Cover Reveal: The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson

Coming soon from USA Today Bestselling Author Rachael Anderson

The Fall of Lord Drayson

Who is he really? A high and mighty Lord, or a lowly servant? When Colin Cavendish, the new earl of Drayson, informs Lucy Beresford that she and her mother have two months to vacate the house they've called home for the past two years, Lucy is fit to be tied.They have no money, no relations they can turn to for help, and nowhere to go. How dare the earl break the promise his father had made to the Beresfords without so much as a twinge of conscience? Mere hours later, Lucy discovers the earl unconscious and injured in the middle of the road. Grudgingly, she takes him into her home to tend to his wounds, but when he awakens with no recollection of who he is, Lucy seizes the opportunity to teach a much-needed lesson in humility. Pushing her own twinge of conscience aside, she informs the earl of Drayson that he is nothing more than a mere servant. Her servant, in fact. And thus begins the charming tale of a pompous lord and an impetuous young woman, caught together in a web so tangled that it begs the question: Will they ever get out?

Coming late-summer 2016

 

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.

Website

Cover Reveal Giveaway 

$25 Amazon Gift Code or Paypal Cash Ends 2/17/16 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.
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Review: A Midwinter Ball (Timeless Regency Collection) by Heidi Ashworth, Annette Lyon, Michele Paige Holmes

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

MUCH ADO ABOUT DANCING by Heidi Ashworth. Two years have passed since Lord Northrup declared his intentions for Miss Analisa Lloyd-Jones and forbade any other man to court her. Angry at the neglect, Analisa stopped reading his letters, never even breaking the seals. Tired of waiting, Analisa joins the house party at Mrs. Smith’s famous country home, determined to find a beau. When Lord Northrup unexpectedly joins the party, Analisa discovers she is no longer repulsed by the man who first laid claim to her hand.

SWEETER THAN ANY DREAM by Annette Lyon. Olivia Wallington is firmly established as a spinster, but that doesn’t stop her from dreaming about the perfect man. Ever since her father’s death, Olivia has been forced into seclusion by her mother. When her brother and his wife come for a visit, they discover the extent to which she lives under their mother’s thumb. With their help, Olivia sneaks out to attend a local ball, where she meets Edward Blakemoore. For a few divine moments, all of her dreams seem possible. But even someone like Mr. Blakemoore would be hard pressed to get past Mrs. Wallington’s fortress of protection—or past Olivia’s pride.

AN INVITATION TO DANCE by Michele Paige Holmes. Lady Ella has been isolated on her father’s estate since her mother’s death as her father travels the world. When Alex Darling arrives with a letter from her long-dead fiancé, and a demand that she travel to London for a series of engagements, Ella thinks her father instigated the strange demands and agrees. In London, she discovers the truth behind her fiancé’s death, and that new love might be possible in the arms of the most unexpected man.

My Review

This is a wonderful compilation of novellas that involve a winter ball in the setting. In each story the event propels the plot forward and serves as a catalyst for change in the relationship between the main characters. There's something special and almost magical about the energy of a dance that is so looked forward to, especially in those times. I enjoyed all the stories and felt drawn into the conflict and resolution each presented. The first story was a bit choppy, but I really liked the premise of the long absent fiancè making a sudden reappearance in Analisa's life. Daydreaming Olivia from the second story was easy to relate to with her imagination, but I could never have the patience she did with her abusive relatives! I loved the adventurous spirit of Ella in the last story and the hesitant relationship with her former fiancé’s grumpy friend. This is a collection I will be re-reading for sure!

(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review & Giveaway: Undaunted Hope by Jody Hedlund

Be sure to scroll to the bottom to enter the book giveaway!

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Tessa Taylor arrives in 1870s Upper Peninsula, Michigan, planning to serve as a new teacher to the town. Much to her dismay, however, she immediately learns that there was a mistake, that the town had requested a male teacher. Percival Updegraff, superintendent and chief mine clerk, says she can stay through winter since they won't be able to locate a new teacher before then, and Tessa can't help but say she is in his debt. Little does she know that Percival will indeed keep track of all that she owes him.

Determined to become indispensable, Tessa throws herself into teaching, and soon the children of the widowed lighthouse keeper have decided she's the right match for their grieving father. Their uncle and assistant light keeper, Alex Bjorklund, has his own feelings for Tessa. As the two brothers begin competing for her hand, Tessa increasingly feels that someone is tracking her every move, and she may not be able to escape the trap that has been laid for her.

My Review

I loved this rugged setting for Tessa's story. The landscape and harsh weather is a huge element in the book and I was able to picture it vividly. Tessa is a proud and opinionated young woman, but with a kind heart as she strives to help not only the children, but the men of the town as well, further their education to improve their life situation. Although the living conditions are not ideal, she quickly connects with several children and members of the community. One family in particular she is drawn to is the adult brothers Alex and Michael, along with Michael's children. I loved the chemistry between her and Alex and the fun banter they shared. A sense of humor is something I find very attractive in a hero ;) She feels conflicted throughout the story since she has a deep aversion to lighthouses and the sacrifices it takes to run them, but she can't help feeling like a part of the family and coming to their aid as often as they come to hers. I felt that the secrets she's hiding from her past didn't match the characteristics she portrays in this book; to fully understand the situation I think reading the previous book in the series, Hearts Made Whole, would be helpful. However her past does come into play during the climax of the plot so it needed to be included. And talk about an evil villain! The injustices and tragedies he is responsible for as he preys on the members of the community made me so mad. In the afterword of the book the author shared that Mr. Updegraff was based on a real person in history- that makes it even worse! (Although that guy's ending was different and more violent than in the book). I don't often find afterwords interesting but this one is filled with fascinating information about which characters and landmarks are inspired by real history. You won't want to miss it!

(Thank you to the author and Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

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Review & Giveaway: Double Play by Raneè S.Clark

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Sophie Pope is devastated when she hears the news: her former boyfriend, college football star Anthony "Rocket" Rogers, is engaged to be married. Determined to win him back before he says I do, Sophie hatches a foolproof plan to stop the wedding. But when Rocket's best man, aspiring baseball player David Savage, thwarts her plot, she realizes the game is up. For David, though, it's just beginning . . .

David knows that Sophie is just another pretty face, and he's more than happy to save his best friend from her shallow advances. She's not his type at all, so he's baffled by his response to an awkward encounter with Donovan, another of Sophie's former flames. Despite himself, David feels driven by an inexplicable need to protect her. Pretending to be Sophie's new fiancé leads to unexpected sparks between the pair, and soon they're searching for excuses to spend time together. But when a curveball threatens to send them in opposite directions, will Sophie and David step up to the plate for the possibility of true love?

My Review

I had a hard time relating to the main characters in this book. Sophie is initially portrayed as a shallow, manipulative, and selfish fashionista. Her agenda to steal the groom was a turn off, but her interactions with David started bringing out her more relaxed side. I enjoyed the book more as the focus shifted to the two of them, and the banter and chemistry they shared. A big theme of the book was modesty and Sophie's ideal that a woman should be able to dress however she feels represents her and not be responsible for any inappropriate thoughts that it inspires in men who view her. She finds herself changing and wearing longer shorts and skirts around David because he respects her for her personality instead of solely for her looks, then feels conflicted that she might be doing it for him instead of herself. I appreciated her roommate's personal account that when she dressed immodestly, it influenced how she felt and acted, in a more edgy and worldly way, making choices that she ultimately came to regret. It was interesting to read about a Mormon "mean girl" and her journey of growing up a bit, even though I felt like she is a person I would avoid in real life.

(Thank you to Covenant Communications for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Jan. 18th
Literary Time Out
LDS Writer Mom

Jan. 19th
Fire and Ice Reads
Seeking With All Yur Heart
Bonnie Gets a Say
LDS and Lovin' It

Jan. 20th
Min Reads and Reviews
Wishful Endings
Mel's Shelves

Jan. 21st
Bookworm Lisa
Singing Librarian Books
Rockin' Book Reviews

Jan. 22nd
Joy in the Moments
My Book a Day
Katie's Clean Book Collection
Books Are Sanity
Heidi Reads...

 

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Review: The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Sophie Dupont, daughter of a portrait painter, assists her father in his studio, keeping her own artwork out of sight. She often walks the cliffside path along the north Devon coast, popular with artists and poets. It's where she met the handsome Wesley Overtree, the first man to tell her she's beautiful.

Captain Stephen Overtree is accustomed to taking on his brother's neglected duties. Home on leave, he's sent to find Wesley. Knowing his brother rented a cottage from a fellow painter, he travels to Devonshire and meets Miss Dupont, the painter's daughter. He's startled to recognize her from a miniature portrait he carries with him--one of Wesley's discarded works. But his happiness plummets when he realizes Wesley has left her with child and sailed away to Italy in search of a new muse.

Wanting to do something worthwhile with his life, Stephen proposes to Sophie. He does not offer love, or even a future together, but he can save her from scandal. If he dies in battle, as he believes he will, she'll be a respectable widow with the protection of his family.

Desperate for a way to escape her predicament, Sophie agrees to marry a stranger and travel to his family's estate. But at Overtree Hall, her problems are just beginning. Will she regret marrying Captain Overtree when a repentant Wesley returns? Or will she find herself torn between the father of her child and her growing affection for the husband she barely knows?

My Review

I enjoy marriage of convenience stories in particular, and this one had the added twist of Sophie being in love with her new husband's brother. While I felt compassion for Sophie and her difficult circumstances, I didn't admire her weakness for Wesley and the choices she initially made. She reveals herself as a strong character however as she makes the best of her situation and works to become loyal to Stephen. He was definitely my favorite character in the story, a Mr. Darcy type that has vulnerabilities and a gentle nature behind his gruff exterior, and a secret longing for his wife. In fact, there are a few Austenesque phrases that jumped out at me as I read, which was fun :) The plot really revolves around Sophie and her feelings for the brothers, so it was like waiting for the hammer to drop until Wesley returned and created more conflict. There are several family members and friends who are distinct in their personalities and create a wonderful cast for Sophie to interact with, some holding secrets of their own... A wonderful book with themes of accountability, sacrifice, and forgiveness.

(Thank you to the author and Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall

Check out the brand spankin' new cover for a book I've been looking forward to! I love The Everstone Chronicles series! The Cautious Maiden is the fourth book, and each can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend reading them in order for full enjoyment ;)

Synopsis

Violet Hawthorne is beyond mortified when her brother transforms her deceased parents’ respectable country inn into a brothel to accommodate the lumberjacks in the area. When her reputation is compromised, she finds herself forced to enter into an engagement with Vance Everstone. Can she trust this man she hardly knows who has a scandalous reputation in his own right?

Review Opportunity

If you are a Book Review Blogger and would like to review The Cautious Maiden, or would like to be a part of the blog tour celebrating it's release in the fall, please contact Dawn Crandall's Facebook Author Page with your name and the link for your blog.

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Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop

Enter to win a paperback copy of A Perfect Secret by Donna Hatch! (Read my review here) Then visit the other blogs on the hop for more great giveaways!

Synopsis

Desperate to protect her father from trial and execution, Genevieve breaks off her engagement with Christian Amesbury and marries a blackmailer. After a year of marriage, she flees her husband's violent domination only to have fate bring her back to Christian. Just when she thinks she's started a new life of safety and freedom, her husband tracks her down, stalks her, and threatens everyone she loves. Still brokenhearted over Genevieve's betrayal a year ago, Christian can't believe she's come back into his life--and worse, that she's done it on the anniversary of his brother's death, a death that haunts him. Though tempted to throw her back into the river where he found her, he can't leave her at the mercy of the terrifying man she married. When her husband torments Genevieve and puts the Amesbury family in danger, Christian will do anything to protect those he loves...anything except give Genevieve another chance to break his heart.

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Review: A Timeless Romance Anthology: Sarah M. Eden British Isles Collection

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

The SARAH M. EDEN BRITISH ISLES COLLECTION contains two brand new historical romance novellas A FRIEND INDEED and A HAPPY BEGINNING, as well as four hand-picked readers’ and reviewers’ favorites of Sarah’s popular Timeless Romance Anthology novellas. Readers will love this selection of six historical romance novellas set in the British Isles.

A Friend Indeed (new story)
A Happy Beginning (new story)
The Road to Cavan Town (from the Winter Collection)
A Christmas Promise (from the Silver Bells Collection)
Dream of a Glorious Season (from the All Regency Collection)
A Lesson in Love (from the European Collection)

My Review

Sarah Eden is one of my favorite authors! I especially love her novellas from the Timeless Romance Collections, so I was thrilled to read this book. The two new stories are absolutely lovely, with vibrant characters and settings that are so easy to visualize as I read. I especially enjoyed the male's perspective in each story as they interact with the female lead. The rest of the stories are ones I had read from previous collections but since I loved them all it was a pleasure to read them again. This is a wonderful collection that I plan to read several times over in the future on days when I just need a relaxing time reading some sweet romance. Highly recommend!

(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Grand Finale and Giveaway: Harlequin Heartwarming is at Walmart!

On tour with Prism Book Tours.

We're thrilled to be spreading the word about Harlequin Heartwarming books now being available in local US Walmarts. Find out if they're at a Walmart by you here. Heartwarming titles are also 35% off at Walmart through the end of January!

Post a Selfie and Win 1 of 15 Walmart Gift Cards!

Join in the fun by taking a selfie with a Heartwarming book (maybe one of the December releases above) and posting publicly on social media to enter to win a Walmart gift card. The giveaway ends January 20th, so post your selfie by then!

Ten Heartwarming authors shared their own selfies and messages at each stop of the tour! If you missed any, go back and check them out now...

I Am A Reader - Amy Vastine

I am so excited that Heartwarming books are now available at Walmart, so some lucky girl can go visit her aunt and possibly stumble across one of MY books and fall in love!

Mel's Shelves - Anna J. Stewart

I was thrilled to find a home in the Heartwarming line. Writing these sweet romances that emphasizes the emotional adventure of falling in love feels almost like a calling and now, that dream I thought I'd achieved has now grown. The Heartwarming line is now available in select Walmarts!

deal sharing aunt - Cari Lynn Webb

I’m thrilled that I’ll get to add more Heartwarming books to my bookshelves now that Heartwarming paperbacks will be available at Wal-Mart. A Heartwarming story will be within reach no matter if I pick up my Kindle or a paperback… there’s nothing better than that.

Reading Is My SuperPower - Carol Ross

I still have my first love. Yes, I’m talking about a book. But not just any book. This is the one that began my life-long, unshakeable and abiding love affair with the written word.

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Catherine Lanigan

Our stories have depth, heart, emotion and the characters are so real, as a reader you feel you would “know” these people on sight. . . . I believe in “happily ever after” and through Heartwarming and Walmart, we’re able to bring more of these moving stories to the people who have been searching for something touching and magical.

Babs Book Bistro - Leigh Riker

It's not always easy to find a romance that's clean and wholesome with a rich, compelling plot and multi-faceted characters to root for all the way to a happy ending. . . . You can trust this brand of our books in the line each month to provide a great reading experience. Pick up a copy (or more) today. And enjoy!

Love, Laughter, Friendship - Melinda Curtis

I admit, most of the books I buy nowadays are ebook, but I almost always buy books I enjoy in their print form. Those keepers mean a lot to me.

Heidi Reads... - Pamela Tracy

I love, love, love finding a new book on the shelf, taking it in my hand, feeling the smooth cover and turning the book over to read the blurb. Buying the book is taking a pan of warm brownies out of the oven. Reading the books is eating the gooey chocolate and never wanting to stop.

Now, Harlequin Heartwarmings will be in stores as well. Wow, it feels a little bit like Christmas.

Christian Chick's Thoughts - Rula Sinara

But if I have the option of spending time in a real brick-n-mortar bookstore and buying a tangible book that I can anticipate experiencing with all my senses, I go straight to print books. And if I see someone running their hand across a book they've been looking for forever then closing their eyes and breathing it in like they've found a treasure, I'd understand.

Bookworm Lisa - Tara Taylor Quinn

Walmart has signed on to put one of my favorite lines, Harlequin Heartwarming, on the shelves of over 400 stores! That’s four more Harlequin books a month. Books filled with emotion and strength. Books that embody the love and hope that the people in our world so desperately seek.

Tour Giveaway

15 - $10 Walmart Gift Cards

- Rules: To enter, take a selfie at a local Walmart with a Heartwarming book and post publicly on social media (can be your hands, your face, etc. with a Heartwarming book). Can enter once each day with a different picture each time. Those who post the same picture multiple times will be disqualified. Those who only post privately (so that it can't be viewed publicly) will also be disqualified.

- US Only

- Ends January 20th

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Review & Giveaway: The Suspect's Daughter by Donna Hatch

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Determined to help her father with his political career, Jocelyn sets aside dreams of love. When she meets the handsome and mysterious Grant Amesbury, her dreams of true love reawaken. But his secrets put her family in peril.

Grant goes undercover to capture conspirators avowed to murder the prime minister, but his only suspect is the father of a courageous lady who is growing increasingly hard to ignore. He can’t allow Jocelyn to distract him from the case, nor will he taint her with his war-darkened soul. She seems to see past the barriers surrounding his heart, which makes her all the more dangerous to his vow of remaining forever alone.

Jocelyn will do anything to clear her father’s name, even if that means working with Grant. Time is running out. The future of England hangs in the balance...and so does their love.

My Review

The characters in the Rogue Hearts series really come to life and Grant is no exception. As the dark and surly brother, he has physical and emotional scars that have him keeping everyone at a distance as he works to bring criminals to justice, even though the work is below his station. His point of view was fascinating as he struggles to stay indifferent to Jocelyn, a strong and poised daughter helping her father seek political election. She sees the good man he is behind his barriers of sarcasm and isolation, and humors him with wit and patience, and draws him out of his emotional isolation. I appreciated that the romance between them took time and grew slowly, they learned to like each other before they loved each other. The mystery of discovering who is behind the sinister plot to assassinate the prime minister keeps the plot moving forward swiftly and balances the emotional drama with action and excitement. There is also some subtle humor as Grant feels completely out of his element acting polite in society. My favorite of the series... so far! Can't wait for the next two books which will feature each of the Amesbury sisters!

(Thank you to Loving the Book Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

About the Author

Donna Hatch is the award-winning author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series.” She discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. A sought-after workshop presenter, she juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, her six children (seven, counting her husband), and still makes time to write. Yes, writing IS an obsession. A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

Website - Amazon - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter

 Extras

"Gritting his teeth, he determined to survive the painful ritual of tea with two ladies. He’d faced down enemy soldiers trying to kill him, watched friends die, met danger head-on with his brothers—witnessed one of them shot, and one of them hanged and then battle his way back from near death. Grant had even endured torture and captivity. Surely he could emerge unscathed from such domestic tranquility. If he hurried. And if he could burrow more deeply into his role of earl’s son who frequented parlors and ladies and tea."

"Mr. Amesbury ate silently, alert as a watchdog but offering very little comment. He moved his hands beautifully as if performing some kind of dance as he ate and lifted his glass to drink, each motion a study in seamless grace. His posture remained utterly still as if he were encased in a bubble and any sudden movement might pop it, yet poised to leap to his feet if necessary. Years of war must have made wariness a part of life.

Jocelyn tried to imagine the kind of danger he must have endured, but all the stories she’d heard were likely transparent echoes of the true horrors brave Englishmen faced. The thought tugged at her heart, urging her to offer him comfort, a gesture he would, no doubt, soundly reject."

Giveaway

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