Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West {Review}

Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West

ebook, 384 pages

Published February 5th 2019 by HarperTeen 

 

    

 

Lacey Barnes has dreamt of being in a movie for as long as she can remember. However, while her dream did include working alongside the hottest actor in Hollywood, it didn’t involve having to finish up her senior year of high school at the same time she was getting her big break. Although that is nothing compared to Donavan, the straight-laced student her father hires to tutor her, who is a full-on nightmare.

As Lacey struggles to juggle her burgeoning career, some on-set sabotage, and an off-screen romance with the unlikeliest of leading men, she quickly learns that sometimes the best stories happen when you go off script. 

My Review: 4 Stars

 

The acting world fascinates me and I loved getting a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes of this horror movie. Lacey is a teen actress and her career is finally taking off--hopefully. She has an optimistic personality and the drive to fulfill her dreams, but someone is sabotaging her.

Lacey is a fun character, as she displays a lot of wit, charm, talent, and vulnerability. Her dad is quite overbearing, but as a parent, I get it. You don't want to see your kid become disillusioned with life's dream and you definitely don't want to see him/her hurt. Because of this, Lacey is subtly rebellious, in slightly insignificant ways, but this movie set is forcing her to grow up, and faster than her dad would like. Donavan, her new tutor, is completely opposite from her and I loved watching them both meet in the middle, becoming both less uptight and more serious. 

My emotions were tapped into and my heart pattered at the blossoms of first love. I felt connected and love the mystery floating in the wings and wish that angle would have been explored a little more. My favorite parts were in the off script practices. This one is definitely a sweet story of young love.

Content: mild romance; very mild moments of peril

Holy As You Are by Christie Gardiner {Blog Tour Review and Giveaway}

Holy as You Are by Christie Gardiner

Kindle Edition, 224 pages

Published March 1st 2019 by Covenant Communication
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

   

When referenced in the scriptures, the word holy means to “set apart for a sacred purpose.” It is a description all women who seek to follow Christ want to embody—but the struggle between the ideal of a holy life and reality can seem far apart. In Holy As You Are, best-selling author Christie Gardiner seeks to close the gap reminding women of the holy attributes they already possess and how they can accomplish extraordinary ordinary things that will forever change the landscape and heart-scape of their worlds.
With a wealth of spiritual guidance and upbeat wisdom that doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, this inspired volume challenges readers to look at their tragedies and triumphs and everything in between as sacred opportunities to choose holiness. What if ordinary is extraordinary? What if you are Holy As You Are?

My Review: 5 Stars

What an amazing book full of exactly what I needed to hear and told in a way that warmed my heart. Sometimes these types of books leave me feeling "less-than" or overwhelmed by everything I'm not, but Christie Gardiner has a way of making the reader feel like a dear friend. I was embraced by a warm hug through these pages and reminded of who I am and how to become better, and all in a gentle way that makes it feel possible.

I also felt like parts of this book were absolutely inspired for me, personally. I was at my book club talking about journals and the next morning, read her insightful feelings on that topic and I felt like it was a nudge. I also sometimes feel judged, yet I realized I do my fair amount of judging the judgers. There were so many nuggets of inspiration and sweetness and I'm excited to ponder my findings for a long time to come and to realize that I am enough.

Schedule: 

*March 25^th: http://mybookaday.com/

*March 26^th: http://empowermoms.net/

*March 27^th: https://rachellechristensen.com/blog/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/

*March 28^th: https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/  

*March 29^th: https://brightlystreet.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

Giveaway:

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Cover Reveal: The Waves by Amy Matayo

I'm so excited to share

The Wave by Amy Matayo

with you today!

Pre-order your copy here:

Coming April 25, 2019....

The Waves - Love in Chaos #1

Dillon Hayes is twenty-eight and single, an unfortunate status her overbearing family is determined to fix. So when she’s stuck on a cruise ship for a seven-day reunion with the lot of them, she's desperate for any escape she can find, even if it means partnering with a sketchy stranger for an off-the-beaten-path snorkeling excursion. After her mother's last matchmaking attempt, Dillon is more than willing to trade all her good sense for a few hours of solace. 

 

Liam Gamble is stuck in the middle of family vacation hell. The worst part: it's not even his family. This will be the last time he ever accepts a free-vacation invitation from his best friend. At this point, he'd be willing to hand over his life savings to get off this crazy ship. So when he catches one of his friend's cousins sneaking off board, he decides to join her, hijacking her private excursion and nearly blowing her cover. If she gets to leave, so does he. 

 

But what starts off as a secret escape turns into a very real nightmare when their shady tour guide leaves them stranded on an uninhabited island with nothing but the clothes on their backs and no idea how to keep themselves alive.

 

As hours turn into days, and the weather proves as threatening as their need for food and water, Dillon and Liam must join forces and rely on each other if they have any hope of seeing their families again. Funny thing: sometimes in life, the end of the rope is when you discover everything you value has been in front of you all along. 

The Second Chance Patriot by Anne-Marie Meyer {Review}

The Second Chance Patriot by Anne-Marie Meyer

Kindle Edition, 141 pages

Published March 17th 2019 by Sweet Heart Books, LLC 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

    

He's about to learn her secret.

Zach "The Stud" Stedman has it all. As an Offensive Lineman for the Georgia Patriots, life couldn't get any better.

Until Danielle returns.

Danielle is just trying to survive. As a single, working mom, she's put her past behind her and is trying to do what's best for her son.

Reuniting with Zach was not part of her plan.

If only Zach wasn't so nice.

If only she were stronger.

If only he wasn't the exact thing that's been missing in her life, then keeping a secret from him wouldn't be so hard. 

My Review: 4 Stars

Second chances are the best, especially when they come in the form of love. This one takes a little twist, as Danielle wasn't involved directly with Zach in the past, but their paths have now intertwined.

There is a lot of inner turmoil with this story, as Danielle has a big secret that she doesn't want exposed. She resists Zach's efforts at friendship, help, and more at every turn, which is understandable, yet frustrating. There are a few gaps here and there, but the epilogue ties it all up nicely.

I did enjoy seeing how things unfolded, especially regarding the secret, and the true character of Zach is manifested throughout. He has every reason to be conceited, but he's not and that's what really makes him likable. He's selfless and kind, and it's not a show.

These are fun characters and if you love new beginnings and sports, you'll love this one.

Content: mild romance

The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan by Dayle King Searl {Review}

The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan

Kindle Edition, 282 pages

Published November 5th 2018 by Books to Go Now 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

    

Jack Allan cannot count the number of times he’s been approached with invitations beginning something like, “My sister has a friend…” It seems as if everyone in the small town of Corbett, Idaho, is intent on finding a wife for him--everyone except for Jack himself. The townspeople gossip that this is because Jack, a young widower, has not gotten over the death of his wife, Katelin, and in a way they are right. However, it isn’t his undying love for Katelin which is holding Jack back. Rather it is the memory of events surrounding her death, events about which only he knows and which have left him filled with guilt.

Undeterred, Ruby Henderson, Jack’s feisty neighbor, introduces him to her granddaughter, Ally. Jack unwittingly finds himself attracted to Ally, and it seems she is attracted to him too. So he is stunned when he finally asks her out and she turns him down his by saying it would be best if they were just friends. This sets in motion events which lead Jack into one romantic entanglement after another and with not one possible romantic interest but three.

Set against the backdrop of farming and small town life, The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan is filled with amusing characters. It tells a story which is sometimes humorous and sometimes poignant as Jack struggles with his guilt while also working to sort out his love life and those of the people around him. 

My Review: 4.5 Stars

This story is such an enigma. While there are hints of romance, it reads more like a women's fiction novel, yet our main character is a man. What? I know. I was truly fascinated and captivated by everything in this book!

Jack is a widower and leads a very ordinary and structured existence. He has women falling all over him, and everyone wanting to set him up, yet he's an average man--average in height, build, and looks--and he comes across as socially awkward. But there's something about him that is intriguing, for both the reader and these fictional women. His character is well-written and completely comes to life.

I loved the details of this small farming community in Idaho and especially enjoyed the quirky, close-knit cast of characters. There are many instances that caused the reader to feel a part of the story, from the small-town football games, to the wheat and potato harvests, to the holiday celebrations, and I loved being an honorary citizen through them all. 

The romance is very mild and a very slow burn, which is very conducive to the plot and the story as a whole. The loyalties, strong sense of community, and relationships of all levels are very binding, and emphasize the emotions involved, truly making this a story that was hard for me to forget.  

Content: very mild romance; mild instances of danger/injury/death; mild religion (they basically attend church a few times, but no preaching is involved, just humorous flirtations in the pews)

A Monster Like Me by Wendy S. Swore {Book Spotlight}

A Monster Like Me by Wendy S. Swore

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published March 5th 2019 by Shadow Mountain 

 

    

 

There are trolls, goblins, and witches. Which kind of monster is Sophie?

Sophie is a monster expert. Thanks to her Big Book of Monsters and her vivid imagination, Sophie can identify the monsters in her school and neighborhood. Clearly, the bullies are trolls and goblins. Her nice neighbor must be a good witch, and Sophie’s new best friend is obviously a fairy. But what about Sophie? She’s convinced she is definitely a monster because of the “monster mark” on her face. At least that’s what she calls it. The doctors call it a blood tumor. Sophie tries to hide it but it covers almost half her face. And if she’s a monster on the outside, then she must be a monster on the inside, too.

Being the new kid at school is hard. Being called a monster is even harder. Sophie knows that it’s only a matter of time before the other kids, the doctors, and even her mom figure it out. And then her mom will probably leave — just like her dad did.

Because who would want to live with a real monster?

Inspired by real events in the author’s life, A Monster Like Me teaches the importance of believing in oneself, accepting change, and the power of friendship.

Author’s Note

Sophie’s story is dear to my heart because I know how it feels to be bullied because I looked different from everyone else. When I was a child, I

had a hemangioma on my forehead that stuck out so far my bangs couldn’t

cover it, no matter how hard my mother tried. Because the tumor was

made up of blood vessels, I could feel my heart beating inside it when I was

playing hard or really upset.

The incident at the grocery store where the hydra lady says,

“Hey, look kids! That girl doesn’t need a Halloween costume. She’s already got one!” is an exact quote of what a woman once said to my mother and me. Another woman told a classroom full of kids that I had the mark of the devil. Kids asked if it was a goose bump, or hamburger, or if my brains had leaked out. My dad had to chase away some bullies who had followed me home, called me names, and pushed me into the street. Sometimes, after a bad day of bullying, I wished I could just rip the mark off my face and be like everyone else—but it was a part of me, and wishing didn’t change that.

My parents decided to take an active role in educating the people around me so they would know what a hemangioma was and understand that it wasn’t icky, or gross, or contagious. Whenever we moved to a new place, my dad would go with me to the elementary school and talk to the kids about my mark and let them ask questions. After those talks, kids befriended me and noticed when bullies came around. Like Autumn, my school friends would speak up when they saw someone being mean to me, and sometimes they would stand between me and the bullies until they left me alone. I didn’t let the bullies stop me from doing what I wanted to do. I climbed trees, went swimming, wrote poetry, brought my tarantula and snakes to show-and-tell, and played in the tide pools.

This is my message to anyone who experiences bullying: Don’t let the bullies define you! I’ve been there, I know it hurts to be teased, but don’t let it stop you from doing what you want. Find something you enjoy—a hobby, talent, or challenge—and practice that skill. Know that someone out there, maybe even someone in your same school, needs a friend as much as you do. Be that friend. Stand up for each other. And know that you are not alone.

You can always find me at WendySwore.com, and I would love to hear your stories and what you thought of the book.

 

Their Wyoming Courtship Agreement by Stacy Henrie {Review}

Their Wyoming Courtship Agreement by Stacy Henrie

Paperback, 288 pages

Published February 5th 2019 by Love Inspired Historical 

Source: I received a copy in a giveaway, which has no influence on my thoughts and opinions. They are all my own and I was under no obligation to review.

    

The Sweetheart Arrangement
After two broken engagements, Isobel Glasen's determined to stay single--until a runaway horse makes her an accidental entrant in the Ride for a Bride race. And her ex-fiance's brother is the winner. With a successful business and a cozy apartment, Isobel has a life as carefully constructed as the beautiful gowns she designs. But now a fake courtship may be the only way to quell town gossip.

New to town, Alec Russell aims to get his veterinary clinic off the ground. Though he once secretly pined for Isobel, he's determined to escape his brother's shadow and find a woman who chooses him first. But could time spent together provide a second chance--and turn pretense into the perfect match?  

My Review: 5 Stars

Stacy Henrie has created a lovely Western town around the turn-of-the-century with intriguing characters. I love how former book characters make cameos in this charming tale.

Isobel is a dressmaker and making her own way in Wyoming. How I would love to see her dress creations! My fingers almost itch to attempt sewing a dress for myself, but I know how bad I am at it. She is a sweet and dedicated woman, even in the face of watching her dreams disappear right before her eyes. The last person she expected to show up in town is a man from her past--Alec. What a specimen of perfection with a sense of humor to match!

After a tentative friendship, with sparks of attraction, forms between the two, the town's Ride for a Bride event occurs and I was laughing hysterically with pure delight at the whole event and the results. Oh, what a fun way to set up the rest of the story! I was purely captivated from start to finish and loved every minute. This story is sweet and entertaining, and will even tug on the heart.

Content: mild romance; mild religion

The Heiresses Anthology by Ruth Roberts {Review}

The Heiresses Anthology by Ruth Roberts

Kindle Edition, 262 pages

Published January 1st 2019 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

    

Three Heiresses….

Three men who will do anything to win their hearts….

Homerun:
Cynthiana, beautiful, intelligent, and by all appearances, a spoiled socialite, finds herself as chair of the Inner City Youth League Charity Gala. Her Co-Chair, Roberto Luque, is Major League Baseball’s newest playboy from the Dominican Republic. Which is just fine with her since she has sworn off playboys. But, as they work together she discovers his devotion to the inner city children and wonders if there is more to him than his playboy reputation. Will she break her no playboy rule long enough to find out?

Roberto fought his way into the Majors. Now, a successful pitcher for the Texas Rangers, he is living the life he always dreamed of. Until he faces off with a bad-tempered, blue-eyed, red head that is not his type. So, why is he drawn to her? The Charity Gala gives him a chance to find out. What he finds beneath that socialite veneer captivates him, heart and soul.

When her powerful father threatens to tear them apart, destroying not only their love, but also Roberto’s hard won career, will he be willing to give it all up for love?

Tender Triumph:
After a very public divorce from her billionaire Italian husband, Natalia Montalvo returns home to New York City to lick her wounds and try to put the pieces of her shattered heart back together. So why had she agreed to attend a charity ball, especially when she knew her ex would be there?

Jared, owner of the largest, most prestigious architectural firm in the country, rubs elbows daily with the rich and powerful. He can’t stand them. After one too many altercations with a client, his head of public relations forces him to attend the annual charity ball, to schmooze and make nice with the people whom his business depends on. Thirty minutes after arriving, he was already clenching his jaw and looking for a quick exit. On the balcony, he encounters Natalia Montalvo. He can’t ignore a woman in need. Therefore, he devises a plan to save her pride, and in the process save his evening. But, can he convince her to give him more than one night?

Diamond Heiress:
One person stands between Brielle and her inheritance, Nicholas Trenton. If she fails to serve as CEO of Santorini Jewels, her grandfather's company, for one full year then everything goes to Nick, the company, her trust fund and her home, the only home she’s ever known.

Nick doesn’t care about the money but he wants the company his father helped build. Brielle isn’t qualified for the position of CEO, one way or another he will make sure she doesn’t run Santorini into the ground.

Through a clash of wills they try to learn to work together for the benefit of the company. But when they can no longer ignore the attraction building between them will they give in to it or will it ultimately be the downfall of Santorini?

Please note: Homerun, Tender Triumph, and Diamond Heiress are novella length books (Approximately 84, 32, and 134 paperback pages, respectively.)  

My Review: 3 Stars

Each of these stories revolves around a beautiful, rich heiress and I liked the way they all tied together, however, none of them felt completely developed. Yes, I know they are novellas, but as I read the first book, I kept wondering if I had missed something. Was there a full, complete Book 1 floating out there somewhere and this was 1.5? The characters were likable enough, but again, not as developed as I would have liked them to be. Overall, they're each a light, fluffy diversion to enjoy in an afternoon.

Content: moderate romance (a lot of innuendo and the door barely closes in time, but nothing graphic; kissing). A good one for lovers of a spicy clean romance.

Waiting for Fitz by Spencer Hyde {Book Spotlight}

Waiting for Fitz by Spencer Hyde

Hardcover, 256 pages

Published March 5th 2019 by Shadow Mountain 

 

    

 

Addie loves nothing more than curling up on the couch with her dog, Duck, and watching The Great British Baking Show with her mom. It’s one of the few things that can help her relax when her OCD kicks into overdrive. She counts everything. All the time. She can’t stop. Rituals and rhythms. It’s exhausting.

When Fitz was diagnosed with schizophrenia, he named the voices in his head after famous country singers. The adolescent psychiatric ward at Seattle Regional Hospital isn’t exactly the ideal place to meet your soul mate, but when Addie meets Fitz, they immediately connect over their shared love of words, appreciate each other’s quick wit, and wish they could both make more sense of their lives.

Fitz is haunted by the voices in his head and often doesn't know what is real. But he feels if he can convince Addie to help him escape the psych ward and everything will be okay. If not, he risks falling into a downward spiral that may keep him in the hospital indefinitely.

Waiting for Fitz is a story about life and love, forgiveness and courage, and what’s necessary to let go and learning what is truly worth waiting for.

Love Far From Home by Annette Lyon {Review}

Love Far From Home by Annette Lyon

Kindle Edition, 219 pages

Published March 19th 2019 by Blue Ginger Books 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

 

    

 

Journey to to California, Yellowstone, and Las Vegas on three romantic trips in this boxed set of novellas by USA Today bestselling author Annette Lyon:

THE PIER CHANGES EVERYTHING
Alexandria has one last task to perform for her late husband, who died much too young: scatter his ashes in the Pacific Ocean. She goes to the Santa Monica Pier to do just that, but her plans get sidetracked after meeting Michael and feeling an immediate connection to him. They grab lunch, and the more time they spend together, the more they discover that they have in common—including past romantic hardships. As the day wears on, Alexandria begins learn that her heart just might be able to find love again.

OUR SONG
Cassie and Matt have been dating in the Yellowstone area for two years, and things are, well, average. When Cassie meets up with two college friends who are visiting, their love lives like sound like fairy tales: rose petals, chocolates, candles on the beach… Cassie goes home feeling like she’s missing out. After all, repeatedly watching Old Faithful erupt and walking through sulfur-smelling gases at Fountain Paint Pot don’t exactly say “romance.” Maybe things with Matt aren’t going anywhere, and it’s time to move on. Then she discovers that perception and reality are completely different things. Now she can only hope it isn’t too late to show Matt how much she really cares.

HEAD OVER HEELS
Tristan is proud to be an entrepreneur, running a popular singles’ lifestyle blog. So when she gets an offer to cover a singles convention in Las Vegas, she needs to find a way to get there from another freelance job in Salt Lake without breaking into her personal savings. Her friend sets her up with a co-worker who happens to be driving that way, and Tristan is more than surprised to come face-to-face with a man she has a lot in common with, not to mention seems to click with right away. The two decide to play a prank on Tristan’s friend, and pretend that they are smitten with each other, but soon, the lines between pretend and reality start to fade. 

My Review: 5 Stars 
 
THE PIER CHANGES EVERYTHING
 
Second chances are so romantic. Michael and Alexandria both have pasts to recover from and after spending a day together, find comfort in each other and in a surprise revelation. This story is filled with nostalgic moments, as well as hope for the future and really tugged on my heartstrings.

OUR SONG

It's so easy to take life and relationships for granted and to think the grass is greener on the other side. There were some sweet and important lessons learned in this story and I thought it was a super fun and romantic story.

HEAD OVER HEELS

I've never thought about meeting the man of my dreams at a Comic Con! It's so sad when a quick meeting there leaves a girl wanting for more, but Tristan has no way of finding her Loki again. A humorous second meeting puts Tristan on a road trip from Salt Lake to Las Vegas with a man who seems to be her match.

The way these two characters click just feels so right. I love the way they work together to get back at their friend and that long car ride really gives them time to discover their common threads. My heart was warmed by this road trip and the results from it. And bonus? These two are really into 80s music.

Maybe It's You by Christy Hayes {Review}

Maybe It's You by Christy Hayes
Kindle Edition, 294 pages

Published February 4th 2019 by CAH LLC 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

 

    

 

Reagan Bellamy’s neighbor is everything she never wanted. Despite her best efforts to ignore him and fly under his radar, Dash Carter refuses to wither under her stare and leave her alone. So what if he’s totally hot? Who cares if her roommates think he’s adorable? Reagan’s too busy to waste time on a loser with musical pipe dreams. Between classes, studies, and her need to stay ahead of the game, she’s got too much on her plate to give him the time of day.

Dash Carter is a man on a mission. He’s done a total 180 and for the first time in a long time feels optimistic about the future. He’s clean, he’s on a good path, and he’s surrounded himself with people who make life better, not worse. Unfortunately, his neighbor—the one girl who’s always piqued his interest—still thinks he’s a slacker, bothering Dash more than it should.

Acting on an opportunity to show Reagan he’s a changed man, Dash inadvertently puts her in a difficult position with her new boss and sends her down a path she hasn’t the time or inclination to pursue. Desperate to make things right, Dash becomes more invested in her life despite warnings from his mentor to not get involved with someone whose beliefs don’t match his own.

Reagan’s not sure what it says about her that she’d rather deal with Dash the deadbeat than Dash the Bible thumper. The more she digs her heels in against the religious freaks she’s forced to interact with, the more she begins to question everything she’s built her life upon. When the tide begins to turn in Reagan’s heart and her worldview flips upside down, trusting God means putting everything on the line, including her heart.

My Review: 3 Stars

 

It's refreshing to read a new adult story that's centered around one's faith and finding God, but this one was almost too centered on that. The book begins with Reagan stumbling home after a night of heavy drinking and sleeping around and I wasn't too sure where it was going to head. A long, meticulous process of change results from that night and Reagan finds herself on the path of change after her neighbor, Dash, shows her some kindness and she realizes he's not the type of person he once was. While I did enjoy her path, it was a little too heavy for me at times. I love to read to escape and to enjoy a fluffy read and I do enjoy some meatier topics in my books, but this one almost focused on the religious aspects too much for me.

I love character growth and this one powerfully delivered. Dash is a man with deep convictions and restraints, especially given his talents and career path. Reagan is driven and stubborn and her background drives her to become even more rigid in her passions, yet God can change all, as is very apparent with these characters. No past is too sinful to overcome.

Content: mild+ romance (implied sleeping around, kissing, light innuendo); very heavy religion

Don't Bet on Love by Victorine E. Lieski {Review}

Don't Bet on Love by Victorine E. Lieske

Kindle Edition, 169 pages

Published March 7th 2019 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

    

All's fair in love and high school.

It was just a simple bet.

Get the school’s ice queen to go to Homecoming with him. Lane didn’t think it would be a big deal. He was on the football team. Girls liked him. He takes the challenge. What he didn’t know was that the ice queen overheard the whole thing.

Trudy was having the worst day of her life. And then she overhears Lane and Gabe talking smack about her. If Lane thought he could sweet talk her into going to Homecoming with him, he was going to be disappointed.

But when the principal forces her to tutor Lane in calculus, she’s stuck.

Trudy devises a plan to get back at him. What she didn’t plan on was losing her heart to him.  

My Review: 5 Stars

I love a cute YA romance and this one has a few layers to unravel. The biggest message that I loved was you can't make rash judgements. People always have things going on that you might know nothing about until you really get to know them. 

Trudy has some really hard things going on in her life. Like really hard. And football bully, Gabe, doesn't make her life any easier. When she overhears Gabe making a bet with his friend, Lane, about her, she comes up with a plan to get them both back. 

I really liked these characters. Trudy is a tough one to crack, but is sweet on the inside. I loved watching her shell crumble and really loved her new friendship with band geek, Jessica. Lane isn't who he seems at all. As his masks are peeled away, his true teddy bear self is revealed. 

There are moments to laugh, moments to feel anger, moments to swoon, and even moments to cry all wrapped up in this tender romance. I thought the author did a great job in portraying the hardships of teenage life, while allowing for great characters growth through mistakes, life lessons, and emotional challenges. This is definitely a new series to lose your heart to and I've got my eye watching out for more.

Content: mild romance; mild moments of grief; mild moments of bullying

To Love a Lord by Michelle Pennington {Review}

To Love a Lord by Michelle Pennington

Kindle Edition, 236 pages

Published March 9th 2019 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given

    

A proper lord, an ardent young miss, and a love note gone astray.

She didn't mean to lose it...

But once the love note was discovered, scandal seemed certain.

A forbidden letter from a handsome rake had seemed so romantic at the time, but now it will undoubtedly mean her downfall. Even with the threat of ruin hanging over her, Patience realizes her heart is turning in a new direction. But no matter how Lord Stanton's eyes linger on her, he would never tie himself to a lady with no dowry—especially if she were to lose her reputation.
 
Schemes and plots tangle amidst romance and rebellion in this Regency romance written in the tradition of Georgette Heyer. Grab your copy!

My Review: 5 Stars

I loved this Regency romance! This charming story all seems to revolve around a mysterious love letter, which really captured my attention and gave a delightful element to this story, especially once all of the characters arrived at a house party and the tangled web of connections and slight mystery truly begin.

Speaking of characters, they were so amusing and I loved them all! I enjoyed watching all of the dynamics, good and bad, as they gave such an entertaining flavor to the story. Lord Stanton was such a dashing man and Patience the perfect counterpart. Countess Du’Breven has got to be one of my all-time favorite characters, as she's old enough and empowered enough to through society's expectations to the wind.

The entanglements and sweet, budding romances left me with a smile on my face. Book 1? Yes! I can't wait for more!

Content: mild romance

Sanctuary by Traci Hunter Abramson {Blog Tour Review and Giveaway}

Sanctuary by Traci Hunter Abramson

Paperback, 312 pages

Published March 1st 2019 by Covenant Communications 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

    

Kristi Hartinger has come to terms with her life as a single, thirty-something woman. She was in love . . . once. But following her boyfriend's tragic death, no one else could capture her heart. And nothing else could fill that void, though the serenity of the ocean came close. Two years ago, Kristi left the craziness of her Wall Street career behind and embraced a simpler life on her family's private island off the coast of Maine. As a resident of the small beach community, she anticipates a quiet future—until she comes face-to-face with her past.

Ace Samson is dead, or so the world believes. As a member of a secret organization known as the guardians, he was forced to fake his death years ago, leaving everything behind when he became an agent. So when he is selected to offer a potential new recruit a job with the organization, Ace braces himself: for the first time in more than a decade, he must face the woman he loved—and left.

Kristi's world is rocked by Ace's sudden reappearance, and she's soon drawn into his world of danger and cover-up. But when Kristi herself becomes a target, Ace will do whatever it takes to protect the only woman he has ever love.

My Review: 5 Stars

Abramson is an author that I will automatically read because her books are that good. In fact, I didn't even read what this one was about and had a blast not knowing what was coming.

This is a GUARDIAN novel, but they don't have to be read in order, although knowing the back story to different characters is fun. Kristi lives a simple life on an island in Maine. I have a hankering to visit Maine now, to experience the villages, the ocean, the clams, and the quiet life. When Ace suddenly reappears in her life after almost twenty years, her world turns upside down, and not necessarily in a good way. Someone wants her dead and it's a race against time to figure out who and why.

I love Kristi's self-reliant, matter-of-fact personality. She loves being connected with her past and is good at taking care of herself, discovering ways to make her life more efficient. Ace is somewhat of a mystery, but he's good at completing any mission to the best of his ability. I loved the tumultuous connection between Ace and Kristi, especially because it served an important purpose to the story. There is an underlying longing of what cannot be, yet there are sparkles of hope glimmering in the peripheral vision of the big picture.

The danger and suspense had me on edge, as the quiet mystery of the forest and ocean served for most of the setting. I was on edge and deeply immersed, hoping with all my might for the outcome I wanted, as these twists and turns tossed me around. Such a great book!

Content: mild romance; mild+ moments of danger, violence, and peril  

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Crushing on the Billionaire by Jennifer Griffith {Review}

Crushing on the Billionaire by Jennifer Griffith

Kindle Edition, 237 pages

Published March 12th 2019 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

 

    

 

A divorced billionaire and his devoted secretary must work together to save his company. An arranged marriage is his only hope—and the matchmaker's worst nightmare.

Tatum Carlyle is hopelessly devoted to her boss. As executive assistant to the brilliant CEO, she’s in Dawson Rafferty’s life every day. He depends on her for everything professional. If only he could depend on her for everything personal.

A crush on the boss is cliché, but how can she help it? He’s all she wants, but he doesn't—and can’t—notice her. Curse those company bylaws regarding intra-office relationships! But now he's asked her the impossible—to find him a wife.

He'd do anything to save his company—even get married again.

Dawson Rafferty is in danger of losing his company as an unknown enemy threatens a hostile takeover. If that happens, he'll lose the medical advancement he’s nearly perfected. Millions of lives hang in the balance.

To keep control of his company and save lives, he needs a loyal wife to buy up the reserved shares—before the shareholders’ meeting. After his last heartbreak, he doesn't dare trust himself to choose another wife.

Dawson needs a matchmaker. Someone reliable. Someone connected. Someone with good judgment. His loyal assistant, Tatum, is his obvious only choice. She's never failed him, but can she find his perfect match within three weeks?

The word crush has never been so apropos.

Crushing on the Billionaire is Book 2 in the Billionaire’s Reluctant Wife series by Swoony Award-winning author Jennifer Griffith and USA Today best-selling author Cynthia Savage.  

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

"Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match!" Yes--I loved the matchmaker aspect in this swoony contemporary romance. Dawson needs a wife...and fast. Who better to help him find one than his ultra efficient assistant, Tatum? 

 

Dawson is every girl's dream. He's rich, handsome, smart (think, Geekface), and sweet, but he's also totally clueless when it comes to love. Or maybe it's more that he's gun shy, after his divorce. I love how focused he is on his work, the way he's able to turn the other cheek in the face of the villain, and how his impending marriage is not for him, but to save his company. He's very selfless in that way. Tatum completely blossoms once she's removed from the office setting. She's efficient, yes, but she's also a Jane-of-all-trades, has connections everywhere, can do almost anything, and is very self-sacrificing. 

 

The combination of these two characters nearly took my breath away and the combustible energy definitely made me swoon. I love the slow burn and the layers that were peeled away as Dawson and Tatum came to know each other better. This story isn't without conflict and that served to add a flavor of tension to an already delicious romance. 

 

The way this story is told and how it unfolds is such a delightful treat. Ms. Griffith has a way of writing that sings to my soul and slaps a silly smile on my face every time and let me just say...I'm crushing on the billionaire for sure!

 

Content: mild, swoony romance

Origami Girl by Danyelle Ferguson {Review}

Origami Girl by Danyelle Ferguson

ebook

Published March 5th 2019

    

Josephine loves teaching crafts at the Crystal Creek children's hospital, until she's assigned to help Dr. Weston Blake learn how to relate with his patients. As she helps the young doctor soften his sharp edges, relax his rigid folds, and open up to the people around him, she finds she can't help but love the man he's becoming.

As Josephine prepares to graduate from art school, she is offered her dream job. The complication: it's located in another state and Weston must stay behind to complete his medical residency. Josephine is torn between pursuing a career she always wanted or the possibly of true love.

Previously featured in the With a Kiss anthology.
 

My Review: 5 Stars

ORIGAMI GIRL is a true case of opposites attract. First impressions aren't always accurate and sometimes walls need to be knocked down to get to the heart of a person and sometimes a person isn't as flighty as she seems. I loved the setting and the character growth, especially with Dr. Blake. Jojo was such a fun an light-hearted character. The romance was a sweet complement to the slightly sad hospital situation.

Content: mild romance

Waiting for Fitz by Spencer Hyde {Book Spotlight}

Waiting for Fitz by Spencer Hyde

Hardcover, 256 pages

Published March 5th 2019 by Shadow Mountain 

 

   

Addie loves nothing more than curling up on the couch with her dog, Duck, and watching The Great British Baking Show with her mom. It’s one of the few things that can help her relax when her OCD kicks into overdrive. She counts everything. All the time. She can’t stop. Rituals and rhythms. It’s exhausting.

When Fitz was diagnosed with schizophrenia, he named the voices in his head after famous country singers. The adolescent psychiatric ward at Seattle Regional Hospital isn’t exactly the ideal place to meet your soul mate, but when Addie meets Fitz, they immediately connect over their shared love of words, appreciate each other’s quick wit, and wish they could both make more sense of their lives.

Fitz is haunted by the voices in his head and often doesn't know what is real. But he feels if he can convince Addie to help him escape the psych ward and everything will be okay. If not, he risks falling into a downward spiral that may keep him in the hospital indefinitely.

Waiting for Fitz is a story about life and love, forgiveness and courage, and what’s necessary to let go and learning what is truly worth waiting for.