Review: Timeless Western Collection: Calico Ball by Sarah M. Eden, Carla Kelly, Kristin Holt

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling & #1 Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series in Clean & Wholesome Romance, comes CALICO BALL.

Three brand new Historical Western Romance novellas by Carla Kelly, Sarah M. Eden, and Kristin Holt.

THE KEEPER OF THE WESTERN DOOR by Carla Kelly
When Mary Blue Eye travels to Wyoming Territory with her friend to help her settle into her new married life at Fort Laramie, Mary is treated more like a servant than the friend she thought she was. Thankfully, she finds a new friend in Sergeant Blade, though Mary fears that her Seneca Indian heritage will keep a man like Blade from truly caring for her. Soon Mary is tasked with making fourteen calico dresses in two weeks, and Blade turns out to be the best ally she could ever ask for.

A CONVENIENT ARRANGEMENT by Sarah M. Eden
Patrick Quinn needs a wife. Hiring maids who leave within weeks to marry another fellow in a female-scarce Wyoming town hasn’t been helpful. Quinn needs a woman who will stay. When he writes to a mail-order bride service, and four-foot-eleven Mirabelle Smith shows up, they agree to each attend to their own duties and tasks. Their marriage will be a convenient arrangement for them both. But sometimes the heart has other ideas.

ISABELLA’S CALICO GROOM by Kristin Holt
Dr. Henry Merritt is desperate for dental patients, especially since Dr. Isabella Pattison arrived in the growing town of Evanston in the Wyoming Territory. It seems the female patients want a woman’s touch, and the male patients are quite fond of a pretty dentist. But if Henry doesn’t find a way to put Isabella out of business, his own practice will go under. When Isabella proposes that they team up together, and Henry gets to know her, he discovers the last thing he wants is for Isabella to leave.

My Review

I knew that calico was a popular fabric to use in the Old West for work dresses and such, but I had never heard of a Calico Ball, where the ladies sew a dress from calico to wear to the dance, then donate it afterwards to a group in need. These three stories are so different from each other even with the common theme, and I enjoyed each one. The western setting is a favorite of mine, and I loved the historical details and sweet romance. Carla Kelly's story has a dry humor and wit that enhanced the relationship that blossomed between Mary and Blade. Mary's point of view was interesting as an descendant of an esteemed Eastern Native American, yet endured prejudice and bigotry outside the protection of her family and community. I loved Blade and his frank candor, compassion, and support. Sarah M. Eden's story also has a subtle humor that made me smile, and I always love a good marriage of convenience story! Kristin Holt's story was unique with her two dentists that seem to be at odds, until they realize that they can accomplish so much more working together. A great collection of novellas and I can't wait for more!

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

Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Songs of You and Me by Mylissa Demeyere

 

Happy Release Day to The Songs of You and Me by Mylissa Demeyere! 

To celebrate the release of this great book we're giving away $50!!

   

The Songs of You and Me by Mylissa Demeyere 

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?  

Order on AMAZON

Also available on Kindle Unlimited

Add to your Goodreads Shelf

 

   

 

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 

 

Excerpt (Jackson) 

“Here, have a cupcake.” She almost shoved one in my mouth, putting an end to my complaining. She took the other one and bit a big chunk out of it. A small moan escaped her lips, causing me to inhale the cupcake instead of swallowing it. I sputtered and coughed the crumbs that went down the wrong pipe. Her closed eyelids and that sweet little sound of enjoyment made me lose my train of thought. 

“You okay?” Jane tapped my back, unaware of the effect she had on me. 

“Fine,” I gasped. 

“Take it easy on the treasure there. That stuff isn’t for the faint-hearted.” Her eyes twinkled, but her words sunk deeper. I better be careful with her. 

“Apart from almost killing you, did you like it?” she asked.

“It was good.” 

“Just good? Mine was divine. Here, have a taste.” She held out her cupcake, and my hand folded around hers. My gaze dipped down to the sweet in her hand and moved up to her face. She urged me on by moving it closer to my mouth. 

“Mhmm, that is good.” Her fingers brushed my lips as I tasted her offered treat. 

“Now it’s only fair you let me taste your caramel one.” She leaned in and indicated for me to offer a taste of mine. Her teeth bit into it, and her lips closed around her bite as her eyelids shut in pleasure. 

“Mhmm.” She pulled away slightly, and I noticed a small trace of frosting on her upper lip. 

“Here.” I held her face with my free hand and rubbed the smudge away. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t pull back. “All gone,” I whispered. 

“We better get back,” she replied, her voice thick. 

“Sure, let’s go.” 

  

Blog Tour July 30th to August 10th

   

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.  

Connect with Mylissa:

Website * Twitter * Facebook

Instagram * Pinterest * Amazon Author Page

 

 

Giveaway Details $50 Amazon Gift Card or $50 in PayPal Cash Ends 7/29/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. 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. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Building a Life by Lauraine Henderson

Genre:  Inspirational, LDS, Romance
Publisher: Books You Can Trust
Publication date: May 8, 2018

Sara Castleton resolved to make better choices now that there was a new life growing inside her. When her husband, Peter, plowed through that stop sign and left this world, he left a mess behind. Picking up the pieces of her shattered life and finishing the house Peter started could be the answer to her future, but she needed help.

When Nicholas Bradford was asked to step into Sara’s unfinished house project, he reluctantly agreed. He didn’t always see eye-to-eye with Peter’s friends and business associates, but one look at his pregnant widow and Nick couldn’t say no.
Before they know it, they aren’t just building a house, they’re Building a Life.

About the Author

Lauraine lives with her husband, dog and cat on 68 acres of woodland 40 miles north of Portland, Oregon. After growing up in Oregon, they moved their family of three children to Utah. From there they moved to Hawaii and Arizona, finally coming back to Oregon in 2015. Their three children, two girls and a boy, are all grown and live across the United States. After being a professional bookkeeper for over twenty years, she turned her hobby of writing into her first published novel in 2016. She loves to write inspirational romance and hopes her readers will be both entertained and uplifted by her stories. When she’s not writing, she loves to paint (watercolors, oils, and acrylics), sew, knit, crochet, and read (of course!).

​ FACEBOOK | BLOG | AMAZON

Snippet

She thought of Brenda. No, she couldn’t. Brenda drove her crazy. She still wasn’t sure her in-laws realized she wasn’t moving in with them. Her mind automatically landed on Nick. She could call him. He would take her to the hospital. She wasn’t sure she should be driving anyway. If she had a contraction on the way to the hospital, she could get in an accident. She shivered. She tapped Nick’s speed dial number.

He picked up on the first ring.

“Sara,” he started. “I’m sorry. I mean, I’m not sorry I kissed you. I’ve wanted to kiss you for a long time, but I’m sorry I didn’t give you more warning or whatever, so you were prepared and didn’t think I was kissing you to prove a point. I know you were upset, and I was trying to be supportive, and I heard what Mitch said and it worried me, and I was trying to comfort you, and I just got carried away when you were talking about Peter, and I just don’t want you to think I was trying to take advantage of you because I wouldn’t do that. I really do care about you.”

Finally, he took a breath.

“Good,” she said with a glimmer of a smile after his rambling, “because I need your help, again.”

“Sure, anything. What can I do for you?”

“I need a ride.”

“Did your car break down? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m at home, but I can’t drive. I’m in labor.”

“Oh,” He paused. “Oh! I’ll be right there!” The line went dead and Sara smiled, knowing she had called the right person. Regardless of where things stood at the moment, she knew Nick would take care of her.

Facebook Party

Join the party fun HERE.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Giveaway includes the winner’s choice of an e-copy (International) or autographed signed print copy (US only) of the book.  Giveaway ends 11:59pm MT on July 21st.

Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Tour Schedule

July 16-Heidi Reads…
July 17-Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
July 18-Singing Librarian Books
July 19-Wishful Endings
July 20-Jorie Loves A Story
July 21-Reading is My SuperPower

Review: Minding the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book Two in the Nantucket Legacy series

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Six long years ago, Captain Reynolds Macy sailed away from his bride, looking forward to the day when he would return to Nantucket Island with a ship's hold full of whale oil. But when that momentous day finally arrives, Ren soon discovers that everything has changed in his absence. Everything. "Is nothing on this island as it appears to be?" he whispers in despair.

Unlike most islanders, bold and spirited Daphne Coffin doesn't defer to Ren as an authoritative whalemaster, but sees through his aloofness to the aching heart beneath. She encourages him to return to his Quaker roots and "mind the Light," finding solace in God and community. As Ren becomes the man she believes him to be--honorable, wise, faithful--she finds herself falling in love with him.

But how can she, when her heart is spoken for? Tristram Macy is Ren's business partner, cousin, and best friend--and Daphne's fiance. Love always comes at a cost, but when is the price too high?
 
Suzanne Woods Fisher welcomes readers back to the Quaker community on Nantucket Island for this riveting love story, full of unexpected moments.

My Review

I loved Daphne and her stabilizing influence on the young family who is going through a rough transition. They are all grieving from an unexpected loss, and the long-awaited return of Ren brings secrets to light that have great effects on the islanders. I absolutely loved the historical Nantucket setting and learning more about their way of life. The excerpts from Great Mary's aged journal also show the survival of the first group of settlers to the island, and her unique way of looking at predicaments provide wise counsel to the generations who read her words. There is a strong supporting cast in this story with Patience, the servant who helps Daphne and then Ren with the children, Abraham, the first mate of the Endeavor whose unfailing loyalty to his captain comes back to save him, and even Lillian, Daphne's controlling mother who is a leader among the Quakers but her rigid hypocrisy brings conflict and consequences. This is a compelling story that brings its characters to life. I would have liked a little more romance, but the love triangle was drawn out and part of the conclusion.

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

---

Don't miss Book One in the Nantucket Legacy series . . .

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she's doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a "minder" on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Mitchell, a man whom she loathes.

Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary's journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe's shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way--just in time.

In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.