Showing posts with label trust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trust. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Rough Around the Edges Meets Refined by Rachael Anderson -- Blog Tour/Giveaway


Rough Around the EdgesRough Around the Edges Meets Refined (Meet Your Match #2) 

Author: Rachael Anderson

Published: Dec. 14, 2014

Publisher: HEA Publishing

ASIN: B00PE8DNRA

ebook: 245 pages

Summary
For Noah Mackie, life is finally back on track. He has a great support system, a promised promotion is on its way, and he’s finally getting the hang of this single father thing. But when the job falls through and his neighbor’s matchmaking efforts become more aggressive, Noah is in for yet another unwanted detour. With his career and two spirited daughters to worry about, he doesn’t have time for dating—especially not someone like Cassie Ellis, his girls’ beautiful and sophisticated dance instructor, who is about as open and approachable as a brick wall.
Rough around the Edges Meets Refined is about two people who think they know exactly what they want but who have no idea what they really need. It’s about learning that people aren’t always what they seem and that sometimes life’s detours take you exactly where you need to go.

My Review

This book is absolutely amazing.  I knew by the first page I was going to love it.  I can always count on Rachael to write a solid book with real characters that jump off the page.  I breezed through this book in one day, and I wanted more.  Not that there was anything missing, I didn't want to let them all go.  I thought the plot was perfect and the characters were too.  Cassie had a lot to overcome and Noah was just the guy to do it.  I enjoyed how we were first introduced to Cassie and appreciated her journey.   I loved the POV switches.  I enjoyed reading what Noah and Cassie thought about different situations.  

5 out of 5 stars.  Rachael is the author of many awesome books, and I have enjoyed each one.  Rachael can be counted on to deliver a clean book with heart-stopping romance.  
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Rough Around the Edges

RachaelAuthor Rachael Anderson
USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Excerpt

Carpet samples were way too small. How was Cassie supposed to know what an entire room would look like from a small little swatch? There were too many choices. Nylon or polyester? Plush, frieze, textured, or cut? Not to mention all the color options. And then there was the tile for the bathroom and the complicated dance flooring, with its subfloor and all of its choices.
She felt a headache coming on. 
“How will I ever make up my mind?” Cassie whispered to Noah.
“It’s called trusting your instincts.”
“Instincts? I’m supposed to have an instinct about carpet samples?”
“Doesn’t everyone?” Noah grinned. “Isn’t one calling out to you? Telling you that it’s the one you’ll be able to coexist with for the next ten to fifteen years?”
Ten to fifteen years? Noah wasn’t helping at all. Cassie frowned at the samples, willing one to shake or glow or whatever carpet samples did to call out to a person. 
“Which one would you choose?” she finally said.
“Uh-uh. This is your house, your carpet, your choice. I’m just here as a friend, remember?”
A friend who was sitting way too close for comfort, Cassie thought as the touch of his shoulder sent a bunch of tingles down her arm. “Friends are allowed to give opinions.”
“No. Only dates are allowed to do that,” said Noah. “If you really want my opinion, you know what you have to do.”
Despite her distress about all the decisions facing her, Cassie couldn’t help but smile. “Okay, fine. It’s a date. Now if you were me, what would you choose?”
Noah blinked as he shook his head. “Wow, that was easy. I should have gone for more. Like a kiss or boyfriend status or—”
She nudged him. “Stop it. I need you to help me, not tease me.”
“I wasn’t teasing,” he murmured, pulling the samples toward him. 

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Friday, May 30, 2014

Spy for a Spy by Jordan McCollum


18479841Spy for a Spy: Spy Another Day #2

Author: Jordan McCollum

Publisher: Durham Crest Book

Published: November 13, 2013

ISBN13: 9781940096032

Paperback: 320 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF copy from the author in exchange for an honest review

Goodreads Summary

Canada is probably the last place you’d expect to find an American spy. And it was the last place CIA operative Talia Reynolds expected to run into fellow operative Brand Copley. AKA her new boss. AKA her ex-boyfriend.
Just the guy every woman wants to face in the middle of planning her wedding. Once again, Talia’s lying to the man she loves, but this time, to protect his heart.

After Brand takes over Talia’s latest case and steals her newest agent, he assigns her to spy on her old boss—who’s suddenly giving her every reason not to trust him. With only weeks until the big day, planning falls by the wayside as she goes into damage control mode. But when Talia discovers Brand’s real plan, fighting him is the only option, no matter what the personal and professional cost.

My Review

I was thrilled that both Spy for a Spy and I, Spy were Whitney Award finalists for 2013.  Not only was it well deserved, but I was also so happy for Jordan.  I loved, loved, loved this book. While reading, right away, I knew I was going to love this book, just like I loved I, Spy.  I loved Spy for a Spy even more, if that was even possible!  Talia is such a great character. Her snark, humor, and smarts are my favorite things about her. She is always full of surprises and just plain awesome.  Loved Danny too. Jordan is such a great author. She really knows how to draw you in and makes you keep reading until the end, and then you're wanting more. I can't wait for more from her. This book has it all!

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About the Author

7064847An award-winning author, Jordan McCollum can't resist a story where good defeats evil and true love conquers all. In her day job, she coerces people to do things they don't want to, elicits information and generally manipulates the people she loves most--she's a mom.

Jordan holds a degree in American Studies and Linguistics from Brigham Young University. When she catches a spare minute, her hobbies include reading, knitting and music. She lives with her husband and four children in Utah.


Thursday, March 13, 2014

Cragbridge Hall: The Avatar Battle by Chad Morris -- Blog Tour


Cragbridge Hall_bk2Cragbridge Hall: The Avatar Battle

Author: Chad Morris

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 4th, 2014

ISBN13: 9781609078096

Hardcover: 352 pages

FTC FYI: Received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.


Goodreads Summary 

The adventure continues when Abby and Derick begin second semester at Cragbridge Hall, the most prestigious secondary school in the world. But when Grandpa Cragbridge admits them to the Council of Keys--a secret group of people who have keys to travel back in time--strange things begin to happen. One by one, members are found unconscious and unable to wake, their keys stolen. Now Abby and Derick must scramble to figure out who is behind the attacks before they become the next victims, which would give their enemy the power to change the past forever.

A page-turning, time-travel adventure that teaches powerful lessons about choice and consequence, believing you can do hard things, and valuing history.


My Review

The Avatar Battle is another reason why I love, love, love Middle Grade books.  Chad Morris has got himself a hit with this series.  The Avatar Battle is even better than The Inventor's Secret.  The action hits you right at first, and develops a great mystery that had me guessing until the end, which I love!  There are very fun twists and turns that I wasn't expecting that kept me turning pages fast!  

One of the things I liked the most was the conflict Abby was having with herself.  She doubts how great she is because of her grades.  I can relate to that in my own family with one of my daughters.  After some challenges and set backs, Abby starts to realize that she is needed and important.  Derick also tested with challenges to overcome.  He wants to join a club at school and feels he will never be good enough either.  The twins probably don't even realize they have this in common.  Abby also asks her grandfather an important question as to what is happening on the Bridge and adds to this exciting adventure as Abby, Derick, Carol and others race to figure out the threat to Cragbridge Hall.

5 out of 5 stars.  If you are new to this series, definitely start with the first book, The Inventor's Secret.  

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Thursday, December 12, 2013

The Witnesses by Stephanie Black


The Witnesses

Author: Stephanie Black

Publisher: Covenant

Published: October 1st, 2013

Paperback: 288 pages

ISBN13: 9781621085232

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

Goodreads Summary

Welcome to New America, where patriots are traitors and religion is a crime. After government agent Daniel Lansbury fakes the executions of three believers on national television, he and the fugitives--Alisa Kent, Ian Roshek, and Ian's sister, Jill--face the perilous task of outwitting President Amanda Ryce and her power-hungry Council long enough to escape to freedom. While a government reformer is on their side, rigorous new security measures thwart any chance of aid. And Daniel's estranged father, Marcus, an underground terrorist leader, is hatching plans to sabotage the breakable trust between Daniel and Ian and put himself in power at the head of the nation. As faith and loyalties come under fire, the fugitives struggle to stop Marcus and his zealous terrorists and bring to light the wrongs committed against the citizens of this fragile, fledgling nation.

Mindy's Review

WOW!  WOW!  WOW!  The Witnesses by Stephanie Black, grabs you fast at the beginning and doesn't let you go until you've read the last sentence.  Every turn of the page brings more suspense and questions as to who you can trust.  The Witnesses picks up immediately after The Believer ends.  Having just finished The Believer a few days ago, I was very eager to see what happened to Ian, Jill, Daniel and Alisa.  (I feel bad for those who had to wait so long in between books:)  It isn't all good news and happy endings for the four.  Alisa is really struggling with reversions and is having hallucinations.  Daniel is having troubles of his own, while he and Ian are at each other's throats.  There are suspicions everywhere and many problems that come up.  Where to place the three believers is first priority, but there really isn't anywhere safe to put them.  Even for a short time.  I loved the POV changes to different characters, even to some characters I didn't like.  It really added to the severity and drama of the situations, that our heros were in a lot more trouble than they realize.  It was also a great way to move the story along without having the main characters figure everything out.  

5 out of 5 stars.   Stephanie does a brilliant job of ending paragraphs and/or chapters in a way that made me keep reading until the end.  She is so good at what she does.  Stephanie also contributed to the Autumn Timeless Romance Anthology.  Check it out!

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Ruby's Secret by Heather B. Moore




Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: October 1st, 2013

Paperback: 240 pages

ISBN13: 9781621084600

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


Goodreads Summary 

Welcome to the Newport Ladies Book Club series:

At age sixty-two, life is finally beginning for newly widowed Ruby Crenshaw. Her son is grown and gone, and after long years spent as a loyal wife to her charming but unfaithful husband, she’s ready to live the life she’s always dreamed of. Her resolve is firm: she’ll never make the mistake of giving her heart to another man.

The first step in Ruby’s quest for a carefree lifestyle was to create the Newport Ladies Book Club, an unlikely gathering of women who have been her haven. Now she’s ready to take her newfound independence a step further—along with her friends from the local senior center, Ruby is jetting off to a much-needed Greece adventure. What she isn’t prepared for is Gabriel—the group’s tour guide—a native Greek and a true gentleman. His unquestionable charm is hard to resist. But resist she must—because no matter their growing attraction, Ruby is not about to fall for charming again!

My Review

I was so excited to have the chance to read a Newport Ladies book from Ruby's point of view.  She has long been a favorite of mine in this series by these amazing authors.  Ruby has such a kind heart and manor about her that makes her the caretaker of the group.  I have been anxiously awaiting her story.  Heather told Ruby's story with care and creativity.  I loved the adventure that Ruby takes in this book.  I was also happy to see that Ruby was doing something for herself.  I loved how she found fun at the senior center.  Even though she is reluctant to go to Greece because of it's hard memories, Ruby finds a friend in Gabriel.  Although he had some things to get over too, I loved what comes of their relationship.  Ruby not only learns to trust someone else, she learns to let go of a hurtful past.  It helps that I was a huge fan of Gabriel's from the beginning, and of course having a whole book dedicated to Ruby was a plus for me. 

5 out of 5 stars.  Heather is the author of many amazing books.  Her releases this year include:  Heart of the OceanEsther the QueenFinding ShebaAliso Creek Novellas, and Timeless Romance Anthologies.

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