I am very jealous of Michelle Moran. Not only has she walked through the The House of Augustus (my favorite historical figure), but she is an amazing writer who has brought life to women and eras that have fascinated people for centuries. Nefertiti… Cleopatra… the names are synonymous with beauty, femininity, and tragedy. Despite the tabloid like rumors of history, those very interesting stories that historians tell to make history worth knowing to those who otherwise would not care for it, these women were once real, alive, and complex. Not only does Moran talk about well known women, but she gives us the names and characters of some unknown but still impressive women: Nefertari and Selene.

I have been DYING to read Michelle Moran, especially Cleopatra’s Daughter because it takes place in my favorite period of history. And my heart does go pitter-patter when I think of Octavian (Augustus).

Which is why it brings me so much pleasure to bring to you an amazing contest, which has been offered by Michelle Moran herself. It’s awesome the way that Moran respects and values the book community, and you can tell that she loves to give to her fans because she has offered up TWO books to TWO readers of Morbid-Romantic.net.

Up for grabs is: a SIGNED hardcover copy of Cleopatra’s Daughter (synopsis) or a SIGNED paperback of The Heretic Queen (synopsis)!

There are a number of ways you can win this book, each good for one entry each. For each entry, leave me a separate comment. Also, make sure that you leave me a way to contact you if you win.

1.) Leave a comment below telling me that you’d like to win.
2.) Blog about this contest and leave a comment with the links.
3.) Add me on twitter (@morbidromantic) and Tweet this contest, then comment with a link to the Tweet or your username.
4.) Stumble this giveaway or my main site and comment with your StumbleUpon username.
5.) Rate my blog at Blogged. Click here or find the graphic on the sidebar under ‘ranks.’
6.) Add my RSS reader here and leave me a comment telling me that you subscribe to my feed.
7.) Comment on and rate (rating is found in the header of the post) any of my previous book reviews and leave me a comment telling me that you have.
8.) Add me to your Technorati favorites: .
9.) Add me on LibraryThing, Good Reads, Shelfari, Book Blogs, or BookBlips and leave a comment telling me where you’ve added me and (if you can), your username/name.
10.) Answer this question: Who is your favorite historical woman?

If you do all of the above, you will get ten entries. That’s ten chances to win.

Winners will be selected on 11:59pm EST on September 10th. I will be using Random.org to select the winner. The first winner will get his/her choice of the books offered. Whichever one the first winner does not choose will be given to winner number 2. This contest is open internationally.

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Title: Highland Rebel
Author(s): Judith James
Genre: Fiction – Historical Romance
Finished: August 31, 2009
Rating: 4 Stars

In Judith James’ Highland Rebel Jamie Sinclair is a solider, a master of disguise, a little bit of a rogue, and almost penniless. Nevertheless, the ladies love him and he has a promising future with a woman waiting for him back home in England who has money. His hopes of a well off and comfortable future are dashed in the heat of battle when he meets and marries a young Scottish girl– Catherine Drummond. Jamie does not know it at the time, but she is rich… very rich. Jamie’s intention for marrying her is to save her from the evil thoughts and hands of his bored, blood thirsty soldiers. Catherine soon pays him back for his ‘kindness’ by nursing him back to health when he is all but beaten to death trying to get her back once she inevitably runs from the marriage. Beaten over the head and sent back to England in disgrace, Jamie is left penniless again and falls out of favor with the King for snubbing his former soon-to-be wife for a Scottish rebel girl.

Catherine, however, finds that she quite likes being married without the burden of having a husband around. Years pass, but circumstance takes Catherine to England to meet the King and hopefully begin to sell her people’s whiskey to the court for a profit. When she sees Jamie again, they come to an understanding that they will pretend to be married for a while before splitting amicably. Catherine promises Jamie that she will pay him handsomely for playing his role.

Problem is, they soon begin to develop a powerful attraction toward one another. It is hard for Catherine to endure Jamie playing his charms on other women and not her, and Jamie feels increasingly possessive of the beautiful and charming Catherine. Because the two of them knock heads relentlessly, they convince themselves that they should not pursue one another, which only causes more confusion and anxiety. And, of course, more attraction.

If you do not like the typical “gasp and passion” romances that populate bookstores, Highland Rebel is a book that you will like. The characters are well relayed and have depth, each with their own personality and motivating forces. The romance itself is slow moving and complex, so there is a realistic and often times wonderfully frustrating progression from disdain to friendship and ultimately to love. Jamie and Cat do not fall all over each other, so the plot is not cliché as so much romance fiction is.

Judith James knows her history and it shows in the elegant way she presents the English Royal Court of James, as well as the harsher but beautiful Scottish Highlands of Catherine’s heritage. My area of history, as anyone knows, is Rome, so I fully enjoyed what I was able to learn from Highland Rebel. Subtle beneath the passion and romance is a variety of great, valuable historical information. I was absolutely delighted by the matter of fact way James presents her world such that we absorb without feeling inundated by details and facts.

Highland Rebel is also very well written and I like how it plays out the way that Jamie and Catherine slowly come together. I dislike the brand of romance that has the heroine in the arms of the man as soon as they meet. The best female counterparts are strong willed and resistant. The greater the conflict, the greater the reward at the end when all differences are mended and the couple finally comes to accept the feelings they have. Jamie seems to be worth it, though, because he is the right kind of rogue– rough, smart, and misunderstood. And Catherine defies the expectations placed on women to achieve independence as much as any woman can. I can’t say that I blame her. Naturally, this makes her the perfect fit for the unconventional Jamie.

Too bad they didn’t see it earlier!

You will quite like Jamie at the end, rogue though he is. You come to understand why he is the way he is due to his own father and upbringing. Cat, too, comes across as a bit cold. However, once her character comes out, you really learn to respect her for her boldness, her wit, and her strength. She is a take charge kind of girl, but not kick butt; Cat is weak and flawed in her own way, which makes her more of an engaging and believable character. There are some definite character changes that occur toward the end, as the two of them change each other enough to allow love to take hold and come to fruition. Highland Rebel is a truly entertaining story, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes heated, sometimes absolutely frustrating. A page turner, for sure.

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Disclaimer(s):

- More can be found in my Reviews section.
- If you would like me to review your book, send an email to me at morbidromantic@gmail.com. Read my Book Review Policy for more information.

Now that it is almost September, it is time for me to do my August wrap up. I tried to get a lot done this month because the semester is starting and things are going to slow down.

Reviews
Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson
Testimony by Anita Shreve
Obama’s Blackberry by Kasper Hauser
Dancing With Ana by Nicole Barker
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange
The Calling by John Shirley
Bone Chiller by R.M. Heske
The Dysfunctional Father’s Guide to Pregnancy Birth and Babies by XY
Highland Rebel by Judith James

Blog Tours
Book of Unholy Mischief Virtual Book by Elle Newmark
The Calling by David Mack
Bleak History by John Shirley
Dark Hunger by Rita Herron

Author Interviews
Newmark, Elle
Herron, Rita

Guest Posts
Deblauwe, Tony
Godshalk, Eddie

BOOKIN’ WITH BINGO is having an EXTRAVAGANT BINGO BOOKCASE GIVEAWAY sponsored by CSN STORES who sell everything from fireplaces to office furniture. Stop by and enter by 6 PM, EST, on September 26th.

Another reality show from the creator of Ice Road Truckers and Deadliest Catch is coming our way. truTV BLACK GOLD tells the story of a group of roughneck oil workers who put body and even life on the line to drill for the all too precious oil we use on a daily basis. Meet the truTV BLACK GOLD characters:

The characters are true examples of what a roughneck is: sturdy, hard working, dirty, and dangerous. The men have the bad mouths and quick tempers that come with working in hard conditions, conditions that at any moment could go so wrong that someone could get seriously hurt. These men are rough in every sense of the word because they have to be, but you have to commend their bravery that they risk themselves day in and day out so that we can lead leisurely lives and drive SUVs. Their bodies are tempered by the tough work done, and you can see it etched in every muscle.

If you’ve viewed the video above, you can see some of the violence that occurs in the daily work lives of these men. I was seriously taken aback by all the chains whipping about and drills bursting, knocking men down. I don’t know about you, but I just can’t imagine working in conditions like that. I like offices and air conditioning, so I am thankful to the roughnecks who are willing to do the dirty work.

So, tune into Black Gold Wednesdays at 10p/9c. It looks like an exciting show, and I think that everyone should be at least a little interested in what some of their fellow Americans do to provide for them.

Title: The Dysfunctional Father’s Guide to Pregnancy Birth and Babies
Author(s): XY
Genre: Fiction – Humor
Finished: August 20
Rating: 3 Stars

The Dysfunctional Father’s Guide to Pregnancy Birth and Babies is a humor guide book for expectant fathers penned by a two man team who call themselves XY, and is illustrated by David Shaw. The book is an amusing look at how the ‘dysfunctional father’ views the road to pregnancy, the pregnancy experience, childbirth, and the first year of a child’s life. It is an advice book, a guide book, and a collection of personal stories somewhat exaggerated for comedic effect.

Sensitive men and women should not read. If you are predisposed to the idea that all men are piggish jerks, you might also not want to read this book because it will just confirm your opinion. The tone of the book comes off arrogant and misogynistic, but the humor itself is meant to be tongue in cheek, so the authors are not trying to be politically correct or kind with their words. I have to admit, sometimes I quite disliked the authors, especially when I read the section on how to make your post-birth wife feel fat enough to go on a diet. It was absolutely horrible. You will probably also ask yourself at some point, “do these men actually love their wives?”

While I don’t think that any man in his right mind would follow the advice given, I do think that it’s worth a laugh because some of it is quite outrageous and cruel. And the book itself might not be insight into the average male mind, but it is a peek into what I am sure every man thinks at least once in a while. I had a lot of fun reading it once I got over myself and decided not to be offended by the obvious disrespect shown toward women. Sometimes that made it really, really hard to like and enjoy, but I did manage quite a few laughs.

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Disclaimer(s):

- More can be found in my Reviews section.
- If you would like me to review your book, send an email to me at morbidromantic@gmail.com. Read my Book Review Policy for more information.