YORKSHIRE & VICTORIAN LITERATURE - WHITBY

Do you think I've been neglecting my little blog lately? You may be right, I admit it, but I've been extremely busy working, living and even travelling. I've recently been to Yorkshire to visit friends and spend a weekend there. My trip brought me to York,  which is a town I already knew and  I really love for its connections to Richard III, for its ancient allure and historical heritage. But we also spent our Sunday by the sea and I was truly intrigued by Whitby, for its charming views and its connections to great Victorian literature, and had the chance to literally fall in love with a small, picturesque village on the sea called Robin Hood's Bay. In this post I'll collect the most interesting news and information I found online about Whitby as the setting of Victorian literary works,  adding some of the pictures I took during my visit.  Here we go then! Do you know on the pages of which unforgettable  Victorian  novels can we find Whitby and its landmarks?

BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY - YEARS AND AN OCEAN BY JO NOELLE

Blog Tour Schedule

Years and an Ocean by Jo Noelle

Going to a séance was supposed to be a harmless diversion in Victorian England, but for Delia Spencer, it was life altering. Since that day, she has been plagued by fainting spells, while her consciousness visits Elle Thomas more than a century in the future. In modern-day New York, Elle has kept secret the dream-like memories of Delia’s life. As the visits have become more frequent, Elle is confused about what is her life and what is not. Back in England, Delia’s father is determined to marry her off to any marginally suitable man before her illness becomes known to society. But will Delia consent, now that she’s had a taste of Elle’s independence?

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Read an excerpt

Cool grass tickles against the back of my calves, and my palms press flat to the ground to hold me up. It feels light here, and I know I have a wide smile. There are people cheering around me on all sides—our shoulders bump now and again as we enjoy the game. We’re watching soccer teams at the summer six-on-six tournament. Lately, orienting my brain to this other life takes a moment for Elle’s consciousness to kick in and push mine back. Sometimes my thoughts and confusions push through, disturbing us both.

During the early days of my visions, I felt scandalized by the wanton fashions and vulgar language of Elle and her friends. But with so many visits over the years, I realize they are just like me, only they’re free. Now I embrace the visits and look forward to them.

Sometimes the memories come slowly—like now. I should know that guy—Elle does. A familiar man on the red team slows his pace and stops in front of our group, cocking his head to the side expectantly. The girls around me break into applause, to which he bows and runs up and down the side of the field again, warming up to sub in a bit.

PERIOD & MORE PERIOD - WHO'S THE ROMANTIC HERO OF YOUR HEART? JAMIE FRASER OR ROSS POLDARK?

Sighs and swooning out there? Yes, I know. I've seen polls spring up all over the Net and wasn't surprised at all.  Ross or Jamie? Aidan or Sam? Poldark or Outlander? Cornwall or Scotland?
Starz Outlander and BBC One Poldark are the two hit period drama series of the moment. Blending adventure and romance, historical fiction and stunning locations, talent and beauty they have got legions of passionate fans all over the world. These fans are quite vocal and convey their enthusiasm in their tweets, facebook pages and their blogs, they read or re-read the books on which the series are based, they discuss them in groups, they create fan-fiction and gadgets, they make friends and have fun gathering together. They love the stories and all the characters in them, they are fond of the locations and costumes, they are intrigued by the twists and turns, watch and re-watch their favourite scenes, learn by heart their favourite lines but ... let's be honest ... the main reason of their passionate interest is their fondness for the two gorgeous, fascinating, dashing heroes: James Alexander Malcom MacKenzie Fraser and Captain Ross Poldark.

BLOG TOUR - BETWEEN NOW & NEVER: BOOK PRESENTATION, EXCERPT AND GIVEAWAY CONTEST

 

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Between Now and Never by Laura Johnston

 

Buh boom, buh boom. My heart thrusts with a force that takes me by surprise. Telling me something I don’t understand. A splitting pain, a longing to slip back under. They tell me I was in a hit-and-run, but I can’t remember what happened that night. All I know is that I woke up with pictures in my pocket, a card from one of those photo booths in the mall. And I’m in the pictures. Cody Rush. Me and… Julianna. Her brother was there that night, and my dad, the FBI agent, was the one who put her mom behind bars. What’s the connection? And why won’t Julianna talk to me now? Somehow, she holds the key to it all, and getting close–real close—to her for the answers I need will be no hardship at all…

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Praise for Between Now & Never

“A romance that will keep teens turning pages.” ~ Janette Rallison

 "This was a lot different than I was expecting and I was honestly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. The cover led me to believe this would be a cute, love story but it was a suspenseful and gripping read." ~ Review from Goodreads

NEWBIE BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY

Newbie by Jo Noelle

The housing market is crashing, and Sophie’s life is crashing with it. At twenty-four, her successful real estate career evaporates. She’s broke, can’t find a job, or pay her bills, leaving Sophie wondering how her successful lifestyle became so fragile. At the urging of her roommate, Sophie accepts a job in her fallback career—teaching six-year-olds. She hopes it’s temporary. After all, how long can a tanking economy last anyway? The best part of the new job is Liam, another employee at Rio Grande Elementary. The worst part of the new job is, well, teaching. Sophie has a surprise real estate closing from a contract she wrote months ago, leading her to a niche in the real estate market and to a new partner, Kevin. Sophie must choose between Liam or Kevin and between a lucrative career or recess duty.

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NEW BOOK FROM PAMELA AARES: THE HEART OF THE GAME + GIVEAWAY

The Heart of the Game

by Pamela Aares

The Tavonesi Series #6

Publication Date: March 13, 2015

Also in this series: Thrown by Love, Fielder's Choice, Love on the Line, Aim For Love, Game for Romance

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Sports

Amazon • Nook • Kobo • iBooks

From USA Today bestselling author Pamela Aares comes THE HEART OF THE GAME, the sixth book in the Tavonesi family series featuring passion, mystery, and well-won love!

When Cody Bond, the Giants’ hot new catcher, agrees to ride in a benefit polo match to help heiress Zoe Tavonesi, he falls hard for the Italian beauty.

Cody’s determined not to screw up his career with relationships, especially when Zoe and the loving, tight-knit, aristocratic Tavonesis remind him of everything his dysfunctional American family isn’t. But while he may be a master of control on the baseball field, Cody’s iron will can’t shield him from the desire Zoe awakens.

Zoe wants nothing to do with her family's new home and vineyard in the California wine country. Every day spent in exile from the world she loves in Rome feels like an eternity. Her heart's set on returning to Italy and opening the art gallery her late mother always wanted. But the passion Cody fires has her second-guessing her plan and her dreams.

PERIOD & MORE PERIOD - POLDARK, THE MUSKETEERS 2, BANISHED AND ... OUTLANDER!

Being the period drama freak I am, I have been watching quite a few costume drama series recently. Not as many and as I would wish, but enough, I’d rather say,  for a very busy bee like me.

Outlander (Starz)

Now, first things first! Looking around my stuff, you may have noticed I’m slightly hooked by “Outlander”. Aye,  I can’t deny the fact I am verra favourably inclined toward the spicy intriguing  historical romance written by Diana Gabaldon and adapted for Starz by Ron D. Moore. I had bravely resisted Jamie Fraser’s charms as long as he remained a book hero,  while now, and  I must blame Scot-to-the-bone Mr Heughan for my sudden astonishing change, the situation has changed and I'm prone to an Outlander frenzy. Indeed. 

I'm watching the series on Fox Life HD on Monday night. The first two episodes have been broadcast so far. I can watch it in the original language and enjoy Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan , Tobias Menzies and the rest of the talented cast perform in their real voices. 

I can’t wait for April 4th ,  when episode 9 will be on Starz with all its burden of marital issues for the newly married  Claire and Jamie and, especially,  with the announced hot scenes of make-up sex.

THE MONTANA GALLAGHERS SAGA - BOOK BLAST & GIVEAWAY

 

Find MK’s Books at

Audible * iTunes * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iBooks * Kobo * Autographed Books

GALLAGHER’S PRIDE Book One of the Montana Gallaghers Audiobook read by Philip Ormond 

 Brenna Cameron was a on a quest of discovery. Ethan Gallagher was on a quest for revenge. Together they would discover a second chance. From the Scottish Highlands to the Montana frontier, experience the first book in a series about a family in search of peace, hope, and love on a wild land.  

FIERCE - SIXTEEN AUTHORS OF FANTASY AND MERCEDES LACKEY ($100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway)

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your copy now for just .99 cents!

FIERCE: Sixteen Authors Of Fantasy with Mercedes Lackey

For a limited time only!

Join epic fantasy legend Mercedes Lackey and fifteen additional New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling authors on the adventure of a lifetime!

BOOK BLAST & GIVEAWAY - LEAVING LIBERTY BY LISA MONDELLO

Leaving Liberty by Lisa Mondello

There's been a storm brewing in Liberty Calvert's life. But she didn't know just how strong it would be until Texas Ranger, Jackson Gentry, came to Liberty, Texas. Her already fragile life will be changed forever if he learns the truth. Her head tells her that the best thing for all of them is for Jackson to leave Liberty as soon as his investigation wraps up. But her heart is telling her this is the one cowboy she wants to spend the rest of her life loving.

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Praise for the book

 "I can truly say that I love this series of books. Can't get enough of them and I hope they continue. The characters and plot are totally believable and hold your interest. Thank you and keep them coming!" Amazon Reviewer 

 "Lisa Mondello is one of my favorite authors . I loved this book. All should read." Amazon Reviewer