Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Rhythm of My Heart by Kemberlee Shortland - Virtual Review tour and giveaway



(Contemporary romance novella)


This review is done in conjunction with the publisher's virtual tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. Tirgearr Publishing will be awarding a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of their whole library, which includes the next six books which are publishing soon (one at the end of the month, the last five over five days the first week of December, including their year end special publication). Total retail value of $150, so comment today AND follow the tour (if you click on the tour banner above, it'll take you to a list of his tour stops) -- the more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new publisher AND win an awesome prize!



Artist Representative, Eilis Kennedy, gave up a singing career so that other women could have a fair chance at having their music heard. Having suffered rejection from callous men in the industry, she thought she would get away from ‘casting couch’ mentality. But when she finds herself in the office of Fergus Manley, all bets are off. Disgusted by his continual come-ons and lewd invitations, Eilis is looking for ‘the one’ who will take her career to the next level, getting out from under Fergus’s controlling thumb.

Aspiring blues guitarist, Kieran Vaughan, is looking for his big break. But after suffering near bankruptcy at the hands of an unscrupulous business partner, Kieran is left picking up the pieces. He’s unsure if the debts will ever be paid or if he’ll ever have a chance to do something with his music. At his whit’s end, he’s about ready to throw in the towel and find a full-time job with real hours.

When Eilis discovers Kieran playing in a seedy pub in Dublin’s Northside, she knows he’s the one rare talent she’s been searching for. With her know-how and his talent, Eilis will finally get everything she’s been waiting for. Neither of them count on the powerful attraction from first meeting. Eilis is so rocked by Keiran’s forthright words that it sends her running. Kieran risks being arrested as he chases Eilis across Ireland.

Seeing what’s happening between Eilis and Kieran, anger wells inside Fergus and he steps up his pursuit of Eilis. Refusing to let Kieran get in his way, Fergus vows to add Eilis’s notch to his bedpost, whatever it takes.

Will Kieran be able to protect her?



I love Ireland, and one of the best parts about Rhythm of My Heart is the way the author incorporates Ireland into the story—from the descriptions of the city to the Tunnocks Teacakes (and, after the description of them, I have to find a stateside source!)

This story is classic romance—boy meets girl; they feel a connection (literally, in this case); because of a misunderstanding on both sides they spend time apart; and I'm not giving away any spoilers (after all, like I said, it IS a romance) when I say there is a HEA at the end. In the meantime, you get the chance to see how two people learn to trust each other. Once the misunderstandings are cleared up, the way is clear for two people to fall in love—or is it?

Another man is also interested in Eilis…and he's not one to give up.

I'm glad this is a series…there are secondary characters I'm looking forward to knowing more about.

If you love Ireland, if you love a nice romance—give Rhythm of My Heart a try.

Rated: 4 Flowers - This was a very good book! I'd recommend it to my friends.


Kemberlee is a native Northern Californian who was raised in a community known as Steinbeck Country, home to author John Steinbeck, as well as Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson and others. With so much literary influence around her, it's not hard to see why Kemberlee fell in love with the printed word.

Sarah's Secret, Kemberlee's first novel, was the result of years of short story writing. It was completed, though unpublished, in 1989, several other novels following as she learned the craft of writing and developing her voice.

Kemberlee began her professional writing career as a reviewer in 1995, publishing reviews with Compuserve Romance Reviews then What I'm Reading. She was a co-founder and charter member of RIO (Reviewers International Organization), chaired the RIO Award of Excellence awards, headed up the RIO newsletter and served two terms as RIO President. And she's published travel articles since 1998.

It was in 1997 while employed by Clint Eastwood that Kemberlee couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend six month in Ireland. While in Ireland, she met a man who eventually became her husband. Upon permanently relocating to Ireland, Kemberlee established an Irish travel consultancy and built a reputation as one of Ireland's foremost Irish travel experts.

Living in Ireland has allowed Kemberlee to study the country's torrid past and unique culture first hand, and has even picked up a cĂșpla focal . . . a few Irish words.

http://www.kemberlee.com
http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Shortland_Kemberlee/rhythm-of-my-heart.htm

23 comments:

  1. Thank you for hosting our author, Kemberlee Shortland, today.

    And thanks to JM Thomas for her lovely review. We've updated Kemberlee's book page with the review and a link back to this page for future readers.

    More information about Kemberlee can be found at --
    http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Shortland_Kemberlee

    Please note that anyone commenting today on Kemberlee's page, and through the rest of our tour, will be entered into our grand prize drawing at the end of the tour, 16 November. Post on more than one author's hosted page and receive additional entries. Be sure to include your email address!

    Today, Kemberlee is giving away a $10 Amazon gc to one lucky winner. Tirgearr Publishing will also be giving away a spot prize to the most unique comment or question.

    The grand prize includes a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of our full book list, which includes the final six books being released before the end of the year. Total retail value of $150! The winner will be randomly drawn on the 17th and announced on our website and media sites.

    Additionally, Tirgearr Publishing is hosting a 50% off sale on all of our titles through the 18th. If you haven't been a spot prize winner or the grand prize winner, you'll still have time to grab some amazing stories at HALF OFF!

    See our website for details --
    http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com

    Enjoy the tour!

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  2. Thanks for hosting me today. I'm looking forward to chatting with your readers.

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  3. Your book sounds very intriguing, Kemberlee. Love your unique name by the way. Congratulations on your book. So what work did you do for Clint Eastwood? He's one of my favorite actors.

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    1. Hi Maggie,

      You can blame my name on my mother. She named me for my father ;-) (really!)

      I really love this book. Kieran is such an interesting character. Outward, he's all macho and gets what he wants. Inside, he's a cuddly teddy bear. Eilis is so much like so many women I know. Outward, she's a strong-headed business woman. Inward, she negative suppresses life experiences yet desires what we all want . . . love.

      Clint was a character. Genuinely nice guy. Generous with all his staff. Takes time for his fans. And funny. Man, is he funny!

      If you get a chance to read Rhythm of My Heart, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. Hooray, Kemberlee! Your book sounds amazing. Good luck!

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    1. Hey Dellani,

      Thanks for stopping by. I love Kieran. He's one of my favorite heroes. In that he rides a Harley is the cherry on his sundae!

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  5. Thank you for the review, the book sounds great. I love Clint Eastwood, you lucky girl.

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  6. Hi Ingeborg,

    Thanks for stopping by. Working for Eastwood (as everyone calls him) was a pleasure. Really enjoyed it. Only left because of my long trip to Ireland. Was meant to be six months. It's been sixteen years! o_O

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  7. Ireland and music always appeal to me--so this sounds great! (And my late grandma used to play golf with Clint's mom...small world!)

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Definitely a small world! Was that in Piedmont or Monterey? She was a lovely woman. Very proud of her son and he loved her like crazy.

      Maybe one day you can get to Ireland and experience the music first hand. If you want to hear Kieran's voice, just google Jack Lukeman :-)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. Good blog and even better books by a great author.

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  9. I know this sounds lame, but I love your hero's name and sometimes I buy a book simply for the name. Yeah, I know I'm nuts...we've already established that! Anyhow, Kem, this sounds like an awesome story! From one Northern Cali girl to another...GOOD LUCK on sales!

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    1. Hey Kristi,

      I'm big on names. I've noticed a lot of Irish set romances use the same names, like Liam and Sean and Rory. They're lovely names, but I try for ones that are still traditional but not used very often. I don't remember the last time I saw a Kieran. As for Vaughan, when I was in jr high school, I always thought my pen name would be Vaughan. LOL I obviously didn't go with a pen name for my romance, but I knew I had to use it somewhere. I'm glad Kieran got it. :-)

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  10. I love Ireland. I have been there twice and each time was great. The book sounds amazing.
    debby236 at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Debby,

      Twice? Wonderful! What were your favorite places?

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  11. Love the Irish names and the Ireland setting. I have never been but would like to go.
    Clint Eastwood, huh? My hubby and I laugh because we received MANY political phone calls leading up to election day, but the only one we saved on the answering machine was the call from Clint! Whoo Hoo!
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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    1. Clint rang around during election day? Interesting. I wish I'd have been on the other end of that call :-) Was it a live call or recording?

      You definitely should make it to Ireland. SO much to see and do here. Just give yourself enough time. Oh wait. I've been here 16 years and haven't seen or done everything yet ;-)

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  12. I think it is so much fun to read about the life of an author. Certainly, it's not all feather boas and bonbons, but working for the likes of Clint Eastwood...come on...that's pretty fantastic! I'd probably melt to a puddle just being in the same room with him! LOL

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  13. Hi Kem

    It's taken me half an hour to find this, but worth it in the long run. Hope the book does well. One day I will visit Ireland. It's in my genes.
    Stella

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  14. Sounds really good!! Thnaks for the chance to win!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

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  15. Oohh a creepy, nasty guy vs a nice guy. I like it. The fact that she finds this musician and in the midst of all the drama, begins to feel the attraction is awesome. Sounds like a good read to me. Thanks for participating in the giveaway. Heather Heslip Alexander heathermuzz@gmail.com

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So... inquiring minds want to know: what do you think?