Review: Perfectly You by Robin Daniels

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Ivy Nixon is the student body Vice President at Franklin High School. Each year, the school holds a date auction to raise funds for the senior class graduation party, and this year, Ivy’s in charge. Planning the event is a huge task and Ivy is determined to prove she can get the job done right. Unfortunately, she’s still one participant short and her deadline is looming.

Andy Walker, her cute but socially reclusive art class table mate, is her last resort. He may not be popular, but he’s funny, talented, and full of surprises. With a makeover and some major social marketing, Ivy is sure he could fetch a decent price at the auction.

Andy reluctantly agrees to help, but the more time Ivy spends with him, the more her feelings shift from professional to romantic in nature. To top it off, she’s done her marketing so well, that other girls are starting to notice Andy too. Come auction time, will Ivy be able to let him go to the highest bidder? Or will she find a way to keep him for herself…

Content Description: This is a stand-alone YA contemporary romance with companion novels set at the same high school. It contains minor language, innuendo, and crude humor, some steamy kissing, a party scene where underage drinking is taking place, and a brief but tasteful conversation about sex. The author has attempted to write characters who make good choices in questionable situations, in effort to keep the content appropriate for teens. This book contains no sex, written or implied, and no explicit language. Recommended for ages 14 and up.

My Review

I read the first book in the series, Perfectly Oblivious, and this book back-to-back, because the author's style is different than what I normally read and once I got used to it while reading the first book, I knew I needed to stay in the zone for this second one. I actually started this book first, and put it down after the first chapter because the snarkiness and immature behavior of Ivy and her friend Lilly was too much to take. After reading and enjoying Perfectly Oblivious, I decided to give this one another try and I'm glad I did. Despite the excess sassiness that eventually gets dialed down a bit, the characters are great and the details and mannerisms that round them out are creative. I loved how Andy's personality was revealed as Ivy got to know him better, and their chemistry was awesome. His friend Jake and her friend Lilly are funny together and the banter between all four of them was entertaining. This would make a great teen movie, actually. I think it's a book that would be enjoyed by older teens and young adults. And not-so-young adults that enjoy reading in the YA genre ;)

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

 Author Robin Daniels 

Robin Daniels is a wife, mother of five and avid consumer of books. She loves reading SO much that she was actually grounded from it as a twelve year old. No Joking! Her mom caught her reading when she was supposed to be cleaning, which was a common occurrence. At that point mom took the books and instructed her to go watch TV or play outside like a normal kid. Robin is a sucker for home design shows and magazines, watches way too much Netflix and has a very codependent relationship with with a certain diet soda who’s brand shall not be named. (Though anyone with a similar problem could probably guess which one.)

Website * Facebook

 Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or $25 in Paypal Cash Ends 9/25/17 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 & Giveaway: Miss Leslie's Secret by Jennifer Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Decorated war hero Conall Stewart has spent ten years envisioning his return to his beloved Scottish Highlands. But now, with the days of battle finally behind him, it seems that his dreams of home have been in vain: the land of his youth lies in ruins, and his family is gone. Though he will never stop searching for his kin, Conall knows he must begin again. But when he takes on a rented farm in a nearby town, he finds far more than the fresh start he was looking for . . . 

After catching a mischievous local lad stealing, Conall returns young Jamie to his mother, Aileen Leslie—and finds the woman’s coddling of the child maddening. What Conall does not realize is that Aileen hides a frightening secret: her devoted protection of Jamie is all that shelters them from discovery by a dangerous man from their past. Drawn together by circumstance, Conall soon develops a fatherly relationship with Jamie—as well as romantic feelings for Aileen. But even as the couple accepts their growing affection for one another, time runs out for Aileen and her son: after years of hiding, they have been found. Conall lost his family once—he will do all in his power not to let history repeat itself . . .

My Review

I loved this book! Such a great setting in Scotland, in the aftermath of a tragic history that shows not only the mettle and strength of Aileen and the other members of the community, but their heartache as well. Everyone has lost someone, and both Aileen and Conall have family members who are lost. Aileen has created a new family for herself with Jamie and an elderly woman from her village (who is pretty funny) and soon Conall joins their tight-knit circle as he and Jamie take to each other. It was fascinating to learn about many of the traditions of the Scottish and how they weave into their spiritual beliefs. A wonderful story of change, opening up to love, and the importance of family and community.

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

Follow the Blog Tour . . .
 

Sept. 4^th
Books Are Sanity
My Book a Day
Joy in the Moments
Bloggin' 'Bout Books

Sept. 5^th
Wishful Endings
Fire and Ice Reads
Heidi Reads...

Sept 6^th
Rockin' Book Reviews
LDS Writer Mom
The Things I Love Most
Bonnie Gets a Say
I am a Reader

Sept. 7^th
Kindle and Me
Bookworm Lisa
Singing Librarian Books
Katie's Clean Book Collection
LDS and Lovin' It

Sept. 8^th
Reading is My Superpower
Min Reads and Reviews
Getting Your Read On
Why Not? Because I Said So
Literary Time Out
Seeking With All Yur Heart

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Review: Mail-Order Marriage Promise by Regina Scott

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Book 6 in the Frontier Bachelors series

Synopsis

Wanted: Husband and Father

Stunned that his sister ordered him a mail-order bride, John Wallin insists he's not the husband Dottie Tyrrell needs. The scholarly logger knows Dottie will make the perfect wife--for some other man. Yet he's compelled to invite the lovely widow and her infant son to stay with his family... but only until she can find her own way.

Dreams of true love are for other women. Betrayed by her baby's father, Dottie just wants a safe home for her precious child. But who could resist a man with John's quiet strength? When her secret past brings danger to their door, they may yet find this mail-order mix-up to be the perfect mistake...

My Review

I love a good story about a mail-order bride! This one is set in Seattle and the surrounding country that was being settled. I loved the location since I took a historical tour the last time I visited Seattle and it was fascinating. Dottie is in a hard spot because she needs employment to support herself and her son, but taking care of her son prevents her from being able to find a job. I feel like this is a situation many single moms still face these days. John is perfect husband material, but his insecurities slowly come to light as he and Dottie get to know each other. Their slow-growing romance is sweet and I loved how their friendship had time to develop, as well as trust and loyalty. It was fun to have the members of John's family from the previous books in the series as the supporting cast, and I hope his sister Beth's story will be next!

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

Spotlight: I Can Love Like Jesus by Heidi Poelman, illustrated by Chase Jensen

Synopsis

Help your little ones live and love like Jesus did with this adorable picture book. The simple text and beautiful illustrations show children exactly how Jesus loved others and how to emulate Him with small acts of kindness, like sharing, forgiving, and comforting. Invite the Savior into your home and feel His peace each time you read this book together.

Review: Summer Holiday (Timeless Victorian Collection) by Nancy Campbell Allen, Sarah M. Eden, Annette Lyon

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

BREAKFAST AT SOMMERPOOL’S by Nancy Campbell Allen
As Tessa Baker competes for the supervisor promotion at Sommerpool Department and Mercantile, she’s faced with a ridiculous list of tasks to complete in order to “win” the job. Tessa would love to be the first female supervisor ever to work at the Sommerpool, but her competitor is cheating at every turn. Discouraged, Tessa agrees to let David Bellini, a family friend and Italian Conte who is new in town, help her. When she discovers that he’s the new owner of Sommerpool’s, but wants to evaluate the employees unobserved, Tessa has mixed feelings. She soon realizes that she’s falling for David, but what chance does a working-class woman like her have with an Italian Conte?

HOWEVER LONG THE WAIT by Sarah M. Eden
Carina Herrick says goodbye to the man she hopes to marry, knowing their separation will be temporary. Grant Ambrose is off to follow his dream and become established in business so that he can provide for Carina and a life together. He promises to write; she promises to return his letters. Yet, only a few months pass and already their letters become shorter and fewer. Finally, Carina is forced to give up on Grant if only to protect her breaking heart. Her parents are dead set against her becoming a spinster and insist she accept the proposal of the odious Mr. Baskon. With no hope of another marriage proposal, Carina is forced to make a difficult decision, one that can lead her either to happiness or misery.

THE LAST SUMMER AT IVY HOUSE by Annette Lyon
Every summer Sarah travels to Ivy House in London as one of the household servants to the Millington family. This summer, she’s particularly looking forward to seeing Jacob, a servant who lives at Ivy House year-round. They’ve been exchanging letters since the previous summer when their friendship deepened. But when Sarah arrives at Ivy House, Jacob seems more reserved around her and less forthcoming. Has she put greater meaning in their budding relationship than she should? When Sarah discovers that Jacob has a dark secret and wants her to give up her dreams in exchange for helping him, she’s not sure if she’s willing to make the sacrifice.

My Review

A lovely collection of stories set during the Victorian time period in England, with details about the time period and setting as well as light romance. I normally love these collections more, (and these authors) but somehow didn't feel immersed in the emotions of the characters. I liked each story well enough, the plots were creative and dynamic... but I think the romance wasn't compelling enough for me. Maybe I should blame it on the summer heat making me cranky. Overall it is a sweet collection of stories with variety that I know will be enjoyed by readers.

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

Link-up: Free / Bargain Books

Sharing the Love of Books
Enjoy our selection of New Releases / Free & Bargain Books this week

Authors please feel free to add your own books
Readers please free to add your own finds
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...
Monday
 Leels Loves Books | IrishdaisylovesRomance | Book Babble | Traci Hayden
Tuesday
Celticlady's Reviews | First Time Mommy Adventures 
Wednesday
Beck Valley Books | Jude Ouvrard
Thursday
Miki's Hope | Heidi Reads...
Friday
Ebook Addicts | I Love Romance | Colorimetry | J.C. Clarke
Saturday
3 Partners in Shopping | I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings 

Sunday

Ali - The Dragon Slayer | Deal Sharing Aunt | Magic of Books Book Blog

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author

For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author

For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 

For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

Review: Perfectly Oblivious by Robin Daniels

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Cameron Bates (Cam) could have almost any girl at Franklin High School…except for the one he wants. Unfortunately Bebe seems to be immune to his flirty charm and good looks, which means one of two things: a) she’s completely oblivious to how he feels, or b) she’s just not into him. If that’s the case, declaring his love would be disastrous for their friendship.

Bianca Barnes (Bebe) has a huge problem: the universe hates her. Every time she admits feelings for a boy, he ends up falling for her sweet, popular, and beautiful sister Beth. To avoid a broken heart, Bebe has sworn herself to secrecy. Nobody can know how she feels about Cam…Ever!

Neither person wants to confess their feelings, but the universe has its own plan. Out of the blue, Bebe is courted by a secret admirer. Cam has to step up his game and Bebe has to make a choice. Play it safe and accept the affections of her mystery man or challenge fate and take a chance on the boy she loves.

Content Description: This is a stand-alone YA contemporary romance with companion novels to follow. It contains minor language, innuendo, crude humor and steamy tension but is generally very clean. No sex. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

My Review

It took me a few chapters to get used to the super snarky/sassy and over-the-top style of first person narration and dialogue, but I was quickly drawn to the Cam and Bianca's vulnerabilities hidden beneath overly confident exteriors. They each have a case of what they think is unrequited love for each other, and I couldn't put the book down as I read to see how their feelings would be revealed to each other. There is plenty of humor in the male perspective from Cam, often bordering on ridiculous, but he really does grow on you. Bianca was drama central but you get the feeling that she's not normally that way... or at least to that extreme. Overall it was highly entertaining with fun twists and a great ending! A young adult novel that will definitely be enjoyed by teens, young adults, and not-so-young adults ;) The author/publisher recommends for ages 12 and up, but my personal recommendation is 14 and up.

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

Romance Awareness Month Giveaway #4: The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen

It's time for my final giveaway for Romance Awareness Month! It's been so fun to have so many giveaways here and also share the giveaways from other participating blogs. I hope you've enjoyed learning more about the Proper Romance line of books from Shadow Mountain Publishing. 

Congratulations to Heather Spencer who won a copy of Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson, and Suzie Waltner, who won a copy of Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson! 

Be sure to enter Giveaway #3 for a copy of The Vicar's Daughter by Josi S. Kilpack!

The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen is the most recent Proper Romance release and is a lovely Regency romance set in exotic India. Enter to win a print copy below!

Synopsis

Anthony Blake is in love with his best friend's sister, Sophia Elliot. But his plans to court her are put on hold when he is forced to resume his role as an undercover spy for the Crown. A secret document listing the names of the entire network of British spies-including his own-has been stolen. To protect Sophia, Anthony cuts off all ties to her and exchanges his life as an honorable earl for the façade of a flirtatious playboy.

Heartbroken and confused, Sophia travels to India, hoping to find healing in one of the most exotic regions of the British Empire. But the exotic land isn't as restful as she had hoped. Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a mystery of a missing sea captain, a possible murder, and a plot that could involve the prince of India. And when Anthony appears at the British Residency, asking questions and keeping his distance from her, she is stunned.

She still loves him, and, in her heart, she knows he loves her too. But how can she rebuild her relationship with him if he won't confide in her? Does she dare offer her heart to him a second time, or will their love be lost under the India sun?

Entry-Form

Spotlight & Giveaway: The Pursuit of Lady Harriett by Rachael Anderson

 

The Pursuit of Lady Harriett by Rachael Anderson  

When wills clash and hearts collide, who will reign victorious?

Termed an Incomparable during her first London season, Lady Harriett Cavendish is beautiful, spirited, and confident, capturing the attention of a great many suitors. Unfortunately, they all failed to capture her attention, and she concluded the season as unattached as she’d begun it. Only weeks prior to her second season, Harriett encounters Lieutenant Christopher Jamison while visiting Tanglewood Manor. Recently returned from war, the lieutenant is everything that Harriett's previous suitors were not. He’s arrogant, ungentlemanly, irritating, and challenges her at every opportunity. When he goes too far, Harriett decides that it’s time to turn the tables on him. But as she sets out to put the lieutenant in his place once and for all, she discovers there is more to him than meets the eye, and when it comes to matters of the heart, she has no control whatsoever.

Excerpt
 

The corners of the man’s eyes crinkled in a mild show of amusement. “Lady Harriett, I presume?” Rather than look at her with appreciation as most men did, he appeared amused. At her nod, he tucked his hands behind his back, remaining a few steps above her. “I am Lieutenant Christopher Jamison, an old friend of Jonathan’s.” “I was expecting you days ago,” she answered. “Lord Jonathan charged me with the unhappy task of informing you he and his new bride are currently away on their wedding trip. He is sorry he cannot be here to meet with you and has asked that I relay his apologies.” “May I inquire as to how long they will be away?” he asked. No, you may not, she wanted to say. Her neck was beginning to ache from looking up at him, but she forced her gaze to remain steady. “They expected to be gone a fortnight, sir.” “And they have been gone how long, exactly?” She felt an unaccountable hesitancy to tell him. “A week.” “Ah.” He sounded disappointed but seemed to take the news in stride, glancing at Charlie as though wondering whether he ought to retrieve his horse or not. Harriett prayed that he would. When his gaze strayed back to her, he took the unwelcome, and ungentlemanly, liberty of perusing her figure. When his eyes met hers again, his lips twitched into a slight smile. “Forgive me, my lady, but you appear to have had a run-in with a mud puddle and lost.” How kind of him to point that out. Harriett kept her hands at her side rather than attempt to brush the dirt from her face and pelisse yet again. The damage was done, and no amount of brushing or shaking would remove the muck. What she needed was a hot bath and a change of clothes. “Actually, sir, I was merely an innocent bystander.” “Indeed?” She picked up her skirts and ascended the steps, stopping on the stair above him so that she was eye level with him. “Are you always such a reckless rider, sir? Do you not pay heed to your surroundings?” “Of course I do.” “If you had, you would have seen me standing at the side of the road and, I would hope, thought to slow your animal down so as to not splash mud all over my pelisse.” Her chilly set down did not have the desired effect. He did not appear the least bit repentant. Rather, he looked ready to burst into laughter. “And your face, apparently.” He leaned forward and squinted. “If I’m not mistaken, there is a splash or two of mud on your bonnet as well.” Harriett glared at him. “How observant you are, Lieutenant Jamison. One can only wonder why you didn’t put that skill to good use earlier. If you had, perhaps my pelisse, face, and bonnet would still be clean.” “I am always observant, my lady,” he said. “But might I suggest that if you would like to be noticed at the side of the road, you should wear a color that does not blend so perfectly with your surroundings. That particular shade of green looks quite lovely on you, but only someone with the eyes of an eagle would have spotted you in front of a landscape of evergreens.” Harriett opened her mouth to respond, but no words were forthcoming. The man did not even attempt to behave like a gentleman. How could he be so . . . so . . . “Have you no apology to offer, sir?” she finally spluttered. “Oh, did I not apologize? Forgive me.” “For what? Forgetting to apologize or for not doing so in the first place?”

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

 

 $75 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 9/22/17 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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