The Obituary Society by Jessica L. Randall {Review}

The Obituary Society by Jessica L. Randall

Kindle Edition, 216 pages

Published 2014

            

When Lila Moore inherits her grandfather's house, she finds herself in a small Midwestern town where margarine is never an acceptable substitution for butter, a coveted family recipe can serve as currency, and the friend who will take your darkest secrets to the grave will still never give you the secret to her prize-winning begonias.

Lila is charmed by the people of Auburn, from the blue-eyed lawyer with the southern drawl to the little old lady who unceasingly tries to set Lila up with her grandson. But when strange things begin to happen, Lila realizes some of her new friends are guarding a secret like it's a precious family heirloom. It's a dangerous secret, and it has come back to haunt them. Lila is caught in the middle, and her life may depend on uncovering it. But even if she can, can she stay in Auburn when not everyone is what they seem, and even the house wants her gone?

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My Review: 3.5 Stars

There's something so comforting to me about a novel full of mystery, small town characters, and delicious food. Lila inherits her grandpa's house and goes to live with her aunt in small town Nebraska, while deciding what to do with this house. It seems that someone wants her gone and between those threats and the mystery of the pond in her backyard, Lila thinks she's going crazy.

As Lila works through the mystery, these interesting characters, and this dangerous mystery, her true character, determination, and bravery are revealed. I think a lot of young people who are city dwellers would be bored with this slower-paced life, but Lila is an exception. Max, her neighbor's grandson, and his daughter, Juniper, have a lot of intrigue and mystery surrounding them, as well. I love the quirky characters and the peril is a fun twist, to what I thought was going to be just a smooth-sailing mystery.

I thought everything would be resolved by the conclusion, but some things are left open for a continuation in another book. I am curious to how everything ties together.

Content: mild violence; very mild romance.

*I won a copy through a giveaway, which in no way influenced by opinion.

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Buy Links:

  

About the Author:

Jessica is a writer/photographer/mother of 5 who is also passionate about music, interior design, and really old stuff. She's a country mouse who loves a bubble bath with a good book or curling up on the couch to watch a movie with a plate of her husband's famous Monster Cookies. Oh, the cookies can be found here: http://prettylittleplace.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-03-23T13:18:00-07:00&max-results=7&reverse-paginate=true

Visit my page https://www.facebook.com/JessicaLibertyRandall?ref=hl

Falling Slowly (Hostage Negotiation #1.5) by Julie Coulter Bellon

Falling Slowly by Julie Coulter Bellon

is now available in paperback!

Get your copy here:

About the Book:

**This is a companion novella to All Fall Down (Hostage Negotiation #1)**

Rafe Kelly never thought he’d fall in love with Claire Michaels, the hostage negotiator sent to get him out of a life or death situation. Though it was easy to see from the beginning that Claire was good at her profession, Rafe quickly realized she was even better for him personally―and that they might have a future together.

When they get back from their mission in Afghanistan, however, Claire goes back to the Hostage Negotiation Team and Rafe is left to deal with the huge hole in his life after leaving the SEALs. Trying to balance an uncertain future with a new relationship is made even more complicated when a family crisis strikes. Will Rafe and Claire be able to turn to each other for strength or are they over before they’ve really begun?

Can't Wait Wednesday...When Fireflies Sing by Christene Houston

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishing Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well.

I'm so excited for this new swoony release, coming soon. Here's the cover for:

When Fireflies Sing

by Christene Houston

About the Book:

When Isabelle Atkins, pop star socialite, goes missing, no one has a clue where to find her. Her accounts go dark, her credit cards vanish, and her mother throws a fit. But Isabelle isn’t gone for good. She’s hiding out at Snowflake Falls Inn, kicking it real world style by scrubbing toilets.

With the new name of Journey Miller, she’s determined to shed her old persona and come back stronger than ever. Journey’s desperate play to get out from under her mother’s controlling thumb and back to her roots is interrupted by the arrival of bad boy country star Cody Blake.

     Cody has a feeling he’s met Journey before, but he just can’t place where. Journey remembers clearly and she’s determined to keep Cody at arms length. However, she can’t deny a growing attraction when they’re forced to work together.

     A rock-your-world kiss in the meadow has Journey putting aside her initial resistance. That is, until Journey’s cover is blown and Cody realizes why she looked so familiar. With so much to lose, Journey has to trust her gut and hold true to who she really wants to be … even if it means risking love.

Surround Me by Marguerite Martin Gray {Blog Tour Spotlight + Giveaway}

Series: Revolutionary Faith Genre: Christian, Fiction, Historical Publisher: WestBow Press (Author) Publication date: September 27, 2016 Number of pages: 277 Set in 1773 Charles Town, Surround Me takes the reader into the lives of colonists confronting imminent change and unpredictable circumstances binding them together to become a formidable force. GOODREADS | AMAZON | B&N | CBD

Marguerite Martin Gray is the author of Hold Me Close, Revolutionary Faith Book One and Surround Me: Revolutionary Faith Book Two. She enjoys studying history and writing fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches French and has degrees in French, Spanish, and Journalism from Trinity Univeristy in San Antonio, Texas and a MA in English from hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Marguerite is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Abilene Writers Guild, and Daughters of the American Revolution. Originally from Louisiana, she currently lives in Abilene with her husband.

GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | LINKEDIN | AMAZON | WEBSITE

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a Rafflecopter giveaway 

January 23--Christy's Cozy Corners
January 24--Fiction Aficionado
January 25--Katie's Clean Book Collection
January 26--Cordially Barbara
January 27--
January 28--Reading Is My SuperPower
January 29--Toni Shiloh Soulfully Romantic
January 30--Paulette's Papers
January 31--Smiling Book Reviews
February 1--Singing Librarian Books
February 2--Mel's Shelves
February 3--Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
​February 4--Henry Happens

Mistletoe Match by Lindzee Armstrong {Review}

Mistletoe Match (A No Match For Love Novella)
by Lindzee Armstrong

Kindle Edition, 125 pages

Published October 28th 2016 by Snowflake Press

    

A kiss shouldn't be this complicated.

When Michelle Collins accidentally walks into the men’s restroom at a holiday party, she doesn’t expect it to end with a toe-tingling kiss under the mistletoe. But the magic of the moment quickly dies when she realizes the mystery man is Austin O’Neal, the new marketing director of the pharmaceutical company she’s sworn to destroy. Michelle will do anything to protect animals from unfair lab testing—even go up against the first man to make her feel alive.

With the ink on his divorce papers barely dry, Austin is struggling to help his three children adjust to a new town as he tries to adjust to a new job—one that comes with a lot of baggage that Michelle helped create. Falling for the strong-willed animal rights activist who is ruining the company image is definitely not in the plans.

When Michelle’s dog is hit by a car and Austin is the unexpected hero, their perceptions of each other—and the causes they fight for—are challenged. Can one impulsive kiss be the foundation for a happily ever after?
Kick off the holidays with this delightful romance today!
The No Match for Love series follows the matchmakers and clients of Toujour on their journeys to love. Each story can be read as a stand-alone, so start with whichever book catches your interest the most!

Current books in the series:

Meet Your Match
Miss Match
Not Your Match
Mix 'N Match

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My Review: 4.5 Stars

What is more romantic than stumbling into a handsome stranger and ending up under the mistletoe? Michelle has been burned by love and Austin is coming out of a bad marriage. They each have trust issues, yet they are willing to work through them for the sake of their instant attraction.

Michelle is an animal lover, a vegan, and very active in an animal activist group. Austin is the new marketing director for her sworn enemy, a company who tests on animals. While this story touches on important topics, I felt it moved past that and I learned that as hard as it can be, it is possible to separate a person from an action, or in this case, a business.

On the emotional side, I was actually brought to tears during part of the story. I relished the romantic connection these characters shared. And I adored the way they each interacted with the O'Neal kids. Austin is an amazing dad and those kids are his main concern, as they should be, but when it comes down to it, he's a very good man. Michelle has an invested interest in them as well and is a very spirited woman, one who gets very emotional involved and attached. Although they're both quick to jump to conclusions, I love that they learn--trust is key. The magic of the mistletoe strikes again and leaves the reader with an overall satisfaction.

Content: mild romance (kisses); mild violence involving animals.

*I purchased a copy through Amazon*

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Buy Links:

About the Author:

Lindzee Armstrong met her match while attending a university, although she was technically in high school at the time. She and Mr. Armstrong became engaged quickly, and fell in love even quicker. He wasn’t a high school student, but still thoughtfully offered to take her to prom in her wedding dress. She declined. Wearing the wedding dress before the Big Day just seemed weird. A few years after getting married, they welcomed twin boys into the world.

Lindzee loves chick flicks, ice cream, and chocolate, like any true romantic. She believes in sigh-worthy kisses and happily ever afters.

Cover Reveal and Giveaway for Keeping the Distance by Clarisse David

Today is the cover reveal for Keeping the Distance by Clarisse David. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. This cover is designed by Daniel Tinagan.

Keeping the Distance (I Heart Iloilo #1) By Clarisse David Genre: Romance

Age category: Young Adult

Release Date: February 6, 2017

Blurb: No bets. No fake relationships. Just a very real one that has to be kept under wraps. Seventeen-year-old Melissa wants to dye her hair cotton candy pink and focus on her ukulele instead of Physics. But she can't. As the daughter of a Catholic school principal, living up to her model student image 24/7 is a must. Something's about to give under all the pressure. She only hopes it isn't her. Getting involved with a troublemaking basketball player is the last possible thing she needs... Lance is used to getting what he wants. With a pretty face he uses to full advantage and his role as co-captain of the basketball team, the easy way is the only way he's ever known. Until the day he notices the prim Melissa he's known forever is actually hot and decides to ask her out. He has no idea he's about to learn the lesson of a lifetime. Not getting what he wants might exactly be what he needs.

You can find Keeping the Distance on Goodreads

You can pre-order Keeping the Distance on Amazon

About the Author:

Clarisse David is a Young Adult and New Adult author from the land of epic heat waves a.k.a. the Philippines. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and cannot survive without Taylor Swift songs, red lipstick, and books. When not hanging out on Twitter, she can be found working on her latest writing project. You can find and contact Clarisse here: - Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads - Instagram - Pinterest - Newsletter

Giveaway There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of Keeping the Distance. These are the prizes you can win: - One winner will win an ebook copy of Keeping the Distance by Clarisse David and an ebook of their choice from #romanceclass. See the whole list of romanceclass books here: http://www.romanceclass.com - 2 winners will each win an ebook copy of Keeping the Distance by Clarisse David For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
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The Crowd by Alleece Balts {Review}

The Crowd by Alleece Balts

Paperback, 308 pages

Published January 10th 2016 by CreateSpace

    

Whitfield Preparatory Academy ought to be the perfect school…

Not only does the Academy boast a distinguished faculty and lavish campus, it is also home to the privileged youth of the upper class. They will one day hold the reins of power in the business world and political arena – but for now, they exercise absolute authority at the Academy.

For seventeen-year-old Ella Parker, acceptance into the prestigious Academy is a dream come true. But her delight quickly turns to dread when she finds herself in the crosshairs of an elite group of ruthless students dubbed “the Crowd.” Ella's been at the center of unwanted attention before – but never like this – and she'll do anything to make them stop. Anything, that is, apart from accepting the advances of popular and wealthy playboy Jackson Montgomery, the leader of the Crowd.

Will Ella be humiliated, or triumph over her tormentors?

An irresistible story of faith, friendship, betrayal, and romance, The Crowd will immerse readers in Ella’s tumultuous struggle from the very first page.

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My Review: 2.5 Stars

I think I'm in the minority with this book. Ella ends up going to a boarding school when her mom goes out of the country for work and suddenly shows up at her aunt's house to live, through a misunderstanding on her mom's part. Ella's experience is anything but great and I feel so conflicted about it.

"The Crowd  rules the school and gets to decide who's in and who's out. The bullying that the kids in this school display is horrifying. I was appalled that a handful of teenagers had this much control over their school, as well as over society. If someone does something to earn a demerit, then s/he is punished, but if a member of  "the Crowd" does the same thing, the administration turns the other cheek and ignores it. If someone in "the Crowd" throws a tantrum and starts a fire because he's too young to enter a club, so what? It's like the whole community caters to this group of manipulating kids instead of disciplining them, like they so obviously need. I thought they all needed their entitled attitudes brought down a few notches.

I do like the loyalties and friendships that Ella shares with two of her classmates, as they bond together over being outcasts, as well as the friendship she has with the boy from church. I also love watching her use and develop her singing talent. I like the message that peer pressure can cause people to follow positive influences and not just the negative ones. When one of "the Crowd" decides to befriend Ella, everything changes.

Told in third person, there were times when I was inside of someone's head, reading thoughts and feelings, but I wasn't sure who's head I was in, as the story throws the reader into a couple of different heads. I almost felt like I was having an out-of-body experience at times and I found myself a bit confused because of it. There are a few other minor inconsistencies. Overall, it's a decent debut with some potential, but I, personally, had a hard time getting past the difficult content and connecting with the characters.

Content: While technically clean, there is an instance when Ella is hiding in a closet and hears a couple having an intimate session, and even though it's not described, it's definitely implied. There is some kissing and some crude talk. There is also talk of violence--suicide, shootings, death, underage drinking, etc. There are prayers uttered throughout, giving it a mild-moderate religious vibe.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author, which didn't affect my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Buy Link:

About the Author:

Alleece Balts is an American YA fiction author best known for her debut novel, The Crowd, the first in a trilogy she is currently penning.

When she's not writing, you can find her studying the Bible, reading a novel with a strong heroine, or drinking (another) chai tea.

Alleece lives in Minneapolis with her cheesehead husband, three sticky children, a spoiled cat, and a shamelessly flatulent dog.