Love in Bloom Hop - Sasha Soren Style :)

Love in Bloom Hop
May 18-23, 2012
 

Welcome to the Songs and Stories stop on the Love in Bloom book hop! The blog is being taken over for a day by Sasha Soren so she can give a lovely book to you. All I did was cut and paste and make sure she didn't add anything crazy like flying sheep. :)

 
We're offering a charming book you can win, which could be a pleasant
summer read.
 
About: 

A magical garden. A cottage that holds

a secret. And a mysterious gardener. 

Wise and winsome, The French Gardener is a
contemporary story told with an 

old-fashioned sensibility steeped in
the importance of relationships and the 

magical power of love.Miranda and David 

move out of London into a beautiful country house with a garden. 

But reality turns out to be very different from their dream. Then a 

mysterious Frenchman arrives on their doorstep. With the wisdom of 

nature, he slowly begins to heal the past and the present. 

But who is he? (More)
Bonus: Hear a reading from this book here.

a
Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

HOW TO ENTER: 1a.
WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER
Watch the book trailer for Random Magic: Click to watch here.

1b. GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK Then, on the same YouTube page, leave your comment on your favorite part of the book trailer, or something which surprised you or made you smile.

Examples:
- I was intrigued by the character of the shapeshifting raven, and I'm curious about his name.
- I'd be interested in seeing what's behind the magical doors at the very end of the video.
- My favorite part of the video is watching the different colors come out of the teapot, for some strange reason.
- My favorite part of the video was watching Alice floating away at the very beginning, I didn't expect that! - My favorite part of the video was the little duck, because he's so cute
- although I'm most curious about the Red Queen. ((or can add your own example at top, you know, 'personally, liked such-and-such because...'))

2. SIMPLY CUT AND PASTE YOUR COMMENT Just cut and paste your comment from the YouTube page into the comments section below, at this blog post.

3. TELL US! When you’re done, just mark off the two simple tasks in the Rafflecopter box above, and you’ll be fully credited with twopoints.

BONUS: You do have the option to pick up a third point by either tweeting a link to this post, or pinning a mention and link of this post on Pinterest, whichever you prefer.

OTHER STUFF: Please leave your name or nickname and email address, so that you can be contacted if you win. A winner will be picked at random, unless someone leaves a comment so witty, fun-loving and hilarious that it makes us laugh out loud - then that person justifiably has to win, and fair play to all. Please note: In the interests of impartiality, you’re not required to write a compliment on the YouTube page, just to give your neutral take on which part of the book trailer stood out for you, personally. Of course, if you really liked the trailer, you're free to write more, if you like. If you don't enjoy the book trailer, it's perfectly fine if you choose not to enter to win. On the other hand, if you got a kick out of the book trailer and genuinely liked it, feel free to show your support by giving it a thumbs up or a like, if you want to - that's not a requirement to enter and not taken into account for the entry, but it would be appreciated, and thanks!

***** Thanks for visiting, have fun and good luck. ******

If you're a book blogger or vlogger who posts regularly and you’d love to review this book, feel free to send a note via Twitter. Kindly note that this is an indie book, and if there's a 'no indies' review policy in effect at your blog or video channel, we’ll be unable to fulfill your request for a review copy of this title. Review requests received from bloggers or vloggers who specifically have indie-friendly policies in effect will automatically receive first priority status.(Note from Lieder Madchen: I would highly recommend you requesting this book immediately.)

***** If you're just interested in knowing more about Random Magic, here are some quick links to browse. *******

Print | Kindle | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

***** If you're considering buying a copy of Random Magic for yourself, or as a gift for someone cool, and you just want a chance to check it out a little beforehand, here’s a quick sampling of reviews. Please feel free to browse.

****** Review | Review |  | Review | | Review | Review *****
You might also like...

 

 * Most romantic flowers* Most romantic reads* Most unconventional couples * Vintage Valentines Find some romantic reads: Browse ***** You might also be interested in... ****** To see all the stops listed for the Love in Bloom hop: View full Schedule.

Book Review: The Dragons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul

The Dragons of Chiril,
previously published as The Vanishing Sculptor.

by Donita K. Paul

Genre: Middle Grade / Christian Fantasy

Ages: Suitable for all ages.

I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their Blogging for Books program in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Description:

Before DragonSpell, on a different continent and a different time, a young emerlindian’s desperate decision threatens to disrupt the foundation of the world.

Tipper has been caring for her family’s estate for years now, ever since her father disappeared, making a living by selling off his famous artwork. Then she learns that three statues she sold were carved from an ancient foundation stone, and the fabric of her reality is crumbling.

She must free her father and save the world. But she can’t do it alone.

Her ragtag band of adventurers includes Beccaroon, a giant parrot; Bealomondore, an aristocratic young artist; a handsome dragonkeeper prince; the Wizard Fenworth; and the tumanhofer librarian Librettowit. Together they travel through valleys and kingdoms and consort with purveyors of good and agents of evil to find and reunite the missing statues. Will they learn to rely on Wulder’s grace and guidance along the way?


My Thoughts:


I loved the DragonSpell series, so when I saw this one I just had to read it. It took me a little longer to get into then Ms. Paul's other novels, but not much. Before long I was adventuring right along with Tipper and her friends, laughing at their silliness and enjoying the fun.


It is difficult to find good Christian fantasy that doesn't either drive you crazy with preachiness or bore you with bland writing. You don't find either of these problems in this book. Ms. Paul's writing is intelligent and witty and she blends Christian values and allegory in with the story perfectly. Her characters are marvelously flawed and likable, even though most of them are not precisely human. It is so easy to praise their successes and cringe at mistakes you know you would probably make if you were in there place.


Full of humor and moments of peril, Tipper's is not a quest you want to miss. I recommend this book to children who want fun and parents who want quality. I also think this book would make an excellent read-aloud.



Rating System: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).


Profanity:
I rate it a 1.10 for a couple of harmless 'blast's.


Sexuality:
There was no sexuality in this book.


Violence:
I rate it a 3.10 for a couple of skirmishes and moments of peril.

                                         Lieder Madchen

Shady Glade's Book Battle Sign-Ups!

Sign-ups are open for the 2012 Book Battle at The Shady Glade! The theme (nominated by yours truly) is retold fairy-tales, myths and legends. If you know of any wonderful books in that genre that you would like to see win, go here to nominate them so they can duke it out for the top spot. If you want to become a judge or moderator, sign up here. I was a judge last year and I'm signed up again. If it is even a fraction of as much fun as it was last time, it will be worth it. So go SIGN UP! And tell Alyssa that Lieder Madchen sent you. :)

Once you have signed up, go here to spread the word and enter to win a book of your choice or a mysterious prize. Good luck and have fun!

                                    Lieder Madchen

Is anyone on Figment?

In the past few weeks, I have become hopelessly addicted to Figment. I have spent hours and hours writing, reading and swapping stories. Their prompts are fantastic and all of the members are really nice, so if you have a story or story ideas, I would really recommend getting an account there if you don't have one already.

Just yesterday I wrote a story for the prompt of somebody being tempted called The Sweetest Taste where a beggar girl in Victorian England is tempted to steal an apple. Mostly I was just playing around with descriptions. :)

A week ago, I wrote a story for the prompt of someone at war with themselves. It's called Maybe Tomorrow and you don't know what Callie is fighting until the end. There will be a second chapter and perhaps more after the contest ends, due to popular demand and the fact that I got an idea... :)

My story Forgive Me has made 62 people cry, which is kind of cool strictly from an author's point of view. I know, I'm mean. It has also made 106 people go wow, which just makes me happy.

Also, you can read a snippet of my novel, THE novel, that I am writing with the intention of publishing when it is done. I only have about 13,000 words at the moment, but it is growing every day. It is tentatively titled Blackbirds for the time being, but that may change.

A Normal Life, a short story I wrote last year, is going to become a novel with lots of editing, adjustment and expansion on the characters and storyline. As it is I am probably going to salvage a few scenes and scrap the rest.

There are also a few other bits and pieces from my imagination that I would really love feedback on, either on this post or on Figment, but those five are the most important.. So please stop by, say hello and read my stories!

                               Lieder Madchen

Book Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Grave Mercy
by Robin LaFevers


Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance

Ages: 15 and up

I received an advance e-copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Description:

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

My Thoughts:

This book was utterly...fascinating. It was at times brutal and very dark, but it was always fascinating. The premise of a convent where young women are trained to be both nuns and assassins was highly original, if rather strange. I was worried that I would find it difficult to sympathize with the heroine, but her feelings were so real and understandable that I couldn't help but like Ismae.

Robin LaFevers is a master at description and atmosphere. You never once felt like you were anywhere but in medieval Europe. One of the reasons that I love me stories set in medieval time is for all of the politics and intrigues that go on in a kingdom, or, in this case, a duchy. In that respect, this book was perfect.

I wondered how the author would handle assassinations being carried out by a teenage girl, but you quickly realize that Ismae is no girl. She is despised by her parents throughout her 'childhood', until her father sells her to a man for a few measly coins. This upbringing gives her the motivation needed to kill, coldly and without mercy. If she had stayed that way through the whole novel I might have given up, but when she becomes exposed to the world she learns to forgive and think for herself.

Gavriel Duval is a fantastic love interest. Loyal to a fault, it is easy to like him from the very beginning. He is as dismayed as Ismae when they find themselves unwilling allies in their efforts to reveal (Duval) and destroy (Ismae) the young duchess's enemies - of which she has many. Thankfully, Duval and Ismae have some likable and heroic friends in the form of de Lornay and Beast. (I am really hoping to see more of Beast in the next book.)

I would not recommend this book to everyone, due to the dark and at times disturbing elements, but I  enjoyed it a great deal and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark fantasy and historical fiction (though it isn't technically historical). The sequel will be about Sybilla, a fellow assassin of Ismae's, and I can't wait to read it.

Rating System: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence 
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).
 
Profanity:
I give it a 4.10 for mid-level swearing.

Sexuality:
I rate it a 5.10 for one fade-away and attempted rape.

Violence:
I rate it an 8.10 for multiple assassinations, multiple murders, battle and lots of death.

                               Lieder Madchen