Georgiana Allen is a spinster and everybody knows it. She
also happens to be one of the writers for the Spinster Chronicles, and
everybody knows that as well. She’s accepted her lot in life, and, along
with the other spinsters in her circle, takes great pride in the
articles she writes and the influence she has. Then Captain Anthony
Sterling infiltrates their group, and her life, and Georgie impossibly
begins to hope once more.
Tony Sterling had no idea what
to expect when he agreed to break up the Spinsters for his cousin, but
he certainly did not expect Georgie Allen. From the very first meeting,
she upends everything he thought a spinster would be, and her beauty and
wit keeps him on edge in thrilling ways. The more he gets to know the
Spinsters, the less he wants to break them up. And the more he wants
Georgie in his life. Permanently.
My Review
This is such a great idea for a series of books! I already can't wait to read the next one. It was fun to get to know each of the very different young women in the group that has bonded together as friends and supporters. By today's standards, mid-twenties are not old maids, but in Regency times they are past their prime. Each woman has a unique personality and situation that has brought them to this point, whether it's too selective, too shy, too opinionated, too independent, too cynical, or undesirable family. For some it's a mystery why no man has taken an interest. Georgie has had a desire to marry and have a family, but she never received any offers, despite her beauty and moderate dowry. We get to see her conflict and angst over her pride in what she has created with the Spinsters, but also her regrets and unfulfilled dreams. The first part of the book was slow for me and I felt it was too wordy, with lots of inconsequential conversation, even though it was giving a good feel for the dynamic of the group of friends. I would have liked to see more plot-based action with their role as Spinsters and models/mentors for the younger girls of Society. Tony really livened things up and the more time he and Georgie spend together, the more I became interested and involved in the book and their relationship. Their romance was unexpected for both and their delight in those falling-in-love feelings was a pleasure to read. They both revel in the affection they have for each other and the joy in expressing it, especially with sweet kisses ;) I liked the first part of the book okay, but I loved the second part!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Are you enjoying your summer? I've read so many great books and am staying within 1-2 books of my Goodreads Challenge schedule. Here's one that I really enjoyed that I'm giving away- Veins of Gold by Charlie N. Holmberg! The combination of historical and paranormal/fantasy was intriguing and well-balanced, and I loved the sweet romance of course ;) Read my full review here! Enter in the Giveaway Tools widget below and then check out the other blogs on the hop!
Synopsis
Desperate to save her
siblings from poverty, a young woman discovers magic fueled by gold . . .
and a love for the man who wields it.
Abandoned by their father
for the gold rush, Gentry and her siblings labor to survive alone in
the inhospitable west. When bizarre natural disasters begin wreaking
havoc on the land, Gentry discovers a world of magic. Desperate for
help, she accepts aid from a mysterious stranger.
Winn not only
sees the magic, but controls its hunger by feeding it gold—the very
thing Gentry’s father left to acquire. But the earth’s unrest only grows
worse, and Gentry’s fear leads her to a terrible choice: marry a
wealthy man she does not love, or trust in Winn’s unpredictable power to
save her family.
About the Author
Born in Salt Lake City, Charlie N. Holmberg was raised a Trekkie
alongside three sisters who also have boy names. She is a proud BYU
alumna, plays the ukulele, owns too many pairs of glasses, and finally
adopted a dog. Her fantasy Paper Magician series, which includes The Paper Magician, The Glass Magician, and The Master Magician, has been optioned by the Walt Disney Company. Her stand-alone novel, Followed by Frost, was nominated for a 2016 RITA Award for Best Young Adult Romance, and her novel The Fifth Doll won the 2018 Whitney for Speculative Fiction. She is a board member for Deep Magic Ezine and lives with her family in Utah.
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?
This is a lovely second chance romance story. Jane and Jackson have so much chemistry, and the anticipation of their romance through their rekindled friendship and flashbacks to high school was well-worth the wait. I loved how comfortable they are with each other as friends, and yet not, because there is strong attraction simmering just beneath the surface. I loved that I didn't have to wait for the very end of the book for them to get together and there was plenty of time to enjoy their new dynamic and see them work through more complicated issues. Jackson's sister and Jane's best friend Sarah plays a big role in their lives by supporting them through their hardest times and also encouraging and "pushing" them to move on from living in the past and embracing their future. There are strong themes of regrets, grief, and courage which give the characters and story depth. A couple of the plot devices used to bring conflict were cliché, but thankfully not dwelt on overlong. I appreciated the focus on Jane and Jackson's strength together and the way they brought out the best in each other, and Jane's sweet daughter Emma. A great debut novel with a sneak peek for the next book in the series!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Book Trailer
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
The whole idea for this book started out as a scene after listening to a song. Then I would listen to that song over and over and see more of the pieces fall into place.
Soon, I had an entire playlist, with scenes mapped out, and a whole story ready to write. This book tells the story of Jane and Jackson, the songs of them.
Included in the book is a unique playlist. Here is the list, but in the back of the book, I give you a full breakdown of how I saw each scene and how I felt that song was best fitted for the chapter. Enjoy!
Prologue: Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
C1: Lay Me Down – Sam Smith
C2 : It’s a Beautiful Day – U2
C3: Hello – Martin Solveig
C4: Hanging by a Moment – Lifehouse
C5: This Girl – Kungs
C6: Disappointment – The Cranberries
C7: Everybody Hurts – R.E.M
C8: My Father’s Eyes – Eric Clapton
C9: It’s Time – Imagine Dragons
C10: Could this be love? – The Wanted
C11: Hold Back the River – James Bay
C12: September Song – J.B. Cooper
C13: Count on Me – Bruno Mars
C14: The Other – Stripped / Lauv
C15: Breathing – Oscar and the Wolf
C16: Love Love – Amy MacDonald
C17: Push the Button – Sugababes
C18: Animal – Neon Trees
C19: Perfect – Ed Sheeren
C20: Someday – Sugar Ray
C21: What Lovers Do (feat. SZA) – Maroon 5, SZA
C22: Gotta Get Thru This – Daniel Bedingfield
C23: It’s Gotta Be You – Isaiah
C24: Welcome to New York – Taylor Swift
C25: Best Day of My Life – American Authors
C26: Over My Head – The Fray
C27: Water under the Bridge – Adele
C28: The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
C29: Silence – Marshmellow ft Khalid
C30: Demons – Imagine Dragons
C31: Walking The Wire – Imagine Dragons
C32: Home – Dotan
C33: No Sound But The Wind – Editors
C34: WhoKnew – Pink
C35: Stargazing – Kygo
C36: Love – Jana Kramer
C37: Quicksand – Tom Chaplin
Epilogue: False Alarm – Matoma , Becky Hill
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.
Ends 8/19/18
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.
Ellen Stanhope escorts
her three daughters to a ball. As her oldest flirts with a beau, Ellen
is reminded of her courtship and early years of marriage with Anthony,
before tragedy struck, which made their marriage fade and dull. Not
until Ellen sees Anthony dancing with a woman he courted years before
does she realize how much she misses him, still loves him, and wish he
still loved her.
My Review
This is a sweet story about a couple who have grown apart. It was sad to learn about what happened that made them drift apart and how they both had given up hope of bringing their relationship back to what it was. Lack of communication and misunderstanding brings their issues to the surface and although it was a bit heartbreaking, they finally draw together instead of apart. I liked that it was told from the perspective of the husband and the wife, and also that they both reflected on their early days together, what they loved about their spouse in the beginning and as their marriage matured. Emotional and lovely.
Originally published in A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Regency Collection
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
(as of this posting date, be sure to double-check the price)
My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing
Synopsis
After a year of
recovery, wounded war veteran Jonah Harrison comes home for Christmas.
No longer the outgoing high school track star, he just wants to be left
alone, away from well-meaning friends and neighbors. But when a blizzard
strands him with Kami Jackson—the girl who once knew him best—he can’t
hide anything from her, no matter how much he wants to. Kami has a
wounded heart of her own, though, and it might take a miracle---or at
least two matchmaking dogs---for them to find the healing they both long
for and the courage to reach for a chance at love.
My Review
I love this story! It's one of my favorite novellas to re-read. There's just something about how Jonah and Kami lift each other and have that foundation of friendship to build on. The chemistry is amazing, the banter is fun, and the overall theme of hope in adversity is one that leaves me with a smile on my face. I *love* that the author added more chapters for its release as a single title (originally it was published in A Timeless Romance Anthology: Under the Mistletoe Collection). It was so exciting to see their relationship progress past that first night and blossom with more experiences and challenges together.
(I purchased a copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
"If you love a mix of historical and contemporary, this is the perfect collection for you. Each story gives readers a taste of each individual author’s style and voice, so it’s also a great way to ‘meet’ some authors you’ve perhaps never read before. The stories are all unique and sweet, with tender romance, humor, and lots of heart. A great weekend read!"
"So these five stories, all woven together by this mystical locket, all have their own charm (pun somewhat intended). I think romance readers will find that at least one of these couples and stories appeals to them. Another great summer day read."
"This was a good, quick read. I enjoy reading anthologies and this is one of the best collections of romances I’ve read in quite some time. These authors truly knew what to bring their fans and gave them a beautiful book filled with hope, longing and inspiration."
"Each author in Legacy of the Heart lends her voice and style to the overall collection that has a strong cohesion with the introduction of the locket. A definite must-read from lovers of novellas, lovers of romance, or lovers of a great story collection."
"Legacy of the Heart was a wonderful novella collection. I enjoyed all five of the stories and liked how some were historical and others were contemporary. The way the locket played a part in each novella was interesting and I really enjoyed how it connected them."
"I enjoyed all five of these stories. I did find them predictable but I did not care. Such a good, sweet, clean, and romantic book. I give Legacy of the Heart 4 1/2 stars. It is most definitely worth a read."
"I enjoyed the stories in this collection and seeing the locket pass from one character to another. The first two stories are historical, and the last three are contemporary."
"Legacy of the Heart is a collection of 5 really wonderful romance stories. For me, reading these stories in the order that’s in the book was better for me to understand and get the full stories. . . . What interest and fun it was to see this locket play out in each other the stories, in its own way. I highly recommend this book for those looking for a good clean romance collection."
"I enjoy novella collections that have a common thread woven through them like this. The authors did a great job with the continuity of the theme. I was impressed by the way the characters who were introduced in one story were so naturally and seamlessly carried into the next as the main character."
"Legacy of the Heart was such an enjoyable novella collection! . . . I liked the continuity that the locket brought to the collection, yet, I also appreciated that the novellas were each unique in the way the locket played into the plot. . .
This is definitely a good collection to grab hold of for fans of sweet and inspirational romance!"
Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...
Legacy of the Heart By Danica Favorite, Stacy Henrie, Tina Radcliffe, Terri Reed & Sherri Shackelford Inspirational Romance, Novella Collection
ebook, 378 Pages
June 22nd 2018 by Beyond the Page Publishing
An antique locket with the power to inspire everlasting love unites the five stories in this stunning collection of historical and contemporary inspirational romance novellas!
In Heritage of Love, Danica Favorite takes us to the Chicago world’s fair, where a chance encounter will spark an opportunity for true love, if only the young couple can first overcome polite society’s rigid rules . . .
Stacy Henrie tells the story of a sheriff desperate to escape the matchmaking efforts of the women in his small town, only to discover that his attempts to sidestep them may lead to eternal love and happiness in By Any Other Name . . .
Tina Radcliffe’s Forget Me Not paints the picture of a charming antique store, where love will blossom when two strangers learn the secret about a long-ago hurt and a love that never died . . .
In The Lost Locket, Terri Reed introduces readers to two people who have given up on love and will fight their undeniable attraction until it may be too late . . .
And in Winning the Fireman’s Heart, Sherri Shackelford shows us two long-time friends forever searching for the perfect mate, until a gesture of kindness reveals the love that’s always been waiting for them . . .
A self-professed crazy chicken lady, Danica Favorite loves the adventure of living a creative life.
She and her family recently moved into their dream home in the mountains above Denver, Colorado. Danica loves to explore the depths of human nature and follow people on the journey to happily-ever-after. Though the journey is often bumpy, those bumps are what refine imperfect characters as they live the life God created them for. Oops, that just spoiled the ending of all of Danica’s stories. Then again, getting there is all the fun.
A USA Today bestselling author, Stacy Henrie is the author of more than a dozen inspirational historical romance novels and novellas. Her books include Hope at Dawn, a 2015 RITA Award finalist for excellence in romance. Born and raised in the West, where she currently resides with her family, Stacy enjoys reading, road trips, interior decorating, chocolate, and most of all laughing with her husband and kids.
Originally from Western, N.Y., Tina Radcliffe left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a Certified Oncology R.N., followed by a move to Colorado, which led to a career as a library cataloger. A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina is an RWA Honor Roll member, a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist, and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner. She currently resides in Arizona, where she writes fun, heartwarming romance.
Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly Top 25, Nielsen’s Bookscan Top 100, have been Amazon Bestsellers and featured in USA Today, Christian Fiction Magazine, and Romantic Times Magazine, finaled in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA contest, National Reader’s Choice Award contest, and American Christian Fiction Writers’ The Carol Award contest.
Sherri Shackelford is an award-winning author of inspirational, Christian romance novels for Harlequin/HarperCollins Publishers. A wife and mother of three, Sherri’s hobbies include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid cleaning, and standing in the middle of the room while thinking, “Why did I just come in here?” A reformed pessimist and recent hopeful romantic, Sherri has a passion for writing. Her books are fun and fast-paced, with plenty of heart and soul.
Abigail Nash leads a lonely existence. Her mother died giving birth to her, her father's business dealings took him away more often than not, and her ailing great-aunt, unable to provide much in the way of companionship, was a lack-luster guardian at best. So when her dear friends offered to launch her into London society, it appeared Abby's life was taking a turn for the better, with suitors and social engagements aplenty. When she marries a proclaimed darling of the ton, it seems she will at last settle into the life of her dreams.
But appearances aren't always what they seem, and dreams often become disappointments.
Just months into her marriage, Abby finds herself widowed, penniless, increasing, and determined to never hope again. But when her late husband's brother, the Earl of Brigston, attempts to thaw the numbness surrounding her heart, Abby must decide if she has it in her to risk another chance at happiness, knowing the odds are not in her favor.
Author Rachael Anderson
A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
Ends 8/31/18
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.
Genre: Adult, New Adult, Contemporary, Romance Publisher: Cedar Fort Publication date: March 13, 2018
Synopsis
Savannah Drake would be thrilled about starting her final year of
medical school if it weren’t for one thing: she has to spend a month
working in the emergency room with cold, aloof Dr. Wesley Kent as her
mentor. When her first day in the ER proves to be a humiliating
disaster, Savannah is ready to swear off emergency medicine forever.
Gradually, though, she finds that the unpredictable, emotional
experience of caring for patients in the emergency room is affecting her
far differently than she expected – and Dr. Kent turns out to be
anything but the arrogant attending physician that she assumed him to
be. But just when Savannah finally admits to herself that she is falling
for Dr. Kent, she learns that things at the hospital are not all what
they seem. Faced with a seemingly impossible choice, Savannah must
decide between her future career and everything that she has come to
care so much about.
About the Author
TJ Amberson hails from the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with
her husband and nutty cocker spaniel. Her most recent novels include The
Kingdom Of Nereth, Fusion, and Love at Lakewood Med. When she’s not
writing, TJ can probably be found enjoying a hot chocolate, pretending
to know how to garden, playing the piano, or surfing the Internet for
cheap plane tickets.
Doctor Kent scratches his chin. “She has hiccups?”
“No. She believes that she is a hiccup, and she states that
she has been a hiccup for a long time. Oh, and she would like to go
home.”
He arches an eyebrow. “I see. Does she have any signs and symptoms of someone who is a hiccup?”
I’m hit with a pulse of alarm. Doctor Kent isn’t kidding.
Did I miss a class about patients being hiccups? Or is there a different
meaning of ‘hiccup’ that I’m not thinking of? How—
“I’m only messing with you.” Doctor Kent gets to his feet.
“What?” I’m not sure whether to laugh or kill him. “You . . . you were . . .”
“I’ll go give her my blessing so she can go home.”
Doctor Kent heads off to Room Seven. I gaze after him. I
have to admit that what he did was kind of funny. Actually, it was
really funny.