Today I am so excited to be hosting my first blog tour. I am featuring a new release titled Captive of Sin by Anna Campbell! Her new book is released today and she was kind enough to also do a Q&A session for all of us! Before we get to that I wanted to provide my review for Captive of Sin.

CAPTIVE OF SIN
Author: Anna Campbell
Special thanks to : Christine from Harper Collins

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (October 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061684287
• ISBN-13: 978-0061684289

SYNOPSIS:

He pledged his honor to keep her safe . . .

Returning home to Cornwall after an unspeakable tragedy, Sir Gideon Trevithick comes upon a defiant beauty in danger and vows to protect her whatever the cost. He’s dismayed to discover that she’s none other than Lady Charis Weston, England’s wealthiest heiress—and that the only way to save her from the violent stepbrothers determined to steal her fortune is to wed her himself! Now Gideon must hide the dark secrets of his life from the bride he desires more with every heartbeat.

She promised to show him how to love—and desire—again . . .

Charis has heard all about Gideon, the dangerously handsome hero with the mysterious past. She’s grateful for his help but utterly unwilling to endure a marriage of convenience—especially to a man whose touch leaves her breathless. Desperate to drive him mad with passion, she would do anything to make Gideon lose control—and fall captive to irresistible, undeniable sin.

MY TAKE:

I was always hesitant on reading historical romance books. I always thought that I would not understand the wording and that they might seem a little boring. I now know that when you have an author like Anna Campbell, there is no reason to hesitate. She made it feel like I was right there going through everything that the characters were going through. The wording was easy to comprehend even when using the old style of speaking. She captured me from page one all the way to the last page. A sweet and tender journey of two people with problems that end up facing them together so that they are no longer burden by their inner demons. A book that captures true romance and enough intrigue to keep me up all night reading. Ms. Campbell has now shown me the wonderful world of historical fiction. I am now hooked on finding more books from this author.

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

Q&A

To start off can you tell the readers a little about yourself?

Hi Amy! Thank you so much for having me as a guest on My Overstuffed Bookshelf. It sounds like my place! I’m an Aussie who lives on the east coast near the sea. After a variety of jobs, specifically chosen because they left me time to write, I started writing full time in 2006. I’ve always been a complete bookworm – I’ll read a milk packet if nothing else is available!

Can you tell us a little about your new release?

CAPTIVE OF SIN is a passionate, dramatic story set in the late Regency. Sir Gideon Trevithick returns to England as a national hero after suffering torture and imprisonment in India. He’s battling the physical and mental effects of his ordeal and is convinced he’ll never lead a normal life. When he pledges himself to save a runaway heiress from her greedy and violent stepbrothers, he has no idea his chivalry will lead to marriage. Lady Charis Weston refuses to accept a marriage of convenience and she’s determined to conquer Gideon’s ghosts and win his love. So the battle lines are drawn! There’s an excerpt here: http://www.annacampbell.info/captivesin.html

When did you start writing? How did you decide what to write? What do you enjoy about the Historical Romance Genre?

I started my first novel when I was in grade three, a snappy little number about horse-napping. Not long after that, I discovered romance novels and I was hooked, so naturally, that’s what I wanted to write. I finished my first romance novel in the holiday after high school. I still think my favorite story is a fabulous historical that sweeps me away into another world. I love the larger than life quality of a good historical.

When you’re not writing, what kind of books do you like to read? Do you have any favorite authors that are must reads?

How long have you got? I could talk about thousands of books! I’ll read pretty much everything, although my favorite genre is romance, especially a great historical. I read a lot of nonfiction too. Favorite authors include Laura Kinsale, Loretta Chase, Annie West, Kathleen O’Reilly, Tawny Weber, Christine Wells, Liz Carlyle, Madeline Hunter, Linda Howard, Anne Stuart… I could go on!

What are 3 things that are “must haves” for you when you sit down to write a new book?

Three cups of tea? I’m a bit of a tea addict and go through gallons of the stuff, especially when I’m working. Alright, here’s a sensible answer – a cup of tea, a radio and an idea of who my main characters are.

What are your favorite things to do in your downtime?

Read! OK, what else? I’ve recently joined a mail order DVD service so I’m catching up on a lot of films and TV I’ve missed. I have a pool and I love to float around – calling it swimming would be a vast exaggeration. I love to catch up with my friends. I live in a very pretty part of the world so walking is a pleasure around here. And Facebook seems to have become an obsession lately! Curse you, Facebook!

Where can we purchase your books?

At all good bookstores. You can also buy them online at places like Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com.

Any hints or previews on what your next book will be about?

MY RECKLESS SURRENDER should be out next summer. It’s about a dangerous seduction in Regency London. I’m completely in love with the hero, the Earl of Ashcroft. He’s my first non-tortured hero!

Do you have a blog or website that your readers can keep up with you and your books?

I’ve got a website that I update at the start of every month with latest news and a contest and a column called My Favorite Things where I talk about, you guessed it, my favorite things. My website address is: www.annacampbell.info

I’ve got a page at HarperCollins that I update a couple of times a month, so it’s a great place to see where I’m blogging. The address for that is: http://harpercollins.com/authors/31961/Anna_Campbell/index.aspx

I’m on Facebook. Man, am I on Facebook. Far too much! Here’s my profile page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/annacampbell.writer?ref=profile

I’m also on My Space, although not quite so much! http://home.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user

I blog regularly with the Romance Bandits –http://romancebandits.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for joining us Anna, and I wish you all the success you deserve with this wonderful love story! Keep them coming and come by My Overstuffed Bookshelf anytime!

SIMON’S CAT
Author: Simon Tofield
Special thanks to: Anna at Hachette Book Group

Trade Paperback 240 pages
$12.99

Publication date: September 24th 2009
Published by Grand Central Publishing

SYNOPSIS:
Simon’s Cat. Now in his very own book.

Based on Simon Tofield’s animations that have taken YouTube by storm with over thirty million hits, SIMON’S CAT depicts and exaggerates the hilarious relationship between a man and his cat. The daily escapades of this adorable pet, who will do just about anything to be fed, and his exasperated but doting owner, come to life through beautiful black and white line drawings. With a huge fan following that is growing even larger by the day, SIMON’S CAT is set to become a major new comic creation.

Simon Tofield is an award-winning illustrator, animator and director at Tandem Films in London.

MY TAKE:

This book reminds me of those Garfield books I used to get at the library when I was younger. Except this cat doesn’t talk. It features the dialogue as pictures only. I was not a fan of this book. Yes it had some funny comic strips in it and I can totally see my little hell cat doing some of the things this cat does in the book, but I just couldn’t really get into it. It says that it could be for all ages but I think a child would enjoy this book better. Don’t get me wrong! I love cartoon books! This one just wasn’t my cup of tea I guess you could say. Would be great for a small gift for a child though.

MY RATING:

A Decent Read.
Has Some Drawbacks Though.

Chocolate: A Love Story
Author: Max Brenner

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (November 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316056626
• ISBN-13: 978-0316056625

Special Thanks to: Anna at Hachette Books

SYNOPSIS:
With gigantic vats of churning chocolate, desserts like their famous chocolate pizza, and 12 varieties of hot chocolate served in custom mugs, Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man has turned their line of hip, colorful themed restaurants into an international sensation.. Chocolate: A Love Story is a vibrant new cookbook that includes 65 original recipes narrated in the quirky, captivating voice of Max Brenner, the restaurant’s visionary founder and “bald man.” Bold original illustrations inspired by Art Deco poster graphics, full-color photographs, easy-to-follow, delicious recipes, and a serving of Max’s unique vision for spreading “chocolate culture” around the world make this book a must for every chocolate lover.

MY TAKE:
Raise your hand if you love chocolate! ME!!! What girl doesn’t love the occasional chocolate in their diet? My Grandma used to tell me that A moment on the lips is a lifetime on the hips! Well, this book has all the recipes to make up for 12 lifetimes! Easy to follow recipes that include chocolate and heaven all in one! In this book there are over 65 dessert recipes from author Max Brenner’s private collection. Here are just a few of the recipes included in this book:

Bohemian French Toast Chocolate Sandwiches
Handsome Tiramisu
Enticing Sugar Churros
Love and Hate Doughnuts
A Therapeutic Chocolate Pot Pie

So is your mouth watering yet? With the holidays here, I am so excited to have a cookbook for all the fattening goodies to make for everyone! The great illustrations/artwork by Yonatan Factor are throughout the whole book as well and they are wonderfully done. This book would be a great book to have for holidays, anniversaries, Valentines Day treats and for special nights with a spouse or date. This book would even be great to a newlywed couple for a gift.

I will leave you with chocolate cravings for now while I go see if I can whip up a few of these recipes for my hubby after taking such great care of me while I was sick!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!