Review & Giveaway: The Ocean Between by Lynda Coker

From the back cover:

Victoria Ballard, a New York financial executive, is one woman who considers men to be an unnecessary bother and annoyance. With her career on track, she focuses on the adoption of four beautiful orphans, a crowning completion of her well designed life-plan. But, life is a nasty trickster, and it's about to spring one on her. Unknown to Victoria, Prince Rashid Davar has just completed a marriage contract with her father, However, what the prince does not realize is that is is easier to marry a woman that it is to control one. She may be his wife, but it will take a kidnapping, a battle of wills, and some desert heat of his own before he can claim her love.

My thoughts: When Jacob Ballard first proposed his idea of Rashid marrying his daughter, Rashid was taken aback and explained that since he is a prince of his people, much will be expected of his wife. He wanted to reject Jacob's proposition at first but when he got sight of Victoria, his heart said yes while his mind was saying no. Through some hasty paper shuffling on Jacob's part and without any input from Victoria, the deed was done.

Prince Rashid may be arrogant and used to having his own way, but he has not encountered a woman like Victoria before. Victoria is also used to being independent and has a hard time adjusting to the ways of Ahalamin, the Prince's homeland. At the same time that she is rebelling, a part of her is intrigued by the desert and the people. Some times the heart rebels and what a person thinks they want is not what they want after all. Will one of them eventually get their own way, as their cultures dictate, or will they manage a compromise that will suit them both?

*Sigh*, I feel like I have been to the desert and back. Coker definitely has the gift of putting the reader right in the scene. Her descriptions of the landscape and the people are most intriguing. I almost felt like a voyeur when Rashid and Victoria were,. . . ahem, trying to sort out their differences. This is one lady who knows how to write a Love story with a capital L! Hot as the desert wind, sweet as the date cakes served with mint tea, this is one romance that will grab you by the heartstrings. I can almost guarantee that the ending of this book will make you teary-eyed but in a good way, of course. I loved it! Once I started the book, I couldn't put it down until the end. That earns it a 5***** rating.

Author info: Lynda Coker lives in the rolling hills of East Texas with her favorite alpha-male, her husband of 45 years. Now that she has retired from the field of Photographic Art, she writes full-time and blesses her husband for patiently sharing her with some factitiously strange, exotic, and mischievous characters. A voracious reader, she decided to try writing the type of stories she loved to read.

Lynda strives to peel back the layers that obscure the emotion we call love. She believes her readers choose romance, not to explore the physical, but rather, the compelling desires of their hearts. "Physical love is a glorious gift," she says. "But without the heights and depths of the emotional journey, it is only an empty reflection of what could have been."

A review copy of the book was provided by the author.

Now for the giveaway: Lynda is generously allowing me to give away a copy of her book to one very lucky reader. Here's the scoop!

No P.O. Boxes and open to residents of the US & Canada only. For your official entry, let me know the best romance you have read lately. Put all info in ONE box, please! If you are already a follower, remind me.

Be sure to leave an e mail address; no e-mail, no entry. Bonus entries can be earned by:

+2 Becoming a new google friends connect follower
+2 Already being a follower
+ 2 Post about contest and leave me a link
+1 Put contest in sidebar or tweet and leave me a link

Deadline to enter is December 1st at 5 P.M. Good Luck !

Show Me 5 Saturday: Confections of a Closet Master Baker

That's A Novel Idea has started a new MEME called Show Me Five Saturday. This meme will give each blogger an opportunity to give a brief description of a book they have read or reviewed during the week. It will work like this: Each Saturday you will post the answer to these questions. The number indicates the number of answers you will provide.

1. Book you read and/or reviewed this week

Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado

2. Words that describe the book

Memoir, culinary related

3. Settings where it took place or characters you met:

Vermont country bakery. Gesine: former Hollywood p.r. agent who loved to bake and wanted a change in her life, picks up stakes and moves to Vermont to open a bakery. Ray: Gesine's husband who supports her every step of the way.

4. Things you liked and/or disliked about it:

I loved the setting in Vermont, the old house they fixed up and the bakery. You can almost smell the tantalizing bakery aromas wafting out the door. Gesine:, a woman who gave up a very promising and lucrative career to spend hours and hours a day in order to follow her heart's dream. The begining of the book with all the Hollywood quirkiness. Last but not least, the fabulous recipes that pay tribute to Gesine's mother.

5. Stars or less for your rating?

3.5*** Note: This is saying a lot for me as memoirs and I generally don't play well together. This is one of the better ones I've read this year. If you are a foodie, love to bake, read recipes or just like to see how someone took the initiative to change their life, this is the book for you.

Blog Tour: Limelight by Melody Carlson

Synopsis:

Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone. Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Slowly, she makes friends. She begins to see her old life in a new light. For the first time, Claudette Fioré questions her own values and finds herself wondering if it’s too late to change.

My Thoughts: Limelight hooked me right from the start. When Claudette began remembering her life, I wanted to see what got her to the point of despair at the age of 82. It seemed as if the author disappeared and I was left in a cozy setting with a very real Claudette, not just a character in a book, telling me her story; I was mesmerized.

Looking back over her married life of luxury to one of Hollywood's premier directors, Claudette had many wistful memories of fabulous parties, scintillating company and the sheer joy of never having to worry about finances. Now a reversal of fortune has landed Claudette back to the little house where she grew up. Thinking she is far superior to the small town residents of Silverton, she rebuffs their attempts to be friendly.

After some hilarious mishaps and meeting people who are more than willing to help her, Claudette begins to open her heart to new possibilities. Having to learn to do for herself is almost overwhelming at her age, but when she finally does learn to do a few things, she feels a small sense of accomplishment. As time goes by, she is more than willing to forge new friendships and mend some old ones, particularly with Violet, her estranged sister. Claudette learns that no matter how old she has become, it's not too late to learn new things.

I finished the book in 2 sittings, being reluctant to put it down. One of the things I found enjoyable was Claudette's Hollywood reminiscences with some very recognizable names. Carlson does a wonderful job with her characters, fleshing them out to be fully developed and easily imaginable. I like the way she drew Claudette and showed her growth from the beginning of the book to the end of the story. 4 ****stars

This book was provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. For more info on the book please visit Random House.

Blog Tour: What Matters Most by Melody Carlson

Synopsis:

Maya’s Green Tip for the Day: Recycled fashion is one of the most fun ways to go green. A pair of jeans could be transformed into a denim skirt. A sweater into a vest. A bunch of old ties into a dress. A blanket into a poncho. Accessorize it in new way–with beads, buttons, appliqués, buckles, stencils, or ribbons…your imagination is only the limit. (65 words)Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything.To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.

Author: Melody Carlson has published over ninety books for adults, children, and teens, with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards, including the Gold Medallion and the RITA Award.

For more info on the book please visit Random House.

This book was provided by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Teaser Tuesday

It's Tuesday, Where are you ? is hosted by Raidergirl3.

I am in Washington, DC at a committee meeting trying to investigate the latest presidential nominee for the Supreme Court. The two previous nominees, who were impeccable by the way, were shot down by the committee chairman solely because he was miffed at President Vanderdamp. Having his two best nominees rejected by the committee, President Vanderdamp now champions Pepper Cartwright, a very popular TV judge. Let's see if the committee has managed to dig up some dirt on the latest victim nominee.



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Miz B of Should Be Reading
and asks you to :

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share 2 "teaser"sentences also citing the title of the book and the author and in that way people can have great recommendations if they like the "teaser.
4. Please avoid spoilers!

This week's teaser is taken from Supreme Courtship by Christpher Buckley.

"Let's have it," Dexter said.

"Senior year at her boarding school, she and another girl put shaving cream on the headmistress's toilet seat."

Dexter stared at his chief of staff. "Well, that'll drive a stake through her heart."

"Sorry, Senator, we'll keep trying."

This book was featured in my Show Me 5 Saturday post. In case you missed it and want more info about the book, see this.

Blog Tour: Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh

Synopsis:

Piper Wick left her hometown of Pickwick , North Carolina , twelve years ago, shook the dust off her feet, ditched her drawl and her family name, and made a new life for herself as a high-powered public relations consultant in LA. She’s even “engaged to be engaged” to the picture-perfect U.S. Congressman Grant Spangler.Now all of Piper’s hard-won happiness is threatened by a reclusive uncle’s bout of conscience. In the wake of a health scare, Uncle Obadiah Pickwick has decided to change his will, leaving money to make amends for four generations’ worth of family misdeeds. But that will reveal all the Pickwicks’ secrets, including Piper’s. Though Piper arrives in Pickwick primed for battle, she is unprepared for Uncle Obe’s rugged, blue-eyed gardener. So just who is Axel Smith? Why does he think making amends is more than just making restitution? And why, oh why, can’t she stay on task? With the Lord’s help, Piper is about to discover that although good PR might smooth things over, only the truth will set her free.

My Thoughts: This was a very slow starter for me. It did eventually pick up but it took time, a lot of time. In the first few chapters, the reader is introduced to so many characters, it's mind boggling. Piper struck me as a 30 year old still stuck in the mindset of a young teenager. Through flashback thoughts, we see that all the myriad of cousins didn't take too kindly to young Piper. An infamous "teenage stunt" that could cause some great scandal if brought to light after twelve years turns out to be (imo) making a mountain out of a molehill. Supposedly with the threat of this revelation, Piper is fearful that her boyfriend to whom she is engaged to be engaged, will hear of this and drop her like the proverbial hot potato. The premise to get her back to North Carolina to forgive her family and be free of all this angst and move on is a good one but the plot lines to get her there are weak. Supposedly she is, as she puts it, "taken", but when she first sees Axel she looks at him as a dog would the last t-bone on earth. She must mention he has blue eyes about 78 times.

The funny thing is that one of her cousins, Maggie, who was so mean to her in school has now become a nice person with a wonderful and very intelligent 12 year old daughter. It seems Maggie has progressed emotionally since Piper has been gone. Now if we could just get Piper to do the same. About half way through the book, the story did finally pick up and I found myself liking some of the characters; Maggie, her daughter Devyn, Uncle Obe and Axel. Piper, as the main character, never really did it for me but the story turned out nice and neat. I have no quibble with the ending as I think the author did eventually achieve her objective. It just took an awfully long time to get there. If you like christian fiction, a little romance and family entanglements, you might like this one. For me, it was an okay but just not great read. 2.5**

This book was provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. For more info on the book and where to purchase on line, please visit Random House.

Show Me 5 Saturday: Supreme Courtship by Christopher Bucckley

That's A Novel Idea has started a new MEME called Show Me Five Saturday. This meme will give each blogger an opportunity to give a brief description of a book they have read or reviewed during the week. It will work like this: Each Saturday you will post the answer to these questions. The number indicates the number of answers you will provide.

1. Book you read and/or reviewed this week

Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley

2. Words that describe the book

Comedy, Washington, D.C. shenanigans

3. Settings where it took place or characters you met:

Supreme Court, President Vanderdamp: current president who would really rather be bowling than running the country. When the supreme court rejects two of his nominees for the supreme court vacancy, he proposes Pepper Cartwright. Pepper Cartwright: no nonsense tv judge from Texas who manages to get past the judicial selection committee with her own brand of down home logic and forthright sassiness. Just loved her character!

4. Things you liked and/or disliked about it:

The absolute sheer fun of this book's plot with writing that kept me snickering and chuckling from the very beginning. The rapier- sharp, witty dialogue from characters I could picture so easily. Senator Dexter Mitchell; a pompous windbag with real life presidential aspirations who gives up his chairmanship of the senate judicial committee to portray President Lovestorm on TV. When the show's ratings soar, Dexter then decides to actually run for president and sets off a whole chain reaction that would shake up not only his wife but Washington in a big way. Inner workings of supreme court selection process and voting on issues. There was nothing about this book I disliked.

5. Stars or less for your rating?

5*****

Book Tour: Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur

Summary:

"Pastor Jason Faircloth knows what he believes. His clear faith, in fact, is why he is one of the most prominent pastors in Atlanta . He relies on it to discipline his daughter, his wife, his church. He prays daily that others would come to see God’s ways as he does.
And it is about to cost him everything.
Groping for answers in the face of tragedy, Jason begins a search for the only family he has left: the granddaughter kept hidden from him. Soon he finds himself on an international adventure that will take him straight into the depths of his soul. He is determined not to fail again.
A fast-paced suspense novel rich in spiritual depth, Wisdom Hunter explores what it means to break free of Christian legalism—and discover why grace can mean the difference between life and death.

My thoughts: This book started out well with the introduction to Hannah, Pastor Faircloth's young runaway daughter. We find her in Miami, a newly married young woman with her first baby on the way. Life is good for Hannah and her veterinarian husband, Cody. There are enough hints that Hannah's life was none too happy at home with her parents and she had good cause to run away. This scenario made me curious to find out what happened previously and what would ensue.

Then we meet Jason Faircloth; an overly conservative and pompously arrogant pastor of the ultra - conservative North Metro church in Atlanta. He's so staunch in his beliefs and convictions that it is easy to see it was always his way or the highway for anyone in his family.Unfortunately, as his daughter, Hannah felt the highway was her only recourse. When tragedy strikes the Faircloth family, Jason rails against God demanding to know why he let these things happen. Consequently, the result of his crisis of faith compels Jason to leave the church and go on a quest that will take him to Miami first and then eventually to Europe four years later.

I found his behavior in Miami to be almost manic and to me it was over done melodrama that was completely out of character. It's hard to connect with a character when you can't believe in them. Cody, Hannah's husband, also fell into the same abyss of unbelievability when this formerly wonderful persona took on a cruel self -destructive nature. The actions by Faircloth and Cody were just too unbelievable to me and I could not continue. At page 178 I had to admit defeat. At some point I may try to finish the book but for the near future it's not happening. This is just my opinion. Readers have to decide for themselves if this book is a fit for them. It's billed as a Christian thriller so please make your own choice.

Author Bio: Randall Arthur is the bestselling author of Jordan’s Crossing and Brotherhood of Betrayal. He and his wife have served as missionaries to Europe for over thirty years. From 1976 till 1998, he lived in Norway and Germany as a church planter. Since 2000, he has taken numerous missions teams from the United States on trips all over Europe . Arthur is also the founder of the AOK (Acts of Kindness) Bikers’ Fellowship, a group of men who enjoy the sport of motorcycling. He and his family live in Atlanta , Georgia .

This book was provided for review by The Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. For more info on Wisdom Hunter or to purchase online please visit Random House.

Guest post: Rolf Hitzer, author of Hoodoo Sea

Today, I would like to welcome Rolf Hitzer to Pudgy Penguin Perusals. Before we see what Rolf has to say in his guest post, here is a little background info about this author.

Rolf Hitzer was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 1959 and raised by his parents, Erna and Julius Hitzer.

Rolf attended Princess Margaret Elementary School, John Pritchard Junior High and Graduated from Kildonan East Regional Secondary School where he had majored in Culinary Arts.

Rolf is married to his wife Irma since 1997. Together they have a wonderful blended family with Rita and Clark Bodoano and Grand children, Alexandria, Patrick and Braeden. Jason and Leah Tutlies, and Grandson Easton. Mandel Hitzer, and the youngest Jessica Hitzer. Clearly the growth of his family is still a work in progress.

Rolf Hitzer has several passions besides writing, they include being at the log cabin on weekends. Spending time on the water with a fishing pole in hand. Wildlife viewing and especially Moose calling during the fall rut. Playing a range of Poker card games and a variety of board games.

Rolf is a Member of the Winnipeg Real Estate Board, The Manitoba Real Estate Association and the Canadian Real Estate Association. He is currently working on his second novel.

It has to be right..... to write by Rolf Hitzer

What made a tremendous difference for me to help maintain my concentration when I sat down to write, was the setting I selected. Early on when I had started to pen Hoodoo Sea, I realized that distraction was my biggest enemy.

Any slight disturbance, I found, hindered my creativity and ability to focus. So knowing this, my writing environment became as important as the story I was working on.

First came the room, I chose an area in the house, the basement, where I couldn't look out of the small window. Perfect. Whatever was happening outside, I had isolated myself from it.

Absolutely no phone, land line or cell. In fact, my wife would take a message whenever someone would call. No music, e mails, text messages, or even if anyone happened to come by the house unannounced. For two hours each day, I disappeared from the world. Sounds easy enough, but it wasn't.

Before going through this disciplined process, my word production was less than half, versus from when I had made the decision to isolate myself from everything. It's funny how life can be when we always seem to learn best from the school of hard knocks.

For more information on his book visit: http://www.hoodoosea.com/ .

This book published by Bluewater Press,LLC was provided for review by the author through a Virtual Book Tour.

Wondrous Words Wednesday

Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Bermuda Onion. This is where we share new to us words that we have come across during our week of reading. My words this week are all taken from Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley. A most enjoyable (5*) read that will be on my Show Me 5 Saturday post.

persiflage: n, light bantering style of writing or speaking. Idle good natured bantering.

Hayden was not one to waste presidential weekend time on persiflage.

logorrheic: adj., log·or·rheic, excessive and often incoherent talkativeness or wordiness

Successive campaign advisors had tried without success to get him to give briefer answers, but nothing had stemmed the logorrheic tide, the tsunami of subordinate clauses and parenthetical asides, the inexorable mudslide of anecdotage.

susurrus: n, a whisper, a sound

The lawyer pushed on . . " that a carburetor and a firearm, however distinct from a mechanical point of view, are both devices that come with implicit guarantees of functionality."

"Like an electric chair, say?"

A susurrus of laughter rippled through the Court. Justice Santamaria was frisky today.

Okay, so I gave you more than just the word but this book kept me so amused. I don't think there was a page on which I didn't at least snicker. Happy reading!