The Sassy Bride: Gone With the Bride (Magnolias and Moonshine #1) by Ciara Knight {Review}

The Sassy Bride: Gone With the Bride (Magnolias and Moonshine #1) by Ciara Knight

Kindle Edition, 96 pages

Published April 10th 2017 by Defy the Dark 

Abandoned by her parents and left to raise two sisters, Sadie Dixon has spent her life sacrificing for her family. When the eldest son of the rich Dumont family, Ashton, wins her heart and hand in marriage, he showers her with every advantage money can buy. But when their worlds collide, Sadie faces the first sacrifice she isn't sure she can make: leaving her family and lifelong dreams of owning a bakery behind for the man she loves.

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My Review: 4 Stars

I'm the oldest in my family and I can't imagine being left to raise my siblings while I was still a kid myself, but that's just what Sadie finds herself doing. She's a girl who is full of resentment for her lost dreams and lack of support, yet she works very hard to make her way in life and to be the mom her two sisters don't have. I have to admire her dedication to family and her passion for baking.

Ashton is such a great guy! Although his family is very wealthy, he's not conceited at all and he always seems to put Sadie's needs first. Man, that guy is always thinking about her and how to ease her burdens. But...it's hard to choose between the family you've known and the family of your future and he's not perfect.

Usually this type of story is about a couple meeting and falling in love, despite obstacles or doubts, but this one doesn't fit that mold, which kept it interesting for me. It made me think: would I choose family over money? Love over family? Money over love?  

Although this book is less than 100 pages, I felt the author did a really good job in developing the plot and the characters, especially the one (who shall remain nameless) that I couldn't stand. This is a great beginning to a fun series (they do not have to be read in order).   

Content: mild romance

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Buy Link:

Swoon Worthy Spotlights

Welcome to Swoon Worthy Spotlights,

hosted by Bookworm Nation, Katie's Clean Book Collection and KJ's Book Nook! 

Swoon Worthy Spotlights features 1-3 of our favorite books that we have read during the month.

We will share the cover(s), our review(s)

and a link to each other's posts

so you can check out which books we have all chosen!

 

The books that made me swoon this month are:

Mergers & Acquisitions by Jennifer Griffith

Just One Summer

This one is out of print, unfortunately,
but you can read almost all of the stories
separately on Kindle.

 

 

 

 

 

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Have you read any Swoony reads this past month?

Be sure to check out the choices from

KJ's Book Nook

and

Bookworm Nation

Happy Reading!

Taste of Tara (Magnolias and Moonshine #9) by Shanna Hatfield {Review}

Taste of Tara (Magnolias and Moonshine #9)

by Shanna Hatfield

Kindle Edition, 140 pages

Published April 29th 2017 by Shanna Hatfield 

 

 

Pastry Chef Tara Tarleton doesn’t want much out of life except to have a successful career and someday visit the South. When the opportunity arises to spend a month on a plantation near Atlanta helping bring a living history event to life, she jumps at the chance. Filled with grand visions of channeling a southern belle, disappointment settles over her when reality comes to call. Plagued with allergies, humidity, and a creaky old house, she’s ready hand over her mint julep and return home. Then she meets a man who rescues her from thugs, bugs, and herself.

Life has taught Brett Cutler to enjoy one day at a time. That’s exactly what he’s doing when a beautiful girl runs into his arms as she tries to escape men intent on harming her. From that moment on, he’s ready to plan the next fifty years of his future. The only problem is the woman who’s captured his heart has no intention of staying in town.

Taste of Tara is a lively, fun read that captures the sweet romance of following your dreams, no matter where they may lead.

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My Review: 4 Stars

Right from the start, I thought, "My sister would love this!" because of all the "Gone With the Wind" references, especially with the names. How clever are they?!

Tara is a Southern Belle at heart and it really shows when she has a chance to work as a pastry chef in Georgia. Her mannerisms, speech, and looks are a throwback to Scarlett O'Hara and she's in her element in this new job. Her romance with Brett (I almost typed "Rhett") is a little fast, but his Southern cowboy charm is hard to resist, even for a reader like me. I think Tara really caught him off guard and it's kind of sweet and adorable.

The mishaps that Tara experiences would have had me packing my bags to go home. That said, I couldn't help smiling and wondering what could happen next--and something always did. 

 

I love it when Tara has a chance to channel Scarlett, which really seems to turn up the notch in the romance area. There are a lot of fun moments, mingled with a few sappy times, but the food and charm completely won me over in the end.

Content: mild romance

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Buy Link:

 

 

 

The Lost Knight by Candy Atkins {Book Blast + Giveaway}

   

The Lost Knight by Candy Atkins 

How am I supposed to save the world when I'm not strong, not brave, not smart, and not particularly good at most things? I ran away from home the day after my thirteenth birthday when Auntie and her weird friend attacked me. Now I'm on the run with the Grim Reaper and a scary soldier. And I'm no longer on Earth. They were expecting me to be a Knight. The savior that's supposed to stop a war and prevent the invasion of Earth. But I'm not. They grabbed the wrong girl. I just don’t know how to tell them.

 

Praise for the Book:

#2 on GoodReads Middle Grade Novels of 2016 5/5 Stars “Like Harry Potter meets The Labyrinth.” -Author Adan Ramie  
5/5 Stars “Candy Atkins takes us on an epic adventure reminiscent of the novels of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.” –GoodReads/Amazon Reviewer

5/5 Stars “For all you Potterheads or Harry Potter geeks, how can you not fall in love with this story and appreciate the fact that it is a female lead.” –Rising Indies United

 

Excerpts:

Three full chapters are free online: Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three

This is a partial excerpt from Chapter One:

I grab the box of midnight-purple hair dye from my book bag and squeeze my way down the narrow, overstuffed hall into the only bathroom in our apartment. The shower hasn’t worked since it was turned into a storage closet, so I clear the sink of the old cat food cans Auntie has stockpiled, turn on the cold water, and dream about the day when I’ll have my own apartment with a shower, hot water, and food.

“Agatha, are you still pouting?” Auntie yells from her recliner. ”I told you, Uncle will pick something up when he’s done with work.”

My foster parents, I call them Auntie and Uncle, are not what I would describe as parents, or even aunt and uncle, they’re more like babysitters. Uncle hasn’t been home for three days, and I doubt she believes he’ll be here tonight. She just wants me to tell her that I’m okay with her not picking up dinner. I’m not. Today is my thirteenth birthday. It’s not like I was expecting a cake, but something to eat would’ve been nice.

After I dye my hair, I take a shirt from the pile of laundry I’m standing on, wrap it around my head, and carry the remaining hair dye back to my bedroom. I love my tiny room, mostly because I’ve been sketching and painting jumbled and disjointed art on these walls since I was old enough to grip a pencil. Part of the reason I chose what the box calls boysenberry for my hair is because the extra dye is the perfect hue for the raven I’m painting on my ceiling.

Dipping the number-three flat brush into my dye calms me and all is forgiven. Auntie’s not a mean person, she’s just a bit off. Being angry with her is like being mad at one of the cats—pointless.

I wrap a blanket around my shoulders and open the window. Queens is especially chatty tonight with the noise of cars, people fighting, dogs barking, and the laughter that only I can hear. I stand on the bed and fill in the gentle face of my birdie while humming along with the chorus of voices outside.

Tonight, the singing is boldly wafting through my window. I can’t understand the words and don’t know the tune, but the music is sweet and peaceful. It’s sad that I can only hear my songs some of the time, when I’m tired and relaxed, and sadder still that no one else can listen with me.

My dye runs out long before I’m satisfied with my raven so I give up and climb into bed. The song I’m listening to now is particularly soothing, a hymn or possibly an opera. Maybe one day I’ll be a great songwriter or something.

A muffled thud near my window startles me from a sound sleep. There’s an eerie red glow casting moving shadows across my room. I blink a few times to make sure I’m not still dreaming and follow the source of the light. Just to the side of the foot of my bed kneels a tall, hooded figure with luminescent red eyes. It’s stroking the long ears of a much smaller creature that looks withered and dying.

I’m not scared, which is weird, but it might be because I’m not sure I’m awake. I turn on the lamp to make the dream disappear and end up blinding myself. When my eyes adjust, I see the sickly green skin of a long-eared frog-boy lying on the floor and the tall cloaked being that’s cradling it. The tall black monster who closely resembles the Grim Reaper appears to be even more stunned than I am. We stare at each other while my brain struggles to figure out what I’m looking at. These things don’t exist, so how can I be seeing them so clearly? The black-hooded creature never takes its red eyes off me while it stands and lifts the small sickly frog-boy off the floor.

“Agatha?” it whispers.

This monster is actually in my room! My insides seize, trapping my scream. What is this thing and how does it know my name? I want to run, but I can’t move or look away. My fluttering heart stops when my door flies open with a crash. A scream unseals my lips, amplifying my terror.

Auntie charges in, wielding a large kitchen knife. She’s yelling in her nutty made-up language, but it works. The creature jumps out my fifth-floor window, taking the frog-boy with him.

She whips around toward me, still holding the knife, and looking like she means to use it. “What did you see! What was that? What were you doing!”

Auntie has her kind moments, but she’s crazy. I mean, truly mental. Whatever just happened, she mustn’t know that I saw it too. She probably suspects I did, but if I confirm it, she’ll nail my window shut and my songs will disappear forever. “I had a nightmare. Was I yelling in my sleep? Did I wake you?” I’m trying to sound calm, but I’m failing.

She takes a few deep breaths while she sizes me up. She pauses and tilts her head to the side. “There was something here. I saw it. Did you see it?”

“What was here? What did you see? And what’s with the knife?” I want her to tell me if she saw the Grim Reaper and a dead rabbit-frog-boy at the foot of my bed. If she saw them too, then I’m not crazy. But then again, if I see the same thing as a crazy person, we’re probably both insane.

 

  

 

 
Author Candy Atkins

Candy Atkins is a full-time writer who lives with her husband and two kids in Orlando, Florida. She’s an avid reader and lover of all things fantasy and sci-fi. Her debut novel, The Lost Knight, is volume one of the six-part Lost Knight Series. Her life’s journey has taken her from dining with the President to being on food stamps to running her own company. And since all author bios end by naming and quantifying pets... she also enjoys spending time with her boxer, Butler, and Wynona the cat. 

Website * Facebook * Twitter

       

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway 

 Ends 9/24/17 

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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Mergers & Acquisitions (Legally in Love #5) by Jennifer Griffith {Review}

Mergers & Acquisitions (Legally in Love)

by Jennifer Griffith

Kindle Edition, 216 pages

Publication: August 29th 2017 

 

 

A chance find at a yard sale of a priceless piece of art will change lawyer Jillian Price's life forever.

Everyone would think lawyer Jillian Price has it made, with her cushy legal job at one of L.A.'s biggest talent agencies. It's most lawyers' dream come true. She even has a big name young star on her client list. But it's sucking away her life, and Jillian is secretly aching for a way out.

When she stumbles across a painting that has all the hallmarks of a never-before-seen masterpiece by a recently-deceased master, Jillian thinks she might have found her ticket out of law. Then, at a client meeting with her young star, she meets the breathtakingly gorgeous Aero Jantzen, a banker with the bluest eyes she's ever seen. Besides giving her a soul-shattering kiss, he also gives her life-changing advice: that she use the art to break into the sparkling world of art she originally dreamed of entering.

However, the second she starts the ball in motion, Aero--for some unknown reason--starts working against Jillian's success. Her greatest champion is now her biggest roadblock.

And worse, she's still crazy-attracted to him.

Will Jillian be able to negotiate a merger, or is she fighting an uphill battle against an inevitable acquisition?

With themes of trust and hope, family and dreams, all set in gorgeous Old Town Pasadena, California, this story is interwoven with Hollywood glitz, inner-circle art world innovators, the intrigue of lost paintings, and the discovery of the inner self. Plus, it has plenty of delicious kisses for readers who love a clean and wholesome romance.

Mergers & Acquisitions is a standalone novella in the Legally in Love Collection.  

 

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My Review: 5 Stars

 

Jennifer Griffith is a go-to author because she has a way of combining a great plot with a swoony romance that gives me butterflies, yet it all stays clean. The books in this series can stand alone and they're all worth reading.

Jillian, or Jilly, is a lawyer and that's one profession that I don't think I could ever do, yet she's good at it. Her teenage client, Ryker, is a Hollywood star and I must say, at first I was expecting Justin Bieber, but what I got was one hilarious and quirky character that kept me on my toes, rolling my eyes, and laughing at loud.

Is it possible for a teenager to be a matchmaker? Ryker is definitely trying hard to get two of his favorite people together and his reason for it melted my heart. Aero is a great character and the yang to Jilly's ying. They're each so strong and there's no hesitation at all in their actions, yet they complement each other so well. I love characters who know who they are and aren't afraid to be true to themselves.

I love the way the author incorporates art and legalese into a story about following dreams, discovering deep down hopes, and finding passion, all while set in California. There's an almost nostalgic, throw-back feel to the setting that really drew me in. I can feel that sunshine on my face, smell the sunscreen in the air, and feel that ocean breeze drifting through my hair.

Content: mild romance (kissing)

*I received a copy, which did not affect my opinion in any way. All thoughts are my own.*

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Buy Link:

 

Hold Me At Twilight by Lucinda Whitney {Review}

Hold Me At Twilight by Lucinda Whitney 

(A Romano Family Novella)

Kindle Edition, 108 pages

Published April 7th 2017 by Lange House Press 

 

 

Love might have a chance… if her family stays out of it.

When Knox Campbell goes to Portugal for a short business trip, he never planned on losing his documents. Now he’s stranded in Porto, his passport lost, and his credit cards canceled. Knox turns to the travel agent who suggested the local day attractions for assistance.

Jacinta Romano loves helping her clients set up their dream trips, although she doesn’t usually meet the ones visiting from abroad. But all that changes when a client shows up at the agency while her meddling family are still there. They latch on to him immediately, insisting Jacinta bring him home while he’s stranded. Thankfully, he’s only staying until his new passport arrives and after two weeks of playing hostess, she’ll be glad to send him on his way.

Or will she?

 

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My Review: 4 Stars

 

This is a short little novella and I was pleasantly surprised at how well the characters and plot were developed in such a tiny blip of time. I would be Knox--in a foreign country with no idea how to speak the language. Luckily for him, he has a travel agent that he's been emailing for things to do who comes to the rescue in translating for him when an unfortunate event occurs. He's such a normal character, which makes him very likable and easy to relate to. 

 

Jacinta, the travel agent, is likable as well, with her helpful ways and large, crazy family (which I loved!). Her emotions are on her sleeve throughout and I was cheering for her to find her happily ever after so hard, especially as this is an attraction-at-first-sight kind of story.

 

Things don't always turn out the way that I want them to, or even expect them to, but I still had a blast experiencing Northern Portugal through the eyes of these characters.

 

Content: mild romance

 

*I won a copy in a giveaway, which didn't influence my opinion at all. All thoughts are my own.*

 

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Buy Link:

 

The Romano Family series follows the stories of the Romano cousins of northern Portugal as they find love and their Happily-Ever-Afters.

Current books in the Romano Family series:
- Hold Me At Twilight
- Meet Me At Sunrise (also part of the Destined for Love: Europe series)
- Love Me At Sunset (coming soon)
- Ask Me At Christmas (coming soon)

The Duke's Brother by Heather B. Moore {Review}

The Duke's Brother by Heather B. Moore

Kindle Edition, 74 pages

Published August 8th 2017 by Mirror Press 

 

 

Mr. Gregory Clark is having an awful day, and it only gets worse when he’s ran over by … a woman. Mabel Russell reluctantly visits her sister in London for the Season, even though she’d rather stay in the country cataloging insects and aphids. When she runs into Mr. Clark, quite literally, she’s afraid to show any interest, especially since he’s a member of the dreaded Ton. But getting to know Mr. Clark becomes an unexpected delight.

*Note for readers: THE DUKE'S BROTHER was previously published in A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Regency Collection  

 

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My Review: 5 Stars

 

I have a little rebellious streak running through my veins right now and that means that I love to read a story, especially of Regency variety, that has characters who go against the grain. Mabel isn't your typical prim and proper debutante. Oh no--she's very much into speaking her mind, playing in the dirt, and collection and cataloguing bugs.

 

I don't know that it's typical for a man during this time period to allow a woman to follow her dreams and whims as much as Gregory does, but I loved it. He's not into the fussiness of the Ton and seems to encourage Mabel's unique hobby. That right there won me over, but when you add to that his determination to get what he wants and his stellar letter writing skills, yes, I'm definitely a fan.

 

This is a short little delightful read and one that kept a smile on my face.

 

Content: mild romance

 

*I received a copy which didn't influence my opinion in any way. All thoughts are my own.*

 

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Buy Link:

 

ALISO CREEK SERIES:
Picture Perfect
Third Time’s the Charm
The Daisy Chain
Lost then Found
One Chance

THE FALLING SERIES:
Falling for Sydney
Falling for Maria
Falling for June

THE TANGERINE STREET ROMANCE SERIES:
The Fortune Café
The Boardwalk Antiques Shop
The Mariposa Hotel

THE NEWPORT LADIES BOOK CLUB SERIES:
Athena
Ruby’s Secret
Tying the Knot

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
Tide Pools
A Taste of Sun

HISTORICAL ROMANCE:
Love is Come
An Ocean Away
A Fortunate Exile
A Season in London
Mail Order Bride
Heart of the Ocean
Power of the Matchmaker
Twelve Months
The Duke's Brother

TIMELESS ROMANCE ANTHOLOGIES:
Winter Collection
Spring Vacation Collection
Summer Wedding Collection
California Dreamin’ Collection
Valentine’s Day Collection
And more…!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Heather B. Moore is a USA today bestselling author who writes sweet romance. Under H.B. Moore she writes historicals & thrillers. Under Jane Redd, she writes Young Adult. There are more than 9,000 5-star reviews for Heather's books on Goodreads!

 

The Pursuit of Lady Harriett by Rachael Anderson {Book Blast + Giveaway}

 

The Pursuit of Lady Harriett by Rachael Anderson  

When wills clash and hearts collide, who will reign victorious? Termed an Incomparable during her first London season, Lady Harriett Cavendish is beautiful, spirited, and confident, capturing the attention of a great many suitors. Unfortunately, they all failed to capture her attention, and she concluded the season as unattached as she’d begun it. Only weeks prior to her second season, Harriett encounters Lieutenant Christopher Jamison while visiting Tanglewood Manor. Recently returned from war, the lieutenant is everything that Harriett's previous suitors were not. He’s arrogant, ungentlemanly, irritating, and challenges her at every opportunity. When he goes too far, Harriett decides that it’s time to turn the tables on him. But as she sets out to put the lieutenant in his place once and for all, she discovers there is more to him than meets the eye, and when it comes to matters of the heart, she has no control whatsoever.

    

Excerpt

The corners of the man’s eyes crinkled in a mild show of amusement. “Lady Harriett, I presume?” Rather than look at her with appreciation as most men did, he appeared amused.

At her nod, he tucked his hands behind his back, remaining a few steps above her. “I am Lieutenant Christopher Jamison, an old friend of Jonathan’s.”

“I was expecting you days ago,” she answered. “Lord Jonathan charged me with the unhappy task of informing you he and his new bride are currently away on their wedding trip. He is sorry he cannot be here to meet with you and has asked that I relay his apologies.”

“May I inquire as to how long they will be away?” he asked.

No, you may not, she wanted to say. Her neck was beginning to ache from looking up at him, but she forced her gaze to remain steady. “They expected to be gone a fortnight, sir.”

“And they have been gone how long, exactly?”

She felt an unaccountable hesitancy to tell him. “A week.”

“Ah.” He sounded disappointed but seemed to take the news in stride, glancing at Charlie as though wondering whether he ought to retrieve his horse or not. Harriett prayed that he would.

When his gaze strayed back to her, he took the unwelcome, and ungentlemanly, liberty of perusing her figure. When his eyes met hers again, his lips twitched into a slight smile. “Forgive me, my lady, but you appear to have had a run-in with a mud puddle and lost.”

How kind of him to point that out. Harriett kept her hands at her side rather than attempt to brush the dirt from her face and pelisse yet again. The damage was done, and no amount of brushing or shaking would remove the muck. What she needed was a hot bath and a change of clothes.

“Actually, sir, I was merely an innocent bystander.”

“Indeed?”

She picked up her skirts and ascended the steps, stopping on the stair above him so that she was eye level with him. “Are you always such a reckless rider, sir? Do you not pay heed to your surroundings?”

“Of course I do.”

“If you had, you would have seen me standing at the side of the road and, I would hope, thought to slow your animal down so as to not splash mud all over my pelisse.”

Her chilly set down did not have the desired effect. He did not appear the least bit repentant. Rather, he looked ready to burst into laughter. “And your face, apparently.” He leaned forward and squinted. “If I’m not mistaken, there is a splash or two of mud on your bonnet as well.”

Harriett glared at him. “How observant you are, Lieutenant Jamison. One can only wonder why you didn’t put that skill to good use earlier. If you had, perhaps my pelisse, face, and bonnet would still be clean.”

“I am always observant, my lady,” he said. “But might I suggest that if you would like to be noticed at the side of the road, you should wear a color that does not blend so perfectly with your surroundings. That particular shade of green looks quite lovely on you, but only someone with the eyes of an eagle would have spotted you in front of a landscape of evergreens.”

Harriett opened her mouth to respond, but no words were forthcoming. The man did not even attempt to behave like a gentleman. How could he be so . . . so . . .

“Have you no apology to offer, sir?” she finally spluttered.

“Oh, did I not apologize? Forgive me.”

“For what? Forgetting to apologize or for not doing so in the first place?”

 

  

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.

Website

 

     

$75 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 9/22/17 

 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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Grand Finale: Courting the Country Miss by Donna Hatch + Giveaway

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for

Courting the Country Miss

By Donna Hatch

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

Today’s star attraction, Courting the Country Miss, is about letting go, learning to forgive, and finding one’s true self—one’s best self. It’s also about not giving up on dreams or good causes just because of a little (or a lot) of opposition.

— Donna

Bookworm Nation - Review

"There is a reason Ms. Hatch is one of my top favorite Regency authors! . . . Leticia is a likable heroine that you can't help rooting for. She has known Tristan a long time and knows how to keep him on his toes. I thought they had great chemistry and it was fun watching their story unfold. Definitely recommend to any regency fan!"

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"The more books I read written by Donna Hatch, the more I realize what an amazing author she is. She pulls me into the book and the setting. The characters come to life for me. . . . If you love a great regency book that will make you laugh. I would pick this one up!"

Teatime and Books - Excerpt

Chapter One, Part One

England, 1817

Leticia Wentworth was twenty times a fool. Richard Barrett never cared for her beyond a childhood friendship, and Leticia had been naive to believe he would love her as she loved him. With savage ferocity, Leticia squelched the cry of pain her heart made every time Richard turned a gaze of adoration upon his wife—the kind of look he never gave Leticia, not even when she’d been certain he’d approach her father to ask for her hand in marriage. She’d pinned all her hopes and dreams of love and family on a man she would never have.

It's All About the Romance - Interview

Q: Do you have any personal heroes/heroines?

A: My mom is my hero. She’s so hard working and unselfish and loves and serves others all the time. I also really admire Audrey Hepburn, who left behind a life of glamor in the silver screen to dedicate her life helping those who live in third world countries. Another is Esther from the bible, who had the courage to face almost certain death to save her people.

Mel's Shelves - Review

"I didn't read the first book in this series (although now I want to), and this works well as a stand alone. I loved the setting, characters, and, of course, the romance. If you enjoy clean Regency romance, this is a great one to get lost in!"

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Excerpt

Chapter One, Part Two

“I’m happy for them. They have what marriage should be.” Softer, she added, “It’s what I’ve always wanted.” She stiffened, cursed herself for her confession, and looked away before her long-time friend saw too much. They used to confide in one another; it had been so easy, so comfortable. But everything had changed.

He fingered his signet ring. “Sorry, Tish. You must hate me for making a muddle of your future.”

Remembrancy - Review

"I love best friends to more stories and I enjoy the Regency period stories, so Courting the Country Miss had two points in its favor before I even began reading it. . . . Donna Hatch does an admirable job of taking readers on an admirable journey of love, bravery, and friendship. Courting the Country Miss is a pleasant and clean story for those who enjoy reading about the Regency period."

Nicole's Book Musings - Excerpt

Chapter One, Part Three

He made a tsking sound. “Since when won’t you discuss your thoughts with me?”

Long-suppressed anger roiled up inside her. “Since you ruined a duke’s daughter and forced my intended to wed her to save you from a duel!”

Tristan stared as if she’d slapped him, blinked, then hunched over and rested his elbows on his knees.

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

Chapter One, Part Four

“Except you still hate me.”

She attempted to laugh lightly but it sounded as forced as an old key in a rusty lock. “I don’t hate you. I haven’t been avoiding you—I’ve been in Suffolk helping my sister Luciana with her new baby.”

He said nothing, his usual smile absent. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Tish. I’d only pursued Elizabeth as a flirtation, an interesting diversion. I never dreamed it would go that far, to feel…” He shrugged. “A mistake in many ways, all of it.”

I Am A Reader - Excerpt

Chapter One, Part Five

His fears of not measuring up to Richard didn’t touch that inner pain she glimpsed earlier. What secret did he hide? Had it been there all the time?

“Is it because you dislike women?”

He choked. “How can you say that after calling me dissipated, a rake, and a roué?”

underneath the covers - Excerpt

Chapter One, Part Six

Still keeping pace with her, he said, “I’m troubled that you believe you’ll never love or marry. Someone like you should not live as a spinster.”

“Someone like me?” she echoed.

He made a helpless gesture. “You have much to offer. You’re gracious and constant and…well…you’d make a good wife and mother—not run off when life gets dull or when your children misbehave.”

Rockin' Book Reviews - Review

"I loved reading this book. Another wonderful story by Donna Hatch. Each one I read seems even better than the one before, if that is possible. . . . I highly recommend this book to other readers. It is a really good read and held my attention well throughout."

Paulette's Papers - Excerpt

Chapter One, Part Seven

Memories flitted through her mind of the daring rescue Tristan and Captain Kensington and one of Elizabeth’s reformed servants had orchestrated when Richard had been held captive during the peer trial last year. She’d prayed for Tristan when she’d heard he had been shot freeing his brother. To her regret, she’d been too far away at the time to offer assistance for his care.

Tristan shrugged as a sardonic smile played on his mouth. “Taking a bullet for my brother doesn’t mean I like him.”

She almost laughed. “I see.”

Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt

Chapter One, Part Eight

He tilted his head. “I wager a hundred guineas I can find you a husband by Christmas.”

She waved her hand. “Pish! You’d lose that wager.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

“Besides all the reasons I listed, it’d never work because you’d introduce me to your dissipated comrades, and I refuse to marry someone one like that.”

Singing Librarian Books - Review

"Courting the Country Miss is a delightful new read from author Donna Hatch. From page one, Hatch pulls readers into her enticing regency era story with her charming characters and engaging story. . . . This is a story that readers will not soon forget."

Getting Your Read On - Review

"I fell in love with these characters. I wanted so badly for them to figure things out. I loved the swoony moments (and there were quite a few) that had me reaching for a fan to cool my flushed face. . . . If you have never read a book by Donna Hatch this is an awesome place to start. She really is one of my favorite authors in the Regency Romance genre."

Reading Is My SuperPower - Review

"Donna Hatch is one of the masters of clean romance with electric tension and smokin’ hot kisses. Tristan and Leticia – and their story – are a great example. But even more than the romance, the strength of Courting the Country Miss lies in its character growth and the power of friendship. It’s perhaps not my favorite of Hatch’s novels, but it’s a sweet romance with a hero who will have you reaching for your fan and a heroine who will have you cheering her on."

Colorimetry - Excerpt

Chapter One, Part Nine

“Why is it when I agree with you, you assume I’m mocking you?”

“Because you do it so seldom.”

“Mock you or agree with you?” A grin played around the corners of his eyes.

“Agree with me!” Exasperated, she almost stomped her foot.

His teeth flashed in the darkness. “I vow to agree with you whenever you are right. Pray, continue. Any other virtues you require?”

Heidi Reads... - Review

"I loved reading about the characters again from Courting the Countess and seeing the story continue. . . . The action in the plot that came later made things exciting and it was great to see Leticia and Tristan's relationship develop from sibling-like to romance. Another lovely Regency from this author!"

And don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

Courting the Country Miss
(Courting #2)
by Donna Hatch
Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 312 pages

August 4th 2017 by The Wild Rose Press. Inc.

Cynical and broken-hearted, Leticia banishes dreams of marriage. When her childhood friend, Tristan, wagers he can find her the perfect husband, she hopes the challenge will coax him to forgo his devil-may-care lifestyle. Meanwhile, Leticia throws herself into forming her charity school but meets opposition—even from the people she’s helping.

Guilt-ridden that his past mistakes robbed Leticia of true love, Tristan vows to set it right, but match-making has its pitfalls for a repentant scoundrel. When he finds two ‘perfect’ gentlemen to court her, he discovers his own deep feelings for the lady.

Though Tristan seems to reform, Leticia doesn’t dare risk heartbreak with a notorious rake. When opposition for the school takes a deadly turn, can Tristan protect her from a madman bent on destroying their dreams and their lives?

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│The Wild Rose Press

Other Books in the Series

Courting the Countess

(Courting #1)
by Donna Hatch

Adult Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 388 pages

October 5th 2016 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

When charming rake Tristan Barrett sweeps Lady Elizabeth off her feet, stealing both her heart and a kiss in a secluded garden, her brother challenges Tristan to a duel. The only way to save her brother and Tristan from harm—not to mention preserve her reputation—is to get married. But her father, the Duke of Pemberton, refuses to allow his daughter to marry anyone but a titled lord. The duke demands that Elizabeth marry Tristan’s older brother, Richard, the Earl of Averston. Now Elizabeth must give up Tristan to marry a man who despises her, a man who loves another, a man she’ll never love.

Richard fears Elizabeth is as untrustworthy as his mother, who ran off with another man. However, to protect his brother from a duel and their family name from further scandal, he agrees to the wedding, certain his new bride will betray him. Yet when Elizabeth turns his house upside down and worms her way into his reluctant heart, Richard suspects he can’t live without his new countess. Will she stay with him or is it too little, too late?

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│The Wild Rose Press

About the Author

Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty five years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

Website│Blog│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Amazon

Tour Giveaway

1 winner will receive an ebook of Courting the Countess Open internationally Ends August 29th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Kiss is Just a Kiss (Magnolias and Moonshine #17) Melinda Curtis {Review}

A Kiss is Just a Kiss (Magnolias and Moonshine #17) by Melinda Curtis

Kindle Edition, 96 pages

Published April 27th 2017 by Purple Papaya, LLC 

Kitty Summer has a wedding to stop. She's sure the groom doesn't love her sister, but how can she prove it? By testing his fidelity with one very public kiss, of course.

That one kiss leaves Kitty stranded in Florida without her purse or cell phone and with her dotty grandmother and one jilted groom, aka Beck O’Brien. With only her bridesmaid dress to her name, Kitty needs Beck to help her get Granny back to Atlanta. And Beck needs Kitty to help him locate his bride so he can win her back. But the closer they come to finding Maggie, the more Beck wonders if a kiss is just a kiss.

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My Review: 4 Stars

I can think of plenty of ways to stop a wedding besides kissing the groom, but that's what Kitty does to try and prove that her younger sister's fiance, Beck, isn't really committed. Can you imagine?!

Kitty is a great character. As the oldest in my family too, I can understand her need to be there for her sisters, to protect them and help them. These sisters seem like a handful for sure, but I'm not sure that gives Kitty the excuse to do what she did--she took things a lot further than I would have! 

Understandably, she needs to work things out with her sister, Maggie, and ends up on a wild goose chase across Florida to find her--with a jilted groom and a crazy grandma as her sidekicks. And it's that situation right there that brings the humor, adventure, love, and tenderness to the story. I couldn't stop smiling and laughing at the antics that Grandma Dotty causes, which leave Beck and Kitty in the middle of the aftermath. Beck sure does handle the situation with more patience and gentleness than I ever could have imagined.

Even with all of the antics popping up all over the place, there is an solemn and sweet underlying thread that gently tugged on my heartstrings. I absolutely adored the ending, as well as the whole entire journey. This is one series that I don't want to miss.

Content:  mild romance

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National Kiss and Make Up Day GIVEAWAY

It's National KISS AND MAKE UP Day today!
And don't forget, it's still August, which means
it's Romance Awareness month.
 

Anyone who has ever been in a relationship knows

that it takes a lot of work and a lot of 

kissing and making up to work

towards that Happily Ever After that everyone

wants and deserves.

To celebrate, I'm giving away a print copy of 

The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen

US Residents ONLY please.

To enter, simply fill out the rafflecopter below.

Good luck and Happy Reading!

a Rafflecopter giveaway