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18 July 2012

Diana Flowers Reviews The Forgiven Duke by Jamie Carie



The Forgiven Duke  Book 2 in The Forgotten Castles series 
by Jamie Carie
(B and H Publishing House,  2012)
5 stars~*****


Forgiven But Not Forgotten!


This is the second book in The Forgotten Castles series; sweeping us away from the rolling gray green hills of Ireland, to the beautiful land of Iceland...the land of fire and ice. Our heroine, Alexandria, has reason to believe her parents are alive and follows their trail to Iceland, along with her fiance, John Lemon. However, memories of Gabriel, the Duke of Easton, standing at the shoreline as her ship sails away still haunts her, and she questions her hasty decision to marry John. Together her and John encounter many dangers amongst the Black Castles of Iceland, as many other evil people are also after the treasure her parents are searching for.


As Gabriel continues to follow Alex, he is kidnapped, beaten, and imprisoned on a Spanish ship. Will he ever be reunited with the woman he has seen but only once; the beautiful lady who has stolen his heart forever? One nightmarish night with John Lemon turns Alex's life upside down, and she wonders if her future will ever be the same again, for surely the duke would never have her now...and perhaps he never wanted her to start with. As plans are underway to marry John, will the duke's plan work to get off the prison ship and continue his search for Alex? Can the guardian duke save her from treacherous people and from herself as well? Are Alexandria's parents dead or alive? Will the duke regain his hearing and will Alex learn to trust God's plans for her life? 


Jamie Carie just "wows" me with her writing. There is never a dull moment in this series filled with twists and turns. I love the way the characters have evolved from the first book. I see a change in the duke's perspective concerning his affliction, and in Alexandria, who had alot of growing up to do! As always, Jamie's writing is superb---I love her use of imagery, and I could see in my mind's eye so clearly, every country they visited. I know she did extensive research on this series and I applaud her! Nicely done!


I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and was not required to write a positive review.


GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Jamie’s books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format not as a paperback.

95 comments:

  1. I first 'met' Jamie's writing with The Duchess and the Dragon and so I'm really looking forward to the Forgotten Castles series. I'd love to be in the drawing.as I don't have either of them yet.

    A great review as always, Diana!

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  2. Thanks, DEB, and as always, a delight to see you here! The Duchess and the Dragon was my fav stand alone book by JAMIE. But the others were all awesome, too, so it's really hard to pick a favorite!

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  3. Yes, I'm entering this one too. :P (Which ones don't I enter?) This is the book I want, in print. And I'm pretty sure I'll be doing more screaming with this one. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW ALEX?!?!?! WAIT, WHO ARE YOU!?!?!? PUT THE DUKE DOWN!!! LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!! WHAT IS GOING ON!!!! AAAAAAH!!!!!!" This will be fun, especially for my family. :D

    katelynmwhitley@yahoo.com

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  4. KATELYN, you are such a delight! lol! "Put the duke down"---love it! hahaha

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  5. Another great review, DIANA! If I'm ever going to read this series then I'll have to make sure I have them all three, so I can read them all in one sitting. ;)
    The Duchess and the Dragon sounds great, too. And it's only $3.99 on CBD. I think I'm going to order that one next time. :))

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  6. Diana... Great review as always!! I hated when the Duke was taken captive on board the Spanish ship... that was horrible. But, all's well that end's well right? Ha, maybe not for the Duke! I can't wait until September and The Duke's Promise!!

    Of course, there are a few of Jamie's other books that I don't own yet (Love's First Light and Angel's Den). Wouldn't mind having those also. :)

    Thanks for telling me to get over here, along with Katelyn, which ones don't I enter!! Honestly, I LOVE to see books in my mailbox... makes my day!

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  7. That sounds like a plan, MARIAN! WOW, that is a great price on The Duchess and The Dragon!

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  8. LADETTE, we always love seeing you here and appreciate your support---along with KATELYN'S! lol! You both are so funny! Angel's Den was SUPER good!

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  9. I really enjoy reading books by Jamie Carie and this one sounds really good. I would love to have the paperback one.
    Wendy
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  10. Hi, WENDY! I sure hope you get this one...in paperback! ;)

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  11. Good morning!
    The cover looks great, the review is lovely, the author sounds fantastic... oh, yes, I'd like to be entered in the drawing, please! (And I'm with Katelyn, I'd probably do the same :-)

    Thank you and have a good day!

    Ganise

    ganise_4life (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  12. GANISE, we gotcha entered, gf! And ditto on all the great things you stated about this book...and KATELYN! lol! She is such a doll. Have a blessed day!

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  13. I have never read a book written by Jaime, so this would be a wonderful win for me. I hope and pray that I do.
    Blessings, Kristin J~~keithkrisjager(at)aol(dot)com

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  14. Marvelous Review Diana! Jamie sure knows how to write! KATELYN I'm with you...I know I have found a great book when I find myself "talking" to the characters. LOL!!

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  15. Thank you, TERESA! I don't know if I talk to them, but I do think about them alot, and wonder why they make the crazy decisions they do! I mean what is ALEX thinking traipsing all over the world; especially in that day and time!And not by airplane, that's for sure!

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  16. KRISTIN, I am praying with you! You HAVE to read a "Jamie" book...you'll be hooked!

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  17. I did the big no-no and read your review before I've written mine but hopefully it won't sound too familiar ;) Excellent, by the way! There really are some great characters in this series, not just the Duke, although he does trump them all!

    Isn't it funny how exasperating some characters can be and yet the book is still a 5 star?! John about drove me crazy!!! I wanted to smack him :)

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  18. I really enjoy her books! Would love to win a copy of her newest.

    Battles2001@hotmail.com

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  19. ANNE...I'm with ya on John!! I love it when you can get lost in a story and want to be there to administer punishment to the ones that need it!! LOL!!

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  20. Thank you, my T. I just got back from the grocery store. I will join y'all in smacking John. I would say we need to pray for him, but since he isn't real....lol!

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  21. LOL ANNE!!! Sometimes I take T's or D's awesome reviews and copy them and then type mine over theirs!!! Shhhhh, don't tell! One thing I do is I copy all the links to each post so that they don't have to do that.

    BTW, ANNE and DIANA--how much time do you spend reading a book, reviewing it, and posting? Am I correct in estimating about 10-14 hours or more on a read (more for me because listens are longer - often 19 hours, yup!) plus the write up and the post. A series of posts for me, JUST to put up the links and giveaway info is often 30 minutes.

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  22. OHMIGOSH - DEB MARVIN-- DIANA my son now does what your grandson does (asking about Carrie Pagels on the phone, lol) but sweetie boy, having attending the MaryLu soiree on CQ as Andrew Jackson was "chasing" after Deb, who he insisted was a spy!!! So now he asks me about Miss MARVIN!!!

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  23. At least that, CARRIE. And then by the time I post on Net Galley, Amazon, CBD, blogger...easily 30 minutes or more, plus time it takes just writing the review itself.

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  24. CARRIE, you and ANNE are just too funny! As if either of you great reviewers need any help from mine!

    AWWW, sooo cute about sweetie boy the spy, and Miss DEB! lol! Yep, it didn't matter who called my gson would say, "Is that Carrie Pagels?" haha He just loved your name!

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  25. DIANA that's too funny about praying for John! It reminded me of the time one of my great aunt's wanted to pray for the characters on her favorite soap opera. Now in her defense she was known to take one too many "Carter's little liver pills" (though in her case they were VALIUM). LOL!!

    CARRIE if you want to copy this "newbie's" reviews you go ahead but I've read yours and they are much better. :)

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  26. thanks for the chance to win

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  27. APPLE BLOSSOM, I just threw your name in the hat, dear!

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  28. Great review, Dianna. I would love to win a copy of "The Forgiven Duke". It sounds good!

    gwen[dot]gage[at]gmail[dot]com

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  29. Drat, I posted comments earlier and must not have pushed the "publish" button enough because they didn't show up! I'll try to remember!

    Thank you, MARIAN for the heads up about the sale on Duchess and the Dragon!! When I checked so I could tweet about it I discovered that The Guardian Duke e-book (book one in this series) is on sale at Amazon, CBD and Barnes and Noble for only $2.99!! My publisher didn't mention it so I wouldn't have known to spread the great news. THANKS!!

    LYDETTE, KATELYN and GANISE - You all are making me crack up! Characters can drive you crazy but that's half the fun! Makes you keep turning the pages I hope ;-)

    KRISTIN - I hope you get a chance to try my books! If you don't win maybe your local library has some copies? I LOVE the library and read lots of new authors from there - or at least I did until I got my Kindle. Now I get the Kindle sample and see if they can get me hooked in a couple of chapters. :-)

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  30. Thanks T!!! Maybe I should have asked, lol! Really, though, I do sometimes just copy your review as a template and then write my own over top of it. Saves time.

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  31. DIANA and CARRIE - I so appreciate your time on these posts and reading and reviewing my books. Sometimes being an author is discouraging because you are so in the dark after you've sent that manuscript in. Bloggers and supporters like you all here make all the hard work and faith in the stories worth while! God bless you all!

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  32. You're welcome, JAMIE! We love Christian books AND authors, and love putting the word out so peeps will know there is an exciting alternative to the smutty books that are out there! And they are out there! :(

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  33. Ooh! How have I missed that Jamie has a new one out?! Loved The Guardian Duke! Please enter me!

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  34. HI, LINDA! Yes, this one was just released the 1st of July, and The Duke's Promise, the last in the trilogy is due out in Sept...hope I got that right.

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  35. This one sounds amazing and I would love to win a copy of it!! How much fun these reviews about books and the drawings that are run with it.

    spangldlady@gmail.com

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  36. DARLENE, did you see on the last post down at the bottom that you won a book, dear? Congrats to you!

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  37. This sounds like a great story - I love historical fiction! babykf629 at gmail dot com

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  38. I would love to win! I've been wanting to read this series - thanks! :)

    Frequentreader19 at gmail dot com

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  39. Great review! I would love to win, I'm becoming widely intrigued with this series!

    Rosie
    spyg93(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  40. Enjoyed review. I already have on my wish list and looking forward to reading.
    Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  41. Waving to you way up there, GWEN! Good luck to you!

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  42. Hey, KIM! That makes two of us. Historical fiction is my first love, but I enjoy reading a different genre once in awhile.

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  43. MELANIE, here's hoping for a win for you!

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  44. Thank you, ROSIE. This is an intriguing series indeed!

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  45. MISSKALLIE, always a pleasure to see you here! I hope your wish is fulfilled and you get a chance to read this exciting series!

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  46. I've never read any of Jamie's books, but they look fabulous!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  47. I love Serie book, love it if a story continuous. This sounds like a interesting serie, I wonder if I will also screem "put the Duke down "haha. Cant wait to read it.

    Thanks Marian for tell us that the fisrt book is only $3.99 at CBD, I will download the book right away, so when I win I can read them one after the other :)

    Please enter my e-mail :)
    mirjam(ad)fotoflits(dot)com

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  48. hmm the e-book is $9.99 :( oh wel putting him on the wish list at CBD :)

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  49. MIRJAM--Jamie is generously giving away 10 ebook copies this week (Kindle) so hold tight and maybe you'll win one of those! I don't like to read cliff hangers. so if something is in a series I wait till they are all written now, after an experience where I was so frustrated getting to the end and no conclusion!

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  50. MARISSA, I am shocked, given how many different historical romance authors' books you read! This might be your week to begin reading JAMIE's books!

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  51. Found more books that Jamie wrote that sound good.
    Love's First Light
    Pirate of My Heart
    Wind Dancer
    I'm not looking any more on CBD....
    Oh man......there goes my savings haha

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  52. haha, just boughed the other bookin the serie
    The Guardian Duke and Pirate of My Heart :)
    Both just $2.99 a piece.

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  53. Wow really Carrie, that is a feast!, but I have A Sony e-reader remember :) well even 5 would make my year haha!!

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  54. MARISSA, we need to get a copy of one in your hands! Keep your fingers crossed, your eyes crossed, your legs crossed, and maybe....??? lol!

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  55. MIRJAM, I have read all of those you just mentioned. As a matter of fact I have read all of Jamie's books (except Pirate, which I have) and the Duchess and the Dragon and Angel's Den are my favorite stand alone novels. GUARDIAN DUKE is the first book in THIS series, Forgiven Duke, the second...so perhaps you'll win this one to follow the one you just ordered. Good luck to you!

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  56. I have never read any books by Jamie Carie, but this book sounds GREAT!!! rsbfeet@hotmail.com

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  57. Hope So Diana!
    Had my eyes and all my limbs crossed but found out that I could not work like that so un-crossed them again. :)

    Still hoping ( like everyone) to win :)
    God Bless.

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  58. MIRJAM, my mom use to tell us kids when we were little that our eyes would get stuck that way if we didn't stop crossing them at eeach other. And you know I freak out when my grandsons do that! I say no! your eyes are gonna get stuck that way, don't do that that! Thanks to my mom. lol!

    So MIRJAM, I don't want to be responsible for your eyes getting stuck and you looking cross eyed the rest of your life, so how about pray instead? lol!

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  59. JOSHUA, REBEKAH, and the rest of you...got ALL of your names thrown in my proverbial hat here! lol

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  60. DIANA ... you hooked me on this one, girl!!! Or maybe I should say JAMIE hooked me first, that little brat, and now you are reeling me in!! Can't wait to read this one!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  61. I have only read one of Jamie's books but loved it. Would be great to be able to read another so please enter my name!

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  62. JULIE, you sure are a pretty fish! haha I have the last one (The Duke's Promise) on my Kindle, and according to TERESA, there is a jam up conclusion to the series! I can't wait!! It's out in September, so you need to hurry and reead this one first!

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  63. CINDY, we need your email sweetie! And thank you for sharing with us!

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  64. Diana, my mom used to tell us the same thing ,haha.
    Pray it will be!! Thanks!

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  65. Great review! Can't wait to read this one!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  66. Hi, LIZ! Thank you! Have you read The Guardian Duke yet? Book one in this series... JAMIE is offering a giveaway of 10 kindle copies of that one on here, plus if you don't win it here, it's only $2.99 on Kindle right now!

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  67. I would like to sign up for A Duke's Promise as my drawing print book win! I have read and reviewed both of the first two books in The Forgotten Castles novels. Thank you. Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  68. Thank you, KATHLEEN, on behalf of JAMIE, for those reviews! Good luck in the giveaway!

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  69. I would LOVE to win this! Sounds like a really good book.

    Battles2001@hotmail.com

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  70. It is a great series, MELISSA! Gotcha entered!

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  71. First of all, I enjoyed Diana's review. Secondly, the cover is gorgeous. I love historical time period writings and Jamie's seems sensational. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to win a wonderful read.

    Blessed by Grace,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10@tx.rr.com

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  72. Hi, to one of my favorite ladies! Thank you, BARB, and I hope you get a chance to read Forgiven Duke! Have you read Guardian Duke yet, b/c this is the sequel and they are not really stand alone novels.

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  73. Hi DIANA! Hey BARB! Just got back from a long afternoon at the doctors (90 mins round trip just for the driving part) then met tiredy daddy for Mexican dinner with sweetie boy.

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  74. KRISTEN JAGER is our next kindle ebook WINNER for The Guardian Duke. CONGRATS!!!

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  75. Tired daddy!! I would be exhausted driving all that way to the doctor's and then having to wait like they always make me wait...oh my! Tired mommy you should have said! Or does that go without saying? :)

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  76. Oh, ladies, I've gotten behind on my comments! I have a niece who I promised back on her sweet 16 a few weeks ago (which I missed!!) to take her clothes shopping and out to lunch. Having three boys didn't quite prepare me for a long afternoon of shopping with a teenage girl - LOL! But I loved it. Anyhow, we are giving away more e-books since they are on sale for $2.99 at Amazon, CBD and Barnes and Noble. If you all know anyone that might be interested please pass the word! I would die of happiness if The Guardian Duke made it into the top Kindle 100!!

    DIANA - you are a doll for giving me so much of your time on this review and on the blog! I sure do appreciate you!!

    And thanks to KATHLEEN for the reviews!! I read a bad review on Amazon today and just had to stop reading it. It's not that I can't take constructive criticism, I want to learn and grow, but this seemed like a personal attack and so mean!! Sigh, it's one of the tough parts of creating a "baby" and sending it off to see what the world thinks of it. I so appreciate anyone who takes time to review my books - especially the nice ones! :-)

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  77. Wow! Sounds a like a fun read! Would love it! silygoos at gmail dot com.

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  78. SUSAN, nice to see you here! We have you entered in the giveaway!

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  79. You are welcome, JAMIE! TERESA'S review is up tomorrow, so my turn to go shopping! lol! It has been my pleasure...just keep writing your wonderful books for us to enjoy!

    I'm glad you quit reading the review. It was cruel and un-Christian like. You have alot of people that love your writing, and even if they don't prefer it, why say hateful things? Just b/c I may not like a book, doesn't mean that many others won't love it! I won't write a review that is under 4 stars either. It is too hurtful to the author who has put in so much time and effort into that book. I'd rather not say anything at all, than to hurt someone.

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  80. YES, tired Mommy, DIANA!!!

    JAMIE, it is great having an adult daughter to go shopping with! I hope you enjoyed your niece!!!

    Time for another giveaway, I think, before I retire for the evening!!!

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  81. REBEKAH SHAVER--Jamie is about to remedy your lack of reading her books. You have won an ebook of The Guardian Duke for Kindle! Congrats!!!It is great being a winner!

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  82. Thanks, DIANA! You've made me feel better, sniff! :-) I'll keep plugging away!

    Thanks to all the ladies who want to win a copy! I want to give away as many as I can!! Just spread the word! :-)

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  83. Your're welcome, honey. Ignore the nastys, cleave to the niceys. I think I just made up a word, but you get my drift. lol

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  84. REBEKAH, YIPPEE SKIPPEE! Congrats!

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  85. ROSIE!!! I just followed your pretty blog!!! You are our next WINNER of a Kindle copy of JAMIE's The Guardian Duke. CONGRATS!!!

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  86. Congratulations, Rosie! You will LOVE this book!!!

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  87. I will choose The Guardian Duke if I win! Excited! I so love the book covers (!) from book one to three!

    dangalman (at) gmail (dot) com

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  88. I'm so glad you are so supportive of JAMIE's books! Have you read any of her stand alone novels, DAN?

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  89. DAN, what kind of ereader do you have?

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  90. MARISSA H, you are our final WINNER of a Kindle copy of Jamie Carie's Guardian Duke. CONGRATS!

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