Thursday, November 30, 2017

A Peculiar Courtship plus GIVEAWAY!

Beckett Files Book 2 by Laura Beers

Back of the BookLord Jonathon Beckett's mission is simple: retrieve Lady Hannah and place her under the protection of the Crown. But he isn't prepared for the havoc she inflicts on his world, making him question whether his duty as an agent of the Crown should always come before his heart.


Lady Hannah's father has uncovered evidence exposing a French traitor to the Crown. Willing to do anything to silence him, the traitor's primary target has become Lady Hannah. Keeping her safe means locking her away from Society, but she refuses to stand idly by, letting others put their lives on the line to protect her. Instead, she will stop at nothing to learn to defend herself, even at the risk of losing Lord Jonathon's protection, or his affections.
With a sinister scheme in play to collapse the English government from within, Lord Jonathon must protect Lady Hannah from the French spies intending to use her as a pawn in their game of treachery. But can he protect her from herself?

My Take: (Isn't the cover gorgeous?) W.O.W. I had a hard time walking away from reading A Peculiar Courtship in order to get necessary things done. It was just so good. I liked Saving Shadow as reviewed in my last post, but I LOVED A Peculiar Courtship. I love the fierce heroines and the protective heroes, the playful and serious banter, and the truly evil villians. And of course the happily ever after ending. I recommend reading Saving Shadow before reading A Peculiar Courtship, but it isn't necessary.

I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was given. 

Enter for a chance to win one of five ebooks (and if you don't win, this is one I highly recommend you buy):


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Monday, November 13, 2017

Saving Shadow

Saving Shadow by Laura Beers

Back Cover:  

Born with a perfect memory, Lady Elizabeth Beckett has become one of the world’s most notorious spies, despite being the daughter of a duke. She is shielded only by her code name: Shadow. When young ladies of High Society begin disappearing from London, Eliza has no doubt who is orchestrating these crimes; a heinous man she has been investigating for years. Vowing to save them before they are sold to the highest bidder, she must risk everything to stop him.

Lord Sinclair was perfectly content being the second son of a marquess, but when his brother is murdered, he is thrust into a position he has not been prepared for and does not desire. As an agent for the Crown, he is expected to retire now that he is the heir, but he’s been granted special permission for one more mission... to obtain justice for his murdered brother.
Used to keeping secrets, Lady Eliza and Lord Sinclair must learn to open up to each other when they are assigned as partners to bring down the same ruthless man and his brutal empire of abduction and slavery. As Eliza’s tainted past becomes too much for her to bear alone, can she learn to trust her new partner with her secrets, her life, and possibly her heart?

My Take:

It took me a bit to get into this book. I loved Lady Eliza's fearlessness and her ability to manage the situations she was thrown into. Lord Sinclair was entertaining and I thought the secondary characters well developed also. SAVING SHADOW is a fun story and one I recommend. (And it's only $1.99 on Kindle right now!) 

I'm looking forward to reading more by Laura Beers.


Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Tamara Passey Guest Post

10.2.17

I read the news and learned of the Las Vegas mass shooting at 8:20 a.m.  

“No!” I cried out. A mind, heart, and soul—“NO.” 

Random and reckless. Terrifying and too much. I have to remember once again that I live in this world where people can hurt, maim, and kill. I can already see the waves of grief spreading out over the city, and state, the country and the world. It takes all my willpower to resist the fear and refuse the helplessness.

A single thought whispers: Do goodSomething, anything. Do something kind for someone today. It seems pointless or ineffective or thin in the face of such thick evil. Yet the thought persists because of what I know.

You see, my son shares a birthday with his uncle. My brother. The brother that was killed—kicked to death—by three men. This isn’t a fact we dwell on when November rolls around and we sing happy birthday to him. For years after my brother’s death, I wished my son could have been born on a different day. 

But their shared birthday led me to a mental comparison I might not have made otherwise.

My son is also a liver transplant recipient. Some organs you can share without giving your life—like kidneys. While others can only be given when your life ends—like hearts, for example.  So, yes, a child died unexpectedly and his parents agreed to donate his liver to our son who had been on the waiting list almost three months. (The same list that as of today, an average of 20 people die each day waiting.)  Through the next 24 hours of tears and prayers and skilled surgery, he emerged with a healthy liver and a body capable of living. And live he has. For 23 years, our family has known joy. Whole-souled, awe-filled joy because of him. Not just because of the miracle of his life, but because of the miracle that someone we didn’t know was allowed to choose to give him another chance at life. Choosing to do good, even in an hour of pain and grief.

While I have grappled with the heart-sickening actions of others—both mistakes or hateful acts of violence—and how those actions are allowed to wreak havoc in the lives of innocent people, I have gradually come to see what this means for the loving actions of others. Loving actions are allowed to impact us as well. Generous gestures, kind compliments, and heroic rescues can all create waves of comfort and peace. Doctors who dedicate years to study and practice so they can heal, save a life, or relieve a pain. Friends who show up on doorsteps with dinner, neighbors who water your plants and watch the street when you’re out of town. Family members who listen, encourage, and cheer you on—give you a hug (a high-five, a fist-bump—whatever love language you speak.) All of these loving actions can supply happiness and peace, hope and joy. Love can help and heal and give life. And like a wave, it can move through a family, a city, and the world too. 

This is my reality: three men I will never know changed the landscape of my family’s life causing immense grief and pain by ending my brother’s life. While another three people, two parents and a child, were allowed to give the gift of life, also changing my family’s life—bringing infinite happiness and joy. 

It may be impossible to avoid grief on a day like today—where the news headlines are driving pain into my heart and home. I don’t have maxims or mottos or not least of all, answers. 
But I do have a longing swelling up into a soul-filled determination to push back against the wave with one of my own. Do good today—something, anything—good

Tamara Passey

You can find Tamara here:





Tuesday, September 26, 2017

What Now? 8 Ways...

 What Now? 8 Ways to Deal with Life's Difficulties by Connie E. Sokol

My good friend, Connie Sokol, has just written a new ebook! (So I had to share it with you).


Having just experienced a tough trial in her life, she is sharing the go-tos learned as she has thrived through it. It hit #1 on Amazon as a preorder! Called "What Now? 8 Ways to Deal with Life's Difficulties" it's a quick jumpstart to deal with what is. No matter your life stress, the simple tips help you move from soul paralysis, indecision, or frustration, to taking a productive step. Get a chance to win a free ebook copy today by sharing this blog post and commenting below. 


Visit her fabulous website www.conniesokol.com or connect with her here:

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads




Monday, September 25, 2017

A Promise for Tomorrow by Michele Paige Holmes


Coming November 2017, from Michele Paige Holmes, Amazon’s bestselling historical romance author and Whitney Award Winner, comes the Hearthfire Historical Romance, A PROMISE FOR TOMORROW, sequel to Yesterday's Promise.

Barely two weeks have passed since Laird Collin MacDonald first darkened Katherine Mercer’s doorstep and married her. Marriage has hardly been what she expected, given their grueling and adventurous days of travel to the Scottish Highlands. Along with the discovery that Collin’s twin Ian would like to see her dead, Katie must now face her own clan, whose chief wants to kill Collin and take her to wife himself. All because Katie possesses the Campbell gift of sight, passed down through centuries of her ancestors.

With little more than faith in her grandfather’s vision and her unique bond with Collin to guide her, Katie steps bravely into an unknown future, where the glimpses afforded her may bring more danger than direction. When the misuse of her gift takes Collin from her side, she is left alone and vulnerable. Help arrives in the most unexpected form as Ian MacDonald makes good on his threat to attack the Campbells and Katie learns that the bond between brothers and love knows no bounds.


Other Hearthfire Romances:
SAVING GRACE
LOVING HELEN
MARRYING CHRISTOPHER
TWELVE DAYS IN DECEMBER
YESTERDAY’S PROMISE (Scottish Historical)
A PROMISE FOR TOMORROW (Scottish Historical, coming Fall 2017)
HEARTHFIRE ROMANCE COLLECTION, VOLUME 1 (box set)

Find it on Goodreads.






Monday, September 11, 2017

Sarah M. Eden's Love Remains

Another fun Book Tour scheduled for Love Remains by Sarah M. Eden:

September 11 - My Book A Day
             Smiling Book Reviews
              Peggy Urry (you're here!)
September 12 - Bookworm Lisa
Wishful Endings           
Getting Your Read On
September 13 - LDS Writer Mom
Min Reads and Reviews
September 14 - Literary Time Out
Heidi Reads
Singing Librarian Books
September 15 - Katie's Clean Book Collection
                         Why Not? Because I Said So!
Mel’s Shelves



Back of the Book: For nearly a year, Tavish O’Connor has carried the crushing weight of his family’s future on his shoulders. He has taken on the care of his youngest brother, Finbarr, who lost his eyesight in a terrible accident. But the lad needs more than Tavish can provide. Finbarr needs hope.

Cecily Attwater specializes in hope. As a tutor to the newly blind, she has dedicated her life to helping others overcome the obstacles she herself has conquered. Her new assignment in a remote corner of Wyoming proves trickier than usual: Finbarr refuses to learn. To make matters worse, his family—and the other Irish townspeople—are less than thrilled to discover an Englishwoman in their haven.

Cecily’s only hope lies in securing the cooperation of her pupil’s brother, Tavish, who happens to be her harshest critic and quite possibly the most frustrating man she’s ever known.

For Finbarr’s sake, Tavish and Cecily forge an uneasy alliance that, as the weeks pass, tiptoes toward something deeper than either dares admit or face, and toward a future they know to be impossible. There can be no hope of a happy outcome for an Irish man and an English woman amongst a people reeling from violence and centuries of hatred between their two homelands.

My take: I laughed, I cried, I felt for the very real characters in this novel and it made me want to be a better person. Highly recommend. (It isn't necessary, but may be helpful to read Longing for Home Book 2 Hope Springs).

You can catch up with Sarah here:


Be sure to pick up your own copy of Love Remains and don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY!

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Thursday, August 17, 2017

Adventure!



An adventure novel about four lucky kids and a mysterious, but thrilling ride for fans of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Jurassic Park!

CastleCorp and the famous Castleton brothers are unveiling the World's Greatest Adventure Machine! The roller coaster is an experience like no other, and four lucky kids have won the chance to be the first to ride it.
There's Trevor, whose latest stunt got him in trouble at school again. There's Devin, whose father is pushing him to be the next Internet sensation. Nika's wealthy grandfather isn't too pleased about her participation. And Cameron, he'll be the first to tell you, is a certified genius.

The whole world is watching. But as the kids set off on their journey, they begin to realize that there is perhaps more to their fellow contest winners than meets the eye. And the Adventure Machine? It might just have a mind of its own.

Join the contestants on their wild ride if you dare. Your adventure starts now!












Other blogs you can check out on this fun tour:

August 17: Peggy Urry, Literary Time Out Rorie

Before you read what I thought about the book, take time to enter the giveaway!

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My take: I don't normally read Middle Grade, so take everything I say with that in mind. I would give this book 3 1/2 stars (out of 5).

What I struggled with: Keeping track of the characters in the beginning and several places throughout the book I wasn't sure whose point of view I was in. In the end, there was an inconsistency that I still am not sure whether it was intended or not.

Things I liked: The concept of the book, that the kids had to work together to 'solve' the adventure, once I got into it, it kept my attention, it didn't wrap up too neatly (meaning it wasn't just solved with a magical wave of a wand or good luck--which is a very good thing).

Would definitely recommend.


*I received a copy of the book in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own.



Tuesday, June 20, 2017

New Cover for Hearthfire Series!

I am excited to show you the new cover in the Hearthfire Series by Michele Paige Holmes.

Release date: July 5, 2017

Book description:

New from Michele Paige Holmes, Amazon’s bestselling historical romance author and Whitney Award Winner, comes the newest Hearthfire Historical Romance, YESTERDAY’S PROMISE.

In the Scottish Highlands, 1746:
Nineteen-year-old artist Katherine Mercer dreams of selling her paintings to help support her struggling family. Before she has the opportunity, Katherine learns she is to be sold—or practically so—given in marriage to a lord she has never met or even heard of. In return, a much-needed settlement will be made upon her mother. 

Katherine’s situation goes from frightening to surreal when her husband-to-be Laird Collin MacDonald arrives with an entourage of men, each heavily armed and speaking with a thick brogue. As if leaving all she knows behind and traveling to another country with strangers isn’t bad enough, Katherine soon discovers a Scottish heritage she knew nothing of, a brother-in-law who wants her dead, and far more at stake with her paintings than she had ever imagined. Forced to turn to her reclusive husband for answers, comfort, and even her very survival, Katherine begins to unravel the mysteries of her past and what it is to love and be loved.



Other Hearthfire Romances: 

SAVING GRACE
LOVING HELEN 
MARRYING CHRISTOPHER 
TWELVE DAYS IN DECEMBER
YESTERDAY’S PROMISE (Scottish Historical)
HEARTHFIRE ROMANCE COLLECTION, VOLUME 1 (box set)

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Shattered Worlds Boxed Set

This is available for pre-order for only 99 cents. Seriously how can you beat twenty-three great stories for that price? And one of my favorite authors, Jane Redd, is one of the authors. If you haven't yet pre-ordered this speculative fiction set, don't miss out on this fantastic deal.

About the book:

Escape into twenty-three epic worlds that will leave you breathless.

From dystopian nightmares to gorgeous steampunk and fantasy settings to fairy-tale retellings and beyond, SHATTERED WORLDS has every story you've been dying to get your hands on!

This unique Young Adult/New Adult collection, inspired by the creative minds of today's New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling authors, promises to satisfy your cravings for action and adventure as you experience rune magic and time-travel, overthrow corrupt governments, meet reapers and aliens, battle dragons, fall hopelessly in love, and break ancient curses, right alongside some of the bravest characters in fantasy fiction!

Each book within this collection is exclusive to the set and can't be found anywhere else.

Here's the fabulous cover of Mistress Grim, the story by Jane Redd, who you may know as Heather B. Moore. Pre-order your boxed set today to get some great reads. 

Friday, May 12, 2017

Free Mother's Day Gift

It's true. It's free. But only this weekend, so get one for you and one for a friend.

Mothering Through the Whirlwind by author Tamara Passey is a chronicle of one mother's experiences. While her challenges are different from yours or mine, it boils down to allowing us to appreciate our own mothering experiences, to find joy in the challenges, to get through the difficult knowing we are not alone.

A great gift.



Thursday, April 13, 2017

The Matchmaking Game by Donna Hatch



The Matchmaking Game by Donna Hatch

Isn't this cover beautiful? Loved this book. There are several reasons why. It was a light, easy read. I like regency romance. It's clean. But on a deeper level, Ms. Hatch brilliantly weaves characters and their situation, intertwining them with the impossible, and making the reader yearn for what the characters seemingly cannot have. Very satisfying read. Still sighing.

I recommend you buy this one. It's currently on Amazon for pre-order, but will be available April 18.

reader's note: I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

You can check out more fine works by this author here:

Amazon

Facebook

Goodreads



Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Condemn Me Not by Heather B. Moore

So SO excited for this release. READ more about it below, ENTER the contest, BUY your copy here, today.





Blog Tour Schedule

March 24: My Book a Day / Empower Moms

Goodreads Summary

“This woman was one of the most impudent, scurrilous, wicked creatures of this world; and she did now throughout her whole trial discover herself to be such a one. Yet when she was asked what she had to say for herself, her chief plea was that she had led a most virtuous and holy life.” —Reverend Cotton Mather, 1692

USA Today Bestselling author Heather B. Moore brings the life of her 10th great-grandmother to center stage. Susannah North Martin, accused of witchcraft in 1692, joins five women in the Salem Jail, all sentenced to death for their crimes. Amidst tragedy, Susannah finds hope and compassion as she remembers a well-loved life, and readers discover that love reaches far beyond the grave as Susannah faces the magistrates in Salem.


Visit this fabulous author on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads and don't forget to enter the giveaway below. 

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Monday, March 6, 2017

Sophia's Leap-Year Courtship

I love purple, so of course I was drawn to this cover. And bonus that it sounds like such an entertaining read. Enjoy this one my friends!


Goodreads Summary

Union Pacific Station Agent Chadwick Hughes has everything in a state of readiness to welcome his mail order bride…everything but the bride. The woman he’s corresponded with for a year didn’t change her mind or miss her train in Omaha—she never existed. Chadwick’s mortified to discover he’s been swindled by a fraudulent matrimonial agency in Chicago. He needs a lawyer if he’ll ever recover a dime of the fortune he spent on worthless membership fees and the nonexistent bride’s transportation west.

Sophia Sorensen, Attorney at Law, is a spinster on the edge of propriety. The good people of Wyoming Territory are open to a lot of things, including Lady’s Privilege during Leap Years, but some aren’t fond of her day-to-day behavior. Why, the woman rides her bicycle hither and yon, showing her petticoat ruffle and ankles. She might be the least ladylike specimen beneath Wyoming skies, but it’s entertaining to watch her court the U.P. Station Agent, Chadwick Hughes, the most-eligible bachelor in the county.

Visit Kristin Holt at here:

 Website 



and be sure to follow her on 

Twitter and her Facebook Author Page







Monday, February 20, 2017

Love Remains by Sarah M. Eden

So excited to be part of this cover reveal for Sarah M. Eden's upcoming novel due out September 5, 2017. And isn't this lovely?


From the USA Today Bestselling author of the Longing for Home series, LOVE REMAINS is a new romance novel set in the beloved world of Hope Springs.

Cecily faces a dark, uncertain future. Tavish is haunted by his painful, anguished past. Fate has brought them together in a world determined to tear them apart.

Be sure to mark this as 'to read' on Goodreads and enjoy it this fall.





Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Holiday Recovery

I love Halloween--the candy, the costumes, the creepy decorations. I love Thanksgiving--the focus on gratitude, the days off with family, the food. Then comes the depression. I'm never ready for it, but I'm always grateful for January and the routine and normalcy it provides. I feel pretty good this year that it hasn't taken the whole month to recover.

Resolutions? Haven't set any for many years. It isn't that I don't believe in them or that I'm so far gone by January 1 that I can't even change a habit. It's that goal setting is a habit. A weekly habit. A monthly habit. This week my goal was to write 200 words per day. Not quite making it, but hope to make up for some of that today.

Some things I find that work:

Set small, manageable goals. Especially goals that take 10-15 minutes (because some days that's what's manageable).

Know yourself. If larger blocks of time are more manageable for difficult tasks, go for it.

Have a punishment for not working on the goal. Some things that have worked for me: delete an app from my phone or iPad if I don't meet the goal; take a 3:00 a.m. 'walk with God' to discuss with Him why you didn't meet the goal (who wants to get up at 3:00 a.m. let alone grovel and try to explain away three hours on Pinterest or Facebook? You get the idea.)

Don't give up. If you miss a day, commit to restart the next day.

Have Accountability Partners. For my writing, it's my critique group. For my personal life, it's my husband. They truly make all the difference.

What are some things that work for you in staying commited to a resolution or goal? Leave me a comment! (because, you know, I need all the help I can get)

Book Sale!

Need some sweet romance to sigh your way through the holidays? Here you go: Merry Christmas and happy wishes for however you celebrate!