bed by 8:30, and I jump right back on the computer until midnight, writing, editing, blogging, whatever’s on my ‘to do’ list that day. I am blessed to have Thursday and Sunday’s off for family outings and hopefully lots of writing!
What is this book about?
Raised in isolation by a physically and emotionally abusive parent, on her death, Alex is thrust into a world of violence and intolerance that bewilders and hurts him. He hears the cries of children, the screaming women. Alex has been left with horrible scars on his body and even worse scars within his mind. Even though it puts him in danger, he’s compelled to help those who call to him. He’s driven, motivated by his visions to rescue them and uncover the killer. When he can, he helps the police; yet some detectives suspect he’s the cause of the problem, not the solution. Often, Alex finds himself alone and afraid in a world he doesn’t always comprehend.
What inspired you to write it?
I’ve always been fascinated with the paranormal. I find the thought of being psychic intriguing to say the least. Alex started out as a vague idea I had I had one day I wondered what is would take to make someone psychic. I know a lot of psychics were born with their abilities, but I didn’t want that with Alex. I wondered what could change a person’s thought processes and open expand their minds to the possibility. I thought isolation would do it. Emotional trauma and abuse as a child. A mother with some with a touch of mental illness. These thoughts came together to form Alex’s character. The rest of the story built up around this.
Are you a member of a critique group? If no, who provides feedback on your work?
Writing can be lonely without support. Search around until you find a writer’s group you feel at home with. I belong to the Litopia Writer’s Colony, http://www.litopia.com/ which is the friendliest, most supportive group of people you could hope to meet. Their advice and gentle teaching has made me believe in myself as a writer.
Who is your favorite author?
C.J. Cherryh. I’ve fallen in love with more of her characters than I can count. I’d love to spend an afternoon discussing her worlds over a cup of coffee. Who was her influence for Tristen? Or her shy wizard, Sasha? What about Vanya? Josh Talley? So many others! Amazing writer.
Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?
Solstice Publishing: http://bitly.com/liLUSG
Amazon: http://amzn.to/r4qStN
Where can we find you online?
Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
FB: http://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/diannehartsock
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4850270.Dianne_Hartsock
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?
When you sit down to write, take a deep breath. Don’t think about how anyone else would write the scene. Forget about all the advice you’ve been given. Simply write the words as they come to you. It’s the best way to find your own unique writer’s voice.
What is up next for you?
At the moment I have a fantasy/adventure novel being considered by a publishing house. I have the sequel to this book written and am in the midst of edits and revisions. Also, I’ve been jotting down ideas and am about to start on the sequel to Alex. I’m excited to spend time with him again. I also have several short romances to be released as eBooks in the near future.
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