Heidi Reads...

Monday, February 10, 2020

Book Tour Grand Finale & Giveaway: A Girls's Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate #GirlsGuideTour

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Sam grinned at her and winked.

She stopped. No way. This was weird.

“Oh, come on.” He leaned out the door, grasped her forearm, and pulled her in. With the door shut, the three of them sat shoulder to shoulder . . . thigh to thigh. Kimberly rolled down her window and tried not to think about how, even on a day so hot she felt like a roast duck, the sensation of Sam’s warmth against her side was exquisite.

Jules fired up the engine, and Sam shifted the vehicle into first. “Okay, Jules, take us on a tour. Pretend we’ve never seen the farm before. Take us to all your favorite spots and tell Kim about them.”

My Devotional Thoughts - Spotlight

Uplifting Reads - Review

"I like watching Sam and Kimberly going back and forth, continuing to spar but then learning to appreciate each other, becoming friends, and developing a slow burn of a relationship. Secondary in this story is the relationship between Jules and her ex-boyfriend Mick. All four of them have so much to work through, and together it seems more possible.

And I especially loved having the Australian setting for this one for something a little different in my reading."

Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt

“Mick, can I ask you something?”

He swiveled to look up at her. “My response to that question has never stopped you before.”

“What’s your girlfriend’s name?”

He dropped his gaze and grimaced.

She clenched her teeth. She’d been an idiot. There was no girlfriend. And that joyful unicorn currently shooting rainbows around her brain could shut up, because any soft thoughts toward Mick were unwelcome here.

Rockin' Book Reviews - Review

"The characters are very endearing and the dedication to family and God, inspiring. There is so much of real life challenges portrayed, the whole story felt real. . . . This is a great book for older Young Adults to read, as it is for Adults."

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

Ahead of her, Sam walked toward the yard gate, oblivious to the jealousy that oozed through her veins. Between Butch, Jules, and Mrs. Payton—due home in a couple weeks for Christmas—Sam had a real family. A real family with a real home.

A home now under more threat than they realized.

In addition to getting her Wildfire work done, Kimberly had spent late-night hours since she’d arrived scouring the six months’ worth of financial documents Jules had given her, looking for a way to free up the cash they needed.

Red Headed Book Lady - Review

"I loved the story and even got a few laughs out of it as well. . . . I finished this book all in one day. It was so good that I couldn't put it down. Plus, it made my cold afternoon go by faster. I love a good story like that.

I highly recommend."

Becky on Books - Review

"A Girl’s Guide to the Outback is a cute, sweet, and funny read. . . . Ms Kate does do a good job of showing how paralyzing their fears are, though, and allows them to work through them, giving us a very sweet HEA in the end."

ACME Teen Books - Kids, YA, & NA Too! - Review

"What great spunky and sassy characters! They were magnetic and completely drew me into the story. I loved that there was not only the primary romantic couple but a secondary one as well! . . . The accents were cheery and adorable, reading about the cattle and sheep 'stations' (ranches to all you Americans) goings-on and just living day to day life in the sunny Outback 'Down Under'.

All in all, a fun and romantically recommendable book!"

Christy's Cozy Corners - Review

"A Girl’s Guide to the Outback is a hilarious, inspirational rom com, and you’re going to love it! . . . I’m not going to spoil this completely adorable book for you because I know you will love it, and I want you to discover all of the swoon-worthy, heart-wrenching, heartwarming, and inspiring moments yourselves. Not only are the main characters well-developed, but the supporting characters also are. . . . A Girl’s Guide to the Outback is a Christian romance book, and I found moments of deep wisdom within its pages."

Cover Lover Book Review - Review

"One thing I love about Rom-coms is they are fun and light. That's one of the things that sometimes bothers me too. But The Girl's Guide to the Outback doesn't only include lightness and humor, it also contains a meaningful vein of faith, trust, dealing with fear, and following God's path for our life. . . . This slow-burn romance is a mixture of sparring fun and uplifting change and put me through many emotions. I was most pleased with the thread of inspiration it instills."

Jorie Loves A Story - Review

". . . it had moments which made me smile . . . . I found a compelling story about seeking out the personal truths in all our journeys and owning those truths even if it means making radical changes in our lives."

Splashes of Joy - Review

"I really enjoyed this interesting story from author Jessica Kate. . . . The cast of mixed characters give a lot of flavor to the story. There are many times you will find yourself laughing, and there are some sad moments a[s] well. The Christian lifestyle was weaved throughout the story in a somewhat subtle way. And it had a sweet ending. . . . If you are looking for a humorous, sweet yet crazy read, this is one you will love."

Peaceful Pastime - Review

"A Girl's Guide to the Outback penned by Jessica Kate is such a delightful read. Parts are filled with humor but there are serious undertones which the author blended perfectly. . . . I became involved and invested in this novel because the story is fascinating, moves at a great pace and I loved the setting. I like that this novel is suitable for all ages which is why I highly recommend it."

Paper, Ink, & Lizard - Review

"Jessica Kate imbues the story with wit and humor all the way, adding an element of pure fun. But that doesn’t mean things don’t get heavy, as emotions spike and relationships go sideways. And even though things don’t work out the way they were expected to, the end of the story is satisfying enough to make any reader melt in her seat.

A Girl’s Guide to the Outback is a humorous story filled with life, laughter, and a whole lot of cows, perfect for those who love clean romance with a little bit of comedy."

Getting Your Read On - Review

"What a cute book! I loved the setting and I loved getting to know the characters in this book. They had depth and personality. This author is great at creating scenes that I can easily visualize in my mind and I love how it all played out so vividly."

Remembrancy - Review

"I enjoyed Jessica Kate’s debut novel, but she’s outdone herself in The Girl’s Guide to the Outback. Kate’s sophomore release felt much more rom-com to me than her first book, yet there was still some wonderful depth to the story amidst the humor. . . . I adored that there are two romances in this book (Jules and Mitch are the second couple) and the peek into a lesser-known side of living in Australia."

Reading Excursions - Review

". . . while this starts off as a hate/love, romantic comedy, there is so much heart and depth to it. . . . This is an absolutely adorable, heart-warming, and light-hearted read with serious messages throughout. The writer’s style was easy to follow and she moved the story along more and more. So much so that I found it hard to put this book down. It was just **THAT** good! Even when the writer threw in a realistic, heart-stopping, and shocking tragedy – I had to keep reading.

Locks, Hooks and Books - Review

"I am giving A Girl’s Guide to the Outback a very well deserved five plus stars. I have already highly recommended it to my friends. Readers who enjoy a sweet romance will not want to pass on this one. I loved it!"

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post...

A Girl's Guide to the Outback

By Jessica Kate

Christian Contemporary Romance

Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 368 Pages

January 28th 2020 by Thomas Nelson

How far will a girl go to win back a guy she can’t stand? This funny, sweet, and romantic story proves that opposites do attract—and that God has a sense of humor.

Samuel Payton is a passionate youth pastor in Virginia, but below the surface, he’s still recovering from the blow of a failed business and insecurities he can’t shake. His coworker, start-up expert Kimberly Foster, is brilliant, fearless, and capable, but years of personal rejection have left her defensive and longing for a family. Two people have never been more at odds—or more attracted to one another. And every day at work, the sparks sure do fly.

When Kimberly’s ambitious plans for Sam’s ministry butt up against his risk-averse nature, Sam decides that obligations to family trump his work for the church. He quits the ministry and heads home to Australia to help his sister, Jules, save her struggling farm. As Kimberly’s grand plans flounder, she is forced to face the truth: that no one can replace Sam. Together they strike up a deal: If Kimberly comes to work on Jules’s dairy farm and lends her business brains to their endeavor, then maybe—just maybe—Sam will reconsider his future with the church.

As Kimberly tries her hand at Australian farm life, she learns more about herself than she could’ve ever expected. Meanwhile Sam is forced to re-evaluate this spunky woman he thought he already knew. As foes slowly morph into friends, they wonder if they might be something even more. But when disaster strikes the farm, will Sam find it within himself to take a risk that could lead to love? And will Kimberly trust God with her future?

(Affiliate links included.)

Bookstagram Tour

Check out the Bookstagram Tour here, which has its own giveaway!

February 3rd:
@mamabear_reads
@momfluenster
February 4th:
@adventuresofaliterarynature
@ya.its.lit
February 5th:
@adventurous.bookworm
@read_by_a.cave
February 6th:
@irishgirliereads
@sweetdgabereads
February 7th:
@suziewaltner
@bringingupbooks

About the Author

Australian author Jessica Kate writes inspirational romances with wit, sass, and grit. Jessica is a screenwriting groupie, cohost of the StoryNerds vlog and podcasts, and her favorite place to be—apart from Mum and Dad’s back deck—is a theme park. She has traveled North America and Australia, and samples her favorite pasta wherever she goes—but the best (so far) is still the place around the corner from her corporate day job as a training developer. She loves watching sitcoms with her housemates and being a leader in a new church plant.

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a print copy of Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate

US only

Ends February 12, 2020

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Fall From Trace by Rebecca Connolly

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Gone, but not forgotten...

Alex Sommerville should have been dead. To the world, he had been dead for almost five years, and with him, the secrets he had carried as Trace, the most elusive member of the London League. When a chance to escape finally comes, Alex finds just enough life left in him to take it, and races off to return to the woman he loves.

...Back, but at what cost?

The last person Poppy Edgewood ever expected to see suddenly falls into her life again - literally. Alex is a shell of the man he once was, and on the brink of the death she thought him already lost to. What answers will he have for her when he recovers, and can she even bear to hear them?

My Review

I had a small hunch while reading the previous books that Trace may still be alive, so I was thrilled to finally read his story and see where his path took him. He had some seriously traumatic experiences and returns changed, suffering from PTS, yet also beginning his healing process as Poppy and his friends provide the support he needs. It was interesting how his relationship with Poppy is full of new dynamics that are complicated, but when everything else is put aside, they are able to connect at the most basic foundational level of their personalities and find joy and laughter again. The action, adventure, and danger that is trademark to the London League series is present of course, and the story picks up speed as the suspense heightens and leads to an exiting climax and satisfying happily ever after.

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

About the Author

Rebecca Connolly writes romances, both period and contemporary, because she absolutely loves a good love story. She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She started writing them down in elementary school and has never looked back. She currently lives in the Midwest, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

Excerpt

Loneliness is a creeping creature, and its pangs were deep and ravaging. In the evenings, when work was completed and she had so much to tell, there was no one to listen. When she missed her sister or her brothers, her parents, or her life, there was no one to commiserate with. When she cried in the night because Alex was gone and no one cared but her, there was no relief. When she felt more alone than anyone ought to feel, there was no one to take away the darkness.

No one to share her burdens with.

The only person she had in her life with any sort of regularity was Stanton, and he would not take kindly at all to her sharing such personal and emotional thoughts with him. It would have made him uncomfortable and gruff, and he probably would have told her to focus on her work and the farm and forget everything else. He had once told her emotions were a nuisance, after all, and that the past was only good for lessons.

Not for visiting and staying for a time.

Poppy was only too prone to spend an extended period of time in her past these days, though she knew it wouldn’t do her any good.

The trouble was that it was too easy.

She scrubbed at the pot harder, her brow furrowing with the effort, and when she stopped, she looked at her hands. Once these hands had been delicate and soft, protected by gloves more often than not, fair and without blemish but for the occasional pricking of an embroidery needle. Her nails had been clean and manicured, the perfect embodiment of a fine lady. Every now and again, there might be a scratch on the skin from getting into mischief with Alex by climbing a tree or racing across their properties, but her hands had been fairly perfect.

Now, they were rough and worn, weathered by hard work and aggressive labor. She had callouses on her palm, on every fingertip, and along the edges of each finger. Her knuckles were often inflamed, and her skin cracked and peeled regularly. Lines and scars and dry patches dotted every surface of her hands, and her nails were almost brutally short, uneven, and usually had something under them, be it dirt or food or feed for the animals.

These hands were not those of a young lady.

Then again, Poppy could hardly be considered young anymore. Twenty-seven was not particularly old, but in those twenty-seven years, she had lived a lifetime, and she was decades older than anyone of her age. Her life did not even remotely resemble what she had thought out for herself, what she had planned, or anything like it once had.

She closed her eyes and set the pot aside, knowing it was far cleaner now than it had ever been with her excessive scrubbing.

This was what her life amounted to now. Scrubbing the pots and plates from her own meals, feeding the chickens and pigs, currying the horses, farming with whatever help she could afford to pay, even grinding her own flour to make her own bread, at times.

Oh, how far she had fallen.

Lonely and cast out, working for every morsel of bread, sweating her days away in the sun, and mourning a man who had never promised her anything.

Poppy’s hands curled into fists and hot tears filled her eyes. It was wrong to resent a dead man, she knew, but resent him she did. If he hadn’t have died, if that was what had truly happened, she would not be in this situation. He could have just broken off their impending engagement, and she would have been with her family now. She should have been wiser, not giving her heart so freely without the official connection between them.

Never mind that they had been in love since she was fourteen and he sixteen. Never mind that they had been planning to marry for years. Never mind that she was so utterly and completely his that she hadn’t been whole in almost five years.

She should have been wiser.

And it was his fault she was so destitute, despairing, and dismal.

It was his fault she had grown so attached.

It was his fault she still felt the ache within her at the thought of him.

It was his fault that when she looked out of her kitchen window and could see the shadows of Parkerton Lodge in the distance, she still looked for a light in any window.

As she did now.

But there were no lights within, and no lights without, and the crumbling estate looked as foreboding and desolate as it had the day the servants had departed it.

Poppy exhaled slowly, wiping her hands on dry toweling. She couldn’t do this anymore. Couldn’t watch for him, wait for him, ache for him. He wasn’t coming back, and this was the life she had chosen for herself. This was her future, and looking back would not make it any brighter.

She was done.

She had to be.

A knock on her door brought her head around, and she waited for Stanton to enter. When he didn’t, and the knock came again, more firmly, she rolled her eyes as she moved to the door.

“Honestly, Stanton,” she moaned loudly. “It’s not so cold that you had to fill your arms to the brim with wood.”

She reached for the door handle and pulled the door open, fixing her expression into one of mocking amusement.

The man who stood there stared at her with his dark, sunken eyes, leaning both forearms against the doorframe, his chest heaving wildly, and her amusement faded at once.

She knew that face. She knew the line of that jaw, the dark eyes that were endless in their depths, the nose with a slight crook in the bridge from where her brother had walloped him with a tree branch ten years ago. He was thinner, terrifyingly so, and his face was hollow and gaunt, sickly in color despite being tanned, and covered with a sheen of perspiration. His dark hair was cut brutally short, but it, and the scruff on the lower half of his face, were as dark as his eyes, if not darker still.

All changes aside, she knew that man better than any person on this earth.

“Alex…” she breathed, her voice catching on his name.

His corded throat worked on a swallow. “Poppy.”

Her hand lashed out and struck him hard across the face, a weak yet harsh cry ripping from her throat. He stumbled sideways, surprising her with his unsteadiness, and a tremor ran across his once broad shoulders and down to his legs. Slowly, he looked back at her, pressing his left arm against the doorframe again and almost sagging against the wood.

“Please,” he whispered, his voice fading with shocking rapidity as his eyes widened.

Then they rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground at her feet.

Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon GC + an ecopy of Falling for Trace.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Link to full tour schedule below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 10, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on February 23, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Giveaway open internationally. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Tour Schedule

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

Don't miss the previous books in the London League series . . .

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Freebies & Sales Amazon Idea List!

For those of you not on Facebook, I wanted to make sure you were aware of a new feature I've been having fun with! I'm always excited to share e-book deals, and for a long time there seemed to be no way to keep on top of them all... until I learned about Amazon Idea lists! What I like about it is that it shows the current price and also lets me add and remove books easily, so I can keep it updated daily. Right now there are 264 on the list!!!

I add books to the list that I've read and enjoyed, books from authors I'm familiar with, and also recommendations from trusted reader and author friends. There's a variety of genres- contemporary, historical, young adult, suspense, Amish, women's fiction, and the occasional non-fiction. I do my best to make sure that they are clean reads at the level that I'm comfortable reading and recommending.

The prices range from free to $3.00. I'm more liberal with the deals I post up to $2.00, but know that when you see a book on the list that is $3.00, it's one I've personally read and rated 5 stars- totally worth the extra buck in my opinion :)

Swing by as often as you'd like! I follow so many authors, bloggers, and publishers, that I'm finding great deals almost daily!

http://amazon.com/shop/heidireads

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Review: An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Unflinching and plainspoken, Tessa Swan is not your typical 18th-century woman. Born and bred on the western Virginia frontier along with her five brothers, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Quiet and courageous, Clay Tygart is not your typical 18th-century man. Raised by Lenape Indians, he returns a hero from the French and Indian War to the fort that bears his name, bringing with him Tessa's long-lost friend, Keturah, a redeemed Indian captive like himself.

Determined to avoid any romantic entanglements as fort commander, Clay remains aloof whenever he encounters the lovely Tessa. But when she is taken captive by the tribe Clay left, his hand--and heart--are forced, leading to one very private and one very public reckoning.

Intense, evocative, and laced with intricate historical details that bring the past to life, An Uncommon Woman will transport you to the picturesque and dangerous western Virginia mountains of 1770.

My Review

I'm always amazed at how this author brings history to life and I feel transported to an era and location that I don't think I would have done well in. What stood out to me was the fear of an Indian attack on a daily basis. It's a fear for good reason, as we see in the novel, and the details about the differences between the various tribes were fascinating. The brutality that existed at the time is astounding to me. Tessa is tired of the constant anxiety and dreams of finer things, while also exhibiting a strength and confident sense of self. She is loyal to her family and still grieves the death of her father at the hands of natives. The variety of responses and the dynamics that emerged as Keturah returns to live with their family for a time were surprising and realistic. The story begins at a somewhat slow pace as we get to know the lifestyle the characters live in, but grows steadily as events begin to unfold until I couldn't put the book down until I reached the last page. I enjoyed the developing romance, but more than that I appreciated coming to know such unique characters with all their layers. Highly recommend!

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

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Fifth Avenue Story Society
By Rachel Hauck
Christian Contemporary Romance
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 400 Pages
February 4th 2020 by Thomas Nelson

An invitation to join The Fifth Avenue Story Society gives five New York strangers a chance to rewrite their own stories.

Executive assistant Lexa is eager for a much-deserved promotion, but her boss is determined to keep her underemployed.

Literature professor Jett is dealing with a broken heart, as well as a nagging suspicion his literary idol, Gordon Phipps Roth, might be a fraud.

Uber driver Chuck just wants a second chance with his kids.

Aging widower Ed is eager to write the true story of his incredible marriage.

Coral, queen of the cosmetics industry, has broken her engagement and is on the verge of losing her great grandmother’s multimillion-dollar empire.

When all five New Yorkers receive an anonymous, mysterious invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society, they suspect they’re victims of a practical joke. No one knows who sent the invitations or why. No one has heard of the literary society. And no one is prepared to reveal their deepest secrets to a roomful of strangers.

Yet curiosity and loneliness bring them back week after week to the old library. And it’s there they discover the stories of their hearts, and the kind of friendship and love that heals their souls.

Praise for the Book

"Hauck inspires and uplifts with this mix of tales." - Publishers Weekly

(Affiliate links included.)

Excerpt

“Story doesn’t have to be written,” Jett said. “It can be told. Every day we tell, listen to, live, and breathe stories. What we’re doing right now is a story. People who would’ve otherwise never met are sharing a moment.”

“You two seemed to know one another.” Coral motioned between Jett and Chuck.

“It was a series of unfortunate events,” Jett said.

“Really?” Coral shifted in her chair. “Do tell.”

“Nothing to tell really,” Chuck said. “Do you think this is some sort of reality show?” He scanned the length of the crown molding.

“Why would we be in a reality show?” Ed frowned at the ceiling and any possible, invisible cameras.

“Because Coral here left her groom—”

“What?” Coral leapt up and glared down at Chuck. “I’m not the culprit here. If I were to be on a reality show about . . . well, anything, I’d certainly not invite the lot of you.”

“Chuck, what are you talking about?” Ed leaned into the conversation.

“Coral.” Chuck glanced up at the statuesque beauty. “You are the Winthrop heiress, right? Engaged to a prince in—”

“Is this the story society?”

The door opened, and the discussion crashed to a stop. Jett rose to meet who he believed was the fifth member of this weird, cockamamie “society.”

“Lexa?” If possible, the world stopped spinning. His heartbeat slowed, and his thoughts careened together.

She moved across the threshold with ease, hitched her backpack on her shoulder, and raised her sparkling hazel gaze.

“Jett? You’ve got to be kidding me.” She had more heat in her eyes than the flames in the fireplace. “Did you do this? Send that stupid invitation?”

The backpack slipped and crashed down on her arm. She righted it again as she spun toward the door.

“No, I was hoping the person coming through that door had the answers.”

“Then I’ll say good night.”

Wait. Say something. But he couldn’t move or speak. Just like all the times in the past.

About the Author

Rachel Hauck is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Wedding Dress, which was also named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times and was a RITA finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pet and writes from her ivory tower.

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Tour Schedule