August is Review a Book Month

Rosie Amber wrote a great post here explaining why reviews are important to writers and why you don’t need to have literary qualifications to write them.

I’m Shy

Picking up the theme Terry Tyler wrote this blog here carrying the theme forward and posting some lovely reviews and covers folk have been inspired to make as a result of Rose’s original initiative.

It’s NOT about seeking views for one’s own books, so I won’t post my links. You can find them easily enough, but if there’s someone else’s book you read and thought, I think people would like that story, then Please, Please – go for it.

Five Stars – Reviews to love

Reviews are a mixed bag, I find, but occasionally you stumble over something so unexpectedly nice you go back again to check you weren’t dreaming. My publishers have been running a 12 Days of Christmas offer and BELLA’S BETROTHAL was featured. I had a wee look at the extract and discovered the publishers, or Rochelle Weber, have added Rochelle’s wonderful Five Star review to the page. I’ve copied it below.

Rochelle Weber, Roses and Thorns Reviews, 17th November 2015

I normally avoid historical romances. I absolutely hate anachronisms. There’s nothing worse than reading an historical book littered with modern idiom. When I expressed this opinion in an online discussion, Ms. Stenhouse challenged me to find an anachronism or modern idiom in her book, Bella’s Betrothal. I found one semi-questionable line that was so iffy, I didn’t even bookmark it.

Another of my pet peeves is the misuse of homonyms. One of the most confusing pairs is affect/effect. Rarely do I see the word effect used correctly as a verb. Yet, at twenty-seven percent of the way into the book, Charles says, “Give me the pen. I caused the damage, and I will effect a repair.” I almost fell out of my chair when I saw Ms. Stenhouse using “effect” correctly. Bravo! I have found a Regency author who not only avoids anachronisms, but knows how to write English grammatically! There must be something special about the Scottish school system, since that, I believe is where J. K. Rowling was also educated.

In addition to the historical consistency and good grammar, the characters are well-drawn and the action starts on page one and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the book. Bella is never quite certain of Charles’s feelings for her, and Direlton and his men hover over them like the flaming sword of Damocles. I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to more accurate, well-written, page-burning historical fiction from Ms. Stenhouse.

 

MuseItUp 12 Days of Christmas

Winter Wonder will resume on Monday.

Readers Wanted RNA Annual Awards

As the deadline for entries of the annual awards of the Romantic Novelists’ Association thunders towards us, it becomes necessary to find new names for our readers’ panel.

If you would like to be considered for the reading panel, take a look at the form below.

Working towards the shortlist might mean fewer books and a shorter timescale. Readers might also be asked to read for the main awards in paperback.

APPLICATION TO BE A READER FOR THE RoNA Rose Award and E-books in the main Awards

IF SELECTED, I UNDERTAKE TO READ UP TO FIVE NOVELS AND RETURN THE SCORE SHEETS FOR THESE WITHIN SIX WEEKS. I AM NOT A MEMBER OF THE RNA. I am/am not a member of the Choc Lit reading panel. I have/don’t have an e-reader suitable for PDFs (Delete as appropriate)

NAME :   …………………………………………………………………………………………..

ADDRESS : ………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

POST CODE : ………………………………………….

TEL: ……..………………………………… MOBILE :……..……………………………………

E-MAIL : …………………………………………………………………………………………..

ARE THERE ANY TYPES OF ROMANTIC NOVEL YOU PREFER NOT TO READ (such as Medical/Historical etc)?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

HOW MANY BOOKS DO YOU USUALLY READ IN A YEAR: ……………(approximately)

 

WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE READERS OF ALL AGES ON OUR PANEL. PLEASE GIVE US AN INDICATION OF YOUR AGE BY CIRCLING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING :

20-30                30-40                40-50                50-70                70+

I HAVE NO OBJECTION TO MY NAME AND ADDRESS BEING KEPT ON A COMPUTER FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF MAILING RNA COMMUNICATIONS TO ME (UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE DATA PROTECTION ACT 1984)

SIGNED : …….………………………………………………. DATE :

 

Interested? Leave your name in the comments, please, and I’ll get back to you.

 

Another Reading Challenge

Passages to the Past is running a reading challenge for Historicals.

 

I failed miserably last year, but I’m having another go. Aiming low, Victorian Reader – five books. I’ve already read one, Marguerite Kaye’s Outrageous Confessions of Lady Deborah, and reviewed it here.

Wish me luck. What are you reading?

I’ve got loads of new publications to look forward to:

Gill-Marie Stewart – Music and Lies

Rosemary Gemmell – The Highland Lass

Tony Shephard – The Namestone

Bill Daly – Double Mortice

And of course, my very own DAISY’S DILEMMA which picks up the story of Lady Daisy from Mariah’s Marriage. Edits will soon be underway. The cover art is in process. Excitement is high in Stenhouse Towers.

The Write Romantics – review of Bella’s Betrothal by Jo Julie

Having been away for nearly a month, I’ve only just got through the back-log in my inbox and look what I found waiting.

Bella’s Betrothal by Anne Stenhouse
A recommendation by Write Romantic, Jo

Anne Stenhouse’s second novel, Bella’s Betrothal, is a rollercoaster ride of intrigue, suspense and good old fashioned romance.

The heroine, Isabella Wormsley (known as Bella) is the daughter of an Earl, who is forced to leave the family home to escape the scourge of the gossips and finds herself let down not only by those closest to her, but also in serious danger. Charles Lindsay seems like something of a guardian angel, stepping in and rescuing Bella, not once but twice. Yet Charles presents his own threat to Bella, one that involves her emotions and the risk of yet more scandal. Will Charles propose and save both their reputations and, if he does, will it be what’s really right for Bella?

Anne is a gifted story teller and the novel gradually unpeels layers of intrigue that reveal long held family secrets and develop the central plot of romance, whilst keep the tension levels, presented by the threat to the burgeoning relationship and to Bella herself, alive.

If you enjoy historical romance and want the added excitement of a dash of suspense and a pinch of intrigue thrown in with your love story, then you’ll really enjoy Bella’s Betrothal.

Bella’s Betrothal can be bought at the following links:
Amazon links:
http://goo.gl/5RBzIm B’s B UK
http://goo.gl/BAJEAi B’s B US

MuseItUp’s store:
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/69-our-authors/authors-s/168-anne-stenhouse

and Barnes & Noble:
http://goo.gl/HQjANo
Omnilit- http://www.omnilit.com/storeSearch.html

Goodreads Summer Reads 2013

Lovely reviewer, Phil, has added Mariah’s Marriage to the Goodreads Summer Reads list 2013. As I type, she’s sitting at No 48 and your vote might be enough to project her into the TOP 25.

the list is here:
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/35263.2013_Summer_Reads?page=1

Go on, share the love.

A Visiting Card: First Five Star Review on MuseItUp

Five Stars on the publisher’s bookstore! It’s here:

aominedinburgh (Tuesday, 16 July 2013)
Rating:

A lively and entertaining readrnI used to read lots of historical romances but haven’t for quite a while. Well, this book just hits the spot! It has two great main characters in Mariah, a romantic heroine with a modern touch, and Tobias, who steps into her life right on the first page. All the way through the story there is enough detail built in to set the scene without overwhelming us with too much description just for the sake of historical accuracy. It’s a very enjoyable read.rnSit back and enjoy yourself, you’re in good hands here!

Thanks so much aom for leaving your card. It’s lovely to know you enjoyed your visit to my fictional world.

A Wee Taster and a Five Star Comment

Muse Banner Mariah’s Marriage

Although no whisky was broached in making this post, you’ll have your own favourite tipple, or hot or cold drink, to complete your enjoyment of a good book. I hope you’ll agree Mariah’s Marriage is a good book. Marjorette thought so and in giving it five ***** on amazon, said:
“Doesn’t it give you a thrill to see `London 1822′ at the beginning of a book? You know you’re about to be transported back to the elegant Regency era. Here, we know right away that Mariah is not typical of her class – `She’d just spent an hour teaching sixty urchins their letters …’ As she leaves the schoolroom and stumbles on the street to avoid a charging pig, she is caught by a passing stranger. This is the man we later find to be Toby Longreach, seventh Earl of Mellon `who walked with an air that told Mariah he was used to command’. The course of their subsequent relationship is thwarted at various turns, climaxing with the headstrong Mariah being in real danger from the obnoxious, debt-stricken Sir Lucas Wellwood who is determined that his sister will marry Toby.
Mariah and Toby are real flesh-and-blood characters and I loved their story – look forward to hearing more from Anne Stenhouse.”

You will be hearing more, Marjorette when Bella’s Betrothal joins Mariah’s Marriage in the autumn. Meantime if anyone is looking for a relaxing weekend read, this is for you:

Mariah’s Marriage, London 1822
She increased her step and left the safety of the pavement without sufficient attention. A loose pig charged toward them and she backed instinctively, catching her foot against the kerbstone and falling into the arms of a passing stranger.
“I say, sir,” Peter began, but his blustering was quelled into silence.
Mariah was dimly aware of him holding back while the stranger lifted her from danger. The strength flowing from her rescuer calmed her nerves, and she lay against his chest for a long moment. It was not until she realised he was struggling to keep laughter at bay that she wriggled to be free.
“My escort is right, sir,” she protested. “While I thank you for rescuing me from an inglorious bump, I am quite able to stand.”
“I regret that very much,” the stranger said, and his voice held warmth Mariah was sure must draw others to him. “However, I cannot allow my baser instincts to take advantage over such a fortuitous meeting.” He re-positioned her on the flagstones, keeping hold of her elbow for a moment or two.
Mariah straightened her bonnet and brushed down her clothes while she regained a little self-possession. The stranger was not as young as she might have thought at first, probably around thirty years of age. He had good colour, indicating he spent much time out of doors, and he carried himself with an air that told Mariah he was used to command. She suspected he might be an army officer or half-pay captain.
“Out of harm’s way, ma’am,” the stranger said, and she recognised the accent of her late mama’s county, Somerset. “The streets are very busy at this time in the day. Why, I was nearly bowled over myself two minutes ago by a troop of urchins fleeing from this very building.”

Buy your e-copy here (and many other on-line stores):

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=585&category_id=69&manufacturer_id=278&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/mariah-s-marriage?keyword=mariah%27s+marriage&store=ebook

Review Mariah’s Marriage by Lothian Life’s Suse Coon

Support from local online magazine, Lothian Life, is really heart-warming. There are now several reviews of Mariah’s Marriage up on amazon and Goodreads, but I’ll share this one. It’s here:

Mariah’s Marriage

Drop by and check out the rest of this great online publication.

Mariah’s First Review

I sent off several pdfs of Mariah’s Marriage for possible review and am sooooo happy to say that the first bite is such a goody, I really want to share it.

It’s here: http://thewriteromantics.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/mariahs-marriage-by-anne-stenhouse.pdf

Write Romantics are a group of New Writers’ Scheme writers belonging to the RNA and Mariah’s review was wrtten by Lynn Pardoe. Their blog is a fairly new venture and I wish them all success with it. Thank you ladies for recommending Mariah’s Marriage.