#TackleTBR Daily Update - Day 10

 

Day 10

Working on my review for Newton and Polly- sometimes it's the 5 star reviews that are the hardest to write....

Read the novella Ask Me to Marry You by Heather Blanton and posted review for the release day today.

Got most of my books pulled for the challenges, still looking for a few before I take pictures... the name challenge is proving to be a bit difficult since I have two I's in my name and not many book titles start with that letter!

Tally:
Total Pages Read: 1,693
Total Books Finished: 6

Cover Reveal: Courting the Countess by Donna Hatch

We just had a fantastic release with Author Donna Hatch ... and now we get another one! I am beyond ecstatic! I love her books and I'm excited to share each and every one.

As a little recap - let's take a look at the previous books we've featured for Donna's before we see her newest addition!

And she has even more books we have not featured! Be sure to check them out!


And now ... On to the cover reveal starting with our author!

Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

Connect with the Author:

      

   

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And finally ... let's check out her fantastic new book!

Synopsis:

When charming rake Tristan Barrett sweeps Lady Elizabeth off her feet, stealing both her heart and a kiss in a secluded garden, her brother challenges Tristan to a duel. The only way to save her brother and Tristan from harm—not to mention preserve her reputation—is to get married. But her father, the Duke of Pemberton, refuses to allow his daughter to marry anyone but a titled lord. The duke demands that Elizabeth marry Tristan’s older brother, Richard, the Earl of Averston. Now Elizabeth must give up Tristan to marry a man who despises her, a man who loves another, a man she’ll never love. Richard fears Elizabeth is as untrustworthy as his mother, who ran off with another man. However, to protect his brother from a duel and their family name from further scandal, he agrees to the wedding, certain his new bride will betray him. Yet when Elizabeth turns his house upside down and worms her way into his reluctant heart, Richard suspects he can’t live without his new countess. Will she stay with him or is it too little, too late?

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And now ... are you ready to see the wonderful new cover??

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We love it! So sweet!
But don't just go on our word, Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Then share the fun news and enter the giveaway!

And pre-order your copy of this book here:

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Review & Facebook Party: Ask Me to Marry You by Heather Blanton

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Though she’s loath to admit it, Audra Drysdale needs a man to save her ranch. Her father has passed away and her hands are abandoning her like rats from a sinking ship. Worse, neighboring cattle baron Jess Fairbanks is making a play for the Diamond D and Audra, whichever he can get his hands on first. Audra grudgingly accepts that the mere presence of a husband will keep her men working, and Fairbanks under control. It seems a perfectly reasonable idea, then, to ask her uncle, who is the town attorney and a matchmaker of sorts, to find her a groom—a “proxy” who will take her orders and dish them out to the men.

Dillon Pine is in jail for a conspiracy charge, but because of certain mitigating factors he’s deemed a good risk for an unusual form of probation: serving as Audra’s husband. After a year, he can abandon her and she won’t tell. By then, she will have proven to the cowboys she’s a competent rancher, and the cattle man next door will be looking elsewhere for a wife. But when word gets out that Dillon came to Audra via Evergreen’s matchmaker, he’s dubbed a “male order bride.” The resulting jokes at his expense are constant and brutal. Just how much abuse can Dillon’s pride stand?

When Audra discovers her father’s death was no accident, she realizes her new husband is in danger, too. And she cares . . . quite a lot, it turns out. To save Dillon, she may have to let go of the one thing she’s fought her whole life to keep.

My Review

This is a cute and short novella with a marriage of convenience theme. The story jumps right into the action without much character development, but we get to know Audra and Dillon as they get to know each other. The plot moved swiftly so the pacing never slowed, however it kept the focus on the events happening and didn't allow me to connect with the emotions of the characters. Audra is conflicted with her desire to run the ranch independently but also feels that having a husband as her mouthpiece would compel the ranch hands into obedience. Dillon feels emasculated by his new role and struggles with his pride in delivering orders from a female. They are attracted to each other and quickly bond over their shared goal once they learn to compromise. I felt like there was more telling rather than showing, especially when it came to their feelings and falling in love. Overall it was a diverting story with a quick and convenient conclusion.

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

RSVP for the Facebook Party celebrating the release of Ask Me to Marry You!

Thursday, September 22 at 7 PM - 9 PM Eastern

There will be tons of giveaways and some surprise guests!

#TackleTBR Daily Update - Day 8 & 9

Day 8 & 9

I finally was able to finish Newton and Polly!!! It was amazing. Posting review ASAP. I'm reading a light novella next which will be a big contrast.

I had a blast at the #TackleTBRchat on Twitter (my first Twitter chat party and I was proud for being able to keep up!) and even won the $5 Amazon giveaway, woo-hoo! Thanks Tressa! Excited to pick an e-book from my wishlist :)

Planning on digging through my book boxes to complete both the duo-color challenge and name challenge from Tressa at Wishful Endings, which will be super fun, and I'm sure I'll find a bunch of books I'll want to re-read :)

Tally:
Total Pages Read: 1,614
Total Books Finished: 5

#TackleTBR Daily Update - Day 7

Day 7

I read Part One of Newton and Polly in bed Sunday morning and it was heavenly! I'm hoping to finish the book today, and also pick out my books for Tressa's duo color challenge and get a picture posted on Instagram.

Tally:
Total Pages Read: 1341
Total Books Finished: 4

#TackleTBR Daily Update - Day 6

Day 6

I didn't get any reading done on Saturday, but I did get the review written for A Heart Most Certain, did some sewing at my grandma's house, helped my daughter pick out a birthday gift for her friend, photographed a family, and edited images from another photo session. I plan to start Newton and Polly bright and early Sunday morning in my comfy bed before my girls wake up!

Tally:
Total Pages Read: 1225
Total Books Finished: 4

Review: A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Lydia King knows what it's like to be in need, so when she joins the Teaville Moral Society, she genuinely hopes to help the town's poor. But with her father's debts increasing by the day and her mother growing sicker by the week, she wonders how long it will be until she ends up in the poor house herself. Her best chance at a financially secure future is to impress the politician courting her, and it certainly doesn't hurt that the moral society's president is her suitor's mother. Her first task as a moral society member—to obtain a donation from Nicholas Lowe, the wealthiest man in town—should be easy . . . except he flat-out refuses.
Despite appearances, Nicholas wants to help others but prefers to do it his own way, keeping his charity private. When Lydia proves persistent, they agree to a bargain, though Nicholas has a few surprises up his sleeve. Neither foresee the harrowing complications that will arise from working together. When town secrets are brought to light, this unlikely pair must decide where their beliefs—and hearts—truly align.

My Review

I really appreciated the compassion of the main characters in this book. Both Lydia and Nicholas have strong ideas of the most effective way to improve society and the circumstances of the poor, and their differences complement each other as they compromise a little and teach each other a lot. The problem of prostitution is addressed head-on, and many attitudes about it are represented in the various community members. I appreciated that Lydia and Nicholas learned from each other's unique way of solving problems while still sharing a common goal of helping those in need. The first half of the book was a bit slow paced for me, but the author did an excellent job of providing a foundation for the events that came later in the plot where there was much more happening and the suspense is heightened. I loved that Lydia is a voracious reader! She uses her love of books to connect not only with Nicholas but other women from different walks of life. Nicholas definitely reminded me of Mr. Thorton from North and South (but more more philanthropic)- a hard, unyielding exterior but a heart of gold inside, just trying his best in the way he knows how. The feelings between Lydia and Nicholas are a slow simmer through most of the book but when they finally express their feelings it is full heat! Their special moment is descriptive with emotion, words, and action, and it made the book for me since I'm one who reads for the romance ;)

(Thank you to Bethany House Publishing and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

#TackleTBR Daily Update - Day 5

 Join the Read-a-thon! It's not too late!

Day 5

I finished A Heart Most Certain late last night so I still need to write my review, which I plan to do before starting the next book on my list, Newton and Polly by Jody Hedlund.

Tally:
Total Pages Read: 1225
Total Books Finished: 4

#TackleTBR Daily Update - Day 4

 Join the Read-a-thon!

Day 4

I got 184 pages into A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears. Was hoping to get more read but I dislocated my shoulder for the third time, just by folding laundry! Now I have a great excuse when I don't feel like doing that chore ;) I miraculously was able to maneuver it back in place without going to the hospital, although it really freaked me out!

Tally:
Total Pages Read: 1,009
Total Books Finished: 3

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Always You by Ruth Roberts

   

 Always You by Ruth Roberts

After tragedy strikes, Diana Mathison finds herself back in her home town of Magnolia Falls, sharing custody of her baby sister with her step sister. Reeling from the death of their parents, the three sisters have to learn how to lean on each other and live life without their two pillars of strength. Diana is full of doubts in her ability to raise a little girl and run her father’s law firm. The last thing she needs is to have Zack Connelly back in her life. The last time she let him in she ended up hurt and broken hearted. Zack has given up on true love. It’s not for him and it’s certainly not with Diana Mathison. He came back to Magnolia Falls to heal after losing his sweet wife and their unborn child at the hands of a drunk driver. Hannah never had a chance at the love and happiness she deserved, therefore neither should he. His life plan is to take care of his sister and niece for as long as they need him, and to be the best veterinarian the town has ever had. That’s enough for him…or is it?

Always You Excerpts   Excerpt:   She leaned against the counter and began filling them out. “How much do I owe you?” She asked. “Dinner,” he replied. She looked up at him with a raised brow. “Excuse me?” “You owe me the dinner you promised me ten years ago, with interest I’d say you owe me somewhere around one hundred dinners.” He put his elbows on the counter between them and leaned towards her, bringing their faces close together. “I’m free Friday if you want to start chipping away at that debt.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She stood up straight and pushed the completed forms toward him. “That should do it.” She gathered up her purse and keys she had set on the counter. “I’ll thank you now for the puppy because at two in the morning when it has me up with its whining and howling, I will be anything but thankful. In fact, I will probably be cursing you.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite have the same flash as before, and he felt a web of disappointment she hadn’t responded the way he wanted her to. But he wasn’t planning on giving up that easily. “You’re welcome. And if you need any help at two in the morning or just want the satisfaction of knowing I’m not getting any sleep either, call me.” “I just might do that. See you around, Zack.” “Sure thing,” he said as she walked through the door. She stopped, turned around, and leaned against the door jam. A smile touched the corners of her lips. “Dinner’s at seven. Don’t be late.”    

     

Blog Tour Schedule

Author Ruth Roberts

Romance novelist Ruth Roberts lives in the Big D, where city life abounds but the wide open spaces Texas is famous for are within easy reach. Her books transport readers to the glittering life of high-society, while making the characters normal, fun people we would all like to have as friends. She loves reading, writing and Gilmore Girls. She and her teenage daughter call themselves the real life Gilmore Girls. Her very own romantic hero of twenty years is her greatest inspiration and support.

Website

Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/30/16 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. a Rafflecopter giveaway