Free Reviews and the inaugural (kinda) post: "The Guise of a Gentleman" by Donna Hatch

Every time I drive to Walmart I pass a church with a sign that says, "Evangelical Free Church." Until I asked my friends on facebook what they thought it meant, I always thought to myself, "Free...does it mean the church is free of Evangelicals? Is it free to go to church there? Are the people that attend the church free, as in not slaves...?" The mental ramblings went on for hours. What does this have to do with my post? The title. I don't want you to mentally ramble over it for hours. It doesn't mean I'm going to make you start paying for my book reviews....Okay, only if I get really famous.

What I mean is that there are lots of free books out there--in the form of ebooks for Kindle (which has apps for a lot of devices like iPhone, iPads, iPods, and Droids), and from sites like Smashwords. (And if you don't have a cool phone or device to use Kindle or whatever, don't worry. You can get Kindle applications for your computer.)
And while there are LOTS of free ebooks, not all of them are worth your time. That's where I come in. I'll read them, review them, and let you know if you should read it. SO without further adieu, the first Free Review--well, kind of.



Today I'm reviewing "The Guise of a Gentleman" by Donna Hatch, which was free for me because I won it in a contest. ;)
Elise Berkley enjoys her quiet widowhood in the English countryside; that is, until Jared Amesbury comes along and forcibly shows her what she's been missing.
I have to admit it started out a little slow and took me a few chapters to really get into it. Once I did, though, I didn't put it down for several hours, and only because my husband pried my iPad out of my hands and forced me to mingle with others at his family reunion. As someone who needs my dear friend Tracy Astle's help whenever I write a kissing scene, I can really appreciate it when someone writes it well. Elise's not-entirely-innocent-yet-still-sweet kisses with Jared really got my heart rate up. To me the mark of a good book is one that can get me so emotionally involved in the characters that I tear up. Yup, it happened. And you're going to love this part: it has pirates and lots of adventure! Jared Amesbury is one of those really great heroes that will keep you fantasizing...er, thinking about him after you've put the book down. And a tip; if you picture Gerard Butler playing Jared, you might actually swoon a couple times. (Which, thank heavens, Elise only does once in the book, and at a totally appropriate moment. I would've too.)
You can check out more by Donna (I sure will!) at http://donnahatch.blogspot.com/ or buy "The Guise of a Gentleman" at Amazon.
And if you want to actually read another free book online, head over to my other blog with my brother http://childoftherebellion.blogspot.com/ and read "Garbage."

Review: "Constant Hearts" by Donna Hatch

In two words: Worth it.

Donna's Austen inspired, "Constant Hearts" is only $1.99 at Smashwords. So of course when she told her ANWA sisters about it on our social group, I clicked right on over.

Her romance is about two long lost lovers (can I use that word innocently, like Austen always did...?) who have a shaky reconnection. Both characters have matured since their first encounters, but that doesn't stop their hearts drawing them together.

It's a simple novella, which means its a quick, enjoyable read; but that also, unfortunately means that it feels like it goes by too fast! I don't think you'll regret the afternoon you spend reading it. Preferably in a scented bath, surrounded by candles.

Agent Contest!

You need an agent? (If you don't, congratulations!) Whittle your pitch down to 140 characters and enter this contest!

http://monibw.blogspot.com/2011/07/details-about-agent-pitch-contest-with.html

Win Anna del C. Dye's ebook "Curse of the Elfs"

It's time for another "Garbage" give-away and this time the prize is a lot awesomer than a box of garbage bags--as much as I love Glad bags...Fellow ANWA sister Anna del C. Dye's ebook "Curse of the Elfs" is up for grabs. Head on over to the "Garbage" blog (http://childoftherebellion.blogspot.com/2011/07/another-give-away.html) to see how to enter, catch up on your reading, and/or get addicted to Eve and Micah's story. See you all there!

You can check out Anna's website at www.annadelc.com!

Grammar Tip: Contractions (CT)

I'm sure you all went to first grade and learned about contractions, so I'll skip the lecture on what they are and start with USE THEM.
Contractions are for everyone. As Kelly Mortimer put it at the ANWA Conference, unless you want your character to sound like a stuck-up, over-educated snob, use contractions. Everyone speaks in contractions.
 Read this sentence out loud:
"I have had a really great time every time we have gone out together. I think we are meant for each other," she said dreamily.
Now aside from the general cheesiness of that statement, it really sounds out of place, doesn't it. Try this one:
"I've had a really great time every time we've gone out together. I think we're meant for each other," she said dreamily.
Rolls off the tongue a lot easier. :)

Garbage Give-Away

Head on over to http://childoftherebellion.blogspot.com/ for the First Ever Garbage Give-Away!

Strangers

I feel like we're all strangers. It's been a long time since we sat down and had a good grammar chat, right? Or reviewed a book together. Yeah, life happens. I've had a blast lately writing with my brother (hint, hint, check out childoftherebellion.blogspot.com), getting crafty, going on awesome vacays with my awesome family, and pretty much doing as little to do with real writing work that an aspiring author like me can get away with. I did send out 10 more queries last night. I'll admit I'm in a writing slump. I'm looking to Week of Writing (WOW) to get me out of that. The problem is that I can't decide what to do! As far as actual pen to paper writing goes--excuse me, typing. I haven't used a pen and paper for years--I could finish this girl power story I've been working on for a year. I could start my third Superhero book because the ideas for it are having a party in my brain. It's silly, but I'd actually feel guilty for that. (Because the first one needs polished and the second one desperately needs subplots...and a lot of editing.) I should just sit myself down and remind myself that I don't have deadlines (yet) and I can do whatever I want.

In the meantime, I want to shout out to any of my published (or soon to be published--nudge, nudge, Jolene) audience. Any of you willing to do an interview with me for the blog? I'd love to pair it with a book review!