The Coffeeholic and the Cafe by Elizabeth Martin

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 248
Book Source: Borrowed from Alaine

Synopsis: Newly self-diagnosed Coffeeholic Claire moves to Cairns to escape a failed long term relationship and to open the coffee shop of her dreams. But things are not as glamorous as she imagines. The coffee plantation is a dusty farm, the cafe is a tin shed behind a Hills Hoist, and the tall, quiet man who meets her at the station is called Bruce. Despite this and her own addiction, can she create the best coffee shop in Tropical North Queensland? Can she also find love at the same time?

Review:

I was dying to read this after seeing Alaine's enthusiastic review, and even more so since Elizabeth Martin is an Aussie author. Not a genre that I read often but I have to say this one was a hoot, the sheer 'Australianness' is an absolute treat.

It's rare to find novels with an Aussie based setting and even less common to read a novel set in Cairns. Martin's turn of phrase and descriptive prose puts you right there in tropical North Queensland, I succumbed to the humidity and "laid back" pace of the tropics, I could smell the rainforest, the coffee and yes, even feel those annoying sandfly bites.

Claire Douglas is a character you can relate to, a failed relationship, a new start, the longing for happiness & the need to know and understand yourself as the past catches up. As Claire rises to the challenge of establishing the "best coffee shop in Tropical North Queensland" she really comes into her own. I loved the assortment of quirky friends and Bruce, the laid-back man of few words, a trait synonymous with Aussie men :)

I thoroughly recommend The Coffeeholic and the Cafe for it's true-blue Aussie flavour, the vivid sense of place, the understated romance, the humour and the capacity of this book to have you drooling for a coffee!

Elizabeth Martin was born in Melbourne, Australia, and now lives with her husband and 3 boys in Cairns. Elizabeth has been residing in Far North since 2000, and loves a good cup of coffee almost as much as a good old-fashioned romance.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from Book Journey to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila :)

Another busy but wonderful week, I participated in armchair BEA, had new guest posts and giveaways go up on my blog and had a wonderful time at my best friends daughter's surprise 25th birthday party.

Awesome Giveaways:

Win BEAUFORT 1849 by Karen Allen ~ enter here. 2 copies of this historical up for grabs!

Win ACROSS ETERNITY by Aris Whittier ~ enter here. Hurry last day!

Win TREASURE ME by Christine Nolfi ~ enter here & check out her lovely guest post "In Praise of Book Bloggers." - 3 copies but hurry last day!

I posted review for:

HERE, HOME, HOPE by Kaira Rouda ~ entertaining read that echoes the old addage "the grass is not always greener on the other side, the grass is greenest where it is watered" :)

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Finished Last Week:

BUMPED by Megan McCafferty ~ you'll just have to see the review for this one; scheduled this week.

RADIANCE by Alyson Noel (audiobook) ~ not bad

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This Week's Reading List:

BETWEEN HERE AND FOREVER by Elizabeth Scott ~ page 90

BEST KEPT SECRET by Amy Hatvany

THE RESTORER by Amanda Stevens

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Reviews to post:

THE COFFEEHOLIC & THE CAFE by Elizabeth Martin (review up Tuesday)

A STORM CALLED KATRINA by Myron Uhlberg

Nose Tweaking - The Ultimate Insult: Guest Post & Giveaway with Karen Allen, author of Beaufort 1849

Though difficult to imagine today, there was a time when grabbing someone’s nose and giving it a twist was an insult so egregious it was likely to end in one of the parties’ death. For centuries in both America and Europe, violation of a man’s honor demanded retribution by duel, and though by the middle of the 19th century duels were theoretically illegal in all states, they were prevalent among the elite class in the South up until the Civil War.

Evidently the nose was a particularly sensitive spot for insult, probably because in those more modest times it was the part of the man always public and exposed and tended to be associated with a man’s assertion, will and confidence. Present day psychologically-inclined historians even speculate that the nose was a stand-in for—how should we put this delicately?—another item of protuberant male anatomy synonymous with masculinity. So to insult the nose was to insult the man deeply to the core.

As we see in Beaufort 1849 nose tweaking is how Johnny finally goads Jasper into a duel:

“No,” Johnny said, shaking off his host and turning back Jasper. “You’ll fight me, Wainwright, or you’re a coward.” There was a collective intake of air at this, followed by several gasps as Johnny accentuated his defaming words by reaching out his hand to tweak his adversary’s nose. Johnny might have succeeded if Jasper hadn’t grabbed him hard by the wrist, or perhaps he did succeed for the briefest of instants, it was impossible for anyone besides the two involved to know for sure. But now the course was set. The insult was too grave to be ignored by even the most lenient of standards, and the standards for gentlemen in Beaufort, South Carolina were not lenient.

A personage no less than President Andrew Jackson possibly suffered the dishonor of a nose tweak—while he was president! (Where was the Secret Service?) Five years after Jackson had removed naval officer Lt Robert Randolph from military service, the disgraced man approached Jackson, made as if to shake his hand, and then reached out to the jutting appendage instead. (As we know from our twenty dollar bills, Jackson had a good-sized one.) In response, Jackson tried to beat Randolph with his cane but was prevented by the other men in the room. A friend immediately offered to go kill Randolph, but Jackson refused because one’s honor could only be defended by oneself. Afterwards Jackson denied that Randolph or anyone else had ever successfully tweaked his nose, thus his honor had not been compromised. Jackson was no stranger to duels--in the course of his life, he fought in thirteen and had been wounded so frequently (with the bullets often not removable) it was said that he “rattled like a bag of marbles.”

I wonder which customs we feel strongly about today will cause people 150 years from now to scratch their heads and say, “You’ve got to be kidding!”

a novel of antebellum South Carolina

After years abroad, Jasper Wainwright returns to Beaufort, South Carolina, home of his unruly youth. Slavery and Sea Island cotton have made this summer seat of plantation owners one of the wealthiest and most cultured cities in America . . . and also the most hotheaded, secessionist city in the South.

Jasper’s cousin, Henry Birch, wants him to marry his niece, Cara, a pianist and the prettiest girl in the county. Believing slavery doomed, Jasper has no desire to settle in the South again and so resists both Henry’s matchmaking and his growing fascination with Cara. Then anonymous letters in The Charleston Courier give Jasper an inkling that maybe the South could change.

Though his freed slave, Jim, who travels with him, is antsy to leave, Jasper lingers in Beaufort. Amid a whirl of parties, waltzes and duels, Cara is never far from his eyes or his thoughts. As cries for secession grow louder, Jasper works desperately to convince Beaufort planters that gradual emancipation and transition to a wage-based economy could avert the coming storm of war. Will Beaufort be another Pompeii, its civilization disappearing in a cataclysm it refuses to foresee.

Visit Karen Allen's website or blog Musings to find out more about this author and her work.

Buy Beaufort 1849 @ Amazon or B&N or The Book Depository. Will soon to be available in Australian bookstores.

GIVEAWAY:

Thanks to Karen for guest posting today and I'm thrilled to be able to offer 2 copies of Beaufort 1849 to readers of my blog.

1 hard copy US/Canada

1 eBook copy International

Leave a comment telling me the custom you think people will shake their heads over in 100 years time. Don't forget to include an email address :)

EXTRA ENTRIES:

+1 for followers of my blog (mention in your comment)

+2 post about this give-away on twitter or your blog & leave a link.

Competition ends 9th June and the winner will be announced on my blog.

Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda

Genre: General Fiction/Chick Lit
Copyright: 2011
Pages: 310
Book Source: ARC courtesy of Booksparks PR

Synopsis: Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her middling middle-American existence and her neighbors' seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding. But Kelly's own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan.

From page one, Kelly's witty reflections, self-deprecating humor, and clever tactics in executing that plan--she places Post-it notes all over her house and car--will have readers laughing out loud. The next instant, however, they might rant right along with Kelly as her commitment to a sullen, anorexic teenager left on her doorstep tries her patience or as she deflects the boozy advances of a divorced neighbor. Readers will need to keep the tissue box handy, too, as Kelly repairs the damage she inflicted on a high school friend; realizes how deeply her husband, Patrick, understands and loves her; and ultimately grows into a woman empowered by her own blend of home and career.

Here, Home, Hope will surely appeal to readers of chick lit and other women's fiction titles who are ready to transition into something new in their own life.

Review:

A quick,entertaining read that delves into one woman's search for happiness; her coming-of-age requires honesty, 'work', adjustments and a Things to Change (T2C) list. The emphasis is on the empowerment of women, the importance of nurturing friendships and the need for women to support each others' desires and dreams, whatever they may be.

After a health scare, lingering feelings of dissatisfaction and depression motivate Kelly to re-evaluate her life; something I'm sure we can all relate to. I liked Kelly's character and could identify with many items on her T2C list although I must confess to thinking "lucky for some" that Kelly (unlike many) had the financial means all along to make her business dream come true.

• Remember my blessings
• Don't forget the care and feeding of friends
• Trust your instincts
• Yell without crying

I liked the growth in the connection between Kelly and her best friend's anorexic daughter Melanie, the support Kelly had from her husband Patrick and I really enjoyed the details as Kelly sets up her own business, Kelly Johnson Home Staging. As Kelly's confidence, self-worth and assertiveness grows so does her business and love of life.

Favourite quotes:

This one on entering the dating world after an extended absence

"It's gotta be just like riding a bike," I said, blowing out the candle. Except, I guess, the seat has changed, and the handle bars, and ... Oh, it will be fun.

... something about my life had to change ... I was the only one who could do it. Not having that realization was what held me back for so long. I was ready to rewrite Things to Change rule Number One. My life is up to me to define. I needed to make my own dreams come true."

Whilst I felt that the reader was told rather than shown, I'm sure Ms Rouda's writing style will evolve with subsequent novels. An enjoyable read that certainly echoed the old addage; the grass is not always greener on the other side, the grass is greenest where it is watered :)

Want to know more about Kaira Rouda and her work? - check out her website.

 

Armchair BEA - Giveaway & Best of 2011 ... so far

Tuesday is Armchair BEA’s big Giveaway Day! We’ll be doing giveaways all week here, but if you’re hosting a giveaway for Armchair BEA-goers on your own site, this is the day to post about it there and link it up here! And if you’re not hosting a giveaway, today’s suggested posting topic is “Best of 2011”: share some of your favorite books so far this year, and/or the the books being promoted at BEA that you hope will end up among your favorites for the year!

 

The delightful Christine Nolfi has offered 2 eBook copies of TREASURE ME especially for participants in Armchair BEA

Petty thief Birdie Kaminsky has arrived in Liberty, Ohio to steal a treasure hidden since the Civil War. She’s in possession of a charming clue passed down in her family for generations: Liberty safeguards the cherished heart.

The beautiful thief wants to go straight. She secretly admires the clue’s author, freedwoman Justice Postell, who rose above the horrors of slavery to build a new life in Ohio. According to family lore, Justice left South Carolina at the dawn of the Civil War. Heavy with child, she carried untold riches on her journey north. As Birdie searches for the treasure, she begins to believe a questionable part of the story: a tale of love between Justice and Lucas Postell, the French plantation owner who was Birdie’s ancestor.

If the stories are true, Justice bore a child with Lucas. Some of those black relatives might still live in town. Birdie can’t help but wonder if she’s found one—Liberty’s feisty matriarch, Theodora Hendricks, who packs a pistol and heartwarming stories about Justice. Birdie doesn’t know that an investigative reporter who has arrived in town will trip her up—as will her conscience when she begins to wonder if it’s possible to start a new life with stolen riches. Yet with each new clue she unearths, Birdie begins to discover a family history more precious than gems, a tradition of love richer than she could imagine.

Please click on the link below and make sure you mention in your comment that you are an Armchair BEA participant :)

"In Praise Of Book Bloggers" - Guest Post & Giveaway with Christine Nolfi, author of Treasure Me.

BEST OF 2011 ... so far

Even though I'm doing a giveaway I couldnt resist posting my favourite reads of 2011 ... so far. Books that make me so glad I'm a reader, books that transport me to another time or place, stories that have made me laugh, cry, sigh, swoon and scream!
 

Stay by Deb Caletti - Breathtaking, hopeful, real. Beautiful, heartfelt writing, absolutely mesmerising!

Mercy by Aussie author Rebecca Lim is a "page-turning" YA fantasy. Lim's writing is gorgeous; dark, despairing and very very 'moreish'.

 
Aussie author Katherine Howell, writes the most thrilling paramedic themed crime novels. Violent Exposure is a must for lovers of "edge of your seat" suspense/thrillers.

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf - brilliantly crafted with mesmerising clarity, sensitivity and intensity. This one tugs at the heartstrings.  

 

Exit The Actress by Priya Parmar - captivating, vivid, eloquent & intimate story of Nell Gwyn

Die for Me by Amy Plum is another YA with a completely captivating Parisian setting so vivid you can almost picture yourself there, experiencing all the charm, mystery, flavour and history. A magnifique debut!

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand was all I could wish for and more. My favourite angel book of the year so far; refreshing, intriguing, delightful, effortless!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from Book Journey to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila :)

A wonderful weekend spent with scrapbooking friends at the Daisy Chain Scrapbook Retreat. I always enjoy the time away to create and relax, free from the responsiblities of home. I completed 7 layouts and I'm halfway thru number 8, which is not quite a record for me but the most I've done at camp in years lol. Will share more layout photos next week.

Anthony ~ Christmas 2008

Callum & I ~ January 2011

Brisbane Roar Grand Final (scraplift from Alaine)

My birthday 2011 (scraplift from Alaine)

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Now to BOOK STUFF:

Win ACROSS ETERNITY by Aris Whittier ~ enter here.

Win TREASURE ME by Christine Nolfi ~ enter here & check out her lovely guest post "In Praise of Book Bloggers."

Previous Giveaway Winners:

Winner of HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME by Brian Rowe ~ Birgit

Winner of SONG OF THE SILK ROAD by Mingmei Yip ~ Michelle @ True Book Addict

I'm participating in Armchair BEA ~ even if you're not registered you can follow all the fun at Armchair BEA Central and stay tuned for more giveaways on my blog this week!

Posted review for:

MERCY by Rebecca Lim ~ 4.5 stars, awesome YA from Aussie author, loved it!

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Finished Last Week:

HERE, HOME, HOPE by Kaira Rouda ~ review up Tuesday

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This Week's Reading List:

This week it's all YA reading, if I get these finished it's back to historical for me :)

BUMPED by Megan McCafferty ~ page 75

RADIANCE by Alyson Noel (audiobook) ~ chapter 7

BETWEEN HERE AND FOREVER by Elizabeth Scott

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Reviews to post:

THE COFFEEHOLIC & THE CAFE by Elizabeth Martin (review scheduled this week)

A STORM CALLED KATRINA by Myron Uhlberg

Armchair BEA

The Book Expo America (BEA) and Book Bloggers Convention is scheduled for May 23-27 in New York. If you can't make it to NYC in person then don't miss out on all the fun, participate in the Armchair BEA. A virtual BEA with daily blogging themes, discussions, giveaways and more!

Visit the lovely people at the Armchair BEA website to register and find out more.

Mercy by Rebecca Lim

Genre: YA Fantasy

Series: Mercy #1

Publication Date: 17th May 2011 (1st published Oct 19th 2010)

Pages: 288

Book Source: Disney-Hyperion & NetGalley

Synopsis: Mercy in an exile from heaven with shattered memories of who she used to be. She's doomed to "wake" repeatedly on earth in a new body, each time assuming a new life. During the day she survives in the human world on instinct and at night her dreams are haunted by her lost love, who pleads with her to find him.

But this time is different. When Mercy wakes up she meets Ryan, an eighteen-year-old reeling from the loss of his twin sister, Lauren, who was kidnapped two years ago. Only Mercy and Ryan believe his sister is still alive. For the first time since she can remember, Mercy has a purpose: she can help. So she doesn't understand why the man in her dreams cautions her not to interfere. But as Ryan and Mercy come closer to solving the mystery of Lauren's disappearance, danger looms just one step behind.

Will Mercy be able to harness her extraordinary power in time?

Review:

Loved it! Why have I not read this Aussie author before?? Lim's writing is gorgeous; dark, despairing and very very 'moreish'.

Mercy is a page-turning blend of mystery, suspense, paranormal, and a whisper of romance. The reader shares Mercy's journey as she searches for answers to her past life, present host life and her imminent future. While you know from the cover art and synopsis that Mercy is an exiled angel, it's not specifically mentioned in the novel but I loved that, the feeling of uncertainty, of instability.  

I found myself connecting the dots as I read, much like Mercy as she tries to piece her splintered memories into some semblance of a picture. I loved that Mercy is a strong, smart-mouthed, kick-ass character inhabiting Carmen, a mousey choir exchange student with an extraordinary voice. Carmen's host family is a family in pain, struggling to deal with the kidnapping of their daughter and twin sister Lauren two years earlier.

The ending really pleased me; mystery solved but many unanswered questions regarding Mercy's fate ... not really a cliffhanger but enough to have you hanging out for the next installment, Exile. And I was lucky enough to pick up a copy today; can't wait to see where Lim takes this series.

Which is your favourite cover?

new US cover & Aussie cover

Old US & kindle cover & German cover



In Praise Of Book Bloggers - Guest Post & Giveaway with Christine Nolfi, author of Treasure Me

I have a confession to make. I've fallen in love with book bloggers.

In the last 24 hours I've been checking out book bloggers in the hopes of finding a few reviewers for Treasure Me, which will appear in the Amazon Kindle store next week.

A few more confessions: I'm rarely in cyberspace. I don't own a cell phone. If I find time to sit in front of the tube, it's usually for a dose of BBC America or to watch a movie with my four young adult children. We have a rule: Mom can't spoil the film by revealing the plot when she figures it out. If I am on my computer, it's usually to flesh out a first draft. Most revisions (and more revisions and more revisions) are completed long-hand. Usually with Nala staring at me as I scribble away in my easy chair:

Sandy, my golden retriever, also harasses me as I revise (biscuit! biscuit!) but I don't have a pic of her presently; she's wandering the house in search of socks to steal.

Back to book bloggers. They're amazing. Sweet, special people drifting through cyberspace with the message that literature is a good thing and you ought to pick up a book and read.

Regardless of your tastes, there's a book blog that's right for you. Women's fiction, high literature, mystery, suspense, romance, experimental fiction--somewhere on this pretty blue planet a dedicated bibliophile is spending her precious time posting in her blog so that you'll know what to read, what's new, what's not-so-new but damn good so you should hurry to the library and dig the book out from the stacks. Some bloggers are open to reviewing e-books (thank the heavens) which allows many novels that weren't published in the traditional method to reach the light of day.

Here's my last confession: I spent several years watching my various novels garner interest with the heavy hitters in NYC. I was sure Random House would pick up Second Chance Grill. An editor at the Penguin Group was so enthusiastic about publishing Treasure Me, and the rest of the Liberty series, in hardcover, that I spent several months sweating bullets while writing a series proposal. When Wall Street melted down, so did the editor's interest. Which I understand. It's difficult to consider releasing a debut novelist when your publishing house is laying off your compatriots in droves.

Through it all, book bloggers continue to write about books they love and books they dislike. They keep interest in literature alive and--I suspect--they introduce younger readers to the delights of fiction. You can never get beneath another person's skin. IMHO the closest you'll get to understanding another human heart is through fiction. So please read. And visit those book bloggers in cyberspace for the sweetest celebration of literature you'll ever enjoy.

Thanks Christine for the lovely post giving bloggers "warm fuzzies!" 

Now read on, Christine has also answered a few questions:

Can you tell us your inspiration for Treasure Me?

I’ve written five novels and counting, but Treasure Me is the only “bolt out of the blue” I’ve ever experienced. The beautiful young thief, Birdie Kaminsky, simply appeared one morning as I sat down to work on another WIP. She was dangling from a window ledge, trying to escape from the man whose pocket she’d picked. That first scene spilled out in a mad frenzy of typing. When I read it to my critique partners, they couldn’t stop laughing.

As the novel progressed, I enjoyed the challenge of making a thief sympathetic to readers. Once it becomes clear how hard Birdie has tried to go legal, her situation becomes quite poignant.

What makes your story unique from others in the market?
Great question! Not too long ago, publishing houses sold books directly to bookstores. A writer’s creativity was limited by genre constraints: a novel was only romance or only mystery, etc—so bookstores would know where to place it on the shelves. The advent of digital publishing allows writers to mix things up in a way never before possible.

I believe my book is a unique blend of romantic comedy and the poignancy found in women’s fiction, with a bit of cozy mystery added in.

Do you write full-time or wish you did?
I spent years working in public relations and dreaming of the day when I could write full-time. I finally reached the point where I thought, “It’s now or never.” I’ve been writing full-time since 2004.

What’s next for Christine Nolfi?
Second Chance Grill will appear on Amazon in June. It’s a “prequel” of sorts depicting the love story of Dr. Mary Chance, the town’s doctor, and Anthony Perini, a single dad with a very precious daughter. Of course the feisty women of Liberty—including Theodora—will be featured. You’ll learn a little more about the “bad blood” between Theodora and Ethel Lynn. Their battle was “fur and feathers” in Treasure Me. In Second Chance Grill, they’re even wilder.

The third novel in the series, The Impossible Wish, will arrive on Amazon in late autumn. It’s the story of Birdie’s infamous mother, Wish Kaminsky. The hero and heroine of that novel are nothing like Birdie and Hugh: think “clutzy female scientist” and “Mad Greek.” And, heaven help us, the evil Wish kidnaps Theodora. Don’t make me give anything else away. I’m striving for laugh-out-loud comedy from start to finish.

The other two novels are stand-alone books that will appear on Amazon this summer. I’d tell you the titles but I keep changing them as I polish the chapters.

About the Author:
Christine Nolfi owned a small public relations firm in Cleveland, Ohio. Christine closed the firm fifteen years ago after she traveled to the Philippines and adopted a sibling group of four children. She has been writing novels fulltime since 2004.Treasure Me is the first book of the Liberty, Ohio series, available at Amazon.

Contact Christine at http://christinenolfibooks.blogspot.com/ and christinenolfi@gmail.com

Petty thief Birdie Kaminsky has arrived in Liberty, Ohio to steal a treasure hidden since the Civil War. She’s in possession of a charming clue passed down in her family for generations: Liberty safeguards the cherished heart.

The beautiful thief wants to go straight. She secretly admires the clue’s author, freedwoman Justice Postell, who rose above the horrors of slavery to build a new life in Ohio. According to family lore, Justice left South Carolina at the dawn of the Civil War. Heavy with child, she carried untold riches on her journey north. As Birdie searches for the treasure, she begins to believe a questionable part of the story: a tale of love between Justice and Lucas Postell, the French plantation owner who was Birdie’s ancestor.

If the stories are true, Justice bore a child with Lucas. Some of those black relatives might still live in town. Birdie can’t help but wonder if she’s found one—Liberty’s feisty matriarch, Theodora Hendricks, who packs a pistol and heartwarming stories about Justice. Birdie doesn’t know that an investigative reporter who has arrived in town will trip her up—as will her conscience when she begins to wonder if it’s possible to start a new life with stolen riches. Yet with each new clue she unearths, Birdie begins to discover a family history more precious than gems, a tradition of love richer than she could imagine.

GIVEAWAY:

The lovely Christine has offered 3 eBook copies of Treasure Me to lucky readers. If you'd like to win a copy leave a comment regarding Christine's guest post or interview. Christine will pop in and answer questions too so don't be scared ... ask away! Don't forget to include your email address.

ARMCHAIR BEA Participants & Visitors:
2 eBook copies specifically for Armchair BEA participants or visitors, please mention this in your comment!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
+2 for followers
+2 post about this give-away on twitter or your blog & leave a link

Competition is International. Ends 31st May and the winners will be announced on my blog. Good luck everyone!

Interview and Giveaway with Aris Whittier, author of Across Eternity

Due to the meltdown BLOGGER had on their system on 12th May this post was removed and sadly I've not been one of the fortunate ones who've had their posts and comments restored. If you have previously commented on Aris's interview and giveaway you may have to do so again; I've managed to retrieve some comments from saved emails but apologies if I've missed anyone. I've also extended the giveaway date.

 

Born a genius; education, wealth, and prestige came easy to Logan Richards. Actually, there wasn’t much that Logan couldn’t learn or acquire. However, he knew there was more to life than money and power. Logan was determined to find the woman who he'd dreamed of his entire life and know what it was like to love her before he died.

Amber Lewis, a waitress for a five-star restaurant in, Dana Point, California, was overworked, stressed, and wary of life since her sister, Heather, had passed away. Then, one evening while working she fell hopelessly in love with Logan Richards, a chivalrous man who felt deeply familiar.

For Amber, it was the beginning of a voyage of self-discovery and renewal. For Logan, it was the completion of life. For each of them it was the deepest sort of love.

1. Can you tell us your inspiration for Across Eternity?

Believe it or not Across Eternity was inspired by a dream! I dreamt the entire book one night and when I work—at about 3 in the morning—I went to my office and immediately began writing—I didn’t want to forget it!

2. What do you think makes your story different or unique to others in the market?

Across Eternity makes the reader think and question certain aspects about life, love, and ourselves. And most importantly what you believe in?

3. Are you a plan-the-whole-book-out person or a write-as-it-comes person?

For this book since I dreamt it the whole book was set out for me. But when I write/wrote my other books...unfortunately they didn’t come complete in a dream...LOL... I usually have a basic outline of the plot and characters and then I write-as-it-comes.

4. Do you write full-time?

That depends by what you mean by full time. I don’t sit at my computer and write for a certain amount of time each day. I’m a mom, with two kids, so they come first. But I do like to try and write one book every year or so.

5. Is there anything you find particularly challenging when you’re writing?

I write in spurts and that is very frustrating. Sometimes I’ll write dozens of pages in a day and other times I can barely get a paragraph written.

6. What’s next on the table for Aris Whittier?

I’m just finishing up SECRETS. SECRETS is a romantic suspense, whose heroine, Ashley Dawson, is a crime writer who has the ability to see spirits. Its hero, Nathaniel Marshall is a hardnosed architect with a long, dark past. A tight web of doubt, uncertainty, and affection is weaved when Nathaniel’s dead wife comes to Ashley in a vision. Throw a stalker turned serial killer in the mix and a crazy cat named Voodoo and the pages keep turning.

7. What are you reading now?

My mom just sent me, Echoes of the Soul: The Souls Journey Beyond the Light through Life, Death, and Life After Death, by Echo Bodine. I’m half way through and it is very interesting.

8. Describe yourself in three words.

Happy, feisty, & grateful.

9. If you could be dropped into any book as a character who would you be and why?

Since Once and Always by Judith McNaught is hands down my most favorite book I’d love to be Victoria because I simply MUST HAVE Jason!

10. Any advice to aspiring writers?

My advice is to never give up. And write about what you love. Oh, and develop a very thick skin because you’re going to need it. Everything will be judged and nitpicked—your writing, your plot, your characters, your query, your book cover…get used to it. Some of the criticism will be worthy and some of it not. You’ll know what to take in and what to just let roll off. Trust your instincts!

Thanks Aris for taking the time to answer my questions, Across Eternity sounds beautiful and Secrets should be intriguing; hero, serial killer & a psycho cat called Voodoo (sounds like my type of read.) I was having a snoop around Aris's blog and couldn't resist putting up some details about her name; they gave me a giggle :)

About the author:

My name is Aris. Aris is pronounced (heiress) and I'm not sure what the meaning is. Several years ago, when I was asked what my name meant, I replied that Aris was a Greek Sex Goddess (what can I say I'm a romance writer). Unfortunately, my husband happened to be near, he looked over at me, rolled his eyes, and said very loudly "I wish". I've moved on to another story, which happens to be true. I was born in the seventies to a pair of hippies, real hippies. Having said that, I think I got off lucky with the name Aris. It could have been much worse, Fruit Stand or something like that. So, Aris it is.

Aris is a romance writer. She writes suspense, contemporary, and commercial woman’s fiction. Her debut novel, Fatal Embrace is a romantic suspense that was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as a Red-Hot Read. Foolish Notions is a contemporary romance that has just a touch a mystery too. Across Eternity is a beautiful love story that transcends time!

Visit Aris's blog to find out more about this author and her work.

GIVEAWAY:
To win a eBook copy of ACROSS ETERNITY via Amazon Gift please leave a comment regarding Aris's interview and don't forget your email address.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
+2 post about this give-away on twitter or your blog & leave a link

Competition is International. Ends 31st May and the winner will be announced on my blog. Good luck everyone!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

A weekly event hosted by Sheila from Book Journey to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Thanks Sheila :)

What an annoying week with BLOGGER. I know many people have had their posts and comments from 12th May restored but sadly I haven't. Click on the pic if you want to see my Blogger Blooper post.

However, tonight I will repost the  "Interview and Giveaway with Aris Whittier" (author of Across Eternity) so please if you have commented on this one previously you will have to re-comment as nothing of this post has been restored by Blogger!

Update ~ win ACROSS ETERNITY by Aris Whittier ~ enter here 

I posted review for: (and all the comments were deleted; thanks again Blogger!)

DIE FOR ME by Amy Plum ~ 4.5 stars ~ you don't want to miss this one, check out my review on this awesome read!

Win an eBook copy of Happy Birthday To Me by Brian Rowe ~ enter here.

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In other news, we had a fun time at the 2011 RSPCA Million Paws Walk ~ an annual doggie walk that raises much needed funds for the RSPCA.

I don't think I'll get much reading done this week as Alaine and I are once again getting ready for a weekend of fun and laughs (and hopefully creativity) at the Daisy Chain Scrapbook Retreat. Fingers crossed I get lots of scrapping done and have pics to show next week.

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Finished Last Week:

MERCY by Rebecca Lim - 5 stars ~ awesome YA from Aussie author, loved it!

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This Week's Reading List:

HERE, HOME, HOPE by Kaira Rouda

BUMPED by Megan McCafferty ~ page 25

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Reviews to post:

THE COFFEEHOLIC & THE CAFE by Elizabeth Martin (review scheduled this week)

A STORM CALLED KATRINA by Myron Uhlberg