Showing posts with label Sarah Monzon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sarah Monzon. Show all posts

Monday, January 15, 2024

Review: All’s Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon



My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing



Synopsis

Every December two things are guaranteed for graphic designer Mackenzie Graham--Christmas celebrations and the annual promotion at her workplace. Those two things are by no means mutually exclusive. In fact, the better an employee is at harnessing the Christmas spirit, the more likely they'll win the new job. With her social anxiety, Mackenzie never thought she'd be a contender in her company's holiday competition, so how exactly has she found herself dueling her workplace crush with wrapping paper tubes and using tinsel as her weapon of choice for a much-needed raise?

Jeremy Fletcher's life is meticulously planned out, including how to win this year's promotion at work. Not only will the new position fulfill some of his career goals, but the raise will help him as a single guardian to his twin niece and nephew. Jeremy has barely noticed Mackenzie Graham around the office, but now that she's his rival, he can't stop thinking about her. Her quirkiness intrigues him, and he's afraid that if he can't get his head on straight, the job isn't the only thing he'll end up losing to Mackenzie.

My Review

So sweet, so funny, so festive! I loved the opposites-attract theme with Jeremy and Mackenzie both trying their best to get an edge over the other in the unofficial competition for a promotion. I appreciated that it wasn't merely for personal ambition, but each of them provide support for family members and are thinking of them as they pursue the advancement. Jeremy is a friendly and charming guy, but some of his missteps prevent him from getting past Mackenzie's protective shield. The social anxiety she experiences also makes it difficult for others to get to know her better, but getting out of her comfort zone and making Christmas special for her coworkers helps her in ways she did not expect. I loved that she had a close friend who is always ready for shenanigans and keeps her grounded when worries are overwhelming. When Jeremy and Mackenzie slowly open up and see the deeper layers in each other, their attraction and chemistry develops naturally to something more, and their work relationship shifts as well. There is a lovely balance of humor, romance, angst, and emotion in this holiday heart-warming story that is perfect to read any time of the year!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.


Sunday, March 6, 2022

Review: Nicole by Sarah Monzon


My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it



Synopsis

Who has time to date when she’s trying to raise a miniature human by herself AND save the planet from its irresponsible inhabitants? Not to mention my winning personality (snort) and my curves-have-curves figure (eyeroll) don’t exactly attract the opposite sex. Unfortunately, none of these reasons have stopped my best friends and SoCal sewing sisters from taking on the archaic role of matchmakers, and they’re not beneath a little bribery if that’s what it takes to get my cooperation. Let’s just say everyone has their weak spot, and donations to my favorite charities is mine.

If I were to consider a romantic relationship, my dream guy certainly wouldn’t be immature, everything-is-a-game Dr. Drew Bauer. The man raises my body temperature faster than global warming does the Earth’s! But life seems determined to keep throwing us together, especially now that one of my SoCal sewing sisters is engaged to his best friend, in which case there can only be one of two outcomes:

1. I kill him in a fit of annoyance.

2. My common sense escapes me, and I fall in love with him.

Honestly, I'm not sure which would be worse.


My Review

Such a fun story! I absolutely loved Drew and his teasing nature. He sure knew how to rile Nicole up. They develop some sweet chemistry after Nicole lets down her guard and begins to acknowledge that there's more to Drew than she gave him credit for. It was nice to see her realize with each layer she uncovers how great of a guy he is, even if his car isn't electric ;) 
 
The only reason I didn't rate this book five stars was how difficult it was for me to connect with Nicole. She's passionate about the environment and social issues, which is great, but her attitude of superiority was a pretty big turn off. Chapter three is full of preachy "woke" perspective disguised as normal conversation, which would have made me ditch the book if it wasn't one I'd signed up to review. Drew helps soften Nicole's rough edges over time and she begins to relax, but then she made comments in her narration toward the end of the book that still showed that same attitude of condescension, which made me roll my eyes. I think it helped that the author included Nicole's crazy mom to show the influences that affected her upbringing, but it made me wonder why Nicole embraced her mother's philosophies when she resented her and recognized how unhealthy it was. The biggest favor Drew did for Nicole was point out how she was doing the exact same thing to her own daughter Sierra.
 
Overall, I enjoyed the romance and Drew's personality, but felt that Nicole would have been a more relatable character if she was portrayed as an advocate without the elitism.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the other books in the Sewing in SoCal series . . .








Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Review: Molly by Sarah Monzon

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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

Synopsis

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I absolutely refuse to tell a lie no matter the consequences. So don’t ask me a direct question unless you’re prepared for a direct answer—that’s something my SoCal sewing girlfriends have learned the hard way.  

But who would have thought my honesty policy would get me fired from my job at the preschool? Or that a desperate—and not to mention devastatingly handsome—single father of one of my (now-former) students would hire me that same day as a nanny for his daughter?  

I’m an education professional. How hard can taking care of a four-year-old and her over-stressed, over-worked father be?

My Review

So. Funny. I loved Molly's voice! Fresh, quirky, self-aware, and self-accepting. The honesty policy sounds like a good life rule... until you quickly learn how convenient it can be to bend the truth in uncomfortable situations- like the one that got Molly fired. Ironically, her candid, scientific answer about body functions also gets her hired by the handsome and desperate doctor to care for his precocious daughter. Of course, attraction ensues while Molly becomes an integral part of the little family, though not without some all-too-realistic mishaps. I liked how the author shows how Molly's childhood experiences have influenced the importance of integrity in her life. The story is told from both Molly and Ben's first person POV, which made it interesting and fun to get in Ben's head as well. Recommend to fans of clean contemporary romance and especially those who loved The Match by Sarah Adams.

 
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)



Don't miss the next book in the Sewing in SoCal series . . .

Coming October 2020
 
http://www.goodreads.com
Synopsis

WWSOD—What would Scarlett O’Hara do?
 
Anything to survive, that’s what. But instead of a man-eating Southern belle in hoop skirts and big hats, my version of existence looks an awful lot like a financial conglomerate employee staring blankly at budget analysis spreadsheets. Either way, the motto has served me well most my life. Until now, that is. The corporate retreat location has just been announced, and this city girl is headed to a dude ranch in the country. How will Scarlett help me survive that? No, this time I’ll turn to the sage advice of preteen YouTubers and their ponies to keep me from making a fool of myself.
 
But who’s going to help me navigate the kind yet reticent cowboy in the black Stetson—the cattle ranch owner who’s slowly claiming corners of my heart?





Tuesday, November 13, 2018

#TFBRC Freebie




I loved this novella that I got as a freebie! It's only $1.99 right now and I would recommend it to fans of sweet contemporary romance!

https://amzn.to/2DjZ9Wb

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

Synopsis

It all started with a bet and a book.

Emory Blake is the ultimate bibliophile. She’d take curling up with a good novel over a night on the town any day of the week. But then best friend Tate Woodby accuses her of living between the pages of her paperbacks instead of the real world, and make a bet that will force her to experience the adventures of her fictional friends…instead of just reading about them. With her face no longer buried in books, Emory must confront the pain of the past. But is it also her perfect opportunity to discover the hunky hero who could be the happily-ever-after of her own story?


Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Review: Timeless Love: Romantic Stories that Span the Ages by Andrea Boeshaar, Kari Trumbo, Misty M. Beller, Stephenia H. McGee, Dawn Crandall, Pepper D. Basham, Sarah Monzon





My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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


This 7-novella romance collection will only be available until the first week of July for 99 cents, and then it will be "unpublished" from sell sites. (The digital edition of the collection will remain on the buyer’s device after the ebook is disbanded). Then all of the novellas and short stories in the collection will be published separately in print and ebook! 

All proceeds from the sale of this collection will be donated to the LiveStrong Foundation.
Enjoy seven romances through the ages in this Timeless Love limited time ebook. An open invitation to fall in love with the writing styles of a few new-to-you multi-published authors of your favorite Christian romance eras.


Synopsis

Give Me Thine Heart 1812 Andrea Boeshaar
Moira loathes the man she is set to marry. But when she meets Samuel Stryker, she soon guesses that he's from the colonies. When she finds a deep secret, Sam must make the decision: kill her or take her with him.

This Freedom Journey 1833 Misty M. Beller
Adrien Lockman left France to finally live life on his own terms, but when he discovers a half-starved and half-frozen woman in the treacherous Canadian mountains, the truth soon becomes clear--the only way they'll survive is together.

The Heart of Home 1865 Stephenia H. McGee
Opal Martin aspires to scrub the remnants of the War Between the States from her tattered life. When a nearly drowned soldier appears and asks if he can die on her porch, she must guard against the sudden revival of her heart's hope for love. Tristan Stuart wants to escape the pain of war. He wakes up at a house that's too much like home, with a woman determined to mend him he may discover a life worth fighting for. To save the last of what Opal holds dear, will he become the man she needs or let the troubled waters carry him away?

Enchanting Nicholette 1893 Dawn Crandall
Young, widowed, and newly out of mourning, Nicholette Everstone is an heiress yearning to be loved. Her parents had arranged for her to marry her loving late husband, but the marriage ended tragically on her wedding day. Returning to Boston after being away, she finds there's someone new to her set of friends and family she can't help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and sacrifices this man takes on, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears at bay?

Teach Me To Love 1899 Kari Trumbo
Izzy Lawson has taken her last abuse. When her husband dies, she rushes to Belle Fourche to stay with the only friend she has. The wall she's worked so hard to build crumbles in the arms of a man so different from her husband. Conrad Oleson can't read and it's shamed him for longer than he can remember. As Izzy reveals her painful past, he can't stay away. He'll do about anything, to get closer. Including, teach her how to love.

Façade 1942 Pepper D. Basham
Olivia Rakes has excellent observations skills for facts and details, but stumbles through matters of the heart. When her brother goes missing in German-occupied France, Livy enlists her services with a group of search-and-rescue spies, who not only thrust her toward espionage, but...romance. Agent Christopher Dawson has avoided Livy since she broke his heart. When the search for his best friend brings them together, the heart takes on a mind of its own. In a world where war changes the rules of life and love, can they work together to complete their rescue mission before the enemy catches them?

Bookishly Ever After 2018 Sarah Monzon
It all started with a bet and a book.
Emory Blake is the ultimate bibliophile. She'd take curling up with a novel over a night on the town any day. But then her best friend, Tate Woodby, accuses her of living between the pages of her paperbacks instead of the real world, and he makes a bet that will force her to experience the adventures of her fictional friends...instead of just reading about them. With her face no longer buried in books, Emory must confront the pain of the past.


My Review

Give Me Thine Heart by Andrea Boeshaar - 3 stars
This was a quick paced adventure that didn't seem entirely realistic, but was entertaining.

The Heart of Home by Stephenia H. McGee - 4 stars
I always find stories set in the South during Reconstruction after the Civil War to be fascinating. While it's easy to vilify the people on that side of the conflict, they are people with families and heartache as well. I loved that Tristan was able to find healing with Opal and her mother and they could lean on him for support as well. A sweet romance.

This Freedom Journey by Misty M. Beller - 5 stars
I always love the rugged wilderness settings in this author's stories. Being snowed in together while also dealing with loss and loneliness accelerates the developing relationship between Adrien and Mary. I loved Adrien's gentle nature and Mary's appreciation of his kindnesses. She is hardly a damsel in distress, proving herself strong and willing to do the hard work it takes to survive. They come to rely on each other and with the various trials they encounter during the harsh winter, their mutual support builds a solid foundation.

Enchanting Nicholette by Dawn Crandall - 5 stars
Fans of The Everstone Chronicles series will absolutely love this addition to the series! Cal Hawthorne and Nicholette Everstone are pleasant and charming together, but Cal has secrets and Nicholette struggles with any sort of danger that puts loved ones at risk. I enjoyed their friendship and loved the chemistry as they are instantly attracted to each other. There is a good pace to the story and it felt longer than a novella with its full plot and character arc.

Teach Me To Love by Kari Trumbo - 5 stars
I really enjoyed this story. Isabella is easy to feel sympathy for, and Conrad's compassionate and protective nature brings him closer to the young widow, even with his initial resistance. The help she is able to provide him with learning to read helps her confidence bloom again and it was lovely to see her repressed personality begin to shine through. Some conflict on the ranch brought an element of danger and suspense, and with the yearning romance, it's a well-rounded novella.

Façade by Pepper Basham - 5 stars
What a rollercoaster ride this story took me on in the middle of WWII France with two spies who have a second chance romance, once they untangled the miscommunications that ended their friendship. My eyes were opened to the sacrifices of the citizens during the turbulent and uncertain times of war, and made me even more thankful for those that risk and give their lives for the cause of freedom.

Bookishly Ever After by Sarah Monzon - 5 stars 
Seriously so cute! A contemporary romance of unrequited love told from the perspective of the clueless one, Emory. She has some hang-ups from her past that makes her avoid conflict and deeper feelings that have the potential for future hurt and vulnerability. Tate is so patient with her, and I loved the little observations clue the reader in that he's carrying a serious torch. The setting of Seattle was awesome, I love that city! Combine that with a soulful musician and reclusive bibliophile stretching outside their comfort zones and this story was a perfect blend of angst, humor, and sweet romance. 

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)


Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Spotlight, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Esther Paradigm by Sarah Monzon



http://amzn.to/2BARVgq

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

Synopsis

The daughter of missionaries, Hannah Pratt dreams of starting a school for the Bedouin clan with whom she spent her childhood. After completing her education in the United States, she returns to the desert to pursue that dream—only to learn her parents have been receiving threats from within the community they serve. As the danger escalates, Hannah must decide how far she’ll go to stay faithful to a calling that could cost her everything.

As sheikh, Karim Al-Amir feels the weight of responsibility as the leader of his people. When a mysterious illness ravages the clan’s flocks and threatens to destroy their centuries-old way of life, some of his people believe the American doctors and their daughter, his childhood friend, are to blame. Karim must do something to keep Hannah and her parents safe—even if the only solution is to be found within marriage vows.

In a society where the line is drawn between us and them, where Christianity is outlawed and foreigners suspect, will Karim and Hannah’s union heal wounds . . . or inflict a final, fatal blow?

Old Testament history meets Twenty-first Century tensions in this compassionate, tender inspirational romance.


Sarah Monzon is a Navy chaplain’s wife and a stay at home mom to the two cutest littles in the world. Playing pretend all day with them isn’t enough, she spends the evenings after their heads hit the pillow to create her own imaginary characters. When she isn’t in the world of make believe, she can be found in the pine forests of western Washington taking care of her family, fostering friendships, and enjoying all the adventures each day brings. Her debut novel, The Isaac Project, skyrocketed to Amazon bestseller status while her Sophomore book, Finders Keepers, won the 2017 SELAH award for contemporary romance.



This was not how I’d thought I would die.
Not that I sat around imagining my death. I’m not that morbid. But never in my wildest dreams had I imagined this.
Along the horizon, racing toward me with frightening speed, a billowing brown wall licked the earth’s surface and spit it out again—a ferocious scream that caused my heart to stutter in my chest. Six years away and this was how my beloved desert welcomed me home.
Wind whipped my long, loose dress around my legs and tugged at the few strands of hair not safely tucked in a ponytail under my hijab. I’d always been thankful the Bedouin clan my parents ministered to as missionaries didn’t adhere to the more concealing Muslim headwear, such as a niqab or burqa. I had to admit, though, that having more material to cover my nose and mouth would be helpful against the dust storm about to consume me. With quick motions, I reached around my head and unwrapped the bottom of my hijab, rewrapping it around my nose and mouth. A bit of water or petroleum jelly would work even better to save my nose and lungs from the dry desert sand, but some protection was better than none.
Tiny grains of sand picked up by the wind pelted my body like fastballs pitched by major league baseball players. I hunched over, lowering my frame as close to the ground as I could. Never knew if the wind had picked up more than just the earth’s surface. An abandoned tire rim or something else could decapitate a person when chucked at top speeds. It would be just like that temperamental mistress to hurl an object absently left on the wayside.
The storm was on me now.
My lungs constricted to rid themselves of the tiny particles I’d breathed in, coughing hot breath into the material around my mouth. My eyes watered with the force of the wind, and I blinked rapidly to try and rid the granules scratching my irises.
Lifting my backpack, I shielded my face and eyes, wishing I hadn’t let the driver drop me off so far from where the clan currently had their tents pitched. The inside of a twenty-year-old Jeep would have served as a wonderful bunker against this onslaught. Now I had no protection.
In the thick of it, I squinted through the brown haze, looking for something to hunker under on the leeward side. The rise of a nearby dune lied of its ability to protect. Fortunately, I understood the reality of the phrase “shifting sands.” Had no desire to change my death sentence from asphyxiation due to sand in my lungs to being buried alive when the wind deposited the dune right on top of my head.
A camel’s bray rent through the cacophony of the storm. My heart restarted. If ever there was an animal built to survive the temper of the desert, it was the camel. I pushed my legs forward, wishing I wore pants rather than my dress, which wrapped itself around my calves and threatened to topple me. If I could hear the camel’s call, perhaps its owner could hear mine. I lifted my chin and took in a lungful of air before pulling down the covering from my lips.
Musaeada!” I yelled for help in Arabic. “Musaeada!”
The camel answered, and I took a few more stumbling steps toward the sound. The sand made it difficult to do anything—walk, see, breathe. If I didn’t find a place to wait out the storm soon, I wouldn’t survive it.



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