Pages

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Change of Heart by Jennifer Moore -- Spotlight

Change of Heart
Change of Heart by Jennifer Moore
This summer, Nathaniel Cavanaugh vacations in Lobster Cove to spend quality time with his kids after his estranged wife’s tragic death. Successful and well-connected, he is on the fast-track to the highest legal positions in the country, but his family life suffers. After an accident throws Val nearly into his lap and costs her a job opportunity, Nathaniel surprises himself by overlooking her outlandish appearance and lack of qualifications to offer her a job as his nanny for the summer.
Valdosta McKinley wishes for an internship at a Paris Art Institute to use her newly acquired art-history skills. She knows Nathaniel could never develop feelings for a girl from a trailer in a rural West Virginia holler—a lesson she learned the hard way years earlier.
Will pursuit of their professional goals require Nathaniel and Val to give up the dream of being a family?

Excerpt

Val clung to him, feeling utterly ridiculous, and at the same time completely content in his arms. “I’m sorry,” she said, once she trusted her voice.
    “The summer’s been good, hasn’t it?” Nathaniel laid his cheek on the top of her head and held her tighter. “I’ll miss this porch most of all.”
    “Me, too.” She pressed her face against his chest, a fresh wave of tears rushing into her eyes. She’d sat in this very place, unloading her darkest secrets, her greatest fears, been comforted and listened, and even... The memory of Nathaniel’s kiss was nearly more than she could take. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed, and she gasped for air. She took a step back, releasing her grip.
    “Val?”
    Swallowing against her tight throat, she raised her gaze to his.
    He lifted a wet strand of hair from her face, and his gaze dropped to her lips before returning to hers.
    If only she could look into those blue eyes every day, be held by him every time she cried, if only...
    “Daddy! Val!”
The sound of Ruby’s voice broke Val’s blissful bubble. She must have gotten impatient and unbuckled her carseat.
    “We’re on the porch, Ruby.” Nathaniel’s gaze didn’t leave Val’s face.
    Val rubbed her fingers over her cheeks one more time before hurrying to meet Ruby. She glanced back and saw Nathaniel still watching her until she rounded the side of the house. 

amazon
add to goodreads

JenniferAuthor Jennifer Moore
Jennifer Moore is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance due to the need to balance the rest of her world that includes a perpetually traveling husband and four active sons, who create heaps of laundry that is anything but romantic. She suffers from an unhealthy addiction to 18th and 19th century military history and literature. Jennifer has a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Utah and is a Guitar Hero champion. She lives in northern Utah with her family, but most of the time wishes she was on board a frigate during the Age of Sail.

$25 Blog Tour giveawayBlog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 5/1/16
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Motherhood Matters/Live is Too Short Collection by Connie E. Sokol



Motherhood Matters: Joyful Reminders of the Divinity, Reality, and Rewards of Motherhood

Motherhood is a divine calling but it may not always feel that way. Now you can show the women in your life how much they matter to you, with this delightful little volume full of wit and wisdom about the divinity, reality, and rewards of motherhood. Fresher than flowers and sweeter than chocolate, it's a perfect gift for the women who give so much.

Life is Too Short Collection

The Life is Too Short series is just what you need. Written by Connie Sokol—mother of seven, author, speaker, and amazing matching sock finder—these humorous self-development columns give you just the right amount of fun and functional. Originally written for a major newspaper and magazines, you can now enjoy the entire collection in one book. Put your feet up and laugh as you relate to time-tested tips on being a woman, wife, and mother. You'll learn the cozy stuff of how to adjust expectations, have faith in your dreams, and lighten up in motherhood. And, you'll learn a few life skills such as easy spring cleaning, simplifying the holidays, and creating successful goals.
It's the perfect gift for any woman! Short, funny, insightful, these quick power columns are ideal anytime, anywhere, to rejuvenate your mind and soul.

Life is Too Short Trilogy combines three individual books, updated and revised: Life is Too Short for One Hair Color, Life is Too Short for Sensible Shoes, and Life is Too Short for Linoleum.

My Review

Wonderful books with lovely messages.  LIFE IS TOO SHORT COLLECTION is full of humor and lots of heart.  I loved the heartfelt messages in MOTHERHOOD MATTERS. 

Author Links


Purchase Links




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Royal Brides by Traci Hunter Abramson -- Blog Tour/Giveaway

Royal Brides

Author: Traci Hunter Abramson

Publisher: Covenant

Published: April 1st 2016

Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN13: 9781524400071

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

Goodreads Summary

In this eagerly anticipated companion novel to Royal Target and Royal Secrets, readers are invited back to the shimmering Mediterranean paradise of Meridia, where two royal weddings in a year are more than stressful—they’re deadly . . .

Lovely Meridian native Noelle Saldera yearns for adventure, but as the daughter of palace servants, working at Prince Stefano’s royal wedding may be as exciting as her life will get. But her options change drastically when she finds herself in the unlikely position of diffusing a bomb at the ceremony and being enlisted as the newest member of Meridian Intelligence—another wedding is in the works, and there can be no more close calls when Prince Stefano’s brother, Garrett, walks down the aisle. 

The bombing attempt at the first royal wedding leaves few clues as to the assailant’s identity. Desperate for answers, Meridian officials enlist CIA agent Jeremy Rogers to prevent a repeat occurrence at the upcoming nuptials. The beauty of the plan: the bride is Jeremy’s sister, so his cover is foolproof. What no one could anticipate is the instant connection between Jeremy and Noelle. Now, with their hearts on the line, the pair must work together to stop a seemingly unstoppable enemy before time runs out.

My Review

Royal Brides is another hit for Traci.  I really enjoyed getting back in to the Meridian world.  Traci does a great job of taking us back to these great characters and catching the reader up on the previous books (as it has been awhile since I read Royal Secrets and Royal Target), all while keeping a steady pace.  I loved Noelle.  I really appreciated what a tough and smart character she was.  What I also really enjoy with Traci's books are the short chapters.  Weird, I know, but I feel it really transitions the story quickly and makes the reader (myself included) keep reading so we can find out what happened next.  There is so much to enjoy in Royal Brides.  There is romance, some humor, spies, bomb threats,  suspense, and so much more!  

4 out of 5 stars.

Author Links

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book / Deseret Book

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, April 18, 2016

Shadows in the Curtain by Cami Checketts -- Spotlight

29926345
Every stage actress wants fans, but what happens when one goes too far? 

Emmy has the perfect life— a house on the beach, a successful career headlining the local theater, more money than she cares to spend, and love. But when a brutal murder brings unimaginable grief, Emmy’s world comes crashing down. As she tries to pick up the pieces, she can’t seem to avoid Josh, the new fireman in town. 
Emmy does her best to fight the sizzle in her chest when Josh is near. But with the stalker still out there, terrorizing her and those she cares about, she can’t fall for anyone—especially Josh, a suspect in the murder investigation. 
If Emmy allows a man to get close, it’s not just her heart she puts at risk, it’s her life.

Find Shadows in the Curtain - Amazon * Goodreads

I'm thrilled to announce the re-release of Shadows in the Curtain with Gelato Books. Do you love the cover or is it just me?

I found an extra box of print copies of Dead Running in a closet and thought it would be fun with this release to give them all away. Please enter below to win one of 20 print copies of Dead Running or a $25 gift card.

"I love a good romantic suspense and Shadows in the Curtain was great--really creepy! I made the mistake of reading it at night while my husband was out of town and I was a little scared. I definitely didn't want to look out of the window and tripled checked the locks.
Emmy is such a sweet woman. She is very loyal to those she loves and is dedicated to her work. She is a very talented actress, but instead of focusing on fame and fortune, she seeks love and happiness. Emmy really has her priorities in line. I enjoyed the friendship she had with her neighbors, especially Kelton.

Josh is a mystery--is he the stalker/murderer or is he a friend? Sparks really fly between Emmy and the new firefighter, which makes it harder for Emmy to stay away.

I loved the suspense and mystery, because like I said before, it was really creepy. I thought it was well-done in a way to keep the reader engaged and invested in the story. The romance was sizzling, but clean, and for me (a clean romance lover), that kept me flipping the pages. The characters were well written and the mystery kept me guessing. I loved the setting--I love the ocean and would love to have a house in a place like this one (small town Oregon)!"

Katie Watkins, Reviewer, Katie's Clean Book Collection

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Lady Helen Finds Her Song by Jennifer Moore -- Blog tour/giveaway

Lady Helen Finds Her Song

Author: Jennifer Moore

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: March 2016

ISBN13: 9781680478938

Paperback: 240 pages

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

Goodreads Summary

Spring 1813
The exotic splendors of India are legendary, and the colorful sights of her new home in Calcutta immediately captivate eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Poulter. Whereas many of her fellow British expatriates despise the culture they see as barbaric, Helen sees excitement in the unusual locale. It is in this vibrant, bustling city that she finds a kindred soul in Captain Michael Rhodes, an Englishman whose lifelong love of India runs deep. Their friendship quickly grows, yet despite their undeniable connection, she could never think of Captain Rhodes as more than a dear friend.

Her love, in truth, has been captured by dashing British Lieutenant Arthur Bancroft. This handsome soldier represents the embodiment of all she's dreamed of in a husband. Preoccupied by her growing affections, Helen never dreams that beneath the glamor of the city, hostilities are reaching a boiling point. When battle ultimately threatens both of the men in her life, she must make a choice: pursue the man who symbolizes her British past, or let herself love a man who promises an unknown future in the land she loves. But amid the casualties of war, will her declaration of love come too late?

My Review

Lady Helen Finds Her Song is another beautiful book from Author Jennifer Moore.  Jenny is an author that can be relied on for a great story with engaging characters and a perfectly written plot.  Helen is an absolute delight.  She is kind and thoughtful and genuinely curious about her new surroundings.  I loved the way the title works into the story and it fits Helen's character beautifully.  I also loved Captain Rhodes (Michael). His love for India, from the people to the culture was endearing.  Michael is a fantastic character and I loved seeing Helen through his eyes.  I loved Jim and Lady Patricia in this book too.  Well, I've always loved Jim, but seeing a "fatherly" side to him makes him even more wonderful in my eyes.

5 out of 5 stars!  I will read any book from this talented author.  

Author Links

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book

Tour Schedule



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, April 8, 2016

Trix and the Faerie Queen by Alethea Kontis -- Grand Finale

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Review & Excerpt Tour Grand Finale for
Trix and the Faerie Queen
By Alethea Kontis

We hope you enjoyed hearing about Trix Woodcutter, who finally has his own adventure! If you missed any of the stops, go back and check them out now and read the first chapter of the book...

Launch - Welcome to Faerie

Trix Woodcutter and I invite you all to join us on this newest adventure. Trix and the Faerie Queen is filled with more talking animals than I ever thought I would write and a journey to a place from my dreams: Under the Hill, to the high seat of the Faerie Queen. There are so many characters in this story (Alastair is going to hurt me when he starts making notes for the audio)--I won’t tell you which one is my favorite. That is a choice you must make yourself.

Prism Book Tours - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 1

Most people with common sense would have remembered that gold did not float. Trix Woodcutter rarely qualified as “most people.”

“Trixie, you are a prize idiot,” he said to himself, because neither Peter nor Saturday were there to say it for him. He took a deep breath and dove hard.

Wishful Endings - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 2

“Perhaps our next attempt at swimming should be in a shallower pond,” she said when she caught her breath.

“Perhaps indeed. Thank you, friends!” Trix patted the heads of the turtles and bid them farewell before turning back to Lizinia. “I’m sorry. I did not think about the gold.”


Brooke Blogs - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 3

“What? Trix, you’re staring at me.”

“And here I thought the stars were amazing.”

“It’s not amazing. It’s just how I am.”

“Trust me,” said Trix. “To the rest of the world, you’re pretty amazing.”


"Trix and the Faerie Queen, by Alethea Kontis, is just as awesome as the previous book, Trixter. I love these two of all the Books of Arriland most of all because they are so full of light and laughter, as opposed to the creepy dark magic in a few of the others. I also love how all the books tie together so perfectly."

deal sharing aunt - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 4

Trix held fast to Lizinia’s hand, but he did not move. The noise had happened, but he felt no vibrations beneath his feet. Not so much as a breath of wind stirred the leaves in the trees of the forest around them. He closed his eyes and searched inside himself for the Fear that Needa the spider had taught him about. There was a sort of…tingle…at the back of his neck and in his belly. This might have been the animal magic inside him telling him flee, but his instincts were still not strong enough to know where.



"Readers will enjoy the blossoming fairy tale friendship between Trix and his golden girl Lizinia. Their budding relationship is totally fairy tale--Lizinia is the perfect companion and Trix is completely appreciative of her talents. Fans of Arilland will be happy to see a couple of Trix's sisters and hear about more. Readers will be left clamoring for more at the end of the novel and eagerly await the next installment."

Becky on Books - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 5

“Have a care, Trix Woodcutter. It would not do to to have you falling to your death right when I need you most.”

Power. The woman’s voice that filled his ears was powerful. It reminded him of someone—a member of his family?—but he could not place it.

Colorimetry - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 6

The moment Trix put all the pieces together, he was too shocked to reply. What in the world did the Faerie Queen want with him? If this even was the world…on this grassy mound, surrounded by a ring of mushrooms. Even the mushrooms bowed, bonnets to the queen.


Mel's Shelves - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 7

“You are the Boy Who Talks to Animals,” she said. “And with the fey magic bound, anyone under the Hill with animal magic has been turned into a beast. They cannot talk to us, nor can they talk to each other. Soon there will be nothing but chaos, and such an imbalance can tear this world apart.” The Faerie Queen clasped her hands together as she made her plea. “I want to make you my Emissary, Trix Woodcutter. You must speak for the animals. Save Faerie. And save the world.”

A Backwards Story - Review of Trixter

"I'm really glad there's more than one book about Trix and his journey because the first book, TRIXTER, is novella-length and we don't spend nearly enough time with Trix or his new, gold-dipped friend Lizinia. . . . I love the way Trix is also at the center of an epic prophecy, as are many of the Woodcutters."


Though not a long story, Trix & the Faerie Queen packs a powerful punch. It doesn't slow its pace for a moment as our lovable scamp Trix and his golden companion Lizinia fall into one scrape after another. We get the chance to reunite with some familiar faces, and to put faces with a few of the names we've heard about. And we finally get to go to Faerie. *squee!* . . . With the ending I am left with here, waiting even until fall for Alethea's next book seems far too long a wait.

Whatever - Special Author Interview

“TEHETHJO” is one heck of an acronym, but Alethea Kontis knows what it means, why it’s important, and how it relates to her new novel Trix and the Faerie Queen.

Thanks for visiting the fantasy world of Arriland! Don't forget to enter the giveaway below...

Trix and the Faerie Queen (Books of Arilland Book #6)
Trix and the Faerie Queen
(Books of Arriland #6)
by Alethea Kontis
YA Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 210 Pages
March 28th 2016

Join Trix Woodcutter on an epic new animal-filled adventure!

Fey magic and animal magic: that troublemaking imp Trix Woodcutter has both, if not the ability to use them to their full potential. While traveling with his companion—the golden girl Lizinia—to see the King of Eagles, Trix is sent a vision of the Faerie Queen, who is in desperate need of his help. An evil sorceress has stormed Faerie and trapped all the fey magic under the Hill, leaving the Faerie Queen powerless! Trix’s talent for communicating with animals is desperately needed…but before he braves the wild world of Faerie he must arm himself, with nothing less than the bow and arrows of a god.

With the help of his gilded companion, her ghost-cat godfather, a blind brownie and a sister or two, the Boy Who Talks to Animals must befriend a mischievous leprechaun, best a wolf, and journey into the depths of Faerie to restore order and free the fey magic before the imbalance destroys the world.

Trix and the Faerie Queen is second in The Trix Adventures and sixth in the Books of Arilland.

Fans of the Woodcutter Sisters: Desperate to know what happened to Saturday and Peregrine after they found Trix at the end of HERO? Here’s your chance!


Other Books in the Series

Hero (Woodcutter Sisters #2)
Trixter (Books of Arilland #3)Dearest (Woodcutter Sisters, #3)Tales of Arilland (Books of Arilland #5)

Alethea Kontis is a princess, author, fairy godmother, and geek. Her bestselling Books of Arilland fairytale series won two Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards (Enchanted and Tales of Arilland), and was twice nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Alethea also penned the AlphaOops picture books, The Wonderland AlphabetDiary of a Mad Scientist Garden GnomeBeauty & DynamiteThe Dark-Hunter Companion (w/Sherrilyn Kenyon), and a myriad of poems, essays, and short stories. Princess Alethea lives and writes on the Space Coast of Florida with her teddy bear, Charlie. You can find her on her YouTube channel, all the social media, and at www.aletheakontis.com.

Tour Giveaway

3 copies of Trixter and Trix and the Faerie Queen (signed copies if US, ebooks if INT)
Ends April 15th

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead -- Release Day Blitz


I am so excited that THE GLITTERING COURT by Richelle Mead releases today and that I get to share the news, along with a special giveaway!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author Richelle Mead, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a signed copy of the book and a $25 Sephora Gift Card courtesy of Richelle, Penguin Teen, and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.



About The Book:

Title: THE GLITTERING COURT
Author: Richelle Mead
Pub. Date: April 5, 2016
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: Hardcover, eBook, & audiobook

The Selection meets Reign in this dazzling trilogy of interwoven novels about three girls on a quest for freedom and true love from #1 internationally bestselling author Richelle Mead.

"Brilliant and original, Mead’s new series starts off with a bang and will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end."
—School Library Journal

For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life they’ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. To high-born Adelaide, whose wealthy family is forcing her into a loveless marriage, the Glittering Court represents something else: the chance to chart her own destiny, and adventure in an unspoiled, prosperous new land across the sea.

After a chance meeting with the dazzling Cedric Thorn, Adelaide poses as a servant to join the crop of impoverished girls he promises to transform into proper ladies. But her familiarity with upper class life comes with a price: she must hide her identity from her new friends, mysterious refugee Mira and fiery former laundress Tamsin, and most importantly, from Cedric himself—even though she’s falling in love with him. 

Everything begins to crumble when Cedric discovers Adelaide’s ruse, and she catches the eye of a powerful young governor, who wants her for a wife. She didn’t leave the gilded cage of her old life behind just to become someone else's property. But nothing is as daunting—or as wonderful—as the potent, forbidden attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. One that, if acted on, would make them both outcasts in a wild, dangerous, uncharted world, and possibly lead them to their deaths.

Exclusive Excerpt:





About Richelle:

Richelle Mead has written over twenty-five novels for teens and adults. She is the author of the international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series and its spinoff series, Bloodlines. Her recent standalone novel, Soundless, draws upon Chinese mythology and history, and her forthcoming series, The Glittering Court, follows the adventures of girls destined for arranged marriages in a fantasy world inspired by colonial America. A lifelong reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses to wear on tour. She is a self-professed coffee addict, works in her pajamas, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington, where she is hard at work on her next novel.





Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a hardcover of THE GLITTERING COURT & a $25 Sephora Gift Card. US Only.


Ends on April 15th at Midnight EST!


a Rafflecopter giveaway