Lexi's Pathetic Fictional Love Life by Jo Noelle $50 Book Blast

Lexi's Pathetic Fictional Love Life by Jo Noelle
Lexi Middleton has been socially invisible to her classmates, but starting her junior year, that’s going to change. First, she’s determined to hook a boyfriend, ensuring dates with flowers and possible kisses on the doorstep. Second, she wants to be a writer for the school paper, even though it freaks her out to think of everyone judging her by her punctuation and metaphors. High school is difficult enough—keeping up her grades, dealing with increasing sibling rivalry, and trying to stay out of the way of her personal nemesis, Amberlee—but when Lexi catches the eye of her long-time crush, she also becomes the focus of mean-girl tactics. Caught between who she was and who she wants to be, Lexi must decide how to confront a bully, and choose who to let into her heart. 

Purchase from

AMAZON * Barnes & Noble

 Follow the tour January 6th-16th:

  

Tour Schedule

About the Author:
Jo Noelle grew up in Colorado and Utah but also spent time in Idaho and California. She has two adult children and three small kids. She teaches teachers and students about reading and writing, grows freakishly large tomatoes, enjoys cooking especially for desserts, builds furniture, sews beautiful dresses, and likes to go hiking in the nearby mountains. Oh, and by the way, she’s two people— Canda Mortensen and Deanna Henderson, a mother/daughter writing team. They began writing separately several years ago but found the process much more fun when they started collaborating. They are debut authors, with Lexi’s Pathetic Fictional Love Life as their first completed work. Other titles include Newbie and Damnation. Deanna attended college before marrying and starting her family. Canda received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Reading Specialist endorsement, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Her day job focuses on teaching teachers and children about literacy.

Website * Twitter

Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/18/14 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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone! I wish us all a day of peace, joy, and love. Enjoy time with family and loved ones today. I'll be back soon!

Review: A Cliche Christmas by Nicole Deese

 

A Cliché Christmas by Nicole Deese

Paperback, 188 pages

Published October 7th 2014 by Waterfall Press (first published December 1st 2013)  

Description:

2014 American Christian Fiction Writers' Genesis Award Finalist

Writing happy endings is easy. Living one is the hard part.

Georgia Cole—known in Hollywood as the “Holiday Goddess”—has made a name for herself writing heartwarming screenplays chock-full of Christmas clichés, but she has yet to experience the true magic of the season. So, when her eccentric grandmother volunteers her to direct a pageant at Georgia’s hometown community theater, she is less than thrilled. To make matters worse, she’ll be working alongside Weston James, her childhood crush and the one man she has tried desperately to forget.

Now, facing memories of a lonely childhood and the humiliation of her last onstage performance, seven years earlier, Georgia is on the verge of a complete mistletoe meltdown. As Weston attempts to thaw the frozen walls around her heart, Georgia endeavors to let go of her fears and give love a second chance. If she does, will she finally believe that Christmas can be more than a cliché? 

My Review:

Georgia hasn't had it easy. Feeling unloved and unwanted made her lock her heart up and throw away the key. When an incident in her high school play left her humiliated, she left home and found a niche writing Christmas screenplays in Hollywood. A heart wrenching event leads Georgia home for the holidays.

Georgia has some serious walls up around her generous heart. When I found out the reasons why, I honestly couldn't blame her for being so cold, but I still wanted to tell her to just get over it. Seven years is a long time to be holding a grudge. 

I love Weston, her childhood crush. He's almost as stubborn as Georgia is, yet is very likable and warm--opposite of Georgia. He's any girl's dream man--willing to work hard for a girl.

My favorite thing was the way the community came together, all for one little girl. I love a cute, clean Christmas romance and this one totally hit the spot!

Content: no language or violence; very mild religious undertones; kissing. Clean!  

 

Amazon  *  B&N

About the Author:

Books have been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. As a young girl, my favorite pastime was “playing library”. This entailed loading every book I owned into my Radio Flier wagon and trekking to the neighborhood park. Once there, I would carefully place each masterpiece onto a blanket. When my friends wanted to “check-out” a book, I would first tell them the synopsis of each story and why I loved it.

Not much has changed since then.

I am obsessed with the art of what makes a great story, great. I can and have talked for hours about the fictional characters, scenarios and plots found within the pages of my favorite books. However, at the age of 30, I decided it was time to share my own world of make-believe.

I wrote my first novel, All for Anna, soon after that.

I have been a wife to my hunk-of-a husband, Tim, for nine years, and a mother to my two crazy boys (Preston, 7 and Lincoln, 4). I am a cherished daughter, an advice-giving big sister, and a very grateful friend. But first and foremost, I am a picture of redemption: a life transformed by grace.

Though I no longer pull a red wagon, my stockpile of books has grown exponentially. I am never far from my next read. And yes, I still push them on my friends (along with my commentary). Old habits die hard.

Thank you for reading a piece of my world, and for sharing in a piece of my heart.  

Twitter  *  Goodreads  *   Website

Review: A Christmas Hope by Stacy Henrie

 

A Christmas Hope (Of Love and War) by Stacy Henrie

ebook, 160 pages

Published December 2nd 2014 by Forever 

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

Description: TIS THE SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES

Having experienced the heartache of unrequited love, Maria Schmitt desperately seeks a new life. Landing a position as a clerk in a Sioux City bank is just what she needs to get started on her journey toward healing. But a dashing stranger soon puts her job-and her heart-in jeopardy.

Saving lives was all Dale Emerson ever wanted to do . . . until a fateful day in France shattered his career as a surgeon. He lost everything that mattered, and the last thing he wants to do is resign himself to a life without medicine working at his uncle's bank. Then he meets Maria, a compassionate woman who can see past his scars to the man he once was-and the man he could be again. With Christmas right around the corner, these two wounded hearts may find that hope and a little holiday cheer are just the ticket to letting go of regrets-and embracing a future full of love and possibility.

My Review: Maria is starting over--as a bank clerk in a town a few hours away from home. The bank owner wants to retire and his dashing nephew, wounded from the war, steps in as manager for awhile. The way Maria and Dale meet is charming...and quite funny. I was immediately drawn into the story and rooting for the relationship to develop. But as for that relationship...there are a few hurdles to overcome that just may be too much for this couple to endure. Even though this is a novella, it was surprisingly well-developed. 

Maria is a very positive, cheerful woman. She's been hurt, yet she makes it her mission to make life a little better for those around her. She is able to see straight to the heart of people and in turn, many want to be around her. She has a way of making changes in her place of business in a time when woman didn't have much of a say in matters. 

Dale's dreams have been shattered and he seems almost stunned by the events. His calling in life is to be a surgeon, but he can't very well operated with his permanent injury. He's broken and and Maria makes it her mission to fix him. I love the way they help and soften each other. 

I love the writing style and the characters really come to life. I'm looking forward to more!

Content: mild talk of war; no language; mild kissing. Clean!

 

Buy links for A CHRISTMAS HOPE:

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1yc6kCA 

Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/1sl3ChF 

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1sl3E9b 

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1Bt9d5r 

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1wkC8bl 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1z3l0Ij

About the Author:

Stacy Henrie has always had an avid appetite for history, fiction and chocolate. She earned her B.A. in public relations from Brigham Young University and worked in communications before turning her attentions to raising a family and writing inspirational historical romances. Wife of an entrepreneur husband and a stay-at-home mom to three, Stacy loves the chance to live out history through her fictional characters, while enjoying the modern conveniences of life in the 21st century. In addition to author, she is a reader, a road trip enthusiast and a novice interior decorator.

Stacy’s SM:

@StacyHenrie

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacy-Henrie-Author

http://www.stacyhenrie.com/

 

Review: Allison's Christmas Carol by Shannon Guymon

 

Allison's Christmas Carol by Shannon Guymon

Kindle Edition, 75 pages

Published December 11th 2013

Description:

Allison Carson put a lot of faith in Will when she decided to marry him, but a few years later she's more miserable than she's ever been. Will has decided to focus his life on business, money and power, leaving Allison alone and abandoned. With their baby due soon, Allison sends a desperate prayer up to heaven. Please help Will to remember what is important. Allison is granted her request and Will is sent a very special visitor to show him aspects of his life that he was blind to. After Will sees what his future holds, he's desperate for a second chance. But sometimes second chances aren't enough. 

My Review:

Allison and Will have a great love story, but as the years have gone by, and most especially since she found out she's pregnant, Will has been absent from her life, focusing solely on work and on making more money. She feels unloved and unwanted.

Will is visited by (or dreams) that his dead sister comes to show him just how dire his situation is. At first, I thought it was a little strange, but after a few paragraphs, I realized that it's a modern day Christmas Carol come to life! I really got into it then. 

I could completely understand why Will became a workaholic. He has a past that makes him think twice about money. On the other hand, I could completely understand how Allison felt. Communication is key and is totally absent.

Content: Clean!

 

Amazon  *  Goodreads

About the Author:

In the fourth grade, Shannon Guymon wandered into the school library and figuratively never came out again. She decided one day to take her love affair with the written word once step further and wrote her first novel, Never Letting Go of Hope.
Shannon grew up all across the United States but has finally found her home in Utah, where she lives with her six children. She enjoys the mountains, gardening, being with her family, and, of course, writing.
 

Review: An Uncommon Blue by R.C. Hancock

Tour Schedule

 

An Uncommon Blue by R. C. Hancock

Paperback, 275 pages

Published December 9th 2014 by Cedar Fort Publishing & Media
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Description:
In Télesphore, the glowing color of a person’s palm determines their place in society, and touching hands with another mixes the colors permanently. When sixteen-year-old Bruno accidentally kills a royal soldier, he goes from favored to fugitive. Now Bruno's only chance at survival is to become someone else. That means a haircut, a change of wardrobe, and most important, getting rid of his once cherished Blue. Now he’s visiting parts of town he never knew existed, and making friends with people he would've crossed the street to avoid only weeks ago. At the last minute, Bruno’s parents arrange a deal to clear his name and get his life back. All Bruno has to do is abandon those in the Red slums that look to him as a leader and let an innocent Green boy die in his place. 

My Review:
I love a good dystopian. I love it when a strong character is able to make a difference in society and is open to taking the lead in bring about change. This society's social levels are determined by the color of the fire in a person's palm. Blue is the desired color, while green, red, and mixed colors are not.

Bruno is a sixteen year old boy who has his future secured. He's a young man who excels in sports and is on track to become a doctor in his society. When he is tricked into touching hands with an inferior color, his world turns upside down. He seems to find himself in deeper and deeper trouble at every turn. I like the way he is able to rise above his problems and look for the greater good. Deep down, his heart is really good and is in the right place. He is a very quick-thinker.

There was quite a bit of suspense in this story. Bruno has to change his appearance and locations often to avoid arrest, and possibly death. He finds himself in impossible situations and handles things quite well. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out how he would get himself out of each scrape. I also couldn't wait to see what colors would emerge with the reactions (touching palms of different colors).

I loved his Granny. She is such a feisty and resourceful woman. There were definitely characters to love and others to hate, but she was a favorite.

I am excited to see that this is Book 1 and can't wait for more!

Content: I love that the "swearing" was the word black. There wasn't anything else; moderate violence (deaths, abuse, bullying), but it wasn't graphic; very mild romance. Clean.

 

Amazon  *  B&N

About the Author:

RC (Recalcitrant Conformist) Hancock began his writing career with a story about a dead cat which his second grade teacher thought was brilliant. Convincing others of his literary genius has taken longer than expected, but along the road he has acquired a domestic goddess, four hairy gnomes (who, thankfully, look more like their mother), and a degree from BYU in Recreational Management & Youth Leadership (which gives him license to act like a child.) An Uncommon Blue is his first novel and the cause of most of his hair loss.  

Twitter  *  Website 

Review: Sophie's Christmas Wish by Shannon Guymon

 

Sophie's Christmas Wish by Shannon Guymon

Kindle Edition, 66 pages

Published December 1st 2013

Description:

When Sophie Kellen's son asks her for a little sister for Christmas, all the heartache from her infertility almost crushes her. With the support of her friends, Maggie, Allison and Iris she decides to leave it in the hands of God. She wants more than anything to make her husband and son happy but can she truly love a baby that isn't her biological child? 

My Review:

This is a companion book to the Alpine series, which I really enjoyed. Sophie seems to have it all--a loving husband and an adorable son, but she really longs to have another baby. When her son starts asking for a baby sister for Christmas and is very specific to what she needs to look like, Sophie decides that maybe adoption is the answer. 

I loved seeing the faith and support that comes into play in this short story. Sophie's friends and family, for the most part, are on board with the decision. She does have a nasty relative, but I guess there's always one in every family. 

 Adoptions don't always work out very quickly, but when they're meant to be, they're meant to be.

Content: Clean.

 

Amazon  *  Goodreads

About the Author:

In the fourth grade, Shannon Guymon wandered into the school library and figuratively never came out again. She decided one day to take her love affair with the written word once step further and wrote her first novel, Never Letting Go of Hope.
Shannon grew up all across the United States but has finally found her home in Utah, where she lives with her six children. She enjoys the mountains, gardening, being with her family, and, of course, writing.