Book Tour Grand Finale: Alaskan Hideaway by Beth Carpenter

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for

Alaskan Hideaway

By Beth Carpenter

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

Welcome to the book tour for Alaskan Hideaway, the third book in the Northern Lights series. In this story, you’ll meet Mac Macleod, who is being hounded by the paparazzi after his daughter’s murder. He takes his daughter’s dog and moves to a little cabin in Alaska, where he can be alone in his grief. But he doesn’t count on his new neighbors, Ursula Anderson and her animal-loving goddaughter Rory, who can’t seem to help getting tangled up in his life...

Paulette's Papers - Excerpt

Suddenly Ursula smiled. “Look at that.” She inclined her head toward the dog.

Mac turned. The cat had come down from the cabinet and was gingerly touching noses with the pit bull, who thumped her tail against the floor. After a moment, the cat rubbed against the big dog’s face and then curled up against her. The dog seemed fine with that.

Ursula chuckled. “That’s quite a ferocious beast you have there. What’s her name?” She took a sip from her cup.

Mac glanced down at his plate. “Blossom.”

Ursula snorted and almost choked on her coffee. Once she quit coughing, she grinned at him. “Blossom? Really?”

Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt

Mac handed her the cellophane-wrapped bundles. “For you.”

Ursula gathered the three, no, four bouquets in her arms. “Thank you, but why are you bringing me flowers?”

“I want to apologize.” Actually, from the pained expression on his face, the last thing he wanted was to apologize, but he was doing it anyway. This should be good.

Thoughts of a Blonde - Excerpt

“Who’s Andi?” Rory asked. “You talked about her before.”

Mac’s heart tightened, but he kept smiling for Rory’s sake. “My daughter, Andrea. Everyone called her Andi for short.”

“Rory is short for Aurora,” Rory explained.

“Aurora is a beautiful name.”

“Does Andi live in your house?”

“No.” Mac sucked in a slow breath. Ursula was watching him with sympathetic eyes. “Andi died.”

It's All About the Romance - Excerpt

“I suppose the only drawback is that now they all know I’m here.”

“Oh, they already knew. Terry says he spotted you buying groceries weeks ago. Word got around. It’s just that Alaskans figure if you want privacy, they’ll leave you alone.”

He chuckled. “All but you, I guess.”

Andi's Book Reviews - Review

"This was a beautiful story of fierce love for one's child, even when that child isn't biologically yours. It's about fighting for what is right and never giving up hope. It's about learning how to forgive yourself when things happen that are out of your control. (And honestly, so much of life is out of our control.) And it is about learning how to love again. I really enjoyed every one of these characters, particularly the spunky Rory."

underneath the covers - Excerpt

“That’s not going to happen.” Mac laid his hand over Ursula’s. “We won’t let it happen. That’s what you need to tell Rory. That these people want to meet, but she doesn’t need to worry. We’ll take care of everything.”

“We?”

“Okay, you. Officially, you’re the only one who can make that promise. But I intend to help in every way I can.”

The Power of Words - Review

"Beth Carpenter is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers in the Harlequin Heartwarming line, and I thoroughly enjoyed Alaskan Hideaway. Carpenter writes with a strong sense of place, good character depth, gentle humor, and creative storylines...

Alaskan Hideaway is a beautiful and heartwarming story. I look forward to more of Beth Carpenter’s writing."

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Excerpt

He pulled her closer and brushed his lips against the top of her head. “I could talk all night, but what it boils down to is this. I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve tried to learn from my mistakes. After my wife died, I took great care to avoid any serious relationships. I put all my energy into raising my daughter.”

“It can’t have been easy, raising a daughter alone.”

“Not always, but it was rewarding. But that’s not my point. What I’m trying to say, is that you and Rory have become very important to me. I don’t know if I can be any good at a relationship but I want to try. If you’ll have me.”

Rockin' Book Reviews - Review

"This is a wonderful story. I loved everything about it. I love small communities like the one in this story...

I highly recommend this book to other readers. It has a great plot and a sweet romance too." - Vickie

"The Alaskan Catch by Beth Carpenter is the latest in the Northern Lights series and did not disappoint the reader! This was a very captivating tale of two people very familiar with loss and a feeling of void in their lives." - LAWonder10

Book by Book - Review

"...I enjoyed the story of Alaskan Hideaway, and I’m sure other readers who enjoyed contemporary romance will enjoy this one, too. Though it’s the third in Carpenter’s Northern Lights series, it can easily be read on its own (but if you’re like me, Alaskan Hideaway will leave you wanting to go and read the first two, too)."

Among the Reads - Review

"Mac and Ursula were quite different. She was very friendly, positive and hospitable. Mac was … not. Both had lived through loss and dealt with grief, but the way they responded was different. And they needed each other. I may have liked them and their relationship even more because they were in many ways similar to my husband and myself."

Reading Is My SuperPower - Review

"Alaskan Hideaway is a sweet story of friendship, community, empathy, and healing. The romance progresses at a natural pace (not too rushed, not too slow) and Mac’s Oklahoma cowboy self will have you swooning every time his drawl and use of darlin’ resurfaces. The delightfully-rendered setting will have you adding Alaska to your bucket list for sure, and each of the main characters has you fully invested in their story from the moment you meet them. This can easily be read as a standalone but you really must read the first two books at some point, too, because they’re just as good!"

Stacking My Book Shelves! - Excerpt

He’d just leave the plate on the bench beside the door. He commanded the dog to sit-stay and started for the porch. As he reached the second stair, the front door opened and Ursula stepped outside, shaking dust and gravel off a rug and all over him.

“Oh my goodness, I’m sorry.” Her voice was apologetic, but the corners of her mouth twitched.

“No problem.” Mac dusted his coat with his free hand. “I was just returning your plate.”

“That’s thoughtful, but you didn’t have to do that.” She smiled, and it was like a sudden flash of sunshine, warming him. Her silver-shot hair fluttered in the breeze. “Come on in.”

Janice's Book Reviews - Review

"So nice that Mac was from the same town that I live. Enjoyed the characters. Always good with animals in a book especially dogs, loved the name Blossom."

Becky on Books - Review

"I loved Alaskan Hideaway. It is loosely related to the first book in the series (The Alaskan Catch)–Ursula is Sam’s foster mother–and the characters from book two (A Gift for Santa) make appearances, but it would also work just fine as a standalone. If you can manage to read this book and not want to go back to read the others, you’re a stronger person than I am."

Britt Reads Fiction - Review

"I really enjoyed this touching tale, set in Alaska. I liked that the main characters, Mac and Ursula were over fifty, a trait that is not very common in the books that I read. I loved the little girl, Rory. She was sweet, smart, and very believable."

Kimber Li - Review

"Spending time, getting to know each other, bonding with Rory who loves Blossom, it’s all so splendidly and believably written for a couple of fifty year olds. The setting is well-done and believable for a misplaced Alaskan like me too...

This is a warm story set in a cold place. Bring it home today."

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

“Your gates are cutting my guests off from the trails. I’d much appreciate it if you’d open them.”

He stared at her as if she’d suggested he cut off his foot. “You want me to let a bunch of strangers traipse across my property?”

“Only that little corner in the back.”

“That rather defeats the purpose behind private property, don’t you think?”

Inside The Mind of an Avid Reader - Review

"The many depths of emotions that you will read as you are reading through Ursula and Mac's story will keep you emotionally in tune with the store. I thoroughly enjoyed it just as well as I have the rest of Beth's work I have read."

SilverWoodSketches - Review

"From the first chapter, I was instantly hooked. Certain stories evoke just the right imagery and emotion in a reader. Alaskan Hideaway is one of those books...

The perfect read for all ages, when you need that extra dose of hope for happiness, and the faith in second chances."

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

Alaskan Hideaway
(Northern Lights #3)
By Beth Carpenter
Contemporary Romance

Mass Market Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages

July 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming
Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble
Harlequin│Kobo│Google Play│iTunes

He traveled 3,800 miles to be alone

…but is it what he really wants?

Relocating to Alaska after a family tragedy seemed an ideal way for author R.D. “Mac” Macleod to grieve in peace. But solitude feels overrated when Mac’s around B&B owner Ursula Anderson and her orphaned goddaughter, Rory, who’s already bonding with his dog. Worse, he’s imagining a future with Ursula and Rory. Is it time to finally forgive himself?

Other Books in the Series

The Alaskan Catch
(Northern Lights #1)
By Beth Carpenter
Contemporary Romance

Mass Market Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages

August 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Where life's currents take you…

Dana Raynott just traveled 3,600 miles to reunite with the brother who changed his name and fled to Alaska nineteen years ago. It's impossible not to be moved by this wild, breathtaking state, even if Dana's no closer to finding the answers she came here for.

Her brother's best friend, Anchorage engineer Sam MacKettrick, might be able to help her. He's strong and kind—a six-foot, irresistible blend of diverse cultures. He's also haunted by a tragic family history with a startling connection to Dana's past…

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin│Kobo│Google Play│iTunes

A Gift for Santa
(Northern Lights #2)
By Beth Carpenter
Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages

December 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

It’s the season for giving…and starting over?

A reindeer farm without Santa wouldn’t be Christmas in Marissa Gray’s Alaskan hometown. Luckily Chris Allen’s there to pinch-hit, although for Marissa, seeing her ex-fiancé again brings back memories of what might have been.

Ten years after their breakup, the feelings between the wildlife biologist and blue-eyed fisherman are stronger than ever. Only now there’s a foster kid in the mix, as well as the shocking crime that cost Marissa her job and her family’s security. She and Chris need to find their way to a meeting of minds and hearts to make this truly a season for second chances…

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin│Kobo│Google Play│iTunes

About the Author

Once upon a time ...

when Beth Carpenter was a little girl, she read everything she could get her hands on, and entertained herself on the school bus by making up stories in her head. Not a lot has changed. She's still consuming books like M&Ms, and spends her days creating happily-ever-afters for her imaginary friends.

She lives in Alaska and Arizona with her husband and an aggressively affectionate fifty-pound lap dog. She loves to hear from readers.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest│The Alaskan Catch Pinterest Board

Tour Giveaway

PRIZE PACK #1: 1 winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card, a northern lights journal, a snowflake bookmark, and a signed copy of The Alaskan Catch (US and Canada)

PRIZE PACK #2: 1 winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card and e-book copies of The Alaskan Catch and A Gift for Santa (open internationally)

Ends July 18th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Lovely but tough as nails, Lael Click is the daughter of a celebrated frontiersman. Haunted by her father's former captivity with the Shawnee Indians, as well as the secret sins of her family's past, Lael comes of age in the fragile Kentucky settlement her father founded. Though she faces the loss of a childhood love, a dangerous family feud, and the affection of a Shawnee warrior, Lael draws strength from the rugged land she calls home, and from Ma Horn, a distant relative who shows her the healing ways of herbs and roots found in the hills. But the arrival of an outlander doctor threatens her view of the world, God, and herself--and the power of grace and redemption.

This epic novel gives readers a glimpse into the simple yet daring lives of the pioneers who first crossed the Appalachians, all through the courageous eyes of a determined young woman. Laura Frantz's debut novel offers a feast for readers of historical fiction and romance lovers alike.

My Review

This is a book that really touched my heart. It's an epic story spanning the years, a time of harsh struggles, where joy is found in simple and lovely things- a close friend, the beauty of nature, the excitement of dancing. Throughout the story as she grows into a young woman, Lael yearns to know and understand her own heart, and find peace. It's gentle, sobering, gritty, and realistic. I appreciated the historical details and I loved learning more about this time period and setting in our country's early history. Such a sweet romance as Lael grows and matures and gains faith to match her strength.

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

Review: Just the Way You Are by Pepper D. Basham

 Pleasant Gap Romance Book 1

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

Synopsis

Single mom, Eisley Barrett, prefers to keep romance safely housed within a centuries-old mystery, but when she travels to England to unearth the secret, an actor with a sordid past offers her reluctant heart a very different type of discovery.

Wes Harrison has a past he’s ashamed to confess. Suspicious and cynical, he’s managed to avoid romantic entanglements since a tragedy upended his career and life, that is until American Eisley Barrett comes along. Her authenticity and kindness upend his bitter assumptions and send his heart into unscripted territory.

When his past threatens to ruin a second chance at love, can some Appalachian matchmaking and letters from the grave salvage their unexpected romance?

My Review

I really thought I would enjoy this book more, but even with its quirky Appalachian and swoony British main characters, I had a difficult time connecting to them. I felt thrown into the story and wished for more of a setup to draw my interest to the plot. I was distracted by the alternate gushing and angsting of Eisley over Wes, and even though their kissing scenes were amazing, I felt like there was something missing. I think it would have helped to see more of their friendship developing early on, instead of being told about it. I did appreciate the way they shared their faith and even studied the Bible together. Eisley very much identifies as Appalachian, and the constant references to her personality and the contrast in cultures got old really quick.

The "treasure hunt" for details of a mysterious ancestor was fun, especially with secret passageways and abandoned castles, but even with layers being revealed, the story felt ambiguous. The villainess was rather two dimensional and predictable, and I thought it was a cliche plot device. It was a pleasant story overall, and all my Goodreads friends gave it 4 and 5 stars, so I'm definitely in the minority here. I'm not giving up on the author since I've read other stories of hers that I liked; this one was just a miss for me.

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

Review: The Promise of Home by Michele Paige Holmes

Book Three in the Hearthfire Romance: Scottish Historical series

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

As Katie and Collin MacDonald prepare to embark on the most perilous journey of their lives— crossing the Atlantic to Nova Scotia— an ocean away Collin’s brother Ian is seeing the coast of Virginia for the first time.

After a voyage that would have cost Ian his life, except for the courage and timely aid of Elizabeth Campbell, Ian plans to risk the same returning to Scotland as soon as possible, even if that means stowing away. But as Eliza and Ian form an unlikely friendship, Ian realizes he cannot simply abandon Eliza and their fellow passengers to the cruel fates that await them. At the risk of his own freedom, he decides he must do what he can to help.

After a narrow escape in London, Katie and Collin cross the ocean swiftly, with the smaller ship Cleopatra making good time until she encounters a fierce storm near Sable Island. The tempest threatens both the ship and Katie’s fragile health, and their arrival in Halifax brings little relief, but further proof that the dangers of this new continent will equal or surpass the old.

My Review

I have really loved this series with its twists and turns, amazing setting, and vibrant characters. I was satisfied at the conclusion of book two, but thrilled that we would continue the story with the journey to America. This third book was different in that we get not only Katie's perspective, but also Ian's. I loved seeing the changes that Ian made as he turned back to the teachings of his father and influence of his brother Colin, but I felt like it happened so fast, including his feelings for Eliza. I wish there had been more development there like there was for Katie and Colin in the first book. Katie has a pretty rough time on the ship but there are also sweet moments between her and Colin that demonstrate the depth of their love and devotion. Katie's brother Timothy is a fun addition to the cast, as well as Eliza and the coopers that Ian works with. Katie's gift of sight comes into play and helps prepare them for their future home. Mistaken identity between Ian and Colin create a conflict that draws them into desperate circumstances, and the climax is full of tension and suspense as the Campbells and MacDonalds work together to save their laird. I loved the new unity that blossoms between the two rival clans as they make their way in the New World.

(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 two books in the Hearthfire Romance: Scottish Historical series

Book One

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

In the Scottish Highlands, 1761

Nineteen-year-old artist Katherine Mercer dreams of selling her paintings to help support her struggling family. Before she has the opportunity, Katherine learns she is to be sold—or practically so—given in marriage to a lord she has never met or even heard of. In return, a much-needed settlement will be made upon her mother.

Katherine’s situation goes from frightening to surreal when her husband-to-be Laird Collin MacDonald arrives with an entourage of men, each heavily armed and speaking with a thick brogue. As if leaving all she knows behind and traveling to another country with strangers isn’t bad enough, Katherine soon discovers a Scottish heritage she knew nothing of, a brother-in-law who wants her dead, and far more at stake with her paintings than she had ever imagined. Forced to turn to her reclusive husband for answers, comfort, and even her very survival, Katherine begins to unravel the mysteries of her past and what it is to love and be loved.

Book Two

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

Scottish Highlands, 1700s:

Barely two weeks have passed since Laird Collin MacDonald first darkened Katherine Mercer’s doorstep and married her. Marriage has hardly been what she expected, given their grueling and adventurous days of travel to the Scottish Highlands. Along with the discovery that Collin’s twin Ian would like to see her dead, Katie must now face her own clan, whose chief wants to kill Collin and take her to wife himself. All because Katie possesses the Campbell gift of sight, passed down through centuries of her ancestors.

With little more than faith in her grandfather’s vision and her unique bond with Collin to guide her, Katie steps bravely into an unknown future, where the glimpses afforded her may bring more danger than direction. When the misuse of her gift takes Collin from her side, she is left alone and vulnerable. Help arrives in the most unexpected form as Ian MacDonald makes good on his threat to attack the Campbells and Katie learns that the bond between brothers and love knows no bounds.