Review: I, Spy (Spy Another Day Series--Book 1) by Jordan McCollum

 

June 2013, Durham Crest Books; 310 pages
Source: Borrowed a copy from the library

Description: Canada is probably the last place you'd expect to find an American spy. But even idyllic Ottawa has its deadly secrets--and so does CIA operative Talia Reynolds. She can climb through ventilation shafts, blend in at the occasional diplomatic function, even scale buildings (small ones). But there's one thing she can’t do: tell her aerospace engineer boyfriend Danny about her Top Secret occupation.

It worked for a year, keeping Danny in the dark, keeping him away from danger, keeping her secrets. And then Talia finally catches a hot case: Fyodor Timofeyev. Russian. Aerospace executive. Possible spy?

She can make this work, too--until Danny needs her at the same time her country does. And when Fyodor targets Danny? Suddenly her schedule isn't the only thing suffering. Now to save her country and her secrets, Talia must sacrifice the man she loves.

My Review: There is no way I could ever be a spy! My heart races at the thought of a sticky situation and I'm sure my mind would be a muddled mess. Yet, I love reading these types of suspenseful books. This one definitely had it all: suspense, action, romance, and mystery. Add to that some foreign languages and it was fantastic! What I'm really wondering is this: Is this author really a spy??? How can she write stories like this! Wow.

Talia is a likable character. She's human and no some superhero, yet she pulls off some crazy things. She's super smart (she can get by in 4 different languages), brave, and talented. She is also very conflicted--she's not willing to put her boyfriend in any danger, therefore, she can't be completely honest with him and that seems to bother her.

I liked Elliot, her partner. His wife was about to give birth to their first child and he was super distracted, but he and Talia had a good working relationship and that saved him.

These bad guys were really creepy! There were some twists and turns in the plot and with the characters that kept throwing me off, but things all made sense in the end.

Content: no swearing; some violence--it's an action spy thriller! Not too graphic; some kissing (mild). I'd consider it clean for an older reader.

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About the Author: 

An award-winning author, Jordan McCollum can't resist a story where good defeats evil and true love conquers all. In her day job, she coerces people to do things they don't want to, elicits information and generally manipulates the people she loves most--she's a mom.

Jordan holds a degree in American Studies and Linguistics from Brigham Young University. When she catches a spare minute, her hobbies include reading, knitting and music. She lives with her husband and four children in Utah.

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Review: Paris Cravings by Kimberley Montpetit

 

Published February 2014 by Spellbound Books, 205 pages
Source: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Description:  
Can life really turn on a dime,
a missed bus—
or a stuck pastry shop door?

Chloe Dillard’s life has always been complicated. Her mother is a neurotic romance novelist and her boyfriend, Mathew, has been pressuring her to go “all the way”—even as one of her own best friends offers to accommodate him.

But after The Worst Night of Her Life, Chloe escapes on her Senior Class trip to the swoon-worthy city of Paris which takes her mind off her troubles—temporarily. On the final leg of her dream trip, Chloe squeezes in one final run for a last-minute box of decadent pastries. Add a stuck door, subtract a broken four-inch heel from her cute strappy sandals, and Chloe ends up one stuck girl on the bakery shop floor with a sprained ankle.

Rescued by the shop owner’s dreamy son with chocolate-syrup eyes, the beautiful city of Paris suddenly becomes Chloe’s personal secret adventure. And even though Jean-Paul, the oh-so-kind La Patisserie shop boy is the gentlemanly guy Chloe has always dreamed of, even he has a girlfriend.

The police are tracking her down as a run-away, Mom’s having a nervous breakdown over her daughter’s “disappearance”, and Chloe’s just trying to have a Happily-Ever-After even as her dreams with Matt are swirling down the drain.

Could being lost in the city of Paris be just what the doctor ordered? What’s a girl to do in the most romantic city in the world?

My Review:  I absolutely loved this book! I took German in High School and my sister took French. I always thought it was the most romantic language ever...and now my daughter is taking it in school. There were plenty of French phrases and even more delicious French pastries. I honestly felt like I was exploring Paris with the descriptions given in the story. It wasn't a travelog by any means, but a magical, romantic story that completely drew me in.

Chloe's story unfolds in snippets given here and there. She trying to make a big decision and decides to wait until after her trip to Paris with her French class that happens right after graduation. Mathew, her boyfriend, is pressuring her to give in to him physically and she just doesn't want to. I love how strong and dedicated she was to herself and her decision to wait, especially when she says, "I just think everybody should wait and make your husband or wife your one-and-only." That's exactly how I feel! I felt a connection with Chloe and not only because of that. She wants to make the most of the time she has and does so.

Jean-Paul was fabulous! Melting chocolate colored eyes...yum. Their connection was sizzling hot, yet it all stayed clean. Bonus points for that! Is a chance meeting connection enough to last or is it just a one-time thing? Read this book to find out.

I loved the ending, but I really wanted to know more about how her decision played out. Those details were skimmed over, but what happens after that was magnifique! Ooh-la-la.

Content: some swearing (not a lot); no violence, but some mild disrespect to authority; kissing and talk of sex, mainly the boyfriend wanting it and the MC not--no details. I would consider this clean for an older teen/adult.

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About the Author:
Kimberley Montpetit once spent all her souvenir money at the La Patisserie shops when she was in Paris—on the arm of her adorable husband. The author grew up in San Francisco, another swoon-worthy city, loves all things Parisian and chocolate and lives in a small town along the Rio Grande with her family.

Kimberley has won many awards for her work, including the Southwest Book Award, the Whitney Award, the Arizona/New Mexico Book Award, is a Crystal Kite Finalist (SCBWI) and included in the Bank Street College Best Books of the Year.

She once stayed in a haunted castle tower room at Borthwick Castle in Scotland, sailed on the Seine in Paris, walked the beaches of Normandy, eaten in numerous French cafes, ridden a camel in Petra, Jordan, sunbathed on Waikiki, shopped the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, and spent the night in an old Communist hotel in Bulgaria.

She adores all baked goodies; brownies, éclairs, donuts, tarts, and pie, and makes a lot of chocolate chip cookies while revising.

Kimberley is, of course, hard at work on her next novel(s).

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Princess of the Light by N.N. Light Trailer Reveal

Trailer Reveal Media Kit
Princess of the Light by N.N. Light
Release Date: August 26, 2014


Blurb: Miriam Miller likes the simple things in life: a good book, close friends, and a healthy relationship with God. But, destiny comes calling, and her neat, little life turns upside down. Ethanial, an angel of God, has been sent to reveal Miriam's true calling -– she is the Princess of the Light, the woman chosen by God Himself to vanquish the demons intent on infusing the world with evil. And her first assignment: restore the soul of a homeless man known only as The Walking Man. Enter Joe Deacons, a man intent on stealing her heart. But as Miriam embarks on her journey to save the Walking Man and fulfill her calling, it becomes clear that Joe isn’t what he appears to be. Miriam must decide: Is she willing to risk her soul to save those she loves?

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Giveaway:

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Author Bio: N.N. Light was born in Minnesota, lived in Southern California only to move to chilly Ontario, Canada to marry her beloved husband, Mr. N. She is blissfully happy and loves all things chocolate, books, music, movies, art, sports and baking.

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Imperfect Love by Rebecca Talley Review/Blog Tour

 

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Imperfect Love Lauren Wilson is well on her way to her happily-ever-after. She has a career she loves, a husband she adores and a baby on the way, but a devastating diagnosis changes everything. The life she's built suddenly crumbles around her when her husband insists she choose—the baby or him. Returning to her small hometown to rebuild her shattered life, Lauren crosses paths with Ethan Campbell, the man who stole her teenage heart. The old attraction is still there, but Lauren won't admit it to anyone—least of all herself. Her only priority is providing a life for her child, and she can't afford to get it wrong. Ethan is confusing everything, including stirring up feelings she’s not prepared to face. Will she spend her life raising her baby alone or is the family she's always wanted finally within her reach?  

My Review: I love a tender, clean story packed with emotion. Lauren is in a marriage where she give 110% and he give 5%. Her marriage crumbles when she finds out some devastating news about her pregnancy. A good portion of the story is seeing Lauren rebuild her life, learn to trust again, and to move forward. Even though I haven't been in a situation like Lauren's, I could relate to her. I understand why she wants to rely on herself and learn to stand on her own two feet. I understand why she feels she has something to prove. Her mother is there for her, yet she yearns to be independent and to come out on top. I could feel the embarrassment she felt in certain situations and the jealousy she felt towards her sister's seemingly perfect life.

Ethan, her teenage crush and friend who's mother just passed away, is such a patient man! He does what he can to help Lauren and is such a good friend to her. Everyone needs a friend like him during a difficult time.

There are some serious issues discussed in this book and I thought the author did a wonderful job in dealing with them. The emotions involved are real, yet it didn't come off across as too heavy and depressing. I thought the last few chapters were the best!

Content: no language; no violence; some kissing. Clean!

**I received a copy from the tour host in exchange for an honest review**

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Author Rebecca Lynn Talley Rebecca Lynn Talley grew up in the gorgeous seaside city of Santa Barbara, CA. She met, and married, her husband, Del, while attending Brigham Young University. She graduated from BYU with a degree in Communications. She currently lives in rural Colorado on a small ranch with a dog, too many cats to count, and a herd of goats. She and Del are the proud parents of ten wildly-creative, multi-talented children. Rebecca is the author of a children’s picture book, Grasshopper Pie (WindRiver 2003), a children’s chapter book, Gabby’s Secret (DuBon Publishing 2011), four novels, Heaven Scent (CFI 2008), Altared Plans (CFI 2009), The Upside of Down (CFI 2011), and Aura (DuBon Publishing 2012). She has also authored numerous children’s stories and articles for both print and online magazines. When she isn’t writing, Rebecca loves to date her husband, play with her kids, swim in the ocean, and dance to disco music while she cleans the house. She has folded at least one million loads of laundry, baked hundreds of batches of chocolate chip cookies, and eaten 5,478 gallons of ice cream.

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Blog Tour Giveaway Details $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 4/10/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Class of '98 by A.L. Player REVIEW

November 2013, Swoon Romances, 238 pages

Description: Jackie Dunn and Matt Stewart barely knew each other in high school, back when she was a blue-haired alterna-kid and he was a preppy jock. High school rules dictated they'd never hang out, or sit at the same lunch table, or God forbid, date.

But when a weird storm transports them from their ten-year reunion back to senior year, they have to work together to figure out a way to get back to 2008.

Stuck in high school, Jackie and Matt agree to tough it out. They agree to do everything exactly as they remember, even though that means staying with the boyfriend Jackie knows will betray her, or playing nice with the girl that will someday be Matt’s ex-wife. Soon, they come to rely on one other, even become friends.

Jackie’s just starting to get used to curfews and term papers again, when Matt hits her with the biggest surprise of all: he’s fallen in love with her. He’ll change the past however he has to if it means a future with Jackie. But Jackie’s terrified they’ll not only alter their lives, but the lives of everyone around them.

Back to the Future meets She's All That, Class of '98 is a young adult/adult crossover that will appeal to teens and adults.

My Review: I thought this was a darling storyline. Doesn't pretty much everyone wonder what it would be like if you could go back to the past and change things? Even one thing? This story had all the ingredients to make a terrific story, but I didn't like some of the content.

Take one secure teenager, Jackie, add another secure teenager from a different clique and watch how the future may or may not change. It seemed that Jackie became more insecure as she grew older because of something that happened to her in high school. She looked like a rebel with her blue hair, but was a really good girl and I loved the changes she made with herself. Matt was also pretty secure with himself and was such a good friend and support to Jackie, even when she tried pushing him away. I had forgotten how far the technological world has come in 16 years.

I hate it when I can't decide how to rate a book. I'm not a big fan of teenage "hooking up" and drinking; I know it happens, but it's just not something I approve of, nor is it something in my standards, and that's what makes it hard for me to rate. Technically, the one night stand was between two 28 year old people who had traveled back to their 18 year old lives, and it faded to black--no descriptions. Technically, the two main characters aren't underage drinkers, but everyone else at the parties are too young to be doing what they're doing. But I really, really liked the storyline, the lessons learned, and the way it ended, therefore, I gave it a higher rating. Just take note of the content.

Content: moderate swearing; no violence; kissing, talk of hooking up, lots of drinking, talk of drug use, a fade-to-black one night stand. I would say it's still PG-13, but for older readers.

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Review: Defy by Sara B. Larson

 

Published: January 2014
Length: 326 pages

About the Book: A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.
Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect.

My Review: First of all, isn't the cover gorgeous?! I love how it really portrays a few key points to the story--a jungle, a fighter, and a girl disguised as a boy.

I know a lot of people don't love a love triangle, but for some reason, I do! I don't ever recall being involved in one myself, but it's a great asset to the book. How can a girl choose between two amazing guys? It's not an easy decision to make, that's for sure.

My first impression was that this would be loosely based on Mulan. In a way, I suppose it could be, but it's definitely a story all it's own. Alex(a) seemed to be such a sharp person, fully capable and aware of what's going on around her, yet she is still in the dark about many things and through the course of this story, mysteries are revealed. There were some unexpected twists and turns.

Alex(a) is so strong and brave! I don't think there's any way I could fight my way to the top of the guard. I did wonder about a few things--no one but her twin knew she was a girl, so how did she deal with her "monthly bleedings" without anyone knowing? Okay...sometimes I think too much. She showed so much compassion to those around her and seemed to be quite well-liked--by almost everyone.

Damien was full of surprises. I enjoyed watching him unfold and fulfill his destiny. Rylan was great, too. He was a true friend.

I hope I'm correct in assuming this is the first in a series, because things are left hanging a little bit and I'm excited to read more about these characters! I really enjoyed this story!

Content: There was some questionable content, especially towards the beginning. The king has a breeding house and while there's not a lot of detail given, it tells about girls being raped until they're pregnant to raise up an army. That's about as much detail as it gives. This is mentioned a few brief times throughout the story. There's also some mild kissing and a girl sleeping in the same tent as two unrelated men, but nothing happens, aside from kissing. No language that I can recall. Mild to moderate violence, as there is a war raging--people killed, blood (not gory), etc.

About the Author:

My debut YA fantasy DEFY was published on January 7, 2014! I'm represented by Josh Adams. Mommy of three. Lover of chocolate, desserts of all kinds, and Swedish Fish. Also good books.

Novels of Love and Suspense Boxed Set ON SALE

Breathtaking: Seven Bestselling Novels of Love and Suspense

Boxed set is only $.99 March 24th through March 29th.

 

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Breathtaking Book Trailer

Unbelievable by Sherry Gammon Deliah Dreser's in town to take care of family business. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but there's more to Lilah than meets the eye. Cole's in danger of losing his heart when this firestorm throws sparks his way. Is she simply playing him for the fool in order to exact revenge for her brother's murders? Bestselling author Sherry Gammon's reviewers exclaim; "She has a gift for touching her readers with beautiful, gripping stories that you can’t put down." Home Before Dark by Christy Barritt Nothing good ever happens after dark. Those were the words country singer Daleigh McDermott’s father always repeated. Now her father is dead, and Daleigh finds a hidden journal hinting that his death was no accident. Small town mechanic Ryan Shields is the only one who seems to believe Daleigh. As the two work to unravel the mystery, it becomes obvious that someone wants them dead. They must rely on each other—and on God—if they hope to make it home before the darkness swallows them whole. Award-Winning Suspense Novelist and Bestselling Amazon Author, touted as "scary, funny, passionate, and quirky" by USA Today. Baggage Claim by Amanda Tru Rachel Saunders is looking forward to her all-expense paid weekend trip to New York. But, when her luggage is lost and she is accosted by an infuriating Homeland Security agent, events take a dangerous turn. Amanda Tru, Bestselling Amazon Author of Romance and Suspense. Discover the author who, as an Amazon reviewer raves, “continues to impress me and dominate my time with a book I can’t put down even after it’s ended.” Cassie's Cowboy Crave by Kimberly Krey In a moment of weakness, Shane steals a kiss. In return, Cassie steals his heart… When Cassie is forced to join the witness protection program, she fears her life is over… but then she meets Shane Emerson — the hunky cowboy posing as her husband. Will this sham marriage turn into the real thing, or will a hidden danger put it all at risk? Kimberly Krey writes romance that’s clean without losing the steam. What’s Beyond Forks calls this Best-selling Western Romance author “the master of romantic tension.” A Perfect Fit by Heather Tullis Cami DiCarlo is not happy when her father forces her into heading up guest services at his newest five-star hotel and unveils the existence of four half-sisters at the same time, insisting they live together while they launch the new resort. When she meets Vince, the sweet, sexy landscaper her father would never have approved of, Cami can’t say no. If only she could be sure she is on the right track—and that they will be able to stop the person who is trying to destroy everything. You Belong with Me by Shannon Guymon Layla Kendall is a burned out social worker one step away from a major depression. When she and her sisters inherit their grandmother's bakery, she doesn't know if she can trust her good fortune or not. But the chance to be with her sisters and get away from the heartache and pain she's faced day in and day out is a chance she's going to take. With Layla's new life, come new friendships, including Michael Bender, a single dad. She doesn't trust men but Michael's little girl grabs her by the heart and won't let go. Shannon Guymon is an Amazon Bestselling Author of lighthearted and clean romance who according to her many fans, has the ability to paint pictures of her characters so real that readers would know them if they saw them walking down the street. Blog This by Cami Checketts Devastated by the loss of her brother, Natasha Senecot exposes the dangers of Matthew Chrysler's violent video games, bankrupting and humiliating him. Chrysler sends a hit man after her. In a race against time, can Natasha expose Chrysler before his assassin murders her family and shatters her world? Bestselling author Cami Checketts has been touted as, "A genius! She writes about topics that aren't widely discussed, and she does such a brilliant job of crafting these things into wonderful stories that touch your heart and remain with you for days afterwards."

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