Spontaneous MidSummer's Eve Giveaway WINNER!!!

Congratulations to Holly Letson for winning my giveaway!! She has been contacted by email and has accepted the prize. A big THANK YOU to all who entered!!

**Winner chosen by random.org**

Book Review: Not Your Average Fairy Tale by Chantele Sedgwick

 

Not Your Average Fairytale by Chantele Sedgwick
Publication: July 2012
Length: estimated 187 pages

Description: Ash Summerland has it all–good looks, popularity, and the best grades at The Academy of Magical Beings. Ready to complete his last assignment in order to graduate, Ash is confident he will get the apprenticeship he wants. When he opens the letter from the Council, he is shocked to discover he has been assigned to apprentice Lady Shenelle, Keeper of Happy Endings. A.K.A. the head fairy godmother. Ash is forced to grant three wishes to a troubled human girl named Kendall, and ultimately give her a "happy ever after". But Kendall turns out to be more than he bargained for. Still grieving over her father's death, Kendall doesn't want anything to do with him. And worst of all, she doesn't believe in happy endings.

My Review: This book was a surprise! I never would have thought to have a male fairy godmother, and I'm sure Ash thought the same thing. Ha!! I thought this was a very original take on a fantasy/fairy tale type story.

Ash seemed to be the type of person who really has everything fall right into his lap. He works hard and therefore, gets what he wants out of life. I really connected with him and liked his character. When he gets this surprise assignment, he tries really hard to make the best of it, even though it's obvious he wants to be anywhere but where he is. His eyes--that's what really got me. :) Silvery blue...

Kendall is a fun character, but I felt so sorry for her. I can't imagine the guilt and pressures she was feeling in life and being a teen makes it all that much harder to deal with. I could easily relate with her skepticism towards Ash. Really?? A fairy godmother?? And a male one at that? Yeah, right.

I loved the build up of their relationship. It was very natural and believable.

Content: nothing that stood out to me. Clean!

Amazon  *  B&N

About the Author:

Chantele Sedgwick is a YA author, harpist, wife to one and stay-at-home mom to four. She loves happy endings, Kit Kats and judging by her book shelves, buys way too many books.

Twitter  *  Website  *  Goodreads

Book Review: Lovestruck Summer by Melissa C. Walker

***--3 Stars.
Publication: May 2009
Length: 272 pages.

Priscilla, aka Quinn, if off on a summer adventure right after graduating from high school. She moves to Austin, TX to intern at a music label and lives with her sorority-crazy cousin. Quinn has the ideal summer fling lined up in her brain, but things don't go quite as planned in reality.


I liked how individual Quinn is--from her hair to her clothing to her type of music. She isn't influenced by the norm. I also liked how her new neighbor got her to branch out a little to get the full experience of Austin.

A light, fluffy, summer read. I still feel young at heart, but sometimes these books are just a tad too fluffy for an "older" reader like me. They are cute, but the characters aren't super developed, so if you're looking for mindless brain candy, this is one for you.

Content: mention of hooking up and teen partying, but no details given.

Summer Book Trek Challenge

I saw this challenge on a friend's blog and thought it sounded like a lot of fun!! New LDS Fiction is hosting a reading challenge during the month of July. Basically, whether you are LDS or not, you read as many books by as many LDS authors as you can to earn points. There are prizes available too!! It's a win-win situation for anyone who loves to read and loves a challenge.

My list:
1.  Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career by Carla Kelly (finished 7/8)
2.  Ashes Ashes by Julie Coulter Bellon (finished 7/4)
3.  A Timeless Romance: Summer Wedding Collection (finished 7/30)
4.  A Timeless Romance: Spring Break Collection (finished 7/26)

5.  The Knight of Redmond by Jennifer K Clark (finished 7/13)
6.  A Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M Eden (finished 7/30)
7.  Longing for Home by Sarah M Eden (finished 7/15)

8 . Second Chances by Melanie Jacobson (finished 8/1)
9.  Pwned by Shannen Crane Camp (finished 7/18)
10.A Longtime and at One Point Illegal Crush by Janette Rallison (finished 7/24)
11. Emma: A Latter-Day Tale by Rebecca Jamison (finished 7/23)
12. Not Your Average Fairy Tale by Chantele Sedgwick (finished 7/1)
13. Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson (finished 7/2)

(I'll mark the ones I've read in red. Haha).

There are soooo many that I want to choose, but I'll start with these 13 and see how I do. Join up, if you're up for the challenge!!

Book Review: She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell

****--4 stars.
publication: April 2010
length: 398 pages
Amazon's book description:
For a young society woman seeking a favorable marriage in the late 1890s, so much depends on her social season debut. Clara Carter has been given one goal: secure the affections of the city's most eligible bachelor. Debuting means plenty of work--there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity's spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling.
Yet Clara wonders if this is the life she really wants, especially when she learns her best friend has also set her sights on Franklin De Vries. When a man appears who seems to love her simply for who she is, and gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara realizes it's not just her heart at stake--the future of her family depends on how she plays the game.

My Review:  I was shocked by the realization that this time period wasn't all it's cracked up to be!! I've often thought about what it would be like to "come out" into society and attend balls, teas, parties, and be seen around town. I picture the beautiful dresses and handsome gentlemen flirting and trying to land a spouse. I envision the delicate foods and hear the orchestra playing, while taking in the decorations of the room. But it did not even occur to me that this time period was pure torture!! Those evil corsets, crushing the breath out of a girl; the pressure to land someone with money, regardless of love or even any affection towards the person at all; the many, many rules that are to be followed and which ones are allowed to be broken; the fake mask that one must wear at all times; the ignorance of things that really matter.

I was fascinated by this story and really got caught up in it. I liked that way that Lizzie and Clara tried to maintain their friendship. I could just picture Aunt--what a character!! Money trumps all in her opinion.

Content: clean.

To purchase, click here.

Book Review: The Elite (Selection book 2) by Kiera Cass

****--4 Stars
Publication: April 2013
Pages: 323
Description: Kiera Cass’s The Elite is a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction, fairy tales, and reality TV. This sequel to The Selection will enchant teens who love Divergent and The Bachelor.

In America Singer’s world, a bride is chosen for the prince through an elaborate televised competition. In the second book of the Selection series, America is one of only six girls left in the running. But is it Prince Maxon—and life as the queen—she wants? Or is it Aspen, her first love?

The Elite delivers the adventure, glamour, political intrigue, and romance readers of The Selection expect, and continues the love triangle that captivated them.

My Review: I'm assuming this will be a trilogy series and for me, the 2nd book in a trilogy is often what I call a "bridge book." Nothing much happens but the things that do are essential for the story to connect the exciting book one and the ending in book 3. This book totally blew my theory out of the water!! I was completely captivated and had no idea where the story would lead. I was shocked in places and dreamy-eyed in others. I was amazed at how much feeling this story evoked. I am also completely torn on who to cheer on in this messed up love triangle!!

America. Good grief, girl!! Make up your mind about who you want!! She is only 16 or 17, so she can be given some leeway in her fickleness, but it's making me crazy.

Maxon. I absolutely loved him...until about 1/4 of the way through. I wasn't happy with him at all, but I guess, in a way, he did redeem himself and I may end up cheering him on after all. I'm still torn.

Aspen. He needs to stop taking risks because he's going to give me a heart attack with all his sneaking around.

Anyway...I really, really liked this book and can't wait to see what's going to happen next. I am going to go crazy waiting for the next book to come out.

Content: some language; some violence; some kissing. Nothing too graphic.

To buy it on amazon, click  here.

Cover Reveal--My Own Mr. Darcy by Karey White

After being dragged to the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice by her mother, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth’s life changes when Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy appears on the screen. Lizzie falls hard and makes a promise to herself that she will settle for nothing less than her own Mr. Darcy. This ill-advised pledge threatens to ruin any chance of finding true love. During the six intervening years, she has refused to give any interested suitors a chance. They weren’t Mr. Darcy enough.

Coerced by her roommate, Elizabeth agrees to give the next interested guy ten dates before she dumps him. That guy is Chad, a kind and thoughtful science teacher and swim coach. While she’s dating Chad, her dream comes true in the form of a wealthy bookstore owner named Matt Dawson, who looks and acts like her Mr. Darcy. Of course she has to follow her dream. But as Elizabeth simultaneously dates a regular guy and the dazzling Mr. Dawson, she’s forced to re-evaluate what it was she loved about Mr. Darcy in the first place.

Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.

She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Excerpt 1

Janessa folded her arms and looked at me for so long I started to squirm. “What?”
“I wish you’d look at yourself. You’re ruining your life with this stupid obsession.”

“I’m not obsessed.” I stood up quickly, nearly tipping my chair over. I rinsed my plate and put it in the dishwasher. I could feel Janessa’s eyes on me the entire time, but I refused to look at her. “And just because I’m not interested in this guy doesn’t mean my life is ruined.”

“Let me guess. Was he blond?”

“Knock it off.”

“Too short?”

“He wasn’t short. I’ve got to go.” I left the kitchen with Janessa on my heels.

“Was he too cheerful?”

“Oh brother. I’m not having this conversation with you.”

Janessa grabbed my arm and turned me toward her. “Yes, you are.”

“I’m going to be late for work.”

“Then we’d better talk fast.”

“I don’t have anything to say,” I said.

“Then I’ll talk. You listen. You have to start giving these guys a chance.”

I folded my arms tightly. “I give them a chance.”

“You give them one date, two at the most. But you’re not really giving them a chance because your mind’s already made up before you even go out.”

I was getting annoyed. “I don’t have time for this conversation again.” Janessa was practically reciting word for word what she’d said after my last date. And the one before that.

“Lizzie. If you don’t want to have the same conversation, do something different. Shake things up a little.” She smiled and did a little shimmy. I refused to smile no matter how silly she looked.

“How do you suggest I do that?”

“If this guy… What’s his name?”

“Chad.”

“If Chad calls you back, go out with him again.”

“I don’t see the point.”

“Did you get a serial killer vibe from him?”

“No, I got a nice-guy-that-doesn’t-deserve-to-be-led-on vibe from him.”

“Nice guys are good. So you’ll say yes, right?”

“If I’m not interested, it wouldn’t be fair to say yes.”

“Oh knock off the baloney. You haven’t been fair to a guy since high school. You’re just afraid if you get to know a guy, you might like him. And wouldn’t that be awful? Was Chad funny?”

“Yes, he was funny.”

“Handsome?”

I sighed. “I don’t know if I’d call him handsome, but he was cute.”

“Cute is good. Especially if he was funny. So go out with him again.”

“You act like it’s all up to me.” I walked to the closet and collected my purse. Like a tiger leaping on her prey, Janessa pounced at the bowl on the entry table and grabbed my car keys. “This isn’t funny, Janessa. I’m going to be late for work.”

“Then let’s make a deal. You agree to go out with him ten times before you toss him aside and I’ll give you your keys.”

“Ten times? No way.”

“That’ll give you time to get to know him.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“I’m serious, Lizzie. Ten is a good number. In that amount of time, you can make a real decision. Instead of one based on a stupid movie.”

Now Janessa was skipping through a minefield. “It’s not a stupid movie and I’ve got to go.”

“It’s the stupidest movie in the world if it ruins your life.”

“Nothing’s ruining my life and I’m going to be late. Give me my keys and we’ll talk about this later.” A little tussle ensued as I tried to rescue my keys from her clutches. I almost had them when she darted to the bathroom and shut the door hard and fast, locking it behind her. “This is real mature.”

“I don’t care about mature. You’re my best friend, Lizzie.  I love you and I’m trying to save you from yourself.”

I banged on the door. “Give me the keys. Now.” My voice had become shrieky.

“I’ll give you the keys as soon as you promise you’ll go out with him ten times.”

“I doubt he’ll ask me out again.”

“Why? Were you a jerk?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

I hesitated, knowing I hadn’t been very good company. “I’m pretty sure.”

“If he doesn’t ask you out, you have to ask him.”

“No way am I asking out a guy ten times. No way!”

“You just have to ask him out once. If he doesn’t return the favor you can move on. But you have to be nice to him and give him a reason to want to ask you out again.”

“This is the dumbest idea you’ve ever had.”

“Listen Liz, I’m doing this for you. Give a guy a chance before you give him the old heave-ho.”

I leaned my head on the door. “Just give me the keys. Please.” Now I was whining.

“You’re the one keeping yourself from your keys. And probably true love.”

I looked at my watch. Now I’d have to risk a speeding ticket or get to work five minutes late. I wasn’t sure which was worse—a ticket from a police officer or a tongue-lashing from Delia.

“Fine. I’ll go out with him again if he asks me.”

“And?”

“If he doesn’t ask me, I’ll ask him?”

“Right. And how many times will you go out with him?”

“Way too many,” I said under my breath.

“I can’t hear you.”

“Ten times. If he asks me.”

The door cracked open. “And you’ll be nice to him?”

“Whatever you say. Now give me the keys.”

Janessa emerged from the bathroom and triumphantly dropped my keys into my outstretched hand.

“You’re an idiot,” I said.

“An idiot that loves you and wants you to be happy,” she said. She turned and headed down the hall. “Someday you’ll thank me,” she sang.

“If I don’t kill you first.” I slammed the door behind me.

Excerpt 2

It was a busy Monday morning. I was looking out at the line of waiting customers when he walked in. I gasped, shut my thumb in my cash drawer, and then tried not to cry while Mr. Sandoval from a hearing aid store asked me if I was okay.

When I finished Mr. Sandoval’s transaction, I looked at him again. He was taller than anyone in the room. Of course. His hair was dark and a little disheveled. It was hard to see from where I was, but his eyes looked like they were blue. And best of all, he didn’t smile. He looked gorgeously unpleasant and impatient. He looked around the room and his eyes met mine. Still he didn’t smile. My heart was racing. He looked perfect.

I did my best to time it so I’d be his teller. I went a little too fast with one customer and accidentally shorted her a twenty dollar bill. I tried to concentrate as I corrected the transaction. I slowed way down on the next customer, but just when I thought I was finished and would be able to help him next, my customer asked me to break a ten into change. He walked up to Courtney’s window while I counted out nickels and dimes. Furious, I stomped my foot. Not too loudly but enough to release a little of my frustration.

I listened closely as Courtney helped him to see if I could learn anything, but he hardly spoke. He gave a terse nod when Courtney thanked him for coming in and turned on his heel and left. He had excellent posture and a nice, confident stride.

I finished with my customer, and then before anyone else could step forward, I picked up the phone and dialed Courtney’s extension. She glanced at her phone’s display and looked over at me curiously.
            “Who was that?” I whispered when she picked up the receiver.

“Elizabeth, look how many customers there are.”

“I know. Just tell me who that was.” I watched as Courtney picked up her last transaction slip.

“His name is Matt Dawson.”

“Is he married?”

“I have no idea,” Courtney said.

“Was he wearing a ring?”

“I didn’t look. What’s going on, Lizzie?”

“I just need to know about him.”

“Well, I don’t know anything about him and Delia’s watching us. I’ve gotta go.”

Matt Dawson. Matt. Matthew. Like Matthew Macfadyen. Dawson. It was pretty close to Darcy. The only way it could be better is if his name was Fitzwilliam but I’d never met a Fitzwilliam in my life.

Matt Dawson.

This had to be a sign.  

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