Love, Lucas by Chantele Sedgwick + Giftcard and Book Giveaway!

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

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

If only it were that easy.

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

With her brother’s dying words as guidance, Oakley must learn to listen to and trust herself again. She soon realizes that second chances are ways to learn from the past, and you don’t always have to leave the past behind to find happiness in the future.

 * Goodreads * Barnes & Noble * Amazon *

I'm so happy to be a part of this tour for Love, Lucas.  When I signed on for this tour I was really hoping to love this book.  It sounded like it had emotional potential and one thing I love when I read books is to be sucked in emotionally.

Oakley's brother has just passed away from cancer.  She is devastated, hurting and feeling so alone.  Her parents are struggling separately and together and Oakley is basically left to work through all these feelings on her own.  It's just heart wrenching.

I did love the emotional connection I felt to Oakley.  I was caught up and invested in this book the whole way through.  It was sad and hopeful at the same time.  I will admit to shedding a few tears throughout this book.  It was really good.  Oakley is on an emotional journey, trying to heal and find a way back to herself and I went on the journey with her.

Carson is all things fantastic.  He is sweet and charming and thoughtful.  He is so kind to Oakley and looks past the emotional turmoil and anger to see the real her.  Yeah, he is a good book boyfriend.  :)

I had the chance to ask the author a few questions for this post.  How fun, right?  Here's what went down:

What are ten things we need to know about Carson?

10 Things You Need To Know About Carson:

1. Heart of Gold

2. Nice Beach Body (Of course!)

3. Close to his family. Especially his sister.

4. Skittles are his candy of choice.

5. Awesome surfer

6. Spends free time listening to music. (He's a big fan of Coldplay)

7. He's all about helping people.

8. Truly cares about those he loves.

9. He was a straight A student in high school.

10. Bought and fixed up his awesome jeep himself. (Who doesn't like a guy who works on cars?)

Which character from your book would you most like to have dinner with?

Dinner With Oakley. Just so I can give her a big hug.

Tell us about a typical day in the life of Chantele Sedgwick.

A Day in the life of Chantele Sedgwick consists of many glamorous things. Like getting up at 6:20 to go to the gym, waking the kids up when I get back, getting breakfast ready, doing hair and taking my two oldest to school. Then I get to hang out with my two youngest and watch CARS and EVER AFTER HIGH at least once a day each. I try to squeeze in a shower at some point, do mountains of laundry, make lunches, get kids in baths, pick up kids from school and take them to different appointments, help with homework and projects. I end the day with getting dinner on the table, putting the kids to bed, hanging with the hubby for a bit before I write until bed. SO VERY GLAMOROUS I tell you. Haha. I love my kids and my hubby though and they always come first before writing. That's the way it should be. :)

Chantele Sedgwick is a YA author, harpist, wife to one and stay-at-home mom to four. She loves happy endings, Kit Kats and judging by her book shelves, buys way too many books.

Website: http://www.chantelesedgwick.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5772887.Chantele_Sedgwick

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChanteleSedgwick

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chantelesedg

Blog: http://chantelesedgwick.blogspot.com

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/channywax/

Enter the Giveaway!

Prize pack 1: Signed hardcover copy of Love, Lucas, a Micro Mini Book necklace of your choice (Up to $9.95) from the Tiny Book Town Etsy Shop and a full swag pack (US Only)

Prize Pack 2: $10 Amazon Gift Card and a full swag pack (US Only)

Starts: April 27th, 2015

Ends: May 6th, 2015

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Robin's Reward by June McCrary Jacobs

Bonita Creek’s librarian Robin Bennett is heartbroken after being abandoned by her husband, Thomas. The mysterious and handsome Jeff Clarke arrives unexpectedly and touches Robin’s life with his wit and warmth. Then, without warning, Jeff’s harsh words and abrasive actions scare her off, and Robin’s hope of finding true love withers again.

Just when it seems Robin and Jeff might have a future, Susan Stinson, whose cruel taunting has plagued Robin since they met as young teens, decides Jeff should be hers, not Robin’s. Susan’s anger and jealousy escalate dangerously. Her vindictiveness threatens the foundation of Jeff and Robin’s young relationship.

Robin’s journey through the peaks and valleys of her life meanders along the twists and turns of new challenges. Is a relationship which began with both parties harboring secrets destined to survive? Can they move past their troubles and the obstacles in their path to find love and happiness together? When their pasts rear their ugly heads, Jeff and Robin must use their faith to remain strong and true. But will it be enough for them to embrace a life of love, trials, and blessings . . . together?

* Goodreads * Barnes & Noble * Amazon *

If you are a in the mood for a sweet, gentle, Christian fiction book, then this is probably exactly what you are looking for!

Robin's Reward really is sweet.  The main characters are polite and well mannered, educated and smart.  Robin is a bit jaded due to events in her past.  She takes offense quickly and has a hard time trusting Jeff.  Robin has a beautiful garden full of flowers and vegetables that I fully envied in my head!  :)

This book felt like a blanket on a cold day.  You can cozy up with it and be lulled into a serene place.  The down side to lulled and serene is that sometimes I felt like things were moving so slowly.  The story, while sweet, lacked the emotional investment that I was looking for.  My heart never pounded, my gut never clenched.  I felt like I was being told a story and sat on the outside looking in.

Still, I enjoyed much of the book and I fully appreciate that this book is squeaky clean.  No swearing, no sexual content.  This is a Christian fiction book so there are Christian elements and talk of God.

June is giving away two signed copies of 'Robin's Reward' on her website. (United States residents only. No purchase necessary.) The Rafflecopter contest will end on May 31st, and June would like to invite readers to enter for a chance to win one of these paperbacks. Here's the link to the entry form: http://www.junemccraryjacobs.com/robins-reward-autographed-copy-giveaway/ 

Award-winning author, June McCrary Jacobs, was the winner of Cedar Fort Publishing’s 2013 Holiday Tale Contest for her debut novella, ‘A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom’. ‘Robin’s Reward’ is her first full-length novel, and is set in her favorite location in California—the Mendocino coastal region. This book is the first installment of the ‘Bonita Creek Trilogy’.

June’s original sewing, quilting, and stitchery designs have been published in over one hundred books, magazines, and blogs in the past few years. When she’s not writing, reading, or sewing, June enjoys cooking, walking, and visiting art and history museums. She also enjoys touring historic homes and gardens and strolling around the many historic Gold Rush towns in the Sierra Nevada foothills. In the summertime you can find June at a variety of county fairs and the California State Fair admiring the sewing projects, quilts, and handiwork other inspired seamstresses, quilters, craftspeople, and artists have created.

June enjoys connecting with readers, authors, aspiring writers, bloggers, designers, sewers, quilters, and crafters. Please connect with June at the following platforms:

Email: junemccraryjacobs@gmail.com

Website & Blog: http://www.junemccraryjacobs.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/June-McCrary-Jacobs/153549754836128

Amazon.com Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/june-mccrary-jacobs

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/June-McCrary-Jacobs

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/june-mccrary-jacobs/a3/6a8/779

On Tour with Katia's Promise + $100 and Book Giveaway!

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

 Katia's Promise

(Shores of Indian Lake #4)

by Catherine Lanigan

Adult Contemporary Romance

May 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Katia Stanislaus is a top insurance agent in Chicago, but her company is about to fold if she can't pull off a miracle. She convinces her boss to relocate to Indian Lake where she lived as a child and broke the heart of the one man whose account would be enough to save her job and her company. The only problem is that Austin McCreary has been a near recluse since the day Katia left him. Austin won't take her calls and appears set on revenge for the pain Katia has caused him. Just seeing Austin, catapaults Katia back to the time when she was 16 and so very much in love. But it was just a teenage crush, wasn't it?

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin

I will admit that I haven't read the previous books in this series.  Katia's Promise is the fourth book in this Shores of Indian Lake series but each book can stand alone and is not dependent on the others.  Although, the couples from the previous books were in this book and I could tell that they would have meant more to me if I had read the books in order.

Katia and Austin have a past.  Things didn't end well between them.  Well, actually, they didn't even end.  Things just dropped off abruptly and there was no closure which left many unanswered questions.  That left two people with a lot of baggage to work through when they connected again.

I always enjoy the Harlequin Heartwarming line because I know I am going to get a sweet, clean romance.  This was a gentle romance to settle in with.  Austin and Katia go around and around and around before finally figuring things out in the very end.   Austin and Katia need each other and they are good for each other.  Knowing that the whole book while they tried to battle their demons was a bit like torture!  haha.  I found myself becoming a bit impatient with them, but all's well that ends well.  :)

This is a clean romance with no content to disclose.  (yay!!)  I will be keeping this author and the rest of the books in this series in my sights for future reading!

Other Books in the Series

  

Links for Love Shadows

(Shores of Indian Lake #1)

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin

Links for Heart's Desire

(Shores of Indian Lake #2)

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin

Links for A Fine Year for Love

(Shores of Indian Lake #3)

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin

Catherine Lanigan is the bestselling author of over thirty published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile, as well as over half a dozen anthologies, including “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living your Dream”, “Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul”, “Chocolate for a Woman’s Heart”, Chocolate for a Woman’s Spirit”. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Ms. Lanigan’s novels are also available on audio-cassette, CD and on electronic format. A prolific writer, she is always writing wonderful stories. She has several titles only available in ebook format on Amazon.com Several of her titles have been chosen for The Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Her novel, The Christmas Star, won the Gold Medal Award Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine for December, 2002, and has also won Book of the Year Romance Gold Award from ForeWord Magazine as well as Book of the Year Romance from Reader’s Preference. In March, 2006 Divine Nudges: Tales of Angelic Intervention and the second in Lanigan’s Angel Watch series of books, was published by HCI, the Chicken Soup for the Soul publisher.

Website - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Pinterest

Tour Schedule:

April 19th - Launch

April 20th - Coffee Books & Art

April 21st - Deal Sharing Aunt

April 22nd - The Written Adventure

April 23rd - I Am A Reader & Zerina Blossom's Books

April 24th - LeahSay's Views & The Opinionated Woman's Musings

April 26th - Wishful Endings & Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima

April 27th - Christy's Cozy Corners, i blog 4 books, & Getting Your Read On

April 28th - Mel's Shelves

April 29th - Katie's Clean Book Collection

April 30th - Lisa's Research & Reviews

May 1st - Grand Finale

Cover Reveal & Tour Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card
3 ebooks of Katia's Promise by Catherine Lanigan

Open internationally.
Ends May 8th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Together With You by Victoria Bylin

When a Lost Child warning blasts over the mall's PA system, toy store manager Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about five-year-old Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that Penny suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's own past suddenly confronts her. Never again will Carly become involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart. Before she has time to think it through, she agrees to a much-needed job as a nanny.

Dr. Ryan Tremaine knows he messed up his life. But this summer he will redeem himself. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan is dedicated to his sink-or-swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruiting Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny.

Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

When I saw this title on NetGalley, I knew I wanted to read it.  I'll admit that the cover attracted me too.  :)

This is a meaty sort of book.  Yes, it has a developing romance but nothing is really acted upon until the end of the book.  Ryan and Carly are attracted to each other from the beginning but there are some major issues that separate them.

Ryan and Carly are really opposites as to where they are in life.  Ryan is a bit older than Carly with teenage sons from a first marriage, and a daughter from an affair he had.  He is trying to make up for his mistakes and be a good father to his children but he is in a bit over his head.  His daughter suffers from FAE (fetal alcohol effects) and needs extra special care and attention.  It's a lot for one single dad to handle.  Ryan needs Carly so badly.

I loved Carly.  She is smart and capable but very soft and human too.  She loves with her whole heart.  She was easy to connect with.

Like I said, this book has some meat to it.  Real life complications are everywhere in this book.  The author does a great job of balancing things so the book doesn't ever feel too heavy.  This is also a Christian fiction book so there is talk about God.  

I really liked this book.  I read through it quickly and became invested early on.  I'll be looking for more books by this author!

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read and review titles for them via NetGalley.

The Perfect Fool by Bethany Zohner Herbert

Plucked from the streets to become a court jester, Farrago’s life couldn’t be better, especially now that he’s flirting with scullery maid Thea. But when Thea turns out to be a queen in disguise, Farrago may become as much a fool in love as in his occupation. This medieval tale is filled with romance, humor, and twists that will keep you guessing to the last page.

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

The beginning of this book was slow going for me.  I wasn't convinced I was going to like this book at all but thankfully things picked up and I ended up really enjoying myself.

This is supposed to be a "medieval" tale but it reads more like contemporary fiction.  The setting is in a more medieval time but the characters do not talk or act as such.  Which is fine, but just don't go into this book thinking you are getting a authentic feeling medieval tale.

I didn't love Farrago at first but he grew on me.  By the end I was a Farrago fangirl.  The book is told from his perspective only, so by the end I really felt like I knew Farrago and understood him more completely.  He really is a good guy.  :)

There is a fun cast of characters, a bit of intrigue and a happily ever after ending that wasn't completely what I was expecting.  I liked that.

Content:  Clean!

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade + $50 Giveaway

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Order your copy of A Love Like Ours by May 17th to have part of your proceeds go to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (more details on the Launch).

A Love Like Ours

(Porter Family #3)
by Becky Wade

Christian Contemporary Romance

Paperback, 368 Pages
May 5th 2015 by Bethany House Publishers

Deeply scarred from a day he wishes he could forget during his military service, Thoroughbred trainer Jake Porter has given up on love. He struggles against symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake's childhood best friend, returns to their hometown of Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake trusts her with his prized racehorse, Silver Leaf, then battles his hopes for his horse against his increasing fear for Lyndie's safety.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake's will, Lyndie's sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he's built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he'd thought he'd lost returns. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Christian Book - Book Depository

I honestly love this series.  I'm always anxiously awaiting the next book and the chance to read and review it.  This is one of my favorite Christian Fiction series.

Jake is a tough nut to crack.  Because of the horrific events surrounding his military service, Jake suffers from PTSD.  In order to keep it all together, he has hardened himself and built walls of protection.  It's how he copes.  But, Lyndie has loved Jake forever and she is determined to find a way in and make Jake love her again.

I love Lyndie.  She is determined but always gentle and loving.  She tries to understand and she wants to help.  Not pity, but compassion and empathy.  I think people who have grown up with a special needs sibling in their home have a special knack for understanding and loving people better.  That natural instinct for compassion and patience is so attractive.  This is what Lyndie brings to the relationship.

The slow progression for Jake is so satisfying to read.  I loved the flow of the book and I loved learning in bits about both Jake and Lyndie.  This is one of those "feel good" books leave you so content in the end.  It's a great addition to this Porter Family series.  I loved it!

Content:  Clean- some kissing.  Flashback to a violent military accident.  

During her childhood in California, Becky Wade frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky's passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for many years to care for her kids, and eventually returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She’s delighted to be penning warm, wry, and heartwarming contemporary romances for the Christian market. She's the Carol Award and Inspirational Reader's Choice Award winning author of My Stubborn Heart, Undeniably Yours, and Meant to Be Mine.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.

Website - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest

Other Books by the Author

  

Links for My Stubborn Heart

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Christian Book - Book Depository

Links for Undeniably Yours (Porter Family #1)

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Christian Book - Book Depository

Links for Meant to Be Mine (Porter Family #2)

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Christian Book - Book Depository

Tour Schedule:

April 20th - Launch

April 21st - Babs Book Bistro & Min Reads and Reviews

April 22nd - Bookworm Lisa & My Devotional Thoughts

April 23rd - Katie's Clean Book Collection, Pieces of Whimsy, & Getting Your Read On

April 24th - I Am A Reader & Mommabears Book Blog

April 26th - Christian Bookshelf Reviews & Worthy2Read

April 27th - Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
Signed copy of A Love Like Ours (US Only)
1 Kindle ebook (gifted through Amazon) of A Love Like Ours (INT - if available in your area)

Ends May 4th

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The Vagabond Vicar by Charlotte Brentwood

William Brook is an idealistic young cleric, desperate to escape dreary England for a mission adventure in exotic lands. It's his worst nightmare come true when he is posted to a parish in a small backwater village, populated with small-minded people and husband-hunting mamas. He’s determined not to form any ties and to escape the country as an independent single man.

A free spirit, Cecilia Grant is perfectly content to remain in her family home in Amberley village - when she's not wandering the countryside at all hours painting. Marriage options are few, but that won't stop her mother from engineering a match with one of the ruling family's sons. Cecilia attempts to win the man, but what is it about the new vicar and his brooding ways that is so appealing? Could he be the only one who has ever really understood her, and can she discover what he is running away from?

As William struggles not to fall in love with the lady's intoxicating beauty and mysterious eccentricity, he finds himself drawn into the lives of the villagers, despite their best efforts to alienate the newcomer. When he makes it clear he's not sticking around, Cecilia strives to restrain her blossoming feelings for him. Just when it seems love may triumph, dark secrets are revealed in Amberley and a scandal from William’s past may see the end of not only his career, but his chance at finding an everlasting love.

The Vagabond Vicar is an unashamedly romantic historical novel you'll fall in love with. If you love Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, can't get enough of Downton Abbey or Cranford, or just prefer old-fashioned boy-meets-girl stories, try reading Charlotte Brentwood.

Sensuality level: sweet (only kissing)
Please note, although there is some mention of religious subject matter due to the hero's occupation, this is not an "inspirational" novel.

* Goodreads * Amazon *

Since the blurb for this book is so long, I won't do any sort of recap summary here.  I'll just jump right into what I thought!  :)

This was a good regency romance.  It was gentle and slow moving as you might expect.  The characters were good and although I didn't feel particularly attached to them, I was interested in them and their outcome.

Both William and Cecilia (especially William) spend a lot of time in the book remunerating the many fantastic qualities of the other.  Sometimes the on and on repeated descriptions got a bit much but overall this was a book I enjoyed.  It was clean and sweet and full of classic, small English town quirks and had many of the qualities you might look for if you love regency romance.

California Dreamin': A Timeless Romance Anthology

Six brand new contemporary romance novellas with bestselling and award winning authors.

In the sweet novella TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Heather B. Moore, Gwen uses her wedding photography business to keep her life simple and focus on something other than her own broken heart. When Jack, a guy too handsome for his own good, helps her clean up after a photoshoot, then asks her out, she doesn’t know if she can handle dating again. But Jack’s charm wins her over, and she agrees to meet him for dinner. The more she gets to know Jack, the more she likes him, but everything about him seems too good to be true.

GONE FISHING, a charming novella by Kaylee Baldwin, follows Claire as she tries to convince her dad to leave his start-up company as a boat guide and come back home to Colorado. He’s the only one who can defend Claire against her domineering mother. But when she arrives at the San Diego harbor, she’s met with more than one surprise. First, that her dad is truly living his dream and has never been happier, and second, she’s unexpectedly attracted to his business partner, Miguel.

In THE PIER CHANGES EVERYTHING, an enchanting novella by Annette Lyon, Alexandria has one last task to perform for her late husband, who died much too young: scatter his ashes in the Pacific Ocean. She goes to the Santa Monica Pier to do just that, but her plans get sidetracked after meeting Michael and feeling an immediate connection to him. They grab lunch, and the more time they spend together, the more they discover that they have in common—including past romantic hardships. As the day wears on, Alexandria begins learn that her heart just might be able to find love again.

In Jennifer Moore’s captivating novella A HERO’S SONG, AnneMarie’s career as a romance novelist is skyrocketing and her agent books her on a late night talk show. The host gets her to admit that she was in love once, with a guitar player. Moments after her segment, Lance Holden appears on the same stage, to perform his newest song. Is it a terrible coincidence? AnneMarie hasn’t seen Lance ever since he broke her heart ten years ago, and she has refused to think about him again. Their lives are worlds apart, but as Lance tries to reconcile with AnneMarie, she finds herself taking a second chance.

In STAY WITH ME, an endearing novella by Shannon Guymon, Jolie moves to L.A. to take on a nanny position for the summer, since apparently having a degree in art doesn’t translate to getting a job as a graphic designer. When Fitz, the family’s chauffeur, picks her up at the airport, she wonders if every man in LA is model-gorgeous. When Jolie meets her two charges, she finds them adorable and needy. But it’s harder to hold onto her job than she thought with a hostile Mrs. James and her spoiled brother. Fitz becomes both the silver lining of her job and the man who just might convince her to stay in L.A.

In the delightful novella, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, by Sarah M. Eden, Ada is the best realtor around. The best. She prides herself in matching each client with the house that will fit all of their needs. She hasn’t failed yet. So when Craig hires her to find him the perfect condo for him and his son, Ada is up for the challenge. What she may not be prepared for is her unforeseen attraction to Craig, her immediate attachment to his nine-year-old son, and her heart telling her that it’s okay to take another chance.

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

Ooh, this one was L*O*V*E for me!  My favorite authors all combined with my favorite setting in the world.  California.  Yes, I'm biased.  I grew up in California, my family is in California and even though I'm not living there now, bits of my heart are scattered all over that state.

 These romance novellas are all sweet and clean.  They made my romantic heart flutter and brought a smile to my face.  I really loved all of them.  As per usual, I plowed right through them all, one right after the other. The great thing about these collections is you can read them one at a time when you have a few spare minutes, or you can devour them all in one sitting like me.  :)

Love, love, love!  

Lord John's Dilemma (Grenville Chronicles Book 2) by G.G. Vandagriff

When Lord John returns from the Battle of Waterloo nursing a serious wound and a case of melancholia, he is hopeful of beginning a happier phase in his life. His sights are set on the lovely Miss Lindsay, his country neighbor’s daughter. But to his mystification, he keeps getting distracted by her family’s governess—a little dab of a thing who is not at all what she seems.

His determination to solve the mystery of Miss Haverley begins to seriously undermine his interest in Miss Lindsay, who is confident he is about to offer for her. In the face of this, how can he pursue his interest in the family governess? Not only must he solve this dilemma, but he must discover what the petite woman is hiding.

When Miss Haverley begs him to resist satisfying his curiosity because such a course could bring her harm, his dilemma doubles. He is more determined than ever to rescue her from whatever demons she is trying to escape, for Miss Haverley alone seems to have the power to stir him to passion and hope for a new life.

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

Sometimes this girl is just in the mood for a good regency romance.  This book fit the bill perfectly.  Imagining those lovely dresses, walks in the garden and taking tea is all part of the regency charm.

Lord John is tired.  After facing the atrocities of war, he is longing for a quiet life in the country to lift his spirits and rejuvenate his soul.  Now he needs to find a wife who shares the same desires.  Lord John thinks he knows what he wants but then he meets Miss Haverley and he becomes distracted by her loveliness and charm.  He knows there is more to Miss Haverley than meets the eye.  She is hiding something and he is determined to find out what and why.

Miss Haverley is a mystery and there are things about her that just don't add up.  She has everyone wondering.  Especially Lord John.  He is determined to unravel her secrets because she is the sunshine and light to his darkness.

I enjoyed this book and it's characters.  It was a gentle, easy read and I was quite content to stay in the English countryside with Lord John and Miss Haverley.  I need to pick up the first book in this series because I'm so curious about Lord John's brother and his story.  This book can stand alone though.  I don't think you need to read the first to be fully invested in the second.  It's just my curiosity now, driving me to read the first book.  I know where I'll go when that regency mood hits again!

Summer Queen (Fairy Queens #2) by Amber Argyle

Nelay never wanted to be queen.

Poised to become the most powerful priestess in Idara, Nelay doesn’t have time to become a pretty bauble for the king. She’s too busy saving her people from the invading army sweeping across her kingdom.

But in defeat after defeat, Nelay begins to realize a bigger power is at play than that wielded by mere mortals. Only she can stand between the cinders of her once-great nation and the vengeance of a goddess.

* Goodreads * Amazon *

Oh, man.  Wowza.  Okay.  Where do I start and what do I say?

Summer Queen is the second book in this series.  The first book in the series, Winter Queen (Fairy Queens Book 1) , will be on sale for .99 cents from April 10th-17th.  Of Fire and Ash is the prequel to Summer Queen and gives an excellent background on Nelay.  It really sets the stage for Summer Queen and helps you understand who Nelay is.  You can read Of Fire and Ash free!  Just click on the ebook format of your choice.  Mobi  Epub 

Summer Queen was intense.  Like scary intense.  At least for me it was.  There was so much going on in this book.  There were plots and sub-plots.  It was full on, all the time.  Several times I had to walk away from this book because the emotional intensity was too much.  I just needed to breathe for a few minutes and let the anger go.

Nelay is strong and smart and determined.  She knows what she wants and she has a plan.  Unfortunately, other people try to force her into things she doesn't want but Nelay is so determined.  She will accomplish what she has set out to do.  No matter what.

Nelay is also angry a lot.  She is a force to be reckoned with.  She is fiercely loyal to her family, her people and close friend.  Actually, Nelay is just fierce.  I wouldn't want to go up against her!  That is not to say that she doesn't have some softness in her, because she does.  It just doesn't come out a lot because she cannot afford to be soft.  To be soft would mean death in most instances.

This book is very violent.  So much fighting, so much death.  It was hard for me to read.  That, combined with the intensity, is the reason I had to put it down and walk away several times.  But this is a book about war and Nelay is in the middle of it, fighting for her life and her people.  She never gives up.  She never gives in.

I think the message I took away from this, in the end, was about love.  Love is what keeps us anchored.  It keeps our humanity.  Love is worth fighting for.

Amber Argyle is such a gifted writer.  She obviously knows how to draw the reader in and evoke real emotion.   The scenes were vivid and real in my head.  It takes talent to write like that. 

Content:  Violence (graphic, and lots of it), sexual innuendo and situations.  

Amber Argyle is the number-one bestselling author of the Witch Song Series and the Fairy Queen Series. Her books have been nominated for and won awards in addition to being translated into French and Indonesian.

Amber graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in English and physical education, a husband, and a two-year old. Since then, she and her husband have added two more children, which they are actively trying to transform from crazy small people into less crazy larger people.

To learn more about Amber, visit her blog at http://amberargyle.blogspot.com

From the Start by Melissa Tagg

Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

Melissa Tagg is one of my favorite Christian Fiction romance writers.  I love how she writes.  Her stories make me happy.  :)

Kate sure has a big heart.  I love that about her.  She comes from a fun family and I cannot wait to read everyone's stories.  It's going to be fun!  

Colton is a character that grows on you.  As you see his struggles and learn his story you become attached.  I couldn't help myself.  I desperately wanted Colton to figure things out, find his way and feel happiness.

I loved the small town feel of Maple Valley where everybody might be in everybody's business, but because of that, they also know how to help and support and pull together. 

I enjoyed every moment with Kate and Colton.  I was invested in the story, the characters and the outcome.  Now I'm back to watching and waiting for the next book...

This book is clean- no swearing or sexual content.  It is a Christian fiction book and there is talk of God.  

Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she is also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. She’s passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com.

Release Day for Scion (Supernaturals #3) by Kelly Oram! + a Giveaway

Scion (Supernaturals #3)

from bestselling author Kelly Oram

NOW AVAILABLE!

Just $3.99 on AMAZON

Title: Scion

Series: Supernaturals #3

Author: Kelly Oram

Publisher: Bluefields

Release Date: April 14, 2015

Other books in the series: Chameleon, Ungifted

Summary: Russ Devereaux used to have it all—loving father, beautiful best friend, a carefree life in a town he loved, and strong magic. He was the king of his happy universe. Five months ago, that life was taken from him. Do not pass Go. Do not collect two hundred dollars. 

He’s spent months fighting back and building himself a new life, in a new city, with new friends he now considers family. But suddenly, his new life might be in jeopardy of getting shot straight to hell just like the last one. Literally, this time.

He’s discovered power inside of him—an ancient, dark power that he shouldn’t have, can’t explain, can’t control, and definitely needs to keep secret. He needs answers, but before he can get them, he finds himself arrested and on his way to face the supernatural council. The same council that stole everything from him the first time.

As Russ struggles to keep his new power under wraps, his old life and he new one are about to collide and it’s bound to be explosive. He may not have all the answers he needs, but one thing is certain: he’ll be damned if anyone is taking his new life from him. That is, if he’s not just plain damned.

This is the third book in the Supernaturals series and you really need to read the previous books before picking this book up.  You will be so lost if you don't.  Luckily the first book is free today so if you haven't started this series and you want to, this is a good time!  :)

Each book in this series is about a different character.  Russ has been in the previous books so it was nice to finally have his story told.  There have been questions swirling around Russ for a long time and finally we have some answers.

This book is fast paced and full on in magic and super natural powers.  It is explosive.  Russ is a constant paradox.  He is good but bad.  Cursed but Blessed.  Full of love, full of hate.  It definitely keeps things interesting!

I love the whole cast of characters in these books.  I love how these friends stick together.  Always.  Clara plays a large role in this book and I can't wait to see her shine in the next book.  She is one powerful ~ whatever she is!

* Just as an FYI from me, this series is not what I would call "clean".  There is swearing and a lot sexual innuendo.  There is dark magic and some graphic scenes of violence.  If you care about content, there is my head's up so you aren't caught unaware!  :)

You can get started reading the series now. Chameleon, the first book in the series, is available for FREE DOWNLOAD on Amazon now through April 18th. 

It's a limited time offer, so don't miss out on the promotion! Snatch it up, while it's free!

Chameleon (Supernaturals#1)

For small-town rebel Dani Webber magic and monsters are no more real than the Easter Bunny… until the day she accidentally stops time. Dani quickly discovers that not only do supernaturals exist, but she herself is one of them. This is great news for her life-long best friend Russ, who can finally come clean about his own supernatural status and his undying love for her. Before the two can start to enjoy the long overdue relationship, Dani is taken by a powerful council of supernaturals who believe she is the Chosen One destined to save them from extinction. 

As if being kidnapped and expected to save the world isn’t bad enough, an ancient prophecy warns of the Chosen One’s dark nature: “Only the truest love will keep her an agent for good.” The council believes they know who this “true love” is and, unfortunately, that person isn’t Russ. The mysterious, powerful and devastatingly handsome Seer is the last person Dani wants in her life, but when she starts having visions of a horrific future, she has no one else to turn to for help. 
Soon Dani finds herself torn between two very different boys with two very different opinions of whom she can trust. With the visions getting worse and time running out, Dani is forced to put aside her feelings and work with both the Seer and Russ before an ancient evil is unleashed upon the earth.

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Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, four children, and a cat named Mr. Darcy.

Connect with her through social media:

Website * Amazon * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * GooglePlus

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