Every
day I silently scream out, “My name is Mia Faraday!” My time in jail
does not define me. I am so much more than one heated mistake.
And
yet, my slip-up weighs on me. There’s so much more to the story than
anyone realizes. I must face Stony, my ex, and confess everything.
I don’t want to. I’d rather have five teeth pulled. While I’m awake. Without anesthesia.
But
this is something I have to do, something I need to do. Not just for
Stony. I need to do it for me. Especially for me. I can’t move forward
with my life until I gain closure from the past.
When I meet
Grayson Elliott, I am easily pulled into his orbit and it’s exactly
where I’d love to stay. He makes me laugh and not take life so
seriously. He makes me want to live again.
But I don’t love me
right now, and that healing needs to come first. I’m not
relationship-ready or marriage material. My mind is focused on
redemption. I want it. I need it.
Besides, when Grayson hears about my colorful past, I’m sure he’ll be gone before I have time to utter the word goodbye.
After all, who could ever love a jailbird?
My Review
Such an emotional book and a great sequel to Stone Silence! It was great to see Mia's point of view and get inside her mind. It was easy to see why she was attracted to Grayson with his infectious happiness and vibrant personality, but I had a harder time seeing why he fell for Mia so quickly since she was pretty standoffish and rather depressing at first. Since it's told in first person from Mia's POV only, I wish there were more clues as to what drew him to her. Once she allows Grayson to draw her out of her shell and allows herself to let go and feel happy, the chemistry between them skyrockets :) I appreciated the struggles she was going through and admired her resolve to overcome and seek after the good things she could have in her life, instead of dwelling on negative thoughts that she is undeserving. It's a powerful redemption story with themes of forgiveness and grace. I loved how much a part of the story Spencer is and seeing how her and Stony's life was moving forward. Can't wait to read the next book!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Check out the other books in the Sound of Silence series . . .
(The author recommends reading them in order)
A woman of great fortune…
Margaret Easton needs a husband, and she needs one now. Her
parents are convinced that only a European will do, but Margaret wants
nothing more than to stay in England. The trouble is that there is only
one man Margaret can think of, or rather, one she cannot forget, and he
wouldn’t do as a husband at all. Then she finds herself in his care
unexpectedly, and her hunt becomes even more complicated than she could
have ever imagined.
A man of great mystery…
Rafe Thornton has never said more than ten words to Margaret
Easton, but she is rapidly becoming the sole occupant of his thoughts.
She is distracting him from his operative work as the Gent, and keeps
him from his usual focused nature, which he doesn’t mind at all. When
she stumbles into his world, his work and his emotions collide, forcing
him to choose between saving the Crown, and protecting his love.
My Review
This was a fun book to read and I loved the undercover mystery man persona of Rafe. He and Margaret have an undeniable connection, even before they officially met. It was sweet how they always looked for each other to make eye contact and while Margaret knew that he probably wasn't as he seemed, it didn't stop her from fantasizing. Fortunately for her he was even more than what she hoped ;) I was surprised at what Margaret allowed herself to endure at the hands of the chaperone/companion/matchmaker her parents hired sight unseen. It was strange that she, her parents, and friends who might have rescued her allowed someone of a lower class, obvious animosity, and questionable taste to have that much power over her life. I loved the time Rafe and Margaret spent together and how they were able to get to know one another. Their time with the gypsies was especially fun and exciting! There are plenty of great kissing scenes and I enjoyed their chemistry and the dynamic of their relationship. The intrigue of Rafe's work added an element of suspense and made this an enthralling book I didn't want to put down. Fans of The Suspect's Daughter by Donna Hatch will definitely enjoy this book!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Don't miss the next book in the London League series . . .
Now available!
Synopsis
A disgruntled operative…
Gabriel
Statler, Lord Wharton, has a problem. His duties as an operative for
the Crown are being compromised for the sake of his cover, where he is
known only as the Rogue. His days are now filled with trivial
investigations, and none of the problems are ones he wants to solve.
Then he meets a mysterious young woman who holds more secrets than he
likes, and, against his better judgment, he takes her case.
A determined client...
Amelia
Berger needs the Rogue, and she needs everything he can offer without
revealing everything she knows. Her secrets are her own, and she has far
too many to risk revealing even one. But when working with Rogue turns
into something entirely unexpected, she finds that the secrets she began
with are not the ones she most needs to protect.
Standing before
Feldstone Manor, site of so many happy memories, Rose Davenport feels
nothing but dread. Her family’s annual visit to the stately home was
once brightened by her friendship with the earl’s youngest son, William,
but everything changed the day his elder brother was disinherited and
William became heir to his father’s earldom. From that moment, William
made it clear he has no interest in continuing an acquaintance with
Rose. Heartbroken, she sets out to prove that she will simply not be
ignored—or outdone—by the arrogant future lord of the manor.
When his
elder brother marries for love, William’s entire life changes in an
instant. He does not have the same option to marry whom he chooses, and
he must let go of the feelings he has harbored for his dear friend,
Rose. He steels himself against her annual visits, determined to keep
his feelings for her a secret. But when he makes the hasty promise to
marry within six months, he never dreams that his actions will lead Rose
to impulsively undertake the same challenge.
My Review
Such a great Regency story that reminded me a bit of my favorite (Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson) in that both main characters are head-over-heels in love with each other but don't know that the other feels the same way, because of familial and social constraints and misdirection. Rose is understandably frustrated with William, and I couldn't fault her for goading him at times. The author struck a good balance between showing William and Rose's friendship as it once was so the reader would know what Rose is grieving, and exposing the two sides of William- his gruff and often rude behavior to Rose and his true nature that is kind, thoughtful, and struggling to suppress his romantic feelings for her. The pace was steady which helped prevent the angst from bogging down the narrative, and I enjoyed both London and countryside settings. I appreciated the historical details of the plight of the young London chimney sweeps and Rose's compassion for them instead of disregarding the circumstances she can't ignore. A must-read for fans of sweet Regency romance!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Georgiana Allen is a spinster and everybody knows it. She
also happens to be one of the writers for the Spinster Chronicles, and
everybody knows that as well. She’s accepted her lot in life, and, along
with the other spinsters in her circle, takes great pride in the
articles she writes and the influence she has. Then Captain Anthony
Sterling infiltrates their group, and her life, and Georgie impossibly
begins to hope once more.
Tony Sterling had no idea what
to expect when he agreed to break up the Spinsters for his cousin, but
he certainly did not expect Georgie Allen. From the very first meeting,
she upends everything he thought a spinster would be, and her beauty and
wit keeps him on edge in thrilling ways. The more he gets to know the
Spinsters, the less he wants to break them up. And the more he wants
Georgie in his life. Permanently.
My Review
This is such a great idea for a series of books! I already can't wait to read the next one. It was fun to get to know each of the very different young women in the group that has bonded together as friends and supporters. By today's standards, mid-twenties are not old maids, but in Regency times they are past their prime. Each woman has a unique personality and situation that has brought them to this point, whether it's too selective, too shy, too opinionated, too independent, too cynical, or undesirable family. For some it's a mystery why no man has taken an interest. Georgie has had a desire to marry and have a family, but she never received any offers, despite her beauty and moderate dowry. We get to see her conflict and angst over her pride in what she has created with the Spinsters, but also her regrets and unfulfilled dreams. The first part of the book was slow for me and I felt it was too wordy, with lots of inconsequential conversation, even though it was giving a good feel for the dynamic of the group of friends. I would have liked to see more plot-based action with their role as Spinsters and models/mentors for the younger girls of Society. Tony really livened things up and the more time he and Georgie spend together, the more I became interested and involved in the book and their relationship. Their romance was unexpected for both and their delight in those falling-in-love feelings was a pleasure to read. They both revel in the affection they have for each other and the joy in expressing it, especially with sweet kisses ;) I liked the first part of the book okay, but I loved the second part!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Jane Hartford fell head over heels for Jackson at the tender age of fifteen. She spent most of high school pining for him, until she realized he wasn’t going to see her as anything more than his baby sister’s best friend. Now she finds herself single with a daughter, a broken heart, and songs that remind her of a long lost love.
Jackson Wright is a man living with regret. His biggest one, never acting on his feelings for Jane. When he returns to Bellebrook, the town they grew up in, he literally runs into her and his world gets tossed upside down and sideways.
This time, Jackson isn’t willing to give up. With a meddling sister eager to push both of them together, he believes things might actually work out. That is, if they can overcome the heavy baggage they both carry. Follow Jackson and Jane as they revisit their past, figuring out what went wrong so long ago.
Will they learn they have the power to make things right in the present?
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Book Trailer
What Readers are saying:
A tender debut novel that will leave you remembering the sweet angst of first love. The Songs of You and Me is a charmer. - Taylor Dean, author of I’m With You and Chasing Fireflies.
In this romantic debut about first love, second chances, Ms. DeMeyere weaves the past and present together in a way that brings the characters' hearts to life as they heal from tragedies and struggle to move on in life. Sweet and heartwarming. – Charissa Stastny, author of Between Hope and the Highway and the Rules out Romances Series.
A fun and enticing love story that combines the bitter with the sweet and keeps you laughing amidst the tears. You won't want to miss this touching story that explores true love in all its depth and beauty. – Aubrey, Amazon Reviewer
The Songs of You and Me pulled me in from page one. The characters came to life and I felt as if I was part of their story. I stayed up night after night fascinated with their personal and individual challenges. Their obstacles were relatable and tugged at my heart. I couldn’t wait to finish and yet I didn’t want it to end. As I read the last page, I was ecstatic to see what would come next from Mylissa Demeyere. – Jamie, Amazon Reviewer
The whole idea for this book started out as a scene after listening to a song. Then I would listen to that song over and over and see more of the pieces fall into place.
Soon, I had an entire playlist, with scenes mapped out, and a whole story ready to write. This book tells the story of Jane and Jackson, the songs of them.
Included in the book is a unique playlist. Here is the list, but in the back of the book, I give you a full breakdown of how I saw each scene and how I felt that song was best fitted for the chapter. Enjoy!
Prologue: Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
C1: Lay Me Down – Sam Smith
C2 : It’s a Beautiful Day – U2
C3: Hello – Martin Solveig
C4: Hanging by a Moment – Lifehouse
C5: This Girl – Kungs
C6: Disappointment – The Cranberries
C7: Everybody Hurts – R.E.M
C8: My Father’s Eyes – Eric Clapton
C9: It’s Time – Imagine Dragons
C10: Could this be love? – The Wanted
C11: Hold Back the River – James Bay
C12: September Song – J.B. Cooper
C13: Count on Me – Bruno Mars
C14: The Other – Stripped / Lauv
C15: Breathing – Oscar and the Wolf
C16: Love Love – Amy MacDonald
C17: Push the Button – Sugababes
C18: Animal – Neon Trees
C19: Perfect – Ed Sheeren
C20: Someday – Sugar Ray
C21: What Lovers Do (feat. SZA) – Maroon 5, SZA
C22: Gotta Get Thru This – Daniel Bedingfield
C23: It’s Gotta Be You – Isaiah
C24: Welcome to New York – Taylor Swift
C25: Best Day of My Life – American Authors
C26: Over My Head – The Fray
C27: Water under the Bridge – Adele
C28: The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
C29: Silence – Marshmellow ft Khalid
C30: Demons – Imagine Dragons
C31: Walking The Wire – Imagine Dragons
C32: Home – Dotan
C33: No Sound But The Wind – Editors
C34: WhoKnew – Pink
C35: Stargazing – Kygo
C36: Love – Jana Kramer
C37: Quicksand – Tom Chaplin
Epilogue: False Alarm – Matoma , Becky Hill
Author Mylissa Demeyere
Mylissa Demeyere was born in Belgium, and resides in the beautiful city of Ghent. She lives in a somewhat organized home with her four beautiful children and the love of her life. If she isn’t working, she’s writing, running, reading, or enjoying time with her kids, who are growing up way too fast.
The Songs of You and Me is her debut novel, with a sequel already in the works.
Ends 8/19/18
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Ellen Stanhope escorts
her three daughters to a ball. As her oldest flirts with a beau, Ellen
is reminded of her courtship and early years of marriage with Anthony,
before tragedy struck, which made their marriage fade and dull. Not
until Ellen sees Anthony dancing with a woman he courted years before
does she realize how much she misses him, still loves him, and wish he
still loved her.
My Review
This is a sweet story about a couple who have grown apart. It was sad to learn about what happened that made them drift apart and how they both had given up hope of bringing their relationship back to what it was. Lack of communication and misunderstanding brings their issues to the surface and although it was a bit heartbreaking, they finally draw together instead of apart. I liked that it was told from the perspective of the husband and the wife, and also that they both reflected on their early days together, what they loved about their spouse in the beginning and as their marriage matured. Emotional and lovely.
Originally published in A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Regency Collection
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
(as of this posting date, be sure to double-check the price)
My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing
Synopsis
After a year of
recovery, wounded war veteran Jonah Harrison comes home for Christmas.
No longer the outgoing high school track star, he just wants to be left
alone, away from well-meaning friends and neighbors. But when a blizzard
strands him with Kami Jackson—the girl who once knew him best—he can’t
hide anything from her, no matter how much he wants to. Kami has a
wounded heart of her own, though, and it might take a miracle---or at
least two matchmaking dogs---for them to find the healing they both long
for and the courage to reach for a chance at love.
My Review
I love this story! It's one of my favorite novellas to re-read. There's just something about how Jonah and Kami lift each other and have that foundation of friendship to build on. The chemistry is amazing, the banter is fun, and the overall theme of hope in adversity is one that leaves me with a smile on my face. I *love* that the author added more chapters for its release as a single title (originally it was published in A Timeless Romance Anthology: Under the Mistletoe Collection). It was so exciting to see their relationship progress past that first night and blossom with more experiences and challenges together.
(I purchased a copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Legacy of the Heart By Danica Favorite, Stacy Henrie, Tina Radcliffe, Terri Reed & Sherri Shackelford Inspirational Romance, Novella Collection
ebook, 378 Pages
June 22nd 2018 by Beyond the Page Publishing
An antique locket with the power to inspire everlasting love unites the five stories in this stunning collection of historical and contemporary inspirational romance novellas!
In Heritage of Love, Danica Favorite takes us to the Chicago world’s fair, where a chance encounter will spark an opportunity for true love, if only the young couple can first overcome polite society’s rigid rules . . .
Stacy Henrie tells the story of a sheriff desperate to escape the matchmaking efforts of the women in his small town, only to discover that his attempts to sidestep them may lead to eternal love and happiness in By Any Other Name . . .
Tina Radcliffe’s Forget Me Not paints the picture of a charming antique store, where love will blossom when two strangers learn the secret about a long-ago hurt and a love that never died . . .
In The Lost Locket, Terri Reed introduces readers to two people who have given up on love and will fight their undeniable attraction until it may be too late . . .
And in Winning the Fireman’s Heart, Sherri Shackelford shows us two long-time friends forever searching for the perfect mate, until a gesture of kindness reveals the love that’s always been waiting for them . . .
I enjoyed the stories in this collection and seeing the locket pass from one character to another. The first two stories are historical, and the last three are contemporary. I liked the setting of the first story, with an eligible society daughter interested in seeing more exhibits than the horticulture one deemed acceptable to young ladies, and her unlikely friendship that springs up with a cowboy from the Wild West show. However the dialogue was pretty stilted, the insta-love unrealistic, and the characters repeatedly fixated on his partial Native American heritage.
The collection vastly improved with Stacy Henrie's novella which had vibrant characters, interesting banter, and a compelling narrative. The small-town sheriff thought he was corresponding over a year with the lovely lady he met at the Chicago World's Fair, but it turns out that he mixed up her name with her plainer sister's. They don't discover the misunderstanding until she arrives to marry him, and a marriage of convenience results. I'm always intrigued by how a couple falls in love while in such close circumstances but also withholding- or attempting to ;) His bride fits right in, helps him with his duties and befriends the neglected youngster he has been reaching out to. Their blossoming romance based on friendship develops sweetly and some dangerous outlaws bring action to the plot.
The first contemporary story by Tina Radcliffe was fun and quirky with the antique shop passed down to a niece who learns that her aunt's long-ago broken relationship with the owner and landlord of the building it's in has put the future of the shop at risk. The building owner's nephew who is also his lawyer comes to town to foreclose but ends up solving the mystery of the relationship and falls in love with the town himself. I appreciated the genuine and friendly nature of the main characters and their friends in the tight-knit community. The retro vibe was fun and I loved how in her antique shop the objects of an older era are valued instead of disregarded or discarded.
The next story by Terri Reed has a doctor and a nurse who work well together professionally sparking a friendship outside of work and discovering their chemistry and attraction for one another. I liked how well they respected each other and the fun they had together. The conflict of the plot is that Penny has a hard time trusting her own heart to love and Brad is only in the town on a temporary contract, with his next job already lined up in Chicago. Even though they alternate between closeness and avoiding each other, they are honest about their feelings and I appreciated that they allowed each other space to figure out their own hearts and futures.
The final story is another fun one with a creative premise- Logan, the attractive fireman who always keeps relationships short has a pact with his best friend Georgie who is a girl to attend all weddings as each other's date. She has a tomboy sense of humor and isn't a twig, and is about ready to give up on finding love. She wins a drawing for a wedding dress complete with a trip to NYC with her groom-to-be and a photo shoot, so Logan volunteers to be her stand-in groom so she can claim the dress. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments and also some tender and vulnerable ones as they are drawn into situations that make them realize how much they care for each other, and not just as friends. A perfectly wonderful friends-to-lovers romance!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed in this review are my own)
About the Authors
A self-professed crazy chicken lady, Danica Favorite loves the adventure of living a creative life.
She and her family recently moved into their dream home in the mountains above Denver, Colorado. Danica loves to explore the depths of human nature and follow people on the journey to happily-ever-after. Though the journey is often bumpy, those bumps are what refine imperfect characters as they live the life God created them for. Oops, that just spoiled the ending of all of Danica’s stories. Then again, getting there is all the fun.
A USA Today bestselling author, Stacy Henrie is the author of more than a dozen inspirational historical romance novels and novellas. Her books include Hope at Dawn, a 2015 RITA Award finalist for excellence in romance. Born and raised in the West, where she currently resides with her family, Stacy enjoys reading, road trips, interior decorating, chocolate, and most of all laughing with her husband and kids.
Originally from Western, N.Y., Tina Radcliffe left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a Certified Oncology R.N., followed by a move to Colorado, which led to a career as a library cataloger. A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina is an RWA Honor Roll member, a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist, and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner. She currently resides in Arizona, where she writes fun, heartwarming romance.
Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly Top 25, Nielsen’s Bookscan Top 100, have been Amazon Bestsellers and featured in USA Today, Christian Fiction Magazine, and Romantic Times Magazine, finaled in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA contest, National Reader’s Choice Award contest, and American Christian Fiction Writers’ The Carol Award contest.
Sherri Shackelford is an award-winning author of inspirational, Christian romance novels for Harlequin/HarperCollins Publishers. A wife and mother of three, Sherri’s hobbies include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid cleaning, and standing in the middle of the room while thinking, “Why did I just come in here?” A reformed pessimist and recent hopeful romantic, Sherri has a passion for writing. Her books are fun and fast-paced, with plenty of heart and soul.
