Author Spotlight: Guest post by Hazel Statham

Today I welcome author Hazel Statham, author of the historical romance The Portrait, to the blog.  A review of the book will be posted later today.

About three years ago, Regency Romance went into decline and many publishers dropped the line altogether.  However, the good news for readers of the genre is that it is making a strong comeback and publishing houses are now opening up new lines.  Several are offering to take previously published books to enable their readers to find out of print works.

Despite the temporary downturn, I resisted the pressure to write in other genres and remained true to the period I know and love.  I love the romance and elegance of the Georgian and Regency eras and wish nothing more than to re-create them in my work.

My books remain ‘sweet’ and the bedroom door is firmly closed, but this does not mean they lack in romance.  On the contrary.  Remaining true to the period when innocence was prized, my heroines remain pure and my heroes strong.  There is chemistry between the two and despite all that fate may throw in their way, they are destined to be together.  There is often humor and pathos in their lives, but throughout it all, remains love.  Sometimes they do not realize that their fate is to be together and they often fight the thought but, nonetheless, the fact remains irrefutable.  Add to this the elegance of a bygone era and you have the perfect mix for a romance.

Although many readers will not admit to reading romance novels, they nevertheless remain one of the most popular genres with very respectable sales figures.  Where else can you find the recipe for a happy life than between the covers of a good romantic book?  You live the highs and lows of the characters’ lives and rejoice with them at the book’s conclusion.

 As with everything else, reading trends run in cycles.  Fortunately, romance in one form or another, remains throughout.

Hazel Statham lives in England and has been writing on and off since she was fifteen. Initially she was influenced by Austen, the Brontës, and Sabatini but when she turned seventeen, Georgette Heyer opened up the romance and elegance of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. She immediately knew she had found her eras and wanted nothing more than to re-create them in her work.

Her latest book is the Regency romance novel, The Portrait, released by Avalon Books in August 2010.

Hazel lives with her husband, Terry, and a beautiful Labrador named Mollie. Apart from writing, her other ruling passion is animals, and until recently she acted as treasurer for an organization that raised money for animal charities.

You can visit her online at www.hazel-statham.co.uk and her blog at http://hazelstatham.blogspot.com/

Review: A Note From An Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker

Title:  A Note From An Old Acquaintance

Author:  Bill Walker

Series:  None

Genre:  Romance

Published:  June 2009

Publisher:  iUniverse

How I Got It:  Reviewed for Pump Up Your Book Tour

Book Summary

Brian Weller is a haunted man. It’s been two years since the tragic accident that left his three-year-old son dead and his wife in an irreversible coma. A popular author of mega-selling thrillers, Brian’s life has reached a crossroads: his new book is stalled, his wife’s prognosis is dire, and he teeters on the brink of despair.

Everything changes the morning an e-mail arrives from Boston artist Joanna Richman. Her heartfelt note brings back all the poignant memories: the night their eyes met, the fiery passion of their short-lived affair, and the agonizing moment he was forced to leave Joanna forever. Now, fifteen years later, the guilt and anger threaten to overwhelm him. Vowing to make things right, Brian arranges a book-signing tour that will take him back to Boston. He is eager to see Joanna again, but remains unsure where their reunion will lead. One thing is certain: the forces that tore their love asunder will stop at nothing to keep them apart.

My Thoughts

I was really skeptical about reading this book.  The cover art didn't sway me, but the book summary made take a second look.   I've only read a few romances written by guys, so I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get into it.  But, as soon as I started reading, it was hard for me to put it down. 

A Note From  An Old Acquaintance is a story about love and dealing with the consequences of it.  It wasn’t a fast paced story, nor was it too slow.  The story did flip back and forth between the past and present and between Brian and Joanna’s point of views.  I was confused at first, but as the story progressed, it was easy to catch up.

The romance between Brian and Joanna was sweet.  It was obvious that they were soul mates, but I had major problems with the way they choose to carry on their relationship. It wasn’t that it wasn’t believable, because it was. I just felt that they should have dealt with the romance openly instead of sneaking around.  It would have made their romance a lot easier, but then the story would have been a whole lot shorter and l would have missed out on some great drama.

I wanted to like Joanna but found that I couldn’t.  She seemed like a greedy person to me.  Things were already iffy with her fiancee, Eric, but when she met Brian, it was clear who her heart belonged to. 

Brian, I felt was caught up and greedy at the same time.  He knew Joanna belonged to someone else and was just happy to spend whatever time with her that she allowed.  He made that mistake once and still allowed himself to make it a second time.

My  Rating  1/2

Despite not agreeing with the way Brian and Joanna found their happy ending, I was still glad that they found it.  I really enjoyed reading this book.  It was a nice change from my everyday romantic reads.  It just goes to show that men can write romance just as well as women, but offer a fresh look through foreign eyes.  I give A Note From An Old Acquaintance four and ½ flowers of love.  I also recommend it to anyone that doesn’t believe love can last through distant and time.

Read an excerpt

Review: The Book Of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark

Title:  The Book Of Unholy Mischief

Author:  Elle Newmark

Series:  None

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Publisher:   Atria

Published:   December 2008

How I Got It:  Reviewed for Pump Up Your Book Tours

Book Summary

In a world of violence and intrigue, who guards the truth?

It is 1498, the dawn of the Renaissance, and Venice teems with rumors about an ancient book that holds the secret to unimaginable power. It is an alchemist's dream, with recipes for gold, immortality, and undying love. But while those who seek the book will stop at nothing to get it, those who know will die to protect it.

As a storm of intrigue and desire circles the republic that grew from the sea, Luciano, a penniless orphan with a quick wit and an even faster hand, is plucked up by an illustrious chef and hired, for reasons he cannot yet begin to understand, as an apprentice in the palace kitchen. There, in the lavish home of the most powerful man in Venice, he is initiated into the chef's rich and aromatic world, with all its seductive ingredients and secrets. It is not long before Luciano is caught up in the madness. After he witnesses a shocking murder in the Palace dining room, he realizes that nothing is as it seems and that no one can be trusted. Armed with a precocious mind and an insatiable curiosity, Luciano embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth. What he discovers will swing open the shutters of his mind, inflame his deepest desires, and leave an indelible mark on his soul.

My Thoughts

The Book Of Unholy Mischief is an adventurous story set in Venice in the 1400s.  It captures the life of Luciano, an orphaned youngster that is forced to steal in order to survive. He is later taken in by Ferrero, a chef to Venice’s most powerful man, and made an apprentice.

Luciano was a very likable character because he hoped and dreamed for a better future and took opportunities that were presented to him.  At times he was a bit naïve and too curious for his own good.  He poked his nose in business that didn’t concern him and got sucked up in the aftermath.

I liked this story because it was full of adventure, mystery, and just plain entertaining.  Elle is a great storyteller.  Her words are so vivid that you are instantly drawn into the story.  I loved the food references.  I’m a big fan of the Food Network and enjoy watching people like Paula Dean and  Rachel Ray cook up delicious recipes.  So, I enjoyed all the food talk and my mouth watered as I imagined the dishes Ferrero and Luciano created.  Yes, I am hungry as I’m writing this review, and as soon as I finish, I have to go eat something. LOL!

One thing in the story that I didn’t particularly care for was the religious references.  It didn’t take away from the story, nor did it improve it so I simply skimmed over it and got back to the real meat of the story.

My Rating

I give The Book Of Unholy Mischief four flowers of love.  I was pleasantly surprised to find out what the mysterious book really was about.  So, if you are a fan of adventure, here's a great book to add to your TBR (To Be Read) list. 

Charlaine Harris Book Tour In MS

When I visited Books A Million today, on my quest to get a cover for my Nook, I noticed this on the door.

An Evening with Charlaine Harris

Monday July 12, 2010
7:00 PM until 8:00 PM

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Join Tunica County native and author of the Sookie Stackhouse series, the basis for the hit HBO series True Blood. Funded by the Elizabeth Entrikin Cooke Foundation. Book signing sponsored by the Friends of the Hernando Library. Sale books provided by Square Books of Oxford, MS.

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Location: Hernando Public Library

WOOOOHOOOO!  I was just thinking to myself, the other day, about how I never get to go to any book signing or meet and greets with my fav authors because they don't come to Memphis. 

It's good that Ms Harris is from Mississippi and she doesn't forget her peeps.  Even though I live in Memphis, TN, Mississippi is right down the road from me.  I shop more in Mississippi than I do in Tennessee.  Sales taxes in TN is 9.25% and tax in MS is 7%.

Hernando, MS is probably 15 minutes away so that'll be an easy trip to make.  Hopefully, i'll get to take pixs with her and post them here.

Now, I've gotta buy the book to get signed.  Dammit, why did I have to buy the ebook?

For her current schedule, click HERE