WINNER: Nibble & Kuhn!

Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway this past week... Random.org has selected our winner this evening, so congrats to....

MJMBECKY!!!!

I have sent you an email to get your mailing address, so please respond within 48 hours or I will have to choose another winner. I hope you enjoy the book!

GIVEAWAY: Nibble & Kuhn

Well, I thought it was time to host another book giveaway. You might recall my review of Nibble & Kuhn a few weeks ago, but if not, be sure to take a look! If it sounds like something you want to read, here's a chance to win my ARC!

To enter:

1 entry ~ Leave a comment telling me why you want to read this book.

2 entries each ~ Become a follower on Google Friend Connect (or let me know if you already are). Become a follower of @Melsbookshelf on Twitter!

3 entries each ~ Tweet about the contest, blog about it, stumble it, digg it, etc. and let me know in the comment by leaving links, etc.

Now, my preference is for all your entries to be in one comment, but I won't hold it against you if you leave multiple comments :-) And please leave your email address in the comment so I can easily reach you if you are the winner! The giveaway is open in the US only (sorry) until next Friday, December 18th, 8pm EST. Good luck to all who enter!

Audiobook Review: The Stolen Moon of Londor

Title: The Stolen Moon of Londor
Author: A. P. Stephens
Narrated by: Richard Webster
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Pub Date: September 2009
Book Source: audio edition through Podiobooks, recommended by the author for review

Synopsis

The era of peace among the elves, men, and dwarves comes to an end when one of Londor’s twin moons disappears from the heavens. Without the moon’s balancing effect, evil forces grow bold, and warfare, sickness, and chaos threaten life itself.

Hearing the prayers of desperation that ride on the violent winds, the ancient wizard Randor Miithra, servant to the elf-gods, takes it upon himself to mend the world he has sworn to protect. The task will not be an easy one, though, for the wizard, too, has begun to feel the effects of the world’s imbalance. As Randor struggles to maintain some semblance of his powers, he meets a secretive band of colorful characters from all walks of life, drawn together by a common goal: to find the stolen moon, whatever the cost. It does not take Randor and his motley company long to see that someone or something does not want the moon returned to the heavens.

The road is perilous…the stakes have never been greater…will they find victory…or will they only find their deaths?

My Thoughts

When A. P. Stephens first contacted me regarding his book, I was very interested in checking out his first book in The White Shadow Saga, The Stolen Moon of Londor. I am very much a fantasy reader and lover and this book sounded intriguing. Is it ever! I enjoyed listening to it from start to finish and can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the paperback to read through it again.

In my opinion, The Stolen Moon of Londor ranks right up there with some of my other favorite fantasy reads: Terry Brooks, Tolkien, Terry Goodkind... Stephens is great at giving a lot of vivid detail without becoming so involved that you lose sight of the story. As any good quest would have, there are many different characters, with varying personalities and talents, involved in this adventure to recover the stolen moon. Oh, and how about that for a fresh, new idea in fantasy? I am still anxious to find out where this story is going after the first book--how does one steal a moon, after all, even in a fantasy novel? But back to the characters--obviously they are not yet fully developed as this is only the first book in the saga, but already I can see that there will likely be some surprises along the way with this group. I can't even say that I have a favorite character yet, though I expect that to change as I continue reading the saga.

As far as audiobooks go, I have to admit I have never been too keen on listening to involved stories, because I worry that I will miss something. I was surprised at how easily I was able to follow and keep up with the events that were transpiring. I think it helps that Stephens does not get too involved in various events--the battle scenes are descriptive without becoming too bogged down, the world and events are presented in great detail without being wordy... In short, this book is well-written and to the point; there's not a lot of fluff here. The only thing I thought was missing was a more detailed account of the world of Londor itself. I didn't always find that I could picture it in my head, and perhaps that is something that will change when I reread the book as opposed to listening to it, I can't be sure.

I am most definitely looking forward to continuing The White Shadow Saga and anxiously await the publication of the second book. I would think that any reader who shares my affinity to fantasy works would enjoy Stephens' book and I urge you to check it out!

My rating:



Other reviews of The Stolen Moon of Londor:

Fantasy Book Critic

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your review here, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

WINNER: 16x20 Rolled Canvas Print

I'm excited to announce the winner of the 16x20 Rolled Canvas Print, courtesy of Online Poster Printing. This is such a cool item that will make a great present--even if it's only to yourself! :-)

So I'd like to congratulate our winner...

JANSSEN!

I am sending your email address to the sponsors and you will hear from them on December 12th, with further instructions on ordering your rolled canvas print at that time. Please be sure to have your image file ready.

Thanks to everyone who entered this contest and congrats again to Janssen!

Omnimystery Book Tour: Murder on the Cliffs

Title: Murder on the Cliffs
Author: Joanna Challis
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Pub Date: November 2009, Minotaur Books
ARC, 292 pages
Book Source: Received for review as part of the Omnimystery Book Tour

Synopsis

"The storm led me to Padthaway. 

I could never resist the allure of dark swirling clouds, windswept leaves sweeping down cobbled lanes or a view of the sea stirring up its defiant nature. The sea possessed a power all of its own and this part of Cornwall, an isolated stretch of rocky cliff tops and unexplored beaches both enchanted and terrified me. 

It is not a lie to say I felt drawn out that day, led to a certain destiny... 

So begins this new mystery series featuring young Daphne du Maurier, headstrong, adventurous, and standing at the cusp of greatness.

Walking on the cliffs in Cornwall, she stumbles upon the drowned body of a beautiful woman, dressed only in a nightgown, her hair strewn along the rocks, her eyes gazing up to the heavens. Daphne soon learns that the mysterious woman was engaged to marry Lord Hartley of Padthaway, an Elizabethan mansion full of intriguing secrets.

As the daughter of the famous Sir Gerald du Maurier, Daphne is welcomed into the Hartley home, but when the drowning turns out to be murder, Daphne determines to get to the bottom of the mysteries of Padthaway—in part to find fresh inspiration for her writing, and in part because she cannot resist the allure of grand houses and long buried secrets."

My Thoughts

I am embarrassed to admit that I've never read anything by Daphne Du Maurier, but reading Challis' mystery has made me strongly desire to remedy that. Many thanks to Lance and the folks involved with the Omnimystery Book Tour for Joanna Challis' breathtaking first book in her Daphne Du Maurier series. I'm excited to be a part of this tour!

I could not put this book down. The writing was breezy and flowed beautifully and I couldn't help but get wrapped up in the mystery and the characters involved. Challis has painted vivid scenery, emotions, and characters in Murder on the Cliffs. The mystery, though not particularly suspenseful, is well-done, with the blame shifting to and from the various suspects until the very end, when the real murderer is finally revealed. I enjoyed Challis' portrayal of Du Maurier as an amateur sleuth and her interaction with all of the characters. I was equally impressed by Challis' full-bodied, well-developed characters. Love them or hate them, they all played a key role in this story, be it large or small.

What really shines about this book is the element of historical fiction and the idea that this story led Du Maurier to writing her most famous work, Rebecca. Combined with Challis' talent for characterization and vivid descriptions, you have a book that will sweep you away into another world. If you enjoy mysteries, amateur sleuthing, and quality writing, I urge you to pick up a copy of Murder on the Cliffs. I truly don't think you'll be disappointed.

My rating:

About The Author

Joanna Challis lives and writes in a colonial house with wrap-around verandahs and an English garden in Queensland, Australia, surrounded by family, old paintings, and anything fleur-de-lys. She is the author of several romantic suspense novels; Murder on the Cliffs is her first series mystery.

Giveaway!

Joanna Challis is giving away a signed copy of her book, Murder on the Cliffs, to one lucky tour visitor. Simply go to her tour page, http://joanna-challis.omnimystery.com/, enter your name, email address and this PIN: 3383 for your chance to win! Entries from Melissa's Bookshelf will be accepted until noon (PT) tomorrow, Thursday, December 3rd. No purchase required to enter or win. The winner will be announced on Challis' Book Tour Page next week!