Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Review: Perfectly You by Robin Daniels


Heidi Reads... Perfectly You by Robin Daniels

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

Ivy Nixon is the student body Vice President at Franklin High School. Each year, the school holds a date auction to raise funds for the senior class graduation party, and this year, Ivy’s in charge. Planning the event is a huge task and Ivy is determined to prove she can get the job done right. Unfortunately, she’s still one participant short and her deadline is looming.

Andy Walker, her cute but socially reclusive art class table mate, is her last resort. He may not be popular, but he’s funny, talented, and full of surprises. With a makeover and some major social marketing, Ivy is sure he could fetch a decent price at the auction.

Andy reluctantly agrees to help, but the more time Ivy spends with him, the more her feelings shift from professional to romantic in nature. To top it off, she’s done her marketing so well, that other girls are starting to notice Andy too. Come auction time, will Ivy be able to let him go to the highest bidder? Or will she find a way to keep him for herself…

Content Description: This is a stand-alone YA contemporary romance with companion novels set at the same high school. It contains minor language, innuendo, and crude humor, some steamy kissing, a party scene where underage drinking is taking place, and a brief but tasteful conversation about sex. The author has attempted to write characters who make good choices in questionable situations, in effort to keep the content appropriate for teens. This book contains no sex, written or implied, and no explicit language. Recommended for ages 14 and up.


My Review

I read the first book in the series, Perfectly Oblivious, and this book back-to-back, because the author's style is different than what I normally read and once I got used to it while reading the first book, I knew I needed to stay in the zone for this second one. I actually started this book first, and put it down after the first chapter because the snarkiness and immature behavior of Ivy and her friend Lilly was too much to take. After reading and enjoying Perfectly Oblivious, I decided to give this one another try and I'm glad I did. Despite the excess sassiness that eventually gets dialed down a bit, the characters are great and the details and mannerisms that round them out are creative. I loved how Andy's personality was revealed as Ivy got to know him better, and their chemistry was awesome. His friend Jake and her friend Lilly are funny together and the banter between all four of them was entertaining. This would make a great teen movie, actually. I think it's a book that would be enjoyed by older teens and young adults. And not-so-young adults that enjoy reading in the YA genre ;)

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


 Author Robin Daniels 

Robin Daniels is a wife, mother of five and avid consumer of books. She loves reading SO much that she was actually grounded from it as a twelve year old. No Joking! Her mom caught her reading when she was supposed to be cleaning, which was a common occurrence. At that point mom took the books and instructed her to go watch TV or play outside like a normal kid. Robin is a sucker for home design shows and magazines, watches way too much Netflix and has a very codependent relationship with with a certain diet soda who’s brand shall not be named. (Though anyone with a similar problem could probably guess which one.)




 Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or $25 in Paypal Cash Ends 9/25/17 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

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Review & Giveaway: Miss Leslie's Secret by Jennifer Moore


Heidi Reads... Miss Leslie's Secret by Jennifer Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttps://deseretbook.com/p/miss-leslies-secret?autocomplete=true&variant_id=153208-paperbackhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Decorated war hero Conall Stewart has spent ten years envisioning his return to his beloved Scottish Highlands. But now, with the days of battle finally behind him, it seems that his dreams of home have been in vain: the land of his youth lies in ruins, and his family is gone. Though he will never stop searching for his kin, Conall knows he must begin again. But when he takes on a rented farm in a nearby town, he finds far more than the fresh start he was looking for . . . 

After catching a mischievous local lad stealing, Conall returns young Jamie to his mother, Aileen Leslie—and finds the woman’s coddling of the child maddening. What Conall does not realize is that Aileen hides a frightening secret: her devoted protection of Jamie is all that shelters them from discovery by a dangerous man from their past. Drawn together by circumstance, Conall soon develops a fatherly relationship with Jamie—as well as romantic feelings for Aileen. But even as the couple accepts their growing affection for one another, time runs out for Aileen and her son: after years of hiding, they have been found. Conall lost his family once—he will do all in his power not to let history repeat itself . . .

My Review

I loved this book! Such a great setting in Scotland, in the aftermath of a tragic history that shows not only the mettle and strength of Aileen and the other members of the community, but their heartache as well. Everyone has lost someone, and both Aileen and Conall have family members who are lost. Aileen has created a new family for herself with Jamie and an elderly woman from her village (who is pretty funny) and soon Conall joins their tight-knit circle as he and Jamie take to each other. It was fascinating to learn about many of the traditions of the Scottish and how they weave into their spiritual beliefs. A wonderful story of change, opening up to love, and the importance of family and community.


 

Monday, September 4, 2017

Review: Mail-Order Marriage Promise by Regina Scott


Heidi Reads... Mail-Order Marriage Promise by Regina Scott

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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

Book 6 in the Frontier Bachelors series

Synopsis

Wanted: Husband and Father

Stunned that his sister ordered him a mail-order bride, John Wallin insists he's not the husband Dottie Tyrrell needs. The scholarly logger knows Dottie will make the perfect wife--for some other man. Yet he's compelled to invite the lovely widow and her infant son to stay with his family... but only until she can find her own way.

Dreams of true love are for other women. Betrayed by her baby's father, Dottie just wants a safe home for her precious child. But who could resist a man with John's quiet strength? When her secret past brings danger to their door, they may yet find this mail-order mix-up to be the perfect mistake...


My Review

I love a good story about a mail-order bride! This one is set in Seattle and the surrounding country that was being settled. I loved the location since I took a historical tour the last time I visited Seattle and it was fascinating. Dottie is in a hard spot because she needs employment to support herself and her son, but taking care of her son prevents her from being able to find a job. I feel like this is a situation many single moms still face these days. John is perfect husband material, but his insecurities slowly come to light as he and Dottie get to know each other. Their slow-growing romance is sweet and I loved how their friendship had time to develop, as well as trust and loyalty. It was fun to have the members of John's family from the previous books in the series as the supporting cast, and I hope his sister Beth's story will be next!

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


Friday, September 1, 2017

Spotlight: I Can Love Like Jesus by Heidi Poelman, illustrated by Chase Jensen


Heidi Reads... I Can Love Like Jesus by Heidi Poelman


http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttps://deseretbook.com/p/i-can-love-like-jesus?autocomplete=true&variant_id=153204-hardcoverhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Help your little ones live and love like Jesus did with this adorable picture book. The simple text and beautiful illustrations show children exactly how Jesus loved others and how to emulate Him with small acts of kindness, like sharing, forgiving, and comforting. Invite the Savior into your home and feel His peace each time you read this book together.