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Tuesday, August 31, 2021

The Gold in These Hills by Joanne Bischof

 


Two second-chance love stories, hope across the centuries, and the legacy that binds them together.

Upon arriving at Kenworthy, California, mail-order-bride Juniper Cohen was met by the pounding of the gold mine, the rowdiness of its prospectors, and her greatest surprise of all: the love of the kind man who awaited her. But when the mine proves empty of profit, and when Juniper’s husband vanishes, doubt and discouragement are as prevalent as the pioneers fleeing this dwindling boomtown.

As winter blows in, Juniper pens a series of letters to her husband but fears she is waiting on a ghost—or worse, an outlaw. Carving out survival for her and her young daughter in a ghost town requires trusting in the kindness of a few remaining souls, including the one who can unlock the mystery of her husband’s disappearance.

A century later, trying to escape the heartache of his failed marriage, Johnny Sutherland throws himself into raising his child and restoring a hundred-year-old abandoned farmhouse in California’s San Jacinto Mountains. While exploring its secrets he uncovers the letters Juniper wrote to her Dearest John and is moved by the handwritten accounts that bear his name. Having learned that truth and courage go hand in hand, Johnny dares to love again, and armed with lessons from the past, a modern-day romance unfolds in the very same mountains that once held a love story that touched history.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

This is one of those stories that lingers with you long after you read the last page.  The characters in this book came to life as I read about their heartache, their struggles, their perseverance and their hope.  I felt myself being drawn into their lives and their emotions.  I love when that happens. 

Told in a dual timeline, the past unfolds and is locked into place by those seeking to learn in the present.  Johnny has his own struggles but it felt like his job was to reinforce the events of the past.  I liked the message that we need to remember those who went before us, learn and honor their stories and connect with the lessons the past can teach us.

My heart though?  It was deeply rooted with Juniper in the past.  Her story was rich and thick; full of grace and strength.  I loved the whole cast from the past.  Honestly, it could have been just them and I would have been completely happy.

I love how this author crafts her stories and the way she makes her characters feel alive and connected to me emotionally even though I've never lived through what these people have lived through.  It's amazing.  I loved this story.

Content:  mild peril, kissing, Christian elements (praying, faith, etc.)

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


Friday, August 27, 2021

Brides & Brothers by Anneka R. Walker

 


A modern retelling of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Camille Kelly is in real danger of becoming an old maid—at least by Cherish, Montana, standards. She has all but given up on finding Mr. Right—until her broken laptop leads her to Aiden Peterson, a tall, dark, and handsome computer genius. Camille would never have believed her magic moment was right around the corner, but after two whirlwind weeks, she has a ring on her finger and has happily ever after in sight. However, she soon discovers Aiden is part of a daunting package deal . . .

As the eldest of seven brothers, Aiden has never had a problem living under the same roof as his rambunctious siblings. When he falls for Camille, he is confident she’ll fit right into his family’s already bursting home. He thought wrong. Aiden and Camille’s storybook romance comes to a screeching halt when she discovers her new living situation. Not willing to submit to a life mothering a bunch of grown men, Camille has only one option: she embarks on a campaign to improve her new brothers-in-law and marry them off. And what better candidates for wives than her own best friends?


Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of my all time favorite musicals.  I love it so much.  My anticipation for this book was strong because has anyone attempted this before?  If they have, I don't know about it.   I wondered how the author was going to pull of a storyline like this in a modern setting.

I think the concept of this is a fun one.  I loved all the nods to the original story throughout the book.  It helped me feel like that story was modern and all it's own, but still similar enough to the original that kept that nostalgic feel. 

I think overall, the story progressed slowly which seems weird to say given all the characters and interactions in this book.  Because there were so many characters, it was really hard to connect emotionally to anyone.  I felt like the characters remained on the surface level- even the two main characters, Aiden and Camille.  It took me a bit to get through this book because my investment level was just not there.  So yeah, not my favorite book but a fun idea.

Content:  kissing, some talk of God and praying

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

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

A Seaside Summer by Josi S. Kilpack, Martha Keyes, Heather B. Moore + A Giveaway!!

 


Summer on the seaside . . . a perfect place for romance.

Join us for three novellas in one collection:

The New Countess, by Josi S. Kilpack


Diane knows why the earl asked her to marry him; he needed a mother for his daughter, an heir for his title, and a hostess to assist with his position in Parliament. With two sons of her own, and no security to speak of, she never thought twice about accepting his proposal. Summering at his holiday cottage at the sea was meant to be reward for a busy first year as the new countess, and a time for her to rest before their baby is born. She is expecting lazy days on the beach with the children, simple meals, and keeping her own schedule. When the earl surprises her with a visit, she does her best not to resent the intrusion. When she learns that he came for the sole purpose of being with her and getting to know her better, she realizes that perhaps this marriage can be more than she expected. Is she ready for him to know her and love her and explore this new possibility together? She wants to be, but it is not an easy thing to let go of expectations and open up to an entirely new way of life.

Mishaps and Memories, by Martha Keyes


Judith Jardine’s one chance at a brilliant match is doomed from the start when she is ignored and then mocked by the ton’s most sought-after gentleman. Under a gloomy cloud of failure, Judith is exiled to a seaside cottage to spend the summer helping her sister—and living a life far below the one she experienced for her week in Brighton. When she discovers the man responsible for her misfortune unconscious on the beach, she heeds her better impulses and has him brought to the cottage to be seen to. But James Carlisle has no recollection of who he is, what happened to him, or how he has wronged her, and Judith sees the opportunity to teach him a valuable lesson—unless the deception and her feelings get the best of her first.

Moonlight Summer, by Heather B. Moore


Oscar Rosewell’s life is not lacking in many things even though he lives on the fringes of society due to his father’s ruined reputation. He’s sworn off having any personal relationships with ton members—his only interest lies in keeping his business thriving. He’s content with his day-to-day anonymity, and business keeps his heart from getting exposed. It’s safer that way. Until Oscar meets Miss Dorothea Atkinson. A woman capturing his interest is a rare thing, but Miss Atkinson is nearly engaged to a man of her parents’ choosing. Would it be wrong to wish for something to go terribly wrong between the couple? Soon, Oscar learns that wishing can become a reality, but often, the price is an even heavier thing to pay.

I would really, really love to be in the setting of these books right now.  A seaside summer in England sounds like just the thing.  Isn't it lovely that books can transport us to all the places as we read?  I love books.

Each of the stories in this book are simply delightful.  I loved each one of them.  They were engaging and the characters made me smile.  Well, Judith probably made me smile the most.  The first story was the most endearing, I think.  The second story, the most amusing and the third story had the sweetest characters.  Oh, and I have to say that I love the cover on this book.  It's beautiful and really set the stage for the movies that played out in my head as I read.

Content:  sweet kisses

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


AUTHOR BIOS

Josi S. Kilpack is the bestselling author of several Proper Romance, Timeless Romance series, and a Cozy Culinary Mystery series. Her books, A Heart Revealed and Lord Fenton's Folly; were Publishers Weekly Best Romance Books of the Year. She and her husband, Lee, are the parents of four children

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

 

Martha Keyes is a Whitney Award winning author born, raised, and educated in Utah—a home she loves dearly but also dearly loves to escape whenever she can by traveling the world. She received a BA in French Studies and a Master of Public Health, both from Brigham Young University.

Word crafting has always fascinated her, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that she considered writing her own stories. When she isn’t writing, she is honing her photography skills, looking for travel deals, and spending time with her family. She lives with her husband and twin boys in Vineyard, Utah.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

 

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestseller and award-winning author of more than seventy publications. She's lived on both the east and west coasts of the United States, including Hawaii, and attended school abroad including the Cairo American College in Egypt, and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. She loves to learn about anything in history and, as an author, is passionate about historical research.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS



Join the virtual book tour of A SEASIDE SUMMER, a collection of novellas by bestselling authors Josi S. Kilpack, Martha Keyes, and Heather B. Moore, August 23-September 19, 2021. Over twenty-five popular on-line influencers specializing in Regency romance, historical romance, and inspirational fiction will join in the celebration of the release of the 17th book in the bestselling Timeless Regency Romance Collection with a spotlights, exclusive excerpts, and reviews of this new anthology set in Regency England.

 

TOUR SCHEDULE

Aug 23           Austenprose (Review)

Aug 24           My Jane Austen Book Club (Excerpt)

Aug 24           Getting Your Read On (Review)

Aug 25           The Bibliophile Files (Review)

Aug 26           Heidi Reads (Review)

Aug 27           Our Book Confessions (Review)

Aug 30           The Lit Bitch (Spotlight)                           

Aug 30           Wishful Endings (Review)

Sept 01          The Book Diva Reads (Spotlight)

Sept 01          Rosanne E. Lortz (Review)

Sept 02          Laura's Reviews (Review)

Sept 04          Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen (Excerpt)

Sept 07          Probably at the Library (Review)

Sept 08          Gwendalyn's Books (Review)

Sept 09          Books and Socks Rock (Spotlight)

Sept 10          Christian Chick's Thoughts (Review)

Sept 11          Storeybook Reviews (Excerpt)

Sept 13          From Pemberley to Milton (Review)

Sept 13          My Bookish Bliss (Review)

Sept 14          Bookworm Lisa (Review)

Sept 15          Relz Reviewz (Spotlight)

Sept 15          Reading with Emily (Review)

Sept 16          Lu Reviews Books (Review)

Sept 17          Greenish Bookshelf (Spotlight)                          

Sept 17          Austenesque Reviews (Review)

Sept 17          Bringing Up Books (Review)

Sept 18          Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina (Review)

Sept 19          Eli's Novel Reviews (Review)


GIVEAWAY

Mirror Press is pleased to offer one digital copy of any of the 16 previous books in the Timeless Regency Romance Collection to one unique winner at each stop on the tour.

To qualify, please leave a comment with this blog post before 11:59pm, September 26, 2021. Visit each stop on the tour and leave a comment to increase your chance to win a book.

This contest is open internationally. The winner will be drawn randomly from the comments and announced on each blog on September 27, 2021. The winner must claim their prize before October 04, 2021. Good luck to all!


Friday, August 20, 2021

Holding On to Everything (Terms of Inheritance #2) by Dana LeCheminant

 


As CEO of a billion-dollar hotel company, Jace Hawthorne has everything he could ever want. But the only way to fulfill his father's dying wish is to give it all up, so he takes to the streets of Manhattan under the name of Tom, living with nothing. When he's hit by a cab, he can't help falling for the beautiful nurse who helps him.

Because Madeleine thinks he is someone else, Jace runs back to his old life before his lie hurts them both. But Madeleine shows up to his office asking for donations for her clinic and doesn’t recognize him, and Jace is torn between revealing who he is and keeping his distance; she has never been shy about her hatred of CEOs.

The closer Jace gets to Madeleine as he helps her find more donations, the more he falls for her and the less his old life seems to fit him. But telling her the truth will only break both their hearts, and he’s in too deep to walk away.

Trying to decide what he values most in life, Jace hopes he can find a way to keep his fancy life and the woman he loves. The chances of losing everything are growing with every passing day, but Jace is willing to risk it all for a shot at happiness.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

This book doesn't release until Aug. 30th so I'm a little ahead of the game but this is when I could fit a review in so here we go!

First, this is the second book in the series and I didn't read the first book so I knew while reading it that I was missing part of a previous story but I didn't feel lost or anything.  I will have to go back and read that book though because I can tell it was a good one!

I really liked this story!  I liked the road Jace took as Tom, what he learned and how he eventually applied it to his life- his relationships and his business.  Madeleine was awesome too.  I loved her passion for helping people and I loved how hard she fought to keep that passion alive.  Jace and Madeleine are two fantastic, inspiring characters so it was easy to get caught up in their journey and story.  I guess what I loved most was Jace learning to really see people.  He started to make ways to connect to people and understand them and that felt like a message we all could use today.

I'll be interested to read the next story in this series!  I have a feeling it's going to be an angsty one because Jace's sister has a LOT of pent up anger, I think.  She's a feisty one!

Content:  kissing

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


Tuesday, August 17, 2021

The Merchant and the Rogue (The Dread Penny Society #3) by Sarah M. Eden

 



London, 1865

Vera Sorokina loves reading the Penny Dreadfuls and immersing herself in tales of adventure, mystery, and romance. Her own days are filled with the often-mundane work of running the book and print shop she owns with her father. The shop offers her the freedom and income to employ and protect the poverty-stricken Londoners she's come to care about, and it gives her father something to do other than long for their hometown of St. Petersburg. She is grateful for the stability in their lives, but she often feels lonely.

Brogan Donnelly was born and raised in Ireland, but has lived in London for several years, where he's built a career as a Penny Dreadful writer. He has dedicated himself to the plight of the poor with the help of his sister. His membership in the secretive Dread Penny Society allows him to feel he isn't entirely wasting his life, yet he feels dissatisfied. With no one to share his life with but his sister, he fears London will never truly feel like home.

Brogan and Vera's paths cross, and the attraction is both immediate and ill-advised. Vera knows from experience that writers are never to be trusted, and Brogan has reason to suspect not everything at her print shop is aboveboard. When the growing criminal enterprise run by the elusive and violent Mastiff begins targeting their area of London, Brogan and Vera must work together to protect the community they've both grown to love. But that means they'll need to learn to trust each other with dangerous secrets that have followed both of them from their home countries.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

It's always a good day when a new Sarah Eden book hits the world.  This new installment in The Dread Penny Society series is a good one and everything you have come to expect from this author.  I would highly recommend reading this series in order.  The characters are all interwoven and connecting and the overarching story is growing with each book.

This story is gentle all the way around.  Even in the midst of a climactic ending, the book still feels gentle.  The story starts slowly, building with each chapter as we get to know Brogan and Vera better.  Author Sarah Eden excels at writing believable characters that are well defined and purposeful.  I can always root for them and that feels good.  Brogan is a kind man and honestly?  I think that might be a trait I am most attracted to.  Kindness is underrated.  Both Brogan and Vera are kind and strive to help those around them, actively.  I adored them both.

As per usual in this series, the story is actually two stories because the men who star in this series are authors!  It's a fun concept and also a unique one.  

Content:  mild peril, mild violence

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



Sarah M. Eden is the author of critically acclaimed and award-winning Proper Romance series novels including The Lady and the Highwayman and Ashes on the Moor. Combining her passion for history and an affinity for love stories, Sarah crafts smart, witty characters and heartfelt romances. She happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library and dreams of one day traveling to all the places she reads about.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS



SPECAIL OFFER

Please help Sarah M. Eden get her latest novel, THE MERCHANT AND THE ROGUE, to hit the New York Times best-seller list by purchasing a copy between August 15-22, 2021.

Everyone who submits a copy of their receipt and fills out the form during the week of August 15-22 will receive The Merchant and the Rogue - Swag Bundle. Supplies are limited, so act today. Please visit
the Swag Bundle webpage for details. 




Join the virtual book tour of THE MERCHANT AND THE ROGUE, Sarah M. Eden’s highly acclaimed historical romance, August 16-29, 2021. Thirty-five popular on-line influencers specializing in historical romance, mystery/suspense, and inspirational fiction will join in the celebration of its release with a spotlights, exclusive excerpts, and reviews of this new Victorian-era novel set in London, England.

TOUR SCHEDULE

 

Aug 16           Among the Reads (Review)        

Aug 16           Austenprose (Review)      

Aug 16           Reading is My Superpower (Review)

Aug 17           Literary Time Out (Review)         

Aug 17           Getting Your Read On (Review)

Aug 17           Heidi Reads (Excerpt)

Aug 17           Laura's Reviews (Review)           

Aug 18           Our Book Confessions (Review)           

Aug 18           Bookworm Lisa (Review)

Aug 19           Fire & Ice (Review)

Aug 19           From Pemberley to Milton (Excerpt)

Aug 20           My Bookish Bliss (Review)         

Aug 20           Gwendalyn's Books (Review)    

Aug 20           Storeybook Reviews (Excerpt)

Aug 21           Bookish Rantings (Review)        

Aug 21           The Calico Critic (Review)          

Aug 22           The Christian Fiction Girl (Review)      

Aug 22           Books, Teacups, & Reviews (Excerpt)

Aug 23           My Jane Austen Book Club (Spotlight)

Aug 23           Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen (Review) 

Aug 23           Reading with Emily (Review)     

Aug 24           Wishful Endings (Review)           

Aug 24           Relz Reviewz (Review)     

Aug 24           The Book Diva Reads (Excerpt)

Aug 25           Bookfoolery (Review)       

Aug 25           Greenish Bookshelf (Review)    

Aug 26           A Bookish Way of Life (Review)

Aug 26           Nurse Bookie (Review)    

Aug 27           So Little Time… (Excerpt)

Aug 27           Probably at the Library (Review)          

Aug 27           Bringing Up Books (Review)      

Aug 28           Books and Socks Rock (Review)          

Aug 28           The Bibliophile Files (Review)   

Aug 29           Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina (Review)        

Aug 29           A Darn Good Read (Review)      

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

New Release of Murder Takes a Selfie and a $200 Gift Card Giveaway!

 



If you like Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie, you will love Esther and her best friend Sophie in Murder Takes a Selfie, book one, of the By The Sea Cozy Mystery series.

Best friends from a small beach town leave the library to race against time when a student’s selfie looks like the last one they’ll ever take.

 

Enter our Launch Celebration Giveaway and win a $200 Amazon Gift card so you can buy more books! https://www.cozymysteriesbythesea.com/

 

Murder Takes a Selfie on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3yzPGnw


Follow the author at: https://www.facebook.com/cozymysteryreaderswriters

And: https://www.facebook.com/shannonsymondsauthor/?ref=pages_you_manage

Friday, August 6, 2021

Cover Reveal for Fate of Eyrinthia Novella, Fire & Ash by Heather Frost

 

First the flames . . .

When Desfan Cassian, the future ruler of Mortise, skips his fifteenth birthday celebration so he can gamble in the slums, he knows his father won't be pleased. Then again, the serjan hasn’t been happy with him in years. And while Desfan anticipates a reprimand for his latest transgression, he doesn’t expect to be thrown out of the palace and exiled onto a patrol ship for the next year.

Then from the ashes . . .

Furious to be trapped on the same sea that stole his family four years ago, Desfan is fully prepared to hate his new life. After all, the Phoenix is run by a strict captain, and Desfan's annoying new bodyguard, Karim, is his constant shadow. But when Desfan learns that a group of dangerous pirates may have been behind the deaths of his mother and sisters, he's suddenly committed to hunting down the truth—no matter the risk.

He will rise.

 I'm SO excited for this!  I love this series!!  Yipee!!

. . . . . . . DRUM ROLL . . . . . . . . . .

 


***Fire & Ash is a novella set in the world of the Royal Decoy series. While it is a prequel story, it is best enjoyed after reading Royal Spy.***

Releases October 28th

Available for Kindle Pre-order Now:  https://amzn.to/3BQZGLb