Showing posts with label Nicole Deese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nicole Deese. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Review: A New Shade of Summer by Nicole Deese


Heidi Reads... A New Shade of Summer by Nicole Deese

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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

Synopsis

As an artist, Callie Quinn relies on inspiration to guide her wandering soul. This summer she accepts a short-term muralist job in her sister’s charming town to spend some much-needed time with her family. After meeting her nephew’s friend, Brandon, she’s eager to draw out his untapped artistic talents—however, it’s the boy’s straitlaced single father who could use a little color in his life.

Davis Carter may be the town’s favorite animal whisperer, but his experience is limited when it comes to understanding his preteen’s rebellious behavior. Desperate for a breakthrough, he follows the lead of a free spirit who claims to know the way into his son’s closed-off world. Soon, Davis isn’t the only one caught up in the hope of a new beginning.

Just as Callie considers trading her unattached existence for a life rich with promise and permanence, an unexpected visit from the past threatens to send her packing once again. Davis and Callie must learn to surrender their fears so they can find a love that will outlast the summer.


My Review

After Davis was let down by Willa in the previous book of the series, I was so hoping that the author would give him his own story of finding love. And she did! And it is fabulous! I love how different Callie is and exactly what Davis and Brandon need. Her personality shines right off the page and yet has complexity woven in. Her connection to Brandon's artistic side draws him out which makes Davis take notice, in more ways than one. I loved how she was able to perceive people and their strengths, and communicate that to others. There are so many awesome nuggets in this book, but I want you to discover them for yourself! The chemistry between Davis and Callie is palpable and I loved how their romance budded naturally. Because Callie is so carefree in many aspects of her life, is seems that she is also free of fear, but her perceptions of herself and her innate characteristics are shaded by her father's choices and his words of legacy to her. Davis also has fears but he is an example to Callie in overcoming them by processing feelings of grief and anger through turning to God, allowing him to live life to the fullest. This book is full of light and humor, depth and compassion. Highly recommend!!!

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

* Check out the author's Pinterest board for A New Shade of Summer (spoiler alert- it's awesome!) *



Don't miss the first books in the Love in Lenox series
I loved them both and rated them 5 stars!

http://amzn.to/2jlVcrA

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

Synopsis

Writing happy endings is easy. Living one is the hard part.

Georgia Cole—known in Hollywood as the “Holiday Goddess”—has made a name for herself writing heartwarming screenplays chock-full of Christmas clichés, but she has yet to experience the true magic of the season. So, when her eccentric grandmother volunteers her to direct a pageant at Georgia’s hometown community theater, she is less than thrilled. To make matters worse, she’ll be working alongside Weston James, her childhood crush and the one man she has tried desperately to forget.

Now, facing memories of a lonely childhood and the humiliation of her last onstage performance, seven years earlier, Georgia is on the verge of a complete mistletoe meltdown. As Weston attempts to thaw the frozen walls around her heart, Georgia endeavors to let go of her fears and give love a second chance. If she does, will she finally believe that Christmas can be more than a cliché?

 
http://amzn.to/2y544W2

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

Synopsis

At this point in her life, bravery is not a trait Willa Hart would readily claim. She believes her seven-year-old daughter, Savannah, who never knew her father and successfully tackled chemotherapy, is truly the courageous one. Yet after Willa has a fateful encounter with handsome young doctor Patrick McCade, her outlook—and her view of herself—begins to change.

Patrick, a thrill-seeking world traveler and temporary resident of Lenox, Oregon, sets out to show Willa the value of adventure, even within her tiny town. But just when their friendship shows signs of turning into something more, Patrick’s life as a traveling doctor calls him back. Will his last days in town signal the end of their journey, or will Patrick and Willa find the courage to transform a single season into a lifetime?



Monday, February 20, 2017

Review: A Season to Love by Nicole Deese


Heidi Reads... A Season to Love by Nicole Deese

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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

Synopsis

At this point in her life, bravery is not a trait Willa Hart would readily claim. She believes her seven-year-old daughter, Savannah, who never knew her father and successfully tackled chemotherapy, is truly the courageous one. Yet after Willa has a fateful encounter with handsome young doctor Patrick McCade, her outlook—and her view of herself—begins to change.

Patrick, a thrill-seeking world traveler and temporary resident of Lenox, Oregon, sets out to show Willa the value of adventure, even within her tiny town. But just when their friendship shows signs of turning into something more, Patrick’s life as a traveling doctor calls him back. Will his last days in town signal the end of their journey, or will Patrick and Willa find the courage to transform a single season into a lifetime?


My Review

This book. All the feels. I love the strength in Willa even though she doesn't always see it. The hardships she has endured were rough and it's not surprising she suffers from anxiety. She's trying so hard to be the best mom for her daughter who is ready to live life as a normal kid again, but her fears are debilitating. Willa's loving sibling relationship with her brother Weston becomes a bit volatile as he pushes Willa too often and too far out of her comfort zone. The way that Patrick helps her overcome her fears is so thoughtful, because he knows he can't do it for her, but he can encourage and support her to do it for herself. They have great banter as well as thought-provoking conversations, and the romantic tension builds as they grow more attracted to each other but have the looming deadline of Patrick's departure preventing them from taking the next step. The author skillfully employs the "showing" technique rather than telling, and I easily connected with the characters and felt their emotions as I read. I loved Willa's compassion and motherly instincts for Alex, the teenage half-sister of her boss with a dysfunctional childhood, who adds another dimension to the story and a couple of her scenes brought tears to my eyes. This was the first book I read by Nicole Deese and I quickly found her other available books and loved them as well! She's now a must-read author for me :)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; this is my honest review)



I read this series out of order- after reading A Season to Love, the second book in the Love in Lennox series, I loved it so much I immediately bought and read the first book, A Cliché Christmas. Fortunately they read well as stand-alones so I didn't have any issues. I highly recommend them both! And for only $3.99 each at Amazon, they are a great deal! (And free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers!)

Heidi Reads... A Cliché Christmas by Nicole Deese

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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

Synopsis

Writing happy endings is easy. Living one is the hard part.

Georgia Cole—known in Hollywood as the “Holiday Goddess”—has made a name for herself writing heartwarming screenplays chock-full of Christmas clichés, but she has yet to experience the true magic of the season. So, when her eccentric grandmother volunteers her to direct a pageant at Georgia’s hometown community theater, she is less than thrilled. To make matters worse, she’ll be working alongside Weston James, her childhood crush and the one man she has tried desperately to forget.

Now, facing memories of a lonely childhood and the humiliation of her last onstage performance, seven years earlier, Georgia is on the verge of a complete mistletoe meltdown. As Weston attempts to thaw the frozen walls around her heart, Georgia endeavors to let go of her fears and give love a second chance. If she does, will she finally believe that Christmas can be more than a cliché?



Thursday, January 19, 2017

Favorites of 2016: Series

Here is the final post of my Favorites of 2016! Of the 197 books I read, 74 were ones I rated 5 stars, and it sure was tough to whittle that down to the best of the best! Check out my other Favorites of 2016 posts if you missed them: historical, contemporary, novellas.

These are the books where there were two or more in a series that I couldn't bear to not share... Use the links below to add them to your Amazon wishlist or Goodreads list!

The Love in Lenox series by Nicole Deese

A Cliché Christmas
Amazon - Goodreads
A Season to Love
Amazon - Goodreads

 The Bishop's Family series by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Imposter
The Forgotten Recipe
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
The Courtship Basket
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

The Women of Merryton series by Jennifer Peel

Jessie Belle
Taylor Lynne


Christopher & Jaime
Beck & Call


Broken Things to Mend by Karey White
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
Between Heaven and Earth by Michele Paige Holmes
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
To Move the World by Regina Sirois
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

Happy reading in 2017!!!





Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Review & Giveaway: The Promise of Rayne by Nicole Deese


*Free with Kindle Unlimited!*

Heidi Reads... The Promise of Rayne by Nicole Deese

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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

Synopsis

Rayne Shelby has spent her entire life trying to earn the approval of her high-powered family, with the hope of one day managing her late grandfather’s prestigious Idaho lodge. But when she makes a mistake that puts her future in jeopardy, she faces an impossible choice: defy her family or deny her dream. The only way to fix the mess she’s created is to enlist the help of her neighbor, Levi, the apprentice of her family’s greatest enemy. And if Rayne gets caught crossing the divided property lines, the consequences will be irreparable.

Levi Harding has never forgotten the August night he shared with Rayne when they were teens—or the way she later rejected him. Despite his warring instincts, he can’t ignore her plea for help or the spark that’s ignited between them. But now, as wildfires bear down on their town and family secrets are revealed, their newfound alliance might just go up in smoke.


My Review

The tale of star-crossed lovers Rayne and Levi reflects themes of family loyalty, trust, and the unconditional love of the Savior. Rayne has never made it a secret that her priorities lie with running the lodge that is her beloved grandfather's legacy. Dealing with difficult relatives makes it both hard and easy to turn to Levi when he offers friendship. I admired her compassionate and open nature, but was frustrated that she was cowed by her domineering uncle and father. The family dynamics and mysterious secrets are a huge part of what gets in the way of Rayne and Levi's relationship. I loved the fun they had as they opened up to each other despite working for "enemy" camps, and the way Levi encourages her to be herself and supports her dreams is endearing. The chemistry between them is crackling hot and the tension builds as they grow closer together yet keep their romance under wraps. The family secrets are alluded to throughout the book so I could hardly wait until they were finally revealed to Rayne so she could see everyone for who they truly were. A wonderful clean contemporary romance!

(I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.)

Giveaway

Go to author Nicole Deese's website to enter her giveaway celebrating the release of The Promise of Rayne!

http://www.nicoledeese.com