Unexpected Love: A Marriage of Convenience Anthology by Heather Chapman, et al. -- Book Tour Review
3/23/2017
About the BookAround the turn of the century, matches were made for all sorts of reasons–whether to keep a family together or simply to make ends meet. But love has a way of turning up in the most unexpected places! With four historical romance stories in one, this fun anthology will sweep you from the dance floors of aristocracy to the hearths of country living, leading to love through the most unusual circumstances. About the AuthorsHeather Chapman: Being the youngest of four sisters (and one very tolerant older brother), Heather grew up on a steady diet of chocolate, Jane Austen, Anne of Green Gables, Audrey Hepburn, and the other staples of female literature and moviedom. These stories inspired Heather, and she began writing at a young age. After meeting and marrying her husband Mark, Heather graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University and settled down in a small farming community with her husband and four children. In her spare time, Heather enjoys volleyball, piano, the outdoors, and just about anything creative. Mandi Ellsworth: Mandi is an avid reader, a slow jogger, and disinterested in board games of any kind. She lives in Utah with her husband, three children and no pets. Paula Kremser: Paula Kremser focused on a career in science for a few years after graduating from Brigham Young University. Several years later when she moved with her young family to England, Paula seized the opportunity to focus on her love of the Regency Era. The enchantment of the aristocracy and the fascinating stories from every stately home she visits have been both research and inspiration for her first novel, “Sophia,” and second, “To Suit a Suitor.” Ashtyn Newbold: Ashtyn Newbold discovered a love of writing early in high school. Inspired by regency period romance, she wrote her first novel at the age of sixteen. Because she can’t vacation in her favorite historical time periods, she writes about them instead. When not crafting handsome historical heroes, she enjoys baking, sewing, music, and spoiling her dog. She dreams of traveling to England and Ireland. Ashtyn is currently studying English and creative writing at Utah Valley University. She lives in Lehi, Utah with her family and is the author of “Mischief and Manors.” ReviewAuthors Heather Chapman, Mandi Ellsworth, Paula Kremsler, and Ashtyn Newbold have come together and create a delightfully fun and sweet romantic novella collection in their book Unexpected Love: A Marriage of Convenience Anthology. I love how each author has her own voice and has written an engaging, pleasant, and charmingly romantic read. Each story, as mentioned in the title, is a marriage of convenience and will leave readers with a happy warm and fuzzy feeling at the end. In each story, readers will enter a magical world of historical romance. Genre: historical, romance, marriage, anthologies, novella Publisher: Cedar Fort Publication date: March 1, 2017 Number of pages: 256 Content Rating: PG Book Rating: 5 stars A print review copy of this book was provided by Cedar Fort. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. Tour ScheduleMarch 14: Literary Timeout
March 15: Live to Read March 16: Seeker of Happiness || Books & Benches March 17: Rockin’ Book Reviews March 18: Inklings and Notions March 19: Kindle and Me March 20: Hardcover Feedback March 21: Writing Worm March 22: Geo Librarian || Heidi Reads March 23: Getting Your Read On || Bookworm Lisa || Mel’s Shelves || Singing Librarian Books March 24: Bookworm2Bookworm || Making Life a Bliss Complete March 25: Kaki Recommends March 26: The Things I Love Most March 27: My Book a Day March 28: Katie’s Clean Book Collection March 29: Blooming With Books || Inklings and Notions March 30: Jorie Loves a Story || Wishful Endings March 31: The Dragon’s Nook About the BookWhy did their differences matter so much? Link Whitman has settled into the role of bachelor without ever intending to. Now he's stuck in a dead-end job and, as the next Whitman wedding fast approaches, he is the last one standing. The pressure from his sisters' efforts to play matchmaker is getting hard to bear as Link pulls extra shifts at work, and helps his parents at the Chicory Inn. All her life, Shayla Michaels has felt as if she straddled two worlds. Her mother's white family labeled her African American father with names Shayla didn't repeat in polite-well, in any company. Her father's family disapproved as well, though they eventually embraced Shayla as their own. After the death of her mother, and her brother Jerry's incarceration, life has left Shayla's father bitter, her niece, Portia, an orphan, and Shayla responsible for them all. She knows God loves them all, but why couldn't people accept each other for what was on the inside? For their hearts? Everything changes one icy morning when a child runs into the street and Link nearly hits her with his pickup. Soon he is falling in love with the little girl's aunt, Shayla, the beautiful woman who runs Coffee's On, the bakery in Langhorne. Can Shayla and Link overcome society's view of their differences and find true love? Is there hope of changing the sometimes-ugly world around them into something better for them all? The Books in the SeriesAbout the AuthorDeborah Raney's novels have won numerous awards including the RITA, National Readers' Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, the Carol Award, and have three times been Christy Award finalists. She and her husband, Ken Raney have traded small-town life in Kansas-the setting of many of Deb's novels-for life in the city of Wichita. ReviewFrom page one, Deborah Raney pulls readers into her novel, Home at Last. Raney writes from the heart, bringing the raw emotions of her characters and their stories to life and touching the core emotions of her readers. This story speaks of the hard challenges in life, but how friendship, family, and love can help us pull through. Raney also takes on a challenge by including racial prejudice in her beautifully-written and heart-wrenching story. In this novel, readers will come to love the main characters, Link Whitman and Shayla Michaels and their special and budding relationship. Home at Last brings the Chicory Inn Series to a close. Readers are definitely going to miss this series. I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy contemporary fiction. Series: Chicory Inn Genre: contemporary, romance, Christian Publisher: Abingdon Press Publication date: February 21, 2017 Number of pages: 352 Content Rating: PG Book Rating: 5 stars Other books in the series: 1-Home to Chicory Lane 2-Two Roads Home 3-Another Way Home 4-Close to Home A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher via LitFuse. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. Facebook PartyJoin Deborah on Thursday, March 23, for a live author chat party in her Facebook group with fun prizes to be won! Click the graphic below for more details and to RSVP. Hope to see you there—bring a friend or two who loves to read!
The Elusive Miss Ellison (Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace #1) by Carolyn Miller -- Review
3/21/2017
About the BookHandsome appearance counts for naught unless matched by good character and actions. That’s the firm opinion of not-so-meek minister’s daughter Lavinia Ellison. So even though all the other villagers of St. Hampton Heath are swooning over the newly returned seventh Earl of Hawkesbury, she is not impressed. If a man won’t take his responsibilities seriously and help those who are supposed to be able to depend on him, he deserves no respect from her. In Lavinia’s pretty, gray eyes, Nicholas Stamford is just as arrogant and reckless as his brother–who stole the most important person in Livvie’s world. Nicholas is weighed down by his own guilt and responsibility, by the pain his careless brother caused, and by the legacy of war he’s just left. This quick visit home to St. Hampton Heath will be just long enough to ease a small part of that burden. Asking him to bother with the lives of the villagers when there’s already a bailiff on the job is simply too much to expect. That is, until the hoydenish, intelligent, and very opinionated Miss Ellison challenges him to see past his pain and pride. With her angelic voice in his head, he may even be beginning to care. But his isn’t the only heart that needs to change. These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society’s opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way. Fans of Georgette Heyer, Lori Wick, and Julie Klassen will enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister’s daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God’s grace and the true strength of love. The Books in the SeriesAbout the AuthorCarolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. ReviewI am a huge fan of regency romance novels, so when I was given the opportunity to review Carolyn Miller’s debut regency novel, The Elusive Miss Ellison, I was thrilled. This is a splendid and delightful regency-romance that readers will absolutely love. From page one, Miller captures the attention of her readers with her charming characters and enjoyable story. This was everything I expected from a regency novel. The story was well-written and entertaining, pleasant, and even funny at times. And I know a book should not be judged completely by it’s cover, but I am in love with the cover of this book!! This is an easy and light read that I would recommend this splendid novel to readers that enjoy regency historical romance. Series: Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace Genre: historical, romance, Regency Christian Publisher: Kregel Publications Publication date: February 28, 2017 Number of pages: 304 Content Rating: PG Book Rating: 5 stars A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Kregel. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
You Are the Mother Your Children Need by Christie Gardiner -- Book Tour Review + Giveaway
3/21/2017
About the Book
The woman you want to be . . . the one who has within her every talent, gift, and ability to be what her children need? She’s already there. She is you. Motherhood is the toughest job you’ll ever take on: there is no interview, no job description, and no salary. When you get the position, it can be all too easy to feel underqualified and overwhelmed. But with a sweet message of encouragement, Christie Gardiner reminds women there are as many ways to be a good mother as there are mothers in this world—and there’s no one more capable of raising your children than you! In this uplifting book, mothers are encouraged to let go of the quest for perfectionism and recognize the divinity within. Discover how to own your strengths and weaknesses, and allow your true self to shine! With practical advice on learning to accept failure, holding on to your identity, and harnessing the divine help available to mothers, women will gain the confidence to embrace their uniquely perfect qualifications for the job of motherhood.
About the Author
Christie has enjoyed participating in speaking engagements across the country where she loves reminding groups of women that with God, they are not alone and are enough. Christie's heartfelt and quick-witted writing was first enjoyed in blog form on behalf of the Utah Jazz and Illume Gallery of Fine Art. Her performing career has spanned three decades in theater, television, film, commercials, podcasting and voiceover work. She is a longtime faculty member at the Utah Conservatory of Performing Arts where she inspires young people to increase their self-esteem through participation in the arts. She enjoys serving in her church's youth program. In her spare time you will find Christie with her husband and children, in nature or in the yoga studio teaching a class. She makes her home in Utah and occasionally, the Oregon coast.
Review
My book has not yet arrived in the mail. Watch for my review coming soon...
A review copy of this book was provided by Covenant Communications. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
GiveawayTour Schedule
March 20th:
http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/ March 21st: http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/ March 22nd: http://rockinbookreviews.com/ http://thethingsilovemost.com/ March 23rd: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/ http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/ http://empowermoms.net/ http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/ March 24th: http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/ http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/ http://brooklynberrydesigns.com/
Arizona Forever by Jaclyn M. Hawkes Dr. Jessie Benn has everything—except Mr. Right. There’s only one problem. The one guy who intrigues her is completely wrong. She’s a veterinarian specializing in horses with a thriving practice nestled between her family’s Arizona ranches, looking for a nice, dependable guy who can take her to the eternities. He’s a visiting Australian business tycoon who’s just a touch bitter, a touch wild, and way more than a touch fascinating. What’s a girl to do?
What Readers Are Saying About Jaclyn’s Books:Jaclyn M Hawkes ROCKS! I love all of her books! This was another great story that had it all; great characters, fun, happiness, love, suspense, sadness, triumph, family, and joy. I'm not worried about letting my teenage daughters read anything Jaclyn writes. Thanks for another great read and please keep them coming! Karen Fantastic as always! Fantastic, magnificent and beautifully written. Amazing! I have never read a book before that had me captive from the beginning. I cried, have laughed and felt her deep grief and confusion. What a wonderful book and a wonderfully exceptional writer. I can't wait to read more of Jaclyn Hawkes books! Lorraine I love the way she writes! I love it! A fun read that warms your heart and makes you feel just as awesome as the characters! Jaclyn Hawkes was delightful! A love story with depth and characters you want to meet. I find myself reading halfway into the night if I don't set a reminder to stop and sleep when I get her new books. Janie Be sure to read Jaclyn’s other books Journey of Honor A love story The Outer Edge of Heaven The Most Important Catch Healing Creek Rockland Ranch Series Peace River Above Rubies Once Enchanted For Joey Warrior’s Moon The Sage After Rain After The Wind Wildflowers And KissesExcerpt - Arizona ForeverPrologueSix year old Jessie Benjamin did what she always did when she was afraid—she ran to her big brothers. Hurrying, she went two doors down the hall to Josh’s room where her other brothers, Brennan and McCade, would most likely be as well. It was where the four of them usually met whenever there was something wrong. Only this time, she knew something was really wrong because her brothers didn’t smile and tease her before they gathered around her like they usually did. They swallowed her into their jostling group hug, but this time there was the same scary feeling here in Josh’s room that she could hear in her parents’ raised voices coming from their room further down the hall. She couldn’t tell what they were fighting about. She only heard a word here or there, her mother’s voice loud and angry, while her dad’s had calmed down to sad and almost pleading. This bickering had been going on for a couple of days now, but nothing like tonight’s fighting. It was so strange. Her mother got fussy pretty often, but her dad never got like this. Ever. He was typically calm and soft spoken. Even when someone did something big, like when Brennan broke the garage window, he never got too riled. Whatever this bortion thing was her mother was hollering about had made him truly upset. Jessie looked up into the serious faces of her brothers and hid her own face against Josh’s chest. She wished her mother would calm down. That shouting couldn’t be good for the baby in her mom’s tummy. They’d just found out she was expecting. Jessie was praying it was a girl and couldn’t have been more excited for anything! Ever since she was little, she’d imagined she had this little blonde sister named Jennifer who did everything with her. She’d even dreamed about her and it felt like she’d waited forever. Even a baby brother would be wonderful! The fighting spilled out of their parents’ room into the hallway and her father almost seemed to be begging as he said, “Please, Clara, don’t do this. Just hang in there four more months. Even three and a half. Then you can leave and won’t ever even have to see it. I know it’s your body, but please . . . It’s my baby too.” Storming past Josh’s bedroom door, her mother shouted something they all clearly heard, “I’ll do what I want! It’s my body! In four months I’ll have missed the two biggest shows of the season. I missed shows for years to get the four we have. They’re plenty. It’s too much to ask that I do it again. This was your mistake, Ken—not mine! I shouldn’t have to pay for it and you can’t make me!” The front door slammed and a moment later Jessie heard a car squeal away and then there was only silence. For some reason, that scared her more than the arguing. Finally, her dad went into his office and stayed on the phone with someone for a long time and when he came out, he actually looked like he’d been crying. Of course, that couldn’t have been true. Dads didn’t cry. But he looked like it. That night, after everyone else was gone to bed, Jessie snuck into Josh’s room and sat on his bed and whispered, “Josh, what are they fighting about? What does bortion mean?” He was almost ten. He would know. At her question, Josh began to cry. He pulled Jessie into a gentle hug. When he could finally speak, he said so softly and so sadly that Jessie could hardly hear the words that shattered her world into pieces, “Dad says it means Mom’s going to have the baby taken out of her tummy and then it will die, Jessie.”Chapter 121 years later Jessie slid onto the bench on the edge of the soccer field beside McCade and gave an exaggerated sigh of exhaustion as she began to unlace her cleats and said, “Man, you schooled me out there this morning, Muck. I thought I had you until that sweet juke before the half and then I was toast. My calves are killing me!” McCade smiled and batted at her blonde ponytail. “That’s what you get for working too much and playing too little. Juked by the king of jukage!” He reached a hand over her head to fist bump Brennan who sat on the other side of her sucking on a water bottle. “She’s getting old and slow, Bren. Adulthood’ll do that to ya if you let it!” Brennan stopped drinking and squirted her in the face with the water bottle. “I don’t know. She’s still got some moves of her own. You forget she scored on me like I was standing still. She even got around Suki. And you know she’s got some moves.” Brennan winked at his wife Suki and McCade rolled his eyes. Jessie opened her mouth to catch some of the water Brennan was squirting, then smiled and said, “Twice. That would be twice I scored on you, bro. And that second one was world class. Christiano himself would have been jealous. Old and slow? I may be overworked and under played, but I’ll always be younger than the three of you. And we did win. I love this deal where the winners get taken to breakfast.” She pulled off her socks and wiggled her toes. “It’s already insanely hot out here. You two seem to be buying a lot lately. I’m having blueberry waffles. Think they’d care if I walked into the Wagonmaster bare footed? My feet can’t face shoes yet. They need air.” As if on cue, all three of her brothers held their noses and Josh’s wife, Lucy, laughed from where she was standing beside the bench. “Just ignore them, Jessie. They’re only sore losers. Nice toenails, by the way. Love the polka dots.” Jessie stretched her foot out to admire her pedicure. “They are cute, aren’t they? Ryley did them for me yesterday while I was finishing my patient log. You have a very artistic son.” Josh turned to her from the other end of the bench with a look of horror. “You let my son paint your toenails? Jessie!” Jessie laughed. “What? He did a great job for a three year old. Well, once I’d showered the excess polish off my skin. For awhile there it looked like I’d been attacked by an ax murderer with a foot fetish. But he did much better on his own toes. I think mine gave him some practice. His didn’t look nearly so gory.” This time it was Lucy who was horrified. “You let him paint his own toes, too? Jessie! That’s a terrible thing to teach a little boy. You are never babysitting again!” “Okay. Fine. I won’t do it again. Don’t ground me from your kids. They’re my favorite nephew and niece.” “They’re your only nephew and niece.” Jessie stood up and picked up her bag. “True, but they’re still my favorites.”She gave a wide smile. “So . . . Hustle up people. I’m starving and my fans are waiting. I have a 7:30. Justison is bringing in that boneheaded buckskin gelding of his with the speed index of 106.” Josh grimaced. “Some fan. He’s likely to try to kick your head off. Justison thinks if they try to strike, they’re just feeling good and ready to run.” McCade shook his head as they headed to their trucks. “There’s probably nothing wrong with the horse. Justison just needs an excuse to visit Doc Jessie again. Don’t take any of his crud, Jess. You know how he is.” At the restaurant while they waited for their food, Josh began fooling with his phone. After a second, he gave a low whistle and then said, “Unbelievable! You know that guy from my mission, my friend Riordan Kane? From up in Brisbane? The one we taught forever and got to be such good friends with, but he would never join even though he basically agreed with all the principles. He’d had that LDS girlfriend who had played him so bad and he always said it all sounded great, but he’d already been baptized and didn’t need to do it again. Remember he came over for a visit a couple years ago? Elder Burton says the Wall Street Journal reported that he’s selling his company for $168 million dollars! Holy crud! That’s a hunk of dough! He’s only like twenty-nine years old! How does a guy do that?” Brennan only shook his head as he built sugar packets into a cube. “Apparently very deliberately. You said he was a business machine. Didn’t you say he was ruthless? He was in software, right?” “Oh, I don’t know about ruthless. Well, actually, yeah, he was pretty ruthless in business. But I don’t think he’d always been that way. He’s a nice guy. I think he started out developing the software of some of his computer geek friends, but somewhere along the way he became ruthless. Awhile back his girlfriend, who he thought he was going to marry, started sleeping with the enemy—literally. So he wiped the other guy out. Apparently his company was built on solid technology, mostly phone apps I think, and it snowballed.” Brennan nodded. “Yeah. I’d say it pretty well snowballed. Why’s he selling?” “Who knows why Riordan Kane does anything he does? You’d think he had it made, but he doesn’t seem very happy sometimes. Last time I talked to him he distrusted every woman on the planet. Talk about your disenchanted. He had tons of money, no smile, and no idea of his purpose in life.” Brennan raised his eyebrows. “I’d say if you built a company to $168 million dollars before your thirtieth birthday that you had some purpose in life.” “Well, that seemed to be his only purpose. Other than to fish. He does like to fish. I hope once the sale is final he throws himself into something else and doesn’t just go all billionaire playboy. That’s the last thing Riordan needs. He’ll never join the church.” Lucy patted his hand. “Relax, honey. It’s hard to go all billionaire playboy with only a paltry $168 million. He can hardly do much damage on that pittance.” She smiled at him. “Didn’t you say he was coming to the National Stock Show and bringing his fancy reining horse?” Josh put his phone away and grinned. “He is. He’s bringing a guy named Quinn something, who’s some famous goalie for a pro soccer team over there. Riordan got him into reining as well. He says Quinn is a maniac.” Jessie accepted her plate of blueberry waffles from the server, smiled her thanks and then said sweetly, “Well, you’d better not have them stay at your house then. That’s all Ryley would need is an aunt who lets him paint his toenails and a resident maniacal pro soccer goalie for role models. My, but this breakfast bankrolled by the losers looks wonderful, don’t you think, Lucy?” Lucy smiled just as sweetly. “Indeed it does, Jessie. Bon appétit, Bren.” Author Jaclyn M. Hawkes Jaclyn M. Hawkes grew up in Utah with 6 sisters, 4 brothers and any number of pets. (It was never boring!) She got a bachelor’s degree, had a career and traveled extensively before settling down to her life’s work of being the mother of four magnificent and sometimes challenging children. She loves shellfish, pizza, the out of doors, the youth, and hearing her children laugh. She and her incredibly handsome husband, their younger children, and their happy dogs now live in a mountain valley in northern Utah, where it smells like heaven and kids still move sprinkler pipe. Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 4/4/17 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 giveawayAbout the Book
Jane Reeves and Sean O'Callaghan seem to be a match made in heaven—but the timing is all wrong. Jane has her heart set on serving a mission, and she can't delay telling Sean the news any longer: not only has she quietly submitted her mission papers, but she's also leaving in a month ... for Alaska. Shocked and devastated, Sean struggles to come to terms with Jane's decision. Unable to deny the depth of their feelings for one another, Sean makes a promise to wait for her.
Life unfolds for both Jane and Sean, with communications limited to weekly e-mails. But with just a few months left in Jane's mission, Sean's messages stop. When she receives the dreaded "Dear Jane" breakup along with the news that she has been replaced by Sean's former flame, Jane knows the future she envisioned now belongs to another woman. But upon her return home, Jane quickly realizes some things are worth fighting for—perhaps, most of all, a shot at true love. About the Author
During her early years of reading, Ranee` S. Clark devoured fantasy books, which continued into her adulthood—since she often believes that a well-written romance novel is a delightful fantasy. Though raising three boys can sometimes hamper both romance with her own Mr. Charming and her writing, she tries to get a little of both in every day. And most of the time she succeeds
Review
Ranee’ S. Clark has written an engaging and funny story in her novel Love, Jane. It is about relationships, communication, and most of all love. This is a story that will speak to and touch the heart of readers as they relate it to their own lives and the people in them. Clark has a way of speaking to her readers that draws them in as if the story were truly happening. Emotions in the story will hit home with its readers as they come to know the characters and see the events of their lives unfold. Jane Reeves is in love with Sean O’Callaghan, but she wants to serve an LDS mission. They stay in touch, but can their long distance relationship last until Jane gets home? She must decide what she really wants and in the end if true love is really worth fighting for. I would recommend this story to readers that enjoy contemporary LDS romance novels.
Genre: contemporary, romance, LDS, Christian Publisher: Covenant Communications Publication date: March 1, 2017 Number of pages: 272 Content Rating: PG Book Rating: 5 stars
A review copy of this book was provided by Covenant Communications. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
GiveawayTour Schedule
March 13th:
http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/ http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/ http://rockinbookreviews.com/ http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/ http://fireandicereads.com/ March 14th: http://empowermoms.net/ http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/ http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/ March 15th http://www.wishfulendings.com/ http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/ March 16th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/ http://thethingsilovemost.com/ March 17th http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/ http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/ http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/ http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/ http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/ Let's mix it up a little bit this week... Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line or first paragraph from page 17! Today I am going to post a paragraph from A Fine Gentleman by Sarah M. Eden This is book 4 in the Jonquil Brother Series. You can check out the other books in this series HERE. It is a sweet and fun regency romance and is about the brother Jason Jonquil. All the Jonquil brothers are dashing and swoon worthy. So I would highly recommend any of the books in this series!! Check out my review HERE. London barrister Jason Jonquil has spent his entire life working to establish his identity as a gentleman, a man of refinement like his father and brothers. But when fiery Spanish beauty Mariposa Thornton walks into his office, he finds himself losing his grasp on his dignified character. The woman is infuriating, pushing him to the limit of his legendary patience. However, her case seems simple enough—a small matter of inheritance. Or so he believes. Once a well-born lady, Mariposa fought to survive the brutalities of Napoleon’s war on Spain. She braved horrific perils and undertook dangerous missions on behalf of those fighting against the invading French army. But her greatest battle still lies ahead: after being separated from her family, Mariposa sets in motion a plan to reunite with her loved ones in England. To avoid drawing the attention of the French, Mariposa dons a carefully crafted persona to conceal her true purpose. As Jason and Mariposa are drawn together by the case, they come to know the people beneath the masks they both wear. When the truth of Mariposa’s quest is revealed, the couple is pulled into a mystery that will test the limits of their courage—and expose the true desire of their hearts. My first paragraph from page 17: Miss Thornton was pretty, yes. Beautiful, if he were being entirely honest--which he always tried to be. She was also frustrating and empty-headed and entirely confusing. What are you reading? What is your first line?
Open the book nearest you and post the first line in the comments below... Now head on over and join these lovely ladies in First Line Fridays on their blogs too: Reading is My SuperPower | Bookworm Mama | Faithfully Bookish Radiant Light | Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen | All the Book Blog Names are Taken Robin's Nest | Fiction Aficionado | Bibliophile Reviews Kathleen Denly | Lauraine's Notes | With a Joyful Noise | A Baker's Perspective (If you’d like to join us on your blog for First Line Fridays, shoot me a message and let me know!) About the BookHandsome appearance counts for naught unless matched by good character and actions. That’s the firm opinion of not-so-meek minister’s daughter Lavinia Ellison. So even though all the other villagers of St. Hampton Heath are swooning over the newly returned seventh Earl of Hawkesbury, she is not impressed. If a man won’t take his responsibilities seriously and help those who are supposed to be able to depend on him, he deserves no respect from her. In Lavinia’s pretty, gray eyes, Nicholas Stamford is just as arrogant and reckless as his brother–who stole the most important person in Livvie’s world. Nicholas is weighed down by his own guilt and responsibility, by the pain his careless brother caused, and by the legacy of war he’s just left. This quick visit home to St. Hampton Heath will be just long enough to ease a small part of that burden. Asking him to bother with the lives of the villagers when there’s already a bailiff on the job is simply too much to expect. That is, until the hoydenish, intelligent, and very opinionated Miss Ellison challenges him to see past his pain and pride. With her angelic voice in his head, he may even be beginning to care. But his isn’t the only heart that needs to change. These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society’s opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way. Fans of Georgette Heyer, Lori Wick, and Julie Klassen will enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister’s daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God’s grace and the true strength of love. About the AuthorCarolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. ReviewI am a huge fan of regency romance novels, so when I was given the opportunity to review Carolyn Miller’s debut regency novel, The Elusive Miss Ellison, I was thrilled. This is a splendid and delightful regency-romance that readers will absolutely love. From page one, Miller captures the attention of her readers with her charming characters and enjoyable story. This was everything I expected from a regency novel. The story was well-written and entertaining, pleasant, and even funny at times. And I know a book should not be judged completely by it’s cover, but I am in love with the cover of this book!! This is an easy and light read that I would recommend this splendid novel to readers that enjoy regency historical romance. Series: Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace Genre: historical, romance, Regency Christian Publisher: Kregel Publications Publication date: February 28, 2017 Number of pages: 304 Content Rating: PG Book Rating: 5 stars A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher via LitFuse. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. GiveawaySettle in for a cozy night of reading with a cuppa and a Kindle from Carolyn! One grand prize winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on March 22. The winner will be announced March 23 on the Litfuse blog.
March Revell Spotlight & Giveaway
3/15/2017
About the BooksWhen Tides Turn (Waves of Freedom #3)
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