Showing posts with label Katherine Reay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katherine Reay. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay


http://www.wishfulendings.com/2017/03/i-cant-wait-for-life-after-by-katie.html



http://amzn.to/2nAuUCd


Ever since her debut novel Dear Mr. Knightley, I've been a huge fan of Katherine Reay's writing. It's thoughtful, deep, and introspective like women's fiction, but with elements of romance and hope that I can't do without ;) I feel transported while reading her books and when I'm done I feel like I've been on a remarkable journey with the characters. Her last book A Portrait of Emily Price was especially amazing! I'm so excited to read her next book The Austen Escape which will release this November.

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

After years of following her best friend’s lead, Mary Davies finds a whimsical trip back to Austen’s Regency England paves the way towards a new future.

Mary Davies lives and works in Austin, Texas, as an industrial engineer. She has an orderly and productive life, a job and colleagues that she enjoys—particularly a certain adorable, intelligent, and hilarious consultant. But something is missing for Mary. When her estranged and emotionally fragile childhood friend Isabel Dwyer offers Mary a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in Bath, Mary reluctantly agrees to come along, in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways. But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes that she lives in Regency England. Mary becomes dependent on a household of strangers to take care of Isabel until she wakes up.

With Mary in charge and surrounded by new friends, Isabel rests and enjoys the leisure of a Regency lady. But life gets even more complicated when Mary makes the discovery that her life and Isabel’s have intersected in more ways that she knew, and she finds herself caught between who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who stands between them. Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings play out, and dancing ensues as this triangle works out their lives and hearts among a company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation.





Thursday, January 19, 2017

Best of 2016 Giveaway Hop!


http://www.bookhounds.net

http://amzn.to/2jsc7Fn

Happy New Year! I read some amazing books last year (see my Favorites of 2016 posts: historical, contemporary, novellas and series) and one of the ones that stood out to me is A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay. (Read my review here) I have an extra copy from the publisher to give away, just enter below in the Giveaway Tools widget!

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Art restorer Emily Price has never encountered anything she can’t fix—until she meets Ben, an Italian chef, who seems just right. But when Emily follows Ben home to Italy, she learns that his family is another matter . . .

Emily Price—fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist—dreams of having a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love.

But Chef Benito Vassallo’s relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to breathe new life into his aunt and uncle’s faded restaurant, Piccollo. Soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well—inviting her into his world and into his heart.

Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben’s proposal and follows him home. But instead of allowing the land, culture, and people of Monterello to transform her, Emily interferes with everyone and everything around her, alienating Ben’s tightly knit family. Only Ben’s father, Lucio, gives Emily the understanding she needs to lay down her guard. Soon, Emily’s life and art begin to blossom, and Italy’s beauty and rhythm take hold of her spirit.

Yet when she unearths long-buried family secrets, Emily wonders if she really fits into Ben’s world. Will the joys of Italy become just a memory, or will Emily share in the freedom and grace that her life with Ben has shown her are possible?



Saturday, January 7, 2017

Favorites of 2016: Contemporary

In 2016 I found myself really getting into contemporary romance! I enjoy both first person and third person POV and I read a good mix of both. Here are the stand-out contemporary novels I read in 2016 (in no particular order). I highly recommend all of them and they are all ones I plan to read again in the future! Add them to your Goodreads TBR or Amazon wishlist!
 
(Check out my historical faves of 2016, and stay tuned for my favorite novellas and series!)
 
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
 
 Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey

 Change of Heart by Courtney Walsh

His Personal Relationship Manager
 
 Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt

 Beyond the Rising Tide by Sarah Beard

 A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay

 Gladly Beyond by Nichole Van

 The Thirteenth Chance by Amy Matayo

Walk of Infamy by Sheralyn Pratt

What are YOUR favorite contemporary novels you read last year?



Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Review: A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay


Heidi Reads... A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Art restorer Emily Price has never encountered anything she can’t fix—until she meets Ben, an Italian chef, who seems just right. But when Emily follows Ben home to Italy, she learns that his family is another matter . . .

Emily Price—fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist—dreams of having a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love.

But Chef Benito Vassallo’s relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to breathe new life into his aunt and uncle’s faded restaurant, Piccollo. Soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well—inviting her into his world and into his heart.

Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben’s proposal and follows him home. But instead of allowing the land, culture, and people of Monterello to transform her, Emily interferes with everyone and everything around her, alienating Ben’s tightly knit family. Only Ben’s father, Lucio, gives Emily the understanding she needs to lay down her guard. Soon, Emily’s life and art begin to blossom, and Italy’s beauty and rhythm take hold of her spirit.

Yet when she unearths long-buried family secrets, Emily wonders if she really fits into Ben’s world. Will the joys of Italy become just a memory, or will Emily share in the freedom and grace that her life with Ben has shown her are possible?



My Review

Some books I devour, some books I savor. This is an absolutely lovely book to savor. It took me a few days to read it because I was feeling every word. The writing flows with a beautiful cadence that was soothing even with some of the drama and heartache the characters were experiencing. I found that the two settings of Atlanta and Italy, the descriptions of Ben's Italian cooking, and the details of Emily's art restoration and painting fascinated me and brought a unique vibe of contrasts that complemented each other and created metaphors within the story. They especially spoke to the creative side of me and I connected with those parts of the book just as much as with the characters, if not more so. Reading this book felt like a therapeutic experience!

Emily serves as a catalyst for change in the dynamics of Ben's family and provides a way for secrets to be revealed. By coming to light, repressed emotions are released and while sometimes painful, it allows healing to take place. Simultaneously her own family dysfunction undergoes a transition and the uncertainty all around her takes a toll on her confidence and stability, but also releases her from the need to be in control. I loved how her relationships affected her art and ability to reach another level.

I have to say that I love that the level of romance increased in this book from the author's last one. Ben is the consummate charming Italian heartthrob, but it was pointed out that unlike his brother, he was unaware of his appeal. Which made him all the more appealing, of course ;) The genuine connection between Emily and Ben was a pleasure to read, especially since it was so unexpected for both of them. The focus shifts when Emily meets and becomes involved with his family, but my interest never waned since the author takes flawed characters that are raw and real, and shares the emotional and introspective journey of their life-changing experiences.

This is not a book to miss! Highly recommend!!!



(I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher; all opinions in this review are my own)


Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop!



Happy summer! I hope you're staying cool and having some good summertime fun! Some of my favorite memories of summer are playing with my sisters and cousins while beach camping in southern California. We loved boogie boarding and collecting shells, and we'd dig a hole big enough for us all to sit in while we played card games like Phase 10. What's your favorite summertime memory? 

Enter in the Giveaway Tools widget below for a chance to win a print copy of Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay!

Giveaway for Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay at Heidi Reads... ends June 30, 2016

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Lizzy and Jane never saw eye to eye. But when illness brings them together, they discover they may be more like Austen’s famous sisters after all.

Lizzy was only a teenager when her mother died of cancer. Shortly after, Lizzy fled from her home, her family, and her cherished nickname. After working tirelessly to hone her gift of creating magic in the kitchen, Elizabeth has climbed the culinary ladder to become the head chef of her own New York restaurant, Feast. But as her magic begins to elude her, Paul, Feast’s financial backer, brings in someone to share her responsibilities and her kitchen. So Elizabeth flees again.

In a desperate attempt to reconnect with her gift, Elizabeth returns home. But her plans are derailed when she learns that her estranged sister, Jane, is battling cancer. Elizabeth surprises everyone—including herself—when she decides to stay in Seattle and work to prepare healthy, sustaining meals for Jane as she undergoes chemotherapy. She also meets Nick and his winsome son, Matt, who, like Elizabeth, are trying to heal from the wounds of the past.

As she tends to Jane's needs, Elizabeth's powers begin to return to her, along with the family she left behind so long ago. Then Paul tries to entice her back to New York, and she is faced with a hard decision: stay and become Lizzy to her sister’s Jane, or return to New York and the life she worked so hard to create?



Thursday, December 24, 2015

Review: The Brontë Plot by Katherine Reay


Heidi Reads... The Brontë Plot by Katherine Reay

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Lucy Alling makes a living selling rare books, often taking suspicious measures to reach her goals. When her unorthodox methods are discovered, Lucy's secret ruins her relationship with her boss and her boyfriend James—leaving Lucy in a heap of hurt, and trouble. Something has to change; she has to change.

In a sudden turn of events, James's wealthy grandmother Helen hires Lucy as a consultant for a London literary and antiques excursion. Lucy reluctantly agrees and soon discovers Helen holds secrets of her own. In fact, Helen understands Lucy's predicament better than anyone else.

As the two travel across England, Lucy benefits from Helen's wisdom, as Helen confronts the ghosts of her own past. Everything comes to a head at Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters, where Lucy is reminded of the sisters' beloved heroines, who, with tenacity and resolution, endured—even in the midst of change.

Now Lucy must go back into her past in order to move forward. And while it may hold mistakes and regrets, she will prevail—if only she can step into the life that's been waiting for her all along.


My Review

Katherine Reay has a lovely quality of writing. I felt like the stories from classic literature came to life as Lucy applied their quotes and lessons to the situations she found herself in. After a sweet introduction to her meeting James, I really missed the details of their romance as the time skipped quickly ahead to their break up. I would classify this more as women's fiction since the focus is on Lucy and Helen's journey of righting past wrongs and self-discovery. The conflict Lucy feels over the creative aspects of her personality that she inherited from her father which contribute to the poor choices she made really drives her character arc. I liked seeing her make the brave and hard decisions on the path to make things right and how it led her to peace and second chances.

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

E-book sale: $1.99 for Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay


Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay is on sale for $1.99!
(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dear-mr-knightley-katherine-reay/1114868356?ean=9781401689698http://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Dear Mr. Knightley is a contemporary epistolary novel with a delightful dash of Jane Austen.

Samantha Moore survived years of darkness in the foster care system by hiding behind her favorite characters in literature, even adopting their very words. Her fictional friends give her an identity, albeit a borrowed one. But most importantly, they protect her from revealing her true self and encountering more pain.

After college, Samantha receives an extraordinary opportunity. The anonymous “Mr. Knightley” offers her a full scholarship to earn her graduate degree at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. The sole condition is that Sam write to Mr. Knightley regularly to keep him apprised of her progress.

As Sam’s true identity begins to reveal itself through her letters, her heart begins to soften to those around her—a damaged teenager and fellow inhabitant of Grace House, her classmates at Medill, and, most powerfully, successful novelist Alex Powell. But just as Sam finally begins to trust, she learns that Alex has secrets of his own—secrets that, for better or for worse, make it impossible for Sam to hide behind either her characters or her letters.


Thursday, February 5, 2015

E-book sale! 99 cents for Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay!


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KQ2G69G?linkId=CUHP2YPQC6Q4VC7V&camp=213733&creative=393177&ie=UTF8

Download Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay for only 99 cents! This is a fabulous deal so get it before it ends (not sure when...)

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Lizzy and Jane never saw eye to eye. But when illness brings them together, they discover they may be more like Austen’s famous sisters after all.

Lizzy was only a teenager when her mother died of cancer. Shortly after, Lizzy fled from her home, her family, and her cherished nickname. After working tirelessly to hone her gift of creating magic in the kitchen, Elizabeth has climbed the culinary ladder to become the head chef of her own New York restaurant, Feast. But as her magic begins to elude her, Paul, Feast’s financial backer, brings in someone to share her responsibilities and her kitchen. So Elizabeth flees again.

In a desperate attempt to reconnect with her gift, Elizabeth returns home. But her plans are derailed when she learns that her estranged sister, Jane, is battling cancer. Elizabeth surprises everyone—including herself—when she decides to stay in Seattle and work to prepare healthy, sustaining meals for Jane as she undergoes chemotherapy. She also meets Nick and his winsome son, Matt, who, like Elizabeth, are trying to heal from the wounds of the past.

As she tends to Jane's needs, Elizabeth's powers begin to return to her, along with the family she left behind so long ago. Then Paul tries to entice her back to New York, and she is faced with a hard decision: stay and become Lizzy to her sister’s Jane, or return to New York and the life she worked so hard to create?

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Awesome e-book sale! $1.99 for new release Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay


Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay

TODAY ONLY! Get the e-book of new release Lizzy & Jane for only $1.99!!! Katherine Reay is the fabulous author of Dear Mr. Knightley and I am so excited to read her new book Lizzy & Jane which has been getting rave reviews.

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Lizzy and Jane never saw eye to eye. But when illness brings them together, they discover they may be more like Austen’s famous sisters after all.

Lizzy was only a teenager when her mother died of cancer. Shortly after, Lizzy fled from her home, her family, and her cherished nickname. After working tirelessly to hone her gift of creating magic in the kitchen, Elizabeth has climbed the culinary ladder to become the head chef of her own New York restaurant, Feast. But as her magic begins to elude her, Paul, Feast’s financial backer, brings in someone to share her responsibilities and her kitchen. So Elizabeth flees again.

In a desperate attempt to reconnect with her gift, Elizabeth returns home. But her plans are derailed when she learns that her estranged sister, Jane, is battling cancer. Elizabeth surprises everyone—including herself—when she decides to stay in Seattle and work to prepare healthy, sustaining meals for Jane as she undergoes chemotherapy. She also meets Nick and his winsome son, Matt, who, like Elizabeth, are trying to heal from the wounds of the past.

As she tends to Jane's needs, Elizabeth's powers begin to return to her, along with the family she left behind so long ago. Then Paul tries to entice her back to New York, and she is faced with a hard decision: stay and become Lizzy to her sister’s Jane, or return to New York and the life she worked so hard to create?