The Reunion (Love in Chaos, Book 4) by Amy Matayo {Review}

The Reunion (Love in Chaos, Book 4) by Amy Matayo

Kindle Edition, 110 pages

Published March 21st 2020 by Amazon.com Services LLC 

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

 

    

 

It’s been quite the year for the Hayes/Gamble family, but now things are looking up. When you’ve survived a tornado, a concert shooting, and being stranded on a deserted island, what else can possibly go wrong? After all, isn’t that the rule—three strikes, and you’re out?

That should totally be the rule.

Dillon Hayes has dreamed of her wedding day since childhood. Now, after months of planning, the chapel is booked, the invitations are sent, and the dress is ready and waiting. In only a few days’ time, Dillon will become Mrs. Liam Gamble in front of God, Tennessee, and everyone she loves.

But when a rare blizzard dumps piles of snow on Nashville and the entire southern region three days before the wedding, all that planning goes up in, well…snow. Businesses close. Flights are grounded. Roads are nearly impassible. Even the chapel now has a gaping hole in the middle of the roof and a giant mound of white powder blocking the aisle.

Dillon can feel her dreams dying one by one…and there’s nothing she can do to stop it. A year filled with one mishap after another can wear a person down. But what Dillon soon discovers is this: the death of one dream isn’t necessarily the end.

Sometimes it can lead to an even better beginning.

 

My Review: 5 Stars

Some families have all the luck...and it might not always be the good kind. This series started with Dillon's story. The one where she was stranded on an island, and now that the series is wrapping up, the blizzard of a lifetime is threatening her dream wedding. 

I have felt such a connection to these stories and I was beyond excited to have this little gem to tie everything up. My love of the beach and of music, along with two settings of where my sister's have lived, really bonded me to these characters, but more than that, the magical way that Amy Matayo spins her tales always manages to capture every strand of emotion in my being. 

I loved beginning and ending with Dillon and in light of all that's going on the world right now, I loved the hope that permeated these pages, allowing the reader to recognize that dreams (and life) can be adaptable and rewritten in possibly new and better ways.

Content: mild romance; mild moments of peril

The Friend Zone by Sariah Wilson {Review}

The Friend Zone by Sariah Wilson

Kindle Edition

Expected publication: June 11th 2019 by Montlake Romance 

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

    

Disgraced college quarterback Logan Hunt was on his way to NFL stardom when he messed up big-time. Now the Texas star player with a bad temper has a new option: Seattle’s EOL College—as in End of the Line, to his fellow misfit recruits. It’s Logan’s last chance. If he can follow the rules. No parties, no fighting, no swearing, and oh, no dating the coach’s daughter, Jess. Simple. Yeah, right. For Logan, there has never been a rule he’s more tempted to break.

The deal is “just friends.” The pretty, confident, and fiercely smart math whiz is fine with pizza, tutoring, and keeping Logan in line. But the closer Jess gets, the more receptive she is to his warm heart and spirit—not to mention his irresistible off-field passes. With defenses down, they’re both heading into the danger zone.

It’s more than thrilling. It’s love. It’s also a game changer that could sideline Logan’s NFL goals—and more important, a future with Jess. But dreams are worth fighting for, right?

My Review: 5 Stars

"Trust me when I say we will never, ever date. Ever."

I can always count on Sariah Wilson to deliver a swoony romance with humor and this one didn't disappoint. This is Logan's last chance to play football and his new coach has sooo many rules. Break one? You're out! No second chances. Jess, the coach's daughter is so tempted and as his math tutor, they both agree to stay friends--just friends. 

Jess hasn't ever been as tempted by a man as she is by Logan, but friends it is. She will not be the reason he's kicked out of school and the football program. But try as they might, the sparks ignite and threaten to rage like an out-of-control forest fire.

I don't think I've ever felt such an underlying passion, much like an impending volcanic eruption, with a "just friends" story. The chemistry is sizzling and had me yearning for that first kiss to happen already. But what I loved the most is that Logan and Jess build a strong and unbreakable friendship, as they strive to keep the rules. I loved the way they put each other first and tried to help each other accomplish their goals, and I especially loved the swoon. This one is definitely another winner! 

And just for the record, these characters are the best and I'm hoping that Bash gets a story (hint, hint).

Content: mild+ romance (some innuendo, implied/attempted rape, kissing)  

Love is Come (Matchmaker Series #4) by Heather B. Moore {Review}

Love is Come (Matchmaker Series #4) by Heather B. Moore

Kindle Edition, 264 pages

Published April 1st 2016 by Mirror Press 

 

 

“I have to remind myself to breathe—almost to remind my heart to beat.” —Wuthering Heights

From the Power of the Matchmaker series: LOVE IS COME

Nelle Thompson lives a life of privilege during the turn of the century New York City. When her parents are killed in a terrible accident, she’s forced to live with her aunt’s family in a small town in Connecticut, and treated as a poor relation with no financial independence. Broken hearted and riddled with insomnia, Nelle’s health begins a downward spiral. When a locked part of her heart blossoms around her cousin’s fiancé Mathew Janson, Nelle doesn’t know if she can endure one more heartbreak. Miss Pearl, owner of the local apothecary shop, becomes a mother figure to Nelle, but a fateful summer day has Nelle questioning everything she's ever believed and wondering if she’ll ever love again.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

This series is great! Each story is written by a different author, with only a minor shared character. Each can stand alone.

 

Nelle is a great character with real feelings. She lives in New York City during the Victorian period and has an easy life. An accident leaves her orphaned and she goes to a rural town to live with her aunt until she's of age to receive her inheritance. While there, she makes a connection with her cousin's fiance, Mathew, but that relationship is off limits.

 

Nelle is a very gentle, peaceful soul. She has an easy way of adapting to her situations and making the best of things, easing the burdens of those around her. Even when she's in the depths of despair and treated badly, she's still very kind. I love the way she forms bonds and relationships with the most unlikely people. Mathew is a man of his word and although the sparks fly between him and Nelle, he just can't go back on his word to her cousin, Alice. I love characters of good integrity with strong values.  

I love the feelings that I felt while reading this book. The times are simpler, in some ways, than they are today. There were situations when my heart nearly broke for Nelle and times of great joy. The events and feel good moments left me on a reader's high. I always wonder where and how Pearl, the matchmaker, will show up next.

Content: mild romance (talk of cheating with vague immoral implications); very mild violence (vague talk of death). Clean!

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Buy Links:

 

About the Author:

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author, with a dozen historical thrillers written under the pen name H.B. Moore. Latest is Finding Sheba (will be re-released Feb 2015 through Thomas & Mercer). Under Heather B. Moore she writes romance and women’s fiction and inspirational non-fiction, latest is The Fortune Cafe. Her various author names can be confusing so her kids just call her Mom.

Visit her blog for writing and book signing updates: http://mywriterslair.blogspot.com

Sign up for Heather's newsletter or email her with accolades at: www.hbmoore.com 

 

Review: Trouble in Paradise by Karen Tuft

Trouble in Paradise by Karen Tuft 

Paperback, 176 pages

Published March 4th 2015 by Covenant Communications Inc.

Genre: LDS romantic fiction

Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Description: Andy Kendrick has always dreamed of bigger things than tiny Eagle Bluff, Arizona. So when the opportunity arises to shake off the dust of his hometown and move to the tropical paradise of Hawaii, he grabs it. But he never imagined that apiece of his past would follow him to his new life . . .Kimberly Briggs has lived her life on the fringes of the crowd, timid and afraid since the death of her brother, but when she learns that Andy, her lifelong crush, is moving to Hawaii, she's finally ready to step out of the shadows and take a risk.

Kimberly is the last person Andy expected or wanted to see in Hawaii. But when fate incessantly throws the pair together, there's little to be done but make the best of the situation. As the awkwardness fades and Kimberly begins to emerge from her shell, Andy realizes there's much more to her than he realized. But even as they revel in the adventures of island life, drawn together by a growing attraction, an unforeseen peril threatens Kimberly's life.

Can the once-timid young woman now draw upon the inner strength Andy has helped her discover so the two of them can build a life together? Will Andy grasp that love knows no geographical bounds?

My Review: I love Hawaii and I love books that take place there. Since I was just there last summer, it was very easy to picture where everything happened. In fact, I could almost feel the ocean breeze on my face.

Kimberly grew up watching Andy from afar in their small hometown in Arizona. When her brother died in an accident at a young age, her parents really sheltered her. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She always seemed to be on the outside, looking in, and her parents are extremely overprotective. A move to BYUH was exactly what she needed to break out of the shadows, but still, she's hesitant to take risks. I loved watching the changes in her and seeing the joys of her successes, especially with her art and her fears. I really liked that she's not a perfect character and has plenty of room for growth.

When Andy moves to Oahu to work for his sister and her husband, he's ready to find a tropical beauty and enjoy life. He comes across as very materialistic and shallow at first. Everything seems to be a competition with him. As the story progresses, I grew to like him and understand him more. The growth he goes through is amazing and fun to see unfold.

As I mentioned before, the setting is incredible. The story flows at a nice, laid-back pace that really shows character depth and immerses a reader in the culture. It was fun to see the characters from Reality Check in this story--I like to get past the happily ever after sometimes. I love the other side characters, chickens included, and the dash of mystery that really adds to the plot. I'm a sucker for a good, clean romance and I really enjoyed this one.


Content: mild romance (kissing); mild violence (murders, deaths--not graphic); mild religious elements (LDS missions, temple marriage, BYUH--not preachy); no language. Clean!

My Rating: 4/5 Stars
 

Buy Links:

 

About the Author:

Karen Tuft was born with a healthy dose of curiosity about pretty much everything, so as a child she taught herself to read and play the piano. She studied composition at BYU and graduated from the University of Utah in music theory, where she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda honor societies.

In addition to being an author, Karen is a wife, mother, pianist, composer, and arranger. She has spent countless hours backstage and in orchestra pits for theater productions along the Wasatch Front. Among her varied interests, she likes to figure out what makes people tick, wander through museums, and travel whether it's by car, plane, or paperback. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Tour!

May 11th:

http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, 

http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

 

May 12th: 

http://littlelightdesigncollective.com/, 

http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, 

http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/

 

May 13th:  

http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/,  

http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

 

May 14th: 

http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/, 

http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/,  

http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

 

May 15th: 

http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, 

http://fireandicereads.com/

  

Review: Liam Darcy, I Loathe You (The Jane Journals Book 1) by Heidi Jo Doxey

Tour Schedule

Liam Darcy, I Loathe You (The Jane Journals at Pemberley Prep Book 1) by Heidi Jo Doxey
Published: May 12th 2015 by Cedar Fort Publishing & Media,

Paperback, 192 pages

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Source: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review

 

Description: Lizzie, Nila, Alice, Cate, Vivian, and Fiona- six girls about to begin a writing assignment that changes everything. From cute crushes to dances and dresses, they're recording it all, and so is their teacher. This modern makeover of Jane Austen's beloved novels follows your favorite stories in a high school setting. Perfect for new fans and devoted Austenites alike!

 

My Review:  I've read books before that are solely in letter format, but I haven't read one that is in journal format and written by several different characters. I was also expecting each installment in the series to be about a different Jane Austen novel, so I was confused at first when I couldn't figure out how characters fit into Pride and Prejudice, which is what I thought Book 1 was about. Once I realized that yes, indeed, all the characters from all of her novels are in one story, I was able to sit back and enjoy it.

 

Anne Elliot (of Persuasion) is an English teacher at Pemberley Prep and assigns her girls to write in a journal for school. We see the views of different events from several perspectives, which is a lot of fun. I love the similarities to the classics, but I also loved the modern spins just as much. There's a private boys' school just down the road and we get glimpses of some of those boys, through the eyes of the girls. There are a lot of characters to keep straight, especially when there are similar names (like Mary and Mary, Fred and Frank, Elizabeth and Lizzie, Elton and Edmund, etc), but after awhile, I had them down. I think. There is a list of who is who at the end.

 

Some of the characters were very silly or mysterious or fickle or mean, but that's the way Jane Austen wrote them and I felt they were true to who they were supposed to be. This is a fun, light-hearted spin-off and I enjoyed it very much.

 

Content: Nothing of note. Clean! 

  

Buy Links:

 

 

 About the Author:

Heidi Jo Doxey has written five books in the Tiny Talks series. She graduated from BYU with a BA in English and a minor in editing. When she’s not writing or reading, she loves riding her bike, going for walks, spending time with family and friends, and being outside. She currently lives in Utah, where she works in publishing, but she still calls the San Francisco Bay Area home. Heidi blogs at girlwithalltheanswers.blogspot.com.