Thursday, June 30, 2016

All Summer Long by Melody Carlson

All Summer Long: A San Francisco Romance (Follow Your Heart #2)Book Description:
Tia Gets a Second Chance at Love When an Old Crush Suddenly Reappears 
Though it means giving up the chef's job at her uncle's small town Italian restaurant in Washington, Tia D'Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt with a new business venture: transforming an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. The icing on the cake is that Leo Parker, Tia's crush from a long-ago sailing camp, has been hired as the yacht's captain. The only problem is that he's engaged to someone else. 
Tia hides her feelings and rolls up her sleeves as she sets out to make her aunt's dream a reality. But as the tide turns on Leo's relationship, does Tia dare hope he might set a course for her heart? 
All the romance of a summer in San Francisco is captured in this delightful story from an author who has made a career of tugging our heartstrings.

My Thoughts:
This is a good one.  Tia's aunt has decided to transform an old boat into a restaurant.  Tia jumps at the chance to go and become head chef and help with the transformation.  When she gets there, she discovers an old crush is the boat's captain.  The two of them resume their friendship, and Tia's crush seems to have never really gone away.  The problem is, Leo is engaged.  As things change, maybe there is hope for new romance?
This is the second in this series and stands alone just fine.  Tia has focused on work and family and has left romance on the back burner for most of her life.  I liked that she and Leo had met before and were quick to resume their friendship.  I had some issues with how over the top Tia's feeling seem to be since they really weren't close friends before this.  There was drama from Leo's relationship.  I really do want to go and visit San Francisco now that I've seen these descriptions and felt like I was there!It was a 3/5 for me.  Good, quick read!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Messenger by Moonlight by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Messenger By MoonlightBook Description:
Bestselling author Stephanie Grace Whitson's latest historical novel features an adventurous young heroine who joins the Pony Express.
Orphaned Annie Paxton and her brothers may have lost the only home they've ever known, but they're determined to make a better future in St. Joseph, Missouri. Annie dreams of a pretty house with window boxes, and having friends, and attending church every week. But then her brothers spot the ad for a new venture called the Pony Express. "Wanted," it reads, "Young, skinny fellows not over eighteen. Must be expert riders and willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred." Sure enough, both her brothers land jobs as Express messengers, and Annie puts her dreams on hold to work as a cook at Clearwater Ranch, a station along the Pony Express route.

Annie struggles to adapt to her new job--work made all the more challenging when she has so many to feed and few ingredients. The gruff station owner, George, doesn't seem inclined to make her life any easier, or at least not at first. But slowly a friendship builds between them. When Annie attracts the attention of a refined, dashing lieutenant from the nearby fort, she'll have to learn how to trust her instincts and follow her heart, even if she's conflicted about which way it's leading her.
 

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book.  Annie and her two brothers are forced to leave their family home because of her late father's debts.  They move to Missouri to settle down and the boys want to take care of Annie.  Then they find out the Pony Express is hiring and move to Nebraska.  There her two brothers ride for the Pony Express and she takes care of the people at the station.  She learns to deal with the owner, George and his ways but there are also the soldiers from the fort who are gentlemen.
This is a good story!  It was great that though the were orphaned, the three of them stayed together and took care of each other.  I know both boys wanted to provide for Annie but she also wanted to help them.  It wasn't the path that any of them planned on, but it was what worked for them in their situation.  The fact that faith and trials were woven through the book just made it better for me.  It made me wish I had been alive back then just to witness the evolving of the country (though I'm quite happy with all the modern pleasures we have now!), but the way the author presented it was intriguing and well researched.  
It was a 4/5 for me.  I really enjoyed the whole story and loved how dedicated her brothers were to Annie.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Cable Car Mystery by Greg Messel

Book Description:
On the hottest day of the year in San Francisco in 1959, Private Detectives Sam and Amelia Slater are contemplating fleeing the city for their Stinson Beach house. However, when Sam decides to take a cable car ride to run some errands on the lazy summer day, he's suddenly thrust into the spotlight when he rescues a woman who fell onto the busy street. Sam pulls the mysterious red haired woman out of the path of an oncoming cable car in the nick of time. The entire incident is captured by a newspaper photographer who splashes Sam's heroics all over the front page. Sam is troubled not only by his new status as a city hero, but by the rescued woman's plea for help. She whispers to Sam that she didn't fall from the cable car but was pushed. She is frightened and disappears into the crowd before Sam can get more details. A San Francisco newspaper launches a campaign to find the mystery woman and Sam hopes to cross paths with her again. Meanwhile, Amelia is troubled by the sudden disappearance of her elderly neighbor. Two thuggish younger men who now occupy the house next door say he took a sudden trip. One night when she's alone Amelia grabs a flashlight and finds some disturbing clues in her neighbor's garage. What really happened to her neighbor? Amelia is determined to find out. Award winning author Greg Messel spins a new tale of intrigue in Cable Car Mystery, the sixth book in the Sam Slater Mystery series set in at the 1950s in San Francisco.


My Thoughts:
This is a good one.  Sam and Amelia are PI's from San Francisco.  While running errands, Sam saves a woman who tells him that she was pushed from the cable car.  Then, she disappears but the newspaper tells the story and the lady's boyfriend hires Sam and Amelia to find her.  Amelia also has a mystery to solve of the next door neighbor missing.
Ok, to start out with, I love the old pictures at the start of each chapter.  I liked the 'old time' feeling of the writing and how the author wove the story together.  There is action in it but it isn't rushed.  The story is told and the characters show you what is going on.  I wasn't certain how the two cases were going to be linked or even if they would be and I really liked how the author handled both of them. I really liked both Amelia and Sam and rooted for them throughout the book.  Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
4/5 for me.  I plan to look into the previous books in this series!

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book (via PUYB).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review adn the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Interview with Author P.S. Malcolm

Displaying 12920269_1325619264120733_7381678497193787368_n - Copy.jpgAW: Tell us about yourself…


 P.S.Malcolm: I'm 18 years old. My first novel submission ever was accepted by a publishing company when I was only 17, but the company later went out of business so it didn't make it to shelves. I grew up in the tropics of North Queensland, right next to the beautiful Great Barrier Reef! I love cats, tea, and  of course, writing stories!
AW: What genera do you write and why?


P.S.Malcolm: It honestly depends on what I want to write, but mainly I stick to YA Fiction, Romance, Adventure/Thriller and Fantasy/Paranormal. I can't wait to give other genres a crack...

AW: Tell us about your book….



P.S.Malcolm: My book, Stuck on Vacation With Ryan Rupert, is a book I wrote when I was 15. It's been through a lot since then, and now, I'm proud to be able to release it for publishing on June 30 2016

It's about a girl named Aubany, who is forced to go on vacation with her mortal enemy, and neighbour, Ryan Rupert, to an island paradise-- which wouldn't usually be a problem, but she's got a huge fear of the sea. And if that wasn't enough, there's a psycho trying to kill them. 
AW: What was your inspiration for this book?

P.S.Malcolm: I got inspired to write this when I went on a holiday with my friend. At the time I had a huge crush on someone who I knew would never 'like' me, and I thought... 'wouldn't it be ironic if we ran into them here? It's the perfect place for a love story to unfold.'
Three days into the trip, I couldn't sit still because I'd created a massive story idea in my head. The moment I got home, I went straight to the computer, and banged the entire book out in one week

AW: Do you have a favorite character and why that one?

P.S.Malcolm: I personally love Aubany-- she's my main character for a reason. She has so many qualities of mine, a lot of them hugely exaggerated, and I feel like she really grew with me as a person while writing this book. 

AW: Did you find anything particularly difficult in writing this book?

P.S.Malcolm: I actually purposely avoided a lot of things I shouldn't have when I first wrote the book. My editor pointed out to me how important it was that those things be included, like Aubany's relationship with her parents. Especially seeing as her mum is sick with Cancer. Coming from a family where we're not as close as most other families, it was hard for me to write the emotion well and imagine what Aubany's situation might be like.

AW: What project(s) are you currently working on?

P.S.Malcolm: I'm currently putting all my energy into this series-- which has three books in total. On the side, I'm also working on The Starlight Chronicles Series, the one that got accepted when I was 17. I plan to pursue this series afterwards, when I have some more experience in the industry, as it's a much bigger series. 

AW: Do you have any interesting writing quirks you want to tell us about?

P.S.Malcolm: When I get invested in a novel idea, I can write it in the space of a week (at least 300 pages). After that, it's months and months of editing that take up the time. 

AW: Do you have any advice for writers out there?

P.S.Malcolm: My advice to you-- don't let the little things hold you back. Writer's block happens, and it passes. Financial problems can be overcome or worked around. Fear of the unknown is natural, and best fought head on. Traditional publishing is only the cheaper route-- not the route that determines your worth as a writer. A successful writer succeeds because they work hard at everything they do, and they take the time to improve their skills and seek help from others. So even if you choose to Self-Publish, you have every chance of being as well known and liked as someone who had the support of an entire company behind them-- the only difference is you did more to get where you are now. Don't limit yourself-- explore every opportunity around you.

AW: Where can we find you? 
P.S.Malcolm:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPM/?fref=nf&pnref=story
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaganMalcolm
Website: http://psmalcolm.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14905469.P_S_Malcolm

AW: And of course we have to know, where can we find your book? P.S.Malcolm: As well as on my website, you can find it here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01FGT7DEK
Wattpad (Preview): https://www.wattpad.com/user/PSMalcolm

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon

Sea Rose Lane (Hope Harbor #2)
Book Description:
Three-Time RITA Winner Invites Readers Back to the Captivating Coastal Town of Hope Harbor 
After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to the town where he grew up--only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed & breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he's constantly distracted by noise, chaos--and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect and construction chief who's invaded the house with her motley crew. 
As for BJ, her client's son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn't high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces to create a program for Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves? 
Three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon takes readers back to Hope Harbor for a new season of charm, romance, and second chances.

My Thoughts:
Sweet romance.  Eric has come home after losing his job as an attorney in a big firm, only to find that it isn't what he was expecting.  His childhood house is being turned into a B&B.  BJ is the one who is converting the house and she and Eric don't exactly see eye to eye.  BJ has come to town hiding from her broken heart.  The two of them may clash but at the same time, they just WORK together and maybe each is just what the other needs.So the first meeting of Eric and BJ...yeah, priceless!  I do believe I enjoyed it much more than the two of them though.  I liked Eric and BJ, both were good people and both trying to work through their issues.  There were some entertaining moments and problems but most of the story centers around Eric and BJ's growing relationship.  I did feel that it overshadowed the actual story line but it was enjoyable to read and I absolutely want to come back to Hope Harbor!
It was a joy to read this romance.  4/5 for me. Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Defiance Cover Reveal!!!

✯☆҉‿➹⁀☆҉☆Cover Reveal ✯☆҉‿➹⁀☆҉☆




Title: DEFIANCE

Author: R.S. Broadhead
Publisher: CHBB Publishing
Genre: New Adult Paranormal
Cover Designer: Rue Volley 

Editor: Editor: Elizabeth Lance, EAL Editing Services
Expected Release Date: July 12th, 2016
Blurb:
I. Am. Death.

His only job? To watch. 

Watch the family Fate branded for death be butchered by a random drunk.

Cadeus Reaper was created by Grim for reaping souls. So why can’t he do the one thing he was made for?

Cadeus always knew he was different from other Reapers. Still – he struggled to fit in, to follow orders, and earn his way to the top spot of Demoral as he was intended for, that is until he reaps a soul for the first time.

He defied Death’s law by attempting to stop a human from being executed.

He failed.

Or so he thought.
His crime would not go unpunished or unnoticed.
Trapped. In a cell. For over twenty years as mental and physical abuse haunted him--only to discover that the girl he tried to save is very much alive--but will soon be dead.

With no other choice, Cadeus has to do the impossible. Escape an inescapable prison. With the help of a newfound friend, he manages to reach freedom, only to find the world he once knew is gone. Grim has disappeared, leaving utter chaos. Fate, along with other Reapers, have taken over his home, the realm of Nekroun Earth.

Along with Demons and Angels, Fate has demanded the girl that Cadeus saved be found. Can Cadeus get to her first? Or will she end up in the hands of a fate she’s been running from?
Releasing July 12th
Goodreads ~ http://bit.ly/295DOma
About The Author
R.S. Broadhead is the author of new adult paranormals. When she's not writing you can find her ghost hunting, taking a nap, or surfing the web for creepy stories for inspiration on her next novel. She lives in Alabama with her husband, two feisty girls, and a gassy pug! She loves to chat with readers!

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Bright Blaze of Magic (Black Blade, #3)
Book Description:
"The characters are as fantastic as Estep fans have come to expect." – RT Book Reviews
Bad Things Always Come In Threes…
As a thief, I'm good at three things: hiding in the shadows, getting in and out unseen, and uncovering secrets. I put these skills to work for the Sinclair Family, one of the magical mobs that run the tourist town of Cloudburst Falls. 
Everyone knows Victor Draconi wants to take over all the other Families--and kill every last Sinclair. What they don't know is that I'm on to him, and no way will I let the man who murdered my mom get away with hurting all the other people I care about. Especially when I've got places to break into, stuff to steal, and Devon Sinclair fighting right by my side… 
"An adventurous ride you will never want to get off." --#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout on Cold Burn of Magic

My Thoughts:
So, super excited about this book.  Lila, Felix and Devon are sneaking and finishing a job for the Sinclair family.  It seems the Draconi's timeline may be sooner than any of them expected, but no one was prepared for what happened.  Always the thief, Lila is good at staying out of sight,  but maybe this time she isn't supposed to.  To save herself and those she loves, she will have to stand up to the man who brutally murdered her mother and win.
I completely adore Lila.  She is such a strong and capable character.  She can scale buildings, fight with swords, kick some serious butt, BUT she can't take those she loves being hurt.  Her and Devon's relationship makes me smile.  I also love how her mother's friends are there for her and we learn a lot of backstory that completes the picture.  I am sad that the series is over but the story is so great.  Love the characters, plenty of action, and you just cannot go wrong reading this series!
Absolutely a 5/5.  Estep did a wonderful job tying up this trilogy in a neat bow (but did leave it open for maybe future books??? Fingers Crossed!)

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

The Goodbye Bride by Denise Hunter

The Goodbye Bride (Summer Harbor, #2)Book  Description:
She only remembers loving him. But he can’t forget the way she left.

Following a concussion, Lucy Lovett can’t remember the last seven months of her life. She doesn’t remember leaving her fiancé Zac Callahan weeks before their wedding or moving to Portland, Maine. And she sure doesn’t remember getting engaged to another man. All she remembers is loving Zac more than life itself.

It’s taken Zac months to move on after Lucy left him with no explanation. He’s thrown himself into his family’s farm and his restaurant business in Summer Harbor. Now Lucy’s back, vulnerable, homeless, and still in love with him. She needs his help putting the pieces together, but letting her back into his life is a risk—and the stakes are high. If he follows his heart he’ll win back the love of his life. But if her memory returns he’ll lose her all over again.
 

My Thoughts:
Great book.  Just before they are to be married, Lucy leaves Zac.  Zac doesn't know why she did or what happened to her, then seven months later, he gets a call.  Lucy has amnesia and has no memory of the last months or leaving Zac.  She is still in love with him and needs his help.  Zac is hesitant because he doesn't want to have his heart broken again when/if Lucy regains her memory.
I didn't feel lost because this is a second book in the series, instead it read great as a stand alone book.I absolutely am in love with Zac.  He is an amazing man and just wow!  Lucy was a great character as well, very easy to relate to and her amnesia adds a level of mystery.  Once I picked up this book, I did not want to put it down.  I had to know what happened to make Lucy leave Zac.  It just seemed completely wrong and confusing!  The attraction between the two of them is just swoon-worthy and I am excited to read what happens next in this series.Loved it!  5/5, it is the second in the Summer Harbor series but is a great stand alone.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via The Fiction Guild).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Monday, June 20, 2016

His Lass Wears Tartan by Kathleen Shaputis Book Blast!






TitleHIS LASS WEARS TARTAN
Author: Kathleen Shaputis
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Pages:  270
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Buy Now: Amazon

Independent and dedicatedly single, Rogue Bruce enjoys running Castle Baillie with her Aunt Baillie from America. They specialize in romantic Elizabethan-themed weddings, complete with resident ghost, Lord Kai (nothing like a haunted castle to set the mood for love). But love is something Rogue is not the least bit interested in. Content with her work and stable of horses, no man is necessary for her happiness.
 
Matchmaking is in the air, though, focusing on Bruce MacKenzie, a Thor in plaid and jeans from town, and Jonathan Olson, a snobbish Rhett Butler type. With two men after her heart (she’d thought safely locked away), Rogue is torn with confusion. Murder and a psychic yank the soundtrack of Rogue’s life from romantic to scary, while she has choices to make in this sizzling triangle.


Saturday, June 18, 2016

Royal Enchantment By Lia Davis Book Blitz!

Fans of C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe are sure to fall in love with Lia Davis’ latest fantasy romance novella, ROYAL ENCHANTMENT!

Rafflecopter Code: <a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29234/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="b050ef29234" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_yfrzaua1">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
Direct link:  http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29234/?

Synopsis:

One Skeleton Key. Endless Adventures.

Ava Green has made a name for herself in the real estate world by reconditioning old, historical homes with her partner and friend Jeff. But her newest project, a three-story Victorian in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, promises to be her biggest moneymaker yet. And one she’s undertaking on her own. During her first walk-through of the house, however, she discovers a locked door, and a skeleton key that seems to appear out of nowhere. Unlocking the door, she is transported to a mystical world of fae and mythickal creatures and meets the King of the Morna. The sovereign of the Dark Elves.
King Finn Sylcan has searched for the one who can bring the magick back to his world, Edra, for eons. An old prophecy told of a female of both Dark and Light elven descent, a hybrid both Calim and Morna. It is said she is the only one who can repair the damage the war between the Dark and Light kingdoms caused. But after searching for so long, Finn never dreamed that she’d just show up outside his palace walls. Or that she’d be his mate.

Available at:  Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | ARe

Add ROYAL ENCHANTMENT to your Goodreads TBR list!


About Lia Davis
In 2008, Lia Davis ventured into the world of writing and publishing and never looked back. She has published more than twenty books, including the bestselling A Tiger’s Claim, book one in her fan favorite Ashwood Falls series. Her novels feature compassionate yet strong alpha heroes who know how to please their women and her leading ladies are each strong in their own way. No matter what obstacle she throws at them, they come out better in the end.
While writing was initially a way escape from real world drama, Lia now makes her living creating worlds filled with magic, mystery, romance, and adventure so that others can leave real life behind for a few hours at a time.
Lia’s favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties. . She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers, but it’s her home and she loves it! Sign up for her newsletter, become a member of her fan club, and follow her on Twitter  @NovelsByLia.




Thursday, June 16, 2016

An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller

An Unbroken Heart (Amish of Birch Creek #2)Book Description:
An argument. A crash. In an instant, Joanna’s world is changed forever.
One minute, Joanna Schrock was arguing with her parents, and the next, her parents’ lives were claimed in a hit-and-run buggy accident. Her body is broken, but her heart is in even deeper pain— after all, how do you cope with your parents’ deaths when your last words were spoken in anger?
After an extended stint in a physical rehabilitation center, Joanna re-enters her Amish life. But nothing is the same—not even her feelings for Andrew Beiler.
Joanna has loved Andrew since the age of twelve, and her feelings have not changed throughout the years. She is thrilled when Andrew wants to get married, but she wonders whether it’s love he’s feeling, or pity. As the couple’s wedding date approaches, Joanna isn’t overcome with the deep joy she was hoping to feel; instead, she’s wracked with anxiety and guilt.
Joanna hears God whispering to her, Be strong and courageous, but she’s afraid that courage looks a lot like walking away from her dreams and into the plan of her Heavenly Father.
If Joanna takes the first step toward healing, will it cost her everything she’s ever wanted? Or could God be changing the desires of her heart?


My Thoughts:
This was a really good book.  Joanna is telling her parents about her feelings for Andrew and arguing when they are killed in a buggy accident.  She is hurt mentally, physically and spiritually from this accident and it's repercussions.  She is set to marry Andrew but as they get closer to the wedding, she has more and more doubts.  She has to rely on God to follow His will, but is afraid of what that could mean.
Let me start with saying, this author has a way of making you feel everything the character is feeling.  With Joanna it is so heartbreaking, especially with how she lost her parents.  I loved how God's love shone throughout the whole book.  Going back after her extended rehab isn't easy as everything has changed, but Joanna does it. She isn't certain Andrew wants to marry her for love and all the questions she has, there is only one place to go for answers. Overall, I liked the story and will look for more from this author.
It was a 4/5 for me.  Heartbreaking, but wonderful story about God's love.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via The Fiction Guild).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Monday, June 13, 2016

A Dream of Miracles by Ruth Reid

A Dream of Miracles (The Amish Wonders #3)Book Description:
Amish widow Mattie vows never to love again . . . until a suspicious outsider with a shadowy past comes crashing into her fragile world. 
Mattie Diener can barely keep it together. A young Amish widow and mtother of two young children, she faces the lingering heartbreak of lost love, her son’s mysterious illness, and a torrent of accusations that threaten to undo her.
Bo Lambright is a fast-rising social services investigator whose high-society mother won’t rest until she finds his Mrs. Right. Despite Bo’s worldly success, the raw ache of a shadowy past and a series of unsettling dreams have left him reeling.
When Mattie and Bo cross paths, all signs point to disaster. Yet as they face a crucible of trials and tragedies together, longings begin to stir that seem destined only to end in more heartbreak. Is a miracle possible—not only of healing but of forbidden love? What secrets lie in Bo’s dreams? And will Mattie find the courage to face her uncertain future . . . or will she simply run away?

My Thoughts:
I have to say this is one of the most original Amish stories I have ever read.  Mattie is a widowed mother of two who is trying to get help for her son.  When CPS is called, she and Bo Lambright cross paths.  Bo understands more of Mattie's world than others.  Bo has disturbing dreams that bother him a great deal.  Still, he is of the world and she is not, and yet they find themselves attracted to each other.  
I was looking for this book to go a certain path and it didn't.  I shudder when I think of Mattie having to answer all the questions about her parenting and having to deal with CPS over this!  The terrible ordeal she has to go through is heartbreaking.  Bo was more than I expected him to be.  He has his issues, and understands what was going on in Mattie's case, but is also attracted to her!  I didn't put this book down once I started it. 
It was a solid 5/5 for me.  I will look for more from this author!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via the FictionGuild).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Blood Lust by Alexandra Ivy

Book Description

Friday, June 10, 2016

Wild Within by Christine Hartmann

Wild WithinBook Description:
A year after a family tragedy, Grace Mori embarks on the journey of a lifetime… 
Two thousand, six hundred miles of blistering heat, wilderness, and soul searching—that’s what Grace signed up for when she decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. It’s not a voyage for beginners, but with no husband and her family still recovering from her brother’s death, Grace is more alone than ever. 
This trail meant something to her brother, and she’ll hike it in his memory, but she can’t do it alone. So with her brother’s gear and a small group, Grace takes the most important first steps of her life. 
Grace finds something more than peace and magic on the trail… 
When her first day of hiking ends in heat stroke, Grace is rescued by a handsome, red-haired hiker who calls himself Lone Star. Grace has an immediate connection with him, and their brief encounter leaves her fearing her soul mate has slipped through her fingers. Although he vows to keep in touch, Grace doubts she’ll ever see him again. 
When fears become reality, the only people Grace can rely on may be killers... 
Grace is surprised to find notes left at supply posts along the trail. Lone Star’s eloquent letters keep Grace going, clinging to the hope she’ll find him—and happiness—at the end of her journey. But as the trail becomes more perilous, menace grows within the group. And when Lone Star’s letters mysteriously stop coming, Grace fears the worst. 
As tensions flare and a killer emerges, Grace must battle to survive…and reunite with the man she’s sure is her future.

My Thoughts:
Good book!  Grace is on a journey of healing and self-discovery.  Not to mention a dangerous trail that isn't for the faint of heart.  That being said, she does have an issue and meets a man she immediately connects with.  He doesn't stick around but promises to be in touch.  As she hikes, a bigger threat than she ever anticipated appears and she must do what she has to so she can survive.
I wasn't certain about this book.  I loved the cover and the description was good, but I just wasn't sure how the author was going to weave it all together.  I must say I completely enjoyed it!  Grace is a great character.  I loved the reason she did this hike and the scenery was gorgeous (seriously, you can 'see' it as you read!).  I enjoyed the back stories of the characters, but was left wanting more in Lone Star.  I did like the mix of mystery, romance, suspense and outdoors.  Learned a bit about hiking as well!
This was a 4/5 for me.  I am glad it is the first in a new series!
Thank you to PUYB for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Torment by R.S. Broadhead

TormentBook Description:
A mental hospital.
Reese Salt doesn’t know where she is or where she came from. She’s battling a darkness inside that makes her do things … inhumane things. This is how Reese wakes up after being locked away in a hospital for the mentally insane for over a year.
A year of being away from everything.
Reese’s next journey takes her across the world for training she needs to fight her greatest enemy—Dermetheus. The man who destroyed her life and plans to destroy the world. Can she find the strength to battle the beast inside to be who she needs to be?
With Reese being absent, things are chaotic for everyone left behind in Jackson. Shayla is forced to step up as leader and can’t seem to catch a break from the forces moving against them. Are they fighting a losing battle? Will Reese ever return?
Hope seems lost.
All they can do is believe in themselves in a time of despair. No matter what happens.
War is coming.
 

My Thoughts:
Holy cow, I couldn't wait to start this book to find out what was happening to these characters!  Reese is in a mental hospital because of the events in the end of the last book.  She is trapped inside herself and has to figure out who she is before she can become who she needs to be.  Shayla is dealing with everything, and not too well.  She misses her best friend, her boyfriend and life how it used to be.  The whole group has suffered but they need Reese to fight the darkness and return to complete her destiny.I wasn't sure I was going to like who Reese has become in this book, but I did.  She isn't the same, but she isn't too different either.  I felt terrible for Shayla.  She and Fuzz are having to deal with more than the rest and on a completely different level.  The story has plenty of action and a lot of finding yourself.  I was certain the author was going to bring a certain character back but maybe in a future book!  I cannot believe how the author left the story and left me wanting more of it!
A 5/5 for me.  I cannot wait to see where this goes next!  If you haven't read these books, start with book 1 to get to know the characters and back story.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Fan the Flames by Katie Ruggle

Book Description

Monday, June 6, 2016

Every Bride Has Her Day by Janice Thompson

Every Bride Has Her Day (Brides with Style #3)Book Description:
Another Delightful Romance from the Queen of Romantic Comedy 
Katie Fisher is ecstatic. Pro basketball star Brady James has proposed, and she can't wait to start planning their life together. She's confident she'll make it down the aisle this time--but it still may be easier said than done. A high-society Houston bride has Katie and the Cosmopolitan Bridal team scrambling to get the perfect dress done in time for her spectacular wedding. Meanwhile, Katie finds herself bombarded with everyone's competing visions regarding her own special day--and she's beginning to worry that her own ideas will get lost in the crossfire. Will she ever manage to settle all of the details for "her" perfect day? Or will bridal shop chaos and overzealous friends and family make a mess of everything? 
Fan favorite Janice Thompson gives readers what they've been clamoring for: another funny, romantic romp with a Texas twang.

My Thoughts:
This is another good book from Janice Thompson.  Katie is finally engaged to Brady!  She is super excited to plan her wedding.  Fitting that into her and Brady's schedules may be a bit of a challenge with the Wedding she is already planning needing to get special attention and go off without a hitch.  Still, she has ideas for her wedding and family and friends that will help make her visions a reality, right?
This is the third in this series and I was happy to catch up with these characters again.  Katie is crazy busy but wants certain things for her wedding to Brady.  Brady is just as busy with his basketball schedule.  The family and friend are sorta helping but sorta not.  If you read this book by itself, you will still enjoy it but I think you should start with book 1 and fall in love with the characters and read their story through!
It was a 4/5 for me.  These characters are so wonderful and fun!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Sovereign by Alexia Purdy

Sovereign (The ArcKnight Chronicles #4) (A Paranormal Shifter Romance)Book Description:
The City of Temple harbors all kinds of supernaturals, and danger lurks where it’s least expected. 

Seeking help from the untrustworthy Unseelie faeries, Lily and Declan, her zombie-like servant, race to take down the KelHan gargoyle army and save all they hold dear, including her love, Ephrem. But things are not as they had thought, and time has finally run out for them all. 

In this stunning fourth installment to The ArcKnight Chronicles, all is fair in love and war. 

My Thoughts:
Could not wait to get my hands on this book.  This is the conclusion of the Arcknight Chronicles and is great!  Lily is still trying to save her family and the packs from the gargoyle army.  She awakens Declan, Mila's first husband who is now a zombieish creature.  They determine going to the faeries for help is the best course of action, but will the price of their help be more than she can take?
Lily is still the strong character that I've grown to love.  She is fiercely loyal to her family and pack, even if they aren't the same to her.  Ephrem was great and I loved the battle scenes.  I wasn't certain I would like Declan at all, but he was a well written character.  I wasn't surprised by the traitor but completely enjoyed the scene where it all came out and thought it was perfect for this story.  
Absolutely a 5/5.  I say you start with book one and have a book marathon if you haven't ever tried this series.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.