Monday, November 5, 2018

Contemporary Holiday Romances

The holidays are coming. (I miss Halloween already.) Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and DECEMBER are right around the corner. I've already started shopping. 

Do you need a way to embrace the season? Or a gift for the Hallmark lover in your life? Or a gift for that difficult to buy for person? 


Well, you're in luck. I've teamed up with two fabulous authors for the Holiday Romance Collection. This ebook boxset contains three full-length contemporary romances inspired by Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The novels are available individually in several formats but the best deal is the ebook collection which contains all three.


Eleanor and the Christmas Carol Fudge by Tamara Passey



Eleanor is saving her grandmother's fudge business but is becoming like Scrooge in the process. The consultant she hires to help happens to be the friend from high school that hasn't given up his crush for her. Will the Christmas spirit melt her heart or will she miss out on the love of her life?


Christmas Future by Valerie Ipson



While Scarlett Ambrose works her PR magic landing Alaska on the nice Christmas spirit list, her wedding plans and a longing for Arizona’s heat have to wait. But when the wait’s too long will a warm-hearted doctor in town for his own reasons be just the prescription for lifting her cold, Scrooge-like spirit?




A Christmas Carol for Candy by Peggy Urry 


Candy Kaine exchanges a philandering fiance for college. School and a small town community save her from facing the past. In the fast-paced city, Jace Marlowe takes the only job offered since an ugly breakup: web design for a posh resort. The resort plans to buy Janssen Manor, home of the satellite campus located in Jace's small home town. Will Past, Present, and Future experience help Candy overcome her challenges? Can Jace find a solution before he loses what is most important?

A huge thanks to SageFoxDesigns for my cover. I think it's perfect! (you can also find her on FB and Instagram)



Monday, July 30, 2018

Beach Time

You know, beach time is reading time, right?

I love the ocean, watching the waves and my kids playing, looking for sand dollars, finding little crabs scurrying over the rocks after the waves roll out. I never seem to tire of it. Sometimes I don't read, but this time, I did.

First, Calico Ball

I don't usually read western-ish books and was unfamiliar with Calico Balls, but this was a fun way to find out about them and life in the old West. I have been through Wyoming many times, so it was fun to read about a place not often featured (at least in the books I usually read). I liked all of the stories. A Keeper of the Western Door dealt with prejudice against the Native Americans and what a difference we can make in treating people like people. A Convenient Arrangement was cute, but didn't feel as impactful for me. Isabella's Calico Groom was probably my favorite. This one dealt with professional prejudism against women in "men's work". But it was fascinating and fun and I really liked how the heroine and the hero learn to get along.




Second, A Night in Grosvenor Square.

I loved this collection. Loved. The stories had different approaches which was nice because I didn't feel like I was reading the same formulaic story. And the characters. Yeah, I liked them all. My favorite? Ellen in Little London by Heather Moore. But a very close second is Mrs. Northrop in A Match for Princess Pompous. Sometimes I think the prejudices of the ton are lost on us, but after reading these, and a conversation with friends, I pondered on my own prejudices and wanted to be less judgmental.

Monday, May 14, 2018

New York Rights Fair Honors Visual Books

Publishers Weekly, in conjunction with BolognaFiere and Combined Book Exhibit, organized New York Rights Fair (an international rights and licensing marketplace).

In an article by Calvin Reid on May 8, 2018, in Publishers Weekly they announced the winning titles from their inaugural competition Talking Pictures:Selected Books which honors excellence in visual books.

You can find the list below and on New York Rights Fair's website as well as sign up for the symposium in Manhattan. The article is not too lengthy and gives some great information. I recommend reading it.

Anyway, I was so excited to see the list and see the stunning visuals so worthy of this award. Not to be. It is just a list. So, for your viewing pleasure, I have added the book covers. Do you have a favorite? And did you want to spend hours perusing through the pages between the covers? I did.

Top Honorees for 2017

Art and Photography

The Black Trilogy
Photos by Ralph Gibson
Text by Gilles Mora
University of Texas Press


The Fire Next Time
James Baldwin and
Steve Schapiro
Taschen

Artists Who Make Books
Philip E. Aarons
Claire Lehmann
Phaidon
Edited by Andrew Roth




Cookbooks

Catalonia
Jose Pizarro
Hardie Grant Publishing

Igni
Aaron Turner
Photos by Julian Kingman
Hardie Grant Publishing

On Vegetables
Jeremy Fox with
Noah Galuten
Photos by Rick Poon
Phaidon




Children's Picture Books

Cabanes
Aurelian Debat
Les Grandes Personnes
Town Is by the Sea
Joanne Schwartz and 
Sydney Smith
Groundwood Books
House of Anansi Press
Nos Vacances (The Holidays)
Blexbolex
Trapeze Albin Michel Jeunesse






Comics and Graphic Novels

The Hunting Accident
David L. Carlson and 
Landis Blair
First Second Books



My Favorite Thing Is Monsters
Emil Ferris
Fantagraphics Books




Whatsa Paintoonist
Jerry Moriarty
Fantagraphics Books






Architecture and Graphic Design

LOT-EK
Ada Tolla and 
Guiseppe Lignano with
Thomas de Monchaux
The Monacelli Press

Star Wars Super Graphic
Tim Leong
Chronicle Books


The Sausage of the Future
Carolien Nieblins
Lars Muller Publishers









Thursday, May 10, 2018

The Promise of Home by Michele Paige Holmes

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

Cover Reveal!!!

And isn't it gorgeous? I love the contrasting colors.

Back of the Book:

As Katie and Collin MacDonald prepare to embark on the most perilous journey of their lives—crossing the Atlantic to Nova Scotia—an ocean away Collin’s brother Ian is seeing the coast of Virginia for the first time.

Katie and Collin cross the ocean swiftly, with the smaller ship Cleopatra making good time until she encounters a fierce storm near Sable Island. The tempest threatens both the ship and Katie’s fragile health, and their arrival in Halifax brings little relief, but further proof that the dangers of this new continent will equal or surpass the old. 

Ian’s voyage proves perilous as well, and would have cost Ian his life, except for the courageous and timely aid of Elizabeth Campbell. Yet, Ian plans to return to Scotland as soon as possible. But his unlikely friendship with Eliza makes him reluctant to abandon her to the cruel fate that awaits her. His responsibility as laird propels him to risk his own freedom, and he decides to stay in America for the time being and do what he can to help. 

Pre-Order it HERE.

Find Michele here:  







Monday, April 30, 2018

Love Unexpected

Book DescriptionWhen the widowed Lady Marianne Deveridge is invited to spend the season in London with her friend Lady Penelope Wellingham, she has no idea that Penny and Beau have another guest: Captain Ernest Saunders, Beau’s brother. Matchmaking is definitely afoot. However, after having been married to wandering explorer, Marianne has no intention of becoming involved with a wandering sea captain.

Her first sight of Captain Saunders in all his robust masculinity brings every one of her senses to attention. She knows then that her resolve will be difficult to keep.


Almost immediately upon making the captain’s acquaintance, Marianne becomes the focus of a mysterious villain who is devising a horse racing fraud. What has she seen to endanger a deadly felon? She has no idea.


Captain Saunders makes it his business to keep Marianne safe, and the two of them are brought closer by their investigation into the dark side of horse racing. Still, she thinks she is managing to resist his charms.

It is not until her very survival is at stake that she realizes how interwoven their lives have become. Will her heart ever recover once she watches another ship put out to sea?


Check out these other stops on the Blog Tour:

April 30th - Peggy Urry / Bookworm Lisa
May 1st - Min Reads and Reviews / Literary Time Out (spotlights)
May 4th - The Bibliophile Files / Katie’s Clean Book Collection



A fabulous Giveaway (and I hope you win!):


Thursday, April 26, 2018

A Highlander's Hidden Heart

Book description:

Despite being the daughter of a duke, shy Elizabeth Barrington becomes a target for the cruel whisperings of the ton. She would rather stay at home with her sketchbook indefinitely than give them more to gossip about, but when a dashing new earl arrives, everything changes. His Scottish brogue and easy acceptance draw her in and she finds herself falling in love. Before she can act on her feelings, however, her father promises her to a man who hides his cruel behavior behind a mask of civility. With her future at stake, Elizabeth must make a choice—do her duty or choose a love that could cost her everything.


Alec Ramsay never expected to inherit an earldom or settle in England, but he leaves behind his life in the Scottish Highlands and comes to London. After meeting his new neighbor, the beautiful and soft-spoken Lady Elizabeth, Alec can’t wait to further their acquaintance. It doesn’t take long in her company, however, for Alec to see he’s in danger of losing his heart. But when long-held prejudices rear their ugly head, Alec is caught between doing what is right and his new role as an English gentleman. Has he finally found the love he’s waited his whole life for, only to lose her in the web of unfair judgments and proper English traditions?

My take: Can I please stop writing the post because I'm right in the middle of this enchanting book. So far I'm taken with it and enjoying every minute I have to read it. So far it's a keeper! You should get your own copy.


And then you should connect with Julie (because you know you'll want to read more of her books):




Also check out these other blogs for insights and more chances to win:


April 23rd: Katie’s Clean Book Collection / Heidi Reads
April 24th - LDS and Lovin’ It / The Bibliophile Files
April 25th - LDS Writer Mom / My Book a Day / Singing Librarian Books / Getting Your Read On
April 26th - Peggy Urry / Min Reads and Reviews (spotlight)
April 27th - Among the Reads / Joy in the Moments / Literary Time Out / Wishful Endings


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, April 23, 2018

An Amazing Find: Museum Trees!

Sometimes you come across a product and you vacillate because you aren't sure what you will get or if it will be worth the price. (Which is why actually getting out of my house and going to the store can be a good thing). So I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of a product I received several months ago from a company called Museum Trees.

They have the widest selection of outdoor artificial plants and trees. And yes, they are life-sized. It's stunning what they offer. A couple of my favorites are the Desert Willow and the Japanese Bonsai. They also offer some useful information like How to Maintain Your Office Garden with Minimal Effort... (the picture alone on this one is worth the look)

I was privileged to receive a beautiful custom artificial tree from an affiliate of Museum Trees. And it did not dissappoint. It was super easy to take from the shipping box and arrange the leaves. I set it on the side table in the waiting area at our office. It looks amazing and so natural. When I asked one lady what she thought, she couldn't believe it wasn't real. I'm not a great photographer, but I absolutely love this tree. And the other benefit is that I know it won't die.



*I received this product in exchange for a fair review. (I could gush about this tree because I really do love it!)

*If you are a blogger and would like to participate in their review campaign, please leave a message and I will get you the details.

**SPECIAL** Use code BLOGGER10 to receive 10% off you order at Silk Plants Direct!



Thursday, January 25, 2018

Not an Ordinary Baronet BLOG TOUR!


#1 Bestselling Author in Regency Romance!

Back of the Book description:

One morning, along the wild Dorset coast, Sir Bertie is bewitched by Lady Catherine Redmayne. Smugglers intervene, and soon her life is in danger. Of course, Bertie feels compelled to protect her, but initially, Catherine believes him to be the menace. It doesn't help that she is heartbroken and the subject of a scandal.


First, Bertie must convince Catherine of his innocence, then uncover the real threat. Will she yeild her injured heart to him? Several forces are at work to separate them, and after all, he is only an ordinary baronet and she is a marquess's daughter.


Connect with this amazing author here:





Don't miss out on this giveaway: Rafflecopter giveaway
And be sure to check out these other blogs:


January 23 - Heidi Reads
January 26 - Among the Reads

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):


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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:





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!