Thursday, August 25, 2016

Until Summer Ends by Elana Johnson -- Spotlight/Paperwhite Giveaway

UNTIL SUMMER ENDS by Elana Johnson

About UNTIL SUMMER ENDS: Sophie Newton is determined to prove herself to her father, who insists she could never run a successful business. She opens a beachside taco stand called The Sandy Tortilla and plans to make her own way, one burrito at a time.

When she loses her summer help, Sophie rushes to find somebody to help take orders. She finds that somebody in Montgomery Winters, a struggling actor from LA. Mont takes the job; the money's useful, though he finds that his curvy boss is what really keeps him around.

As Sophie and Mont work together, they discover an intense attraction between them. But when Mont's agent calls him about a career-making audition, he decides he must pursue the opportunity, even though he can't get Sophie out of his head. Now, Sophie must choose between chasing after the man she's falling in love with and the business she's fought so hard to build.

Buy Links:

Paperback comes out on May 9, 2017.

About Elana Johnson: Elana's work includes the young adult dystopian romance seriesPossession, Surrender, Abandon, and Regret, published by Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster). Her popular ebook, From the Query to the Call, is also available, as well as a young adult dystopian short story in the Possession world, Resist.
  
Her newest release is the beginning of a new adult fantasy series. ECHOES OF SILENCE came out with Amazon Publishing on May 3, 2016. See all of her books here.
  
Elana also writes inspirational western romances under the pen name Liz Isaacson. Check out all 5 books in the Amazon #1 Bestselling Three Rivers Ranch Romance series, and get ready for the rest of the series by the end of 2016.

Her newest release is UNTIL SUMMER ENDS, a contemporary romance novel from Cleis Press/Start Media.

Find her online:

Join her romance-only newsletter: http://eepurl.com/b9f1vv (get a free novella when you do!)

Giveaway for blog tour: Kindle Paperwhite. http://elanajohnson.com/giveaways/paperwhite

Monday, August 22, 2016

Accidentally Me by Kim Karras -- Blog Tour

Accidentally Me

Author: Kim Karras

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: August 2016

ISBN13: 9781462118670

Paperback: 256 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

WANTED: Pretend stalker. No experience required. Tall, dark, and quirky preferred. Sabrina is desperate to go to her dream college, but her parents want her to stay close to home. If she wants to maintain her perfect child image, Sabrina must break rules that even her rebel sister keeps . . .

My Review

Accidentally Me is very a funny and an all around great story that young people (and adults) can relate to and enjoy.  The book is told from the point of view of Sabrina, who feels she is an "accident", so she is always trying to be the perfect daughter.  I loved the life lessons in the story and the lesson of  "things aren't always what you think they are".  I appreciated all that Sabrina went through and smiled through lots of her adventures. Kim wrote Sabrina very well and I actually laughed out loud a lot.  One thing I thought happened too quickly was how much she "liked" a certain character, I felt that happened too fast.  I did like what came about of that though, and how that particular relationship changed other relationships Sabrina had for the better.  (Vague I know, but when you read it, you will understand:)

4 out of 5 stars. This is the author's first book and I think she did a fabulous job! A quick read with humor and heart. I look forward to more from this debut author.

Author Links

Twitter / Amazon page

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books and Things

Monday, August 15, 2016

Exodus by H. B. Moore -- Blog Tour

Exodus

Author: H. B. Moore

Publisher: Covenant  Communications

Published: August 1, 2016

ISBN13: 978-1524400347

Paperback: 240 pages

FTC FYI: I received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchanged for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

Let my people go ...

A plea has been made in behalf of the children of Israel. Now comes the epic climax years in the making—the final showdown between two of the most powerful men in history—one fueled by pride, the other guided by the world of God. Moses has received an extraordinary call from the Lord: he is to lead the exodus of the Hebrew people out of Egypt, ending generations of bondage. And he must return to the land of his birth to boldly petition a man he does not want to challenge ... or lose to: Ramses—pharaoh of Egypt. Ramses, harboring years of feeling betrayed by his best friend, is determined to stop Moses no matter the cost. He will not yield, even as a dark veil of plaques and pestilence descends over the land of Egypt.

What follows is a powerful chronicle of the struggles of the children of Israel as they traverse uncharted territory, both physically and spiritually. Amid the horrific catastrophes devastating their land and through the dramatic evens that follow, the Hebrews must face their fears and their faltering faith. For even in the darkest of times, there are manifestations of the Lord's constant care to inspire their hope for a bright future.
 

My Review

I enjoyed many things about EXODUS, and what I appreciated most was the point of view changes.  I felt it really helped the story progress and I was able to get to know each character even better.  Heather has an amazing talent in bringing her characters to life.  Each character was expertly written with care and detail. Even though there was a lot of going back and forth (of course that was Ramses' doing:), Heather was able to add excitement and suspense to the story.  As much as I liked each character (especially Bithiah), I enjoyed getting to know Aaron more and how we were able to see the experiences through his eyes too.   I can tell there was a great amount of research involved and Heather pulled it off perfectly.  

5 out of 5 stars.

Author Links

Website / Amazon author page / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book



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Thursday, August 4, 2016

Caribbean Rescue by Cami Checketts - Spotlight

Just in time for the Summer Olympics, bestselling sweet romance author, Cami Checketts, brings you a new Destination Billionaire Romance.

Superstar runner Zack Tyndale was the easy favorite to win gold in the Olympic Games, but a stupid decision shatters his dreams the night before the big race. Unable to face his shame, he escapes to the Caribbean and a life of blissful solitude ... until Madeline Panetto crash lands on his pristine private beach, trying to outrun a gang of pirates with nothing but a fancy evening gown and a flash drive hidden in her bra. Zack finds himself sucked into Maddy's world of mutiny and murder.

Madeline might find refuge from the pirates, but Zach is battling pirates of his own. When sparks fly between them, they're forced to look to their hearts for the answers and that could be more frightening than facing a mutinous crew.

Can these two find refuge from the pirates and with each other?

Find Caribbean Rescue - Amazon * Goodreads

*Enter below to win a $50 gift card and a copy of The Independent One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance

Excerpt of Caribbean Rescue:

A few steps from the French doors he heard the high whine of a motor. Zack whipped around and searched the ocean beyond. There were no lights, but the motor sound was unmistakable. What kind of an idiot would be out on the water with no lights on and in what sounded like a small boat?

Zack raced past his pool and gardens, and took the steps to the beach two at a time. He could just make out a small boat, hurtling through the water. He didn’t even have time to be angry someone was invading his sanctuary as he saw the angle they were coming at. “No, not that way!” he yelled, though they couldn’t possibly hear him. 

Zack sprinted through the sand and onto his dock. He kept one eye on the boat as he ran the length of the dock, waving his arms and yelling, “Turn! Turn!” Large boulders and a former shipwreck resided just under the water, exactly where that boat was heading. Any other angle into the harbor was deep and safe to take even in his yacht, but this idiot was coming straight for the shallow waters of the dock instead. Why weren’t they slowing even though they were within a hundred feet of the dock?

“Stop!” he screamed. “Turn!”

The sickening crunch was louder than the howling wind and rain. The rear of the boat flung into the air, and the lone passenger flew forward then disappeared into the water. Zack dove off the dock, surfacing quickly, and using strong strokes to cross the distance. Water from the uneven waves splashed into his face, making it hard to see. The person bobbed up out of the water and started swimming his direction. That was a relief. From the hair streaming around her, he assumed it was a woman.

They came within a few feet of each other and Zack slowed and treaded water. “Are you okay?”

“I-I think so.”

“Can you make it to the dock?” His lights reflecting from the beach showed a mop of dark hair and a
beautiful face.

In answer, she started slowly swimming that direction, but she hadn’t gone four strokes before she swayed and rolled over onto her back. That’s when Zack noticed the cut on her head. The water turned the blood a watery pink. She’d definitely hit her head on one of the rocks or maybe the old
shipwreck. 

“You’re not okay.” 

“I can make it.” She started to kick. A wave rolled over her face and she jerked up, coughing and spluttering, but bravely kept trying to stay afloat, beating at the water with her arms and legs.
She was tough and not a complainer. Nice.

“I’ve got you.” Zack looped his arm under her armpit and over her chest and tugged her back to the dock. She had a small build, but her clothes must’ve been waterlogged because she seemed to weigh a ton. Zack was in shape, but he tired quickly. Finally, they made it to the dock and the woman clung to the edge. Zack grabbed hold and heaved himself out of the water then helped lift her up. She collapsed onto her back and released a loud breath. “Oh, thank you, I thought it was time to reacquaint myself with Saint Peter.”

“Saint Peter?” She’d hit her head hard or she was crazy. He looked over her fancy, waterlogged dress and the diamonds sparkling at her throat. She’d been out in the ocean like that, without a lifejacket? Crazy it might be, or with quite a good story to tell.

“You know—the angel at the pearly gates.”

 Zack let out a surprised laugh. “Glad you put that off for a little while.”

“Me too.” She sat up and touched the small gash in her head. Blood trickled between her fingertips.

“Ouch.”

“I bet.” Zack pushed his way to his feet and offered her a hand. The wind whipped his wet t-shirt around him. He was glad he shaved his head and didn’t have hair whipping in his face like she did.

“Let’s get you up to the house and cleaned up.”

She placed her hand in his, but wavered as he helped her up. Zack wrapped his other arm around her waist and lifted her onto her feet. She swayed. 

“Can you walk?”

Her eyes filled with stubborn pride. “Of course I can walk.”

She pulled away from him, took one step, teetered off the dock, and splashed back into the water. 

“Oh, boy.” Zack shook his head. He hadn’t smelled alcohol on her breath, but that had to be the explanation. Fancy dress, alone on a boat in the ocean at night. He’d have to help her tonight then load her onto his yacht tomorrow and get her to Belize. If she had any money it was probably sunk with her little boat. He’d get her to where she needed to go and be done with this mess. Oddly enough, he didn’t mind the excitement. It was a good contrast to his normally sedate lifestyle.

She came up to the surface sputtering and flailing. Zack knelt down, put his hands under her armpits, and hefted her back onto the dock. He stood slowly, supporting both of them then swung her off her feet and into his arms. Despite himself, he noticed how nicely she fit against him. It had been a long while since he’d been around an attractive, unrelated woman. “Shall we try this again?”

“Good plan.” Her voice rumbled against his chest and he kind of liked it. “I must’ve thumped my
head harder than I thought.”

“Or something,” he muttered.

Her head whipped up. Brown eyes full of fire. “I’m not drunk, if that’s what you’re thinking, I’m…” She quickly looked down again, not meeting his gaze.

“You’re…” he encouraged. He’d like to hear her story and he did believe her that she wasn’t drunk. Her speech was too lucid and her breath smelled too clean. 

“I can’t. I don’t know who to trust.” She grabbed onto his arm. “Oh, holy monkey balls!”

Zack jerked in surprise and almost dropped her as she squirmed in his arms. “What are you doing now? You want to fall in the water again?” They’d reached the end of the dock, but she could still fall in the shallow water. 

“I’ve got to find something. Please. Can you help me look in the water? Back where my boat is?” Her eyes were wide and frantic. 

“Right now?” Zack gestured to the waves building as the storm increased in intensity. “No! You’re hurt. It’s dark. And there’s a storm.” His four-year-old niece had more common sense than this woman, and Chalise hadn’t spoken a word in two years.

The woman deflated and burrowed herself into his arms. Zack liked this quite a bit better than her struggling. He tightened his hold on her. Hmm, her shape was really… shapely. 

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Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen -- Blog Tour

BEAUTY AND THE CLOCKWORK BEAST

Author: Nancy Campbell Allen

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: August 2, 2016

ISBN13: 9781629721750

Paperback: 352 pages

FTC FYI: I received a paperback copy in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

Jane Eyre meets Beauty and the Beast. 

When Lucy Pickett arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend to her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds more than she bargained for. A restless ghost roams the hallways, werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires lurk across the Scottish border. Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret. He is brash and inhospitable, and does not take kindly to visitors—even one as smart and attractive as Miss Pickett. He is unsettled by the mysterious deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister, Marie. Working together, Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor. But can Lucy solve the mystery of Miles? Can she love the man—beast and all?

My Review

Where do I begin? I absolutely loved this book.  Every page was a delight.  I loved Miles' and Lucy's gradual relationship.  I appreciated how Lucy held her own with the intimidating Miles.  As they would get to know each other, I loved some of the tender moments that they shared.  Actually, I loved all of them.  Especially their dance in the ballroom and their time at the lodge.  There is so many awesome goings on in this book too: curses, vampires, werewolves, and all of the steampunk/gothic stuff was so fun!  Lucy was perfect and Miles was too.  I instantly loved him.  He was such a mystery and I enjoyed how Lucy broke through his layers.  He is a wonderful leading man, so dark and brooding.  Loved him!  Kate, Jonathan, Marie, all the characters were amazing! I did have suspicions of who the villain was early on, but it did not spoil how much I enjoyed the book.  I also wanted more of a certain werewolf.  I'm hoping for some more books with these wonderful characters.

5 out of 5 stars.  Well done, Nancy!

Author Links

Amazon page / Goodreads / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Unraveled by Julie Daines -- Spotlight/Sale


I'm excited to announce the E-Book sale of 
Unraveled by Julie Daines. 
I reviewed this book when it came out and I loved it.  
Check out my review here.
Grab it up now while it is at the discounted price!
Amazon link: https://amzn.com/B00HS7SS20

Monday, August 1, 2016

Sophie's Path by Catherine Lanigan -- Grand Finale

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Sophie's Path
By Catherine Lanigan

We hope you enjoyed coming along with us and Frenchie, as we got to know more about Sophie's and Jack's stories! If you missed any of the tour stops, go back and check them out now...

Launch - From Frenchie's Point of View



Bark! Sorry. Hi! My name is Frenchie. I’m a six and a half pound Yorkie Poo and I’m here to welcome you to “The Shores of Indian Lake” series by Catherine Lanigan. If you are returning to our small town, I’m glad to meet you, too. This is a new role for me, being a star, I mean. I’ve been a rescue dog, which wasn’t fun. I like to have a family. In fact, I have to have humans to love. Humans can be fun but they can also be pretty clueless about the essentials in life. Take Sophie Mattuchi and Jack Carter, for instance. I thought I’d never get these two together.

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Review

"I adored Frenchie, the dog, who really helped thread the story line together. The characters are multifaceted and have depth. I love the process they each developed in. This is a town that I would love to read more about.

I recommend this to readers who enjoy a clean romance with good characters and depth."



Rockin' Book Reviews - Excerpt

Still, the guy moved with the grace of a panther. He was the kind she couldn’t help being attracted to. Her nerve endings sizzled as if touched with electrodes. She couldn’t stop the pounding of blood through her veins that didn’t come from exercise. It was automatic. She was being Sophie.

Brooke Blogs - Sophie Mattuchi



Jeremy was a heroin addict. Sometimes he would pass out and forget to feed me or give me water. He loved me very much and I loved him. That’s when he decided he had to give me up. The day we met Sophie, I knew she had a heart as big as outdoors.

Hardcover Feedback - Review

"I really liked Sophie. I loved her desire to help others, how she volunteered and helped her friends, but I didn't like how she stretched herself so thinly...but thought it was nice she had people in her life that cared and tried to keep her in check."



Wishful Endings - This or That

Are you guys ready to get to know a little more about Catherine? Here we go:

Chocolate or fruity candy?
Chocolate… Always

I'm with you there 100%. :) Read a book or watch TV?
Read and read more. I seldom watch television anymore, but I do watch movies on DVD.

Nicole's Book Musings - Jack Carter



Meeting Jack for a little dog like me was pretty intimidating at first. He’s a big guy. Strong. And handsome—for a human. He looks like that movie star, Hugh Jackman. Jack’s been running for years. The first thought in my head was that if I came to live with him, he might want me to run with him. He has long legs. Mine are short and I knew this wasn’t going to work.

EskieMama Reads - Excerpt

Sophie continued drying his pants’ legs, pretending she hadn’t heard what he’d just said. She was thankful she was on the floor because being this close to Jack, in this intimate setting, had turned her bones to jelly.



deal sharing aunt - Interview

What would you like my readers to know?

I especially love to hear from readers. It is from your comments and desires that I steer my course of the next book. God willing, I hope to write 26 Shores of Indian Lake stories in all. In each of the up-coming books, I introduce new characters who will have their own stories in the future. Mrs. Beabots will always be the anchor that holds everyone together, the matchmaker who wants to see every one happy.

Colorimetry - Humans Can be So Silly



As a dog, I hear a lot of gossip and advice-giving. I heard every word of Sophie’s concern for me when she and Mrs. Beabots were making tarts for the Recovery Alliance.

Jack’s office is a hot-bed of confidential material. Of course, this is due to his clients who are buying insurance to protect their children and families. But sometimes, they don’t want insurance for errant children or grandchildren. Sometimes they have lost their jobs and have to stop their premiums. Or some have medical issues. It’s really sad what humans have to deal with sometimes. No wonder they need us dogs so desperately to love them.

Getting Your Read On - Review

". . . but the story is a good one and worth sticking with. If you love a gentle romance with slow build, you will love this book."

underneath the covers - Nurses Make Great Girlfriends



I’ve decided that if I were a human and since I’m female, I’d be a nurse like Sophie. For starters, even though she was on her “self-improvement” regime and she was eating healthy, her nursing career also taught her that we all only live once.

Falling Leaves - Review

"I definitely recommend this book to everyone, whether you're in the middle of struggle or you're just content with your life.

A story of trust, forgiveness, hope, pain, death and love that you will cherish."

Sophie's PathSophie's Path
(Shores of Indian Lake #6)
Catherine Lanigan
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
July 1st 2016 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Her choice. His consequences.

Nurse Sophie Mattuchi has seen a lot of angry patients in the ER, but no one's ever rattled her like Jack Carter. He has no right to blame her for his friend's death. Sophie did everything she could. Didn't she? Yet his accusations sting, and that sets off all kinds of internal alarms. She's never cared this much about any man's opinion of her. But Jack is different. He stirs up feelings. Strong feelings. Guilt. Anger. Attraction. Curiosity. Sympathy. Sophie's definitely not interested in Jack, but even if she was, he'd never forgive her for the decision she made that night in the hospital. Would he?

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleHarlequin

Other Books in the Series

 
  

Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of forty published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile, as well as over half a dozen anthologies, including “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living your Dream”, “Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul”, and more. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into dozens of languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Ms. Lanigan’s novels are also available in E-books on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, Apple Store, Mobi and Kobo. Several of her titles have been chosen for The Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Her Vietnam war-based novel, The Christmas Star, won the Gold Medal Award Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine and has also won Book of the Year Romance Gold Award from ForeWord Magazine as well as Book of the Year Romance from Reader’s Preference.

Lanigan is the author of a trilogy of non- fiction books regarding angelic intervention in human life: Angel Watch, Divine Nudges and Angel Tales published by HCI and Cedar Fort.

Skyhorse published Lanigan’s “how-to” book on writing: Writing the Great American Romance Novel.

Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid Foundation to write a non-fiction book addressing teen addictions. Ms. Lanigan’s first Young Adult adventure novel, The Adventures of Lillie and Zane: The Golden Flute, was published by Cedar Fort.

Currently, she has published six novels in the Shores of Indian Lake series for Harlequin Heartwarming: Love Shadows, Heart’s Desire, A Fine Year for Love, Katia’s Promise and Fear of Falling. Sophie’s Path pubs July, 2016. She has recently contracted for three more in the series: Danger Zone, Wedding for Isabelle and A Bride for Mica.

As a cancer survivor, Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. (THE EVOLVING WOMAN). She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs.

Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally
Ends August 5th

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