Valentine Countdown Blitz Day 5: The Soulstealer's Child by Brandon Gray

Brandon Gray is the pen name of Braden Bell (Brandon writes YA fiction; Braden writes for middle grades). Braden holds a Ph.D. from New York University. He and his family live on a quiet, wooded lot in Tennessee, where he teaches middle school theatre and music. An experienced performer, Braden enjoys reading, gardening, and long summer afternoons writing in his hammock. His most notable skill is being able to eat a full rack of BBQ ribs with one hand on long drives.

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Facebook ~ Website ~ 
 ~ Amazon ~ Twitter ~ 
 ~ Goodreads ~

Can a human heart overcome a demon soul?

When soul-eating demons overrun his world, Kaelis, a young seraph warrior, uses the Queen’s ring to open a portal in space and flee with the infant heir to the throne, landing on earth. Unbeknownst to him, the demon leader, Nsark, follows through the portal, determined to devour the soul of every last seraph, especially the Queen’s heir. After Kaelis hides the baby, Nsark creates the ultimate weapon by fathering a half-human, half-demon: a soul-stealer’s child. 

Sixteen years later, an awkward teen named James struggles to fit in with his peers. In a last-ditch effort, he joins the school play, where he meets Lucy. Something deep draws them together, and their friendship reveals their hidden pasts: one is an angel, one is half-demon. Lucy and James find themselves pulled into an age-old war between their peoples. Hunted by relentless enemies, and grappling with deep-seated instincts and strange new powers, they must fight for their lives, their souls, and each other.

~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon UK ~ 

~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon Australia ~

Top Ten List:

1. My wife

2. My kids

3. My students

4. Dr. Pepper

5. BBQ ribs

6. Amazon gift cards

7. Old Christmas movies

8. Turner Classic Movies

9. My new Amazon Firestick (love this!!!)

10. My job--teaching choir and theatre at a middle school.

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

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First Line Friday

Welcome to First Line Friday hosted by Bookworm Nation!

This fun meme is easy to do, simply pick up the book you're currently reading and share the very first line! There are some really good first lines out there, they grab you and suck you right into the story--
make you want to keep reading. So, my selection for this week is:

Driving Miss Crazy by D.J. Van Oss

"The insistent beep of the microwave timer

sounded from the kitchen."

She wants to go places. He's got the car. If only things were that simple.

Widowed father Adrian Adams isn’t looking to change his life. He just wants to keep his seven-year-old daughter Charlie safe and happy. The last thing he expects is to suddenly lose his job as a driver for the Washington DC diplomatic community. Luckily, he’s offered a new embassy driving assignment, one that starts with a tea cup-and-tie collision with a clumsy, cute, and oddly charming Irish woman with a penchant for talking to squirrels.

Maggie MacNally always seems to fall short, especially when it comes to her family’s expectations. She’s bracing again for disappointment as she tries to forge a new life in DC. Then an out-of-the-blue summons from her influential grandmother offers her one last chance at success—a chance that puts her in Adrian’s back seat and on the road to a career in the family business of international diplomacy.

Is Maggie finally headed where she wants to go, or is her big opportunity just another wrong turn? Is Adrian ready to take a second chance at love, or is he determined to put on the brakes before Maggie drives him crazy? And what's with all the squirrels?

Perfectly Imperfect by Annette Lyon

Get it at:

bit.ly/perfectlynovella

The Outlaw's Secret by Stacy Henrie {Blog Tour Review and Giveaway}

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

The Outlaw's Secret

by Stacy Henrie
Christian Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 288 pages
February 7th 2017 by Love Inspired Historical

Lawman in Disguise

Getting taken hostage by a gang of train robbers wasn't in dime novelist Essie Vanderfair's plans, but interviewing these men could make her career soar. Especially since the gang includes legendary outlaw Tex Beckett, better known as the Texas Titan. Tex is famed for his protection of women and children, so she'll be fine…right?

Keeping the gang in line was hard enough before a stubborn, beautiful writer interfered. Now Tex is scrambling to keep Essie safe, to gather evidence against the gang and most of all to hide his dangerous secrets. First, that he's a detective working undercover. And second, that he's not the Texas Titan at all, but Tex's twin brother, Tate Beckett.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository│Harlequin

My Review: 5 Stars

Essie writes dime novels and when her rival starts producing better books, her publisher threatens to quit publishing for her. In a effort to write something sensational, she volunteers to be taken hostage by a group of outlaws that are robbing the train she's on so that she can interview the gang and get firsthand information to use in her novels.

I am not a brave woman at all and right from the start, our heroine had me gasping for breath with almost every choice she makes. She's got pluck and is determined to write her best novel yet, no matter the cost. The way she interacts with this rag-tag gang, interviews them, and exudes natural charm had my heart riding an emotional roller coaster. I was scared to death for her at times, flying high with happiness at others, and my heart was pounding for various reasons intermittently (romance, danger, etc.). I greatly admire a woman such as Essie and wish I would throw my fears to the wind like she does--nothing much seems to phase her.

"Tex" captured my heart as surely as he captures Essie's. He's a good man and the lengths he goes to in order to do his job justice is incredible. The outlaws ooze evilness, yet, through Essie's prodding, it's made clear that most of them aren't what they seem....kind of.

I love a romance that makes me swoon and this one does just that. Not only are the romance and characters well done, the setting is fantastic too. I felt myself transported back to the late 1800s and loved being a part of that time--when I wasn't shivering in my boots with fear. I also really enjoyed Essie's writing moments, which are often thoughts--she's an interesting character with a vivid imagination and has me engrossed in her ideas. I'm definitely looking forward to what this author writes next!

Content: mild violence; mild religious elements; mild romance.

*I received a copy through Prism Book Tours. This didn't influence my thoughts at all--all opinions are my own.*

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie is the author of western romances and the Of Love and War series, which includes Hope at Dawn, a 2015 RITA Award finalist for excellence in romance. She was born and raised in the West, where she currently resides with her family. She enjoys reading, road trips, interior decorating, chocolate, and most of all, laughing with her husband and kids. You can learn more about Stacy and her books by visiting her website at stacyhenrie.com.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest

 

Tour Schedule

February 1st: Launch

February 2nd:

Bookworm Lisa, Rockin' Book Reviews, Katie's Clean Book Collection & Hearts & Scribbles

February 3rd:

Reading Is My SuperPower, I Am A Reader & The Power of Words

February 6th:

Seasons of Humility & Kathleen Denly

February 7th:

Getting Your Read On & Wishful Endings

February 8th:

Mel's Shelves & Falling Leaves

February 9th:

Singing Librarian Books & Colorimetry

February 10th:

i blog 4 books & Zerina Blossom's Books

February 12th:

Tell Tale Book Reviews

February 13th:

Heidi Reads... & The Silver Dagger Scriptorium

February 14th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive print copies of LADY OUTLAW and THE EXPRESS RIDER'S LADY + $10 Amazon Gift Card (US only)
- 1 winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card (open internationally)
- Ends February 18th

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Valentine Countdown Blitz Day 4: Teapots & Treachery by Donna K. Weaver

Award-winning author, wife, mother, grandmother, Harry Potter geek, Army veteran, karate black belt, and online gamer girl.

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Facebook ~ Blog ~
~ Twitter ~ Google+ ~

A Savage Ghost
Lia Savage reluctantly puts her dream of opening a dessert boutique on hold to help her dad remodel a castle he’s inherited in Washington State. Soon, a specter targets her younger sister.

Lia enlists the help of strapping Coop Montgomery, the head gardener and her former crush. As they search together for a way to rid the castle of its ghost, the romance she used to dream about with Coop kindles.

But Lia’s gentle giant means to stay in Washington while she’s determined to return to California. She must find the courage to face both the ghost and her future.

With Coop. Or without him.

Waves of Deceit
Twenty-six-year-old Shelby Nash wants to break free of her controlling, billionaire father. With the completion of one more project for his company, she can branch out on her own. However, her ex-boyfriend’s been appointed as the new lead architect. She has to find a way to protect her heart from him while avoiding whoever’s making anonymous threats.

Wade Masters did a poor job handling the news about the identity of his girlfriend’s father. Shelby walked out of his life without another word. Finally, four years later, Wade has a chance to win her back. As long as whoever’s targeted her doesn’t get her first.

~ Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ 

~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon Australia ~

Top Ten List:

1.     My husband is my greatest support in my writing endeavor.

2.     I have four sons, two daughters, and ten grandchildren.

3.     I'm a Navy brat who joined the Army.

4.     I was one of the first women in my newly integrated Army unit. The first gal got there that morning, and I arrived in the evening. It can be tough being a groundbreaker.

5.     The ninth grade school the Navy sent us to in San Francisco was in a very poor section of the city and was a dangerous place to be. I made sure to get straight A's so I could qualify to attend an academic high school and avoid going to the high school that the junior high school fed into.

6.     I'm a karate black belt and didn't start training until the month I turned 50.

7.     I've lived in four countries on three continents (well, one was actually a series of islands)

8.     In my day job, I run municipal elections for my city--this knowledge plays a huge role in the storyline for Swing Vote, Safe Harbors #3.

9.     I love Regency romances and hope one day to attend a Regency ball.

10.  I graduated from high school early, went away to a semester of college, and returned to walk with my class. This was back in the day before concurrent college enrollment and kids graduating from high school with college associate degrees. It was a big deal--then. :D

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

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The Reformer (Power of the Matchmaker #12) by Jaima Fixsen {Review}

The Reformer (Power of the Matchmaker #12) by Jaima Fixsen

300 pages

Published December 1st 2016

Mary Buchanan has bigger worries than the radical journalist moving in next door who’s spoiling her father’s digestion: unrequited love for a footman, a fractious aunt, patiently awaiting her destiny…

Already she’s nearly eighteen. No sign of destiny yet, but Mary’s certain he’ll be handsome.

Then she meets the reformer, this Mr. Samuel Brown. Destiny is closer at hand than Mary has supposed—if she can just get Mr. Brown to realize it.

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

My Review: 4 Stars

Each book in this series can stand alone, although I recommend reading the very first book to get a feel for who the matchmaker is and how she came to be.

Mary is an oppressed young woman, living with her doctor father and his sister. She is very stifled and a chance meeting with a handsome neighbor opens her eyes to life and causes her to start to spread her wings--in a rebellious way. Samuel is a reformer and that's very attractive to Mary. His best friend, Neil, and another neighbor, Mrs. Chin (whom I assume is Pearl--I wish her pearl comb would have been mentioned), along with servant, Annie, help shape and mold Mary into the woman she is meant to be.

With Mary's new freedom, she longs for love and has a couple of options--although it takes her awhile to realize what they are. Her true passion, aside from her growing love of politics, is her drawing, which she uses not only to support herself independently from her old-fashioned and controlling father, but to put her mark on the Reformation. I like Samuel and his head-in-the-clouds ways and his encounters with the doctor are funny, in a ridiculous way. Neil is argumentative, yet supportive, and I couldn't decide if I liked him or not. Mrs. Chin is sweet and wise and a very good inspiration for Mary.

I loved watching Mary blossom and gain strength. I loved watching character relationships develop, especially as the plot reached the pinnacle of the government crisis. I really enjoyed this last book in this series, but wasn't expecting such a politically historic tale. I'm sad to see it all come to an end and I'm really happy to find another new-to-me author through this series. 

Content: mild-moderate romance (kissing, innuendo); mild language (several cuss words); mild violence, due to the Reformation.

*I received a copy through eBooks for Review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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

Buy Links:

  

About the Author:

Jaima Fixsen lives in Alberta, Canada with her handsome husband and clever children. Mostly, she just tries to keep up.

Valentine Countdown Blitz Day 3: Courting the Countess by Donna Hatch

Donna Hatch, author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” is a hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, the force that drove her to write and publish seventeen historical romance titles, to date. She is a multi-award winner, a sought-after workshop presenter, and juggles multiple volunteer positions as well as her six children. Also a music lover, she sings and plays the harp, and she loves to ballroom dance. She and her family recently transplanted from her native Arizona to the Pacific Northwest where she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Twitter ~
~ Blog ~ Goodreads ~

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 refuses to allow his daughter to marry anyone but a titled lord. He demands that Elizabeth marry Tristan’s older brother, Richard, the Earl of Averston. 

Now Elizabeth must give up Tristan to marry Richard, a man who loves another, a man she’ll never love. 

~ Amazon ~ Wild Rose Digital ~ 
~ Wild Rose Paperback ~ 
~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon CA ~ Amazon AU ~

Facts About the Author:

One thing readers would find unique or interesting

Donna Hatch is reinventing the Clean and Wholesome romance novel with her unique style, weaving virtue and values into her stories, rich in authentic historical culture, and sweet yet sizzling romantic chemistry suitable for all readers of Regency romance.

Facts about Donna

Donna Hatch has survived falls, 7 car accidents, and a near-drowning. Naturally her books are fraught with danger as well as happily ever after.

Donna Hatch loves chocolate, baby animals, music, cats, history, books, writing, her 6 children, & hubby of 20+yrs.

Donna Hatch and her husband of over 20 years are living proof of happily ever after.

Donna Hatch drew from her own experience as a harpist and a music lover to write Courting the Countess.

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

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