Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Release Tours: Second Start

 

 
  Career failures bring both Brittany and Tyson back to Holiday Springs but second starts aren’t easy and broken dreams threaten futures. Will a former Olympic athlete and budding musician get a second chance at their happily ever after? Readers will fall in love with this second chance romance from S.E. Rose. The Holiday Springs Resort series is here and SECOND START is now live!

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Goodreads

 

  Will a former Olympic athlete and budding musician get a second chance at their happily ever after? Brittany Evans and Tyson Mitchell were the “it” couple in the Poconos. Until their own dreams and goals got in the way. With broken hearts, they both left their town while doing their best to never look back. But, when a skiing injury and a failed singing career bring them both back home, they find that their feelings may not have iced over after all. Fate has brought them together again, but if Tyson wants to win back Brittany’s heart, he’ll have to prove that she’s the only dream that matters. Escape to the romantic paradise of Holiday Springs and warm-up with your next happily ever after.

Excerpt

Copyright S.E. Rose 2020

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, and her eyes meet mine. “W-What? Why?” Her eyes flash with more confusion. I reach out and caress her face with my gloved hand, wishing I could feel her skin beneath mine. “I’m sorry for hurting you, Superstar.” Her eyes glance back down at her lap. “It was a long time ago, Ty.” I push under her chin, and she gazes at me again. “I’m sorry. I was young and stupid. I thought I was protecting you.” She pulls back. “Protecting me from what?” I sigh. “From me, from having to have a boyfriend that was never here, that was always busy.” “But all I wanted was you,” she states bitterly. “And I wasn’t here for you. No one could’ve had me. I was too... too busy and wrapped up in my Olympic dreams.” She turns and zips up her bag. “I would have waited,” she murmurs as she stands up to leave. I jump up and block her path. “I know you would have. But I couldn’t ask you to do that. You have dreams, too.” “But you never gave me the choice to decide for myself,” she says and jams a finger at my chest. “You decided for both of us.” “I did. And I can’t take it back, but if I could, I would,” I reply as I grab her head in my hands and kiss her. She doesn’t move as I press my lips to hers. They warm under mine, and after a second she sighs, allowing my tongue free reign of her mouth. I taste her for the first time in way too long. And she tastes just as sweet as I remembered. She drops her guitar case in the snow, letting her arms wrap around my middle as my hands hold her face. I don’t feel anything except her, not the snow, the cold, the wind, nothing but Brittany. Our warm breaths mingle in the cool air, surrounding us in our own personal cloud. I groan as I deepen our kiss. She pulls back suddenly. Her hand flying to her lips. “I’m sorry. I... shit, I’m sorry.” She has a look of anguish on her face. “Brit, I kissed you. There’s nothing to be sorry about. When are we going to stop dancing around this thing,” I motion between us, “that’s clearly still between us?” She shakes her head. “No. There’s nothing between us. That’s over. It ended when you walked out of my life.” I watch as a single tear falls on her cheek, and it might as well be a knife plunging into my heart. I reach out to pull her back to me, but she jumps away. “No. We can’t do this. I can’t do this. Not again.” And it hits me. She’s protecting herself. I hurt her so badly that she reacts to me like a hand touching a hot pan. I can’t blame her. “Brit, I won’t hurt you. I never met to hurt you.” “I know,” she answers as another tear falls on her cheek. “But you did.”

Only on Amazon + Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited

About S.E. Rose USA Today & International Bestselling romance author, S.E. Rose lives near Washington D.C. with her family. When she's not wrangling her cats or keeping up with her kids, she's plotting her next story. She loves all things wine, coffee, and cats. In her non-existent free time, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, binging on her favorite shows, and reading, especially if it's a good mystery or comedy.

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About the Holiday Springs Resort Series

 
  Nestled deep in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Holiday Springs Resort promises to bring the heat this winter! Join Forever Write PR and seven amazing authors as they take to the slopes on the adventure of a lifetime and find their happily ever afters. From hot bartenders to brooding exes, Holiday Springs Resort is the place to be. Each story features a brand new couple and a fun trope to love from our amazing line up of authors including: second chance romance and best friend's sibling to jilted brides and friends to lovers. Your holiday wonderland won’t be complete without a widower, office, and enemies to lovers romance. We’ve got a remarkable line of up must-read romance authors including, A.M. Williams, Julie Archer, Kim Bailey, Moni Boyce, S.E. Rose, Stacey Lewis, and B. Ivy Woods. Follow the Holiday Spring Resort series on Facebook for more on release dates, cover reveals, and exclusive book news ➝ https://www.facebook.com/HolidaySpringsSeries/ This series and all promotional events are brought to you by Forever Write PR - Forever your source for all your writing needs. https://www.facebook.com/ForeverWritePR/

Friday, November 20, 2020

Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours: Lady Margaret's Escape

Lady Margaret's Escape by Victoria Sportelli

 

Publication Date: September 24, 2020 
Creazzo Publishing Paperback & eBook;
376 pages 
Series: Henry's Spare Queen, Book One Genre: Historical Fiction



     


 A Desperate Midwife Bargains with a King After suffering the loss of her first pregnancy, a son and heir to the English throne, Queen Matilda is once again with child. Overjoyed but cautious of another loss, King Henry seeks a skilled midwife to assist his wife throughout her pregnancy and labor. His search leads him to Margaret. Margaret, once a woman of rank and leisure, has been betrayed by her father and made a common slave. The king’s dire need for a midwife provides her with an enticing opportunity to escape a life of servitude and return to her previous station, but first she must prove her worth and make a bargain with the devil. King Henry is reluctant to haggle with the midwife, but when Margaret reveals her suspicions of foul play being the cause of the queen’s previous loss, his mind is made up. Not only will Margaret attend the queen, her fate with be tied to the queen's – and that of their unborn babe. Deliver a healthy heir and King Henry will reward Margaret with the return of her rank, social status and wealth. Fail, and her life will be forfeit. The two women are sent to a secret forest retreat to wait out Queen Matilda’s confinement away from the conspiracies and dangers of court life. Meanwhile, Henry’s brother Robert invades England to seize Henry’s crown and Margaret begins to fear she has allied herself with the wrong ruler. Will Margaret earn her freedom…or a severed head? Pick up Lady Margaret’s Escape today and experience the perils of living in medieval England. Note: This novel includes the death of an infant which may be a trigger for some readers.

Amazon

Review: I'm having a hard time writing reviews these day but I will say this book is one of best I've read in a long time. 

It is wonderfully researched and Lady Margaret is such a strong character. You will laugh and cry along with her.

Set in the times of Henry I and his wife Matilda. The story is just wonderful trip into the past. Where women weren't more than just chattel to their husbands. So a strong woman like Margaret wasn't the norm.

This book reminded me of why historical fiction has always been the genre I go to when I want to get totally immersed in a book.

Rating; 5 flowers


About the Author

Ms. Sportelli, who loves to share her knowledge of English history, has concluded that Henry I was an under-rated king who struggled to keep his throne amid conflicts between Normans and Saxons. She writes of the era in novels featuring Lady Margaret, King Henry and Queen Matilda. A life-long Anglophile, Ms. Sportelli loves British manners, folklore, customs, history, and humor; she watches every British film, television, show and documentary she can find. Ms Sportelli has both children and grandchildren. She has taken seven trips to eight western European countries and loves England and Italy the most.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, November 9 Review at 100 Pages a Day Interview at Novels Alive Tuesday, November 10 Review at Pursuing Stacie Wednesday, November 11 Feature at I'm Into Books Thursday, November 12 Review at Gwendalyn's Books Friday, November 13 Review at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals Monday, November 16 Review & Excerpt at Bookworlder Tuesday, November 17 Review at Rajiv's Reviews Wednesday, November 18 Review at Passages to the Past Thursday, November 19 Excerpt at Coffee and Ink Friday, November 20 Review at A Chick Who Reads

Giveaway

Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card! The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on November 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter. Lady Margaret's Escape

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Release Blast: Stuck With You

 

 
  For Maddie and Jack, attending their high school reunion turned into a reservation mix up and an unexpected stay in a cozy cabin, together. Can enemies turn into lovers over the course of a week? Find out in this must-read enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance from Moni Boyce. The Holiday Springs Resort series is here and STUCK WITH YOU is now live!

Only on Amazon + Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads


Can enemies turn into lovers over the course of a week? Maddie When I decided to attend my high school reunion, I knew I’d run the risk of running into Jack Carter. Mr. Big Time Country Music Star. The same guy that broke my heart in high school. What I didn’t expect was that the resort would mess up our reservations, and we’d end up roommates. Now I’m stuck sharing a cabin with him for the next week, and I don’t know whether I want to kill him or kiss him. Jack What are the odds I would end up sharing a cabin with my ex-high school sweetheart, Maddie Grace? The woman was a sweet tomboy back then, now she’s a knockout, uptight lawyer, who loves to argue. Even though we fight like cats and dogs, I’m feeling that familiar old spark and the more time I spend with her, the more I’m beginning to think letting her go was my biggest mistake. Thanks to a little mix-up at the resort, I've now got a week to prove to her that we belong together and you can bet I'm going to give it my best shot. Escape to the romantic paradise of Holiday Springs and warm up with your next happily ever after.

Excerpt

Copyright Moni Boyce 2020

To my surprise, Jack walked into the kitchen with a towel slung low on his hips and opened up the refrigerator. Leaning on the door, he peered inside. I was trying to keep my gaze on the documents in front of me, but I kept looking up to check out his ass in that towel. Part of me kept hoping it would accidentally fall off. Of course, now I found myself pissed off that, once again, I was having impure thoughts about Jack. I slammed my pen onto the table. “Why are you practically naked?” Slowly, he closed the refrigerator door and turned to address me. Damn. Maybe I should have kept quiet. All his sexy goodness was on display for me to see. For a millisecond, I faltered and nearly forgot why I was upset. “You’re not the only one here, you know. We have to share this place…” My tongue darted out and licked my suddenly dry bottom lip. Was his chest and six-pack abs glistening in the light coming from the window, or was I imagining things? Stop. “You can’t just walk around here half dressed. What if someone showed up?” “Are you expecting someone?” He wore an amused expression while he asked the question. I crossed my arms over my chest. “No… but that doesn’t matter. Put on a shirt.” Why was he so infuriating? “How would you like it if I pranced around here in my bra…” That had been the wrong thing to say. “Or panties… or nothing at all.” I lost steam when I realized the picture I was painting. Being pissed and horny clearly was a bad combination. I wasn’t thinking right. “I don’t see a problem.” He gave me a lecherous grin that exposed his teeth and revealed his want. “Just have some consideration and stop being selfish.” I hurled at him. That order quickly erased any goodwill he was feeling towards me. His look was thunderous. “I’m getting real tired of you making me out to be the bad guy here.” He gripped the back of one of the kitchen chairs until his knuckles turned white. “You’re asking me to have some consideration?” The incredulous scowl he wore caused his eyebrows to rise to his hairline. “You’re right, Maddie. We are sharing this house. You’d do well to remember that when you crank the heat up to freaking eighty degrees. How about that for consideration? Not all of us want to walk around in a sauna.” He threw his hands up. “It’s so damn hot in here, what am I supposed to wear? I’ll sweat to death. So unless you’re going to compromise on the temperature I’m going to wear whatever I damn well please around here, even if that means I walk around here naked.” I swallowed at the thought of him walking around the cabin naked. Other parts of my anatomy that I didn’t care to acknowledge quivered at the thought. Angrily, I stood. “Don’t threaten me. It always has to be your way.” Before I knew it, we were yelling over top of each other, trying to be heard. A few minutes later, Jack put his thumb and forefinger in his mouth and whistled, bringing the yelling match to its end. I was so agitated my breathing was erratic. Seconds passed, where we stood glowering at each other like two junkyard dogs that had squared off, but there wasn’t a victor. Jack’s shoulders slumped and the fight drained away in front of my eyes. He stared at me, but no longer was his look filled with outrage. “It’s been ten years, Maddie. You gonna stay mad at me forever?” His voice was weary, tired, and bordered on sad.

Only on Amazon + Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited

 

  About Moni Moni Boyce is a writer, filmmaker, poet and Award-winning author of contemporary and paranormal romance. After working in the film industry for fifteen years, helping others bring their visions to life, she now creates characters and worlds of her own. She considers herself a bookworm, film buff, foodie, music lover and an avid world traveler having visited 33 countries and counting. She lives a bit of a nomadic life, but considers Los Angeles her hometown.

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About the Holiday Springs Resort Series

 

  Nestled deep in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Holiday Springs Resort promises to bring the heat this winter! Join Forever Write PR and seven amazing authors as they take to the slopes on the adventure of a lifetime and find their happily ever afters. From hot bartenders to brooding exes, Holiday Springs Resort is the place to be. Each story features a brand new couple and a fun trope to love from our amazing line up of authors including: second chance romance and best friend's sibling to jilted brides and friends to lovers. Your holiday wonderland won’t be complete without a widower, office, and enemies to lovers romance. We’ve got a remarkable line of up must-read romance authors including, A.M. Williams, Julie Archer, Kim Bailey, Moni Boyce, S.E. Rose, Stacey Lewis, and B. Ivy Woods. Follow the Holiday Spring Resort series on Facebook for more on release dates, cover reveals, and exclusive book news ➝ https://www.facebook.com/HolidaySpringsSeries/ This series and all promotional events are brought to you by Forever Write PR - Forever your source for all your writing needs. https://www.facebook.com/ForeverWritePR/

Friday, November 13, 2020

Release Blast: Unwrapped

 

As your mom’s guest at the holiday party, there are certain rules that must be followed. Too bad he didn’t get the memo. Breaking the rules has never been more tempting. Readers who love forbidden romances will enjoy this light, humorous and sexy romance.

Read Now!

Amazon

There are many rules to follow as your mom’s guest at the company holiday party. Rule one – do not, under any circumstances, find the new boss so attractive. Rule two – definitely do not undress him with your eyes. Rule three – if he slips you his phone number, throw it away. I repeat, throw it away. Who cares if just one look into his blue eyes makes you want to drag him underneath the nearest mistletoe? Rule four – when you show up at his house the next day, do not let him kiss you. Your lips are meant to say good-bye. Rule five – at no point should you let him take off your clothes like he’s unwrapping his sexy Christmas gift. And moaning will only make it worse. Rule six – rule six is a bonus rule, so pay attention. Forget rules one through five.

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Excerpt

Copyright 2020 @evelyn sola

“I want to see you again. Meet me tomorrow.” It’s not a request, it’s an order. I shrug out of his touch and take a step away from him. “Are you crazy? No.” “Why not?” he asks, his eyes more piercing than ever. “A million reasons. You’re my mother’s boss, and she hates you, by the way. Why would I go out with someone who’s been so awful to my mother? Oh, and you’re old. You’re my mother’s boss,” I repeat. “And Glen’s already asked me out and about a million other reasons!” I whisper-yell the last part to make sure he gets it. “The Glen issue is simple. Tell him to fuck off. I have not been awful to your mother. She’s been hostile toward me since the day I stepped foot in the office. She has a problem with me because I’m not my uncle. And what other reasons? Are you talking about my melanin deficiency? What the hell century are you living in? You think I care about that? And I want to see you again, not your mother. And thirty-six is hardly old.” “Thirty-six! That’s older than I thought. Holy shit!” I yell. “Do you realize when I was thirteen you were already twenty-six?” “Unless I was asking you out when you were thirteen and I was twenty-six, I don’t see the problem.

Read Unwrapped today!

About the author

A Boston native, wife, mother, and wine enthusiast. If she’s not writing, thinking about writing, you will find her with a book in her hands. While a new publisher, she’s been writing for years, and she will continue to write for many years to come. Evelyn is obsessed with assertive and confident men who will stop at nothing to get their woman. Her stories are filled with love, passion, and humor. She currently lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two daughters. Follow: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Reader Group | Goodreads | BookBub | Newsletter | Amazon   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/evelynsolaauthor/ Twitter https://twitter.com/WritesEvelyn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/EvelynWritesEveryday/ Reader Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2572728646312337/ Goodreads → https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19962897.Evelyn_Sola BookBub → https://www.bookbub.com/profile/evelyn-sola Newsletter → http://eepurl.com/gRK-qP Amazon → https://www.amazon.com/Evelyn-Sola/e/B0855QJGYX

This promotional event is brought to you by Forever Write PR

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Cover Reveal: Something New

 

 
  We are so excited to share the cover for the upcoming release, Something New by B. Ivy Woods. Check out the stunning cover for Something New, a must-read jilted bride romance from the upcoming Holiday Springs Resort series!

Title: Something New

Author: B. Ivy Woods

Release Date: 12/04/2020

Series: Holiday Springs Resort, #6

Tropes/Genres: Jilted Bride Romance, Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance

A jilted bride and an overwhelmed banker from New York are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime that neither of them saw coming. Sometimes love happens at the most unexpected times and places. Romance writer, Nicole Ford, always believed in happy endings. Until her own groom left her standing at the altar. Determined to make her own happiness, she sets off for their romantic honeymoon at Holiday Springs, alone. Barrett Pierce, an investment banker from the Big Apple, may have gotten himself in a little hot water and needs to take a break before he's in too deep. Fleeing to the mountains, he has one plan - clearing his head and figuring out a way to fix his mistakes. Neither of them were looking for romance but they sure found each other and discovered a passion they couldn’t ignore. Forget something old, and something blue...this time these two love birds have found something brand new. Escape to the romantic paradise of Holiday Springs and warm up with your next happily ever after.

Pre-Order Something New Today!

Add to Goodreads!

 

  About B. Ivy Woods B. Ivy Woods has been writing for as long as she can remember. After getting her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Environmental Policy and a Master in Energy Policy and Law degree and working in the environmental field for several years, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom. That is when thoughts of a writing career really took off. Although she competed in NaNoWriMo multiple times, 2019 was the first year that she won. This win inspired her to make writing a career. She self-published her debut novel in 2020. Although she is originally from New York City, she currently lives in the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia) with her husband, daughter, dog, and cat.

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About the Holiday Springs Resort Series


Nestled deep in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Holiday Springs Resort promises to bring the heat this winter! Join Forever Write PR and seven amazing authors as they take to the slopes on the adventure of a lifetime and find their happily ever afters. From hot bartenders to brooding exes, Holiday Springs Resort is the place to be. Each story features a brand new couple and a fun trope to love from our amazing line up of authors including: second chance romance and best friend's sibling to jilted brides and friends to lovers. Your holiday wonderland won’t be complete without a widower, office, and enemies to lovers romance. We’ve got a remarkable line of up must-read romance authors including, A.M. Williams, Julie Archer, Kim Bailey, Moni Boyce, S.E. Rose, Stacey Lewis, and B. Ivy Woods. Follow the Holiday Spring Resort series on Facebook for more on release dates, cover reveals, and exclusive book news ➝ https://www.facebook.com/HolidaySpringsSeries/ This series and all promotional events are brought to you by Forever Write PR - Forever your source for all your writing needs. https://www.facebook.com/ForeverWritePR/

425 Madison Release Blitz: Game Winning Goal

 

As a die-hard hockey fan, Cheyenne doesn’t expect to fall for the injured pro from her favorite team; Kamden is determined to get back on the ice before his career is over. Can Cheyenne and Kamden’s love prove that there is more than just scoring goals? Readers will fall in love with this sports romance from Kay Gordon. The 425 Madison series is complete with season three; GAME WINNING GOAL is live on 11/9!

Cheyenne

Life was good. I had a great job, amazing people surrounding me, season tickets to see my favorite hockey team play, and a cat that I could cuddle. Although it didn’t seem glamorous, I was happy. But when the shy, handsome, and somewhat awkward hockey player slid into my life, I realized that I could be happier. I wanted to be more than just content with life.

Kamden

I knew I wanted to be a hockey player from the moment I put on my first pair of skates. I played

hard for the Titans, proving that I belonged on the top line. But just when I finally made it, an injury took me out of the game. While feeling sorry for myself and waiting to heal, I met the bubbly, beautiful, and smart pediatrician who brought me to my knees. She made me see that there was more to life than scoring goals. A love of the game helps bring these two together and onto a path towards a different kind of love.

Cheyenne and Kamden’s road isn’t as smooth as ice, though. What happens when Kam’s recovery isn’t easy and his position on the team is threatened? Cheyenne has to figure out how to break down his defense and Kam has to realize that he might not always be the one to score the game-winning goal.

After all, 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love.

Read Game Winning Goal today!

Add to Goodreads!


Exclusive Excerpt

Copyright @Kay Gordon 2020

An older man was telling us all about how he’d once considered buying a hockey team, and I was doing my best to feign interest. I let my gaze wonder, so I could people watch, though, and I did a double-take when I caught sight of a woman speaking with a small group of people.

She was wearing a dark purple dress that fell to the floor and long sleeves that went to her wrists. The fabric dipped low on her chest, teasing at the cleavage underneath. The dress was tight at the waist, though, and showed off every curve she had. Her blonde hair had big curls in it, and the tips looked like they reached her shoulders. She appeared to be about three or four inches shorter than me, but I was willing to be everything I had that she had on some killer heels under that dress.

It wasn’t just the way she looked that caught me, though. It was the way she held herself. She was smiling as she spoke, and it was obvious that she had every man around her eating out of her hand. They laughed at whatever she was saying, and she appeared to be enjoying herself.

She was captivating.

“What do you think, Mr. Matlock? Do we have a chance at a repeat of the cup?”

I reluctantly peeled my eyes away from the woman to focus on the man in front of me. With a fake smile on my face, I shrugged.

“I think there’s always a chance. We have plenty of time to turn it around.”

When I glanced back at the woman, I saw that she had removed herself from the group she was with and was heading toward the silent auction table.

“Excuse me for a moment, will you?” I didn’t wait for anyone to reply before walking away.

The woman was looking at one of the lots that included a hot air balloon ride when I walked up. I cleared my throat and fought against shoving my hands into my pockets– a nervous habit of mine.

“A hot air balloon ride, huh?” I wanted to cringe at the lame words leaving my mouth, but I couldn’t stop them. “I’d probably faint before I left the ground.”

The woman looked up at me with a polite but disinterested smile on her face that told me she thought my line was cheesy, too. “Afraid of heights?

When her emerald green eyes met mine, recognition and realization dawned on me.

It was the woman from the game.

“Cheyenne.”

Read Game Winning Goal today!


About Kay Gordon

Kay Gordon is a married mother of two living near the west coast. She spends her days teaching young, impressionable minds in public school and evenings typing away furiously once her children are in bed. Her favorite genres to read are Contemporary Romance and New Adult/College romance, although she rarely denies a good paranormal or dystopian! When she's not teaching or writing, Kay loves to spend time with her family. They're all a bunch of nerds who can quote Disney movies and Star Wars quickly!

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Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Release Day Blitz: Love On The Rocks

 
  Melina’s rule-following good girl ways doesn’t stop bad boy, good time seeking Zane from looking her way. With her dreams on the line and his easy charm in the way, will they be able to make it work without risking it all? Readers will fall in love with this workplace romance from Kim Bailey. The Holiday Springs Resort series is here and LOVE ON THE ROCKS is now live!

Only on Amazon + Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads ➝ https://bit.ly/2RtzXCz

 

  Melina‌ ‌Morales‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌good‌ ‌girl.‌ ‌ ‌   A‌ ‌hardworking,‌ ‌ambitious,‌ ‌follows-all-the-rules‌ ‌girl.‌ ‌Maybe‌ ‌that’s‌ ‌why‌ ‌her‌ ‌coworkers‌ ‌call‌ ‌her‌ ‌the‌ ‌ ice‌ ‌queen.‌ ‌She‌ ‌might‌ ‌care‌ ‌if‌ ‌it‌ ‌weren’t‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌looming‌ ‌pile‌ ‌of‌ ‌debt‌ ‌and‌ ‌her‌ ‌family’s‌ ‌dependence‌ ‌ on‌ ‌her.‌ ‌But‌ ‌with‌ ‌her‌ ‌dream‌ ‌job‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌line,‌ ‌she’s‌ ‌determined‌ ‌to‌ ‌succeed,‌ ‌no‌ ‌matter‌ ‌the‌ ‌sacrifice.‌ ‌   There’s‌ ‌just‌ ‌one‌ ‌tiny,‌ ‌six-foot-something‌ ‌problem.‌ ‌.‌ ‌.‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Zane‌ ‌Wilder‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌bad‌ ‌boy.‌ ‌   The‌ ‌Holiday‌ ‌Springs‌ ‌bartender‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌guy‌ ‌everyone‌ ‌turns‌ ‌to‌ ‌for‌ ‌a‌ ‌good‌ ‌time—especially‌ ‌the‌ ‌ women.‌ ‌Except‌ ‌lately‌ ‌he’s‌ ‌been‌ ‌unsatisfied.‌ ‌Maybe‌ ‌it’s‌ ‌got‌ ‌something‌ ‌to‌ ‌do‌ ‌with‌ ‌the‌ ‌drunken‌ ‌ kiss‌ ‌he‌ ‌shared‌ ‌with‌ ‌Melina,‌ ‌but‌ ‌since‌ ‌he’s‌ ‌not‌ ‌interested‌ ‌in‌ ‌commitment,‌ ‌he‌ ‌figures‌ ‌there’ll‌ ‌never‌ ‌ be‌ ‌a‌ ‌chance‌ ‌to‌ ‌find‌ ‌out.‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ When‌ ‌Melina‌ ‌agrees‌ ‌to‌ ‌one‌ ‌date‌ ‌in‌ ‌return‌ ‌for‌ ‌a‌ ‌favor,‌ ‌they‌ ‌both‌ ‌quickly‌ ‌realize‌ ‌there’s‌ ‌something‌ ‌ between‌ ‌them.‌ ‌But‌ ‌it’s‌ ‌going‌ ‌to‌ ‌take‌ ‌Zane‌ ‌a‌ ‌lot‌ ‌more‌ ‌than‌ ‌his‌ ‌fun-loving‌ ‌ways‌ ‌and‌ ‌easy‌ ‌charm‌ ‌ to‌ ‌convince‌ ‌the‌ ‌good‌ ‌girl‌ ‌to‌ ‌give‌ ‌him‌ ‌a‌ ‌serious‌ ‌shot.‌ ‌ This‌ ‌time,‌ ‌he’ll‌ ‌have‌ ‌to‌ ‌risk‌ ‌his‌ ‌heart.‌ ‌   Escape‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌romantic‌ ‌paradise‌ ‌of‌ ‌Holiday‌ ‌Springs‌ ‌and‌ ‌warm‌ ‌up‌ ‌with‌ ‌your‌ ‌next‌ ‌happily‌ ‌ever‌ ‌ after.‌

Excerpt

Copyright @Kim Bailey 2020

“I knew he was into you!” Avery shouted. “I frickin’ told you so!” “It’s only one date, Av.” One date and a huge pile of regret just waiting to happen. “Besides, he hasn’t confirmed the caterer yet. There won’t be a date if he doesn’t make good on his promise.” “What. Ever. I have no doubt he’ll come through.” She pushed one of the shots of Jägermeister she’d ordered toward me, encouraging me to down it. “God, I love being right.” She beamed at me as the liquor burned its way down my throat. “I told you he had a thing for you…I bet it’s a really big thing, too.” She smirked. “I bet it’s huge.” If Olivia and Lucie were my teammates, Avery was our MVP. Best friends since we were five, she was like another sister to me. But like all siblings, sometimes I really didn’t like her much. “I’ve got something huge for you over here, sweetheart,” one of the mountain men called. “If that were true, you wouldn’t need to advertise it,” Avery called back, not missing a beat. And sometimes, I really, really loved her. “It’s one date,” I repeated, watching the burly guy try to hide his embarrassment at being schooled by a tiny blue-eyed blonde. “But who knows where one date will lead. I mean, you two have already kissed.” “Twice.” She froze with her drink halfway to her mouth, both her eyes and lips round. “He kissed me again this morning,” I confided. As much as I loved and trusted Avery, I hadn’t planned on telling her this part—her current reaction being the main reason why. But the booze had loosened my tongue and a few of my inhibitions. “Please close your mouth before big-dick guy offers you something to put in it,” I begged. “Zane kissing me is not that exciting. Or that simple.” Liar. Liar. Liar. “What’s complicated about it?” Her face screwed up in disbelief, the tint of pink in her cheeks upping her adorable factor. No wonder all the men stared; my best friend was a living doll. “Deny it all you want, Meli, but I know you like him.” I swallowed back half my beer as I wrestled with that notion. She was right, of course; I did like him. But liking Zane magic-lips Wilder was never the issue. “We work together, and he’s the resort owner’s nephew. What if it ends badly, or worse, what if my boss finds out?” “Didn’t your boss meet her husband at the resort?” I took another deep swig of beer and avoided answering her question. But Avery kept on rolling. “In fact,” she mused, her head tilting to the side like a fascinated kitten. “Didn’t you mention he was her boss at the time? Call me crazy, but I think that’s fraternizing-101.”

Only on Amazon + Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited

About Kim

Kim Bailey is a born procrastinator and sarcasm junkie who gets her motivation from coffee and good books. She enjoys lively conversations, usually with imaginary people, and can often be found daydreaming at work. Most of all, she loves writing about love. Her romance stories range from small-town contemporaries to action-packed suspense but always have a high heat level. She writes strong-willed women, broody alpha males, deep family bonds, and fiercely passionate lovers. Kim proudly became a USA Today Best-Selling Author with her contribution to Wanted: An Outlaw Anthology. This charity anthology raised over $5000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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About the Holiday Springs Resort Series

 

  Nestled deep in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Holiday Springs Resort promises to bring the heat this winter! Join Forever Write PR and seven amazing authors as they take to the slopes on the adventure of a lifetime and find their happily ever afters. From hot bartenders to brooding exes, Holiday Springs Resort is the place to be. Each story features a brand new couple and a fun trope to love from our amazing line up of authors including: second chance romance and best friend's sibling to jilted brides and friends to lovers. Your holiday wonderland won’t be complete without a widower, office, and enemies to lovers romance. We’ve got a remarkable line of up must-read romance authors including, A.M. Williams, Julie Archer, Kim Bailey, Moni Boyce, S.E. Rose, Stacey Lewis, and B. Ivy Woods. Follow the Holiday Spring Resort series on Facebook for more on release dates, cover reveals, and exclusive book news ➝ https://www.facebook.com/HolidaySpringsSeries/ This series and all promotional events are brought to you by Forever Write PR - Forever your source for all your writing needs. https://www.facebook.com/ForeverWritePR/

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

HFV Book Tours Book Review: His Castilian Hawk

 


His Castilian Hawk by Anna Belfrage

Publication Date: September 28, 2020
Troubador Publishing

Genre: Historical Fiction


For bastard-born Robert FitzStephan, being given Eleanor d’Outremer in marriage is an honour. For Eleanor, this forced wedding is anything but a fairy tale.

Robert FitzStephan has served Edward Longshanks loyally since the age of twelve. Now he is riding with his king to once and for all bring Wales under English control.

Eleanor d’Outremer—Noor to family—lost her Castilian mother as a child and is left entirely alone when her father and brother are killed. When ordered to wed the unknown Robert FitzStephan, she has no choice but to comply.

Two strangers in a marriage bed is not easy. Things are further complicated by Noor’s blood-ties to the Welsh princes and by covetous Edith who has warmed Robert’s bed for years.

Robert’s new wife may be young and innocent, but he is soon to discover that not only is she spirited and proud, she is also brave. Because when Wales lies gasping and Edward I exacts terrible justice on the last prince and his children, Noor is determined to save at least one member of the House of Aberffraw from the English king.

Will years of ingrained service have Robert standing with his king or will he follow his heart and protect his wife, his beautiful and fierce Castilian hawk?

Available on Amazon


Review:  Anna Belfrage is one of those authors that I always go to when I want a book that I know I'll enjoy. I also usually need quite a bit of time to read them, because Anna Belfrage is the Queen of chonky books. I think I say this every time I read one of her books too

She always weaves perfect stories of history and fiction. In this one we go back to the time of Edward Longshanks with one of his loyal subjects and an arranged marriage that grows into so much more.

Robert and Noor have a wonderful love story, and it really becomes that. I loved the two of them, and their marriage faced so many struggles to become what it was, a true love match.

Robert had a mistress, Edith who is evil personified. I don't think I've ever read a book where I've hated a character so much.  Even if you aren't prone to having emotions towards characters, YOU WILL HATE HER and all those that surround her. Let me tell you you will spend a lot of time in this book hating her, because she's not dealt with until close to the end.

Then there's Noor. I love her. She's strong. She's driven by her heart which often gets her in trouble and she fights for what is hers.

I love the dynamics of this story. Its so much a family saga in some ways, with Robert's family and even with the things we learn about Noor's family, especially in relation to the Queen.

I loved so much about this book, because you get political aspect of the time, but you also get the court aspects and dramas surrounding King Edward and Queen Eleanor.

Its amazing reading really.

My only gripe was what happened to Noor's dog. I will say in most books...what happened would have been a deal breaker. I would have set the book down and never moved on, but I had to keep pressing on.

As always Anna leaves you wanting more and thankfully this is the start of a new series, so we can be guaranteed just that.

Rating: 5 flowers




About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England.

More recently, Anna has published The Wanderer, a fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal and time-slip ingredients. While she loved stepping out of her comfort zone (and will likely do so again ) she is delighted to be back in medieval times in her September 2020 release, His Castilian Hawk. Set against the complications of Edward I’s invasion of Wales, His Castilian Hawk is a story of loyalty, integrity—and love.

Find out more about Anna on her website or on her Amazon page. You can also follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Blog Tour Schedule

Saturday, October 24
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Monday, October 26
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink

Tuesday, October 27
Review at Rajiv's Reviews

Wednesday, October 28
Guest Post at Novels Alive

Friday, October 30
Excerpt at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Sunday, November 1
Interview at Reader_ceygo

Tuesday, November 3
Review at YA, It's Lit

Wednesday, November 4
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Friday, November 6
Review at Passages to the Past

Monday, November 9
Excerpt at I'm Into Books

Tuesday, November 10
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, November 12
Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Monday, November 16
Review at Reader_ceygo
Review at Just One More Chapter

Tuesday, November 17
Review at Books and Zebras

Wednesday, November 18
Review at Novels Alive

Thursday, November 19
Review at Books, Cooks, Looks

Friday, November 20
Feature at The Lit Bitch
Review at Bookramblings
Interview at Books & Benches

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away two paperback copies of His Castilian Hawk! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

The giveaway is open internationally and ends on November 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Castilian Hawk

Goddess Fish Promotions Book Review: A Very Witchy Yuletide

 





A Very Witchy Yuletide

by D. Lieber

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


GENRE: Contemporary pagan holiday romance


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BLURB:


First love is hard to forget, and even harder to ignore…


Evergreen Pendre wasn’t planning on going home for Yule. But when her Mom tells her the old coven is coming for a visit, she wants to see everyone. Well, almost everyone.


After four and a half years, Sawyer Collins finally has a chance to reconnect with his first love, Eeva Pendre. He might have been too shy to tell her how he felt before, but he’s changed. And he’s determined not to let her slip away this time.


As the coven prepares for Yule, they are reminded that not everyone has the holiday spirit in this contemporary Pagan holiday romance.


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EXCERPTS 


Sawyer looked up just as Eeva stopped short upon entering the living room. She was still in her pajamas: flannel plaid pants with an oversized hoodie and fuzzy socks. Her long, brown hair was dyed a dark green, and it was still messy from sleep. 


His heart throbbed in his chest, and he held his breath as he met her deep ocean blue eyes. His memories hadn’t done her justice.


“Hey,” he said lamely. “It’s uh…been a while.” He cleared his throat, his own voice sounding hoarse and uneven in his ears.


She blinked as if she’d forgotten who he was then frowned. “Yeah, I suppose that happens in life… How is…everything? I mean, I hope you and your mom are doing all right.” Her tone was distant and polite. Formal.


His stomach clenched as his raised hopes deflated. “Yeah, everything’s fine. We’re both good. And you?”


“Same.”


As the strained silence grew between them, Sawyer grasped for something to say. Anything. “So…my mom says you’re graduating soon. What are you studying?” He knew very well she was studying history. It didn’t matter that he’d said more times than he could count that he didn’t care. The moment his mother mentioned her, he’d always internalized the information. And he’d taken more than a few glances at her social media profiles over the years, though he’d gotten better about that.


“Eeva!” his mother called, entering the room before they could struggle on in their conversation.


Review; I've never really read a book about "real" witches. When I've read witchy books..well it ends up being more like Sabrina and Samantha Stephens. 

But suffice to say I read this one and really enjoyed learning a bit more about the pagan religion. That for me set this book apart from my usual reads. Also its kind of new adult as our characters are in the college/just out of college age bracket, its also stepping out of my comfort zone a bit.

It was also nice to see a main character that has a disability, Evergreen is blind-ish. 

This is a friends to lovers romance with a twist. This isn't your typical holiday romance. This isn't Christmas. This is Yuletide. I love learning about religions.

But I will say that the relationship between Eeva and Sawyer frustrated the hell out of me for the most part. Its pretty much a clean romance until the last part of the book, when THEY FINALLY GET TOGETHER, but then they don't. At the halfway point of this book I was already yelling at them to just have sex already.



Rating: 4 flowers



~~~~~~~~~~~~~


AUTHOR Bio and Links:


D. Lieber is an urban fantasy author with a wanderlust that would make a butterfly envious. When she isn’t planning her next physical adventure, she’s recklessly jumping from one fictional world to another. Her love of reading led her to earn a Bachelor’s in English from Wright State University.


Beyond her skeptic and slightly pessimistic mind, Lieber wants to believe. She has been many places—from Canada to England, France to Italy, Germany to Russia—believing that a better world comes from putting a face on “other.” She is a romantic idealist at heart, always fighting to keep her feet on the ground and her head in the clouds.


Lieber lives in Wisconsin with her husband (John) and cats (Yin and Nox). 


Published Works:

Conjuring Zephyr June 2016

The Exiled Otherkin November 2017

Intended Bondmates June 2018

In Search of a Witch’s Soul (Council of Covens Noir, #1) March 2019

Dancing with Shades (Council of Covens Noir, #0) August 2019

Once in a Black Moon March 2020

A Very Witchy Yuletide October 2020


Links

Website: www.dlieber.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/AuthorDLieber 

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/dlieberwriting

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/d-lieber


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE


D. Lieber will be awarding a hand carved tree of life tarot/jewelry/keepsake box (carved by DhewaDecor) to a randomly drawn winner (US ONLY) via rafflecopter during the tour.


RAFFLECOPTER:


<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3455/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="28e4345f3455" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_09896yja">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

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Saturday, November 7, 2020

Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: No Gravestone Unturned



Author: Debbie De Louise

Title: No Gravestone Unturned

Publisher: Solstice Publishing

Publish Date: Oct 5, 2020

Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: 

It’s October in Cobble Cove, and Alicia is busy preparing for the library’s Halloween party when she learns that John’s aunt from Florida has died and that John’s cousins and their spouses are coming to town to bury their mother. The day after the funeral, the caretaker’s son is found dead by John’s grandfather’s gravestone, from a blow on the head. The only witness seems to be Sneaky the library cat, who, having left the library, turned up at Alicia’s door with blood and dirt on him. 


As Alicia, Gilly, and Sheriff Ramsay investigate, a generation of family secrets is uncovered. Is one of the guests staying at the inn a killer? Will the humans solve the crime, and can Sneaky, Kittykai, and Salem, the inn’s guest cat, team up to help


Review: This is a short fun Halloween-y cozy. It was a little slow to start for me, but since I hadn't read any of the other books in the series, it was nice to get to know the characters better in that time.  Its book 5 in the Cobble Cove series, but like all cozies you can just dive into this fun mystery.

I really enjoyed getting to know Alicia, John, and their friends and furbabies in this book. The murder involve a lot of family secrets, which you learn about through some flashback scenes. Then there are the kitties, who are more than just family pets.  I love when the animals become actual characters. Kind of like the Sneaky Pie mysteries. 

There's a lot going on with Alicia and John as the mystery progresses. I really loved learning the family secrets and the connection to the murder and some other nasty goings on.

It was an entertaining read that kept me on my toes.

I loved that it kept me guessing too.

A perfect seasonal read!

Rating: 5 flowers




About Debbie De Louise

Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. She is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, International Thriller Writers, the Long Island Authors Group, and the Cat Writers’ Association. She has a BA in English and an MLS in Library Science from Long Island University. Her novels include the four books of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series: A Stone’s Throw, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Written in Stone, and Love on the Rocks. Debbie has also written a romantic comedy novella, When Jack Trumps Ace, a paranormal romance, Cloudy Rainbow, and the standalone mysteries Reason to Die and Sea Scope. Her latest book, Memory Makers, is a medical thriller. She lives on Long Island with her husband, Anthony; daughter, Holly; and three cats, Stripey, Harry, and Hermione.

Author Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2bIHdaQ All Author: https://allauthor.com/author/debbiedelouise/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbie_writer/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiedelouise/ Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debbie-de-louise Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/debbiedelouise Debbie’s Character’s Chat Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/748912598599469/ Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.com Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog: https://Sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com Purchase Link - Amazon - a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Preorder Blitz: Unwrapped

 



Unwrapped by Evelyn Sola is coming soon! Don’t miss this must-read, love under the mistletoe, forbidden romance.

Preorder Now!

Amazon https://amzn.to/36kG0SE

 

  There are many rules to follow as your mom’s guest at the company holiday party. Rule one – do not, under any circumstances, find the new boss so attractive. Rule two – definitely do not undress him with your eyes. Rule three – if he slips you his phone number, throw it away. I repeat, throw it away. Who cares if just one look into his blue eyes makes you want to drag him underneath the nearest mistletoe? Rule four – when you show up at his house the next day, do not let him kiss you. Your lips are meant to say good-bye. Rule five – at no point should you let him take off your clothes like he’s unwrapping his sexy Christmas gift. And moaning will only make it worse. Rule six – rule six is a bonus rule, so pay attention. Forget rules one through five. Add to Goodreads! Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55409326-unwrapped


About the author

A Boston native, wife, mother, and wine enthusiast. If she’s not writing, thinking about writing, you will find her with a book in her hands. While a new publisher, she’s been writing for years, and she will continue to write for many years to come. Evelyn is obsessed with assertive and confident men who will stop at nothing to get their woman. Her stories are filled with love, passion, and humor. She currently lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two daughters. Follow: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Reader Group | Goodreads | BookBub | Newsletter | Amazon   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/evelynsolaauthor/ Twitter https://twitter.com/WritesEvelyn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/EvelynWritesEveryday/ Reader Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2572728646312337/ Goodreads → https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19962897.Evelyn_Sola BookBub → https://www.bookbub.com/profile/evelyn-sola Newsletter → http://eepurl.com/gRK-qP Amazon → https://www.amazon.com/Evelyn-Sola/e/B0855QJGYX

This promotional event is brought to you by Forever Write PR

https://www.foreverwritepr.com/

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Goddess Fish Promotions Book Review: Silver Bells







 

GENRE: Contemporary Romance
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

BLURB: Alice had to act, and she had to act fast: a girl’s life depended on it.

A series of coincidental events leave Alice with more questions than answers. Could the sick little girl in need of a bone marrow transplant be the daughter she gave up for adoption ten years before? To become close to the girl without revealing her identity, Alice develops a plan to cast the girl’s uncle, a chocolatier, as a contestant on a live Christmas Eve show.

A television cooking competition was never in Niko’s plans, but when his sick niece expresses her wish for him to compete on the show, he reluctantly agrees. His past as an MMA fighter taught him to guard himself from punches being thrown his direction, but he wasn’t prepared for the fallout of letting his emotional guard down for Alice.

When sparks fly between Alice and Niko in and out of the kitchen, will the secrets Alice keeps shatter the budding relationship?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

Chloe let out a piercing little girl scream, and the whole crowd instantly quieted. She brought a pale hand to her mouth, her eyes shimmering with excited tears. A man rushed into the area behind the counter and stopped by the glass display case, his frantic stare locked on Chloe. Chloe looked from the man to Alice and pointed. “Uncle Niko, you’re gonna be on 3Square. You’re gonna be on the show!” Charcoal-grey eyes rimmed with black lashes turned in Alice’s direction and her heart beat a little bit faster. Niko Stavo straightened his tall frame and shifted a motorcycle helmet from his left to his right hand, confusion furrowing his brow. Instead of a chef’s jacket, he sported a black leather vest over a black long-sleeved T-shirt, and leather chaps over a pair of jeans.

Brooke was definitely right; there was something to be said about a man in chaps.

Niko looked in her direction, lifting one heavy eyebrow, its thickness disfigured by a scar. An ex-Mixed Martial Arts fighter, there was no denying the raw masculinity that he exuded.

The rebel in her responded to the call of the sexy man, alarm bells ringing in her head. Caught staring like some love-struck teenager, she lowered her gaze, set down the CG cups, and retrieved a business card. “I’m Alice Carlson with the EN Channel, and I’m the producer of 3Square. Our studio executive was so touched by your application question, he decided to create a Christmas special featuring only desserts.”

Niko leaned his hip against the counter. “There must be some mistake. I didn’t ask to be on any show.”

Alice’s stomach plummeted to the dark hardwood floor. There was no special without Niko Stavo. And without the special, she couldn’t stay in Seattle. And if she couldn’t stay in Seattle, she’d have to postpone the tests that might save a girl’s life. Possibly the life of the little girl right next to her. She risked a glance at Chloe, and a rock formed in her throat. The little girl who might be her own.


Review: If you are fans of holiday romance and cooking type shows, Silver Bells is the book for you. I adored the story which was a little different. 

Alice gave up a child years ago and Niko's niece Chloe is that child. She's suffering from leukemia and may not have long to live. Niko is reluctantly appearing on the show 3Square to help pay for her medical bills. (Its a food competition show)

If this isn't the recipe for a Hallmark Style Movie I don't know what is. I kept thinking...OMG,  I don't usually watch those kinds of movies, but this book..well it would make a perfect holiday film! 

Alice would give anything for the daughter she gave up, but she has to keep things from Niko and that's hard because the chemistry between to the two is electric.

Niko is a wonderful mix of tough guy and softie. He is a fighter turned chocolatier. His family background is great too.

Alice's life however has been far from great. She spent years in foster care and then looked for love in all the wrong places. The man who fathered Chloe....what a douche canoe!  

I loved the bits of the competition as well as Alice and Chloe's developing relationship.

This was really a heartwarming story with a bit of a steamy side to it.

Rating : 4 flowers





 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Anne Shaw is the author of both contemporary and historical romances. She lives in western Washington with her four-legged friend Larry, a quirky cat who stares at her for hours on end while she loses herself in a world where a sexy hero, and bold heroine face unsurmountable odds to reach the ultimate goal, a happily-ever-after. If you like rom-dramedies, then visit www.Anne-Shaw.com.

Website: https://Anne-Shaw.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anne.shaw.501151 Twitter: https://twitter.com/anneshawcom1 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1423794.Anne_Shaw

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

Anne Shaw will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Please use this rafflecopter code on your post: a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Book Review: The Signature of All Things


 Author: Elizabeth Gilbert

Title: The Signature of All Things

Publisher: Riverhead Books

Publish Date: Oct 1, 2013

Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: In The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert returns to fiction, inserting her inimitable voice into an enthralling story of love, adventure and discovery. Spanning much of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the novel follows the fortunes of the extraordinary Whittaker family as led by the enterprising Henry Whittaker—a poor-born Englishman who makes a great fortune in the South American quinine trade, eventually becoming the richest man in Philadelphia. Born in 1800, Henry's brilliant daughter, Alma (who inherits both her father's money and his mind), ultimately becomes a botanist of considerable gifts herself. As Alma's research takes her deeper into the mysteries of evolution, she falls in love with a man named Ambrose Pike who makes incomparable paintings of orchids and who draws her in the exact opposite direction — into the realm of the spiritual, the divine, and the magical. Alma is a clear-minded scientist; Ambrose a utopian artist — but what unites this unlikely couple is a desperate need to understand the workings of this world and the mechanisms behind all life. 


Exquisitely researched and told at a galloping pace, The Signature of All Things soars across the globe—from London to Peru to Philadelphia to Tahiti to Amsterdam, and beyond. Along the way, the story is peopled with unforgettable characters: missionaries, abolitionists, adventurers, astronomers, sea captains, geniuses, and the quite mad. But most memorable of all, it is the story of Alma Whittaker, who — born in the Age of Enlightenment, but living well into the Industrial Revolution — bears witness to that extraordinary moment in human history when all the old assumptions about science, religion, commerce, and class were exploding into dangerous new ideas. Written in the bold, questing spirit of that singular time, Gilbert's wise, deep, and spellbinding tale is certain to capture the hearts and minds of readers.

Review:  Back when lockdown started, The Signature of All Things had been on a list of books to read during quarantine. I requested it from the library before everything got shut down, but I didn't get the book until recently. 

The Signature of All Things is one of those books that leave you wondering. I never read Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. so I didn't know her writing style. I wondered why I was investing so much time in this book. I wondered why Alma didn't try to grasp what she could out of life when she had it.

This story is about Alma Whittaker for the most part, though the first part of the book deals mostly with how her father came about his fortune in the world of Botany.

For me Alma's story is one part science and one part family saga. The Whittaker family is rather unusual, Alma being the only natural child of Henry and Beatrix. There is also an adopted daughter, Prudence who figures in Alma's life in a stranger way than that of the average sister.

Gilbert's writing, while lyrical, told too much of the story, without letting us really get to know any of the characters as well as you should, especially in a tome of 500 pages.

My biggest take away from this book was poor poor Alma. She had a very scientific mind, thus she should and was unattractive and unable to find love, which she definitely seemed to be seeking. (And always left disappointed) Even when she did find someone who shared an affection for her things did not turn out as she expected.

I loved that as a woman in the 1800s she was allowed to follow her mind and develop ideas of her own. But why should she be left without love? I felt that had none throughout most of her life from anyone, parents, siblings and friends included and her weird upbringing made her more than a little socially inept.

For the most part, the story is depressing, because as I've said, Poor Alma. I like a happily ever after kind of ending, even if the story isn't a romance. Alma didn't have any personal satisfaction, either in her studies, or her private life.

So 500 sweeping pages of poor poor Alma.

It wasn't the best of reads but it also wasn't the worst.



 
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