How I Met Your Brother by Janette Rallison

How I Met Your Brother (Power of the Matchmaker)

Author: Janette Rallsion

Published: November 1st, 2016

Publisher: Rally Point Press

AISN: B01K7N51PI

ebook: 204 pages

FTC FYI: Received a complimentary copy from the author, all views and opinions expressed are my own. 

Goodreads Summary

Back in college, Marco Winslow never thought of Belle as anything more than a friend. If she crossed his mind on his wedding day, it was probably only to wonder why she hadn’t shown up to be a bridesmaid. After all, his new wife had been her roommate.

Six years have passed since then, and Belle just found out that Marco is divorced and vacationing with his parents in a Cancun resort. She’s not about to let the right man get away twice. She heads to the resort where she plans to casually bump into Marco and ignite some flames.

But Belle hadn’t planned on one thing: Flynn Winslow, Marco’s handsome, charming, and determined older brother. Flynn thinks Marco and his ex-wife can make amends and he’s not about to let Belle stand in the way.

Part Sabrina, part While You Were Sleeping, romantic comedy readers will eat this book up! 

My Review

How I Met Your Brother is another fantastic addition to the Power of the Matchmaker series.  This time Pearl's presence is very minimal, but considering where the story goes, it would have been strange having her show up in Cancun after how she inspires Belle to go there in the first place.  As always Janette does an amazing job with her characters.  Flynn was instantly likable.  I really liked Belle too.  I loved learning more about design and fashion from her eyes.  She was very smart and savvy.  I thought the plot was executed perfectly. While reading, things would happen and I would think how great Janette moved the story along effortlessly, all while keeping me interested and wanting to see what happens to these great characters.  I read this book very quickly and was eagerly anticipating how it would end.  One character that I loved the most was Flynn and Marco's mother.  I was thrilled with some decisions she made at the end, I actually got teary over that part.  The romantic sparks between Flynn and Belle were perfect and written well, and their kisses were... WOW!

5 out of 5 stars. Great, great job Janette!

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon 

The Orphan Keeper by Camron Wright -- Spotlight

The Orphan Keeper

Author: Camron Wright

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: September 16, 2016

ISBN13: 9781629722245

Hardcover: 432 pages

Goodreads Summary

Based on a remarkable true story.
Seven-year-old Chellamuthu’s life is forever changed when he is kidnapped from his village in India, sold to a Christian orphanage, and then adopted by an unsuspecting couple in the United States. It takes months before the boy can speak enough English to tell his parents that he already has a family back in India. Horrified, they try their best to track down his Indian family, but all avenues lead to dead ends.

Meanwhile, they simply love him, change his name to Taj, enroll him in school, make him part of their family—and his story might have ended there had it not been for the pestering questions in his head: Who am I? Why was I taken? How do I get home?

More than a decade later, Taj meets Priya, a girl from southern India with surprising ties to his past. Is she the key to unveil the secrets of his childhood or is it too late? And if he does make it back to India, how will he find his family with so few clues?

From the best-selling author of The Rent Collector, this is a deeply moving and gripping journey of discovering one’s self and the unbreakable family bonds that connect us forever.

Author Links 

Website / Twitter

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon 

Memory of Monet by Robin M. King -- Giveaway

Memory of Monet

Author: Robin M. King

Publisher: Walnut Springs

Publish Date: October 15, 2016

ISBN13: 9781599921495

Paperback: 260 pages

FTC FYI: Received a complimentary copy, all opinions and views are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Alexandra Stewart thought she was born to be a spy. Her eidetic memory, the adrenaline rush, and the calling to help people was in her blood. But after her latest mission in Paris and her confrontation with a terrorist, Alex begins to question her role working for The Company, a secret spy organization that exists in the basement of Brown University.

When the CIA asks for her assistance on a mission only she has the ability to complete, Alex agrees to travel to Mexico City as an exchange student at an elite art school, leaving behind her comatose brother and her handler who has risked everything to keep her safe and would do anything to be with her.

In an attempt to prove to herself where she belongs, Alex throws herself into the mission, only to discover that her training may not be enough. As her perspective changes, she begins to realize that her memory isn't a canvas of realistic paint strokes, but an impressionistic landscape influenced by her own emotions. Scaling buildings and discovering secrets may not be as hard as finding her own heart. And the enemy she is fighting against could be the one person closest to her. 

My Review

I have really enjoyed this series by Robin M. King.  The author does a great job of wrapping up the series and its characters, all while giving the reader a great adventure.  At times I thought I had it figured out, but Robin does a great job of planting seeds and tricking the reader into thinking they know what was going on.  Then delivering a great climax that is heart-pounding.  This time with Alex's eidetic memory flashes, though, I felt some were out of place.  The story would just get going, then she would have a memory for a page or two.  It was a great way to keep me reading, as I wanted to know what would happen in a particular scene, but at times, they felt misplaced.  The Mexico setting was very enjoyable and I loved Alex's journey into painting, like her mom.  Many fun surprises throughout and the ending was wonderful!  

4 out of 5 stars.  I love that these books are clean and I can pass them to my daughters.  The spy work is fun, intense and very entertaining.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book

Walk of Infamy by Sheralyn Pratt

Walk of Infamy

Author: Sheralyn Pratt

Publisher: Self

Publish Date: October 21st, 2016

ASIN: B01M8P9V0W

ebook: 235 pages

FTC FYI: I received a complimentary ebook, all opinions are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Rhea Jensen has a date with destiny. A powerful, multi-national group calling itself The Fours considers her a threat. She doesn’t know why The Fours think this, only that they will destroy her life and the lives of everyone she loves if she doesn’t do as she’s asked.
Rhea knows where to be, when to be there, and that the odds are not in her favor for a happy ending. That’s it. What she’s about to learn is that the past seven years of her life were not what they seemed, and there is a 99.9% chance she will not live to see another day. Her date with destiny is rigged to become a date with infamy.
The question Rhea must ask herself is: Is she going to die on her terms, or on The Fours terms?
Her life, and the end thereof, has just become a game for the rich and powerful to watch play out live, and they’ve played this game many time before with other people more skilled than Rhea. The rules are designed so that the House wins every time. Rhea knows she can’t win—not without a miracle. But if she’s not going to get what she wants, well then, neither are The Fours. The clock is running, though, so whatever Rhea’s going to do, she needs to do it quick. 

My Review

Wow, just wow.  Rhea Jensen is one of my all-time favorite characters.  She is amazing, and so is the lady that writes her.  I mean, WOW!  I have been texting Sheralyn over the years, sometimes with just one word, "Rhea". In hopes of reading more of her adventures.  This book does not disappoint.  It a non-stop action ride.  So much so, when I was done, aside from tears, I had a headache, but I will take a Rhea Jensen headache any day.  There is also heart, and painful scenes of love and goodbye, and some shocking revelations.  I have loved this series from the beginning and it was hesitant to even start reading knowing it is the last book.   There is an amazing twist that I did not see coming, and I enjoyed seeing another favorite character of mine make a cameo.   Honestly, this book is very close to perfect and the ending, is just, WOW! 

5 out of 5 stars.

Author Links

Amazon Author Page / Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Link

Amazon

The Governess by Kristen McKendry

The Governess

Author: Kristen McKendry

Publisher: Covenant

Published: October 10th, 2016

ISBN13: 9781524400385

Paperback: 214 pages

FTC FYI: I received a complimentary PDF from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Goodreads Summary

For Kate Porter in 1880s Canada, working as a governess is simply a means to an end, and she aspires to a high-society future that will lift her out of her middle-class existence. When she accepts a new position as tutor to Alonzo Colaco's children, she sees it as a step in the direction of her dreams. She eagerly envisions a grand house awaiting her...but when her new employer meets her at the train station driving a gaily painted gypsy wagon, Kate suspects her new job will not be all she anticipated.

Kate finds herself living in the woods in a refitted train car as she teaches the charming children of Alonzo, a tinker by trade. After trying in vain to secure another job, Kate is left with little choice. She must simply bide her time until a better position comes along. Soon, however, she abandons her preconceptions along with her bustle in favor of the joys of a simple life---and the possibility of true love. But when opportunity knocks, will Kate really be ready to walk away from all she has come to care about to pursue her high-society dreams? 

My Review

The Governess is an enjoyable book with very likable characters and a great story.  I enjoyed the Canadian setting too.  Kate experiences a great growth in the story, that I appreciated. She had some lessons to learn about herself and I felt one lesson at the end took a bit longer "time-wise" for her to come to terms with, but I loved all that transpired to get her there.  After finishing the story I understood why the went through what she did.  I absolutely loved the ending, although I had my suspicions of a certain surprise.  Alonzo was a fabulous leading man.  I loved every page he was on.  His children were also scene stealers.  I loved the lessons learned throughout the book.  The author did a fabulous job with her characters. Jin, Ah Lam, and Millie were delightful.  I laughed, I cried, I will read more books from this author.

5 out of 5 stars. 

Author Links

Goodreads / Website

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

The Christmas Project -- Blog Tour/Giveaway

The Christmas Project

I loved this sweet, funny movie about the holidays, the 80s, and doing what is right.  There are many enjoyable and funny moments that had me laughing out loud.  My 12 year old daughter watched it with me. Not only was she laughing out loud too, we both appreciated the message of kindness, even while being faced with adversity.  A few 80s references she didn't understand, but the "New Coke" bit was hilarious.  The parents in this movie were very funny.  What the dad does with the family chicken was hysterical.  "You can have your pick of the piece." One thing I wanted to see, was more of a change in the Hagbart kids. While all these nice "elf" gifts were being delivered, they were still stinkers, but watching the whole movie, I understood their circumstances more.  All the characters were funny and brought their own special magic to the movie.  Matthew was a doll, and I know my daughter has a new crush.  We've seen Jacob Buster in many movies before, and he does a great job.  As much as I loved all the characters, Earl stole the show for me.  I loved his relationship with Matthew and one piece of advice Earl gave Matthew really struck home for me. Earl told Matthew, 

"Only love will win the war."

5 out of 5 stars! 

Pre-order your copy today. 

Releases November 3, 2016

Amazon / Deseret Book

FTC FYI: I watched the movie with a link provided from the distributor. All views and opinions expressed are my own. 

Schedule: 

*Oct. 24th: http://thethingsilovemost.com/, http://iamareader.com/

*Oct.25th: http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/blog/, http://rockinbookreviews.com/, http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/

*Oct.26th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/

*Oct.27th: http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/ 

*Oct. 28th: http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://iamareader.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

*Oct.29th: http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

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Rip Van Winkle and the Pumpkin Lantern by Seth Adam Smith -- Blog Tour

Rip Van Winkle and the Pumpkin Lantern

Author: Seth Adam Smith

Publisher: self

ISBN: 9780997511161

Paperback 346 pages

FTC FYI: I received a paperback copy from the author. All views and opinions are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Chased by a vengeful witch, hunted by an undead corpse, and guided by a secretive preacher, a boy must protect a magical lantern that can either save Boston . . . or destroy it.

In October of 1730, young Rip Van Winkle sneaks into a graveyard and comes face-to-face with the ghost of William Blaxton, the first settler of Boston. Warning Rip that the city is in danger, Blaxton gives him a mysterious gift: a pumpkin lantern with power over life and death. Before fading into midnight, the ghost tells Rip to take the lantern to Feathertop, a mythical pumpkin-headed scarecrow.

Pursued by Mistress Hibbins, a witch of terrifying power, and hunted by the nightmarish Midnight Minister, young Rip must rely on the aid of Jonathan Edwards, a stern and secretive preacher, and Nathaniel, a talkative, know-it-all raven. Guided by the magical light of the lantern, Rip races across New England to find Feathertop, save Boston, and become a most unlikely hero!

From the bestselling, award-winning author Seth Adam Smith comes The Pumpkin Lantern--a fantasy novel influenced by the writings of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Lloyd Alexander, and C. S. Lewis. Loaded with humor, action, suspense, and fascinating American history, The Pumpkin Lantern is also a poignant fable about faith, family, and the power of life over death.

My Review

Rip Van Winkle and the Pumpkin Lantern is a delightful, story with humor, enjoyable adventures, excitement, and most importantly, heart.  Rip is a fabulous character that had me smiling many times. I really enjoyed how the author introduced Rip's family and the ending is especially sweet when things are explained to him at the end.  There are many life lessons that are very fitting to our day, even though the story was set in the 1730s.  This book can be enjoyed by adults and kids who are looking for a clean, fun adventure.  I loved the messages within, but above all, I loved the message of kindness throughout. 

4 out of 5 stars

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble