Review: Chiara's Choice by Chalon Linton

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Chiara Madero, daughter of an Italian baron, is the epitome of beauty and fire, and when confronted, her lovely lips reveal a sharp tongue. But her enchanting facade hides a less-than-elegant truth: her family believes her true value lies in her ability to secure an advantageous match. And there is no better place to find a wealthy, titled husband than the London Marriage Mart.

Mr. Abraham Jamison is not a firstborn son and has procrastinated choosing an occupation. Nevertheless, his honest and forthright nature immediately captures Chiara’s attention. He is unsuitable for a woman of her station in all ways, but she can’t seem to resist seeking out his company. Abraham sees through her fiery personality and refuses to play her games, yet after waging a mutual battle of wits, an unexpected friendship forms between them—a rapport that soon blossoms into something more.

Abraham’s wish is to become a man worthy of her. But when faced with her family’s determination to manipulate circumstances to their advantage, he and Chiara must face their feelings and find the strength to defy an insurmountable obstacle: Chiara’s mother.

My Review

Chiara is such an interesting character! I loved how the author challenges our first impressions of Chiara by peeling back her layers, revealing the vulnerable young woman behind the facade she has learned to use. Abraham is instrumental in provoking Chiara and making her see past the games of society. I enjoyed her sense of humor, and how she did her own provoking to get Abraham out of his reserved and often grumpy shell. They are both at an important crossroads in their lives, with the pressures of career and marriage. They seem like an unlikely couple, but their opposite natures compliment each other and their chemistry is palpable. The pace felt unhurried, which allowed me to enjoy the nuances of all the characters and the situations they find themselves in. Recommend to fans of sweet Regency romance!

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.

Don't miss the other Regency novels by Chalon Linton . . .

Review: Turn to Me by Becky Wade

 

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

His promise will cost him far more than he imagined.

Guilt has defined Luke Dempsey's life, but it was self-destructiveness that landed him in prison. When his friend and fellow inmate lay dying shortly before Luke's release, the older man revealed he left a string of clues for his daughter, Finley, that will lead her to the treasure he's hidden. Worried that she won't be the only one pursuing the treasure, he gains Luke's promise to protect her until the end of her search.

Spunky and idealistic, Finley Sutherland is the owner of an animal rescue center and a defender of lost causes. She accepts Luke's help on the treasure hunt while secretly planning to help him in return--by coaxing him to embrace the forgiveness he's long denied himself.

As they draw closer to the final clue, their reasons for resisting each other begin to crumble, and Luke realizes his promise will push him to the limit in more ways than one. He'll do his best to shield Finley from unseen threats, but who's going to shield him from losing his heart?

My Review

Luke has been the intrigue throughout the series- why did he go off the rails after the trauma while the others bonded together? I loved getting his perspective and discovering what led to his choices. As opposite to him as Finley seems, she is the perfect match to bring light and hope into his life as he transitions back to society. She's not judgemental of his past, but seeks to understand. I loved how protective Luke is as he reluctantly joins her search with the clues her father left. Their romance is a slow burn, and the anticipation builds as they develop a deeper friendship and attraction. A wonderful redemption story that brings all the feels!

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.

Don't miss the other books in the Misty River Romance series . . .

 

Book Tour, Review & Giveaway: Revelation is My Flashlight by Sierra Wilson, illustrated by Danika Runyan

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Using read-aloud rhyme and relatable analogies, Revelation Is My Flashlight is an engaging story and teaching tool all about how to seek and follow personal revelation. The story includes adorable illustrations and extra resources for further study.

Sometimes life feels like the night.
I can't see where to go.
But God gave me a special tool
to help me see and know.

The tool is revelation.
It's like a shining light.
The Holy Ghost points the way,
showing me what's right.

My Review

I love the poetry and beautiful illustrations in this book that teach in a very relatable way how revelation is present in our lives! I especially appreciated that the author included several ways we can prepare to receive revelation and strengthen our batteries or flashlights. This is a perfect book for children of all ages, and could be used for Family Home Evenings, Primary lessons, or devotionals. At the end there are additional resources such a scriptures, quotes from prophets, an activity, and ways to further discuss the topic. 

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

Sierra Wilson is the author of several faith-focused books for young readers including My Testimony Tree, Standout Saints: Church History Heroes from Around the World, and The Atonement of Jesus Christ is for Me. Sierra holds an MFA in creative writing and previously worked as an English teacher. She loves serving and working with children and youth and currently serves as a young women's leader. Sierra lives in Alberta, Canada with her husband, five kids, two cats, two fish, and bearded dragon. You can connect with Sierra at www.sierrawilsonauthor.com

Giveaway

ENTER HERE

Blog Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway: Unseen by Traci Hunter Abramson

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Unseen by Traci Hunter Abramson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Unseen
Series: Guardian #7
Author: Traci Hunter Abramson
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: August 15, 2023
Genre: Clean Romantic Suspense

Laura’s work as a nurse practitioner has pushed her to her breaking point. A trip abroad to visit her grandmother in Honduras promises a few days of relief, but when her abuela falls ill, Laura finds herself walking the halls of a hospital once more. Still wearing her scrubs, she could easily be confused for a local healthcare worker―and it’s a mistake that happens almost immediately. After a recent shootout, the local gang needs a doctor, and they don’t ask for what they want―they take it. In a split second, Laura is captured in a deadly case of mistaken identity. The outlook is dire until a mysterious rescuer appears, launching the pair on a desperate flight to freedom. 

As a member of the ultraclassified guardian program, Manuel is responsible for protecting US assets in Central America. But when a job in Honduras goes terribly wrong, his skills are pushed to the limit as he races to get Laura out of the country alive. What begins as a connection forged in a shared ordeal quickly deepens, and Manuel and Laura must learn to trust their instincts―and their hearts―if they hope to survive.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

Guest Post from Author Traci Hunter Abramson

When choosing the setting for Unseen, I knew I wanted to pick somewhere in Central America, but at the time I was writing this book, we were still in the depths of Covid and the travel restrictions that followed. With no ability to travel there myself, I had to rely on my past experiences of living in Venezuela and visiting Mexico. My time in Panama was a little too fleeting to count as being useful.

One of the reasons I chose Honduras was because it has such a wide range of climates—everything from palm trees to pine forests—as well as a rich cultural heritage. I also needed a location that would be likely to have gang activity. Honduras, like many countries, fulfilled that need. I also loved that Honduras had several regional airports that take in international flights, and Roatán, an island off the northern coast of Honduras, is a popular stop for cruise ships.

And while I did have to do my fair share of research to acquaint myself with the region, one of my favorite topics was comparing the various regional dishes to the meals that I ate while living in Caracas. Arepas are still one of my all-time favorite foods, although most people in the United States are more familiar with the Honduran equivalent—pupusas. Tamales, one of my favorite foods from Mexico, is also commonly found in Honduras.

Wildlife was another topic of interest in my research, primarily for when I was trying to name the fictional gang I created for this book. Ultimately, I chose the black jaguar (jaguar negro) for its stealth and deadly beauty. I also had fun adding in an annoying macaw, one that may have been a bit too much like the one that always woke me up when I visited Canaima (near Angel Falls) in Venezuela.

And for the record, I absolutely looked up flights to La Ceiba when I was writing this book. One of these days, I hope to visit there in person and enjoy the same air my characters breathed.

More Books In This Series

   

   

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About the Author

Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children’s teenage years. She loves to travel and recently retired after twenty-six years coaching her local high school swim team. She has written forty-five best-selling novels and is an eight-time Whitney Award winner, including 2017 and 2019 Best Novel of the Year.

Connect with Traci by visiting traciabramson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will win a $20 Amazon gift card, a print copy of Unseen, and a swag pack!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 30, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 6, 2023. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

 

Review: My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

A chance meeting. A hunky hockey player. A fake romance.
Hardly an ordinary day in the life of Poppy Hart.

My days usually consist of agonizing over my failing restaurant, worrying about my mountain of debt and nursing my broken heart.

Everything changes when I bump into a man in the coffee shop and claim him as my new boyfriend. To my absolute horror, he turns out to be hockey’s most renowned bad boy, Dallas Burke. To my absolute delight, he goes along with my story.

When his no-nonsense manager and meddling grandmother jump in the picture, they see a win-win solution for my failing restaurant and Dallas’s less-than-stellar reputation.

A full-fledged fake romance complete with contract negotiations, pretend dates and phony PDA.

But as I get to know the real Dallas Burke, who is not the man the press says he is, it becomes clear that if this isn’t real. . . someone better tell it to my heart.

My Review

Chemistry off the charts! I loved how chill Dallas is and the way he craves peace and the slower pace of a small town. He just goes along with Poppy's spontaneous claim on him, and her gossipy mean girl enemy is the impetus behind their fake dating which morphs into a win-win situation for them both. Their banter is so entertaining, and they become genuine friends while their scheme plays out- naturally falling in love, but not seeing how it would translate to their normal lives. I've got a thing for hockey players in fiction since reading the Northbrook Hockey Elite series, and My Phony Valentine totally hit the spot! I also love when either main character is a cook/chef/baker. Valentine's Day plays a small role in the story since there is a dance and town event on the holiday that the relationship is leading up to, but this is a book that can be read any time of the year.  Side note- I completely adore the cover design! As always, the author brings her trademark depth to Poppy and Dallas as they both have struggles which prompt introspection, development and growth, woven into their sweet romance. Highly recommend!

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.

Review: Iris by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Iris Marshall never wanted to be anything more than what she is—an official for the European League of (American) Football. So, why she said yes to being a courier for the CIA? She’s not sure, especially when it lands her in an international thriller that has her on the run from a killer. And worse, the person she’s on the run with? Arrogant, bossy, playboy Hudson Bly football player and the last person on earth she wants to go into hiding with.

Hudson knows his days as a wide-receiver are numbered. Too many head injuries, starting with a violent TBI in college have caught up with him. So yes, he agreed to be a patriot, do his bit for the USA and courier a message between agents. He never expected for that simple act to ignite an international man-hunt for the official who wrecked his life, Iris Marshall. But what’s a guy to do—let her get killed?

But spending time with Iris has ignited a desire in him that takes him by surprise, and for Iris, maybe Hudson is more than she thought.

But who is after Iris? When one of her fellow officials is murdered, maybe the killer is after more than just her—maybe she’s found herself in the middle of an international plot to take down a country.

It’ll take the help of the entire family to keep Iris safe…but at what cost when they have to choose between their careers…and their country?

My Review

The suspense and thrills continue in the fourth book of the Minnesota Marshalls series! Definitely read this series in order since the overarching mystery continues throughout, and the subplot in each book becomes the main plot of the following book. I really like this way of getting to know the Marshall siblings simultaneously as their individual stories weave together. Iris and Hudson get pulled into secret agent work for the CIA in the previous book, which puts a target on their backs. This book picks right up with their escape from a life-threatening situation, and the tension doesn't abate while they seek to discover who is after them while still participating in the football season with Hudson as a player and Iris as an official. I loved how the siblings have each others backs, and work together to fight against their enemies, the threads of each book's plot tightening as the elements of each are tied together. The chemistry between Iris and Hudson didn't feel as strong since so much of their attention is on their careers and the danger. I was happy with the resolution and the way they overcame the obstacles that had prevented them from deepening their relationship. We also get some perspective from Iris's parents as they face a new trial which I'm sure will develop in the next book. 

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.

The Minnesota Marshalls series