Played for a Fool by Stephanie Black -- Blog Tour

Played for a Fool

Author: Stephanie Black

Publisher: Covenant

Published: Sept. 5, 2015

ISBN: 9781680476507

Paperback: 336 pages

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

Goodreads Summary

Three years ago, the small town of Britteridge was rocked by the senseless murder of Gail Ludlum. Now the people most affected by the tragedy have returned to the place where it all began, and the scene is set for the perfect revenge . . .
Megan O’Connor’s life was shattered when she was unwittingly drawn into a kidnapping plot that ultimately led to the murder of an innocent woman. Though the road to redemption has been long, she’s finally found happiness with her recent engagement to a wonderful man, a pillar of the community. But amid the chaos of wedding planning, the return of Gail Ludlum’s son to Britteridge sets in motion a disturbing sequence of events. Soon Megan finds herself the victim of a series of cruel deceptions that indicate one thing: her past mistakes have not been forgiven or forgotten. As the mischief escalates to dangerous levels, it becomes clear that someone is determined to avenge Gail’s death. And he won’t rest until he’s taken a life for a life. 

My Review

Stephanie is a master at this genre.  I had not read FOOL ME TWICE, and I think it would have helped me in the beginning when I first started reading, but Stephanie does a fantastic job of catching up the reader. Seriously, the one book I hadn't read of hers! :) Once I had everyone where they needed to be in my head, the story took off.  I loved the twist of knowing who the bad guy was and his "reasoning" of why he does what he does.  Creep city!  I also enjoyed the POV switches.  Bravo to Stephanie, again, for doing that so well, as she always does.  Poor Megan, though, poor Megan.  The twists in this book are awesome, and once you think the calm has come, look out!

5 out of 5 stars.  Did you hear me screaming from my house, because WOW!!  Don't make any plans until you are done reading, because you won't be able to stop.  With its heart-pounding suspense, you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough. 

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

Tour Schedule 

*Sept. 28th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://iamareader.com/ 

*Sept.29th: http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

*Sept.30th: http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/, http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/index.html

*Oct.1st: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/

*Oct.2nd: https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

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Kisses in the Rain by Krista Lynne Jensen -- Blog Tour/Giveaway

Kisses in the Rain

Author: Krista Lynne Jensen

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: June 2015

ISBN13: 978-1-68047-239-4

Paperback: 284 pages

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

Goodreads Summary

Georgie Tate is a survivor. She's survived an abusive relationship. She's survived the car accident that took the life of her controlling fiance. Now she just needs to survive the memories that haunt her. Escaping to her aunts' cozy home on a tiny island outside of Seattle, Georgie finds just the change of pace she needs to pick up the pieces of her life. Taking a job at a local seafood restaurant is the first step in reclaiming her sense of self, but she is completely unprepared for the battle that awaits her there.

Jace Lowe has loved and lost, and he's determined that it will never happen again. Hardened by heartbreak, he stays focused on his work as sous chef at one of the island's top seafood restaurants. When beautiful Georgie takes her place on the restaurant staff, Jace is resolved to keep her at arm's length, and his downright rudeness her first week goes a long way in achieving that goal. Georgie, on the other hand, doesn't want anything to do with Jace anyway and prickles against his abrasive behavior. As the combative pair comes together on a joint project for the restaurant, they find their distaste for one another dwindling. the connection is undeniable--and it terrifies them both. Can two people jaded by the past be softened by the promise of once-in-a-lifetime love, or is this just another recipe for disaster?

My Review

WOW!  This book is beautifully written.  Each page is a treasure.  Many of the characters have issues they are dealing with, and the way Krista has written each character is perfect.  Georgie is recovering from an accident that took her memory, and claimed the life of her fiance.  Jace is also recovering from heartbreak of his own.  I loved the gradual improvement of them both and how they realize what they need.  The aunts were a favorite and Uncle Dar as well.  In Kisses in the Rain, there is heartache and pain, but also triumph and happiness.  I have read some of the other reviews of this book, and each say close to the same thing, the story is so real.  It's funny, because that is the exact word I would use.   I loved the restaurant scenes.  It was where Jace and Georgie were in their elements, but I also loved it when they were getting to know each other away from work.  I also loved the setting.  This book takes place in a beautiful area, which is a character all its own.

5 out of 5 stars.  I have read most of Krista's books, and I really think this is my favorite so far.  Very well done.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

Tour Schedule

*June15th: http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

*June 16th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

*June17th: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://mybookaday.blogspot.com, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/

*June18th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/, http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*June 19th: http://littlelightdesigncollective.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

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Love, Lucas by Chantele Sedgwick

Love, Lucas

Author: Chantele Sedgwick

Publisher: Sky Pony Press

Published: May 5th, 2015

ISBN13: 9781632204172

Hardcover: 288 pages

FTC FYI: I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Summary

When Oakley Nelson loses her older brother, Lucas, to cancer, she thinks she’ll never recover. Between her parents’ arguing and the battle she’s fighting with depression, she feels nothing inside but a hollow emptiness. When Mom suggests they spend a few months in California with Aunt Jo, Oakley isn’t sure a change of scenery will alter anything, but she’s willing to give it a try.

In California, Oakley discovers a sort of safety and freedom in Aunt Jo’s beach house. Once they’re settled, Mom hands her a notebook full of letters addressed to her—from Lucas. As Oakley reads one each day, she realizes how much he loved her, and each letter challenges her to be better and to continue to enjoy her life. He wants her to move on.

If only it were that easy.

But then a surfer named Carson comes into her life, and Oakley is blindsided. He makes her feel again. As she lets him in, she is surprised by how much she cares for him, and that’s when things get complicated. How can she fall in love and be happy when Lucas never got the chance to do those very same things?

With her brother’s dying words as guidance, Oakley knows she must learn to listen and trust again. But will she have to leave the past behind to find happiness in the future?

My Review

Love, Lucas is sweet story about Oakley, trying to move on with her life after a tragedy and life changing events.  After the death of her brother, Lucas, Oakley and her mom move to California for the spring to try to distance themselves from the pain of losing him.  Oakley's mom gives her a notebook of letters written by Lucas that he wrote before he died, in hopes of helping her move on.  I absolutely loved this book.  I've told Chantele that I think she and I are kindred spirits, and I felt this way even more so reading this book.  The story flows nicely, and I enjoyed Oakley's journey of growth.  Carson was a ray of sunshine.  He lit up the pages.  Once Oakley got over her fears of self doubt and she let him in, it was fun to see their relationship progress.  When a tragedy strikes him, it was interesting to see how she would handle it.  My favorite thing about the book were the letters from Lucas.  They were sweet, funny, and a perfect way for Oakley to heal.  Be brave and try new things, what a perfect motto for us all.

4 out of 5 stars.  A clean book with great characters and enjoyable story.  I will read anything from this author.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

The Daisy Chain (Aliso Creek Novella) by Heather B. Moore

The Daisy Chain (An Aliso Creek Novella)

Author: Heather B. Moore

Publisher: Mirror Press

Published: January 31st, 2013

ebook: 65 pages

ASIN: B00B9HHPQU

FTC FYI: I received a free ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary 

Welcome to the Aliso Creek Novella Series

Liz, Gemma, Arie, Jess, and Drew have been best friends since creating “the Five” at Aliso Creek High School. But that was over ten years ago, and each is still trying to find that perfect someone... if perfect is even possible.

Actually, Jess Giles does find her perfect match, but since Charlie’s several years older than she, they never have a moment of harmony from his adult kids who protest the marriage. When Charlie dies in a tragic accident, his kids add insult to injury and sue Jess for her share of the inheritance. The only person Jess trusts for financial advice is Charlie’s financial planner, Preston Michaels. Just talking to Preston on the phone makes Jess feel flustered, yet strangely comfortable at the same time, so she puts off meeting him for as long as possible. When Jess has to attend the formal hearing, she’s about to find out if the man she’s been talking to over the phone for several months lives up to the voice that she’s grown attached to.

My Review

Right away I was taken into Jess's story.  We meet her on the first anniversary of her husband's death.  She is sad and having a hard time coping.  Some members of "the Five" come to visit her to cheer her up, but Arie knows there is more to her sadness then what Jess is saying.  Even though Jess's husband Charlie was older then her, she truly loved him and misses him.  To make matters worse, Charlie's son and daughter are suing Jess for the money that he left her.  Her only salvation has been Preston Michaels, Jess's financial planner.  They have never met in person, and Preston is asking Jess to come to a scheduled court date.  Jess needs to gather all the courage she can to try to be strong to move on with her life.

5 out of 5 stars.  I love these series from Heather.  Her writing is so strong and I am immediately taken into the story.  Her characters are always likable and I care about what happens to them.  I can't wait for the next installment.

A Timeless Romance Anthology (Spring Vacation Collection) is out now and Heather is a part of this collection.    Arie's story is told in this book.  Like the Winter Romance Anthology, there are also five other authors that are part of the collection.  Josi S. Kilpack, Annette Lyon, Heather Justesen, Sarah M. Eden, and Aubrey Mace.  I know I will enjoy this!

Author Links

Website / Fans of H.B. Moore on Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Smashwords