A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund

Recently widowed Annalisa Werner has the feeling her husband was murdered but can’t prove it. Alone with her young daughter in 1881 Michigan, she has six months left to finish raising the money needed to pay back the land contract her husband purchased, and the land is difficult to toil by herself. She needs a husband. With unmarried men scarce, her father sends a letter to his brother in the Old Country, asking him to find Annalisa a groom.

For nobleman Carl von Reichart, the blade of the guillotine is his fate. He’s been accused and convicted of a serious crime he didn’t commit, and his only escape is to flee to a small German community in Michigan where he’ll be safe. He secures a job on Annalisa’s farm but bumbles through learning about farming and manual labor. Annalisa senses that Carl is harboring a secret about his past, yet she finds herself drawn to him anyway. He’s gentle, kind, and romantic–unlike any of the men she’s ever known. He begins to restore her faith in the ability to love–but her true groom is still on his way. And time is running out on them all.

Ashley, welcome to Tinasbookreviews, Im glad you stopped by for a chat today, to begin please tell us about yourself. 

Hi Ute, welcome to the blog, please tell us a little about yourself.

I live in New Hampshire with my husband of thirty three years. We have two grown sons. I love good food, good wine and long walks. I’m a big fan of coffee, chocolate, and great books. I also love the theater.

What inspired you to write Blueberry Truth? 

Grizelmore the Goblin has some really weird cravings and eating habits. Tell us about some of your weird eating habits. Bonus point if you can show me a picture! 

So before I posted my book boyfriend this week, I saw Missie's post and kind of freaked out. I have always went above and beyond on this blog to always use paid or subscribed stock photos, my own personal photos or creative common celebrity/model photos. After reading a post at Roni Loren's site Im pretty sure I have made some mistakes concerning photography and photos I have used at TBR's. 

Although I have given credit were credit is due, I have failed to get written permission, something I didnt know I needed when dealing with photos. In the fear of being 'Story Siren'd by twitter and social media I wanted to take the time to just say sorry. Over the next few weeks I will be going through my blog and making sure any photos being used are mine, paid for, have been given to me by permission or are legally creative common safe. Now granted I feel outside of celebrity photos this is not a problem for me and while those boys are beautiful to look at, a big fat lawsuit is not.


Educate yourself: I would encourage all of you to check out Roni's post and Missie's for information and go through your own blogs and make sure your photos are safe.

Photo Websites I use, subscribe to and/or have paid for:

BigStock

Free Digitals (These Pictures are free if you use the small size and give credit- larger sizes have prices)

Free Photos you can use./Creative Commons Search engine.

New Photos Sites I Have Found Thanks to this Post

Stock.Xchng- Free Photos (I love this site, it might be my new go to)
Wikimedia Images- More free Photos-Yay!
Getty Images- They have tons of great free photos and some price options as well

Posts That will Help Educate you on Copyright Law and Blogger Do's &Don'ts

Roni Loren
Megan Ward
Parajunkee's BB101 Posts
Copyright Law/Government Website

UPDATE*********

Since yesterdays post I have been on a mission to find out about which pictures I can and can't use for a non-commercial website, or AKA- personal blogs, and Ill tell you fellow bloggers, its unbelievable the copyright laws being broken everyday by various websites. After everything Ive read, Im pretty much going to be using Creative Common pictures or my own moving forward on this blog.


After contacting a handful of TV networks about the use of using stills, video clips, TV logos and the sort, I have heard back from two, one a personal email and one directing me to the websites Terms of Use, which of course prompted me to read a ton of TOA's, which I should of done long before yesterday. Now Im not the expert on Copyright law nor the law in general, I am just going by the guidelines of one company's direction from an email and figured that the TOA's were a good place to start.

Here is some stuff I found out about the pictures I've personally been using:

According to FX,(a TV network) their terms state that any photos, stills and video clips are under copyright and trademark protection. Stills, Photos and clips of FX TV shows may be used/distributed or viewed for private or non-commercial viewing, so for example my few photos of Sons of Anarchy belong to the FX Network and as I've credited the FX station and this is a non-commercial site, where I receive no money for the posts I create, nor have I started my own show, and its strictly for viewing pleasure and spreading awareness of a certain TV show/actor is legal according to the terms of use or at least how I understood it. Im still waiting on a formal response, so I will revise this if needed.

ABC's terms of use are very strict, they say non-commercial, private use only and state that pictures, stills or clips cannot be changed or revised but used with express permission. So all those gifs people are using, that have content owned by ABC which is owned by Disney, totally illegal. Is it likely they will find all the gifs out there and go after you? No, probably not, but by law they can sue you for it. This company's terms of use is so detailed, Im afraid that even using a picture of a Walt Disney character without a credit and/or permission will get you in some major trouble. (the TOA was a tad confusing to read through and honestly I didn't understand all of it)

Focus Feature Films which is owned by NBC is a little more laid back, their terms of use state you can use movie posters and stills as long as credit is given, but says material cannot be revised. So for example all those movie stills that have bubble text on them, not legal, unless you have written permission from the company. Most of the Movie/Production picture companies I have researched all have similar disclaimer and Copyright polices. Stills of actors from movies seem to be a safe bet, and of course getting a photographers permission (if its a celebrity shot) is always a safe way to go to.

And now the sad one: According to the CW network, (shows like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural) all photos and content, including stills, network photos and logos are prohibited to use on any other website. Which means, all your Vampire Diaries photos are copyright infringements, and Ive seen these on TONS of blogs. Now perhaps you can use pictures from a magazine if you quote the source and get permission, but anything from the CW according to the TOA is off-limits.

Most major corporations will have a Terms of Use Clause listed somewhere at their website, which will explain their personal copyright policy. If this helps with any pictures you have used Id encourage you check out TV network, Movie Studio, and production websites. 

**Fair Use- According to Wikipedia

Fair use is a limitation and exception to the exclusive right granted by copyright law to the author of a creative work. In United States copyright law, fair use is a doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders. Examples of fair use include commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching, library archiving and scholarship. It provides for the legal, unlicensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.

Reinventing Claire by Darian Wilk
July 30, 2012 by Kindle/Indie

People get divorced, but that's what happens to other people. That’s what Claire thought anyway, until her husband, Charlie, tells her he wants a divorce. 

Claire has no choice but to take on the title of Divorced Woman, and face the question she has no idea how to answer. Who is Claire without Charlie? Her family believes her newly divorced woes can be cured by jumping back into the dating scene – and landing herself a boyfriend. With her dating dunce cap in hand, Claire stumbles her way through the foreign territory of online dating.

A teacher from hell, a stalker, and a softball coach later, Claire proclaims herself the dating idiot she thought she was, and fears she's doomed to be a lonely, crazy cat lady. But an accidental run-in with an old acquaintance might change everything. What starts by comparing dating battle wounds over a cup of coffee, quickly turns into something Claire thought she had given up on.  As Claire discovers maybe there is love after Charlie after all, Charlie realizes his mistake. He wants her back, and he'll do anything to prove it to her. Now Claire must choose who deserves her heart, and if she's really willing to give it away again.

Flawed by Kate Avelynn
August 1, 2012 by Entangled

Sarah O’Brien is only alive because of the pact she and her brother made twelve years ago—James will protect her from their violent father if she promises to never leave him. For years, she’s watched James destroy his life to save hers. If all he asks for in return is her affection, she’ll give it freely. 

Until, with a tiny kiss and a broken mind, he asks for more than she can give. Sam Donavon has been James’s best friend—and the boy Sarah’s had a crush on—for as long as she can remember. As their forbidden relationship deepens, Sarah knows she’s in trouble. Quiet, serious Sam has decided he’s going to save her. Neither of them realize James is far more unstable than her father ever was, or that he’s not about to let Sarah forget her half of the pact.

The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George
September 4, 2012 by Hodder & Stoughton

Becca King and her mother are on the run from her stepfather who has used Becca’s talent for hearing ‘whispers’ to make a large and illegal sum of money. Now their options for safety are running out. In the town of Langley on Whidbey Island, Becca finds refuge in the home of her mother’s childhood friend while her mother continues on to Canada in search of safety.

But on her first day in town Becca meets sixteen years old Derric Nyombe Matheson a Ugandan orphan who was adopted as a ten-year-old by the town’s Deputy Sheriff. Derric has a secret that no one on Whidbey Island knows. Derric and Becca form an un-severable bond. Becca is convinced that she’s the only person who can truly help him, and just maybe Derric can convince Becca that life is too short to live on the run.

Crow's Row by Julie Hockley
April 13, 2011 by iUniverse

For college student Emily Sheppard, the thought of spending a summer alone in New York is much more preferable than spending it in France with her parents. Just completing her freshman year at Callister University, Emily faces a quiet summer in the city slums, supporting herself by working at the campus library. During one of her jogs through the nearby cemetery while visiting her brother Bill's grave, Emily witnesses a brutal killing-and then she blacks out. When Emily regains consciousness, she realizes she's been kidnapped by a young crime boss and his gang. She is hurled into a secret underworld, wondering why she is still alive and for how long. Held captive in rural Vermont, she tries to make sense of her situation and what it means. While uncovering secrets about her brother and his untimely death, Emily falls in love with her very rich and very dangerous captor, twenty-six year- old Cameron. She understands it's a forbidden love and one that won't allow her to return to her previous life. But love may not be enough to save Emily when no one even knows she is missing.

The Widow of Saunders Creek by Tracey Bateman
May 8, 2012 by Doubleday

Corrie Saunders grew up in a life of privilege. But she gave it all up for Jarrod, her Army husband, a man she knew was a hero when she vowed to spend her life with him. She just didn’t expect her hero to sacrifice his life taking on an Iraqi suicide bomber.

Six months after Jarrod’s death, Corrie retreats to the family home her husband inherited deep in the Missouri Ozarks. She doesn’t know how to live without Jarrod she doesn’t want to. By moving to Saunders Creek and living in a house beloved by him, she hopes that somehow her Jarrod will come back to her. Something about the house suggests maybe he has. Corrie begins to wonder if she can feel Jarrod’s presence. Jarrod’s cousin Eli is helping Corrie with the house’s restoration and he knows that his dead cousin is not what Corrie senses. Eli, as a believing man and at odds with his mystically-oriented family members, thinks friendly visits from beyond are hogwash. But he takes spirits with dark intentions seriously. Can he convince Corrie that letting go of Jarrod will lead to finding her footing again— and to the One she can truly put her faith into?

Before You Go by James Preller
July 17, 2012 by Feiwel & Friends

The summer before his senior year, Jude (yes, he’s named after the Beatles song) gets his first job, falls in love for the first time, and starts to break away from his parents. Jude’s house is kept dark, and no one talks much—it’s been that way since his little sister drowned in a swimming pool seven years ago when Jude was supposed to be watching her.

Now, Jude is finally, finally starting to live. Really live. And then, life spins out of control. Again. 

                            

Ashfall by Mike Mullin
October 11, 2011 by Tanglewood Press
Hardcover, 466 Pages
Borrowed/Library

Alex is having a bad day, what starts off as something kind of cool has become a bit of drag, his parents decided to leave him home alone while they spent the weekend visiting his uncle in Illinois......but its not like they left without thinking about it. The neighbor couple is keeping an eye on him and for some reason things just seem off, perhaps its loneliness or perhaps its just feeling guilty for treating his mom bad, either way, something in the air feels wrong. When a huge explosion tears a chunk out of Alex's roof, loud banging noises deafen his hearing and black ash turns his sight pitch dark well lets just say that bad day Alex was having is about to turn into a bad month, heck Alex is about to lose everything normal in his life and everything that it meant to be a teenager in America. When Yellowstone's Volcano explodes, the devastation is astronomical to the United States, communication is instantly down, food, water and air are all effected and while some parts across the US are managing, other areas, like the States surrounding Alex are in complete chaos.

When the explosions finally settle down, Alex decides to take and a chance and go looking for his parents. His first obstacle: Travel. With the amount of ash covering the ground and the ash floating in the sky walking is almost impossible.With a genius idea, a backpack of supplies and a case load of courage, Alex hikes it out of his hometown in Iowa with only skis and the wits to survive.

In the first day there is trouble, the air is almost impossible to breath, Alex has to keep his face covered and the covering wet to block out the ash to his lungs, but with very little water supply, every drop is precious. Food is low, shelter is nonexistent and everyone is scared. People he encounter have guns, or people are rioting and turning to their basic savage need. Violence meets him around almost every corner and just surviving day to day is a mission in itself. When Alex runs out of his own luck a horrific event leads him to small farm run by a girl named Darla and her mother. The girls take care of Alex and nurse him back to health and as he awaits the days when he can hit the road again, life on the farm brings him a silver of peace. But peace in this world doesn't last for long and before any of them know it, tragedy has struck again and the only option is to get to his parents. The road this time is scarier than the first, violence has changed them, devastation has striped them of something and in the process corrupt leaders will steal what freedom they have left.

I loved reading Ashfall and I think my favorite aspect of Mullin's story was that I got to be in the middle of the destruction, I got to be at the beginning of the "end of life as we knew it" for Alex and the world around him. I got to be a part of reading how the dystopian world was going to be set up and how everything was going to change for these people. Mullin's writing was for the most part smartly done, I enjoyed Alex's growth and seeing him at point A- a typical male teen to point B- a maturing man. The journey, the obstacles he faced, the near death experience, the love and relationship with Darla- everything changed that boy and in the end we see the potential of the man he will become.

I also loved that Ashfall presented a real type scenario, something that could potentially happen in the face of disaster, yet in a small sneaking way it also touched on the power of the government, the ideas of socialism, the idea of self reliance and the lengths we would go for freedom. I cant help but think also (even if it was just me) that along the way the shelter, food and care which seemed to follow Alex had little to do with luck and more to do with a higher purpose, call it fate, or the will of his creator, leading him along the way.

It was terrifying, exciting and no place I would ever want to be except for on my couch in my mind coasting along the wave of Mullin's imagination.

Rating

Recommended to teens 15&up and contains: Graphic violence, including a few brutal scenes with murder/death, frightening weather environments and end of the world type scenes, mild sexuality and language.

5/5- YA-Dystopian

Hi Marie, welcome to Tinasbookreviews, please tell us about yourself? 

In the beginning of chapter 14, poor Jason is having a tough time at work. Its busy, people are rude, there are hot girls talking to him, big lady's are about to starve, all in all bad work day. So tell us about a time when you had to deal with a pushy customer or rude behavior, did you freak, keep it together, throw a slawburger?

Well, I never threw a slawburger at anyone, nor have I ever gotten into it with a customer, Im pretty much a very non-confrontational person, if I can keep the peace I will. When I worked in banking, people always tended to be cranky, whether it was because they had no money, wanted the banks money, or just had a bug in their butts, everyday we had at least one person fly off the handle. I would keep my cool with customers and later go into the bathroom and scream into my hands. The same trick sometimes works when dealing with my teenager who says things like: Mom, I want to dye my hair blue..or mom, I just triple pierced my ear, all by myself, or mom, you know that CD you said I couldn't buy, well I did and hid it under the bed.

In chapter 16 Jason is getting ready to shoot his rocking music video and perform for a crowd. Have you ever made a rock video, been in a play or anything that shows you doing something with musical talent? Extra points if you want to show us.

I unfortunately lack the skills to play music or make music videos. I did sing at church with my dad when I was really little, but sorry no YouTube or video evidence. Thank goodness.

Will is a passionate guy who expresses himself with poetry. Don't think for a second though that this makes him wimpy or overly sensitive...the guy has had a ton of heartbreak for a young 20-something. He lost his parents, became the soul guardian of his little brother, gave up his dreams to go to a big college and ...AND finally meets the girl of his dreams and finds out he cant have her.........

“My heart pounds against my chest. Not because I'm nervous. Not even because I want her worse that I've ever wanted her before. It's pounding against my chest because I realize I've never been so sure about the rest of my life than I am in this moment. This girl is the rest of my life.”....Point of Retreat

Is Will gorgeous......oh yes!!! With his jet black cropped hair and pretty green eyes, Will is sexy, kind and smart....he's a t-shirt and jeans type of guy but for work he dresses the part...and looks the part too. He's still young but the weight of the world and the responsibility of being a parent makes him wise beyond his years. He's not the type of guy who you will find getting drunk or sleeping around, he's the type of guy you want to marry. And Will is from Michigan...Im using the Bookish Brunette's line here and shouting sheeeyahhhhh!!!!!!

Expectations, evaluations, internal evasions Fly out of me like puddles of blood from a wound A fetus from the womb of a corpse in a tomb Withered and strewn like red sheets on the bed Of an immaculate room. I can’t breathe, I can’t win, From this indelible position I’m in It controls the only piece of my unfortunate soul Left to fend for itself in this hollowed out hole That I dug from within, like a prisoner in An unlocked cell sitting in the deepest pits of hell Unencumbered he’s not in his sweltering spot He could open the door ‘cause he don’t need a damn key But then again, Why would he? Circumlocution is his revolution. Slammed (pp. 86-87). . Kindle Edition.

Will is also passionate about music, both he and Layken share the love for Indie music and the band The Avett Brothers, its not uncommon to hear Will singing or humming along to their songs, or playing a game of Would you Rather.......he's also the best take a gal on a first date guy ever, if you hear that noise its me swooning.

“Okay.” He clears his throat and pauses for a few seconds. “Okay, would you rather spend the rest of your life with no arms, or would you rather spend the rest of your life with arms you couldn't control?” What the hell? I can honestly say this date has definitely not started the way any of my previous dates have gone. It’s pleasantly unexpected though. “Well…” I hesitate. “I guess I would rather spend the rest of my life with arms I couldn't control?”
“What? Seriously? But you wouldn't be controlling them!” he says, flapping his arms around in the car. “They could be flailing around and you’d be constantly punching yourself in the face! Or worse, you might grab a knife and stab yourself!”
I laugh. “I didn't realize there were right and wrong answers.” “You suck at this,” he teases. “Your turn.” Slammed (pp. 39-40).Kindle Edition.

He studies my face for a few seconds as my heart races within my chest. I think he’s about to kiss me. I attempt to calm my breathing as I stare up at him. He steps in even closer and removes his hand from my chin and places it on the back of my neck, leaning my head in toward him. His lips press gently against my forehead, lingering a few seconds before he releases his hand and steps back...... I’m frozen, attempting to absorb the last fifteen seconds of my life. Where did that come from? Why did I just stand there and let him do that? Despite my objections I realize, almost pathetically, that I have just experienced the most passionate kiss I’ve ever received from a guy—and it was on the freaking forehead! Slammed (pp. 29-30). . Kindle Edition.

Pulled by A.L Jackson
April 5, 2012 by Sapphire Publishing
Paperback, 388 Pages
Bought/Nook Edition

Highschool sweethearts Melanie and Daniel have been inseparable since they met when Melanie was 15. Having an odd family dynamic herself, when she finds love in Daniels family, Melanie flourishes in the relationship and everyone knows that the bond, an unusual almost eerie connection they share will eventually lead to marriage, kids, and the whole enchilada. While all of them know this they don't expect it to come so early, when Melanie becomes pregnant at 17 the family is shocked but supportive, Daniel is scared but actually ready and proud to be a father, with the support of his parents and the love of his sister, Daniel knows he can take care of Melanie and the baby. After a few months of getting used to the idea, plans have been made, marriage has been talked about and the totally in love couple is excited and happy.

Unfortunately, fate would have other plans.

After Daniel shows Melanie the house he has bought for them, they leave ecstatic, but all of their hopes and dreams as a family come tumbling down in a split second after they are in a car accident. The baby is born too early and dies after a few days, before Melanie even has a chance to meet her. The death leaves the couple absolutely devastated and Melanie on top of losing the baby was hurt in the accident and will have to go to physical therapy to repair the damage. While Daniel is ready to pick up the pieces and move forward, Melanie's parents have a different plan. Having hid the pregnancy from them, they never knew what was going on and Melanie's father is so angry he lashes out destroying everything in his path. At 17, Melanie is still a minor, the parents threaten Daniel with Statutory rape and move Melanie with her mother thousands of miles away from Daniel. Out of cruelty the parents deceive both of them and while Melanie waits for the day she turns 18, the days apart begin taking a toll on her already fragile state of mind, combined with the immaturity of a teenager and the stupidity of misunderstandings days become weeks and weeks become months. The loss of communication drives a deep wedge between the couple and between the lies and a plethora of bad circumstances nine years pass and each of them have settled into lives they hate.

Melanie out of depression and anger gets married to an abusive douche-bag and Daniel pretty much has given up on love, sex is a hobby and all his drive, fire and personality left with Melanie. Each one longs for the other and over the course of the book we flash back to all these events, leading up to the present when fate, that delicious monster brings them back together again. Of course while there's a collision of fierce emotion and sexual intensity, there's some huge elephants in the room, like Melanie's abusive marriage, Daniels future child on the way from a one night stand, the parents, the losses, the lies, the future and that little thing about their connected spirits yet to be dealt with.

The romance in Pulled was intense and by that don't think I mean sex, it was more so emotional romance then physical, although Mel and Daniel heated up many a page. I really liked Jackson's second novel, honestly though I think Pulled should have been marketed as a paranormal romance, while Melanie and Daniel are not mutants or vampires or anything like that, they do have a relationship that takes suspending disbelief to enjoy. The couple basically have a telekinesis bond and can sense each others presence, can hear each others thoughts in dire circumstances and seem to be connected by their souls. In many parts of the novel this worked great, it was fun and different, however in other parts of the novel because it was contemporary romance it didn't work. Some of the scenes contradicted their special "bond" making it really hard for me to understand how a separation of nine years could have even happened. Melanie's marriage to Nicholas was beyond aggravating because there wasn't a second in the novel where she should of been with him, so from a moral stand point it was conflicting, Im against cheating but due to the circumstances the reader cheers for her to commit adultery, not something I was thrilled with. It boggles my mind that Daniel would have never gone after her or called or communicated any contact, especially with the technology available to the characters....makes a girl ponder the question of their logic.

All in all, minor glitches in an overall very entertaining story, Jackson's writing was just tremendous, the woman has an uncanny ability to suck you into her characters head and make you feel literally like your swimming inside her story. I spent most of the time reading Pulled, gasping, cringing and waiting for the characters to reunite, it was so satisfying to finally see them come together I almost passed out.

A.L Jackson is an author on the prowl, ready to pull you into her world of romance and intrigue with a touch of magic, a touch of sadness and a heaping bowlful of happy.

Rating

Pulled is recommended to adult readers and contains: Violence, teen pregnancy, graphic sexuality, domestic abuse, strong language, death, infidelity and issues on grief and depression.

4/5- Contemporary Romance

Pick up your own Copy for 3.99~