The Accidental Marriage by Annette Haws

Publication Date: December 10, 2013

ISBN: 9781462113743

Publisher: Cedar Fort Publishing

Nina Rushforth was born with a silver spoon caught in her throat. She and her father have mapped out a future that includes a brilliant legal career, a marriage to an equally stellar attorney or Wall Street whiz kid, and eventually the production of three perfect children. A semester at St. Andrew's University in Scotland, was part of the plan, but falling in love with a handsome missionary was not.

Six months later, after Elliot returns from his mission and after a tumultuous courtship, Nina finds herself teaching at a junior high school, learning to keep house in a minuscule apartment, and living with a man who doesn't know any more about being married than she does. Intimacy, cooking, laundry, lesson plans, and a tug-of-war with a possessive mother-in-law prove to be more overwhelming than Nina can successfully manage. The newlyweds awaken to realize the head on the adjacent pillow belongs to a stranger.

This novel captures the heartbreak of young love caught in the turbulent social crosscurrents of the 70's, at a time when brave women struggled to find dignity and equality in the workplace, as well as peace at home.

I think what I enjoyed most about this book was the time period of the 70's that the book is set in.  It was such a turbulent time and I thought the author did a great job of capturing the social changes happening during that time.  

Nina and Elliot fall in love.  They get married.  They are young and idealistic as most of us are when we get married.  Then real life sets in and well, attraction can only take you so far.  There were many newly married instances in this book that I could relate to in some way or another.  There is always an adjustment period, some rough patches and compromise.  I think because Nina and Elliot were from such different backgrounds and had such different expectations, this made the hard things even harder.

The in-law's certainly didn't help the situation at all and actually pushed the relationship to the breaking point.  It was a good reminder of how judging others can hurt.  If Nina and Elliott had received support and love from parents I believe their journey would have been much different.

I felt for both Nina and Elliot at different times.  There was a lot of emotion throughout the book.  I guess my only real complaint (if you can really even call it that) was that the book seemed to go on and on.  It felt like the epic saga of Nina and Elliot.  There were just so many problems and issues that at times it felt like overload.  I did mostly enjoy the book though and like I said, the 70's setting was my favorite part of the book.

The characters in this book are LDS and there are religious things mentioned though nothing preachy that I can remember.

You can buy The Accidental Marriage at the following places:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Deseret Book

The Book Depository

About Annette: Annette Haws’s literary strengths are based upon her experiences in the classroom. She began her teaching career as a junior high teacher in Richmond, Utah and ended it teaching Sophomore English at Murray High School in Salt Lake City. However, her favorite assignment was a five year period at Logan High School teaching English, coaching debate and mock trial, and watching the antics of her own three children who were also students in the same school.

Her first novel, Waiting for the Light to Change, won Best of State in 2009, A Whitney Award for Best Fiction, and the Diamond Quill Award for Best Published Fiction in 2009 from the League of Utah Writers. In July of 2008, the Midwest Book Review selected it as a Top Pick for Community Library Fiction Collections.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Annette-Haws/449482665167812

Website: http://annettehaws.com/

Blog: http://annettehaws.com/?page_id=14

Book on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18275669-the-accidental-marriage

Annette on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1404936.Annette_Haws

Rebels by Scott and Judith Powell + $25 Giveaway

   

The world is on fire. From the ashes like a phoenix rises a new America, one that will save it all. Under one condition; absolute and complete surrender. The world complies without question. Those who don’t are destroyed. It is in this world, John is born. His very name is treason. If the New America, now known to everyone as the State, knew what John was, they’d kill him, but instead they give him a gift.

The premise of this book is really good.  When I read the blurb I knew I wanted to read this book and I guess I sort of had high hopes for it.  It has all the potential of being a fantastic book.  The whole idea.

After reading the book I can still say that the concept and the whole premise of this book is still very intriguing to me.  I told my family about the book because it really shows so much promise.

There are two main problems I have with this book though.  First is the lack of emotion.  I just didn't become emotionally involved.  The story is told so factually and the little emotions that were displayed were just not enough.  I never became invested emotionally.

The second problem I had is that John was supposed to be 15 years old.  He did not sound, act or talk like any 15 year old that I have ever known.  I think I got that John was mature beyond his years, and he was raised in a completely different kind of world but I didn't believe he was 15.  Not once.  

But, having said that, it was such an interesting idea.  I was, and still am, curious about the plot.  I want to become personally invested in this book.  It was a clean read- no swearing, no sexual situations, which I really appreciated.  I loved how John's parents taught him about the founding fathers of our nation.  They never forgot what this country was built on.  I wish we could all remember that today.  It really is a plot that I can really get behind.  I just needed more emotional connections and a more believable age for the main character.  I'm hoping I get it in the next book.  (which I will be reading)

Enjoy the following excerpt!

They circle me forever. Finally, David lunges at me trying to grab me while another comes from behind. I tuck my chin down so he is unable to put me in a choke hold while I raise my right leg and thrust it forward, as if to kick a door in, and plant it right into David’s gut. He is blown back, right onto the ground. Knowing there is a third assailant, I quickly grab the arm around my throat and jerk down like my father had taught me and slipped my head to my right through an opening that I had created and pulled him towards me. I proceed to knee him multiple times while using him as a shield between me and my other opponent.

Even with the gear stuff, I know I have caused enough damage to incapacitate this young soldier and prepare to engage his companion. I have angered them which is good. My dad always said if I can get someone to become emotional I have already won because they are not thinking with a clear mind. He rushes with no technique which allows me to grab the back of his head, controlling his movement, allowing me to put him into a front choke hold. He immediately taps out, knowing it will only be seconds before blackness overwhelms him.

Now it’s only David and me, and he is still very furious remembering how I’d humiliated him and more importantly, he believes that I have taken his rightful place, being the number one cadet.

  

Scott Powell was born in Burlington, Vermont, to a father who was a police officer and a mother who emigrated from South Korea. He received a degree in marketing from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, and a master's degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Scott served a two-year Spanish-speaking mission for his church. He is a mixed martial artist who continues to train with his father, a second-degree black belt in Tae kwon do and a kick boxer. Besides being married to Scott for over seventeen years, Judith Powell is a stay-at-home mom whose whole life has been full of stories. Being raised by an Irish storytelling father and a Native American mother, stories have filled her life and her head until they finally had no choice but to flow out through her fingertips.

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Rebels' Facebook Page

Judith's Facebook * Scott's Facebook

    Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/29/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Set to Love by Jennifer Rae Gravely

Set to Love by Jennifer Rae Gravely

Contemporary Romance

Length: 284 Pages

ISBN: 9781621352129

The championship is her dearest desire, not love. Recently appointed girls’ volleyball coach at Keowee High School, Randi Sly spends the night with rival coach Blake Steele after getting sick from drinking too much wine. Rumors swirl as the two battle for the State crown.

This was an easy reading romance from Astraea Press.  Randi is a strong character, way into volleyball and has the MOST annoying father.  I have no idea how and why a strong, grown woman would allow herself to be treated like a 2 year old by her father.  That whole relationship and dynamic was almost ridiculous to me.  He tells her what to do, how to be a coach, what time to come home, who she can date and on and on.  He checks up on her to make sure she is doing what he wants her to do.  Really?  Randi just takes it.  Rarely stands up for herself.  Sneaks around trying to hide.  And adult woman?  It's just weird.

And what kind of girl goes for a guy who knowingly pursued a married woman?!  That's exactly what Blake has been doing and it isn't him who ended that relationship, it's the married woman.  I don't think I ever really got over that where Blake is concerned.  :(

I did like how Randi and Blake's relationship evolved.  I enjoyed their interactions and I especially like it when it was them working together against all the nay-sayers.  The relationship between Randi and her almost step sister was endearing.  Randi works hard at being a good coach.  Her reputation mattered and I'm glad she didn't just dismiss that.

While there aren't any sex scenes, sex is mentioned and there are definite sexual overtones.

You can purchase Set to Love at Amazon.

Discovering Sophie by Cindy Roland Anderson

Sophie Kendrick's father has gone missing in the jungles of Costa Rica. Desperate for answers to his whereabouts, she decides to search for him herself. She hires Jack Mathison to guide her through the jungle, but the two of them seem to be at odds from the moment they meet. Sophie finds Jack conceited, sarcastic, and worse, very good-looking. He is totally not her type, so how could she possibly be attracted to him? Likewise, Jack can't wait to be rid of Sophie and her optimistic outlook. Seriously, how could someone be that nice? Jack isn't looking for a relationship, and finds the electrifying chemistry between the two of them completely annoying. His job is to lead Sophie to a remote village deep inside the rainforest- her fathers last known location. Still, the jungle is a dangerous place and Jack does everything in his power to protect Sophie, but who will protect his heart?

This is a book I just had to add into my reviews- not because I was asked to, but just because I want to tell you about it.  :)

This is the second book I have read by this author and I have to tell you I think I've found a new clean romance author to add to my favorites list.  Her first book "Fair Catch" was so good.  I really enjoyed it.  Then, when browsing through my recommended kindle books, I saw this one and immediately bought it.  Self indulgence at it's best.  :)

I love the characters in this book.  Sophie is sweet.  And happy.  She just has one of those type of personalities.  You can't help but like her.  Jack is a little jaded, but he has a hard time keeping that up around Sophie.  The interactions between Sophie and Jack are really great.  The tension building is awesome and I loved it.  Zingy physical attraction and all that tension building up to the first kiss.  Swoon.  Sigh.  Love.

If you haven't read anything by Cindy Roland Anderson, you should.  Especially if you love a good, clean romance like I do.  :)

There is some talk about God but nothing preachy or denomination specific.

You can find "Discovering Sophie" at Amazon.

On Tour with Sparks the Matchmaker by Russell Elkins + a $25 Giveaway

Ollie just wants one thing. The girl. Things haven’t been going so well with Anne lately, though; their relationship has become a perpetual study date, and Ollie’s roommates are starting to worry about him. How to fix things? Why, with a marriage proposal, of course. Unfortunately for Ollie, his relationship with Anne has run out of gas. Life feels like it’s counting down to one. And that one is the only person in Ollie’s life he really cares about: Ollie. Perhaps, then, he should get over himself. But first he has to deal with Sparks, the irritating little Yankees fan who invades his life in order to “help” him. And while Keith, his best friend, is doing all he can to help, Ollie’s other friend Richie never fails to show up and threaten to ruin everything just by being himself. Never mind all the drama Sparks brings to the party by forcing Ollie to take a job actually helping people in need. Will Ollie meet the girl? Will it be in history class? On a road trip to Colorado? Can he get over Anne, or should he try to mend the relationship? Should he pursue the new girl Sparks is trying to set him up with? As the strings of the puppeteer tangle with the strings of the heart, only one person can sort out the mess Ollie has made. It seems that the harder he tries, the more Ollie messes things up. Is Sparks a cruel manipulator, or is he really going to help Ollie find his match?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

I signed on for this tour for a couple reasons.  First, I do love clean romance and second, the author was male and the main character is male.  I don't read a lot of romance books with the whole male vibe going on and I was interested.

Ollie, the main character, is 100% male.  And, maybe on the bonehead side of the male species most of the time.  ha ha.  Ollie wants a girlfriend and when Sparks shows up and offers him just that, he just can't say no.  Well, he does say no a few times, but he doesn't really mean it.  He just gets annoyed at poor Sparks.

Sparks really can be annoying-so ambiguous and secretive- but I really liked him.  I loved learning bits and pieces about him along the way.  I really want to know more.

I enjoyed the journey Ollie takes as he gets into one predicament after another because of Sparks.  Ollie learns some real life lessons and best of all, starts thinking about someone other than himself.  Yea!

I found Sparks the Matchmaker to be refreshing.  I liked the whole male vibe thing and I think author Russell Elkins has a good thing going here.  I'm looking forward to reading his next book in this series.

Enjoy the following excerpt from Sparks the Matchmaker!

Ollie was in the process of packing some clean underwear into his bag when he heard Sparks’ voice from the doorway. “Joy still hasn't broken up with her boyfriend. I thought she would have done it by now.”

“What?” Ollie was stunned. “Are you serious?”

“Relax. She's a little harder to read than most people. I really thought she'd have dumped him by now.”

Ollie suspected Sparks was concealing something, but he couldn’t guess it. “That’s just great. I'm picking her up in a few minutes, man! And now I’ll have that looming over my head the whole weekend.”

“It's not a big deal. Seriously. Not a big deal.”

“It is to me. Are you trying to tell me that you guessed wrong on that? I mean, that’s something that seems pretty pivotal and important. You seemed so sure before,” Ollie said.

“Yeah, I was. She's just harder to read, that's all. Nothing's gonna change. Everything is still on track. The boyfriend won't come into play at all… for the weekend, anyway.”

“Huh, it sounds like it’s going to make everything awkward.”

“Oh, I get it. You’re under the impression that you were gonna hit it off this weekend. But you're not going to be doing any kissing or holding hands or gazing into each other's eyes in soft moonlight. You won't be doing anything but getting to know each other. You know, as friends will do?”

“What? Why didn't you tell me that earlier? Sparks, you keep leading me into situations like this, and you don’t tell me anything. You like to keep me in the dark as much as you possibly can.”

Sparks looked at Ollie like he was missing something really obvious. “Listen. I’m not responsible for the things you imagine. I give you information you wouldn’t otherwise have, and I give it to you on a need- to- know basis. You need to be able to act spontaneously in order for everything to come out right. Besides,” he pushed his hat back on his head, “I don't like to be wrong when I'm guessing stuff. I prefer to wait when I give answers… just in case things change.”

“I can’t tell you how reassuring that is.”

“You don't have to accept my help, you know. I could go help someone else.”

Ollie took a deep breath and then let it out as a rumble in his throat. “Ah. You’re probably right anyway.”

  

 

Author Russell Elkins Russell Elkins has become a leading expert on open adoption through first-hand experience that he now shares in Open Adoption, Open Heart. Russell regularly contributes to Adoption.com. He also writes his own blog at russellelkins.com to educate others in the struggles and beauties of open adoption. Russell has always been a family man at heart, looking forward to the day when he could be a husband and a father. It took him a little while, but eventually his eyes locked onto a beautiful blonde, and he has never looked away. Russell and Jammie were married in 2004. They had the same goals for their home and didn't want to wait too long before starting their family. However, filling their home quickly with children wasn't in the cards, and they found themselves weighing their options to overcome problems with infertility. Their lives changed dramatically the day they decided to adopt. Russell and Jammie have adopted two beautiful children, Ira and Hazel, and have embraced their role as parents through open adoption. Both are actively engaged in the adoption community by communicating through social media, taking part in discussion panels, and writing songs about adoption. Russell was born on Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., in the fall of 1977. Along with his five siblings, he and his military family moved around a lot, living in eight different houses by the time he left for college at age 17. Although his family moved away from Fallon, Nevada, just a few months after he moved out, he still considers that little oasis in the desert to be his childhood hometown. Even after leaving home, Russell always stayed close to his family. He shared an apartment with each of his three brothers at different times during his college career. They formed a band together back in the 1990s and still perform on a regular basis under the name of the Invisible Swordsmen. After nearly a decade of college and changing his major a few times, Russell received his bachelor's degree in sociology from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He later graduated from Ameritech College where he learned the trade of being a dental lab technician. Russell now owns and operates Elkins Dental Lab located in Meridian, Idaho.

Website * Twitter

  Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/12/14
   a Rafflecopter giveaway   Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Witch Rising: A Witch Fall Prequel- Happy Release Day!

Witch Rising

A Witch Fall Prequel

Release Day and Cover Blitz

It's only 99 pennies!

A ship burns, sinking into the depthless waves. There is only one survivor. A child hunted for the power of her song. Hidden away on an isolated island, Lilette buries the knowledge of her power deep, convinced it is the reason for the deaths of those she loves.

But she can’t run from who she is. And when her secret is revealed, all that can save her are the things she’s forgotten. It’s time to rise up and become what she was always meant to be. The most powerful witch ever born.

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Pastels & Jingle Bells by Christine S. Feldman

Trish Ackerly never expected to cross paths with Ian Rafferty again, but when she spots the former bully of her childhood years through her bakery window, she thinks she may just have been given the best Christmas gift ever: the opportunity to finally give Ian the comeuppance he deserves.

But clearly she does not have a knack for this whole revenge thing, because before she can make good on her plans, Trish gets inadvertently drawn into Ian’s life in an unexpected way that lets her see just how different the man is from the boy he used to be. In fact, much to her astonishment, she actually starts to like the guy.

A lot.

Trouble is, Ian doesn’t know who she really is, and explaining it to him is going to be a little difficult now—which is bad news, because Trish is starting to realize that all she really wants for Christmas this year…is Ian.

Buy:  Amazon ~  Barnes and Noble

I have something sweet to share with you today!  If you are looking for a quick, fun holiday romance to read, this is your book.  It's squeeky clean and, well, it just made me happy.  :)

I'm so booked up for reviews this month- December is crazy, right?  Anyway, I just had to squeeze this one in before Christmas because it has Jingle Bells in the title and you just never know when you will want a book you can get through in one cold, winter night.

I love Trish.  She was tormented in school by Ian and now that she's all grown up- teeth fixed, hair styled, and feeling good about herself- she is ready to confront that bully from her past.  I love her confidence even though she is nervous, but what I really love is her soft heart and her desire to help someone who needs her.  

I loved this sweet, romantic novella.  It's the first in the "Heavenly Bites" series I can't wait to read the next one!