Hiding in the Pages: May 2020

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Her Football Star Ex by Judy Corry {Review}

Her Football Star Ex by Judy Corry

Kindle Edition

Published May 5th 2020

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

She swore off the man who broke her heart. He's determined to win her back.

When Emerson hears a rumor that her ex-husband, NFL quarterback Vincent Lake, is bringing a plus-one to a wedding they're both set to attend, she signs up for online dating and hopes to find a guy impressive enough to make her famous ex jealous for the night.

Vincent should be on top of the world when he leads his team to the playoffs, but when his best friend accidentally matches with Emerson, it's like a dagger to his heart. He knows she deserves happiness after his betrayal broke their family apart, but watching her move on is proving harder than winning the Super Bowl.

But when they're thrown together before the wedding, and sparks reignite, Emerson begins to believe Vincent truly regrets his mistake. And even though forgiveness seems impossible, Vincent dares to hope the best love stories can come after the biggest heartbreaks.

My Review: 4.5 Stars

I've often wondered what I would do in certain situations, but it's tough to know without actually being in the thick of things. When Emerson's husband, Vincent, cheats on her, she files for divorce, but they each discover that might have been a hasty decision, because the sparks are still flying higher than the 4th of July fireworks.

Corry does a great job of infusing a steamy clean romance with heartfelt sincerity and regret with this original story. These characters have gone through all the emotions and drag the reader along for the ride too and I appreciated that although cheating is at the center of all the trauma/drama, real remorse is felt and applied. This is one story that was really easy to settle into and enjoy.

Content: mild+ romance (talk of cheating, miscarriage, kissing--some steamy, yet clean)

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Stay with Me (A Misty River Romance #1) by Becky Wade {Blog Tour Review and Giveaway}

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Stay with Me

(A Misty River Romance #1)

By Becky Wade

Christian Contemporary Romance

Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages

May 5th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

Loving her is a risk he can’t afford . . . and can’t resist.

When acclaimed Bible study author Genevieve Woodward receives an anonymous letter referencing her parents’ past, she returns to her hometown in the Blue Ridge mountains to chase down her family’s secret. However, it’s Genevieve’s own secret that catches up to her when Sam Turner, owner of an historic farm, uncovers the source of shame she’s worked so hard to hide.

Sam has embraced his sorrow, his isolation, and his identity as an outsider. He’s spent years carving out both career success and peace of mind. The last thing he wants is to rent the cottage on his property to a woman whose struggles stir his worst failure back to life. Yet, can he bear to turn her away right when she needs him most?

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review: 4.5 Stars

This beautiful story has many facets and lessons embedded within. Gen and Sam are phenomenal characters with flaws and strengths that add depth and dimension to who they are. Wade does a fantastic job of embracing the hard and wrapping it up with hope and goodness, allowing the reader to follow along on an inspirational journey.

I love these character's voices, as their personalities shine through their words and actions. Sam is steady and stalwart, while Gen is more vibrant and social. They way they come together, even with resistance, is heartwarming, especially as they each have demons they face and stories to unfold through the course of the book.

Amidst the small town charm, a small mystery develops, which succeeds to add another layer to this already great story. My only wish was to see the characters in the prequel show up more. All in all, this is a wonderfully engaging tale and I can't wait for more.

Content: mild+ romance; moderate religion; talk of drug addiction, some vague/past abuse, and murder.

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

Other Books in the Series

Take a Chance on Me

(A Misty River Romance #0.5)

By Becky Wade

Christian Contemporary Romance, Novella

ebook, 97 Pages

February 25th 2020

When baker Penelope Quinn steps in to help her brother’s family through a medical crisis, she’s forced into close proximity with charming Air Force fighter pilot Eli Price.

Penelope has one iron-clad dating rule—she does not date airmen. Months ago, she relaxed her rule with Eli and immediately lived to regret it. After a long deployment, he’s now back in Misty River and, to her dismay, she finds him just as tempting as always.

Eli’s spent months thinking about funny, feisty, creative Penelope. He once leveraged his focus and drive to become a pilot, his childhood dream. Now he's set on leveraging that same focus and drive in order to convince Penelope to give him one more chance.

This romantic prequel novella introduces readers to the quaint mountain town of Misty River and a brand-new series from Christy-winning author Becky Wade!

(Affiliate link included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Currently FREE

About the Author

Becky Wade is the 2018 Christy Award Book of the Year winner for True to You. She is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her children. When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction. Her humorous, heart-pounding contemporary romance novels have won three Christy Awards, the Carol Award, the INSPY Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award for Romance. Becky lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and three children.

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive:

- A $100 gift card

- A paperback copy of Stay with Me

- A hand-knit scarf

- A pair of earrings

- A package of “Georgia Blues” coffee

- A package of apple oatmeal muffin mix

ENTER HERE

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Take a Chance on Me (A Misty River Novella) by Becky Wade {Review}

Take a Chance on Me (A Misty River Romance) by Becky Wade

Kindle Edition, 97 pages

Published February 25th 2020
Source: Free on Amazon

When baker Penelope Quinn steps in to help her brother’s family through a medical crisis, she’s forced into close proximity with charming Air Force fighter pilot Eli Price.

Penelope has one iron-clad dating rule—she does not date airmen. Months ago, she relaxed her rule with Eli and immediately lived to regret it. After a long deployment, he’s now back in Misty River and, to her dismay, she finds him just as tempting as always.

Eli’s spent months thinking about funny, feisty, creative Penelope. He once leveraged his focus and drive to become a pilot, his childhood dream. Now he's set on leveraging that same focus and drive in order to convince Penelope to give him one more chance.

This romantic prequel novella introduces readers to the quaint mountain town of Misty River and a brand-new series from Christy-winning author Becky Wade!

My Review: 4 Stars

Rules are made to be broken--right? Penelope refuses to date any of the airmen who come through the base near town...until Eli. There's something about him that makes her want to toss her rule aside.

I loved the way Wade develops this charming town into a place that makes the reader feels welcome and like an honorary citizen of, and this first installment allows the reader to get a grasp on the vibe. I'm excited to get a front row seat to this new series and look forward to meeting many more intriguing characters and their stories.

Content: mild romance; mild+ religion

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Her Broken Hero Billionaire (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove, Book 8) by Stephanie Fowers

Her Broken Hero Billionaire (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove, Book 8) by Stephanie Fowers

ebook, 177 pages

Publication: May 20th 2020 by Gelato Publishing LLC

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

If she wasn’t on the run, she’d leave...

But she’s stuck with him like Persephone with Hades.

Welcome to Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove. Off the grid, exclusive and remote, it’s the best place for a man to lick his wounds and heal.

Jett Eastwood’s climbing accident changes the course of his life forever.

Hannah Noah must escape an abusive ex who will do anything to get her back, even frame her for murder.

When she finds refuge with the brooding Jett, she promises to train his broken body so he can climb again. But can he return the favor and heal her broken heart?

My Review: 4 Stars

Jett and Hannah each have their own personal mountains to climb. An accident has changed Jett caused him to turn into a reclusive beast, of sorts. Hannah is on the run from her past and this beauty finds peace in the fortress that Jett lives in.

Jett is very innovative and I was fascinated by the inventions that he creates, especially when Hannah inspires him. I mean, seriously. The climbing world would be vastly different if people had access to these creations.

These characters have a very interesting connection and relationship and I would have loved to have seen that fleshed out even a little more. I wanted to watch the chemistry unfold more vividly, although I was happy with the morsels of attraction that I got. I loved the Hades and Persephone and Beauty and the Beast vibes that threaded throughout the story.

This Cove is an interesting place and I love getting to know the people who live there. The mansion sounded amazing and I loved visualizing it, but it was really the characters who stole my heart. It happens every time...

Content: mild+ peril/danger (talk of abuse, an accident, stalking/attempted kidnapping); mild+ romance (kissing, light innuendo)

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Rakes and Roses (Mayfield Family Book 3) by Josi S. Kilpack {Review}

Rakes and Roses (Mayfield Family Book 3) by Josi S. Kilpack

Paperback, 320 pages

Publication: May 5th 2020 by Shadow Mountain

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

A Mayfield Family Romance

Lady Sabrina endured an abusive marriage, a miscarriage, and early widowhood to emerge as a smart, successful, confident woman who found a way to make her mark in a man’s world. She has friends and purpose, but cannot hide from the emptiness she feels when the parties are over and the friends have gone home to families she will never have.

Harry Stillman may be charming and handsome, but he’s a gambler and a rake who has made a mockery of his privileges. He turns to the mysterious Lord Damion for financial relief from his debts, but still ends up beaten nearly senseless by thugs and left in an ally.

When Lady Sabrina comes upon Harry after the attack, she remembers the kindness Harry once showed to her six years ago and brings him to her estate to heal. Though their relationship begins on rocky footing, it soon mellows into friendship, then trust. But Lady Sabrina needs to keep Harry at a distance, even if he is becoming the kind of man worthy of her heart. After all, she is keeping a secret that, if exposed, could destroy everything she’s so carefully built.

My Review: 5 Stars

I can always count on Josi Kilpack to deliver a sweet Regency story that steps outside of the typical formula. In this offering, she tackles a rakish gambling drunk who finds himself well below rock bottom. Fortunately for him, he had a very brief encounter with Lady Sabrina in the past and she can't forget the kindness shown her and is ready to return the favor.

I found a deep level of pride for Sabrina and her stalwart character and integrity, which caused me to feel a realistic camaraderie with her. Harry is the type of guy who is easy to hate, but knowing the background to his demise made me feel sympathetic towards him and it was more than easy to root for the best outcome possible for these characters.

I loved the way this author crafts this story, bringing this family to life in a way that makes me feel like an honorary family member. I love the gentleness and sweetness, along with the authentic historical feel. This isn't your typical Regency and I appreciated the breath of fresh air so much!

Content: very mild romance; mild moments of drinking, gambling, violence

AUTHOR BIO:

Josi S. Kilpack is the bestselling author of several Proper Romance and Proper Romance
Historical series and a Cozy Culinary Mystery series. Her books, A Heart Revealed and
Lord Fenton's Folly; were Publishers Weekly Best Romance Books of the Year. She and
her husband, Lee, are the parents of four children.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

BLOG TOUR BLURB:

Bestselling author Josi S. Kilpack tours the blogosphere May 4 through May 22, 2020 to
share her third novel in the Mayfield Family series, Rakes and Roses. Forty popular book
bloggers specializing in historical romance, inspirational fiction, and Austenesque fiction
will feature guest blogs, interviews, exclusive excerpts, and book reviews of this acclaimed
Regency romance.

RAKES AND ROSES BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:

May 04 My Jane Austen Book Club (Guest Blog)

May 04 Historical Fiction with Spirit (Review)

May 04 Austenprose—A Jane Austen Blog (Review)

May 04 All About Romance (Guest Blog)

May 05 Timeless Novels (Review)

May 05 Literary Time Out (Review)

May 06 For Where Your Treasure Is (Review)

May 06 Courtney Reads Romance (Review)

May 07 Fire and Ice (Excerpt)

May 07 Gwendalyn's Books (Review)

May 08 History Lizzie (Review)