Tuesday, September 18, 2018

#FallIntoBooks #FavoriteCharacter



One of my favorite characters is Jack from Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt! He's such an enigma, and it's been an amazing journey as more about him is revealed with each book.  I also love Claire with her amazingly unique characteristics. These are books I *highly* recommend!!!

Heidi Reads... Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt


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

Synopsis

For centuries, the elite of the world have sought the Pimpernel everywhere. Some want to kill him, others want to hire him, but Jack Cavanaugh knows that the love/hate relationship comes with the job title.

At present, Jack is trying to dismantle an investment scheme centered in Las Vegas, but "trying" is the operative word. It's been a month since he put the face of the scheme behind bars, yet the scam is still going strong. As Jack tries to uncover who has stepped in as the new head, what miniscule evidence there is all seems to point him back to Claire Ramsey, an introverted PhD student studying at UNLV.

If ever there as an unlikely head of an investment scheme, Claire's it. She has a genius IQ, but from all Jack has seen, Claire’s intelligence is as much a blessing as a curse when paired up with her acute OCD. Claire can barely make conversation with the cute guy down the hall, which makes it hard to believe she could be the charismatic salesperson who is getting international businessmen to invest $5—50 million a pop.

So what is Jack missing? What is the real story behind Claire Ramsey? And once Jack learns it, will he be able to walk away?



https://amzn.to/2Oysvmp


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

Synopsis

One man, one night, one dance, and one question…none of which Claire Ramsey sees coming.

She thinks the night is a test—a call to rise above her insecurities and step more fully into her skills. It’s been a year since she learned about the Pimpernel and fell in love with the man of so many masks. Jack’s world is full of high stakes and big players, and Claire wants in.

To her frustration, Jack is dragging his feet on letting her all the way into both his heart and his work. The risk is too high, he says. But Claire is ready to prove him wrong. She’s ready to go all-in.

What Claire doesn’t know is that Jack is no lone wolf, and the world he is shielding her from is much bigger than she has ever imagined.

But one man, one night, one dance, and one question will change everything. 



COMING OCTOBER 2018!!!

http://www.goodreads.com


Jack is also an integral part of the final book of the Rhea Jensen series (which can be read as a stand-alone), and I loved seeing that side of him and the tie-in to the Pimpernel series. It's so intense!!!

Heidi Reads... Walk of Infamy by Sheralyn Pratt


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

Synopsis

Rhea Jensen has a date with destiny. A powerful, multi-national group calling itself The Fours considers her a threat. She doesn’t know why The Fours think this, only that they will destroy her life and the lives of everyone she loves if she doesn’t do as she’s asked.

Rhea knows where to be, when to be there, and that the odds are not in her favor for a happy ending. That’s it. What she’s about to learn is that the past seven years of her life were not what they seemed, and there is a 99.9% chance she will not live to see another day. Her date with destiny is rigged to become a date with infamy.

The question Rhea must ask herself is: Is she going to die on her terms, or on The Fours terms?

Her life, and the end thereof, has just become a game for the rich and powerful to watch play out live, and they’ve played this game many times before with other people more skilled than Rhea. The rules are designed so that the House wins every time. Rhea knows she can’t win—not without a miracle. But if she’s not going to get what she wants, well then, neither are The Fours. The clock is running, though, so whatever Rhea’s going to do, she needs to do it quick.

#TackleYourTBR Update: Day One




https://www.wishfulendings.com/2018/08/2018-tackle-your-tbr-read-thon-sign-up.html


Day One: September 17th

Books Read: Charming the Mountain Man by Jeanette Lewis
Pages Read: 181 
 
Total Pages Read: 181
Finished Books: 1

I know, I know. Charming the Mountain Man is not on my book list for this read-a-thon. But I couldn't sleep last night and it just loaded on my kindle from the 99 cent sale the other day! It was awesome, and I'm definitely going to check out the other books in the series!
 




Review: Echo Ridge Romance Collection by Lucy McConnell


Heidi Reads... Echo Ridge Romance Collection by Lucy McConnell

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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

Synopsis

Pick up this collection of four sweet contemporary romances based in the small town of Echo Ridge in Upstate New York from award-winning author Lucy McConnell and escape into the fun, flirting, and happy ever afters.


While You Were Skiing

Mia Davis’s new job in guest relations at Ruby Mountain Ski Resort gets complicated when the gorgeous Ryder Montgomery falls off the ski lift, tells everyone they are engaged, and then loses consciousness.
 

Worried about a head injury, Mia plays along, making him lunch, kissing in the front entryway and planning a future together; a future Mia wants with all of her heart.
 

Things become all the more complicated when Ryder’s estranged family gets involved. Caught up in the fantasy and romance, Mia has to tell the truth or risk losing a part of herself and the man she loves forever.

 

Brand New Second Chance
 

With a broken heart and an unsure future, Abigail Martin moves home to Echo Ridge to capture the parts of her teenage years she missed out on because she'd had a steady boyfriend. Kissing a random guy, flirting with strangers, hanging out at Fay's after a football game - all of it. 

Carter Montgomery offers his help, because he's a helpful kind of guy, and she quickly falls for his quiet humor, kindness, and heated kisses. Fearing that she hasn't lived enough of life to settle down, Abigail must decide if she's going to break Carter's heart or give love a new second chance.

 


The Lion, the Witch & the Library
 

Jennifer Solomon's birthday wish is for the one thing she's been too shy to go after: Kirke Staples, Echo Ridge’s resident playwright, an avid mountain biker, and her best friend.
 

Friend, as in don’t kiss, don’t covet, and don’t under any circumstances fall in love with the man.
 

But it’s too late—she’s already fallen in love. Hoping for a birthday kiss that will change everything, she arranges an "accidental" meeting with the handsomest man on the library board. Her carefully laid plans are thrown off track when the beautiful Bay Barington sweeps into town and casts a spell over Kirke. In her efforts to win Kirke’s heart, Jennifer is forced to take a look at her inner self and decide what type of woman she wants to be, a lion or witch.


The Candy Counter Heiress

Someday Reese Gates will own The Candy Counter at Kenworth's Department Store; but someday can't come fast enough when Kenworth's manager threatens to bring in a national candy provider. With her ailing grandmother stressing her parents, Reese secretly takes matters into her own hands hoping to save her family from additional worry and prove herself capable of running the company.
 

Her deception deepens as she ropes the handsome computer guru, Andy Edwards, into helping her expand the business through an online retail site. Reese wanted to shake things up, but she wasn't planning on her heart getting caught in the mix by Andy's stolen kisses. If she can hold it all together until after the Christmas orders are filled, then she can reveal her successful online company to her family and finally act on her feelings for Andy.
 

Unfortunately for Reese, she can't mold life like she can a chocolate Santa. Between a fire in the department store that destroys their stock and Andy discovering her deception, Reese stands to lose everything she's been working for. With a prayer in her heart, she reaches for her own Christmas miracle.

My Review

This is the first time I've read any books from the Echo Ridge series, which I discovered is actually four separate anthologies with stories by several different authors. This collection that I read contains the four stories that were author Lucy McConnell's contribution to the anthologies. They are connected in that the characters are from the same community and know each other as friends or acquaintances, so the stories can be read in any order. (The only exception is that I think While You Were Skiing should be read before Brand New Second Chance, since the male lead in each are brothers and there is a bit of an inside joke from the older brother's story that makes an appearance in the next story. It's explained, but would be more meaningful having read the first story already).

I loved reading each of these novellas. They actually seemed a bit longer than novellas, but are short enough to be read in 1-2 sittings. They each have a full story arc, great characters, and a lovely small town setting in the mountains. The plots were interesting and entertaining, and I loved the sweet romance each couple found. There was enough depth to satisfy me and prevent them from being fluffy or too chick-lit. I connected with the emotions of the characters and it was so great to have one happy ending after another as I read through the collection. I'm looking forward to checking out the stories of the other authors in the Echo Ridge series, and definitely plan to read more from this author!

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


Book Blitz & Giveaway: Fate and Fortune: Part One by Robin Daniels (Day 1 of 3)


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Blitz for
Fate and Fortune: Part One
By Robin Daniels

We're celebrating the release of Fate and Fortune: Part One, the first part in a Young Adult contemporary romance duology. Read the author's message below, then come back on Thursday, September 20th, HERE to read an excerpt, and on Saturday, September 22nd, HERE to read a second excerpt. Don't forget to enter the book/Amazon gift card giveaway below as well...

https://amzn.to/2MFW5EUFate & Fortune: Part One
By Robin Daniels
YA Contemporary Romance, Duology
ebook, 279 Pages
September 20th 2018

Bryce has liked Paige since they were little but has never had the guts to act on his feelings. Paige is devastated over being dumped by her long-time boyfriend and can’t seem to move on. They’re stuck in a rut, until fate decides to pull them out.

Both Paige and Bryce are talked into seeing a fortune teller at the annual Summer’s End Carnival. Neither of them buys into the mysticism, until the psychic’s predictions start coming true. Now, the most bizarre things are happening and there isn’t a clear explanation. Each of them must figure out if they’re the subject of an elaborate hoax or a bigger plan forged by destiny.

*This book is part one of two. Books should be read sequentially.


An Introduction to Fate & Fortune

I came up with the concept for Fate & Fortune about a year ago, but I was so wrapped up in my Perfect Series that it was placed on the back burner. Now that I’ve finally tackled writing it, the story has become a labor of love. Interweaving the plots between part one and part two has been much more complicated than I expected; a continuity nightmare. But in the end, taking on a more challenging project has strengthened me as a writer. My hope is that readers will find the premise different and exciting; and as always, that they’ll smile a lot and laugh out loud. 

Fate & Fortune: Part One follows one week in the lives of Paige (who has recently been dumped by her boyfriend of two years) and Bryce (who has been crazy about Paige since they were little). It’s a contemporary romance with unexpected and unique twists that imply a magical element. I won’t go into detail because that would ruin the surprise. 😊 Readers are left to wonder whether events are being orchestrated by a clever friend or manipulated by fate. This book has a fun and comedic supporting cast.

Fate & Fortune: Part Two rewinds back to the beginning of the week and follows the lives of Paige and Bryce’s friends. This book is where you get the subplot of the story; the all-important look behind the scenes. You’ll find brand-new situations that fall within the time line of the first story. You’ll get some scenes that fill in the gaps from book one. And there will also be some of the same scenes shown from a different perspective and told with different inner dialogue. In the end, readers will discover who did it, how it was done, fate’s role in everything and if Paige and Bryce get their happily ever after.

Robin

About the Author


The most important thing to know about me is that I'm basically a sixteen-year-old trapped in an adult's body. It's why I feel such a great connection to all of my characters and why I love to write romantic comedy. The kid in me just wants to be goofy. Besides being a writer; I'm a wife, mother of five, volleyball enthusiast and home decorating guru. My list of favorites includes: reading, Christmas, pedicures, dessert, steak, Arizona winters and most importantly, Diet Coke.




Blitz Giveaway


1 winner will receive all 4 books in the Perfect Series along with a $20 Amazon Card
Print books are available to US winners only. International winners will receive ebook copies in lieu of print copies.
Ends September 24th

Grab Our Button!





Review: Finding Us by Heather B. Moore


Book Five in the Pine Valley series

Heidi Reads... Finding Us by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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

Synopsis

Felicity Miner is not normally an anxious person, and she’s been on her own since high school. But after a shoplifter steals from her bookshop, she calls the cops. When Officer Leo Russo shows up, Felicity has to tell herself that just because the romance novel she’s been reading has a hero police officer doesn’t mean she needs to project her imagination onto the real man. Yes, Officer Russo is unexpectedly generous, and he helps make Felicity’s home more secure when her worries won’t settle down. But the more Felicity is around Officer Russo, the more she imagines a future between them. Is he merely doing his duty, protecting and serving the citizens of Pine Valley, or is there potential for something more?

My Review

The cover of this book may seem unassuming, but it is chock full of memorable characters with quirky and likeable mannerisms and personalities! As much as I enjoyed the other books in the Pine Valley series, I do believe this one is my favorite. Bookstores, bikes, hot chocolate, and autumn! What I loved most about Leo and Felicity is how genuine they are. As themselves, and with each other. They accepted one another for who they are- quirks, flaws, and everything. The flirting and banter was cute without being cheesy or cliche, and so fun to read. Leo and Felicity both have things they are struggling with, and come from very different families. I think that helped them give each other a new perspective when supporting and encouraging through the other's issues. I really connected to their emotions and it brought depth to the story and made the romance one full of anticipation and delight. This is one that I plan to read again for sure! Highly recommend!

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



Don't miss the other books in the Pine Valley series . . .

(They are all stand alone novels and can be read in any order)


Book One
Heidi Reads... Worth the Risk by Heather B. Moore


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

Synopsis

When Alicia moves back to Pine Valley to help her mom through a serious addiction, the last person she wants to see is her teenage crush, Jeff Finch, who destroyed their friendship in one single disastrous night. But Alicia is determined to not let anything about Jeff affect her, especially since she hasn’t seen him in ten years. All she knows is that he’s living a successful and charmed life, and she is more than happy to keep anything between them in the past. But when he shows up with a date at the restaurant where she works, Alicia realizes she’s still not over her feelings, and Jeff is definitely looking at her in a way he never has before.

Book Two
Heidi Reads... Where I Belong by Heather B. Moore


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

Synopsis

Jane Morris makes a living by cleaning the houses of the wealthy residents of Pine Valley, and she tries hard not to judge their extravagant lifestyles. But when one of her clients goes through a devastating breakup with his fiancé, Jane finds herself in the middle of his emotional mess. She wants to help him, but Cameron Vance is a man she could easily lose her heart to. Jane agrees to be his date to the charity event of the year, organized by Cameron’s mother. But the magical night shows Jane that if she’s a Cinderella, then Cameron is definitely a candidate for Prince Charming.
 
Book Three
Heidi Reads... Say You Love Me by Heather B. Moore
  

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

Synopsis

Clara Benson is not looking for a relationship, especially not after her losing her teaching position, followed by a disastrous breakup with her fiancé, and the sudden death of the grandma who raised her. In fact, Clara picks up and moves to escape her mess of memories. She hopes that Pine Valley will be the perfect place to heal from heartache.

When she meets her boss’s lawyer, Dawson Harris, Clara can’t deny her attraction. But she’s determined to choose herself, and her healing, over a guy who might be charming, attractive, and oh, so appealing. Easy, right? But when Dawson becomes the one person who can straighten out her mess, she realizes that finding herself doesn’t have to be mean losing Dawson.

Book Four
https://amzn.to/2HXukHm


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

Synopsis

Gwen Robbins loves her job waitressing at the Pine Valley resort restaurant, and as a single woman, she has no trouble turning down any offers of dates from the restaurant patrons. Even when her boss, Seth Owens, shows interest in her, she’s not tempted in the least, no matter how strong their attraction.

But when Seth helps her through a crisis, she begins to see him in a different light. He’s not the rich and privileged business owner she first makes him out to be, but a man who’s making huge sacrifices to follow his own dreams. As Seth encourages Gwen to mend her own divide with her family, she realizes her heart is slowly opening toward a better future.