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Singing Librarian Books

Adult Blog

Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner -- Review

5/25/2020

About the Book

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Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanaugh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.

When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.

As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.

Fan-favorite Bethany Turner serves up a heaping helping of humor and romance with this thoroughly modern story centered on cooking, enemies, and second chances. ​
GOODREADS | AMAZON

About the Author

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Bethany Turner is the award-winning author of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck, which was a finalist for The Christy Award. When she's not writing (and even when she is), she serves as the director of administration for Rock Springs Church in Southwest Colorado. She lives with her husband and their two sons in Colorado, where she writes for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight.
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Review

Just from the blurb of this book, readers know it’s going to be another fabulous romcom.  From the very first chapter, all the way to the end, readers will be constantly giggling up a storm as main characters and reality Food Network TV Chef’s Hadley and Max are forced to work together after an unfortunate incident.  But the chemistry between them is real and they can’t help but fall in love.  This engaging and hilarious story is charming and full of heart.  It’s about forgiving and falling in love when least expected.  There are a few parts of the story that are a little bit hard to get through, but overall the story is thoroughly likeable.  Readers will definitely want to pick up author Bethany Turner’s third novel.
 
Genre: contemporary, romance, romcom
Publisher: Revell
Publication date: May 5, 2020
Number of pages: 352
 
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
0 Comments

Solving Sophronia (The Blue Orchid Society #1) by Jennifer Moore -- Blog Tour Review + Giveaway

5/22/2020
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About the Book

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Lady Sophronia Bremerton is a far cry from the typical debutante, but she's the toast of London's upper class for one simple reason: she's a society columnist for the London Illustrated News, and the gentry loves seeing their exploits printed in the gossip pages. But Sophie has bigger plans - she aspires to be an investigative reporter. When a stuffy ballroom at yet another Season proves to be nothing more than the usual rumor mill, Sophie seeks respite in the library alongside four other young women who, for their own reasons, are also looking for escape. As the conversation turns to their secret ambitions, the women form a sisterhood and a bold plan: they will make their dreams a reality, no matter the obstacles. Thus begins the Blue Orchid Society.

Hearing of a murder in a London rookery, Sophie seizes the opportunity to prove her skills. Detective Jonathan Graham doesn't believe a civilian, a noblewoman at that, should be anywhere near a murder investigation, but Sophie insists on helping bring the killer to justice. Her investigative prowess doesn't go unnoticed by the police, especially Jonathan, who can't decide whether this intrepid reporter is a thorn in his side or the woman of his dreams. But as the case grows more complicated and dangerous, their very lives - and their hearts - may be at risk.
GOODREADS | AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK
Also check out the pre-qual that is free till the end of May 2020.
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GOODREADS | AMAZON | DESERET BOOK

About the Author

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Jennifer Moore is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance due to the need to balance the rest of her world that includes a perpetually traveling husband and four active sons, who create heaps of laundry that is anything but romantic. Jennifer has a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Utah and is a Guitar Hero champion. She lives in northern Utah with her family, but most of the time wishes she was aboard a British frigate during the age of sail.
​​​GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | AMAZON | BLOG

Review

From the turn of the very first page, readers will be pulled into the mystery and romance of this charming Victorian story. The characters are absolutely delightful. Readers will thoroughly enjoy Sophie Bremerton, an aspiring reporter, and Jonathan Graham, a detective, as they come together and solve a murder case. Sophie is resilient and is determined to follow her dreams. This story is engaging and intriguing with mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end of the book. A fabulous start to a charming new series from author Jennifer Moore. Readers are definitely going to want to watch for the other books in this charming new series.
 
Series: The Blue Orchid Society
Genre: Victorian, mystery, adventure, historical
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication date: March 1, 2020
Number of pages: 224
 
Other books in the series:
0.5-Emmaline
 
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
7 Comments

First Line Fridays -- The House at the End of the Moor

5/14/2020
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​via Hoarding Books
Happy Friday and welcome to First Line Fridays!

Today I'm posting a line from

The House at the End of the Moore
by Michelle Griep.
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GOODREADS | AMAZON
March 1861

Dartmoor Prison, Devon England

Death prowled the cellblock like a dark animal seeking prey--especially the weakest.
​What are you reading?  What is your first line?
​Open the book nearest you and post the first line in the comments below...


Then head on over to Hoarding Books and link up!
And then hop around the linky to visit other blog stops.
2 Comments

A Proper Charade by Esther Hatch -- Blog Tour Review + Giveaway

5/14/2020
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About the Book

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Lady Patience Kendrick was born to a life of privilege, and with the London Season looming, she finds herself facing unprecedented pressure to adhere to the rules of society. Unfortunately, the free-spirited young woman is anything but proper. Patience's elder brother, a former military man, bemoans his sister's antics - but when he accuses her of incurable frivolity, it is simply more than she can bear. Determined to prove her brother wrong, Patience undertakes a drastic experiment: she will disguise herself as a maid and demonstrate her ability to work as hard as anyone.

Taken on as household staff by her brother's former general, Patience soon learns that willingness and ability are two very different things. While her plan sounded promising in theory, the reality is that she is out of her depth - and the irresistibly charming son of the house isn't helping matters. Patience soon finds herself embroiled in a charade far more complicated that she imagined. With both her pride and her heart at stake, she is determined to prove her brother wrong - even as her plans spiral delightfully out of control. 
GOODREADS | AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK

About the Author

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Esther Hatch grew up on a cherry orchard in rural Utah. After high school she alternated living in Russia teaching children English, and attending Brigham Young University in order to get a degree in Archaeology. She began writing when one of her favorite authors invited her to join a critique group. The only catch was she had to be a writer. Not one to be left out of an opportunity to socialize and try something new; she started on her first novel that week.
​GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

Review

What an absolutely charming story.  Author Esther Hatch has written a humorous and sweet story that readers will absolutely fall in love with.  This romance takes place in Victorian England and is about a young woman who gets herself into comical situations that will leave readers not only grinning from ear to ear, but laughing out loud. Hatch’s characters are delightful and engaging, drawing readers into this amusing story.  The relationship between the two main characters, Patience and Anthony, is excellent, bringing to life the story from the pages of the book.  This is the sequel to Hatch’s A Proper Scandal, but they can be read in any order.  Readers will not want to put down this wonderful story!
 
Series: sequel to A Proper Scandal
Genre: historical, Victorian, romance
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication date: May 1, 2020
Number of pages: 224
 
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
7 Comments

Finding Peace in Wishing Bridge (Wishing Bridge #3) by Ruth Logan Herne -- Review

5/9/2020
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About the Book

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Creator of the bestselling "Welcome to Wishing Bridge" and "At Home in Wishing Bridge" award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne invites readers back to the little town with the big heart with "Finding Peace in Wishing Bridge".

Being a supermodel isn't just hard.

It can be a killer, so when international sensation Jazz Monroe answered a friend's call for help, she'd just taken a hiatus from the job that made her a very rich woman and almost took her life. Outwardly Jazz was everything anyone would want to be. Beautiful, confident, rich and famous, and often seen on the arm of some of the world's most eligible bachelors, Jazz knows the truth she hides. Her self-confidence is an act and the eating disorder that plagues her refuses to let her rest.

But then she and her old friend Thea are called to help a friend and fulfill a pledge they'd made a dozen years before as high school seniors. If any one of the three ever needed help, the others would come running. Last December, Kelsey made that call and her two old friends, the other members of the "Soul Sisterhood", responded. They're here now. Thea is practicing medicine, Kelsey has married the hero deputy that saved her life and Jazz is finding the hints of peace that have eluded her for nearly two decades. She settles into the little town, helping out at a local diner, waiting for the sky to fall.

It doesn't. Instead, the sun begins to shine, winter fades to spring, and surrounded by new and old friends, Jazz begins to believe in herself. She loves the small town, the kindness of the locals, the warmth of the family diner and the special attention from two very different and distinct men makes her think new thoughts. Thoughts of family and picket fences and settling down.

But an unexpected attack on a wood-edged path reignites her fears and insecurities. Now she's looking in shadows again, doubting herself and others. In Manhattan, locked elevators and a staffed entrance desk kept her safe from intruders.

Wishing Bridge has nothing like that. Here, she lives life at ground level, with no bodyguards watching out for her. But when a local contingent makes it their job to keep her safe, Jazz learns not to sell the small town short. Folks here mean what they say because that's the kind of town Wishing Bridge is.

As Jazz rediscovers the most important things in life, she realizes that happiness isn't about where you are: it's about who you're with. And who you love.

Join Jazz, Kelsey, Thea and the rest of the Wishing Bridge cast as they band together to help the town and one another because together-- in Wishing Bridge-- they can make anything happen.
GOODREADS | AMAZON

About the Author

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Multi-published, award-winning, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne is living her dream of being a published author and having the time of her life doing it. Born to a poor family in Rochester, NY, Ruthy draws on her early years and her many years of dealing with today's young families and businesses to create beautiful, heartfelt small-town stories of faith, hope and love... while adopting her favorite non-Scripture quotes "Plenty of time for rest in the grave" (Ben Franklin) and "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." (Eleanor Roosevelt) and one can always depend on Yoda "There is no try. There is do or do not." Succinct... and true. :) She loves chatting with readers on facebook at Ruth Logan Herne or follow Ruthy on Twitter, visit her website or stop by Seekerville (www.seekerville.blogspot.com) or pop by the Yankee Belle Cafe where Ruthy and several lovely authors share recipes, facts, photos and just plain old life! (www.yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com).
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

Review

Three friends come to find and call Wishing Bridge home.  Finding Peace in Wishing Bridge is the story of the third friend, super model Jazz Monroe and how she falls in love with Wishing Bridge and comes to call it home.  It’s about her struggle with an eating disorder and wanting to move on and away from her fame and money seeking career.  It’s about the importance of long lasting friendship, and of course romance.  There’s also a bit of suspense in this story due to a stocker and the lack of body guards to protect Jazz.  This is a beautiful small town story that readers will absolutely love and not want to miss.
 
Series: Wishing Bridge
Genre: contemporary, romance
Publisher: Indie
Publication date: March 2, 2020
Number of pages: 334
 
Other books in the series:
1-Welcome to Wishing Bridge
2-At Home in Wishing Bridge
 
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
​
0 Comments

The Governess of Banbury Park by Julie Matern -- Blog Tour Review + Giveaway

5/8/2020
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About the Book

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Genre: Regency, Romance
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Publication date: April 14, 2020
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At the reading of her father’s will, Sophia Cavanaugh learns that she is suddenly destitute. Impoverished, grief-stricken and alone, she sees only one course open to her – becoming a governess. With little experience and no references, securing a position proves more difficult than expected until she finds a champion in the dashing and well-connected Charles Mortimer. he quickly captures her heart but are the feelings mutual?
Sophia is provided a position by his meddling mother and the two are parted, but fate thrusts them back together. Will Sophia risk her heart and confess her love?
​GOODREADS | AMAZON

​About the Author

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This is the second regency romance by Julie and the third is well underway.
Julie was born and raised in London, England and still visits often to see family, wander around her old haunts and order cream teas with scones full of clotted cream and jam and a big cup of hot chocolate. She loves all things Jane Austen as well as mysteries, photography, chocolate, shoes, pickle ball and …chocolate.
​FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

10 Behind the Scenes
​Facts about the Book

1. Originally, Sophia was going to work for three different families – each showing a dark side of arranged marriage. The book turned out a little more suspenseful than was right for this audience so, at the editor’s suggestion, I removed the first third of the book! (to be used at a later time) That is a huge rewrite! It was very overwhelming and I had a very limited time in which to do it. I was able to salvage some of the characters and move them to this story, but some are still hidden away in my files.

2. Sophia had to be lacking in street smarts so that the reader sympathizes with her plight. Hence she is raised by doting parents in a small, safe community.

3.When I first crafted the Biggs twins, I had them actually finishing each other’s sentences mid-sentence. The editor felt that this was too confusing for the reader so I had to modify this so that they finished each other’s conversations instead. Personally, I prefered it the other way – it was more comedic.

4. Of course the Reverend Hale is modeled after Mr. Collins. I hope that I succeeded in creating a spindly, balding, awkward man in the minds of the reader.

5. Charles Mortimer is more of a Bingley than a Darcy but finds his spine in the end. Since the characters in Haversham House were so good looking, this time, I set out to create a man who was attractive in a non-traditional way – his hair is a mess and his nose is too big. His other characteristics – his humor, care of his sister, tenderness – are what make him so appealing rather than his physical appearance.

6. I am not a fan of plots that take a good man and show that he has a dark side – as so many television shows do. However, I needed Sophia’s father to have made the mistake of not saving money for the future. I hope that this is a failing that is common enough that it does not demonize her father. He was simply a righteous man who procrastinated.

7. My grandmother had to go to an asylum for a short while when I was young. It was nothing like the one described in the book but it was very institutional with lots of odd noises. I remember visiting when I was a pre-teen and it was a rather chilling experience. I drew on some of those memories as I wrote that scene.

8. We live in a world of social media and influencers. Many people secretly hoping that their video or post will go viral and give them their fifteen minutes of fame. I think this mindset helps us appreciate Mrs. Mortimer’s desperation to climb the social ladder. She will do anything to keep rising.

9. Don’t you just love the Burleys? I imagine we all know people like them – salt of the earth, kind, friendly people who you can always count on to help. As a religious person I want to bring God into all of my books, to show His presence in our everyday lives. Meeting the Burley’s was not by chance – it was God answering Sophia’s prayer. In turn, she answered theirs and becomes the adopted daughter they have hoped and prayed for.
​
10. Weddings were not quite the same then as they are today. The editor was worried that some of the things I had put in the original wedding scene were anachronistic – a big word that means ‘something that is not in its correct historical time.’ I did some research and modified a few things to make it more historically accurate. Readers can be very critical of such mistakes. For example, it was not standard for a bride to be walked down the aisle but I did find that in many cases the bride could choose to have her father do this.

Snippet

On the final day, the whole company, including Sophia and Emily, was taking a walk around the estate after lunch when the redoubtable Mrs. Mortimer hung back. Sophia viewed her approach with dread and slowed her own progress, but Mrs. Mortimer, it appeared, was determined and stopped completely, waiting for Sophia to draw near. 
“You appear happy here, Miss Cavanaugh,” she began, touching her perfectly coiffed hair. “You must be most indebted to our family for finding you such an agreeable situation.”   
Sophia feared a verbal trap was being sprung and simply nodded.
 “Is it not then a poor show of appreciation to dally with my son’s affections?” she glowered. 
Sophia was caught off guard by such a direct reproach. Usually the gentry were much more discreet in their conversations. She must be absolutely furious. “I . . .” she began. 
“Do not deny it!” Mrs. Mortimer spat out, eyes narrowed to slits. “Let me explain how the world works for you. There are distinct social principles that divide the classes. Under no circumstances should these be crossed!” Sophia stepped back. “Charles is destined for great things, and as my only son, certain conduct is expected of him. My grandchildren must be the progeny of both a mother and father of the highest bloodline to honor our family’s good name and standing in society. The children of a governess will not do! Do I make myself clear?” She waited for no response before ploughing on. 
“Charles is weak when it comes to matters of the heart, and you are a distraction. He does not know his own mind and is easily persuaded by a pretty face. It is his duty to marry a woman of fortune and title, and therefore his history must not be besmirched by a dalliance with a servant. If you care for him at all, you must relinquish him.” She stopped and planted herself directly in front of Sophia. “Do I have your promise to give him up?” 
Righteous indignation had swelled during this scolding and now rose like a genie from a bottle within Sophia, knowing as she did the heritage of the woman berating her. She was torn between calling Mrs. Mortimer out as the worst of hypocrites, which would cause Charles more grief, or agreeing with her to smooth his path. Though she felt the flame of shame burning on her cheeks, her discomfort did not deter the woman or appeal to her sympathies. Rather, Charles’s mother bore down with all the authority she could muster to pressure her into compliance. The challenge merely emboldened Sophia, though she decided that she would keep her counsel on Mrs. Mortimer’s ancestry for Charles’s sake.

Review

A short, somewhat predictable, and cute regency romance that readers will appreciate.  This story has an interesting turn of events when a young girl is left destitute after her father passes away and she quickly goes in search of work as a governess.  This story had great potential, but just didn’t quite get there with the character development and about the first half of the book filled with the back story that makes the rest of the book compelling.  This story have a bit of a historical Gothic feel to it that is an excellent addition to the tale.  Overall readers will find this to be a sweet and enjoyable read.
 
Genre: historical, regency, romance
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Publication date: April 14, 2020
Number of pages: 175
 
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Giveaway

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-(2) winner’s will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card (open Int.)
-(1) winner will receive an ebook copy of The Secret of Haversham House (open Int.)
-(1) winner will receive their choice of a print copy of one of Julie’s books (US only)
​Enter the giveaway HERE.
​
Giveaway ends May 13 at 11:59pm MT.
Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

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