Holiday Gifts...

If you're anything like me, you're asking yourself what to give people for Christmas. I'm crocheting a LOT of gifts, and I plan to make cookies as well, but there are still one or two I'm thinking about. If I had the money, I'd probably give ereaders as gifts. I am an ebook author, after all. :)

Seriously, ebooks are so prevalent now and the trend toward electronic publishing is growing, so ereaders are a good investment, in my mind. With a wide selection from the Sony Reader, to the Barnes and Noble nook, to the Amazon Kindle and beyond, there's an ereader for everyone out there. If you're interested in trying to win a free Kindle II, Bibliofreakblog is giving one away this Friday, December 18.

And if your loved ones already have ereaders (or you're like me and can't afford to give them as gifts), ebooks can be read on your computer, PDA, Blackberry, and some cell phones. What does this mean? Ebooks are a great gift as well, and they're affordable. They're also widely available from publishers and from distribution sites like Fictionwise and OmniLit.

Now for a little shameless self-promotion. :)

As I mentioned before, I am an ebook author. If you know someone who loves inspirational romance, check out Dreams Do Come True from White Rose Publishing:

Blurb:
Aspiring author Cassie Teague has been rejected…again. As she considers giving up her dream of getting published, a handsome editor walks into her life and makes her wonder if God has more in store for her than just writing.

Acquisitions editor David Jameson wants more than just Cassie’s book. But will office politics destroy his hope for the future?

"The characters are likeable and the story very believable...The writing is smooth and easy and the spiritual message is not at all preachy. The elements work together to make this a lovely, quick, uplifting read." ~ MarthaE, Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf

"If you need a little pick me up or some inspiration, please read this...This would be a great story to give to friends and family. You will not be disappointed in purchasing this work of art." ~ Roberta, You Gotta Read Reviews

And if you know someone who prefers mysteries, why not give them a copy of Light in the Darkness from Sea Crest eBooks:

Blurb:
Kennedy Drake loves exploring dark places, which makes his job as a graveyard shift security guard ideal. While checking out strange noises in his elderly neighbor’s basement, he discovers a hidden room with a woman trapped inside. Chastity Mooreland has more to fear than her time trapped in darkness. Will Kennedy believe her bizarre tale of a stalker no one thinks is guilty—and will he help free her from a life of despair? Can Chastity look past her suspicion of mankind to accept his offer of friendship?

"I found Light in the Darkness a short sweet story." ~ Brynna Curry, You Gotta Read Reviews

"This book reminded me how much we need to care for our fellow human being. Nice, short read." ~ Readers Favorite

Happy holidays!

The Rose Legacy by Kristen Heitzmann

Title: The Rose Legacy, Diamond of the Rockies Book 1

Author: Kristen Heitzmann

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Book Description:

If he wants her, let him come and prove it.

Fleeing her idyllic home in Sonoma, California, Carina Maria DiGratia journeys to the mining town of Crystal, Colorado. Clinging to hopes of a new life, she finds reality has a harsh welcome for her. Overrun with men seeking their fortune and women bound by circumstance, the town hosts both dreams and nightmares, with little surety for tomorrow. But at least here Carina is far from the betrayal that still pierces her heart.

Early on, two men vie for her trust, but neither is what he seems. Will Carina discern the truth and confront the turmoil hidden in her own heart in time to prevent tragedy?

Review:

Carina DiGratia is naïve, hot-tempered, and impulsive. The daughter of a respected Italian doctor who served a king, she’s used to getting her way, and it doesn’t take long to see she’d sheltered, spoiled, and ill-suited to life in a rough and tumble mining town.

Quillan Shepard is a freighter and the classic wounded hero. Nothing has come easy for him; life has battered him, his past is a shadowy mystery, and he has no interest in anything remotely romantic...unless you count his penchant for reading poetry and other books.

Then there’s Berkley Beck, Crystal, Colorado’s slick attorney. He’s suave, well-groomed, and takes gallantry to a whole new level. His inability to organize his office appears, at first, to be his only downside, and Carina fixes that soon enough.

Ms. Heitzmann brings her characters and an 1880 Colorado mining town to life with vivid descriptions and true-to-life dialogue. The cast of characters does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the superstitious mindset, wild behavior, and loyalty of the mining camps and towns in the 1880s. Adventure, intrigue, suspicion, and the characters’ varying degrees of faith keep readers engaged and draw them into the story.

While the story is good and the writing magnificent, I must admit that the characters felt a bit overdone at times. Carina acted like a spoiled child for much of the book, and every time she showed signs of sucking up the hardships and carrying on with grace, she ranted either verbally or in her thoughts. However, she did grow throughout the story and eventually became the kind of strong Christian woman I kept hoping to see. Quillan started out dark and brooding, and he stayed that way to the end. Except for his occasional memories of his childhood and his thoughts of admiration and caring for an old miner, the insight into his past and him as a man came through the other characters. And finally, Berkley Beck. His actions fit his personality and the story well. Full of secrets hidden beneath a façade of respectability and smooth etiquette, he kept me guessing as to his true motives for a good portion of the book.

Although I enjoyed the story and found myself rejoicing and hurting along with the characters, I was disappointed by the ending. I love happy endings, but the end of this book if far from happy. There is a glimmer of hope that things will improve in book two of the Diamond of the Rockies series, but I still feel a little disappointed that The Rose Legacy ended the way it did.

If you’re looking for a good historical novel that does an amazing job of bringing an 1880 mining town to life and shows characters realistically struggling with their faith, I suggest reading The Rose Legacy. But be prepared to read the next book in the series. The end of The Rose Legacy leaves readers hanging and wondering how things turn out for Carina.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through the Bethany House Book Reviewers program. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based solely on the contents of this book and my experience reading it.

Cool Contest...

I recently stumbled across an awesome contest on Bibliofreakblog.com called The Great Kindle Giveaway. J.T. Oldfield, owner of Bibliofreakblog, is giving away a Kindle II on December 18. However, there could be more Kindles being given away. Check out what J.T. has to say (straight from the giveaway post):

More Kindles: The Great Kindle Giveaway starts with 1 Kindle, but I have 15 in total. As you’ve probably noticed, Bibliofreakblog has links to Amazon on the sidebar and in posts. If you click one of these links right before you make a purchase, I make a commission. It doesn’t matter if you buy the book I’ve reviewed or something else entirely (TVs, games, DVDs, Kindle books, anything). For every $259 in commissions I make, I’ll release another Kindle into the drawing. It doesn’t cost you any extra to do this, and it really helps me make this blog possible. Think of it as a mitzvah, and another way to increase your chances of winning a Kindle, because the more in the offering, the more likely you are to get one.

For more information on The Great Kindle Giveaway and complete rules on how to enter, visit this post on Bibliofreakblog. Good luck!