Review: The Fire Lord's Lover

The Fire Lord's Lover (Elven Lords series - Book 1) by Kathryne Kennedy

(For review from Sourcebooks)

Synopsis:

If his powers are discovered, his father will destroy him...

In a magical land ruled by ruthless Elven lords, the Fire Lord's son Dominic Raikes plays a deadly game to conceal his growing might from his malevolent father-until his arranged bride awakens in him passions he thought he had buried forever...

Unless his fiancée kills him first...

Lady Cassandra has been raised in outward purity and innocence, while secretly being trained as an assassin. Her mission is to bring down the Elven Lord and his champion son. But when she gets to court she discovers that nothing is what it seems, least of all the man she married...

Then Dominic and Cassandra together uncover an unspeakable evil, one that threatens the destruction of the magical realm they would give their souls to save...

Thoughts:

The Fire Lord's Lover is a great combination of Historical Fiction, Romance and Fantasy. This was easily one of my favorite books of the year! Kathryne Kennedy does a spectacular job of building a world where historical characters exist as well as fantastical dragons and Elven Lords. Her attention to detail really gives this novel an edge. The reader can easily visualize the flames on Firehame castle, the splendor of the Elven garden and even the dungeon cell, where Cassandra was held captive.

Lady Cassandra's character was very interesting to me. She was raised in obscurity, in a religious environment, yet all the while she was being trained as an assassin. She was a strong character who felt she had a duty her people. She was willing to give her own life for the cause of removing the Elven Lord from power. But, she was also vulnerable to the same things that each of us are; fear, hate, love, compassion and so many other emotions. One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the character development. Cassandra became more real as the story progressed.

Dominic was a character that I really felt for. He had a very demanding father, who was almost brutal in his attentions to him. Mordred didn't do those things out of love, he was constantly trying to figure out if Dominic had the power to overthrow him. He even resorted to the death of those closest to Dominic including his pet to prove his points. So Dominic was a very guarded character. He was constantly making sure that his real emotions were never visible to his father in order to assure the safety of those he cared about. But, he never truly understood caring for someone until Casandra came into his life. Then he blossoms into a dark hero!

One of the best parts of this novel was finding out each person's gifts. The gifts of fire, finding and the gift of dance were all so important to the story. I truly enjoyed this book and cannot wait until the second book in the series comes out. I am giving away two copies of the book, check my sidebar for details.

I give this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Review & Giveaway: The Pearls of the Stone Man

The Pearls of the Stone Man by Edward Mooney Jr.

(For review from Sourcebooks)

Details for the giveaway will be at the end of this post!

Synopsis:

A Promise made.

A Love that will Last Forever.

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.

Thoughts:

Edward Mooney Jr. has written a book that will appeal to both the older and younger generations. Joseph and Anne's story begins with a marriage of over 50 years. How common is that in today's world? It's a novel with many themes including commitment. They stayed together through thick and thin until Anne was diagnosed with Cancer. She had one request, that Joseph finish the stone wall he began for her. He became committed to this project as well.

It's also a book about dealing with grief and how people face loosing a loved one. The stone wall became not only a symbol of Joseph's love for Anne, but also a memorial to her. Joseph works to complete the wall even after Anne's death. It was a very compelling book, that brought me to tears.

Joseph also learns a lot about forgiveness as the works to mend the wall and his relationship with his son. He also, reaches out to a young teenager that needs someone almost as much as he does. This was a great book, that I know you will like, especially if you were following the video series we did on, The Pearls of the Stone Man.

I give this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Sourcebooks has given me the opportunity to give away three copies of The Pearls of the Stone Man to my followers. The rules are pretty simple:

1.) You must be a follower of this blog.

2.) You must leave a comment on this post with your e-mail address

3.) This giveaway is international.

4.) The giveaway will end at Midnight EST July 19th.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

+ 5 for following me on Twitter @justpeachy36

+5 for being an old follower

+3 for being a new follower

+5 for entering any other contest I have going on right now (check sidebar)

+5 adding the giveaway to your sidebar

+10 for getting the word out about this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or other social media sites (remember to leave your links)

Simply Marvelous Monday (28)

Shelia, at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books, gets all the credit for this one...

On Simply Marvelous Monday's at Debbie's Book Bag, we want to know... What are you reading?

FINISHED LAST WEEK:

Skinny is Overrated: The Real Woman's Guide to Health and Happiness at Any Size by Danielle Milano (For review from Phenix Publicity)

The Left Hand of God by Paul Hoffman (For review from Dutton/Penguin)

Finding Marco by Kenneth C. Cancellara (For review from Phenix Publicity)

The Fire Lord's Lover (The Elven Lords series - Book 1) by Kathryne Kennedy (For review from Sourcebooks)

The Pearls of the Stone Man by Edward Mooney Jr. (For review from Sourcebooks)

Well, I got quite a bit of reading done this week, in spite of it being a holiday weekend. Sometimes, I just get on a good roll. I posted several giveaways this week and will post one for The Pearls of the Stone Man later today. Hope, you all enjoy them! I really enjoyed The Fire Lord's Lover, what an excellent book! Make sure you sign up to win a copy of that one, you'll love it!

READING OR LISTENING TO THIS WEEK:

The Dark Rose (Moreland Dynasty series - Book 2) by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles (For review from Sourcebooks)

Perfect Reader by Maggie Pouncey (For review from Pantheon)

Crown of Destiny (World of Hetar series - Book 6) by Bertrice Small (For review from Harlequin)

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno by Ellen Bryson (For review from Henry Holt)

The Stormchasers by Jenna Blum (For review from Dutton/Penguin)

Chances are I will get all these finished. I will have one daughter at Camp this week and to keep from worrying, I will read. It's nice to be distracted sometimes and reading is soooo the best way! I expect I'll get a lot more done that usual.

UP NEXT:

Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher (For review from Media Muscle)

This Must be the Place by Kate Racculia (For review from Henry Holt)

Touching the Clouds (Alaskan Skies series - Book 1) by Bonnie Leon (For review from Revell)

That's what I've got coming up!

Interview and Giveaway, Kathryne Kennedy Author of The Fire Lord's Lover

I recently had the opportunity to ask Kathryne Kennedy, the author of The Fire Lord's Lover a few questions. Please join me in welcoming Kathryne to Debbie's Book Bag!

Check out the giveaway details following the interview...

DEB: Kathryne, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

KATHRYNE: I’m a storyteller, and love to create new worlds of magic, adventure and passion. I have two sons, have been married for a looong time, I’m goofy about my two little Chihuahuas, and have a fondness for artichoke hearts and chicken paprikosh. And chocolate. Especially chocolate.

DEB: Tell us about your new series, The Elven Lords and the first book, The Fire Lord's Lover.

KATHRYNE: The Elven Lords series is a magical new world based in the eighteenth century Georgian era. Seven mad elves have opened the barrier between the worlds and taken over England with their magic and beauty, turning the king into nothing but a trophy for their elven war games. In Book One, The Fire Lord’s Lover, my half-elven hero, Dominic Raikes, finds that his arranged marriage to Lady Cassandra Bridges brings him much more than he bargained for. Trained as an assassin to murder Dominic’s father, the last thing Cass expects is to fall in love with her new husband. But dark magic and secrets threatens not only their newfound love, but also their very lives.

DEB: What was your inspiration for these books? Have you always had an interest in elves?

KATHRYNE: I have always loved what I consider ‘true’ elven, the Sidhe, and when I saw the movie, The Lord of the Rings, I fell in love with Legolas, and knew right then that I wanted a romance revolving around those beautiful characters. (Although in the book I had fallen for Aragorn, the quiet man of the forest. So I do have an elven lord whose magic is for tree and plant.)

DEB: What type of research did you do for this book/series?

KATHRYNE: A lot of research into the Georgian era (eighteenth century), including a lot of time on the clothing (took me forever to determine if women wore panties or not). I have to understand the world I’m writing in, so it’s like going back to college and crash-studying all over again. Even though I alter everything with magic, I need a solid basis for the historical world so I can ground my reader in it.

DEB: What is your normal writing day like? Do you have things that have to be in place to write comfortably?

KATHRYNE: I definitely need an organized environment. Everything has its place, and heaven help me if it’s not in it, cause I can’t resist the urge to fix it.

DEB: How long have you been writing and what was it like when you got the word that your first novel would be published?

KATHRYNE: My first book, Beneath the Thirteen Moons, was published in 2003 (and it’s re-releasing in MM paperback in December of this year by Sourcebooks Casablanca) but I was writing short stories before that, learning the craft and building credentials. When I first heard that the editor was going to take a chance on such a different book, I can remember doing a happy dance around my office, and hoping that what I loved to write (a blend of world-building & romance) would find an audience. Prior to that happy day, I was receiving rejections from fantasy publishers that it had too much romance, and rejections from romance publishers that it had too much fantasy.

DEB: Do have any advice for new writers?

KATHRYNE: Be true to your creative process. Learn everything about the craft, and then use what makes sense to you.

DEB: When you’re not writing, what kinds of books do you like to read? Do you have a favorite author?

KATHRYNE: Fantasy and romance, and most especially a blend of the two. I have several favorite authors, including Robin McKinley, Julie Garwood, Patricia Briggs, Patricia McKillip, Andre Norton, Erin Quinn…and those are just off the top of my head.

DEB: What are you working on right now?

KATHRYNE: Book Two in The Elven Lords series, titled The Lady of the Storm. This is Cecily’s story, the elven half-breed that was rescued in The Fire Lord’s Lover. And of course I’m in love with the hero Giles, a man with a cursed sword and a passion for the Rebellion. I’m just finishing the end, which is always a bit sad for me, because I’m leaving the characters. But not the world, thank goodness, for I’ll be starting Book Three very soon.

DEB: Tell us one thing that people may not know about you?

KATHRYNE: I guess one of my guilty secrets is that I love reality TV shows. I watch almost every one of them. I’m fascinated by the different personalities of the participants, and how the same situations can bring out the best, and the worst, in people.

Thank you so much, Deb, for having me here today! It’s been a pleasure to answer such interesting questions, and I look forward to meeting your readers.

My Magical Best,

Kathryne

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Thanks to Sourcebooks I have the opportunity to offer 2 copies of, The Fire Lord's Lover, for giveaway. The rules are pretty simple and this is easily one of my favorite books of the year.

1.) There will be two winners, U.S and Canadian only, the books will be sent from the publisher.

2.) You must be a follower of this blog.

3.) You must leave a comment on this post with your e-mail address, so I can contact you.

4.) Deadline for the giveaway is midnight, EST on July 16th.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

+ 5 for following me on Twitter @justpeachy36

+5 for being an old follower

+3 for being a new follower

+5 for entering any other contest I have going on right now (check sidebar)

+5 adding the giveaway to your sidebar

+10 for getting the word out about this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or other social media sites (remember to leave your links)

Review & Giveaway: Finding Marco

Finding Marco by Kenneth C. Cancellara

(For review from Phenix Publicity)

Giveaway details following the review.

Synopsis:

As a young boy, running through the mountain valleys of Italy, Mark Gentile dreams of success-the kind of success that happens in a boardroom, far away from the country life. So after graduating from law school, Mark quickly climbs the corporate and legal ladder, eventually becoming CEO of a leading auto manufacturer. But after butting heads with company leaders, Mark fears he has compromised his ethics. With his wife's blessing, Mark returns to Acerenza, his birthplace in southern Italy. While enjoying the leisurely pace of the new life he's found in his old home, however, Mark must make a decision: Should he abandon his roots for a second time and satisfy his innate hunger for the struggles and rewards of corporate life? Or should he embrace his native land and create a more balanced life for himself and his family?

Thoughts:

Mid-life crisis usually means fast cars and younger women for most men, but not Marco Gentile. When Marco feels his ethics are being challenged, he quits his corporate job and returns to his childhood home in Italy to find himself and decide what his future is going to look like. In Finding Marco, author Kenneth Cancellara relies on his own experiences in Acerenza, Italy. Being raised in Italy, the author has first hand knowledge of the customs and every day life that his character, Marco could experience. That made the book seem a lot more authentic and heart felt.

You could tell that the author was really invested in this book and his characters. The character development was shown through the events in Marco's life and how he dealt with them as well as his family. The book at times took on the tone of being almost an autobiography of this period of time in the characters life. The main theme of the book is self-discovery and finding out what is truly important in life.

I give this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Thanks to Phenix Publicity, I have 2 copies of Finding Marco to giveaway! Here are the rules of the giveaway:

1.) You must be a follower of this blog.

2.) You must leave a comment with your e-mail address on this post.

3.) This giveaway is International

4.) The giveaway will end at midnight on July 15th.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

+5 for following me on Twitter @justpeachy36

+5 for being an old follower

+3 for being a new follower

+5 for each entry in any other contest I'm having (check my sidebar)

+5 for adding this giveaway to your sidebar

+10 for getting the word out about the giveaway on Twitter, Facebook etc. (remember to leave your links in your comment)

Thanks for participating!

July Comment Giveaway!

I really enjoy having the comment giveaway's each month, because it gives my loyal followers a chance to win something, just by participating. I've been a little strapped for cash of late, so this month's giveaway will be a little different. I'm still going with the Top 5 concept.

The Top 5 Commenter's for the month of July will be entered to win the giveaway. I will use random. org to choose the winner. Instead of the prize amount being a book, up to $25.00, for the time being I'm going to reduce this to a book up to $15.00. I know that knocks out new hardbacks, but hopefully this will only be temporary.

Thanks for your participation. I will post the Top 5 every Saturday, so you can see your progress.

Winner: June Top 5 Comment Giveaway

Through the month of June we have been having a Top 5 Comment giveaway! These are the five commenter's who were entered in the drawing:

1.) Llehn

2.) Mystica

3.) Shy

4.) fredamans

5.) Shelia (Book Journey)

I took these five and entered them into random.org to come up with a winner! The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If I have your e-mail address I will contact you, if not you will have leave a comment on this post with your e-mail so I can get in touch.

The winner is: fredamans!!!

There are some winners who have yet to receive their prizes. Please be patient I will get them to you. I've had some financial concerns of late, but I'm working on it. The details for the new comment giveaway for July will appear later today... Thank-You for your participation, patience and comments!