tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15688076957229858712024-03-14T02:36:17.458-07:00To Each Their Own ReviewsChelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.comBlogger571125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-63029346119340549882022-07-19T08:28:00.004-07:002022-07-19T08:29:29.829-07:00A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgegBytE2Upbgn7clSw0AB-Prd1e_dB8DN4YjlQYXij0qQdml3jeBn1PdczuQyzvVt_WyBaOlb79MjDXCBdIFQSFcPqMf91oc1_4IUueBjM6CoBInuwWrvOG7SBb_HzRNJTcZiTpomVMqPRJFZro06ndRvsk3R1HBrVhQCKmYbdDyFXvF-VT8q3UnZl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgegBytE2Upbgn7clSw0AB-Prd1e_dB8DN4YjlQYXij0qQdml3jeBn1PdczuQyzvVt_WyBaOlb79MjDXCBdIFQSFcPqMf91oc1_4IUueBjM6CoBInuwWrvOG7SBb_HzRNJTcZiTpomVMqPRJFZro06ndRvsk3R1HBrVhQCKmYbdDyFXvF-VT8q3UnZl" width="159" /></a></div><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><br />The Basics:</span></i><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">Viking</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">Historical Romance</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">Published July 12, 2022</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">Source: Received Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Ladys-Guide-Fortune-Hunting-Novel-ebook" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59656358-a-lady-s-guide-to-fortune-hunting?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=B6Pf9JKKpg&rank=1" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Why I picked up this book:</i><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">I was completely hooked by the blurb.</span><div><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Blurb:</b></i></p><p><span class="a-text-bold" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">A whip-smart historical rom-com debut that follows an entirely unconventional heroine who throws herself into the London Season in hopes of finding a wealthy husband to save her family from ruin. But the last thing she expects is to find love…</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />When Kitty Talbot is jilted by her fiancé three months before their wedding, the future looks dark. Without his fortune to pay off her late father’s gambling debts, she and her four sisters face certain ruin.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But Kitty has never backed down from a challenge, so she leaves the countryside and heads toward the most dangerous battleground in all of Regency England: The London Season. <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The aim is simplee: find a wealthy bachelor to wed in order save the Talbot family from destitution.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Kitty is neither accomplished nor all that genteel, but she is utterly single-minded; imbued with her father’s gambling spirit, Kitty knows that risk is just part of the game. What she doesn’t anticipate is Lord Radcliffe, elder brother of the deliciously wealthy Archibald de Lacy. Radcliffe sees Kitty for the fortune-hunter that she really is, and is determined to scotch her plans at all costs…<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A scintillating mano-a-mano between Kitty and Lord Radcliffe will turn into the romance of the year, one whose brilliant repartee and enticing wit make </span><span class="a-text-italic" face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;">A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting</span><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"> a pure delight.</span></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">My Thoughts:</b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting is quite a solid debut for author Sophie Irwin. Featuring a very determined young woman with the fate of her sisters weighing on her mind and a protective older brother determined to save his younger brother from a loveless marriage, the bulk of the story hinges on Kitty's efforts to find a suitable suitor. She casts a wide net through London society!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I found the early chapters a bit hard-going. The sisters aren't presented in the most favorable of lights, making it a little harder to root for them. Kitty is presented as quite practical and needfully mercenary and manipulative. The manipulation was a bit hard for me, but she grew on me as the book unfolded. I very much enjoyed her growth and came to appreciate how forthcoming and logical she was about what she had to do. I also appreciated the conversations between herself and James, the opportunities for them to support and irk each other throughout the book were the bulk of the courtship. They grew on me throughout the book, and I found the plot payoff at the end quite satisfying! Definitely worth pushing through my early uncertainties! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The book itself is quite chaste as far as romances go, so if you're looking for heat, go elsewhere. But if you'd like to read a charming historical romance featuring a heroine outside of the ton and with genuine stakes (i.e. impending loss of home due to crushing debts), read on!</span></p><p><u style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Bottom line</u><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">:</span></p><p><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">While A Lady's Guide started off in a bit of uncomfortable spot for me, the twists and turns of the plot and growth of the characters made it well worth a read. I recommend it to fans of historical romance, absolutely.</span></p><p><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">4 stars</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span face="verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">For fans of chaste historical romance, schemes, plots gone awry</span></p></div>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-26561908678320864882016-04-15T03:00:00.000-07:002016-04-15T03:00:24.015-07:00Blog Tour: Blackbird Summer by Em Shotwell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiKpGNUo0G1GYAl1oRFFwzWmRKdKxHnq_xm76KpTq9e9RccJHEI6tUSNdAXRivdFcGwZNddXec0fjLH7P-sdSQukkfdyrl2v5aN5CCpT2UssGfx2-isii16O2cutSli7J5XhC9C8QyCk/s1600/VT-BlackbirdSummer-EShotwell_FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiKpGNUo0G1GYAl1oRFFwzWmRKdKxHnq_xm76KpTq9e9RccJHEI6tUSNdAXRivdFcGwZNddXec0fjLH7P-sdSQukkfdyrl2v5aN5CCpT2UssGfx2-isii16O2cutSli7J5XhC9C8QyCk/s320/VT-BlackbirdSummer-EShotwell_FINAL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, we're taking a look at Em Shotwell's <i>Blackbird Summer.</i> Recently released by City Owl Press, this is a new adult, rural fantasy features a romance, but even more than that, focuses on family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Check out the other stops on the tour at </span><a href="http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/02/blackbird-summer-by-em-shotwell.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Tasty Book Tours</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">When people fear the unknown, being
Gifted is a curse.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">In the
cornerstone of the rural south, Brooklyn, Mississippi, no one dares make eye contact
with the strange Caibre family. Until the rewards are worth the cost. The
townsfolk come, cash in hand, always at night, to pay for services only a
Gifted can provide. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">No matter
the Gifts prevalent in her family, at twenty-one, Tallulah is expected to
follow the path laid out for her: marriage, babies, and helping her mama teach
the family home school program. She’s resigned to live the quiet life and stay
out of trouble…until she meets Logan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">An outsider
and all around rebel, Logan doesn’t care about her family’s reputation. Yet
after a tragic loss wreaks havoc on the crumbling relationship between the
Caibres and the townsfolk, Tallulah must decide if love and freedom are worth
risking everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/Blackbird1Amz">Amazon</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>|<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://smarturl.it/Blackbird1BN">B&N</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>|<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://smarturl.it/Blackbird1iBooks">iTunes</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>|<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://smarturl.it/Blackbird1Kobo">Kobo</a></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">Before I could talk
myself out of the whole thing, I shoved open the door and marched in.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“Myrtle I just need to…”
I started, my eyes trained on my sneakers.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">My heartbeat filled my
ears and I dried my palms on my jean shorts.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“I just want to
apologize.” I said to the floor, scared that if I looked up I would lose my
nerve.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“She’s in the back,”
said the deep voice from earlier.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">I jerked my gaze upward. <i>Crap.</i> I had been in such a hurry, I hadn’t thought
about the other customer. Or even Loretta, who I knew would love to see me
squirm.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">The man from the booth
was standing by the counter in the front of the diner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">I clenched my mouth
shut, embarrassed at the thought of what this man might have heard, and scared
that if I talked that I would only make it worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">The holes in my plan now
stood out in my mind, gaping wide and taunting me with how dumb the entire idea
had been. <i>Things could not get any worse.</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“Are you ok?” The
stranger asked.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">I was wrong.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">The back of my neck
prickled, the way it always did whenever my face decided it was a good time to
turn scarlet. Something too strong to be called butterflies stirred in my
stomach—it was how I imagined stage fright must feel. Both exciting and
terrifying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">I breathed deep. </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">He was tall. As a girl
who is 5’9”, I always noticed height. He had to be at least 6’2”. And slim, but
not skinny, built with the long muscles of an athlete. The dark hair that had been tucked behind his
ears, now hung lose around a wide face that was decorated with high cheekbones,
and the kind of full lips that made women jealous. </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">All of these things made
him gorgeous, but his eyes made him breathtaking. They were large, almond
shaped, and the color of moss. Green, but not magic green, and they stood out
against his tan skin. I had seen good looking men, but this man was startling.
And he definitely had to be from out of town. In a place the size of Brooklyn,
you learn most everyone’s faces, even if you don’t personally know them, and I
was certain that I had never seen this man before. I would remember a face like
that.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">And he had just said
something, while I was staring at him. <i>Dangit.</i></span><i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“Excuse me?” I asked. </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“I said that you
shouldn’t apologize to her. She was rude to you. You have nothing to be sorry
for.” His lips parted, showing white, straight teeth that wouldn’t have been
out of place in a toothpaste ad. </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">Of <i>course his smile would be as beautiful as he is</i>. I touched my
tangled pony tail, and for the first time in my life, I wished I had listened
to Delia and actually fixed my hair and changed clothes before coming into
town.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">But he had spoken to me.
That meant I had to answer. I tried to think, but every word in my vocabulary
decided to vanish, leaving me mute. <i>Mute
and homely, a winning combination, </i>I thought<i>.</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">I shook my head. <i>Good. At least I could move.</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“I didn’t mean to
eavesdrop, but that whole bit about the dude with green eyes? I mean come on. I
have green eyes and I am not gay. I mean, there isn’t anything wrong with being
gay, but I’m not. And I am not related to you either. At least I hope I’m not.
What I am saying is that, I am sure your family is lovely, it’s just that, I
can’t be related to you,” he paused, and nervously rubbed the back of his neck.
“I mean. I know I’m not because I am not even from here. What was all that
about anyway? Green eyes and your people?”</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">I was stupid in my
silence, but his rambling was somehow adorable.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“You heard that?” I
croaked. </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">My family’s freakiness
had been on full display. And then there were those disgusting threats.
Myrtle’s accusations churned in my stomach, curdling and sour like old
milk. The feeling clashed against the
butterflies and their eager fear, and suddenly I felt ill. I clamped my mouth
shut and took a deep breath through my nose, as a cold sweat prickled across my
upper lip. Throwing up would have been bad, but throwing up in front of
this man, who was a million times better
looking than me, and had just heard from
the most horrible source on the planet about how weird I was, would be a whole
new kind of terrible. </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">I could not be the story
about that time that he met this nut-case girl in po-dunk Mississippi and she
threw up all over his shoes.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">Oh God. Calm down, Tallulah.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“You were explaining
about your family to her. She was being a real asshole. This place is crazy.
That one lady yells at you, and that other girl acts offended because I didn’t
want to, I don’t know, take her in the back room. I guess here you get dinner and
a show.” </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">He stuck out his hand,
and smiled. </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“I’m Logan, by the way,”
he said.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">I stared, open-mouthed,
at the hand in front of me. Every part of me wanted to grab that hand and twine
my fingers through his and keep them there forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">Instead, I stood
stock-still. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">Something about him
pulled at me, and I wondered if he felt it, too: this beautiful trance that
wouldn’t let me turn and leave, but terrified me too much to simply reach out
and shake his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">My heart pounded out the
seconds as they lumbered by.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“This is the part where
you tell me your name,” he said, dropping his hand to his side.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">He stared into my eyes
and his expression turned serious. “That’s so strange. I know that we couldn’t
have, but have we met before? I know it’s impossible, because I’d never forget
those eyes…but it feels like I know you. Like I’ve always known you.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“Um. I. I don’t—”</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">You ain’t nothing but a hound dog…</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"> Elvis’ voice sang out from the ugly clock on the wall, snapping
me out of my stupor. It was 4:00. I had to get Delia. </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;">“I. I gotta go,” I
mumbled, turning on my heels and bolting out the door. </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">About the Author</u></h4>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Em Shotwell</span></b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"> is the author of Blackbird Summer with City Owl Press.
She believes the most interesting characters are the ones who live on the
sidelines, and that the smallest towns often hide the biggest
secrets.<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Em’s characters will bless your heart between sips of sweet tea-
but be warned! There is often more to them than meets the eye. She loves
to craft stories around outcasts and weirdos with a spark of magic and a
penchant for finding trouble.</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; line-height: 115%;">She lives in South Louisiana with a husband who spoils her and two
mini-superheroes who call her mom. When she isn’t writing about misfits and
oddballs, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, and debating Doctor Who
facts with her obsessed ten year old.</span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.emshotwell.com/">Website</a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Em-Shotwell-467630796742143">Facebook</a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/MamaCrazySocks">Twitter</a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14808943.Em_Shotwell">GoodReads</a> </span></span></b></div>
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Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-78967619068812167012016-04-12T08:00:00.000-07:002016-04-13T03:52:18.766-07:00Blog Tour: Artificial by Jadah McCoy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygNYhg7MQQ6jO4bt9lq5ZNgZA4ov_SnJMbVeSwBM0fwy-zfileEd_FwxvkhjuIUZ1yFUdh0Jsf21Q1jkGAH0SMEBOSD1uc7-1pc0Vv-WNAfVCw471q9Zm0v7LxiUmbeChze3GX-p6M-U/s1600/Review+tour+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygNYhg7MQQ6jO4bt9lq5ZNgZA4ov_SnJMbVeSwBM0fwy-zfileEd_FwxvkhjuIUZ1yFUdh0Jsf21Q1jkGAH0SMEBOSD1uc7-1pc0Vv-WNAfVCw471q9Zm0v7LxiUmbeChze3GX-p6M-U/s320/Review+tour+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The always delightful Curiosity Quills Press let me join in on this blog tour for <i>Artificial </i>by Jadah McCoy. This is science fiction with a heart. And some really freaky, bio-engineered monsters. As, you know, science fiction tends to have. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This book is the first in a planned trilogy, and with a cover this gorgeous, I couldn't resist hopping on board!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>The Book</u></span></h3>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"></span></b>SHE STRUGGLES TO FEEL HUMAN.<br />
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In 2256, the only remnants of civilization on Earth’s first colonized planet, Kepler, are the plant-covered buildings and
the nocturnal, genetically spliced bug-people nesting within them: the Cull. During the day, Syl leaves her home in the
sewers beneath Elite City to scavenge for food, but at night the Cull come looking for a meal of their own. Syl thought
gene splicing died with the Android War a century ago. She thought the bugs could be exterminated, Elite city rebuilt,
and the population replenished. She’s wrong.<br />
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Whoever engineered the Cull isn’t done playing God. Syl is abducted and tortured in horrific experiments which result
in her own DNA being spliced, slowly turning her into one of the bugs. Now she must find a cure and stop the person
responsible before every remaining man, woman, and child on Kepler is transformed into the abomination they fear.<br />
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HE STRUGGLES NOT TO.<br />
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For Bastion, being an android in the sex industry isn’t so bad. Clubbing beneath the streets of New Elite by day and
seducing the rich by night isn’t an altogether undesirable occupation. But every day a new android cadaver appears
in the slum gutters, and each caved in metal skull and heap of mangled wires whittles away at him.<br />
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Glitches—androids with empathy—are being murdered, their models discontinued and strung up as a warning. Show
emotion, you die. Good thing Bastion can keep a secret, or he would be the next body lining the street.<br />
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He can almost live with hiding his emotions. That is, until a girl shows up in the slums—a human girl, who claims she
was an experiment. And in New Elite, being a human is even worse than being a Glitch. Now Bastion must help the
girl escape before he becomes victim to his too-human emotions, one way or another.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Artificial </i></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">is available now<i>!</i></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Artificial-Jadah-McCoy-ebook/dp/B01CDAA1IA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1460430581&sr=8-2&keywords=artificial" target="_blank"><b>Amazon</b></a><b> | </b></span></span><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28682101-artificial?from_new_nav=true&ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></b></div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Review</span></u></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Straight off the bat, I loved <i>Artificial</i>. It's unlike anything I've been reading lately, and was a really welcome breath of fresh air. The book is science fiction with a very light romantic undertone. The story's told from the perspectives of the two main characters: Syl, a human focused on survival and giving her all for the survival of others, and Bastion, an android who glitches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Syl's a fantastic female character. She's tough, she's fiesty, and her quick temper get her in an appropriate amount of hot water. There's no glossing over her character flaw. Bastion's chapters were also excellent, though I think he reads a bit flatter and overly polished in the ones from Syl's perspective.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I did find that the first few chapters were slow, but after that, things moved forward at the perfect, frantic pace. There were a few other odd little things that didn't hit me quite right. Syl's relationship with one of the men she grew up with was complex, but simplified at odd moments - either they were friends or enemies, and never did Syl recognize the relationship as anything shaded in between. I also thought her ability to bounce back from injury needed to be either better explained, or the injuries should have had a more lasting impact. But I was willing to go with it, because the story here is *so compelling.*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also thought that while the world of <i>Artificial</i> was really intriguing, with its remnants of humanity, with the Cull and so on, but there were some parts that were never adequately described for me. I never really sunk into New Elite, never really visualized it in a way that made it come alive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because <i>Artificial</i> is the first of a planned trilogy, I expect more of the background of the world to be shaded in, as well as for the relationship between Syl and Bastion to be fleshed out. The story ends on quite an intriguing note, and I'm very curious to see where author Jadah McCoy takes it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Bottom Line</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you like your science fiction to be on the edge of survival, with androids in the mix, grab this one. Despite the sex industry implication, the most adult things in this book are the violence, so don't be put off if you like your romance kept PG.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4.5 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of science fiction, androids, badass female characters. </span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">About the Author</u></h4>
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Jadah currently lives in Nashville, TN and works as a legal
coordinator. When not babysitting attorneys, she can
be found juicing her brain for creative ideas or fantasizing
about her next trip out of the country (or about Tom Hiddleston
as Loki - it’s always a toss up when she fantasizes.)<br />
<br />
She grew up in rural Arkansas, yet can still write good
and sometimes even wears shoes! She did date her first
cousin for a while but they decided against marriage for
the sake of the gene pool.<br />
<br />
Her true loves are elephants, cursing, and sangria - in that
order. If you find an elephant that curses like a sailor whilst
drinking sangria, you’re dangerously close to becoming
her next romantic victim - er, partner.<br />
<br />
She cut her writing teeth on badly written, hormone-driven
fanfiction (be glad that’s out of her system), and her one
true dream is to have wildly erotic fanfiction with dubious
grammar written about her own novels. Please make her
dreams come true.</div>
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Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-87689218347897061872016-03-29T02:00:00.000-07:002016-04-07T00:32:35.501-07:00Blog Tour: Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, I'm whisking you away to a Cornish island<i>. </i>Okay, maybe <i>I'm</i> not doing that, but the lovely <i>Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery</i> will take you there.<i> </i>Written by Jenny Colgan and published by William Morrow, this is the second book set on Little Beach Street, and I think you'll find it's a lovely place, well worth a second visit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Check out the other stops on the tour at </span><a href="http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/01/summer-at-little-beach-street-bakery.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Tasty Book Tours</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>The Book</u></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgH0ze5PCRJTdSzfMGliaXN4tuqXmw2nhaMASCzBrJmg02SS6-4hko_j1tlgGpzxG5XEQYsxfCpZRxoYIfrEq1Vmxm_5IVAYVsj7KSDIWlEvGg6KZfrE-cFBIdQtE3tzUzqtw0FCf1Jec/s1600/SummeratLittleBeachSt+cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgH0ze5PCRJTdSzfMGliaXN4tuqXmw2nhaMASCzBrJmg02SS6-4hko_j1tlgGpzxG5XEQYsxfCpZRxoYIfrEq1Vmxm_5IVAYVsj7KSDIWlEvGg6KZfrE-cFBIdQtE3tzUzqtw0FCf1Jec/s320/SummeratLittleBeachSt+cover.JPG" width="212" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">The New York Times-bestselling
author of Little Beach Street Bakery and Christmas at the Cupcake Café returns
with a delightful new novel-with recipes!-that is already an international
bestseller and is perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Meg Donohue, and Sophie
Kinsella.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">For fans of Jojo Moyes and Elin
Hilderbrand, an irresistible novel—moving and funny, soulful and sweet—about
happiness, heartache, and hope. And recipes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">A thriving bakery. A lighthouse to
call home. A handsome beekeeper. A pet puffin. These are the things that Polly
Waterford can call her own. This is the beautiful life she leads on a tiny
island off the southern coast of England.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">But clouds are gathering on the
horizon. A stranger threatens to ruin Polly’s business. Her beloved boyfriend
seems to be leading a secret life. And the arrival of a newcomer—a bereft widow
desperately searching for a fresh start—forces Polly to reconsider the choices
she’s made, even as she tries to help her new friend through grief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Unpredictable and unforgettable,
this delightful novel will make you laugh, cry, and long for a lighthouse of
your own. Recipes included.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery</i></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">is available now<i>!</i></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/006237124X/"><b>Amazon</b></a><b> | </b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summer-at-little-beach-street-bakery-jenny-colgan/1122036674?ean=9780062371249"><b>B
& N</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jenny_Colgan_Summer_at_Little_Beach_Street_Bakery?id=vI3BCQAAQBAJ"><b>Google
Play</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/summer-at-little-beach-street/id1000746823?mt=11"><b>iTunes</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/summer-at-little-beach-street-bakery-1"><b>Kobo</b></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><b><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23477296-summer-at-little-beach-street-bakery" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/144257-little-beach-street-bakery" target="_blank">Goodreads Series</a></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 16.8667px;"><b><u>Q&A with Author</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><b>Jenny, congratulations on the release of SUMMER AT LITTLE BEACH STREET Bakery. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><b>Tell us the truth, how much fun is the research?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">Oh I just love bread so much. I am terrible. If I’m making, eg, cheese rolls it’s hard to actually get them to </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">the table, instead of just eating them straight out of the oven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><b>What is your favorite part of the writing process? Exploring new story lines? Getting to know the </b></span></span><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">characters more in depth?</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">I love the big bits everyone loves- the first meeting, the first kiss, the deaths! All the big dramatic scenes </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">are fun. If I manage to get a bit of a tear jerker in I’m delighted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><b>Do you have a character that is most like you, and how?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">Oh yes, but from way back really; probably Holly in Talking to Addison. Her life is a lot like mine was </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">then in my twenties. These days all my characters are much more capable and calmer than I am! I </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">generally favour the ‘headless chicken’ approach to life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><b>Do you have a favorite scene from SUMMER AT LITTLE BEACH STREET?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">Anything with Neil in it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><b>Do you have a favorite recipe or go-to comfort dessert?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">I do love a lemon cake. I like it far too lemon-y, far more than anyone else likes . </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><b>What are you working on now?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">I am writing <i>Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery</i>, and a new children’s story for Neil!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><b>Thank you for chatting with us!</b></span></span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Review</span></u></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I bought and read the first book in the Little Beach Street series so I could feel prepared for <i>Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery</i>. I really loved the first book, and this one lived up to my expectations for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's breezy fun, great for a spring day, and it had me wanting to go on holiday. The landscape is such an important character, in its own right, that I wanted to drive somewhere equally lovely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There's some depth to this book, but even more so than the first book, I felt <i>Summer </i>leaned toward chick lit. There are definitely some serious moments, but overall, I think this is a more entertaining book than thought-provoking one (if you don't mind me drawing the chick lit/women's fiction line on that ground...). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All the familiar characters are back, with a few new and even quirkier ones to fill out the cast. Some of them lacked a little dimension beyond their eccentricities or assigned traits, but I think that actually worked okay in this particular book. I was kind of propelled along from one crazy event to the next, without needing to really dwell on any of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The interjections of therapy sessions for one of the secondary characters, Selina, were a new element, compared to first book. They definitely added a needed dimension, a bit of seriousness, but it was a bit odd given that Polly and Huckle were the main point-of-view characters. Possibly a sign that the series will transition to Selina in future? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'd be quite happy to return to Little Beach Street in the future!</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bottom Line</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery</i> was a very entertaining read. It makes for a great spring-summer read, and it had me wanting to try my hand at bread-baking. Absolutely enjoyable! </span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4.5 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of that cusp between chick lit and women's fiction, quirky characters, baking</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">About the Author</u></h4>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Jenny Colgan</span></b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"> is the New York Times-bestselling author of numerous novels,
including Christmas at the Cupcake Café, Little Beach Street Bakery, and Meet
Me at the Cupcake Café, all international bestsellers. Jenny is married with
three children and lives in London and Scotland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.jennycolgan.com/"><b>Website</b></a></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jennycolganbooks"><b>Facebook
</b></a></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://twitter.com/jennycolgan"><b>Twitter</b></a></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/39272.Jenny_Colgan"><b>Goodreads</b></a></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span></div>
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Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-65489240295264648352016-03-24T15:19:00.003-07:002016-03-24T15:19:43.053-07:00You Were Here by Cori McCarthy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Basics:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You Were Here by Cori McCarthy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sourcebooks Fire</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Contemporary YA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published March 1, 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Source: Received Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/You-Were-Here-Cori-McCarthy-ebook/dp/B017HX12UY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458857567&sr=8-1&keywords=you+were+here" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/you-were-here" target="_blank">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25679559-you-were-here" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why I picked up this book:</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was completely hooked by the blurb.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></i><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Blurb:</b></i><br />
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<span id="freeText587253333215428564" style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><strong>Grief turned Jaycee into a daredevil, but can she dare to deal with her past?</strong><br /><br />On the anniversary of her daredevil brother's death, Jaycee attempts to break into Jake's favorite hideout—the petrifying ruins of an insane asylum. Joined by four classmates, each with their own brand of dysfunction, Jaycee discovers a map detailing her brother's exploration and the unfinished dares he left behind.<br /><br />As a tribute to Jake, Jaycee vows to complete the dares, no matter how terrifying or dangerous. What she doesn't bargain on is her eccentric band of friends who challenge her to do the unthinkable: reveal the parts of herself that she buried with her brother.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><br />
<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My Thoughts:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>You Were Here</i> is the kind of YA that sucker punches you in the gut. Contemporary, and told from five different (and diverse) perspectives, <i>You Were Here</i> explores grief, friendship, love, family, memory and self-expression. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each perspective belongs to a different teenager in a group of students who have just graduated from high school and are embarking on their last summer before going their separate ways. They're brought together on the anniversary of Jaycee's older brother's death, and all carry their own secrets. The story is as much about each of them working through this strange twilight period of teenage-hood--negotiating a path through the secrets they hold now, the hopes they have for their own futures, and those tricky moments of self-discovery, when a more mature self has to confront childish beliefs. I really, really loved this book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two of the perspectives are included in the form of art - one is comic strips, the other images of pieces of art created by the character through the course of the story. Two perspectives belong to former best friends Jaycee and Natalie, and the last is Natalie's boyfriend, Zach. I loved the layers in this story. There's a lot happening on the surface, but the book also peels things back and lets us see the guts of these characters, so we can really understand what motivates them. None of these characters are really <i>easy</i>, but instead I found myself embracing their flaws, and rooting for each one to find their way to a happier, healthier place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I loved the urbex - urban exploration - component of the story. Urban ruins are fascinating, and each location was described so vividly, and felt so familiar even though I've never explored an urban ruin before... It was very easy to visualize the story, and I would happily watch a movie version of this one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>You Were Here</i> was very emotional. I don't normally love crying when I'm reading; I'm really about the entertainment factor, but some books make it worth it. Absolutely, this is one of them.</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottom line</u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>You Were Here </i>is one of my favourite reads of 2016 so far. It was emotional and really resonated with me. Even if the experiences of the characters were more extreme than anything I went through in my teenage years, I could still really relate with them. McCarthy captures that incredibly challenging maturing process alongside so many other developments. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was fully invested in these characters, and would love to read what happens to this group as they get older. I absolutely recommend this one for fans of YA!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of YA, contemporary, emotional stories, serious character development</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But don't just take my word for it! Visit the blogs below for other reviews of <i>You Were Here:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nerdprobs.com/books/book-review-you-were-here-by-cori-mccarthy/" target="_blank">#nerdproblems</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://sleepsontables.com/2016/03/09/review-cori-mccarthy/" target="_blank">Sleeps on Tables</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://wildeonmyside.wordpress.com/2016/02/29/trying-to-get-lost-a-review-of-you-were-here-by-cori-mccarthy/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wilde on my Side</span></a>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-86283119988902483852016-03-23T07:49:00.000-07:002016-03-23T07:49:28.386-07:00Behind the Canvas by Alexander Vance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Basics:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Behind the Canvas by Alexander Vance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Feiwel & Friends</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Middle Grade, Fantasy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published February 23, 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Source: Received Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Behind-Canvas-Alexander-Vance-ebook/dp/B012N46PXQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456327149&sr=8-1&keywords=behind+the+canvas" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/behind-the-canvas" target="_blank">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25663514-behind-the-canvas?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why I picked up this book:</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was looking for something a little unusual and out of the ordinary from what I normally read.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">A girl discovers she has the ability to inhabit the world of famous paintings, and tries to help a boy trapped behind the canvas.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">There is a world behind the canvas. Past the paint of the canvas is a realm where art lives, breathes, creates, destroys.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">Claudia Miravista loves art but only sees what is on the surface, until the Dutch boy Pim appears in her painting. Pim has been trapped in the world behind the canvas for centuries by a power-hungry witch, and now believes that Claudia is his only hope for escape. Fueled by the help of an ancient artist and some microwaveable magic, Claudia enters the wondrous and terrifying world, intent on destroying the witch's most cherished possession and setting Pim free. But in that world nothing is quite as it appears on the surface. Not even friendship.</span><br />
<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My Thoughts:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do you remember the book <i>Sophie's World </i>by Jostein Gaarder? There was a period of time in the late nineties when all my friends were reading it. That's the book <i>Behind the Canvas </i>reminds me of, in all positive ways. Confession: I found <i>Sophie's World </i>really slow and despite trying twice, never got to the end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Behind the Canvas</i> is a middle grade version, with the art world as its focus (instead of philosophy) and a much stronger sense of humour. I loved the explanations of who the various painters and what the movements were. They were funny and informative, and fit into the world of the book quite well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I thought the worldbuilding in this book is excellent. I loved the transition from the real world to the painted world. The idea of creative people who could conjure this world, alter it, add to it, etc. really appealed to me. I've seen the idea from a written perspective, but this is the first time I've seen it applied to art, and it was very well-done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Though I don't normally read middle grade books, I did find this book really rewarding. The story was deep enough to keep me engaged. I was emotionally invested in Claudia and Pim. There's some dark aspects to the story, so I wouldn't recommend it for a young person reading above their age group.</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottom line</u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">A mix of informative and entertaining, <i>Behind the Canvas</i> is a really solid middle grade fantasy. It explores the world of art, rather literally, and had me hooked from beginning to end!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of middle grade, fantasy, art</span>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-90822729119271432172016-03-22T02:00:00.000-07:002016-03-22T02:00:15.905-07:00Blog Tour: The Forbidden Duke by Darcy Burke<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today I want to talk about Darcy Burke's <i>The Forbidden Duke</i>. This historical romance is the first book in The Untouchables series. I was intrigued by the burden that Titus carries and how resolving that would play out, and also by the notion of an older heroine in a historical romance--and by older, I mean late twenties.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Check out the other stops on the tour at </span><a href="http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/02/the-forbidden-duke-untouchables-1-by.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Tasty Book Tours</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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Miss Eleanor Lockhart is suddenly homeless and employment is her only option.
Ruined after succumbing to a scoundrel’s excessive charm nearly a decade ago,
she’s lucky to obtain a position as a paid companion and committed to behaving
with the utmost propriety. She definitely shouldn’t be in the arms of a man
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Society just once each year at his stepmother’s ball. A decade ago, he was a
devil-may-care rake until his idle roguery brought about the ruin of Eleanor
Lockhart—and his resulting self-imposed isolation. Now she’s back, and she
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Forbidden Duke </i>is available now!</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/tfdamz"> Amazon </a>| <a href="http://smarturl.it/tfdnook">B
& N </a>| <a href="http://smarturl.it/tfdibks">iTunes </a>| <a href="http://smarturl.it/tfdkobo">Kobo
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Excerpt</span></u></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“We
need to take our place,” he said, guiding her to the dance floor, where Lord
and Lady Satterfield were already in place at the top of the line that was
forming. Kendal positioned Nora to stand beside Lady Satterfield so that they
were second in the line. The musicians, set in the far corner of the makeshift
ballroom, began to play, and panic seized Nora’s chest. Would she remember the
steps? Would she make a fool of herself, or worse, of him? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">She
felt like an imposter in a scenario she’d mistakenly stumbled into. Surely
someone would point her out and tell her she needed to leave. She was a pariah,
an outcast. She had no place being here, let alone dancing with a <i>duke</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">But
it was far too late to run away. The dance had started, and the line traveled
the length of the drawing room. This dance would last quite some time, during
which Nora would be the center of everyone’s attention and the source of
everyone’s gossip. She could hear the exchanges now, imagined them starting up
and spreading like a freshly-ignited fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“Look at who he chose. Who is that
Nobody?” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“Don’t you remember? She ruined
herself nine years ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“How dreadful.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Lord
and Lady Satterfield started, dancing their way between the lines. They were
rather spry, given their age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Nora
nervously looked over at the duke. “Lady Satterfield is an excellent dancer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“Indeed.”
The rich tone of his voice soothed her rioting nerves. “She always insists on
calling the first, though it’s the only set she’ll dance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Nora
nodded. Dancing was typically reserved for the young.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">She
tried not to stare at her partner, but it was difficult as he was situated
directly across from her and she <i>should</i>
look at him. Look, yes, but not gape. And he was gape-worthy. His reputation
suited him for he <i>seemed</i> forbidden,
otherworldly almost. Not in an ethereal way, but in a rustic, rough sort of
manner, as if Society couldn’t possibly contain him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Despite
that or perhaps because of it, he wore his costume with ease. However, she
suspected he was more comfortable in riding breeches and boots as he galloped
his horse across the Lake District—she’d ascertained that was where his seat
was located—his powerful thighs hugging the animal’s flanks as they moved as
one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Goodness,
where had that astonishing image come from?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">And
then it was their turn to traverse the line. She prayed she would remember the
steps and focused on the music as they moved toward each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“You
look as if you’re headed to the guillotine,” he said just loud enough for her
alone to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“Do
I?” She tried to laugh but was afraid she sounded like a wounded bird. She
longed to ask why he’d chosen her and immediately wondered if Lady Satterfield
had put him up to it. She decided she didn’t want to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“It’s
just a dance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">The
superbly absurd comment coaxed a genuine smile to her lips and alleviated some
of her discomfort. “With the ‘Forbidden Duke’ who only dances once each Season.
Yes, you’re quite right to characterize it that way. Thank you for putting me
at ease.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">He
chuckled, and like his speaking voice, it sparked a tremor that seemed to start
in her bones and move outward making her flesh tingle and her chest warm.
“Don’t be nervous. And certainly don’t be nervous on my account.” He said the
last with a tone so dry, she feared it might curl up and blow away in the
breeze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“That
is easy for you, a duke, to say. I am just a simple girl who’s been away from
London a long time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“I
daresay you aren’t ‘just’ anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjJi7KYTR85G94zOsSvusT5jtPWY8lLuSFKGcuuTcSeaPzDtWJ9eYboYI0udHRgfh6CB8aIGPCgRv3MYJaN6hKEzNiKnhZI_x0ib4icilqbnnLv2yLQ6UG4T7C-XqGrp0pe_H5hpfnoI/s1600/TFD+Teaser.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjJi7KYTR85G94zOsSvusT5jtPWY8lLuSFKGcuuTcSeaPzDtWJ9eYboYI0udHRgfh6CB8aIGPCgRv3MYJaN6hKEzNiKnhZI_x0ib4icilqbnnLv2yLQ6UG4T7C-XqGrp0pe_H5hpfnoI/s320/TFD+Teaser.png" width="320" /></a><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Review</span></u></h4>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Forbidden Duke </i>has a lot going for it. I immediately liked Nora, an unusual heroine in the historical romance genre. She's in her late twenties, had her debut and Season and all that but it ended in disaster. Now she's back in London, but working as a paid companion because her circumstances have changed that much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I appreciated Nora's sense of... well... appreciation. She recognizes that she transgressed society's (stupid) rules, and that she's especially lucky now to have landed a position with a generous lady. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">For his part, Titus has that brooding thing down pat. He's a stellar mix of intrigued by Nora and protective of her, to the point of wanting to protect her from himself. Which, of course, he fails spectacularly at doing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">This is historical romance in the grand tradition of historical romance, but with a twist. Having Nora be outside of the Elitest of Elites, as well as past the age traditionally considered marriageable in historical romance AND with a pretty significant scandal in her past... well, it all adds up to something that felt different enough from the norm to engage me as a reader.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The writing is strong enough, and the pacing quick enough that I was swept along from beginning to end. It's not a long book--and I do tend to find that historical romances lean toward a longer format on average than contemporary--but there's enough material here to satisfy.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bottom Line</span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I quite enjoyed <i>The Forbidden Duke. </i>It satisfied my genre expectations, but also gave me a couple that felt fresh enough to be interesting and entertaining. I'll absolutely look for more from Darcy Burke in the future!</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4.5 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of historical romance, spinster romances, brooding heroes.</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">About the Author</u></h4>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Darcy Burke</span></b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> is the USA Today
bestselling author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional
contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a
happily-ever-after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved
him, with exceedingly poor illustrations.</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A native
Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming
husband, their two hilarious kids-who each seem to have inherited the writing
gene in some form-and two Bengal cats. In her "spare" time Darcy is a
serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say
"no," but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are
Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.darcyburke.com/">Website</a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans">Facebook</a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://twitter.com/darcyburke">Twitter</a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5823441.Darcy_Burke">Goodreads</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="521ac4c8972" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c8972/" id="rcwidget_f80b0agb" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-6190506557890212962016-03-15T02:00:00.000-07:002016-03-15T02:00:03.329-07:00Blog Tour: Romancing the Ranger by Jennie Marts<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today I'm touring <i>Romancing the Ranger</i> by Jennie Marts. Pu</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">blished by Entangled: Lovestruck on March 14th, this contemporary romance features a sexy park ranger who has to face his worst nightmare: a wealthy, 'big city' woman. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've got an excerpt here to entice you and a giveaway from the publisher!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>The Book</u></span></h3>
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Reese Hudson meant to destroy mementos from her last failed
relationship, not burn down an outhouse and incur the wrath of a sexy park
ranger. When the judge rejects her offer to pay for the structure and sentences
her to rebuild it—with the hot ranger supervising—she embraces the challenge to
take control of her life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Park ranger Wade Baker wants nothing to do with the rich
city girl, no matter how tempting he finds her lush curves. She’s too much like
his ex-fiancée, and if he’s learned anything, it’s that women like Reese don’t
fit into his world. And he sure as hell wants no part of her big city life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Reese may not know a hammer from a screwdriver, but she’s
working hard to prove she’s not just some pampered princess to be toyed with.
And damn it if Wade doesn’t admire her tenacious spirit. If only they got along
half as well outside the bedroom as they do in it, there might be a chance for
them after all…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Romancing the Ranger </i>is available now!</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Romancing-Ranger-Jennie-Marts-ebook/dp/B01B1NC1OW">Amazon</a></b><b> | </b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/romancing-the-ranger-jennie-marts/1123308686"><b>B&N</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/romancing-the-ranger/id1078221551?uo=8&at=11ltS7"><b>iTunes</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/romancing-the-ranger"><b>Kobo</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28944643-romancing-the-ranger"><b>Goodreads</b></a></span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So what were you so
intent on destroying yesterday that you almost burned my park down?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A faint blush crept up
her neck. “Some stupid mementos from my ex-boyfriend.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“When did you break
up?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She consulted her
watch. “About twenty-four hours ago.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Ah. You seemed more
angry than broken-hearted. Did he choose someone else?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yeah, himself.” She
let out a sigh. “Brock cared more about himself than he did me. His needs
always came first, and then he told me what I needed. It took me a long time to
see that I have my own wants. My own needs. And he wasn’t one of them. Neither
he nor my father are very happy about my decision.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wade’s gut twisted as
she spoke the words <i>wants </i>and <i>needs</i>. He’d known her such a short
time, but he knew he wanted her already. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But needing her was a
different story. He definitely did <i>not </i>need the complication of a woman
on the rebound. A woman who lived a lifestyle that he couldn’t even comprehend.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A spray of water shot from
the falls, and Reese laughed and stepped back into him. His arms came up to
steady her and then she was twisting, tipping her head up, her emerald- colored
eyes shining with an invitation to take her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And it was too much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He pulled her to him,
crushing her lips and filling his hands with her sweet, lush body. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She pressed against
him, wrapping her arms around his neck and matching his desire with hers. She
tasted like mint and smelled like summer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And she felt so damn
good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Desire engulfed him,
and he yearned to lay her in the grass and get her beneath him. To explore and
touch her exquisite body. He ran his hands down her back, pulling her closer as
he feasted on her mouth, giving way to the brazen thoughts that had consumed
him all day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He slid one hand up the
back of her shirt. She moaned against his mouth, arching her back and pressing
her breasts up. Her skin was soft, and he wanted to rip her shirt from her body
and feel her bare flesh against his. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The scuffs of hiking
boots in the dirt interrupted his thoughts, and he broke away from Reese as a
couple of middle-aged women rounded the corner to the overlook. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Breathing hard, he
nodded at the hikers, then turned toward the falls to hide his obvious arousal.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The women passed, and
one gave him a knowing smile. She leaned into her companion as they walked by.
“That’s the kind of ranger I’d like to teach me about some birds and some
bees.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Review</span></u></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Romancing the Ranger</i> is a short contemporary romance that pairs a wealthy young woman who wants to take a breather from her controlling father and ex-fiance with a ranger who's ex was a gold digger who left him with a mound of debt and a huge chip on his shoulder.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For the length of the book, I think the basic set-up worked well to cover some ground quickly. I think that a deeper conflict would have been difficult to resolve convincingly in a 150 page novel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I really liked Reese. She's persistent, adaptable, and determined. I found her attitude to be pretty admirable, all around, even if she's a bit of a pushover at times. Wade was a bit less endearing, but probably only because his emotional baggage was so key to the conflict.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reading this book gave me a few moments of - "This character is written very well, because I'm really irked with him, but it makes sense that he would react in this way at this time because of his conflicting emotions about even just the possibility of a relationship. But that doesn't mean I like him very much right now." These were solid reminders that I *don't* have to like characters all the time, and can still consider a book to be good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While the book itself is short, the timeline is not - this isn't a 24-hour romance, which is something else that I appreciated. Reese and Wade spend plenty of time together - enough for me to feel that a deeper relationship was forming. All in all, it was pretty good, particularly once the story was set-up and got moving! </span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bottom Line</span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While <i>Romancing the Ranger</i> was a bit by-the-numbers in terms of introducing the main characters and the hang-ups that created the central point of conflict, the book was a satisfying read. It's fluffy and light, so if you're in the mood for a quick romance, this could be it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of rangers, the great outdoors, donuts, contemporary romance, quick reads.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">About the Author</u></h4>
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USA TODAY Best-selling author Jennie Marts <span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;">loves to make readers laugh as she
weaves stories filled with love, friendship, and intrigue. </span>She writes
for Entangled Publishing, and reviewers call her books “laugh out loud” funny
and full of great characters that are “endearing and relatable.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of
Colorado with her husband, two sons, two dogs and a parakeet that loves to
tweet to the oldies. She’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes
you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Her books include the contemporary western romance Hearts of
Montana series, the romantic comedy/ cozy mysteries of The Page Turners series,
the hunky men in the Bannister family in the Bannister Brothers Books, and the
small town romantic comedies in the Lovestruck series of Cotton Creek Romances.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JennieMartsBooks">Jennie Marts Books</a> , or
Twitter at @<a href="https://twitter.com/JennieMarts">JennieMarts</a>. Visit
her at <a href="http://www.jenniemarts.com/">www.jenniemarts.com</a> and sign up
for her newsletter to keep up with the latest news and releases. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jenniemarts.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JennieMarts">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JennieMartsBooks/">Facebook</a></span></b><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Giveaway</u></h4>
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This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher!</div>
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Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-45109480420582847222016-03-10T02:00:00.000-08:002016-03-10T04:17:54.489-08:00Blog Tour: Serving Trouble by Sara Jane Stone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOP_NT3pdd02VqFetL-0AYD65dOUQ2ZSi33HRFOVgVvMHAhiKSYYIBKoF4TYpWVTS9hx7PqcHt87vfwLlkBTd4cYf95EMEeNqOOnokD_Ru09IgrVeUWKnL8WXsCtfXx0o26Tu_jwKPzY/s1600/VT-ServingTrouble-SJStone_FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOP_NT3pdd02VqFetL-0AYD65dOUQ2ZSi33HRFOVgVvMHAhiKSYYIBKoF4TYpWVTS9hx7PqcHt87vfwLlkBTd4cYf95EMEeNqOOnokD_Ru09IgrVeUWKnL8WXsCtfXx0o26Tu_jwKPzY/s320/VT-ServingTrouble-SJStone_FINAL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today I'm touring the first book in Sara Jane Stone's Second Shot series: <i>Serving Trouble</i>. Pu</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">blished by Avon Impulse, this book features a young woman determined to stand on her own two feet, and a former Marine who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Check out the other stops on the tour at </span><a href="http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/01/serving-trouble-second-shot-1-by-sara.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Tasty Book Tours</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>The Book</u></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZg91LdoAKRLwM9vGsq0MzU-Grag4b32HCEMhC0JawayBVnS-P8MGzWwOAj8hibIEL6woiK8H8rSvIKwVneVAwbLkz6CL-CO4iJxxdUCFlKF3e09Wm7Ri6L-ID8cX8PGAiTdNdDGXG30M/s1600/Serving+Trouble.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZg91LdoAKRLwM9vGsq0MzU-Grag4b32HCEMhC0JawayBVnS-P8MGzWwOAj8hibIEL6woiK8H8rSvIKwVneVAwbLkz6CL-CO4iJxxdUCFlKF3e09Wm7Ri6L-ID8cX8PGAiTdNdDGXG30M/s320/Serving+Trouble.JPG" width="198" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
first sexy contemporary romance in Sara Jane Stone’s brand new Second Shot
series!</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Five
years ago, Josie Fairmore left timber country in search of a bright future. Now
she’s back home with a mountain of debt and reeling from a loss that haunts
her. Desperate for a job, she turns to the one man she wishes she could avoid.
The man who rocked her world one wild night and then walked right out of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Former
Marine Noah Tager is managing his dad’s bar and holding tight to the feeling
that his time overseas led to failure. The members of his small town think he’s
a war hero, but after everything he’s witnessed, Noah doesn’t want a pat on the
back. The only thing he desires is a second chance with his best friend’s
little sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Josie’s
determined to hold onto her heart and not repeat her mistakes, but when danger
arrives on Noah’s doorstep and takes aim at Josie, they just might discover
that sometimes love is worth the risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Serving Trouble </i>is available now!</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XHRVX8Q/"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Amazon</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/serving-trouble-sara-jane-stone/1123016649?ean=9780062423849"><span style="line-height: 115%;">B & N</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sara_Jane_Stone_Serving_Trouble?id=piU6CQAAQBAJ"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Google Play</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/forever-oregon-1/id993655682?mt=11"><span style="line-height: 115%;">iTunes</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/serving-trouble"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Kobo</span></a></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><b><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25529875-serving-trouble" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/153640-second-shot" target="_blank">Goodreads Series</a></span></b></span></span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Excerpt</span></u></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"> “I drove to the wrong bar.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"> Josie Fairmore stared up at the unlit sign towering above
the nearly vacant parking lot, her cell phone pressed to her ear. Nothing
changed in Forever, Oregon. Everything from the people to the names of the bars
remained the same. The triplets, who had to be over a hundred now, still owned
The Three Sisters Café downtown. Every car and truck she’d sped past had the
high school football team’s flag mounted on the roof or featured on the bumper.
And her father was still the chief of police.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Nothing
changed. That was why she’d left for college and never looked back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Until
now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"> She’d blown past the Forever town line ten minutes ago.
She’d driven straight to the place that promised a rescue from her current
hell. And she’d parked under the sign, which appeared determined to prove her
wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"> “Josephine Fairmore, it is ten-thirty in the morning,”
Daphne said, her tone oddly stern for the owner of a strip club situated
outside the town limits. “The fact that you’re at a bar might be your first
mistake.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"> Damn. If the owner of The Lost Kitten was her voice of
reason, Josie was screwed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"> “When did they take the “country” out of Big
Buck’s Country Bar?” Josie stared at the letters above the entrance to the
town’s oldest bar. She twirled the key to her red Mini that looked out of place
beside the lone monster truck in the lot. She should probably take the car back
to the city. The Mini didn’t belong in the land of four wheelers, pick-ups, and
logging trucks. The red car would miss the parking garage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">But I can’t afford the parking
garage anymore. I can’t even pay my rent. Or my bills . . .</span></i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“Big
Buck gave in three years ago,” Daphne explained, drawing Josie’s attention back
to the bar parking lot. “He decided to take Noah’s advice and get rid of the
mechanical bull. He wanted to attract the college crowd.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“He got
rid of the bull before I went to college.” And before his son left to join the
United States Marine Corps. She should know. She’d ridden the bull at his going
away party. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">With
Noah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoCommentText" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
then she’d ridden Noah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“Well,
Buck made a few more changes,” Daphne said. “He added a new sound system and—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“He
changed the name. I guess that explains why Noah came home.” She glanced at the
dark, quiet bar. The hours posted by the door read <i>Open from noon until the cows come home (or 3am, whichever comes
first!)</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“He
served for five years and did two tours in Afghanistan. Stop by The Three
Sisters and you’ll get an earful about his heroics,” Daphne said. “But from
what I’ve heard, Noah didn’t want to sign up for another five. Not after his
grandmother died last year.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“You’ve
seen him?” Josie looked down at her cowboy boots. She hadn’t worn them since
that night in Noah’s barn. She’d thought they’d help her land the job at the
“country” bar. But now she wished she’d worn her converse, maybe a pair of
heels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“Yes.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“At The
Lost Kitten?” Why, after all this time, after she never responded to his
apologetic letter, would she care if Noah spent his free time watching women
strip off their clothes? One wild, stupid, naked night cut short by her big
brother didn’t offer a reason for jealousy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">But the fact that I told him I love
him? That might.</span></i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“No. I
bumped into him at the café.” Daphne hesitated. “He didn’t smile. Not once.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“PTSD?”
she asked quietly. She couldn’t imagine walking into a war zone and leaving
without long, lasting trauma. The things he probably saw . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“Maybe,”
Daphne said. “But he’s not jumpy. He just seems pissed off at the world. Elvira
was behind the counter that day. She tried to thank him for serving our country
after he ordered a burger. He set a ten on the counter and walked out before
his food arrived.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“He
left his manners in the middle east.” Josie stared at the door to Big Buck’s.
“Might hurt my chances for getting a job.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“I
think your lack of waitressing or bartending experience will be the nail in the
coffin. But if Noah turns you down, you can work here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“I’d
rather keep my shirt on while I work,” Josie said dryly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">And he won’t turn me down. He
promised to help me. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">But
that was before he turned into a surly former marine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“You’d
make more without it,” Daphne said. “Or you can tell the hospital, the
collection agency—whoever’s coming after you—the truth. You’re broke.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“I did.
They gave me a payment plan and I need to stick to it.” She headed for the
door. “I ignored those bills for months. Besides what kind of mother doesn’t
pay her child’s medical bills?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">The kind who buried her son
twenty-seven days after he was born.</span></i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Daphne
didn’t say the words, but Josie knew she was thinking them. Her best friend was
the only person in Forever who knew the truth about why she was desperate for a
paycheck. If only Daphne had inherited a restaurant or a bookstore—a place with
fully clothed employees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“He has
to agree,” Josie added. “I need that money.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“I
know.” Daphne sighed. “And I need to get to work. I have a staff of topless
waitresses and dancers who depend on me for their paycheck. Good luck, Josie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“Thanks.”
She ended the call and slipped her phone into the bag slung over her shoulder
alongside her wallet and resume. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">She drew
a deep breath. But a churning feeling started in her belly, foreboding,
threatening. She knew this feeling and she didn’t like it. Something bad always
followed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Her boyfriend headed for the door
convinced he was too young for a baby . . . Her water broke too early . . . <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">She
tried the door. Locked, dammit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Ignoring
the warning bells in her head telling her to run to her best friend’s club and
offer to serve a topless breakfast, she raised her hand and knocked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“Hang
on a sec,” a deep voice called from the other side. She remembered that sound
and could hear the echo of his words from five long years ago, before he’d
joined the marines and before she’d gone to college hoping for a brighter
future—and found more heartache. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Call, email, or send a letter. Hell,
send a carrier pigeon. I don’t care how you get in touch, or where I am, if you
need me, I’ll find a way to help. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">He’d meant every word. But people changed. They
hardened. They took hits and got back up leaving their heart beaten and wrecked
on the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">She
glanced down as if the bloody pieces of her broken heart would appear at her
feet. Nope. Nothing but cement and her boots. She’d left her heart behind in
Portland, dead and buried thank you very much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"> The door opened. She looked up and . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"> <i>Oh my . . .wow . .
.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">She’d
gained five pounds—well, more than that, but she’d lost the rest. She’d cried
for weeks, tears running down her cheeks while she slept, and flooding her eyes
when she woke. And it had aged her. There were lines on her face that made her
look a lot older than twenty-three. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">But
Noah . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">He’d
gained five pounds of pure muscle. His tight black t-shirt clung to his biceps.
Dark green cargo pants hung low on his hips. And his face . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">On the
drive, she’d tried to trick herself into believing he was just a friend she’d
slept with one wild night. She’d made a fool of herself, losing her heart to
him that night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Never again. </span></i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">She’d
made a promise to her broken, battered heart and she planned to keep it. She
would not fall for Noah this time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">But oh
the temptation . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">His
short blond hair still looked as if he’d just run his hands through it.
Stubble, the same color as his hair, covered his jaw. He’d forgotten to shave,
or just didn’t give a damn. But his familiar blue eyes left her ready to pass
out at his feet from lack of oxygen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">He
stared at her, wariness radiating from those blue depths. Five years ago, he’d
smiled at her and it had touched his eyes. Not now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“Josie?”
His brow knitted as if he’d had to search his memory for her name. His grip
tightened on the door. Was he debating whether to slam it in her face and
pretend his mind had been playing tricks on him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“Hi
Noah.” She placed her right boot in the doorway, determined to follow him
inside if he tried to shut her out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“You’re
back,” he said as if putting together the pieces of a puzzle. But still no hint
of the warm, welcoming smile he’d worn with an easy-going grace five years ago.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">“I
guess you didn’t get the carrier pigeon,” she said, forcing a smile. <i>Please let him remember. </i>“But I need
your help.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Review</span></u></h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Up front: I normally avoid second chance at love stories. I've written spiels about this before, but basically I've read several of these books in the past that failed to really address or adequately resolve the issues the couple faced during their first go-round, which makes it hard for me to buy into the romance. <i>Serving Trouble </i>is NOT one of those books. </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serving Trouble </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">actually makes me re-think my avoidance policy, because maybe there's hope after all!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Josie and Noah are a couple who really only enjoyed a single night together, and then went their separate ways for a number of reasons, including Noah's friendship with Josie's over-protective brother. There's a prequel novella that spells it all out, so if you want the full story, go grab <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Running-Wild-Second-Shot-Novella-ebook/dp/B00XHRVXBI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1457574572&sr=8-2&keywords=running+wild" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Running Wild</a>. It's also a freebie and will give you a taste of Stone's writing style. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What I also adored about this book is that Noah seems to be one of those rare former-military-types who doesn't launch/join a security company or similar business to make the most of that specific skill set. I liked that he comes home and takes over his Dad's bar. That felt much more plausible to me, as did all the emotional weight the transition into civilian life carries.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While I found <i>Serving Trouble</i> to be an entertaining and quick read, I did find there was something missing between Josie and Noah. They had chemistry, but there was still some spark, some... sense of necessity or something utterly magnetic between them that was missing for me. Despite that, they were both really strong characters, with so much to cope with independently, and I was very impressed with how equal their relationship ultimately felt. </span><br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bottom Line</span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There's a lot about <i>Serving Trouble</i> that reminds me, positively, of Lori Foster's books. I thought this was a reasonably plausible, contemporary romance with threads of danger and something</span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of contemporary romance, second chance stories, a little danger alongside romance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">About the Author</u></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAf49gDmNIPRyvJBIRZzjCTkKLZNGmhBlIQeboEFyXJ01KT0Oisu_IW4oE23Zc1gSKTSMVplKSog5U2-qFNva49f2UyTosArG8EkMZS_m1D2-WjwRmqEKmNyRfrqsiPP8uu0l7yBSnuo0/s1600/Sara+Jane+Stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAf49gDmNIPRyvJBIRZzjCTkKLZNGmhBlIQeboEFyXJ01KT0Oisu_IW4oE23Zc1gSKTSMVplKSog5U2-qFNva49f2UyTosArG8EkMZS_m1D2-WjwRmqEKmNyRfrqsiPP8uu0l7yBSnuo0/s320/Sara+Jane+Stone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">After several years on the other side
of the publishing industry, Sara Jane Stone bid goodbye to her sales career to
pursue her dream-writing romance novels. Sara Jane currently resides in
Brooklyn, New York with her very supportive real-life hero, two lively young
children and a lazy Burmese cat. Join Sara Jane’s newsletter to receive new
release information, news about contests, giveaways, and more! Visit
www.sarajanestone.com and look for her newsletter entry form.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.sarajanestone.com/"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Website</span></b></a></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/SaraJaneStone"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Facebook</span></b></a></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/sarajanestone"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Twitter</span></b></a></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7036481.Sara_Jane_Stone"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Goodreads</span></b></a></span></span></div>
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This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher -- what a great opportunity to pick up a series!</div>
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Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-42181294507776013762016-02-22T08:18:00.003-08:002016-02-22T08:18:40.659-08:00Love Me, Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">**Note, all reviews written for the next two weeks have been worked up from notes I took while I was crazy sick. I apologize for any coherency issues!**</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Basics:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Love Me, Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Entangled: Crave</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Paranormal YA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published February 22, 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Source: Received Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Love-Me-Not-ebook/dp/B01B1NC13S/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1455915293&sr=8-6&keywords=love+me%2C+love+me+not" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/love-me-love-me-not-1" target="_blank">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28232752-love-me-love-me-not?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why I picked up this book:</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />Shapeshifting, friends-to-more...what's not to love?</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></i><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Blurb:</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;">Dating isn’t easy when you’re in the middle of a blood feud.</em><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;"> </span><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;">Anastasia Vila’s family can turn into swans, but just once she’d like them to turn into responsible adults. </span><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;">After hundreds of years, they still cling to the blood feud with the Renard family. No one remembers how it started in the first place—but foxes and swans just don’t get along. </span><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;">Vilas can only transform into their swan shape after they have fallen in love for the first time, but between balancing schoolwork, family obligations, and the escalating blood feud, Ana’s got no time for love. The only thing keeping her sane is her best friend, Pierce Kent. </span><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;">But when Pierce kisses Ana, everything changes. </span><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;">Is what Pierce feels for her real, or a byproduct of her magic? Can she risk everything for her best friend? And when the family feud spirals out of control, Ana must stop the fight before it takes away everything she loves. </span><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;">Including, maybe...Pierce. </span></span><br />
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<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My Thoughts:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Love Me, Love Me Not </i>has a gorgeous cover. I'd love to have this one on my shelf. So pretty!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Beyond that, this is a pretty solid YA read. I love the worldbuilding around the swan and fox shifters. There's a satisfying sense of history between these two feuding groups, with layers of tradition built into both the feud and the daily lives of the shifters. While there was a lot that wasn't explained or entirely spelled out, I did have the sense that there were reasons behind the different elements of the world, and that was enough for me in this short book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I thought that the romance was really sweet, and I was cheering for it to work out. I especially loved having Pierce's perspective in this book. The pining really got to me. What a lovely guy! I loved the friendship between Pierce and Ana, and his fascination with her family. We all need people who are so supportive in our lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I also thought that Ana's desire to find love was pretty easy to relate with, even though her need is specifically tied to being a shifter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The only problem I really had with the book was the balance in this world. There's this deadly hostility between swans and foxes (and we see several examples of it), but somehow all these kids are still attending school together? And how the heck do any of the teens have the time to balance school and their obligations as shifters? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Ana mentions that many of her cousins were homeschooled, which I guess would help get around this issue, but it's clear she's not the only swan-shifter at school, and certainly there are plenty of fox-shifters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">And how has the very active feud not revealed to the other locals that they all exist? It seems like a really hard secret to keep in the modern age, and there wasn't much explanation provided beyond, 'magic.' </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Still, because the story was so much fun, I was willing to suspend my disbelief and go along for the ride. </span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottom line</u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was entertained by <i>Love Me, Love Me Not, </i>even when I had issues with the timing of everything. I'd absolutely recommend this one to fans of YA paranormal, particularly if you're looking for a quick read!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of YA, swans, foxes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't just take my word for it though! I've gathered up a couple of other blog reviews, so check them out for some other opinions!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://angelreads.com/2016/02/book-review-love-love-not-alyxandra-harvey/" target="_blank">Angel Reads</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://writingpearls.com/arc-review-love-me-love-me-not-alyxandra-harvey/" target="_blank">Writing Pearls</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thelitbuzz.com/2016/02/love-me-love-me-not-by-alyxandra-harvey/" target="_blank">The Lit Buzz</a></span>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-79820018860338797172016-02-18T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-18T02:00:10.223-08:00Blog Tour: Lady Bridget's Diary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, I'm touring a quirky historical romance called </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Lady Bridget's Diary. </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Written by Maya Rodale and published by Avon, this is the first book in a new series called Keeping Up with the Cavendishes. I loved one of her previous novels, <i><a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.com/2014/10/blog-tour-what-wallflower-wants-by-maya.html" target="_blank">What a Wallflower Wants</a>, </i>and am thrilled to introduce you to this one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Check out the other stops on the tour at </span><a href="http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/12/lady-bridgets-diary-keeping-up-with.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Tasty Book Tours</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>The Book</u></span></h3>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">In
the first hilarious entry in her brand new series, USA Today bestselling author
Maya Rodale re-invents a love story we all know and cherish.</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Lord Darcy is the epitome of perfect<br />
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Lord Darcy is the quintessential
Englishman: wealthy, titled, impossibly proper and horrified that a pack of
Americans have inherited one of England’s most respected dukedoms. But his
manners, his infamous self-restraint and better judgment fly out the window
when he finds himself with the maddening American girl next door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Lady Bridget is the opposite of
perfect<br />
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Lady Bridget Cavendish has grand-but
thwarted-plans to become a Perfect Lady and take the haute ton by storm. In her
diary, Bridget records her disastrous attempts to assimilate in London high
society, her adoration of the handsome rogue next door, her loathing of the
Dreadful Lord Darcy and some truly scandalous secrets that could ruin them all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">They cannot stand each other-and yet
they cannot stay away<br />
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">It was loathing at first sight for
Lady Bridget and Lord Darcy. But their paths keep crossing...and somehow
involve kissing. When Lady Bridget’s diary goes missing, both Darcy and Bridget
must decide what matters most of all-a sterling reputation or a perfectly
imperfect love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Lady Bridget's Diary </i>is February 23rd<i>!</i></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lady-Bridgets-Diary-Keeping-Cavendishes/dp/0062386735/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr="><b>Amazon</b></a><b> | </b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lady-bridgets-diary-maya-rodale/1121860614"><b>B & N</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Maya_Rodale_Lady_Bridget_s_Diary?id=QvTyCAAAQBAJ"><b>Google Play</b></a><b> |</b><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/lady-bridgets-diary/id991759746?mt=11"><b> iTunes</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/lady-bridget-s-diary"><b>Kobo</b></a></span></span></div>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Review</span></u></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's been a while since I've read <i>Bridget Jones' Diary</i>, and when I started reading <i>Lady Bridget's Diary</i>, my expectations were probably more in the vein of <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> rather than the modern story. What we have here is the story of an American family transplanted into England and being schooled on proper behaviour for a member of the ton. They're all resistant at first, but gradually begin to unbend a bit, presumably as they all start to fall in love. This book, of course, focuses on Bridget.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This tale was a bit more physical than I expected--and not in terms of the sexy bits, which were certainly present--but in terms of the comedy. Bridget's not the most graceful of young women. She's also pretty funny, exaggerating the stuffiness of English society or cracking jokes to cover for her awkward moments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Lady Bridget's Diary</i> is quite funny, and that alone is a solid reason to read it; historical romance tends to sway toward the serious side of the scale, so this book provides some welcome relief.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The swoony bits are just as swoony as you might expect. There's definitely some--I hesitate to use the word update, since we've moved backward in time--changes to the familiar story line, and that makes the familiar become new again. One significant change is that we get chapters from Darcy's perspective, and those were fantastic. I loved being inside his head, reading his resistance to Bridget due to her circumstances and so on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The only real downside here for me was that I spent much of the early story impatiently waiting for it to get to the swoony bits. I got hooked on knowing what was coming, and that made me antsy to get there. I think that made some of the early portions of the book drag--perhaps if you're more patience, and willing to go on the journey, these sections will seem much faster!</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bottom Line</span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Lady Bridget's Diary</i> is refreshingly funny! If you like historical romance, you cannot go wrong with this one!</span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of historical romance, sarcasm/snark/humour, Lord Darcy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Maya Rodale began reading romance novels in college at her
mother’s insistence and it wasn’t long before she was writing her own. Maya is
now the author of multiple Regency historical romances. She lives in New York
City with her darling dog and a rogue of her own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.mayarodale.com/">Website</a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mayarodalewriter"><b>Facebook</b></a></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://twitter.com/mayarodale"><b>Twitter</b></a></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/377744.Maya_Rodale" target="_blank">GoodReads</a></span></b></span></div>
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Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-29778056774216791472016-02-16T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-16T02:00:12.876-08:00Husband Wanted by Charlotte Hughes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Basics:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Husband Wanted by Charlotte Hughes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Contemporary Romance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published February 24, 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A13IIKO" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24827938-my-secret-to-tell" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why I picked up this book:</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />The blurb made it sound cute, and the cover is adorable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Frannie Brisbane knew it was an impossible scheme, but unless she went through with it, the daughter she had given up thirteen years ago and who now wanted to visit, would discover that Frannie had painted a very different picture of her life in the letters they’d exchanged. Frannie’s close friends rally around her, and next thing she knows, she is living in a mansion and wearing designer clothes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The only thing missing is a husband.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Confirmed bachelor, Clay Coleman, has ulterior motives when he agrees to play the role of loving husband, but Frannie, who nursed a crush on him for years, fears she is flirting with danger in their role of <i>let’s pretend.</i> But Frannie and Clay aren’t the only ones keeping secrets. Sooner or later, the truth comes out, exposing everyone involved. Can Frannie ever get past her hurt when she discovers the truth about Clay? </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There's lots to like about <i>Husband Wanted</i>. First, the adorable cover. If I was in the mood for a contemporary romance, the cover would definitely make me pick this one up for a closer look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I liked that Clay and Frannie are brought together in this wild scheme to pretend Frannie's wealthier and more settled in life than she really is. The downside is that they're trying to fool Frannie's daughter, whom Frannie gave up for adoption at birth, thirteen years ago. I liked that Frannie oscillated between being amazed and impressed by the 'rich' lifestyle, and feeling wildly out of place within it. There is definitely a certain Cinderella quality to the tale, complete with makeover.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What I didn't love about the book was the dialogue. Sometimes it felt really stiff and formal, others trying too hard to be unpretentious with "folksy wisdom." They made me cringe, every single time. Just not my cup of tea. I also thought that Frannie's daughter often spoke with more maturity and formality than a thirteen-year-old should. The dialogue was often laboured, to spell things out, and didn't flow naturally as I read it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also thought that the intimate scenes were a bit lacking. I would have rather had a true fade-to-black then something that felt rushed. I did find that the romance developed unevenly for me, and I think Clay falling for Frannie was on the weaker side, as it didn't seem to develop alongside the story. </span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottom line</u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i><i>Husband Wanted</i> wasn't my favourite contemporary romance. There were a few issues with dialogue and the development of the romance, but there was also this big personal preference problem around the inclusion of some folksy cliches. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of romantic comedy, class-collision romances </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-7287421885075637322016-02-15T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-15T02:00:03.588-08:00Blog Tour: A Friendly Flirtation by Christine Warner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This morning, I'm happy to present to you my stop on the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Friendly Flirtation </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tour. This is a friends-first romance by Christine Warner, book three in her Friends First series, in fact. This book is available from Entangled as of today, February 15th. And I'm delighted to bring you a lovely interview with the author, and my review!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Check out the other stops on the tour at </span><a href="http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/01/a-friendly-flirtation-friends-first-3.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Tasty Book Tours</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One kiss can change your
life...<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Allison
Hall is fed up with being a social outcast. Even at the tech company where she
works for her brother and his best friend, Jared, she's the invisible nerdy
girl. What she needs is confidence—and that requires a makeover and dating
tips. And she knows just the man to help…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jared
Esterly is shocked when Allison asks for his assistance and turns her down,
knowing that her brother—his business partner and best friend, Nick—would kill
him if he dated her, even if it is just for practice. But when Al’s attempt to
make changes on her own fails spectacularly, Jared reluctantly steps in. Things
heat up quickly, and soon lessons move from the salon to the bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
overprotective big-brother Nick discovers Jared is dating Allison, their
friendship and business partnership sour. Allison, consumed by guilt, must make
a choice: stay with Jared, even though that means ruining his friendship with
Nick and possibly his career, or leave the one man who sets her on fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>A Friendly Flirtation </i>is available now<i>!</i></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>For buy links, check out <a href="http://www.entangledpublishing.com/a-friendly-flirtation/" target="_blank">Entangled</a>!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><b><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28240010-a-friendly-flirtation" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/158094-friends-first" target="_blank">Goodreads Series</a></span></b></span></span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Interview</u></h4>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">TETOR: Christine, thank you for taking the time to answer some questions
today. I'm excited to read <i>A Friendly Flirtation</i>, and to have this opportunity
to talk you about the book!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Author: </span>Thank you so much for taking the time to read <i>A Friendly
Flirtation</i>, and for inviting me onto your blog </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 10pt;">J</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
<br />TETOR: Friends-to-lovers is one of my favourite set-ups for romance novels. You've
written three books now in your Friends First series, so I'd guess it's safe to
assume you're partial to it as well. What draws you to this niche?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Author: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I love the friends to lover’s stories because the characters have
established a friendship and are comfortable with each other for the most part.
Some know each other better than others, but they are friendly enough to have
personal conversations, know past details, some of what makes the other person
click. All of these factors make for easy and fun dialogue because they are
already on a more intimate comfort level than a couple just getting acquainted.
Plus, there’s nothing more romantic—at least to me—than friends that end up
falling in love.<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">TETOR: I like that Allison's described as an "invisible nerdy girl" in the
blurb for <i>A Friendly Flirtation</i>. Nerdy girls deserve more "screen
time" in romances, I think (or possibly I'm biased because I'd describe
myself as a nerdy girl!). What was your motivation for writing her in this way?
Is the nerdy girl label one that you identify with?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Author: </span>I think that there’s a little bit of a nerdy girl in all of us.
There are several parts of Allison that I identify with myself. Sometimes I
snort when I laugh, other times I’m uncomfortable in social situations because
it’s hard to talk and possibly bare parts of yourself in a group of people you
don’t know well, and I agree with you that nerdy girls deserve “screen time” in
romance books as well. They are real, easy to relate to I think for most
people, and just plain likable. How can you not root for the nerdy girl
heroine, especially when she is trying to improve on herself without losing
herself entirely? Allison doesn’t want to change who she is on the inside, but
she does want to make her life on the outside easier and more comfortable so
that she can fit in. To her, she just wants to be “normal”. I like that about
her, and again, I think she’s relatable because of it </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 10pt;">J</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">TETOR: I think that Allison's desire for self-improvement through confidence, some
dating tips, and a makeover, is something that many readers can identify with.
I think that confidence, in particular, is currently a hot topic. Can you talk
a bit about the importance of confidence in romantic relationships? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Author: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Confidence seems to something that goes up and down with every
person. Some days you’re on top of the wave and other days you’re below the
surface. But, I think you always have some sort of confidence, you basically
have to in order to get through the day in a social world. When it comes to
romance, just by the fact that you are taking the risk to put yourself out
there shows that you have confidence. <span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The thing I liked about writing Allison was that she didn’t think
she was confident, but all the things she attempted and tried and lived through
told the true story. She had lots of confidence in so many ways, she just
didn’t have the confidence in social situations. I believe that’s why the
moment she had a few changes in the way she looked, her true personality came
out and her confidence soared so quickly. Oh, and it didn’t hurt that she had a
great guy to remind her how amazing she was.<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">TETOR: So, as an author, I think many of us expect that you would maintain a public,
online presence of some kind (a task that I assume is made easier with a
certain amount of confidence!). Your bio describes your enjoyment of social
media in its many forms -- which is your favourite social media platform, and
why?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Author: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I have fun with them all, but I think the one I enjoy the most is
Facebook. I like that I can say something and get an instant response. It’s fun
to talk with the people there and I’ve met so many wonderful authors and
readers and we have formed some wonderful friendships through sharing bits and
pieces of our lives. It’s amazing how many people there I haven’t met in person
but consider friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I also started a street team, which is a group of reader’s who
enjoy my stories. I love our little group. We have fun chats, play games, they
help me name characters or pets, or other bookish things I need help with.
Basically Facebook is a great place to interact with so many people from all
over the world. Love. It.<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">TETOR: Last question: after a reader's read through your series, what friends first
novel would you recommend they pick up next?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Author: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">A book I read recently Her Backup Boyfriend by Ashlee Mallory was
a terrific read. The heroine blurts out to her family that she has a boyfriend
when she really doesn’t and when she tells the neighbor’s nephew he not only
agrees to help her renovate her newly purchased house but to be her pretend
boyfriend. It’s a cute story. Even though they have a newly formed friendship
they build on the friendship before they start a slow building romance. I
really enjoyed their journey. <br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">TETOR: Thank you so much for answering my questions!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Author: </span>Thank you so much for letting me visit your blog </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 10pt;">J</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: underline;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Review</span></u></h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>A Friendly Flirtation </i>is a fun, fluffy read in that <i>My Fair Lady </i>vein. Allison's a self-acknowledged nerdy girl who wants to make some changes to improve her social life. Jared, her big brother's best friend, seems like just the man to help her out...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This book gives great banter. I found Jared and Allison's flirtation pretty entertaining, and I liked their back-and-forth quite a bit. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also liked watching Allison blossom across the book. She's so earnest in her desire to improve herself, it was easy to root for her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do think that the pre-existing friendship between Jared and Allison was pretty weak. Because Jared's friendship was with Allison's big brother, there was a certainly familiarity between Allison and Jared, but not the comfortable relationship that I expected. This made it especially ballsy of her to ask him for help with her transformation, but it also meant less pre-existing investment between the two of them (and more between Jared and Allison's brother). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't love the abrupt ending; it was okay, but not quite as satisfying as it might have been if there were just a few more beats. I think everything came to a sudden head and resolution, and that left me feeling a tad shortchanged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bottom Line</span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>A Friendly Flirtation </i>is a great choice for light, fluffy read. I was absolutely entertained. </span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of friends first, makeover stories</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">About the Author</u></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qe7_rLV9KEOFoJ60xhNZCeFp9npjrVPD5SMiSIKJd2eyQXtDqFN59uE5x1yQUMF7CidkmSMnD6VHZHn9_HfdOVCBGM_fm6IyBCR-fwdU4DmhoOPgNjtWEFB9qEO6T8fmemxflDfsPLc/s1600/Kimberly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAD3PgOrAqsuf-tf7Gd2noUzFH52VWapnTJQ-vnbdaeNCY0Fdek6L0mFMmcia1G-0awIs4JfS5dLXrA2-8ACKZNnayyMGAUe8mYOl8sx1D1e2ZiIvJY6V6sPyvZrq_M8hLnqbJUWOal1M/s1600/christine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAD3PgOrAqsuf-tf7Gd2noUzFH52VWapnTJQ-vnbdaeNCY0Fdek6L0mFMmcia1G-0awIs4JfS5dLXrA2-8ACKZNnayyMGAUe8mYOl8sx1D1e2ZiIvJY6V6sPyvZrq_M8hLnqbJUWOal1M/s320/christine.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Christine
Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her family, three laptops
(she might have a slight addiction, or maybe it’s a fear of one imploding from
overuse) and a much loved assortment of furry friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Besides
laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family,
cooking, reading, writing but no arithmetic. A confessed people watcher,
she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities. She loves
to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy heroines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">A
girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting
other avid readers and writers on Facebook, twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and
her website at christine-warner.com.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://christine-warner.com/"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Website</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorchristinewarner"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Facebook</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://twitter.com/ChristinesWords"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Twitter</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5763713.Christine_Warner"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">GoodReads</span></b></a></span></span></div>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Giveaway</u></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This one is hosted by the author!</span></div>
<h4>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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</h4>
</div>
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Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-79069213945132774092016-02-12T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-12T02:00:07.216-08:00The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Basics:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">St Martin's Press</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Published June 23, 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Source: Received Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Book-Speculation-Novel-Erika-Swyler-ebook/dp/B00QQ450BI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454538957&sr=8-1&keywords=the+book+of+speculation" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/the-book-of-speculation" target="_blank">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23014670-the-book-of-speculation?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span><br />
<br />
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why I picked up this book:</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Books about books are obvious must reads. In hindsight, this one got picked up by all kinds of traditional outlets for regular media hype!</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></i><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Blurb:</b></i><br />
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<strong style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">A sweeping and captivating debut novel about a young librarian who is sent a mysterious old book, inscribed with his grandmother's name. What is the book's connection to his family?</strong><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Simon Watson, a young librarian, lives alone on the Long Island Sound in his family home, a house perched on the edge of a cliff that is slowly crumbling into the sea. His parents are long dead, his mother having drowned in the water his house overlooks.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">One day, Simon receives a mysterious book from an antiquarian bookseller; it has been sent to him because it is inscribed with the name Verona Bonn, Simon's grandmother. Simon must unlock the mysteries of the book, and decode his family history, before fate deals its next deadly hand. </span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><em style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The Book of Speculation</em><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> is Erika Swyler's gorgeous and moving debut, a wondrous novel about the power of books, family, and magic.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My Thoughts:</b></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;">
<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></b></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I read about half of <i>The Book of Speculation</i> last June when it first came out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">It was a slow build.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The book opens with an intriguing mystery about a book, a travelling circus featuring a mermaid, a wild man and fortune teller, and a modern-day family embedded in the modern circus/carnival movement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The story goes back and forth, chapters alternating between the story set in the present, and the story set in the 18th century. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">And while the set-up hooked me... well, by about half-way, I gave up. The pacing is very slow, and I started to lose interest. Eventually, I set the book aside, intending to come back to it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Now that I'm trying to clean up my Netgalley ARCs, I picked the book up again. Good news? I was able to start reading exactly where I left off and wasn't confused in the least. The bad news? That told me that the story was really labored and repetitive. I didn't feel like I'd forgotten anything because either not much had happened, or all the important details are emphasized repeatedly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Things did pick up a *little* toward the end of the book, but nothing felt unexpected. Perhaps a couple details were a little surprising, but I didn't really feel like they had a huge impact on the story. It was a bit disappointing, to be honest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The book is promoted as literary fiction with magical realism, and while I won't deny there is some lovely writing in this book...it's so slow, guys. Maybe I've been spoiled by all the genre reading I've done lately?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">While I didn't dislike the main characters, I wouldn't say I really liked them either. Main character Simon is locked in researcher mode, and seems a bit emotionally paralyzed as he tries to cope with everything. The historical characters felt a step removed, as did Simon's angry sister, Enola. I never really aligned myself with anyone, so it was difficult to care too much about what happened to them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Book of Speculation</i> has some great ideas in it, and some elements for fantastic storytelling. The carnival, tarot-cards, and mysterious book are all great hooks. But the book flounders through the middle, and by the end, I just didn't care anymore. </span></div>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottom line</u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't read either of the two books <i>The Book of Speculation</i> was compared to (<i>The Night Circus </i>and <i>Like Water for Elephants</i>), but I suspect many people will have better luck with those. I really wanted to like this one--books about books, historical settings and creepy, magical realism are all things I adore. But unfortunately, it didn't come together into a compelling story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of mysteries with a historical bent, carnivals, books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't just take my word for it though! I've gathered up a couple of other blog reviews, so check them out for some other opinions!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://thebookkatblog.wordpress.com/2015/08/22/book-review-the-book-of-speculation-by-erika-swyler/" target="_blank">The BookKat</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://lynne-booknotes.blogspot.ca/2015/07/review-book-of-speculation.html" target="_blank">Lynne's Book Notes</a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lastchancepod.com/?p=2989" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last Chance Salon Podcast</span></a>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-15932646936219161802016-02-11T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-11T02:00:04.085-08:00How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Basics:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Entangled Crush</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">YA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Book 2 in the Creative HeArts series</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published February 22, 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Source: Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Willa-Groove-Back-Creative-HeArts-ebook/dp/B015CLB6OA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454354604&sr=8-1&keywords=how+willa+got+her+groove+back" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/how-willa-got-her-groove-back" target="_blank">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26529609-how-willa-got-her-groove-back?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why I picked up this book:</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.com/2015/09/ten-things-sloane-hates-about-tru-by.html" target="_blank">I adored Ten Things Sloane Hates About Tru when I reviewed it last year</a>, so I had to grab book two in the series!</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></i><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Blurb:</b></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When your life feels like a bad movie, rewrite the script.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When Willa Schofer’s father comes home from a business trip with an über-famous new fiancée, Willa’s senior year blows up in paparazzi-fueled flames. Overnight, she has a new house, a new car, and a new soon-to-be stepbrother—the unbelievably hot, unbelievably arrogant, Finn McCain. Thank god he’s constantly pushing her buttons, or she might do something irresponsible. Like fall for the jerk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just when Willa’s decided to avoid him for, oh, ever, Finn lands in the center of her senior project team. Seriously—how hard is it to shake a guy? At least her work on the project snagged the attention of the (second) hottest guy in school. He might only be into her because of her famous stepmom, and he’s not quite as exciting as a certain annoying housemate, but at least she’s allowed to crush on the guy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because crushing on your annoying stepbrother? So not cool.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This Entangled Teen Crush book contains an unbelievably hot bad boy, an unbelievably famous actress, and all the drama that comes with adding both to your family. Oh, and a forbidden flirtation with a soon-to-be stepbrother.</span></b></div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My Thoughts:</b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The second book in the ambitious Creative HeArts 12-book series, <i>How Willa Got Her Groove Back</i> features Willa and Finn, two 18 (or nearly 18)-year-olds thrust together by virtue of their parents' recent engagement, and their mutual distrust of the situation. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finn's mother, Mia, is a famous actress, so the fledgling relationship comes with a new set of life rules for Willa. Namely, trust no one, expect the paparazzi everywhere, and bye-bye most of your old life (e.g, your childhood house!). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I felt Willa's frustration. She's been forced into a situation entirely out of her control, and a lot of the things she thought she could trust and rely on are being stripped away. I really enjoyed reading how she tries to cope, how she tries to protect herself, and how she so genuinely wants good things for her father, despite what it's costing her.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From Finn's side, he's a lot more cynical than Willa. He's got a lot of good qualities, namely being protective of his mom, and then Willa by extension. His frustration with the adults for not doing a better job of preparing and protecting Willa put me on his side for much of the book. Unfortunately, he does seem to lack a bit of depth. I didn't get a great sense of what his life was like before his mom and Willa's dad's relationship brought to Austen. I didn't get a sense of what he actually wants to do with his life, beyond his current short-term goal.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, given that I loved Willa and thought Finn was decent, why only 3.5 stars for <i>How Willa Got Her Groove Back</i>? Because of the book's ending. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the second of twelve books in the Creative Hearts series, and the first of a trilogy for Willa and Finn, I get that even a happy-for-now ending for Willa and Finn might be rushing things. Totally fine! But I wasn't satisfied with the way *any* of Willa's plot lines were left, and because Finn seems so entirely wrapped up in those plot lines, he didn't add to my satisfaction. It's basically a cliffhanger ending but without a sense of urgency to really hook me or sense of temporary satisfaction to make me smile and want more.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Again the positive sides, I love the Creative Hearts setting--the school is awesome. The development of the senior creative project is really cool (a plot that arcs across all the books). Though some characters from the first book are present in this one, it's not necessary to have read book one to read book two. You'll get tiny spoilers, but nothing major is revealed. I think there's so much potential here, and maybe when I can read all the books together in a week or two, I'll be more satisfied with this one?</span><br />
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<u style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Bottom line</u><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I really like the idea of </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">How Willa Got Her Groove Back</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and of the series, and I'm curious to see how it all pans out. But if you think you might get hooked by this series/book, I'd suggest waiting to read this one until closer to November, when the next Willa-Finn book is due for release, so you don't have to wait too long for some resolution.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3.5 stars (probably a 4-4.5 star book that I'm dinging for the ending)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of YA, writers, Hollywood (unintentional theme for the week!)</span>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-84987444673112320002016-02-10T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-10T02:00:06.191-08:00When We Fall by Marquita Valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdUS4YT1PqXQBfQQ6yskH7JDZ5A_SE4KiqwHf4YlsrtnhQ6H_FP9tgDOaiUWzkEZbwdMMRU5JqADRDtQUVb1-NRnjN9BVzY223WiKP68LoPmvG1JMUMmnAzOd0nBIIgKoM423bTgzgWI/s1600/whenwefall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdUS4YT1PqXQBfQQ6yskH7JDZ5A_SE4KiqwHf4YlsrtnhQ6H_FP9tgDOaiUWzkEZbwdMMRU5JqADRDtQUVb1-NRnjN9BVzY223WiKP68LoPmvG1JMUMmnAzOd0nBIIgKoM423bTgzgWI/s320/whenwefall.jpg" width="240" /></a><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Basics:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When We Fall by Marquita Valentine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Book Two in the Take the Fall series</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Loveswept</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Contemporary Romance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published December 8, 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Source: Received Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/When-We-Fall-Take-Novel-ebook/dp/B00TCI48YA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454438073&sr=8-1&keywords=when+we+fall" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/when-we-fall-3?bookId=6114df2c-c472-4c39-8b98-d21368bb5321" target="_blank">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24974340-when-we-fall?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why I picked up this book:</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.ca/2015/10/three-quickies.html" target="_blank">I read <i>Take the Fall</i> and loved</a> it, and was hooked by the teaser chapter for <i>When We Fall</i> at the end of the first book...</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></i><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Blurb:</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="color: #181818;">In the captivating new novel in Marquita Valentine’s Boys of the South spinoff series—perfect for readers of Abbi Glines and Katy Evans—a small-town sweetheart takes a chance on the bad boy who’s always been her hottest fantasy.</strong><br style="color: #181818;" /><br style="color: #181818;" /><span style="color: #181818;">The last time Piper Ross saw her best friend’s sexy older brother, Jase Simmons, he was being taken away in handcuffs. Seven years later, two things haven’t changed: Piper is still head-over-heels in love with him . . . and Forrestville’s chief of police—Piper’s dad—still hates his guts. So when Piper sees a chance to get close to Jase, she makes her move—literally. As his new roommate, and as the office manager of his tattoo shop, Piper won’t be satisfied until Jase knows that she wants to be his.</span><br style="color: #181818;" /><br style="color: #181818;" /><span style="color: #181818;">The quintessential good girl, Piper is pure temptation for Jase. The only reason he’s always kept his distance is because she’s the last person he’d ever want to hurt. But once he realizes that Piper is ready to take the leap, everything just makes sense. Suddenly Jase feels like a new man—until nasty rumors start swirling and Piper’s heartless father stirs up even more trouble. Now Jase must convince Piper that she wasn’t wrong about him . . . because falling in love never felt so right.</span></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My Thoughts:</b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I read <i>Take the Fall</i>, I fell for Jase and Piper based on the chapter included as a teaser at the end of the book. I loved the idea of this tattooed-ex-con-bad-boy with a soft spot for the good girl. I loved the idea of a woman spreading her wings, not only by shedding her parents' expectations for her life and making some of her own, but by going after the guy she's loved forever. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>When We Fall</i> did deliver on those things. Jase's super protective of Piper, who is determined to make a new life for herself, without her parents' help. The odds are a little stacked against her as she's not got a lot in the way of finances, she needs a place to live right at the very start of the book, and she has a medical condition that complicates everything. Plus a ton of family baggage. Oh the baggage.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What the book excels at is communicating both the attraction between Jase and Piper, and amping the sexual tension between them. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The book has plenty of steamy scenes. There's also a surprising number of emotional ones as they both deal with the past and making sense of the future.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I did find a bit of character inconsistency with one of the secondary characters. There was one scene that really threw me off, and had me scratching my head.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Otherwise, I was a little let down by how quickly Jase and Piper wind up together. I appreciated Jase's resistance to the idea early on, and I wanted to see that struggle extend through more of the book. I never really felt like there was a serious threat to the HEA for this romance, and that made some of the book a little flat for me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Still, Jase and Piper are, individually, characters that I really liked, and I did enjoy this book.</span></div>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottom line</u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>When We Fall </i>is a solid contemporary romance between a "bad boy" and a "good girl." It met my expectations in some important ways, and it fell a little short in others. Still, I'd recommend it (particularly at the current price point of 99 cents) if you're at all intrigued by the blurb or if you read the first book in the series!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of contemporary romance, ex-cons, tattoos</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't just take my word for it though! I've gathered up a couple of other blog reviews, so check them out for some other opinions!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://thebookdisciple.com/when-we-fall-review/" target="_blank">The Book Disciple</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/2015/12/28/book-review-when-we-fall/" target="_blank">Romantic Reads and Such</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://collectorofbookboyfriends.com/2015/12/08/review/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Collector of Book Boyfriends & Girlfriends</span></a>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-23263990427115096232016-02-09T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-09T02:00:01.011-08:00Beyond the Stars by Stacy Wise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Basics:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Beyond the Stars by Stacy Wise</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Entangled: Embrace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Historical Romance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published February 8, 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Source: Received Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Beyond-Stars-Stacy-Wise-ebook/dp/B01AGF8X70" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/beyond-the-stars-10" target="_blank">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25272714-beyond-the-stars?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why I picked up this book:</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From my <a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.ca/2016/01/stacking-shelves-issue-2016-1.html" target="_blank">Stacking the Shelf</a> post: <span style="background-color: white;">"<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;">Another cute cover,</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"> another publishing house I trust. I thought the concept here was cute too, and I like the combination of prickly and competent forced together."</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em style="color: #181818;">Falling for him wasn't in the plans...</em><br style="color: #181818;" /><br style="color: #181818;" /><span style="color: #181818;">Most girls would kill for the opportunity to work for Jack McAlister, Hollywood's hottest actor, but twenty-one-year-old Jessica Beckett is ready to kick him out of her red Ford Fiesta and never look back. She should be spending her junior year in France, eating pastries and sharpening her foreign language skills. Instead she's reluctantly working as Jack's personal assistant, thanks to her powerhouse talent agent aunt.</span><br style="color: #181818;" /><br style="color: #181818;" /><span style="color: #181818;">Jack is private, prickly, and downright condescending. Jessica pushes his buttons—she's not the type of girl to swoon over celebrity heartthrobs, precisely why her aunt thought she'd be perfect for the job—and Jack pushes right back.</span><br style="color: #181818;" /><br style="color: #181818;" /><span style="color: #181818;">But as she begins to peel away his layers, Jessica is shocked to find she craves her boss's easy smile and sexy blue eyes. The problem is, so does the entire female population. And what started out as the job from hell soon has Jess wondering if a guy like Jack could ever find love with a regular girl like her.</span></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My Thoughts:</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't have a whole lot to say about <i>Beyond the Stars</i>. New adult, but without the usual angst, I quite enjoyed it. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />Jessica's a great character. She's so capable of holding her own, which was critical in her position. She's sassy, she can be sweet, and she quite believably was able to suck it up with her job called for it. Being the personal assistant of a famous person is definitely stereotyped as being a really crappy job, with some incredible benefits, and I think <i>Beyond the Stars</i> was able to play on that, but also suggest that in some cases, it's what you make of it. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I found some of the moments that could have made for some serious angst were the ones where Jessica's positive attitude and approach made them into mere bumps in the road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I loved the portions of the story that revealed the day-to-day interaction between Jack and Jessica. There's a significant section of the book given over to Jessica slowly winning Jack's trust as an employee, and these were probably my favourite parts. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Unlike most New Adult novels, <i>Beyond the Stars </i>does not flip POVs. With the exception of the epilogue, the novel is written from Jessica's perspective, which was interesting as it forced the reader to interpret Jack's behaviour. There was an extended 'will they, won't they' period, one that perhaps felt longer because we didn't get Jack's side of the story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I did find Jack's voice (in dialogue) was a little off at times, particularly once Jessica and Jack began to get close. I'm not sure what it was exactly, but he didn't sound 'right' some of the time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />Regardless, I thought the story was funny in parts, sweet, and pretty solid overall. I'll look for more from Stacy Wise in the future, as a reliable author of contemporary fluff-with-a-snarky-edge would be really welcome.</span></div>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottom line</u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For people who are feeling a little done with angsty New Adult stories, <i>Beyond the Stars </i>is the New Adult novel you've been waiting for. An amusing tale of a reluctant personal assistant and her even more reluctant celebrity-employer, I'd recommend this one as a fun story for a rainy day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of contemporary romance, Hollywood, angst-free New Adult</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't just take my word for it though! I've gathered up a couple of other blog reviews, so check them out for some other opinions!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3lbbookblog.com/beyondthestars/" target="_blank">Three Little Birds Book Blog</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-beyond-the-stars-by-stacey-wise/" target="_blank">Harlequin Junkie</a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://littlemissbookmark.blogspot.ca/2016/01/book-review-beyond-stars-by-stacy-wise.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Little Miss Bookmark</span></a>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-42140322764986417532016-02-05T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-05T02:00:00.158-08:00A Gentleman's Game by Theresa Romain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Basics:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Gentleman's Game by Theresa Romain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Book One in the Romance of the Turf series</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sourcebooks Casablanca</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Historical Romance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published February 2, 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Source: Received Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Gentlemans-Game-Romance-Turf-ebook/dp/B0169AK28O/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/a-gentleman-s-game-4" target="_blank">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25383052-a-gentleman-s-game?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why I picked up this book:</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />I reviewed Theresa Romain twice in 2014, here and here, and I loved her books both times. When I saw this one by her, it was a no-brainer to pick up!</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></i><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Blurb:</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none;">In Book One of Romance of the Turf, a refreshing new Regency series from rising star Theresa Romain, a mystery demanding to be solved brings unlikely allies together in more ways than one</strong>...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none;">How far will a man go</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none;" />Talented but troubled, the Chandler family seems cursed by bad luck-and so Nathaniel Chandler has learned to trade on his charm. He can broker a deal with anyone from a turf-mad English noble to an Irish horse breeder. But Nathaniel's skills are tested when his stable of trained Thoroughbreds become suspiciously ill just before the Epsom Derby, and he begins to suspect his father's new secretary is not as innocent as she seems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none;">To win a woman's secretive heart?</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none;" />Nathaniel would be very surprised if he knew why Rosalind Agate was really helping his family in their quest for a Derby victory. But for the sake of both their livelihoods, Rosalind and Nathaniel must set aside their suspicions. As Derby Day draws near, her wit and his charm make for a successful investigative team...and light the fires of growing desire. But Rosalind's life is built on secrets and Nathaniel's on charisma, and neither defense will serve them once they lose their hearts...</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My Thoughts:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>A Gentleman's Game</i> is a fantastic historical romance featuring the middle class. Nathaniel is the son of a Baronet, part of a family who are embedded in the business of raising, breeding, and racing horses. Rosalind is the daughter of a couple who run an inn, working now as a secretary for Nathaniel's father.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I loved how fresh the story felt. I've never read a horse-racing-centric romance before, and romances between people in this middling class are only just beginning to become popular, I think. I loved all the evidence of the heroine's status, from clothing references to what she values. And Nathaniel's concerns around supporting himself and what he can do for work were also quite welcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The best part of the relationship, I think, is the excellent banter between Nathaniel and Rosalind. I quite enjoyed all the interaction between these two.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also really liked Rosalind's family, and would be happy to read more about them in the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As for the horse-racing side. I thought that there was just enough horse and racing information to ground the story. Those details were important to give context, and I never felt that they overwhelmed me. I found considering the logistics of horse racing, historically and even in the modern age, really interesting. Obviously moving horses across the countryside was, and is, much more challenging than moving their human counterparts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The romance itself is fantastic, the setting is great. Really, my only complaint is that the story line beyond the romance gets a bit messy around the climax and resolution. I wasn't completely sold on the explanations or the way that everything played out, and some of it felt like a bit of hand-waving so readers wouldn't poke it too hard. Regardless, the parts I cared about the most were excellent. </span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottom line</u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>A Gentleman's Game</i> is a delightful historical romance featuring two characters that are rather unusual in the genre. I happily recommend this one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4.5 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of historical romance, middle-class romance, horse racing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't just take my word for it though! I've gathered up a couple of other blog reviews, so check them out for some other opinions!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://sammitheramblingbookjunkie.blogspot.ca/2016/01/arc-review-gentlemans-game-by-theresa.html" target="_blank">The Rambling Book Junkie</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.marienela.net/book-review-gentlemans-game-theresa-romain/" target="_blank">Marienela</a></span>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-53145581718172331562016-02-04T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-04T02:00:23.744-08:00The Secret to Letting Go by Katherine Fleet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Basics:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Secret to Letting Go by Katherine Fleet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Entangled: digiTeen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">YA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Published February 1, 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Source: Received Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Secret-Letting-Go-Katherine-Fleet-ebook/dp/B01AGHEOBM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454009677&sr=8-1&keywords=the+secret+to+letting+go+by+katherine+fleet" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/the-secret-to-letting-go" target="_blank">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28601381-the-secret-to-letting-go?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why I picked up this book:</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />Come on, look at that cover! And the blurb made me want to know what Clover's story is.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></i><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Blurb:</b></i><br />
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<em style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 21px;">One summer can change everything...</em><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">Haunted with guilt after his girlfriend’s death, Daniel Hudson has no interest in committing to anyone. At the end of the summer, he’ll be leaving Florida for a new start in college. If only he could avoid the mysterious new girl in town, who seems every bit as naive and eccentric as she looks. Trouble is, she’s hard to ignore, with her beautiful piercing eyes, pitiful-looking dog, and unsettling tendency of finding trouble. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">Clover Scott lived her whole life off the grid and arrives on the Gulf coast in search of her grandparents. She never expected to nearly drown, or get caught in a hurricane, or fall in love with the boy who rescues her. Now, she has a chance to rewrite her life’s story, to finally fit in somewhere, but Daniel wants answers about her past. When the police start asking questions about the disappearance of her parents, she must make a choice: go to jail or confess her secrets—even if they might destroy her chance at a happily-ever-after.</span><br />
<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My Thoughts:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>The Secret to Letting Go</i> was an unexpected delight. I hoped it would be enjoyable, and while the story ended up being more emotional than I anticipated, it was really good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One thing <i>The Secret to Letting Go</i> really excels at is capturing that YA feeling. Daniel and Clover both have traumatic events in their past, and I think to a degree, those backgrounds set this apart from a story that could have been lifted from your local high school. But the emotional extremes, the uncertainty, a lot of the thought process behind their decision-making all felt very appropriate for the age group. There's a sense of all or nothing, path of least resistance, but awareness of the value in the path less taken, that I thought resonated really strongly for characters in their late teens. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The story is narrated by both Daniel and Clover, who each deliver multiple chapters in turn instead of the more common every-other-chapter. I really liked this approach as it let me settle more into the story from their perspective. I felt like I got to really spend time with the characters, even though every-other-chapter results in the same amount of time in their heads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This story is also really emotional. I finished it while I was drinking tea at a coffee shop, and I had to wipe away tears. Tears! I really liked the growth of both characters. They both have personal journeys to go on, and do so in ways that I read as authentic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wouldn't call this a YA romance - it's more a like relationship novel, which I *loved.* This is more about how can we work as a couple than about the will we, won't we that normally features in romance novels. If you're hoping for a lot of romantic moments, this book probably won't be satisfying. But I thought that it was a really smart way to write about these two specific characters, and I loved the approach.</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></u><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottom line</u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Secret to Letting Go </i>is the first book I've read this year that I know I will re-read. I really liked it, I thought it had some interesting layers. There are some parts that are just out there enough to bring a sense of drama and elevate the story from a typical high school romance. I recommend this one if you like YA relationship stories!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of YA, relationship stories, emotional stories</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't just take my word for it though! I've gathered up a couple of other blog reviews, so check them out for some other opinions!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://sammitheramblingbookjunkie.blogspot.ca/2015/11/arc-review-art-of-taming-rake-by-nicole.html" target="_blank">The Rambling Book Junkie</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://romancereviewsbyruckie.wordpress.com/2015/12/20/the-art-of-taming-a-rake-nicole-jordan/" target="_blank">Reviews by Ruckie</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://ilprofumodellepergamene.blogspot.ca/2015/11/review-art-of-taming-rake-legendary.html" target="_blank">Il Profumo Delle Pergamene</a></span>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-54681679634150436992016-02-03T05:08:00.000-08:002016-02-03T05:08:34.446-08:00Mid-Week Musing, 3<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the topic of author interviews:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I first started blogging, my goal was just to create an archive of reviews for my own entertainment and edification. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had no interest in interacting with authors or marketing folks--I found the idea intimidating, to be honest. And then, I wasn't sure what value I could bring to them as my blog's not a blockbuster as far as page hits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gradually, my attitude's started to change. Sure, my blog is still quite small. But it's still viewed by a fair number of people. And I can be another link in the chain, connecting readers with good books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I took the plunge, and signed up to interview an author.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And wow, was it satisfying. I love combing through an author's website for clues to their interests, personality, and inspirations. I like to consider these alongside the book, and then develop questions that will hopefully shed some light on why the author made the choices they did in their book or how their background might have made them the best person to write their story. I love to ask about their process, what they like or dislike about being an author beyond the writing of books, and so on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I've recently started to find the approach to author interviews a little frustrating. Many publishing companies and tour companies are asking for questions to be submitted at the time of the interview request, before I've had an opportunity to actually read the book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that, for me, is a bit of a problem. I don't want to spoil in the interview, but I do want to make sure the questions I'm asking are relevant. Sometimes, blurbs point us in one direction, but there's elements of the story/setting/characters that would be better to ask about, without handing out a bunch of spoilers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Often these opportunities present themselves very quickly, so reading previous work by the author isn't often possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So... what's the best strategy for submitting questions for author interviews? Blurb, author website - are there other sources I should turn to for inspiration for questions? Or is it wiser to keep the questions more generic?</span><br />
<br />Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-33518880168916865032016-02-02T05:00:00.000-08:002016-02-02T05:00:08.394-08:00Blog Tour: Reckless by Kimberly Kincaid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My second blog tour book of the day is the delightful <i>Reckless</i> by Kimberly Kincaid. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> This contemporary romance was also released by Zebra on January 26th. It's the first book in Kincaid's Rescue Squad series. I've read a few good firemen romances in the last couple years, and so I was quite curious about this one when the opportunity to review came up. Stick around to find out just how good it was...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Check out the other stops on the tour at </span><a href="http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/12/reckless-rescue-squad-1-by-kimberly.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Tasty Book Tours</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'book antiqua', serif;">SOMEONE’S BOUND TO GET BURNED…</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Zoe Westin may be a fire captain’s daughter, but feeding the people in her hometown of Fairview is her number one priority. Running a soup kitchen is also the perfect way to prove to her dad that helping people doesn’t always mean risking life and limb. But when she's saddled with a gorgeous firefighter doing community service after yet another daredevil stunt, the kitchen has never been so hot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Alex Donovan thrives on adrenaline, and stirring a pot of soup doesn’t exactly qualify. He’s not an expert at following the rules either, not even when they come from the stubborn, sexy daughter of the man who's not only his boss, but his mentor. Determined to show Zoe that not every risk ends in catastrophe, Alex challenges her both in the kitchen and out. One reckless step leads to another, but will falling for each other be a risk worth taking, or will it just get them burned?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Reckless </i>is available now<i>!</i></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?field-keywords=978-1-4201-3773-6"><b>Amazon</b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/9781420137736"><b>B
& N</b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kimberly_Kincaid_Reckless?id=CdjvCAAAQBAJ"><b>Google
Play</b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781420137743"><b>iTunes</b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/reckless-92"><b>Kobo</b></a></span></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><b><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25476688-reckless" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/152991-rescue-squad" target="_blank">Goodreads Series</a></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Reckless </i>is an enjoyable read. Featuring a firefighter and the daughter of his captain, the latter of whom is now operating a soup kitchen, the story is driven by the attraction between the two. Different conflicts arise that felt realistic - there's no heightened drama here, within the context of Alex and Zoe's jobs. I liked that I could relate to this element of the story, that the relationship issues were issues that normal people could face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I loved the differences between main characters Alex and Zoe. Alex's no-holds barred approach to life was pretty infectious as I was reading, and I liked the self-awareness around endorphins and adrenaline. By contrast, Zoe's risk-free (or heavily weighing risk vs reward) approach to life sounded pretty familiar to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also really liked that a lot of emphasis in the story was placed on the necessity of a reliable support system. Having people who will go to bat for you, who you can count on no matter what is such a valuable resource. It plays nicely into the story, and adds an element beyond the romance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Reckless</i> started on an odd for me, wherein Alex wasn't quite as swoonworthy as the average romance hero is. He wasn't a complete write-off--don't get me wrong!--but I was wary about how the romance would play out. He undergoes some fantastic character development, one that made it seem like he was maturing on the page. It was kind of awesome, once I got over my hesitancy around his suitability. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The story establishes a lot of single characters, all fodder for potential books in the series. I'd definitely be happy to return to the Rescue Squad series in future, and hope that Alex and Zoe play a part in future books!</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bottom Line</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Unless you have something against firefighters or soup kitchens (or contemporary romance), I'd suggest grabbing this one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4.5 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of firemen, food, friends-as-family</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">About the Author</u></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qe7_rLV9KEOFoJ60xhNZCeFp9npjrVPD5SMiSIKJd2eyQXtDqFN59uE5x1yQUMF7CidkmSMnD6VHZHn9_HfdOVCBGM_fm6IyBCR-fwdU4DmhoOPgNjtWEFB9qEO6T8fmemxflDfsPLc/s1600/Kimberly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qe7_rLV9KEOFoJ60xhNZCeFp9npjrVPD5SMiSIKJd2eyQXtDqFN59uE5x1yQUMF7CidkmSMnD6VHZHn9_HfdOVCBGM_fm6IyBCR-fwdU4DmhoOPgNjtWEFB9qEO6T8fmemxflDfsPLc/s1600/Kimberly.jpg" /></a><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Kimberly Kincaid</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"> writes contemporary
romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she's not
sitting crosslegged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber,”
she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from
enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book.
Kimberly is a 2011 RWA Golden Heart® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the
mantra that food is love. She resides in northern Virginia with her wildly
patient husband and their three daughters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.kimberlykincaid.com/"><b>Website</b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKimberlyKincaid"><b>Facebook</b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://twitter.com/kimberlykincaid"><b>Twitter</b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938229.Kimberly_Kincaid"><b>Goodreads</b></a></span></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Note that the giveaway is hosted by Zebra, and is US only.</span></div>
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Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-83977416807843058912016-02-02T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-02T02:00:20.249-08:00Blog Tour: Into The Fury by Kat Martin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, I'm happy to be touring </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Into The Fury</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> by Kat Martin. This romantic suspense was released by Zebra on January 26th. It's the first book in Martin's BOSS, Inc. series, which connects with Martin's earlier romantic suspense series. You'll find a few familiar faces looming around the edges of this book!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Check out the other stops on the tour at </span><a href="http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/12/into-fury-boss-inc-1-by-kat-martin.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Tasty Book Tours</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">A bodyguard, a bounty
hunter, a P.I.--the men of Brodie Operations Security Service, Inc. are down
for the job. . .<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Sinners, whores, and sluts
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Ethan's learned the hard
way that beauty is no substitute for character. So even though Valentine Hart
is one of the most breathtaking women he's ever seen, he's keeping his hands
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Then one of the models is
murdered, and the closer Ethan gets to the answers, the closer he finds himself
to Valentine--and the hotter the pressure feels. There's more to Val--more to
the other girls--than he could have guessed. But one is keeping a secret that
could kill them all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?field-keywords=978-1-4201-3900-6"><b>Amazon</b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/9781420139006"><b>B
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Play</b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781420139013"><b>iTunes</b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/into-the-fury"><b>Kobo</b></a></span></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;">The
only lights on in Val’s Montlake duplex apartment were the lamp beside her bed
and the screen on her computer. She was up late studying, trying to catch up on
the Internet courses she was taking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Snoozie, her big gray cat, slept on
his pillow on the back of the desk. Even asleep, he was great company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Val sighed. With rehearsals, she
wouldn’t be doing much studying this week. She’d be getting home late and she
needed her beauty rest, needed to look her absolute best for the dress
rehearsal, then the fashion show on Saturday night. She owed it to the people
who were counting on her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> The Internet contest she’d won six
months ago had secured her a place as a La Belle Lingerie fashion model. Out of
thousands of women, she was the lucky winner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> The work was grueling. She’d never
understood how hard a fashion model worked. Though La Belle models weren’t
half-starved, anorexic women like high-fashion, couture design models, they had
to be in top physical condition. The women were expected to ooze sexuality.
They’d been chosen for their full breasts, small waists, and perfectly curving
hips. La Belle models wore lingerie designed to appeal to men—which was the
reason women bought it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> A strict diet regimen was required,
along with the two to three hours a day she spent with a trainer to ensure her
body stayed perfectly toned and fit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> The job had required her to drop out
of school to train for the fashion show and do PR work for the company, but La
Belle was paying her a boatload of money, enough that she’d be able to finish
at the U of Washington next year with a degree in veterinary medicine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Val loved animals and always had.
Becoming a vet was a long-time dream, but her scholarship had run out after
she’d earned her bachelor’s degree. With her parents’ help and working two
part-time jobs, she’d managed to get through her first year of vet school, but
the tuition was nearly twelve thousand, with fees on top of that, living
expenses, food, and travel to and from campus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> On a whim, she’d entered the
modeling contest, and to her amazement, she’d won.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> God and the genes she’d inherited
had blessed her with excellent bone structure, as well as a really good body.
Though a lot of women would think the high-paying, seemingly glamorous life of
a model was the job of a lifetime, running around half-naked in sequins and
feathers just wasn’t the life for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Instead, she was using her physical
assets to pursue the goals she had set for herself when she was in high school.
Val glanced at the clock, saw it was after midnight, reached over and turned
off her laptop. Tomorrow was another rehearsal day. At the end of the summer,
her contract with La Belle would be up and she could finish her final term at
school. Her job as a fashion model would be over and she could return to a
normal life again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Val smiled. After the whirlwind tour
and her fifteen minutes of fame, it might take a while to figure out exactly
what normal was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Sitting in front of his laptop on
the desk in his bedroom, the man moved the mouse and changed the font. He chose
another font and typed the next word, then changed the font again, continuing,
one by one, until he finished the note. The printer hummed as he printed the
words on a plain white sheet of paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 144pt;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: CourierNewPS-BoldItalicMT;">Sinners, </span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Batang; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">SLUTS, </span><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: CourierNewPS-BoldItalicMT;">and
</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldItalic;">WHORES</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: CourierNewPS-BoldItalicMT;">--</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: CopperplateGothic-Light;">BEWARE.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 144pt;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: CourierNewPS-BoldItalicMT;">REPENT or you </span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: AGaramondPro-Regular;">WILL
be </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: CopperplateGothic-Light;">NEXT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> He was proud of his handiwork. This
note matched the first, its message more than clear. When the note was found,
there’d be no doubt who was responsible. And he’d be careful to leave no clues
that could be traced back to him. He just had to work out the timing, then make
sure everything went the way he planned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> As he mentally went over his
preparations, he began to look forward to the encounter, always an adrenaline
rush. He’d been missing that lately. He settled back in his chair and studied
the note.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Soon, he’d deliver it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> He smiled, anticipating the
challenge, then the satisfaction of a job well done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Ethan’s second day at the theater
was hectic. The women were busy rehearsing, and for the first time, he began to
see what a difficult job they had. Not just walking out on the stage tossing
their hair and smiling but placing each step exactly right, moving in ways that
best displayed the garments they were selling. They had to learn dozens of
different poses and cues from the choreographer, who was constantly making
changes and asking them to relearn something they had only just learned a few
minutes before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Add to that, the way they took care
of their bodies required tremendous work. Ethan regularly pumped weights and
worked out in the gym in his apartment complex. It was just part of his job.
These women worked with trainers, dieted furiously, limited their alcohol
intake to practically zilch, and went to bed early. When in the hell did they
have any fun?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> After watching them a while, when a
woman he’d dubbed Heather-with-the-silver hair strutted down the runway in her
sky-high heels, stepped wrong and went down hard, he was only a little
surprised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Being close to the stage, he jumped
up on the runway and walked over to help. Her nails dug into his arm as she
took hold and tried to stand, released a grimace of pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> “Take it easy.” Crouching beside her,
he urged her to lie back down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> “Don’t move her!” Daniel Clemens and
his young assistant rushed forward. “Someone call Dr. Harrison!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> “I’m okay,” the blonde said, but he
could hear the anxiety in her voice. “Please—just give me a minute, Daniel.
I’ll be fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Clemens was tall and slender, with
light brown hair moussed into some kind of bed-head style. Ethan had a<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;">hunch
he was gay, but he wasn’t flamboyant. And as Matt Carlyle had said, he was
clearly good at his job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> The choreographer knelt next to Ethan.
“We can’t stop rehearsal. We need to get her off the stage, but she can’t walk
on that ankle. Do you think you could carry her back to one of the dressing
rooms?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> “Not a problem.” Bending, Ethan
scooped the girl up in his arms and started striding toward the back of the
stage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Heather slid her arms around his
neck. “Wow. If my ankle wasn’t hurting so damn much, I’d be impressed.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> His mouth edged up. “You aren’t that
heavy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> “Oh, you are a sweet talker.”
Heather flashed him a pain-filled smile, then returned her attention to
Clemens, who hurried along beside them. “I’ll be okay, Daniel, really. It only
hurts a little. I’ll be fine by tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> “Sorry, dear girl. You know show
policy. We’ll have to see what the doctor says. I’ll go make sure he’s on his
way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Daniel hurried off as Ethan carried
Heather into one of the dressing rooms. He tried not to notice the array of
hot-pink panties, skimpy lace bras, feather boas, sequined thongs, and
God-only-knew what else. Gently, he settled Heather on the sofa against the
wall and stood up just as another woman pushed her way into the already cramped
quarters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Though her dimples weren’t showing,
he recognized the blonde.</span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-Italic;">Valentine.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> She reached down and gently caught
hold of the injured woman’s hand. “How are you doing, Heather?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> At the contact, the girl fought not
to cry. “Oh, God, Val, I can’t believe this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> “You’re going to be okay. Just lie
back and let me take a look, all right?” Valentine knelt next to the platinum
blonde.“Somebody get an ice pack. We need to keep the swelling down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> She glanced over, spotted him
standing in the doorway, and seemed to remember who he was. “Ethan, can you
find someone to get an ice pack for us?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> He nodded. “I’ll take care of it.”
His last glimpse as he walked out of the dressing room was Valentine moving the
ankle. He heard Heather’s hiss of pain, and then she started to cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> “I’ve got the ice coming,” Daniel
told him when he reached the open area behind the stage. “We keep a couple of
physicians on our payroll, on call for emergencies like these. It shouldn’t
take Dr. Harrison long to get here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> “Will she be able to do the show?”
Ethan asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Daniel shook his head. “From the
looks of that sprain, it isn’t likely. La Belle has liability concerns when it
comes to job-related injuries. Besides, I don’t think she’d be able to walk the
runway in a pair of spike heels.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS;"> Ethan didn’t think so either. But
then, he couldn’t figure out how the models managed to do it when there was
nothing wrong with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Review</span></u></h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Into The Fury</i> is a really thick, full story. Sometimes I find that romances can be a little thin on plot beyond the relationship. Romantic suspense almost always sidesteps the issue by including a mystery or action-oriented plot of some kind. <i>Into The Fury </i>goes beyond this by providing a multi-faceted threat to face down, that puts Val and Ethan on full alert for most of the book.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I quite liked the relationship between Val and Ethan. I thought it developed relatively organically within the context of the story being told. I liked that assumptions were tested, and that there wasn't a lot of second-guessing their own emotions. I'm definitely 'over' books wherein the 'will they-won't they' hinges on bad communication and each character individually questioning whether they should attempt a relationship or not.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pacing of <i>Into The Fury</i> is excellent. Martin understands how to balance the intrigue and tension of the suspense with the development of a romance. I had a really hard time putting this book down at the end of the day--it was easy to read just another two pages, and then another two, and then... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The only downside of <i>Into The Fury</i>, for me, was the set-up for the next book in the series, which will feature two characters introduced in this book. I was put off by the way that their relationship begins, and I found it distracted me from Ethan and Val. There was some business around communication with regard to that thread of plot, and because we never fully focused, and never really got to know why the heck neither of the two characters involved had been particularly open about themselves or their lives... Yeah, I was a little frustrated by that. There were so many details dangled out there with the promise that the next book would clarify things, and I just... wasn't hooked. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">BUT, this didn't diminish my enjoyment of the main story. It just didn't add anything to it.</span></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bottom Line</span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></u>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">If you like contemporary romances, I suggest you pick up <i>Into The Fury</i>. It's a solid story, with some heft to it, a great romance, and it sets the stage for future books in this new Kat Martin series.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4.5 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For fans of romantic suspense, models/the fashion industry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">About the Author</u></h4>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Kat Martin</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"> is the author of twenty-one
Historical and Contemporary Romance novels. She tackles many different aspects
of her genre with settings ranging from the rugged West to the Antebellum
South, Regency, Georgian, and Medieval England. Not one to shy away from
change, she also tackles Contemporary Romantic Suspense novels which involve
the paranormal. Some of her titles include Nothing But Velvet, Sweet Vengeance,
and Dangerous Passions. These works have won a bevy of awards including a
recent Romantic Times Magazine nomination for Best Historical Romance of 1998
for her latest release, Wicked Promise. She is also published in, among others,
Germany, Norway, Sweden, China, Russia, and Spain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVGrnB7z4nzoE1leFqZWycjv81zEG_izT6BIAb5wE4Y9OiJgMNPMXqBuVJ2FSFFR2iANaozAEyk3n7OZt4hU_LnAGj7WacZtYQWwS7MlrbNaw_lhyGNXFgWAk21HVZW3jKjMc1F3g8QM/s1600/Kat+Martin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVGrnB7z4nzoE1leFqZWycjv81zEG_izT6BIAb5wE4Y9OiJgMNPMXqBuVJ2FSFFR2iANaozAEyk3n7OZt4hU_LnAGj7WacZtYQWwS7MlrbNaw_lhyGNXFgWAk21HVZW3jKjMc1F3g8QM/s1600/Kat+Martin.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Before starting her writing career in
1985, Kat was a real estate broker. During that time, she met her husband,
Larry Jay Martin, also a Kensington author. After double majoring in Anthropology
and History at the University of California at Santa Barbara, she found herself
incredibly interested in the past. In fact, she and Larry often do research in
the areas where their books take place. She remarks, "We like to stay in
out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a
wonderful sense of a bygone era."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; line-height: 115%;">In May, Kat will release her next Historical Romance, Night Secrets.
Following that is an upcoming Zebra release, a Contemporary Romantic Suspense
entitled The Silent Rose, which will be out in August. "It's a ghostly
tale of romance and intrigue that was based on a real life incident," says
Kat. "It's a little bit scary, a whole lot sexy, and hopefully lots of fun
to read."</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.katmartin.com/">Website</a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KatMartinAuthor">Facebook</a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://twitter.com/katbooks">Twitter</a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"> | </span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/49381.Kat_Martin">GoodReads</a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Note that the giveaway is hosted by Avon, and is US only.</span></span></div>
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-87673253041110179002016-02-01T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-01T03:58:33.919-08:00Entangled Promo - Turning 5!<div dir="ltr" style="bottom: 0pt; top: 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; height: 22.08px;">Entangled Publishing is turning 5 and they are so excited that they'er offering all the
books on their latest bestselling imprint, Lovestruck, at a celebratory price of just <span style="color: red;">$.99 each</span>! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; height: 22.08px;">I'm a big fan of Entangled, I've reviewed quite a few titles for them over the last couple years, and you can bet that I'll be picking up a few more at the sale price!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; height: 22.08px;"><span style="color: red;">AND that's not all. Over the next three weeks Entangled Publishing will be
giving away 5 Lovestruck prize packs including 5 different <a href="http://www.sephora.com/search/search.jsp?keyword=minimergency&mode=all" target="_blank">Sephora Minimergency kits</a>, an Amazon gift card and other surprise gift
cards. </span>So be sure to stop by each of the amazing blogger hosts below and visit the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EntangledLovestruck/" target="_blank">Lovestruck Facebook
page</a> to find out about the fun events and giveaways they're hosting in the coming
weeks. You will also get sneak peeks inside different releases so you can pick out your
must reads.</span></div>
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<span style="family: times, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; height: 22.08px;">Haven't read a Lovestruck yet? Take a peek inside...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Blame It on the Kiss by Robin Bielman Excerpt</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> “I think game time’s over,” Honor said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I think the only game that comes to my mind that’s played in a closet with a beautiful girl has </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">got to do with kissing. <i>Seven Minutes in Heaven</i> or something like that. And since we are in the </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">wedding party, it’s our duty to follow through, right?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He thought she was beautiful?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tingles swept over her lips and down the backs of her arms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Am I right?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She cleared her throat and told her body to ignore any more tingles, quivers, flutters, shivers, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">trembles, prickles, or shudders he might instigate. Bryce belonged to her best friend, even if she </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">wasn’t here to claim him. “Yes, it’s a kissing game. But the rules say one minute.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“So you planned to kiss the guy that found you in here?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“On the mouth?” he asked, surprised.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Yes. But no tongue.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The small space between them dissolved as he canted his head down to talk in her ear. “I think </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it’s our obligation to play, Honor. It’s just a game, so can I kiss you?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">YES! Her traitorous body shouted as his husky voice made her toes curl. Then, like he had </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">some magic mojo, she put her arms around his neck. Her hands should not have been </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">anywhere but at her sides, dammit. She reasoned the dark had something to do with it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because she couldn’t really see him, she could pretend he was Theo James and this was her </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sixty seconds of pretend boyfriend kissing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“We shouldn’t.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe it was his agreement. Maybe it was her earlier desire to break her dry spell, to not leave </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the closet until she’d gotten a kiss. Whatever it was, she found herself pushing aside her guilt </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and wanting to finish the game she’d agreed to play.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Okay,” she said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God, did he have to be so careful with her? She touched her nose to his. “Yes.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Plan on one minute in heaven, Honor.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>About the book:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The one guy she shouldn’t want...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Honor Mitchell has lived with guilt and regret for a long time, so when she promises to do the </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">things on her dying best friend’s wish list, she’s determined to follow through and do something </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">right for a change. But when she’s thrown together for wedding duties with the one man who </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">complicates her vow—just by looking at him—she has to put her faith in Bryce Bishop’s pledge </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to help her, no strings attached.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bryce’s near one-night stand with his ex-girlfriend’s best friend a few months ago might have </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">been a mistake, but helping the beautiful, freespirited Honor with her promise isn’t. His trust in </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">women is shot, but he can’t help but play his best man card to his advantage and help Honor </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tick off the items on his ex’s list, even if it puts him in a no-win situation. Because his assistance </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">might get Honor what she wants, but suddenly being the do-good guy puts his plans—and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">heart—in serious jeopardy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blame-Kiss-Entangled-Bliss-Kisses-ebook/dp/B00XTW2BW6" target="_blank">Amazon </a>| <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blame-it-on-the-kiss-robin-bielman/1121953178" target="_blank">B&N</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25562636-blame-it-on-the-kiss" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></div>
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Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-58191877368872759802016-01-31T06:32:00.000-08:002016-01-31T06:32:59.667-08:00Review of Challenges: January<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">End of January, time for a review of my challenge progress!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. </b><b><a href="http://50bookpledge.ca/">50 Book Pledge</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm committed to 150 books this year. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My profile is </span><a href="http://50bookpledge.ca/user/52c572c878a6al" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">here.</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've read 19 so far, which is above and beyond my monthly goal of 13.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">2. </b><a href="http://www.booksmoviesreviewsohmy.com/2016-new-release-challenge-sign-up/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">2016 New Release Challenge</a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This one is about reviewing books released in 2016. I'm going to be aiming for New Release Enthusiast (45+). <br /><br />Almost all of the books reviewed on the blog this month were New Releases.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.ca/2016/01/this-is-where-it-ends-by-marieke-nijkamp.html"><i>This Is Where It Ends</i> by Marieke Nijkamp</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.com/2016/01/because-of-you-by-rashelle-workman.html">Because of You by RaShelle Workman</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-art-of-taming-rake-by-nicole-jordan_21.html">The Art of Taming a Rake by Nicole Jordan</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.com/2016/01/fixer-upper-by-ines-saint.html">Fixer-Upper by Ines Saint</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.com/2016/01/extreme-honor-by-piper-j-drake.html">Extreme Honor by Piper J. Drake</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.com/2016/01/blog-tour-knave-of-hearts-by-elizabeth.html">The Knave of Hearts by Elizabeth Boyle</a></span><br />
<a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.com/2016/01/torn-by-alexa-kim.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Torn by Alexa Kim</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">** I have four additional titles with fully written reviews pre-posted for next month</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GXe9EGzUZJ_3uBw8E5C1eQd5LlC2D9aUmTlDyjXDdWEhNitH60yAng7i37hmOwfkiehkUvum3pQYgubyzO2eh0xJt4prvmpjeuX2qizAMJ9PhuA3N2ImDHBBHVg5q2tlfXPxVL6BLpZO/s1600/Mount+TBR+2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GXe9EGzUZJ_3uBw8E5C1eQd5LlC2D9aUmTlDyjXDdWEhNitH60yAng7i37hmOwfkiehkUvum3pQYgubyzO2eh0xJt4prvmpjeuX2qizAMJ9PhuA3N2ImDHBBHVg5q2tlfXPxVL6BLpZO/s200/Mount+TBR+2016.png" width="170" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. </b><b><a href="http://myreadersblock.blogspot.ca/2015/11/2016-mount-tbr-reading-challenge.html" target="_blank">Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2016</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My goal for this one is Mt Ararat, which is 48 books from my TBR pile (i.e. books purchased/received prior to 2016). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00G48C42E/" target="_blank">North Pole Reform School by Jaimie Admans</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Sweet-Girl-Titan-Cristin-Harber-ebook/dp/B00KFMFWWE/" target="_blank">Sweet Girl by Cristin Harber</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.com/2016/01/kill-without-mercy-by-alexandra-ivy.html">Kill Without Mercy by Alexandra Ivy</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://toeachtheirownreviews.blogspot.com/2016/01/vendetta-by-gail-z-martin.html">Vendetta by Gail Z Martin</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Nuts-Hudson-Valley-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00UDCHYCM/" target="_blank">Nuts by Alice Clayton</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Escaping-Reality-Secret-Life-Bensen-ebook/dp/B00L01GHBY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1454248214&sr=1-1&keywords=escaping+reality" target="_blank">Escaping Reality by Lisa Renee Jones</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak-ebook/dp/B000XUBFE2/" target="_blank">The Book Thief by Markus Zusak</a></span><a href="http://www.becausereading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Challenge-Logo-Header-1024x745.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><img alt="and our new co-host Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!" border="0" src="http://www.becausereading.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Challenge-Logo-Header-1024x745.png" height="145" width="200" /></i></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. <a href="http://fantasyismorefun.com/2015/11/coyer-is-going-back-to-basics-sign-up-now.html">COYER</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So COYER runs from December 19th to March 4th. It's all about reading the freebies or nearly free books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've read 18 books that qualify for COYER - mostly ebooks received for review, but a few that I've purchased on sale or gotten as freebies. I do need to get some clean-up done and post them to the link-up. To keep COYER in my mind for February, I've joined the Facebook group!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><a href="http://www.becausereading.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2016HWLogo-1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img alt="2016HWLogo" border="0" src="http://www.becausereading.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2016HWLogo-1024x1024.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></b></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>5. <a href="http://www.becausereading.com/2016hwsignup/">2016 Reading Assignment Challenge</a> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I'm going for reading level 2 - 2 books per month. This challenge asks you to make a list of all the books you are committing to read, and then check them off on a monthly basis.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I read my two books for January, and I've selected by two books for February.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Miss-Mayhem-Rebel-Belle-Novel-ebook/dp/B00KWG5TC6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1451521301&sr=8-1">Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins</a> - February</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Throne-Glass-Sarah-J-Maas-ebook/dp/B007N6JEII/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521181&sr=8-1&keywords=throne+of+glass">Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strike>3. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak-ebook/dp/B000XUBFE2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1451521331&sr=8-1">The Book Thief by Markus Zusak</a> </strike>- January</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/I-Am-Princess-Cherie-Priest/dp/B00OU4Y5YY/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521368&sr=8-1&keywords=princess+x" target="_blank">I am Princess X by Cherie Priest</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Manners-Mutiny-Finishing-School-Book-ebook/dp/B00U6DNZFI/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521406&sr=8-1&keywords=manners+and+mutiny" target="_blank">Manners & Mutiny by Gail Carriger</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Frost-Burned-Thompson-Patricia-Briggs-ebook/dp/B0099CFXEI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521427&sr=8-1&keywords=frost+burned" target="_blank">Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Madmans-Daughter-Megan-Shepherd/dp/0062246968/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521455&sr=8-1&keywords=the+madman%27s+daughter" target="_blank">The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Collector-Dante-Walker-Victoria-Scott-ebook/dp/B00Q1YU45A/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521489&sr=8-9&keywords=the+collector" target="_blank">The Collector by Victoria Scott</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Queen-Tearling-Erika-Johansen-ebook/dp/B00FVW7CVM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521517&sr=8-1&keywords=queen+of+the+tearling" target="_blank">Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Lies-Locke-Lamora-Gentleman-Sequence-ebook/dp/B00H6T763M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521554&sr=8-1&keywords=lies+of+locke+lamora" target="_blank">The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch</a> - February (This will be a challenge!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Ink-Bone-Library-Rachel-Caine/dp/045147239X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521585&sr=8-1&keywords=ink+and+bone" target="_blank">Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Reap-Wind-Cassie-Palmer-Novel/dp/0451419073/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521608&sr=8-1&keywords=Reap+the+Wind" target="_blank">Reap the Wind by Karen Chance</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">13. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Halfway-Grave-Night-Huntress-Novel-ebook/dp/B000W94FU0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521657&sr=8-1&keywords=halfway+to+the+grave" target="_blank">Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Magic-Trouble-Found-Raine-Benares-ebook/dp/B000U913DY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521777&sr=8-1&keywords=magic+lost%2C+trouble+found" target="_blank">Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">15. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Snow-Like-Ashes-Sara-Raasch/dp/0062286927/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521805&sr=8-1&keywords=snow+like+ashes" target="_blank">Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">16. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Gargoyle-Andrew-Davidson/dp/0307356787/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451521832&sr=8-1&keywords=the+gargoyle" target="_blank">The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">17. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Reckless-Cornelia-Funke/dp/0316056073/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1PS6K987561PK5TVF2YJ" target="_blank">Reckless by Cornelia Funke</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">18. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Shooting-Scars-Book-Artists-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00DG8ZY7W/ref=sr_1_25?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451521927&sr=1-25&keywords=karina+halle" target="_blank">Shooting Scars by Karina Halle</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">19. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Outcast-The-Cat-Star-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B003DM3R34/ref=pd_sim_351_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=51oRZGrxCfL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_UX300_PJku-sticker-v3%2CTopRight%2C0%2C-44_AC_UL160_SR97%2C160_&refRID=1BZQDZA16JH3ZDQVT64T" target="_blank">Outcast by Cheryl Brooks</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strike>20. </strike><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/North-Reform-School-Jaimie-Admans-ebook/dp/B00G48C42E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1451522199&sr=1-1&keywords=north+pole+reform+school" style="text-decoration: line-through;" target="_blank">North Pole Reform School by Jaimie Admans</a> - January</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">21. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Duchess-War-Brothers-Sinister-Book-ebook/dp/B00AKKGX4W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1451522220&sr=1-1&keywords=the+duchess+war" target="_blank">The Duchess War by Courtney Milan</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">22. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Alice-Zombieland-White-Rabbit-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00C84GCNA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1451522310&sr=1-1&keywords=alice+in+zombieland" target="_blank">Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">23. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Three-Legends-Duskwalker-Jay-Posey-ebook/dp/B00BABSZGO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1451522351&sr=1-1&keywords=three+by+jay+posey" target="_blank">Three by Jay Posey</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">24. <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Indexing-Book-1-Seanan-McGuire-ebook/dp/B00CDXPL3I/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1451522435&sr=1-1&keywords=indexing+by+seanan+mcguire" target="_blank">Indexing by Seanan McGuire</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>6. <a href="http://www.becausereading.com/2016-bookishresolutions-sign-up-post/">2016 Bookish Resolutions Challenge</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This challenge is the biggie. This challenge is basically a to do list to accomplish over the year. The requirements are basically, choose at least two of Reading/Personal/Blogging and insert two-three sub-goals for each. But I'm going to go above and beyond! </span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Reading Goals:</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- get my Netgalley percentage up to 90% and keep it there (I'm at 84% currently)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Acquiring books for reviews through mid-March has screwed with my percentage. I'm down to 83%--the opposite direction I wanted to head in! I need to get in 35 reviews to hit 90%, which is a lot. But! I have a plan. There's 5 books that I've read but not posted reviews for; these were books I read quickly when I was sick, but didn't take time to review. I'll need to skim again to refresh my memory, but I think I can knock these out this month. Then there's another 8 that I already plan to review this month, so we're up to 13 total. That leaves 22. I have 5 that are for early March that I hope to review and have scheduled before the end of February, so that's down to 17. I won't be at 90%, but I'll be closer--granted, I'll probably pick up a handful of books to review for the end of March, but if I keep that number reasonable, I should still be farther ahead in this by the end of the month!</b></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- read 1 book from Goodreads' Choice awards per month (doesn't have to be a winner)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I read <i>The Book Thief, </i>a book that came up in discussion during the Goodreads Choice awards the year it came out. I'm calling this done for February.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- create a prioritized TBR list </span><br />
<a href="http://www.becausereading.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/BookishResolution-Challenge-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="BookishResolution Challenge 2016" border="0" src="http://www.becausereading.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/BookishResolution-Challenge-2016.jpg" height="200" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I had a list for January, and I've got a list for February that needs a tiny bit of tweaking.</b></span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Personal Goals:</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- lose 35 lbs </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>I'm down almost 8 right now</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- deep clean/declutter/organize all rooms of my house </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>I'm done the major decluttering/organizing tasks in the kitchen</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- write 500 words, 5 days a week, 48 weeks of the year. - <b>This is going to be very hard to do this year - I wrote great the first week and not so great the last three.</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- keep an up-to-date wall calendar so my husband has a reference point for family activities. <b> Calendar is up, I've kept it updated</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- duolingo 5 days a week, 48 weeks of the year (rotate languages if need be). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>I was good on this for the first three weeks, not so much for the last one.</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Blogging Goals:</b></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- post 2 blog posts per week, minimum </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>Absolutely on top of this so far.</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- by the end of February, have created a buffer of 3 weeks on reviews </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>I have a buffer of a week right now, need to pump this up!</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- maintain my goodreads/amazon/50 reads accounts with reviews and read books as I read through 2016 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>I've stayed on top of everything that's gone live on the blog so far.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I haven't tackled any of the following:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- catch up on all outstanding goodreads/amazon reviews from 2015 </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- set dates for two themed weeks this year </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- tidy up tags. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- make indices by rating, author, genre, year reviewed for past reviews, and create a spreadsheet to track, including publisher information</span></div>
</div>
Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568807695722985871.post-37209939815395140562016-01-30T02:00:00.000-08:002016-01-30T10:32:43.573-08:00Stacking the Shelves, 2016-3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://tyngasreviews.com/2016/01/stacking-the-shelves-195.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNGxXFRLaxKx8WtWXAzlF-BwIzlVpuE4XYvKJsgIQ5oQBcbgD4ckH1ogWuAYLWryy22nPNsZzAcgRKh2AfDdLs66D-M0QWPbrTMDGUchzEg0YOxGVGlFBDagjUgZQrS_FVYtv8ISfejs/s320/StackingTheShelves.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stacking the Shelves is an awesome meme hosted by <a href="http://tyngasreviews.com/2016/01/stacking-the-shelves-195.html" target="_blank">Tynga's Review</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bloggers share the books they've received, bought, borrowed - and I collect more and more books for my 'must acquire' list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I did buy a book this week, for $2.25, and I picked up a few freebies and a few for review. My budget is sitting steady at $29 left.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Note: All blurbs are straight from Goodreads.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12670968-shadow-sight?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens</a></b><br />
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<span id="freeText14096139536626095528" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;"><strong>Welcome to Harborsmouth, where monsters walk the streets unseen by humans…except those with second sight, like Ivy Granger.</strong><br /><br /><em>Some things are best left unseen...</em><br /><br />Ivy Granger's second sight is finally giving her life purpose. Ivy and her best friend Jinx may not be raking in the dough, but their psychic detective agency pays the bills—most of the time. Their only worry is the boredom of a slow day and the occasional crazy client—until a demon walks through their door.<br /><br /><em>Demons are never a good sign...</em><br /><br />A demon attorney representing the water fae? Stranger things have happened. And things are about to get very, very strange as a bloodthirsty nightmare hunts the city of Harborsmouth.<br /><br /><em>There's blood in the water...</em><br /><br />Kelpies have a reputation for eating humans. Unfortunately, Kelpies are the clients. When an Unseelie faerie this evil stalks the waterways of your city, you have to make hard choices.<br /><br /><em>The lesser of two evils...</em></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;"> </span><br />
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<b style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #181818; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;">Chelsea's Thoughts: I grabbed this because I was jonesing for some Urban Fantasy, and a psychic detective agency sounds like it could be in my wheelhouse. </b><br />
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1446161216l/27390742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="27390742" border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1446161216l/27390742.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27390742-a-demon-bound" target="_blank">A Demon Bound by Debra Dunbar</a></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">Samantha Martin is an imp, enjoying an extended vacation from Hel. All she wants to do is drink beer by the pool, play mischievous pranks on the humans, and get her hot neighbor in the sack. It’s a relaxing break from her infernal home, as long as she manages to avoid the angels, who won’t hesitate to execute her on sight.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">But when her naughty hellhound lands her in trouble with the local werewolf pack, Sam is blackmailed into helping track and catch a killer. The steps she must take to appease the werewolves will put her right in the crosshairs of the angels. And with angels, there is no second chance.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span><b style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #181818; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;">Chelsea's Thoughts: This book has nearly 2500 ratings on Goodreads. Geebus. I grabbed it because, again, on an Urban Fantasy kick. Also, it has two different covers, and this newer one is pretty badass.</b><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22573879-little-beach-street-bakery" target="_blank">Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">In the bestselling tradition of Jojo Moyes and Jennifer Weiner, Jenny Colgan's moving, funny, and unforgettable novel tells the story of a heartbroken young woman who turns a new page in her life . . . by becoming a baker in the town of Cornwall</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">A quiet seaside resort. An abandoned shop. A small flat. This is what awaits Polly Waterford when she arrives at the Cornish coast, fleeing a ruined relationship.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">To keep her mind off her troubles, Polly throws herself into her favorite hobby: making bread. But her relaxing weekend diversion quickly develops into a passion. As she pours her emotions into kneading and pounding the dough, each loaf becomes better than the last. Soon, Polly is working her magic with nuts and seeds, chocolate and sugar, and the local honey--courtesy of a handsome beekeeper. Packed with laughter and emotion, Little Beach Street Bakery is the story of how one woman discovered bright new life where she least expected--a heartwarming, mouthwatering modern-day Chocolat that has already become a massive international bestseller.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span><b style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #181818; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;">Chelsea's Thoughts: This is the book I bought. I'm reviewing the second one in the series in March as part of its re-release (I gather, based on the Goodreads information). The series looks adorable. </b><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21805661-all-fired-up?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">All Fired Up by Vivian Arend and Elle Kennedy</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">Parker Wilson never thought he’d go from battle-hardened soldier to romance expert, but after his stint in the Rangers, that’s exactly what happened. As the owner of DreamMakers Inc., he helps other men win in the love department, using every resource available to plan the perfect date. When a routine recon turns into an unexpected night of passion, Parker’s mission becomes more personal—and he won’t give up until Lynn Davidson is all his.</span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 21px;">She’s more than willing to follow</strong><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">Lynn is a goner from the moment she lays eyes on the delectable Parker. She’s just ditched her boring almost-boyfriend and is tired of sticking to the straight and narrow. It’s time to walk on the wild side, and what better way than in the arms of the most irresistible man she’s ever met? But when their red-hot affair is threatened, it’ll take a team effort to make their dreams come true.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span><b style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #181818; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;">Chelsea's Thoughts: I've read Elle Kennedy before and feel like I enjoyed her writing. Plus a soldier returns home and starts a business that *isn't* mercenaries/security/bodyguards? That hooked me.</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22294474-love-garage?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Love Garage by Liz Crowe</a></b></span><br />
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<em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 21px;">A Family Saga with humor, heat and heart--not to mention beer, bourbon and basketball!</em><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">Antony Love is the quintessential responsible oldest brother of a boisterous, Italian/Irish family, placed in charge at a young age by his parents who are busy running the family business. He manages his siblings with a fair but iron hand, until his life is shattered by personal tragedy leaving him the shell of the man he once was. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">When outspoken matriarch Lindsay Halloran Love becomes ill, the youngest brother Aiden shows up at Antony's garage, having dropped out of school (again), needing work and a place to crash. Antony provides both, with three caveats: "Don't smoke in my truck, don't be late for work, and don't mess with my girlfriend."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">But Aiden Love, budding novelist, gets one glimpse of Rosalee Norris, young widow of Antony's lifelong best friend and all bets are off.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span><b style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #181818; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;">Chelsea's Thoughts: I'll be honest, I'm not sure what to think about this one. The title is... not great. And the blurb makes this family sound like a disaster waiting to happen. But something in there made me think... yes, take a chance on this one.</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;">I also picked up for review:</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25615134-to-steal-a-heart?from_search=true&search_version=service" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;" target="_blank">To Steal a Heart by K.C. Bateman</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"> - France, a thief caught between a rock and a hard place, a spymaster. Sounds good to me.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28232752-love-me-love-me-not?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Love Me, Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey</a> - Swan shapeshifters? A love story derailed by a family feud? I'm in.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23589243-holding-court?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Holding Court by K.C. Held</a> - This book had me at teenager gets a job at a Medieval Times-esque place. This was one of my favourite daydreams as a teenager. I don't even care what else happens in the book, I saw that and knew I had to read it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23589243-holding-court?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Central Station by Lavie Tidhar</a> - I wanted to balance out all my romance and YA books with something different. This Science Fiction melting pot story fits the bill!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16221851-tell-the-wind-and-fire?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan</a> - Description on this one really hooked me. Magic, doppelgangers, guilty feelings... Sign me up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think I've finished four books this week - it's all a bit of a blur. I'm up to 18 total for the month, and I've acquired... 34. I may have a bit of a problem. But I'm also kitted out for review books through mid-March, so I'll avoid looking at all the shiny new books for the next couple weeks and hopefully a dent can be made?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As always, if you have written a review of any of my 'for review' books, please drop me a link here in comments or email/tweet it at me so I can include your link in my 'don't take my word for it' section of my review post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That's it for me this week. What's on your list this week?</span></div>
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Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12891665417784782617noreply@blogger.com8