Heidi Reads...

Monday, April 26, 2021

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: How to Fall in Love with a Man You Thought You Hated by Elizabeth Adams #HTFILWAMYTYHBlogTour #ElizabethAdams #HFVBTBlogTours

How to Fall in Love with a Man You Thought You Hated by Elizabeth Adams

Publication Date: April 5, 2021

Paperback; 266 pages

was Genre: Historical Romance/Austenesque

For Elizabeth Bennet, Charlotte is the friend who is—annoyingly—always right. Colonel Fitzwilliam is the mischievous brother she never had. And if their convictions that Mr. Darcy is in love with her are correct, he could be the lover she’s always wanted.

There’s only one problem—he tried to ruin her favorite sister’s life, and she made an absolute fool of herself in front of him.

Can lasting happiness come out of such a beginning? And can a man die from chasing a woman too quick to be caught? Darcy is about to find out.

Available on Amazon

My Review

5 stars / It was amazing

It's finally happened. An author wrote a variation of Pride and Prejudice that is a perfectly wonderful and satisfying telling of how good it is between Elizabeth and Darcy when they actually court each other! I enjoy Austen variations and retellings, and this one is my new favorite. It's told from both Elizabeth and Darcy's point of view, and they are thoughtful and introspective as they analyze their misperceptions about each other and themselves. There is a good dose of subtle humor and wit, balanced with plenty of dialogue and interactions that keep the pace of the book steady and my interest never waning. I love that Elizabeth gives Darcy a chance, but she also doesn't shy away from the difficult and complicated dynamics of their relationship as well as their families. I appreciated that the author didn't retell certain overused scenes in Austen variations (Lady Catherine's set down of Elizabeth) making the story more unique and creative while still being true to the fundamentals of the characters. Elizabeth and Darcy both grow and develop as individuals as they also grow closer together, through the rocky patches and the earnest wooing. Their chemistry and attraction only grows as they come to know the deeper layers of their lives and personalities, and they strive to become worthy of each other and their increasing regard and love. A must-read for fans of Regency and Austen!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

About the Author

Elizabeth Adams is a book-loving, tango-dancing, Austen enthusiast. She loves old houses and thinks birthdays should be celebrated with trips - as should most occasions. She can often be found by a sunny window with a cup of hot tea and a book in her hand.

She writes romantic comedy and comedic drama in both historic and modern settings.

You can find more information, short stories, and outtakes at www.EAdamsWrites.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, April 26
Review at Heidi Reads...
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Tuesday, April 27
Review at Probably at the Library

Wednesday, April 28
Review at Reader_ceygo

Thursday, April 29
Review at Novels Alive
Interview at Reader_ceygo

Friday, April 30
Excerpt at The Tea Queen

Monday, May 3
Excerpt at Novels Alive

Tuesday, May 4
Excerpt at Books and Benches
Review at Little But Fierce Book Diary

Wednesday, May 5
Review at Bookish Rantings
Review at The Enchanted Shelf

Thursday, May 6
Review at Jorie Loves A Story

Giveaway

Enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on May 6th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Bent Tree Bride by Denise Weimer

Bent Tree Bride JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Bent Tree Bride by Denise Weimer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Bent Tree Bride
Author: Denise Weimer
Publisher: Smitten Historical Romance
Release Date: April 13, 2021
Genre: Christian historical romance

"Romance. Intrigue. Honor. All that and more. I heartily recommend it." —Michelle Griep, Christy Award-winning author

Susanna Moore can’t get him out of her mind—the learned lieutenant who delivered the commission from Andrew Jackson making her father colonel of the Cherokee Regiment. But the next time she sees Lieutenant Sam Hicks, he’s leading a string of prisoners into a frontier fort, and he’s wearing the garb of a Cherokee scout rather than the suit of a white gentleman.

As both Susanna’s father and Sam’s commanding officer, Colonel Moore couldn’t have made his directive to stay away from his daughter clearer to Sam. He wants a better match for Susanna—like the stuffy doctor who escorted her to Creek Territory. Then a suspected spy forces Moore to rely on Sam for military intelligence and Susanna’s protection, making it impossible for either to guard their heart.

EXCERPT

In this excerpt, Lieutenant Sam Hicks of the Cherokee Regiment, who has been assigned as bodyguard to the daughter of his colonel, takes Susanna Moore on his horse. Recovering from pneumonia, Susanna’s weakened state necessitated her departure from Fort Strother.

“Will you ride with me, Miss Moore?”

A nod was all she gave him, but it was all he needed. He edged his mount close to theirs, twisted his reins under his saddle, and held out his arms. Susanna leaned toward him. He caught her under the arms, and she gave a cry of fright as he pulled until she landed sidesaddle on his stallion. He didn’t miss Mrs. Moore’s frown when he wrapped his arms around her stepdaughter. And no wonder. The curves of her womanly figure, her fast-beating heart, smote him with far more awareness than he’d anticipated. He’d never held a woman this close. He hadn’t wanted to until he’d met one he’d consider taking to wife.

“Good?” he murmured against the back of her head. When she nodded, he pinched up a bit of fabric on the left side of her skirt. “See if you can swing this leg over now.”

She gave a muffled laugh. “Well, at least you’ll have less view of my ankles from up here than from the side.”

Sam rumbled a chuckle. “I wasn’t looking at your ankles.” He might have. Once. Not much to see but striped wool stockings, though.

“Oh, brother.” George rolled his eyes. “Are you going to lead us across the creek, or should I?”

“We’re going.” Especially since Colonel Moore and Dr. Hawkins both pulled up on their stallions, their scowls fierce enough to scald the hair from Sam’s head. Mrs. Moore straightened in her saddle, securing her reins as she pivoted to face the colonel. “I needed help, husband. I was not strong enough to hold onto our daughter in her weak state. She will rest better against Lieutenant Hicks.”

He gave a brief nod, but Dr. Hawkins looked as if he might come off his horse. Or throw his medical chest in Canoe Creek and seize Susanna from Sam’s clutches and gallop away. It would seem that the diminished restraints of the frontier and his lack of progress with Susanna were evoking some deeper emotions in the poor man.

He’d hoped the physician might remain at Strother, but Hawkins seemed to have pledged his services to Colonel Moore and his regiment.

As for Mrs. Moore, Sam had no idea why she took up for him—except for the fact that she shared his native blood—but she deserved the status of a Cherokee Blessed Woman. He waited only for a terse nod from Colonel Moore before he set out, splashing across the creek. Was he mistaken, or was Susanna chuckling?

ALSO AVAILABLE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Denise Weimer writes historical and contemporary romance and romantic suspense mostly set in her home state of Georgia. She’s authored a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas. As a managing editor at Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, she also helps others reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

CONNECT WITH DENISE: Website | Facebook | Twitter

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Bent Tree Bride and related story, The Witness Tree (2019), a pair of silver feather earrings, and a $20 Amazon gift card! (retail value $60)

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 20, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 27, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Review: Full Rigged by Rebecca Connolly, Sophia Summers, Heather B. Moore

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Ford Hopkins is a simple guy. Loves his rodeo life, loves his family, loves his dog, and wants to find his place in the world. Not too complicated, and spending more time down in Lost Creek, Texas, is just what he needs to remind himself of that. But a spitfire doctor staying at his friend’s ranch there could change his simple, uncomplicated life.

Brynn Kershaw needs Broken Hearts Ranch and the haven of recovery it claims to be. Her ex-husband had broken her ability to trust and her emotional stability, both of which are keeping her from living a fulfilling life after the divorce. While she’s at the ranch, calm, quiet, unassuming cowboy Ford somehow manages to sneak through her defensive walls, and could be the key to breaking them all down.

My Review

While Ford is sweet and dependable, Brynn's vibrant personality is the show stealer in this book. It was fascinating to learn more about anger management and how she dealt with her "surges" brought on by a variety of factors. I feel like I'm gaining insight into mental wellness as I read about the healing journeys of the characters at Broken Hearts Ranch. The other ladies at the ranch form a bond with Brynn, as well as Ford's gigantic dog, and they brought a fun dynamic to the narrative. I liked learning about Ford's rodeo specialty of steer wrestling but it didn't have the intensity factor that the bull riding and bareback riding did in the previous books. It was easy to tell that Ford was just killing time in rodeo while he really wanted to run his own ranch, but wasn't motivated enough to make the big change yet. He and Brynn had great chemistry and their developing relationship thrived on the support and encouragement they provided each other.

Welcome to Lost Creek Rodeo!

Best friends at a small college in Texas, six cowboys rise to become pro-rodeo stars. Follow Ryan, Reid, Westin, Ford, Eric and Lars in these six swoony sports romances.

Visit us on Facebook: Swoony Sports Romances

Releases May 2021

Releases June 2021

Monday, April 19, 2021