Friday, June 29, 2018

Unshattered: Overcoming Tragedy and Choosing a Beautiful Life by Carol J. Decker, Stacey L. Nash



On June 10, 2008, Carol Decker walked through the hospital doors a healthy woman with flu-like symptoms and early labor contractions. Three months later, she returned home a blind, triple-amputee struggling to bond with a daughter she would never see.

Unshattered: Choosing a Beautiful Life after Unspeakable Tragedy recounts Carol's fight for survival against sepsis and its life-shattering complications. From excruciating skin grafts to learning how to function in daily life without lower legs, a left hand, and her sight, Carol takes us on a personal and raw, yet inspiring journey. She travels through the darkness of trauma, anxiety, and depression to arrive, literally, at the peak of a mountain with a heart full of gratitude and love. More than a story of triumph over tragedy, the book offers inspiring life-lessons and insights which can help readers to do more than endure unimaginable pain and darkness in their own lives. This book can give them the perspective and strength to pick up the pieces of their own tragedies and choose a life of healing, purpose, and joy--a beautiful life.

 
Occasionally I love to pick up books about real people who have endured intense hardships and persevered, overcome.  It's always amazing to me how resilient the human spirit can be.  Reading books like this one restores my faith in humanity.  There really are so many good people out there, working hard to help other people and extending kindness in times of trouble.  Mostly it helps me put life back into perspective and remember the things that are most important.  I never want to take the good things and blessings in my life for granted.
 
Obviously, Carol Decker is a miracle.  She survived something few people do.  I am in awe of her persistence and how she has transformed something horrible into something beautiful.  Now she shares what she has learned with others and many lives are blessed by her courage and determination.  I am glad I picked this book up.  I feel better for reading it and that's one of the great things about books.  They fill so many different roles in life.  Sometimes I read to escape and be entertained, sometimes I read to learn something new.  Sometimes I read to be inspired by the triumphs of other people and I always read with the hopes of being a better person when I'm done.  Mission accomplished here.
 
- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.
 

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Sleepless Beauty (Someone Else's Fairytale #6) by E.M. Tippetts


Chloe could have had the perfect childbirth…

If only the baby hadn't come two weeks early

If only Jason wasn't working overtime to save his new television series

If only the television crew wouldn't antagonize the archaeologists working next to the set

If only the archaeologists hadn't found that dead body

If only the main suspect wasn't the beloved boyfriend of sweet Lizzie Warner, a girl who deserves to have it all…

Chloe’s first week of motherhood isn't going at all how she hoped, so she is determined to solve the murder, no matter what it takes. Perhaps then the second week can be magical.


This is a series I've been reading since the very beginning and one I would highly recommend reading in order.  If I would have started with this book, I would have been completely underwhelmed.  The characters development happen over the course of the series and the secondary characters all have a major part in different books so yeah, read them in order or you won't be very happy.

Because I have read all the books in this series, it was good to be back with Jason and Chloe again, starting a new chapter of their lives.  I really wish there would have been more interactions between Jason and Chloe, more personal and intimate conversations.  I felt like everything was very surface and I was lacking those emotional connections.  Having said that though, I did still enjoy this story.  Chloe is a smart gal and it's fun to watch her work her magic in solving crimes.  I like where this next book is headed and how the characters are coming together in new ways.  The ending left me wanting more for sure!

Content:  A murder and murder scene is discussed in detail which was a bit gruesome.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Here is something very happy!  You can pick up the first four books in this series right now through July 5th for just $.99!  How awesome is that?!  Four full length books for just a dollar.  



 

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

The Orphan's Wish (Hagenheim #8) by Melanie Dickerson


From the streets to an orphanage in a faraway kingdom, Aladdin has grown up alone. Until he meets Kirstyn. With a father who is the duke of Hagenheim and a mother who is the patroness of the orphanage where Aladdin lives, Kirstyn is a member of the most powerful family in the land . . . and way out of his league. Despite the difference in their stations, Aladdin quickly becomes Kirstyn’s favorite companion for taking walks in the forest, and their childhood friendship grows along with them.

Through his scrappy skills, intelligence, and hard work, Aladdin earns a position serving in the duke’s house. But he knows it isn’t enough to grant him his one desire: Kirstyn’s hand in marriage. If he hopes to change his station in life and feel worthy of marrying Kirstyn, he must leave Hagenheim to seek his fortune.

But once Aladdin leaves, no one is around to protect Kirstyn, and the greedy men desperate to take advantage of her father’s wealth take notice. Now, more than Aladdin’s background stands in the way of the future he’s worked so hard to obtain. His only hope is to rescue Kirstyn and somehow manage to win her hand as well.


 I've only read a few Melanie Dickerson books but I am really trying to remedy that situation!  I have a few sitting on my kindle, waiting to be read but when I saw this one coming out, I just had to read it because, Aladdin!  (one of my favorites)  The hard thing with re-telling is you cannot help but compare.  This story was very loosely based on the Disney version of this story in the beginning but that really is where it ends.  I almost wish that Aladdin's name had been changed so I didn't try to associate at all because I really liked the story but it I just had that little hang up with the name and Disney!

I did love the way Aladdin and Kirstyn came to be friends and I loved how much time they spent together as children.  The memories they had together were sweet and it made so much sense for those childhood feelings to develop into something more as they grew older.

Aladdin was so determined to be good and prove himself and I found him ever so endearing.  His kindness was his strength.  My emotional connection to Kirstyn wasn't as strong which is weird because she went through the greatest hardship in the book.  I'm not sure why that connection wasn't there.

This book is clean, which I really appreciated.  The characters are young (teenagers) for most of the book but they often didn't feel that young.   I felt like they were more young adults and that's the way I kept hearing them in my mind.  I did enjoy this story though and I'm looking forward to the other books by Melanie Dickerson that I have waiting for me!

Content:  Christian fiction elements, some abuse and peril, mild violence

- I received a complimentary copy of this book at my request.  All opinions expressed are my own.
 

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Unforgettable Love Featuring Rachael Anderson + $25 Giveaway!

 

 

    

For as long as Prudence can remember, it has been understood that her sister will one day wed the eldest son of their nearest neighbor. Such an alliance will benefit both families and bring a great deal of joy to all parents involved. Unfortunately, Prudence has never been able to feel as joyful. She believes her sister is mad to consider marrying a man she hardly knows, even if he will one day make her a countess. Titles and wealth shouldn’t factor into matters of the heart, and as an aspiring romance novelist, Prudence cannot fathom how anyone could even think of settling for less than love. She certainly wouldn’t, and she doesn’t want her sister to either. Unable to stand by and do nothing, Prudence sets out to help the awkward couple discover the best in each other with the hope that they will eventually find love. What she neglected to foresee, however, was the possibility that she might fall in love with Lord Knave herself.



 

 

 When Prudence lifted her eyes to his again, they sparkled with a challenge. “I was going to save this question until later so as not to shock you from the get-go, but I really do need to know . . . What does it feel like to kiss a woman?”

 A large lump formed in Brand’s throat, and his mouth went dry. What the deuce? She had promised not to ask questions that would make him uncomfortable, but already he wanted to flee like a frightened kitten. How could he possibly explain how it felt to kiss a woman?

Brand searched his mind for a way to avoid answering until he heard a snicker escape her lips. She was laughing at him. Him! Hildebrand Ethan Cannon, Viscount Knave—a man at least eight years her senior and a great deal higher in social standing.

Unbelievable.

 “You are teasing me,” he said, hoping it was true. If she’d posed the question to make him squirm—and perhaps make him more inclined to answer her other questions—then she wouldn’t be expecting an answer.

She shook her head, still smiling. “I’m afraid not, my lord, although I did find the look of terror on your face vastly amusing.”

 “I’m glad I could entertain you.”

“I hope you will be equally glad to instruct me on a few things as well. The first scene in my book will include a kiss, and I have no idea how to describe the experience. Do a woman’s lips feel warm or soft or even moist? Would your pulse quicken? Aside from touch, what other senses are engaged? How would it make you feel and what would you notice when you held a woman in your arms?”

 If she thought he’d appeared terror-stricken before, there would be no word for how he looked now. Did she earnestly expect him to answer such questions? Surely even she knew how inappropriate it would be to discuss such things, her being an innocent.

“I cannot say,” he finally muttered.

 Her brow puckered in confusion. “Have you never kissed a woman, my lord?”

Brand was sorely tempted to lie and say he had not, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so. Any man of six-and-twenty who had never experienced a kiss would be laughed out of his manhood. Women were expected to remain innocent until married. Men were not.

 “Yes, I have kissed a woman,” he finally admitted, “but I have no intention of discussing any of the details with you.”

 “Why not?” she asked, her large brown eyes blinking at him curiously. “Would you rather I invent the information?”

 “Yes.” She obviously didn’t appreciate his retort because she scowled.

“Can you not tell me at least a little?”

 “No.”

 “Why?”

 “Because a kiss could never be described with any sort of accuracy, at least not by me. It involves too many feelings and sensations and complexities of thought. If you wish to know what a kiss feels like, you’ll have to experience it for yourself.”

Too late, Brand realized his mistake. Her expression became contemplative, as though she was actually considering doing just that. Good gads, had he really just encouraged an innocent young woman to go hunting for a kiss? Who would she ask? A groom? Stablehand? The next peddler that came to town?

 “I think you are right,” she said at last. “I really must experience a kiss for myself if I am to describe it with any sort of accuracy.” She blinked up at him with that innocent expression again. “Will you kiss me Lord Knave? No, how silly of me. You are to marry my sister, so that would never do.” She pursed her lips for a moment before musing, “Perhaps one of the footmen would be kind enough to show me how it’s done.”

Kind enough? Brand could think of a great many reasons a footman would comply with such a request, and kindness did not factor into any of them. Brand would kiss her himself before he allowed a footman near her.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. “Perhaps I can try to explain what it feels like after all.” Better that than having her chase after a footman.

“But you only just said you couldn’t do it justice,” she pointed out. “I realize I sound dreadfully forward, but I really must know, and experience is the best teacher, is it not?”

“No, it isn’t,” he lied. “And you are not going to kiss a footman.”

“Then who? Felix or Lionel, perhaps? I’m fairly certain I can convince one of them to do it, if given the opportunity. The question is how to go about it?” It was plain to see by the firm set of her jaw that she would not rest until she had experienced a kiss of her own. She didn’t seem to care who did the deed, only that the man did a thorough job of it. A quick peck on the lips wouldn’t satisfy her curiosities.

 “Perhaps I could send a note to Felix and ask him to call on me,” she continued to muse. “We could take a stroll through the maze in the gardens. There is a hidden alcove on the south side, which could be quite perfect. We would have to evade Ruth, obviously, but—”

 “Devil take it,” Brand growled as he pulled her to him. Her quick intake of breath was the only sound she made before his mouth covered hers.

 



“I got seriously hooked on this book right from the first glance. Everything in this story is so beautiful and done so perfectly. The cover is stunning, the blurb intriguing and the story flow expertly done.” –NjKinny’s World of Books & Stuff

 “The moment I set eyes on this cover page, I knew I am going to love this cute love story. Delightfully crafted with endearing characters this is an ongoing tale of fun, love and some hard decisions. –Finitha J., Know Your Books Blog

 “My Sister’s Intended is my FAVORITE kind of book to read. It is the kind of story I will save in my Kindle forever so I can re-read again and again. What makes this story so good? Everything! This book is pure perfection.” –Nicole, Christian Fiction Girl Blog.

 “WOW. I reserve five stars for books that blow me away, and this has become my newest addition! What a delight to discover a gem like this.” –Mary, Goodreads.com

 


   

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

 


 

 

 

  Giveaway Details Ends 7/11/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Narcissistic Tendencies by Jennifer Peel + $.99 Book Deals!


He wants her future. She can’t forget her past.

Psychologist Kate Morgan loves her job evaluating clients for the matchmaking service Binary Search. That is, until the one and only Nicholas Wells becomes a client and the new face of the company. Now Kate must take on a new role as his relationship manager to “fix” the actor-turned-writer-and-producer—not to mention egotistical, possibly narcissistic celebrity—and save Binary Search’s reputation.

Once upon a time this would have been a dream come true, but older, wiser, and live-within-her-rules Kate knows more than she would like to about narcissists. Annulment is an ugly word and one she can’t or won’t forget. But is Nick the man he says he is on paper or is he the man she sees before her eyes? An adoring father with a generous heart who’s willing to smooth out some of his rough edges for the right woman, making her think who’s fixing who?

Can this Hollywood playboy and reluctant matchmaker make the ultimate connection?


I swear I think I am a Jennifer Peel book addict.  I sit around craving her books and then a new one drops in my inbox and I'm on my way to a serious high.  I devour each book and then I'm always, ALWAYS, left with a major book hangover.  This book was no different.  It honestly took me so long to get over this book and move on.  I wanted to wallow and read it again.  

The tension and build up in this book had my ovaries singing out in desperate frustration.  Waiting for that first kiss was sweet torture but was it worth it?  Oh, yumma yes!  Nick makes fanning yourself a necessity.  Honestly.  

Kate was great too and I love the way she loved Nick's daughter.  Kate's heart is big.  But honestly?  It was the Nick show for me.  My ovaries are still chanting out Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick. . .  

Content:  kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

ALSO!!  Book one and two in this series are on sale today for just $.99!  This makes me SO happy!!!  Buy them all, thank me later.  ðŸ˜‰ (please make sure to check the price before purchasing- just to be safe.)







Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Unforgettable Love Featuring Janette Rallison + $25 Giveaway!



 

  My Fair Lacey & A Perfect Fit by Janette Rallison "My Fair Lacey" is the story of Lacey, who has dreamed of opening a restaurant for years - but first she needs a loan. When Garrett Halifax, her roommate's Harvard-educated brother, offers to help her clean up her appearance and manner to impress the bank manager, she jumps at the chance - but will she be able to keep up appearances without falling for the sexy Garrett?

 In "A Perfect Fit" Jojo Halifax believes that winning Echo Ridge's float competition is just what her fledgling art career needs. And if that means giving her ex-boyfriend, Anthony, a second chance so she can be a designer on his team, well, she's willing to make the sacrifice. But when a lost bet leads to a blind date with her brother's friend, Wyatt, she begins to have second thoughts about second chances. Wyatt is handsome and charming and just might have been paid to make her forget about Anthony. Is falling for his charm worth the risk or should she take Anthony back again?


 

https://amzn.to/2M1Q2dY


https://amzn.to/2M1Q2dY



 

**** Excerpt from My Fair Lacy 

Lacey glanced over her shoulder at him. “I was only mentioning that Tatum was interested in you in case you didn’t realize it. I mean, those sorts of details seem to slip by you.”

No, they don’t.” His fingers caressed the muscles at the bottom of her neck, making her sigh at the touch.

Yes, they do,” she said. “Apparently there are a few things they didn’t teach you in college.”

  His voice came nearer her ear. “I know Tatum is interested in me. I’m just not interested in her.”  

Good. “Why not?”

 “She’s not my type.”

What, your type isn’t successful, beautiful, educated women?” She glanced at him in an attempt to read his expression. He was so close to her. This felt intimate, but it wasn’t really. This moment was like the time he took hold of her hand and she thought it meant something.

She’s not all that interesting,” he said.

Your type is interesting women?” Lacey couldn’t even begin to guess what sort of thing he considered interesting. Maybe women who traveled the world or fought crime. She faced forward again and his fingers worked their way across her skin in lazy circles.

Interesting and unaffected,” he said. Unaffected by what? It was obviously one of those words that had more than one meaning. 

“Hand me my phone so I can use the dictionary app.”

No,” he said. “I’m busy helping you relax.” His finger kneaded the muscles at the base of her neck. It sent a chill of pleasure through her. “I’m going to keep this up until you’re no longer discouraged.”

 “Okay,” she said. “You’re really good at massages, so I might be discouraged for a while.”

He laughed and his face came closer to her ear. “And that’s another thing. My type is women who make me laugh.”

 ****   Excerpt from A Perfect Fit  

You want me to seduce your sister?” Wyatt Nelson sat in front of his laptop, staring at the video feed of Garrett, his old roommate. Had Wyatt heard him right? Maybe the internet had glitched and he’d misunderstood the request. Asking Wyatt to go out on a blind date with his sister was one thing; asking for seduction was something completely different. Garrett winced at the question. He usually looked like the poster child for a Harvard graduate: clean-cut, designer suit, born for high-powered business meetings. Now his tie was loose and his blond hair tousled, as though he’d been raking his fingers through it. 

“I don’t actually mean seduce seduce her. Not that. I was thinking more along the lines of just luring her away from her idiot boyfriend.”  

Wyatt raised an eyebrow. Garrett had to be kidding. He was trying to set him up with someone who was already in a relationship? “So, what you’re saying is you want me to seduce your sister, who happens to be in love with another guy?”  

Garrett waved his hand at Wyatt. “Shouldn’t be that hard. You’re a pro at romance. Half the girls at Harvard were in love with you. You must have some method to make them fall for you.” Incredible. If Wyatt hadn’t already been friends with Garrett, he would have thought the guy was a colossal jerk. But he knew Garrett better than that. He was blunt and sometimes brash, but not completely unfeeling. 

“Girls like me because I’m a nice guy. The kind that doesn’t blatantly use people—you know, like trying to make them fall in love with me just because their brother doesn’t like their boyfriend.”  

Garrett leaned back in his chair. “Hey, use whatever methods work for you. All I want is Jojo to be happily away from the influence of Anthony. ”     

 



I always always love Rallison's stories and characters and this was no exception. I look forward to reading the book over and over again! --Kathy at Bookworm Nation
Janette always hits it out of the park with fun character voices, hilarious situations, and delightful romance. This is another great addition to her collection of books that I'd recommend anyone read and enjoy! --Five Star Review
Such a great read! It had many laugh out loud parts and I don’t use lol lightly. --A Reader

 



Author Janette Rallison USA Today, bestselling author, Janette Rallison/ CJ Hill writes books because writing is much more fun than cleaning bathrooms. Her avoidance of housework has led her to writing 28 novels that have sold over 1,000,000 print copies and have been on many reading and state lists. Her books are fantasy, sci-fi, and romantic comedy because hey, there is enough angst in real life, but there’s a drastic shortage of humor, romance and hot guys who fight dragons. She lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband, kids, and enough cats to classify her as eccentric.




Just One WishMy Fair GodmotherMy Double LifeMy Unfair Godmother MasqueradeHow I Met Your BrotherSon of War, Daughter of ChaosMy Fairly Dangerous Godmother
   

 

  Giveaway Details Ends 7/9/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  a Rafflecopter giveaway