Review & Giveaway: The Whispered Dance of Bees by Carol Warburton

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Had fate and nature not conspired, Alyce Redgrave would have been a child of wealth and privilege. But the night of her birth was shadowed by an eerie Devils Moon and her christening day marred by a fierce hailstorm—ill omens that led the superstitious peasants to seek Alyce's life. Desperate to save her infant daughter, Alyce's mother flees with her baby, finding shelter and goodwill at the isolated farm of strangers . . .

There, Alyce's life is filled with secrets, unanswered questions, and a sense of foreboding. Her worst fears are realized when she narrowly escapes the clutches of a murderer by fleeing into the forest. Fate steps in once more to change the course of her life when Alyce is found and taken in by Elspeth, a wise woman with the uncanny ability to commune with nature. Trained by Elspeth in the art of healing, Alyce remains haunted by the puzzle of her past until she discovers her mother's lost pendant. With the help of this object and the aid of the enchanting William Pascoe, Alyce finally holds the key to who she once was and who she will become.

My Review

The title of this book had me intrigued and I found the story and writing to be just as intriguing. It's a unique story that takes place in an earlier era than I'm used to reading- early 1700's England, and the ambiance was steeped in mystery and mystical beliefs, while still being grounded in a realistic environment. There is a strong theme of motherhood and the family we choose to have as we draw close to certain people in our lives. The pace begins slowly but is steady as we journey with Alyce through the events that take her life on unexpected paths and the women who help her develop as a person. I enjoyed the sweet romance between Alyce and William, and would have loved more between them. Overall this was a standout book that delved into a culture and period that I find fascinating and I'm glad I read it. Recommend to fans of historical fiction and women's fiction that is lighter on the romance.

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

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Review: The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Jake Silver may not be able to put the memories of his time as a sniper and Navy SEAL behind him, but at least he can put his skills to use as a part of the Jones Inc. rescue team. Saving the life of pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Aria Sinclair on Denali helped too. Now he can't get her out of his head, and when he hears she is in the path of a hurricane down in Key West he can't help but jump on a plane to rescue her.

Aria has dedicated her life to helping children born with defective hearts. After all, she was one of those children. Now driven to succeed, she lives a lonely, stressful life. One she would have lost on Denali if it hadn't been for Jake. Jake is exciting and handsome, but he's also dangerous, and she's already lost one person she loves. She can't bear it again.

It's not until she finds herself trapped in the middle of a category 4 hurricane that she can admit she needs Jake desperately. With their very survival in the balance, can they hope for a second chance at life . . . and love?

My Review

This second book in the Global Search and Rescue series picks up where the first one leaves off, with a continuation of Jake and Aria's new and undefined relationship, the appearance of Ham's secret daughter, and the search for answers to his wife's mysterious disappearance. It would definitely help to read The Way of the Brave first, to get to know Jake and Aria since their story begins there as a subplot. While the first book left me feeling frigid from the snowy mountain setting, The Heart of a Hero took us to tropical Florida, but no less dangerous with a hurricane devastating the area. Aria is dealing with her regrets from the mountain climbing trip and her continued attraction to Jake, who seems all wrong for her (but of course he's just what she needs). Jake is drawn to Aria and her compassionate way of drawing out his deeper feelings that he's struggling with. They each have issues with their past that involve siblings, and I loved that even though they are both uncertain and vulnerable with their feelings for each other, they still provide support and encouragement for each other as they work through their emotions. Others that they have rescued also provide inspiration with the themes of forgiveness and being enough, and Mimi was a favorite. The chapters from Ham's perspective were more difficult for me because they dealt with past missions and flashbacks from his early relationship with Signe, but I always felt like I didn't quite understand what was going on. He was a source of spiritual strength for his friends in the first book, but in this one he seemed more lost. I'm looking forward to his story being featured in the next book. Overall, this book provides the author's trademark adventure, romance, and inspiration with complex characters that you can't help but root for.

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

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Don't miss the other books in the Global Search and Rescue series . . .

Book One

Book Three

Coming October 2020

Review & Giveaway: Flying in Love by Chalon Linton

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Will Paige decide to share her heart or fly solo?

Paige Hall’s happy ending may just be in sight. She has been dating her boyfriend for months and feels confident their relationship is going in the right direction—until she catches him kissing another woman. Humiliated and hurt, Paige retreats from the dating scene and pledges to never fall hard again as she throws herself into her work as a speech therapist. Her vow is upended in a grocery store parking lot when she is nearly run over by a handsome and very apologetic air force pilot.

Captain Jake Summers is everything a girl could dream of: charming, considerate, and hardworking. Despite Paige’s determination to avoid falling into another relationship, her resolve is no match for the whirlwind romance that ensues. When Jake is not flying, he and Paige are inseparable, and Paige begins to believe in happily ever afters again. But when the couple faces a heartrending loss, they must find strength in each other and in their faith or risk losing a once-in-a-lifetime love.

My Review

I was thrilled to learn that one of my favorite Regency authors was writing a contemporary romance since I love both genres. I knew that with the author's background as a military wife, we would get an authentic story with details that really bring depth. I was not disappointed! Paige and Jake are great together, even with their flaws and mistakes, and I loved seeing how they not only fell in love, but overcame obstacles and supported each other. The tone of the book is definitely emotional and I was able to easily connect to the characters. The California setting was so fun since I live in San Diego, and it was easy to picture them in their environment. There are strong themes of insecurity, trust, family dynamics, and having a relationship with God. I loved that there was a faith element to the story that was tastefully done- no heavy preaching, but genuine and sincere. I'm excited for more sweet contemporary romance from this author... as well as her historicals!

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

About the Author

Chalon Linton was first introduced to Jane Austen by a dear friend and now she can’t get enough of handsome men in tailcoats. Her intrigue in the genre stems from a nostalgic longing for manners, wit, and true love. Fortunately, Chalon found her dashing gentleman, married him, and now lives happily ever after in Southern California.

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Giveaway

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Review: Tomorrow's Shining Dream by Naomi Rawlings

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

She needs to learn how to flirt. He needs to forget she exists. Then she asks him for help finding a husband… What could possibly go wrong?

Charlotte Westin has always been more comfortable in a saddle than a ballroom. That wouldn’t be a problem, except her father owns the largest ranch in Texas—and he insists she marry a wealthy city-slicker worthy of a cattle baron’s daughter. There might be someone out there who’d love her for who she is instead of her money, but she’s been fooled by a sweet talker before, and her family is still suffering because of it.

With an old friend-turned-enemy returning to town and cattle rustlers running roughshod over the county, Sheriff Daniel Harding knows the last thing he should be thinking about is a woman… especially the one woman he’ll never be able to marry. Then Charlotte Westin asks for his help, and Daniel can’t refuse. Until he finds out exactly what she wants…

When Charlotte comes to Daniel with a plan to find herself a husband, Daniel is forced to face his feelings for her—as well as some past mistakes of his own. But as the rustlers grow more dangerous, Charlotte’s father takes drastic steps to engage her to a man she doesn’t love. And Charlotte and Daniel soon find themselves caught between the burdens from their pasts and others’ expectations. Will they let their past choices ruin their dreams? Or will Charlotte and Daniel embrace God’s forgiveness and forge a happy future for themselves?

From jagged mountains and green river valleys, to cattle ranches and vivid sunsets, Tomorrow’s Shining Dream offers a meaningful story about simpler times, sincere faith, and unfailing love.

My Review

Charlotte and Daniel have a good friendship, but his hidden feelings for her and her embarrassment over her recent indiscretion make their interactions awkward. Charlotte is full of self-doubt after misjudging her last beau and being betrayed by him, resulting in her father's cattle being stolen. I appreciated that Daniel respected her even when she didn't respect herself, and encouraged her to share her pain with her family. Sometimes when we do something wrong we think pretending it never happened will make the guilt go away, but it just compounds over time. Charlotte thinks that doing what her father wants and marrying the man of his choosing will solve her problems, but finds herself more lost than ever. Daniel is in over his head with cattle being rustled from all the ranches in the area, and the pressure mounts when the Rangers finally show up to get the job done. I was surprised there was bad blood between Daniel and his friend from childhood, and they have difficulty working together and trusting each other to catch the thieves. Sam and Ellie from the previous book brought some much needed light into an angst-ridden story, but I would have liked more of a balance. The themes of forgiveness are strong as Daniel learns that there is more to the past than he knew, and Charlotte realizes that forgiving herself and allowing her family to forgive her brought peace and the answers they were looking for.

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

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Don't miss the first book in the Texas Promise series . . .

Review: Rocky Mountain Redemption by Lisa J. Flickinger

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

Synopsis

A Rocky Mountain logging camp may be just the place to find herself.

To escape the devastation caused by the breaking of her wedding engagement, Isabelle Franklin joins her aunt in the Rocky Mountains to feed a camp of lumberjacks cutting on the slopes of Cougar Ridge. If only she could out run the lingering nightmares.

Charles Bailey, camp foreman and Stony Creek's itinerant pastor, develops a reputation to match his new nickname — Preach. However, an inner battle ensues when the details of his rough history threaten to overcome the beliefs of his young faith.

Amid the hazards of camp life, the unlikely friendship growing between the two surprises Isabelle. She's drawn to Preach's brute strength and gentle nature as he leads the ragtag crew toiling for Pollitt's Lumber. But when the ghosts from her past return to haunt her, the choices she will make change the course of her life forever—and that of the man she's come to love.

My Review

I usually love the setting of a lumber camp for a good romance, but sadly this one fell flat for me. It has a promising start with the characters, and Isabelle's hidden presence at the camp began the story with a sense of intrigue. The friendship between Preach and Isabelle doesn't have much time to develop before the angst and drama sets in and hijacks the plot. So much of the story involves the aftermath of Isabelle's rape and how she was unprepared to handle it, leading to poor decisions and bad blood between her and her family. Preach was also unprepared to handle the news of the "tainted" past of the girl he puts on a pedestal in his mind. He has a past himself full of carousing, so his quick judgement felt hypocritical, especially when he jumped to conclusions and didn't even consider there might be more to the story. I don't expect the characters to be without flaws, but it prevented me from trusting his sincerity for the rest of the book. The conflict of the story was propelled forward by assumptions, and by the middle of the book I didn't find it enjoyable to read.

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

Review: The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Jake Silver may not be able to put the memories of his time as a sniper and Navy SEAL behind him, but at least he can put his skills to use as a part of the Jones Inc. rescue team. Saving the life of pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Aria Sinclair on Denali helped too. Now he can't get her out of his head, and when he hears she is in the path of a hurricane down in Key West he can't help but jump on a plane to rescue her.

Aria has dedicated her life to helping children born with defective hearts. After all, she was one of those children. Now driven to succeed, she lives a lonely, stressful life. One she would have lost on Denali if it hadn't been for Jake. Jake is exciting and handsome, but he's also dangerous, and she's already lost one person she loves. She can't bear it again.

It's not until she finds herself trapped in the middle of a category 4 hurricane that she can admit she needs Jake desperately. With their very survival in the balance, can they hope for a second chance at life . . . and love?

My Review

This second book in the Global Search and Rescue series picks up where the first one leaves off, with a continuation of Jake and Aria's new and undefined relationship, the appearance of Ham's secret daughter, and the search for answers to his wife's mysterious disappearance. It would definitely help to read The Way of the Brave first, to get to know Jake and Aria since their story begins there as a subplot. While the first book left me feeling frigid from the snowy mountain setting, The Heart of a Hero took us to tropical Florida, but no less dangerous with a hurricane devastating the area. Aria is dealing with her regrets from the mountain climbing trip and her continued attraction to Jake, who seems all wrong for her (but of course he's just what she needs). Jake is drawn to Aria and her compassionate way of drawing out his deeper feelings that he's struggling with. They each have issues with their past that involve siblings, and I loved that even though they are both uncertain and vulnerable with their feelings for each other, they still provide support and encouragement for each other as they work through their emotions. Others that they have rescued also provide inspiration with the themes of forgiveness and being enough, and Mimi was a favorite. The chapters from Ham's perspective were more difficult for me because they dealt with past missions and flashbacks from his early relationship with Signe, but I always felt like I didn't quite understand what was going on. He was a source of spiritual strength for his friends in the first book, but in this one he seemed more lost. I'm looking forward to his story being featured in the next book. Overall, this book provides the author's trademark adventure, romance, and inspiration with complex characters that you can't help but root for.

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

Review: Near the Ruins of Penharrow by Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

She never should have fallen in love with the mine owner's son.

Bal maiden Gwynna Merrick is more than prepared to resume her work at the copper mine, if only to keep her family safe from destitution. But when her upper-class friend convinces Gwynna to have one final night of enjoyment, a borrowed gown and a false identity give her a small taste of the freedom she has always craved. That is, until the mine owner's handsome son arrives and threatens to reveal her identity.

Heir to his father's mine, Jack Trevethan has returned to Cornwall to help with a new venture at Wheal Favour, though he prefers spending his time gaming, drinking, and chasing women—anything to forget the memories of his past. However, when he finds the bal maiden he'd met days before now attending the ball, he cannot resist learning more about this intriguing woman.

After a disastrous first meeting, Gwynna wants nothing more than to avoid Jack, but as her work at Wheal Favour begins, she's continually thrown into his company. As Jack's flirtatious façade falls, revealing the wounds of his childhood, Gwynna begins to see the real gentleman behind the rake. But rumors surrounding their relationship and Jack's past will not yield, forcing the two of them to either trust and lean on each other—or fall victim to ghosts of the past.

My Review

A lower class working girl and an uppercrust gentleman form an unlikely friendship and help each other heal from deep hurts. I loved learning about the rough lifestyle of the miners and specifically the bal maidens that work there. The grit and determination of Gwynna draws the attention of Jack, but it is her thoughtfulness and compassion that endears her to him. I struggled with him since he's selfish and thoughtless in the beginning, but Gwynna's friendship makes him wake up and realize that he doesn't want to be that person. It takes almost the entire book for him to make a genuine transition, including facing his demons and repairing his relationship with his father. All the while, Gwynna is caught up in helping those around her, even when dressing as a society lady brings her more trouble than it's worth. Her grief over her brother's recent death in the mine is a point of connection with Jack as he still struggles with the loss of his mother as a boy. The attraction that builds even as their friendship grows makes things more complicated since they are from two very different worlds, but I was happy with how it all worked out in the end. The setting is very atmospheric and I'm excited to add Cornwall to my list of future travels!

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

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Don't miss the previous books in the Cornish Romance series . . .

Review & Giveaway: Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl, Melissa de la Cruz

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Bestselling authors Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz bring us a romantic retelling of Little Women starring Jo March and her best friend, the boy next door, Theodore "Laurie" Laurence.

1869, Concord, Massachusetts: After the publication of her first novel, Jo March is shocked to discover her book of scribbles has become a bestseller, and her publisher and fans demand a sequel. While pressured into coming up with a story, she goes to New York with her dear friend Laurie for a week of inspiration—museums, operas, and even a once-in-a-lifetime reading by Charles Dickens himself!

But Laurie has romance on his mind, and despite her growing feelings, Jo's desire to remain independent leads her to turn down his heartfelt marriage proposal and sends the poor boy off to college heartbroken. When Laurie returns to Concord with a sophisticated new girlfriend, will Jo finally communicate her true heart's desire or lose the love of her life forever?

My Review

I love retellings of my favorite fairy tales and Austen stories, but this is the first one I've read about Little Women. I had no idea what to expect, and it was an interesting read. Jo is much younger than I expected her to be at this point in the story- they have her at seventeen, and the timeline seems a bit off from the original story. Beth has died, and Jo is a successfully published author of Little Women, but is struggling with the sequel she is contracted to write. The authors did a good job of capturing her unrest during this time of her life. It's difficult for Jo to discern what the future holds for her and her sisters, wanting things to stay as they have been, but recognizing that marriage, travel, and career will change everything. She seems scared of her growing feelings for Laurie, and that fear prevents her from embracing the progression of their relationship into something more than friendship. I found her voice to be slightly immature, especially when whining and fighting with her editor. Some chapters were told from other characters' perspectives, such as Meg (which I found myself skimming), but I appreciated being able to get inside Laurie's head. Overall it was an entertaining take on the classic, especially for readers who wished for the childhood friendship to turn to romance.

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

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Win a tea tin when you pre-order JO & LAURIE (US ONLY)

Link to the promotion and submission page: https://woobox.com/8jrorg

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About the Authors

MARGARET STOHL

Margaret Stohl is a #1 New York Times bestselling nerd, world-builder, video game creator, comic book writer and festival founder.

As an award-winning young adult author, she has been published in fifty countries and thirty-two languages and has sold more than ten million books worldwide. Beautiful Creatures debuted as the Amazon #1 Teen book of the year; seven of Margaret’s books have reached bestseller lists around the world.

She has published fifteen novels and graphic novels, as well as contributed to several games and countless comics since her debut. Her last book, Cats Vs Robots: This is War, was a family affair, illustrated by her child, the artist Kay Peterson, and co-written with her husband, Lewis Peterson. It also starred three of her family’s five cats.

After Beautiful Creatures was released as a feature film from Warner Brothers and Alcon Entertainment, Margaret began working with Marvel on her bestselling Black Widow: Forever Red duology; in 2017 she began writing the ongoing Mighty Captain Marvel comic, followed by the acclaimed Life of Captain Marvel miniseries, where she established a new origin story for Carol Danvers in preparation for the theatrical debut of Brie Larson as “Captain Marvel” for the MCU. 

When not roaming the halls of Seattle game developer Bungie - where she oversees the creation of new global IPs - Margaret can often be seen at a Comicon or at one of the teen and youth book festivals she co-founded, YALLFEST (Charleston, SC) and YALLWEST (Santa Monica, CA), the largest in the country. Wherever she goes, you can find out more about her (and invariably her cats) at @mstohl on twitter or margaret_stohl on instagram or margaret_stohl on snapchat or at mstohl.com.

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MELISSA DE LA CRUZ

She is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.

 

Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.

 

She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.

 

Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).

 

She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.

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Giveaway

Prize: Win a copy of JO & LAURIE by Margaret Stohl & Melissa de la Cruz (US Only)

Starts: 27^th May 2020

Ends: 10^th June 2020

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