Guest Blogger Ami Blackwelder

Good morning Ami! It is great to have you here today :)


Eloquent Enraptures and author Ami Blackwelder proudly presents the six part science fiction/paranormal romance saga! Like nothing you have ever experienced!
Shifters of 2040:
“I’m pregnant. Her eyes peered over the edge of the cloth and confronted her mirrored reflection with that truth. I’m pregnant…by a SHIFTER. Oh, god!”
In “The Shifters of 2040,” Scientist Melissa Marn finds her world swirling on its axis with that one revelation. Shifters — a sentient alien species of light — look to Earth for refuge. In doing so, both shifters and humans are forced to confront prejudice, betrayal, adversity and oppression.
Methodical scientist, Melissa Marn, and her coworker, Dr. Bruce Wilder, conduct experiments on the shifters. Through her pregnancy, she becomes more compassionate and humane and finds herself defending the very species she’s supposed to eradicate.
One of the hybrids, Diamond, falls in love with Keenan, a soldier trained to kill her. Between the four, the reader is led from conflict to resolution, from despair to hope, from loneliness to love.
Much of the book’s originality lies in the shifters, common characters in science fiction, but whose origins are rarely explained. In this series, their alien DNA allows them to metamorphose into not just wolves, but a variety of animals. As the plot unfolds, the shifters discover they can have children with humans — hybrids.
Strengths of the novel include the complex characters, its writing style of poetic prose and rich description, and the well developed, thought-provoking, yet highly entertaining plot.
This fast paced book will appeal to the young adult and adult market. It fits nicely into the paranormal romance and science fiction romance genres and would make a great movie, a captivating TV series and an intriguing video game.
Readers will enjoy the fresh approach and original concept of the world thirty years from now, and will find the characters come to life in their minds long after they read “The End.”

Shifter Evolutions video and purchase options at her website.
http://amiblackwelder.com/

[youtube] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7BEABzTbrU [/youtube]

Ami Blackwelder is a forbidden romance writer in the paranormal and historical romance genre. Growing up in Florida, she went to UCf and in 1997 received her BA in English and teaching credentials. She travelled overseas to teach in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, China and Korea. Thailand is considered her second home now. She has always loved writing and wrote poems and short stores since childhood; however, her novels began when she was in Thailand.

Having won the Best Fiction Award from the University of Central Florida (Yes, The Blair Witch Project University;), her fiction From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return was published in the on campus literary magazine: Cypress Dome and remains to this day in University libraries around the country. Later, she achieved the Semi-Finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest and published a few poems in the Thailand’s Expat magazine, and an article in the Thailand’s People newspaper. Additionally, she has published poetry in the Korea’s AIM magazine, the American Poetic Monthly magazine and Twisted Dreams Magazine.

Deadly Ties by Vicki Hinze

Book Description:
HER ENEMY WILL STOP AT NOTHING FOR CONTROL…
SHE WILL RISK EVERYTHING FOR FREEDOM.
A horrific crime shatters Lisa Harper’s idyllic childhood. Her father is dead and her desperate mother, Annie, quickly marries Dutch Hauk, an abusive monster who soon reveals his hatred for Lisa. To protect her, Annie defies her ruthless husband and forfeits custody to a trusted friend. Enraged, Dutch vows to keep Annie and Lisa apart—and he does. Years later, though keenly aware of Dutch’s evil intent, Lisa and her mother seize a chance to be a family, safe in a home where love dwells. But they fail to fathom how far Dutch will go to keep his vow.
Determined to control his women, Dutch proves resourceful. His associates in crime are feared at the highest levels across the globe—and for Lisa they plan a fate worse than death. Yet she too has formidable connections, including former Special Operations Officer Mark Taylor. Burdened by his own traumatic past, Mark has loved Lisa from afar. Now, for Lisa and her mother to survive, Mark must risk his life—and even more difficult for him, he must trust God. All as one question haunts them: Can Mark and Lisa untangle these deadly ties before it’s too late?


My Thoughts
This is a great book. Lisa witnesses her father's murder and suppresses it. Her mother, in seeming desperation, marries Dutch Hauk and because of that winds up giving up her rights to Lisa. Custody of Lisa is given over to a friend and for years there is no contact between mother and daughter. The trouble begins when Lisa is old enough to free her mother from Dutch's abuse, but he's vowed to keep them apart!
Lisa is a great character. She's had a hard life but doesn't let that stop her. I felt for Mark, with his history and issues, you can't help but feel empathy! The way the past and present are entertwined is slowly revealed. The support characters are great and you get to know them well. I am ready for the next book in this series!
I rate this one a 5/5. It kept my attention the whole way through and was good supspense!

Thank you to Waterbrook for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

Book Description:
Rose, a healer’s apprentice in the town of Hagenheim, feels drawn to the duke’s older son, Wilhelm, but he is betrothed to a young noblewoman who has been hidden away for years, ever since she was threatened by an “evil conjurer.” Though her attachment to Wilhelm grows, Rose encourages the suit of his younger brother, Rupert, who begins to amend his rakish ways under her virtuous influence. The story’s outcome is never in doubt, but the lovers endure many setbacks before a fortunate circumstance paves the way for the happy ending. Dickerson creates a sympathetic character in Rose, who has her weaknesses as well as considerable strength of will, morality, and faith. Though references to Christianity are woven through the book, many readers will be surprised by the climactic scene, in which Wilhelm heals Rose by casting out demons in the name of Jesus. Young people looking for Christian fiction as well as a historical romance may enjoy this medieval love story.

My Thoughts:
This was an enjoyable book. It is somewhat of a Christian spin off of Sleeping Beauty. Rose is a healer's apprentice and has caught the eye of two brothers. Hamlin is the oldest and in line for the throne, and he fights the attraction because he is already betrothed. Rupert is the rogue brother who Rose tries to convince herself is right for her since he isn't in line for the throne. Since she is a woodcutter's daughter, she should be happy with a marriage above her 'position' but can she be?
I completely adored Rose! She has a wonderful heart and is definitely in a quandary. Hamlin is an upstanding guy and Rupert definitely defines rogue. There is some light mystery, a few twists, but mostly the story is a predictable read. This is marketed as a young adult novel but most adults would enjoy it too. The first three quarters of the book is great but the last quarter threw me a bit.
I rate this a 3/5. I would rate it higher but the ending got to me a bit.

Thank you to Zondervan for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Karen Kingsbury Giveaway Winner!

And the winner is:
rubynreba!!!

There were 7 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1.5. rubynreba
2.4. Karen
3.3. Sheila Deeth
4.2. Cheryl F. {the lucky ladybug}
5.6. Jennifer
6.1. PoCoKat
7.7. Wolf Bear
Timestamp: 2011-03-03 21:46:41 UTC

Notorious Pleasures Giveaway Winners

Here are the 3 winners for Notorious Pleasures:
elaing8, Jane & Katie! Congrats :)

There were 12 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1.6. elaing8
2.11. Jane
3.3. Katie
4.9. Mindie
5.2. Zoe
6.8. Lisa Potts
7.7. Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}
8.1. PoCoKat
9.12. Wolf Bear
10.5. Judy H
11.10. mrsshukra
12.4. rubynreba
Timestamp: 2011-03-01 22:36:10 UTC

A Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Bilerbeck

Book Description:

He's a handsome billionaire. She's not impressed. — Katie McKenna has never loved any man but one: billionaire Luc DeForges. He was her first love. But there are a billion reasons why she's engaged instead to Dexter Hastings, a solid and stable man who wants the same things she does: marriage and a family but all of the things that she wants without the deep-seeded pain and fear of being abandoned that Luc brings.
Dexter and she have worked an arrangement that's akin to faith without action, love without deeds -- a dead faith. Going home to New Orleans to sing for her childhood friend's wedding, Katie must search her heart to find out if any of her reasons for being with Dexter are stronger than love. Only when Katie steps fully into faith and jumps off the cliff of life into the arms of Luc does she understand the fullness of God's grace.

My Thoughts:

This was a good book. Katie isn't the girl she used to be and that isn't what Luc wanted to see when he stepped into her classroom. He wanted the vibrant girl he fell in love with to still exist but it seems it is his fault she is living as a shell of her former self and is to marry the boring Dexter. Katie isn't happy with Luc's appearance or his interference in her life. She wants her ring and to be engaged to Dexter and live a 'safe' life she has planned....or does she?

I enjoyed the exchanges between Katie and Luc. He has a lot to make up for but everyone seems to look down on Katie for what happened between them. Now that she is back home, she realizes what she is missing. Dexter is a bore. I didn't care for him at all, but that was the point of this character! It was a great, quick read that kept my attention and I enjoyed the characters very much!

I rate this book a 4/5. It was a good, fun read that is entertaining and I love the 1940's modernized!

Thank you to B & B Media Group for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Guest Blogger Nora Weston w/Contest!

Hi Everyone! Please join me in welcoming my guestblogger today Nora Weston!

Guest Blog:

Writer and Editor: One Head-Two Hats
The act of writing, whether it's poetry, a short story, or a novel is an exhilarating blast to the brain...a true rush that can easily devour six hours and make it feel like six seconds. If you enjoy writing, then I know you know exactly how that feels. After many months of creative energy going into my “baby,” at long last...I type the final word letting out a sigh of relief, and rest with a smile on my face.
I allow that smile to linger for about three seconds, close the file, and then I toss my writer's hat into a wall. Usually, I allow...at the very least, a few weeks to pass before I begrudgingly place my editor's hat on. I love writing, but editing is a tedious task that requires huge amounts of patience, and it must be done before a publisher sees the end result of my project.
“Oh, come on...,” you say. “How much of a difference does editing make anyway? Don't publishers have professional editors?”
Sure, publishers do have professional editors, but they will not rewrite your story or fix every typo they come upon. Publishers expect a clean manuscript, so editing is an absolute must if you want to get published.
For example, in Guardian 2632, which is a Sci-Fi adventure/romance, time travel is a major part of the plot. Originally, Chapter one began in the year 2489 with a tragedy on the spaceship Alliance, which had docked at Naissance Portal 1/Miyamoto Crater, Mars. Zane Grayson, the protagonist, in the year 2632, was illegally time surfing in order to find clues about the incident from the past. Time travel and how it came about at Guardian TMF (time monitoring facility) was discussed in chapter three. It came off reading like a history lesson...no action and no dialogue.
While I was wearing my writer's hat, that was fine; however, to the horror of my editor's eyes...it all had to be killed. Deleted forever...I then had to rework Guardian 2632. This meant using Guardian TMF's history as a means to bring a prologue to life with characters, action, and dialogue. That edit made me realize everything in Guardian 2632 that read like my high school history book, had to be assassinated as well. A killing spree of approximately 7500 words occurred, but from the ashes Captain John Paul Jones, aboard the ship Bonhomme Richard, arose to argue with Captain Richard Pearson aboard the British ship H.M. S. Serapis on September 23, 1779. A time traveling mission to aid Alexander the Great, at the Battle of Gaugamela, also replaced a scene that was all tell...no show.
Therefore, when that sigh of relief has filtered through your lips and you shove your writer's hat to the floor because your masterpiece, your baby is complete, remember to rest that brain and gather energy. Then, put on your editor's hat and have it. You'll be glad you did.
What have you done, not as a writer, but as your own editor to improve your work? I write...a lot, and then edit. Do you edit as you go along? Feel free to share your tips.
Thanks for visiting!


Guardian 2632:
Dr. Zane Grayson, the most accomplished executive director Guardian TMF has ever seen, is breaking the law…his law against time surfing. Zane has the supreme power, in 2632, to decide which paradoxes in time need altered, or deleted, but he’s frustrated. Something, or someone, is missing from his life.
Time surfing in illegal time zones is the rush Zane can’t live without. As addictive as the Martian dust called kilred, time surfing becomes Zane’s obsession. And knowing full well if caught by the Elite Guardians, he’ll suffer an unwelcome death by Time Mercs, Zane still dives deep into trouble. Soon, he discovers a mission in 2035 left him trapped in a timehole. This timehole places him in Pittsburgh, PA in 1998, instead of home. In Pittsburgh, Zane strolls into a coffee shop to see the bewitching Julia Emerson. From that point on, his life spirals out of control as he fights to protect what he loves most.
It’s possible Zane’s future is no longer in 2632…but actually in 1998. Guardian 2632 reveals what a man will sacrifice to save a life. This is the amazing story of Dr. Zane Grayson.
Guardian 2632 is for adults. It’s comparable to a movie rating of “R,” due to violence, language, and adult situations.


Email: noraweston.nw@gmail.com

Website: http://www.2noraweston.com/

Noracast: http://noraweston.wordpress.com/

Purchase Links: http://www.melange-books.com/

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-guardian2632-511666-141.html

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcCg1wY60YQ

Contest: Simply leave a comment (and your email) to be entered to win either a small journal + pen that features Guardian 2632's cover, or a poster of the cover. Both are great prizes for Sci-Fi fans. Two winners will be randomly chosen. Good luck!

Cynthia Eden Book Winners!!!!

And my 3 winners are:
PoCoKat, elaing8 & SiNn :) congratulations! I will now send out the emails.

There were 13 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1.4. PoCoKat
2.3. elaing8
3.5. SiNn
4.13. dothetwist
5.9. Judy H.
6.2. Zoe
7.10. Bodice Ripper Novels
8.11. Jane
9.7. Lisa Potts
10.12. mrsshukra
11.1. Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}
12.8. Martha Lawson
13.6. Katie
Timestamp: 2011-02-23 22:43:17 UTC

An Unlikely Blessing by Judy Baer

Book Description
Meet Alex Armstrong, new pastor and lifelong city dweller, who has just accepted his first parish assignment, a small parish in the wilds of North Dakota. Hilltop Township, a farming community, blooms from the prairie like a wild pink rose lovely and prickly, much like the quirky residents. Pastor Alex quickly learns that this lovely place is in peril; many of the farmers are struggling to make ends meet. As he settles into life on the prairie, he begins to experience a lot of new things like the annual Hunter's Breakfast, julebukking (also called Christmas fooling), and King Oscar's fish balls. Not to mention the excitement the single pastor creates among the unmarried women in the community! Alex soon discovers that his new church home has as much to teach him and he will teach them, providing all with An Unlikely Blessing!

My Thoughts:

This is a good read. Alex Armstrong is a pastor who has reluctantly accepted his first parish in North Dakota. He is a city boy and it doesn't seem likely he will make it well up there. When he gets there, he realizes the community is having problems. Farmers are close to losing their farms, he stirs up a frenzy with the single women and he starts to feel at home in the wilds of North Dakota. He begins to believe he was sent there to help the community in its time of need!

Alex was a wonderful character. He was warm and caring and did his best to help the members of his community. The people of the community are all very interesting and I look forward to learning more about them. The story draws you in and before you know it, it's over! I am looking forward to the next in this series.

I rate this a 4/5. It is a 'leisurely' book that isn't fast paced but keeps your attention with wonderful characters.

Thank you to Litfuse for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Safari through the Land of Landu by Angela Karanja

Book Description:
"Safari through the Land of Landu" is an inspirational story that shows children the secrets to happy,healthy and successful lives.Written in the child's most favourite language, Storytelling,Song,Rhyme,Chants,Poetry it is an enchanting Safari that every child below the age of 8 should embark on and you can give them this treat. Gift a child "Safari through the Land of Landu" and receive 1000s worth of life changing gifts. This is the season of giving.
Safari through the Land of Landu is an opportunity for every child on the planet to discover the secrets to happiness, health and success from an early age. We can give children a head start to realizing a success filled life. On this Safari children learn they are unique. They learn to appreciate themselves and others. They learn how a positive attitude and maintaining the attitude of gratitude can lead to an extraordinary and successful life.This is a must gift for every child from early years to 8years old. It is an invaluable gift. One of those gifts you don't have to reason whether to give or not. You just give it. Its not only the gift for the season but the gift of a lifetime.

My Thoughts:
This was a cute little book. The author pulls children in with a rhythmical style. There is a song through out that my 3 year old loved. I think this book would be good for all children to learn they can do anything. You travel through the Land meeting all sorts of little animals and it is a very uplifting book.
I rate this a 5/5. It is adorable and young children will love it.

Thank you to the author for providing a review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.