Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Soldier's Unexpected Family by Tanya Agler

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Soldier's Unexpected Family by Tanya Agler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Soldier's Unexpected Family
Author: Tanya Agler
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: March 1, 2021
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance

He had a plan…

She changed it all!

Major Aidan Murphy arrives in the charming small town of Hollydale to take full guardianship of his six-year-old nephew. Only there’s a slight problem—his vivacious, fiery co-guardian. School teacher Natalie Harrison has no intention of letting Aidan take her best friend’s heartbroken little boy away. Now Aidan must convince Natalie that blood is stronger than love…even if his heart tells him otherwise.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | BookBub

 

 EXCERPT

Aidan came over and patted Danny on the shoulder. “I like your attitude. Work first, play later. We’ll have more time for outings now that I’m staying in Hollydale for a month.”

A small spark ignited in Natalie. A month to get to know the enigmatic major. A month for him to get to know Danny and see the benefits of consistency with a side of fun thrown in for good measure. Then again, she tamped down that spark. He was staying for Danny’s sake, not hers. In fact, this delay might cost her dearly. What if she and Aidan formed a bond? The beginning of something between them wasn’t lost on her.

Then where would she and Danny be when he returned to active duty?

Danny stood back, and she gave him a smile for reassurance. “We can work with that, right?”

Aidan removed his windbreaker and placed it on the wooden table. “So, where’s the plan? What are you using the chicken wire for?”

Plan? She had it all in her head at this point.

“This morning I’m improvising and modifying the original plan and taking it up a level. It’s going to be a reach for the stars extravaganza.” She walked over to the duffel bag and unzipped it. Reaching inside, she pulled out wads of tissue paper and scissors. “Today I’m working on the part that will go around the sides.”

Aidan raised an eyebrow. “Tissue paper? What if it rains?”

“Then the parade will be rescheduled.” Natalie brushed an imaginary piece of lint off her colorful tunic. “Holidays are such happy celebrations. And represent everything you’re fighting for.”

She had to keep believing that. This float was more than just a float. It was a way forward.

 

ALSO AVAILABLE

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

An award-winning author, Tanya Agler moved often during her childhood and settled in Georgia where she writes sweet contemporary romance novels, which feature small towns, family and pets, and themes of second chances and hope. The author of The Sheriff’s Second Chance and A Ranger for the Twins, she is awaiting the release of her third book, The Soldier’s Unexpected Family, coming in March of 2021. A graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in journalism and law, she lives with her wonderful husband, their four children, and a lovable rescue beagle (whose hashtag is #LinustheBeagle). Represented by Dawn Dowdle and the Blue Ridge Literary Agency, she’s currently at work on the sequels to her debut.  When she’s not writing, Tanya loves classic movies, walking, and a good cup of tea.

CONNECT WITH TANYA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Sheriff's Second Chance (with swag), $15.00 Amazon Gift card, and reader’s coffee cup!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 9, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 16, 2021. 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 the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Review: The Amish Quiltmaker's Unexpected Baby by Jennifer Beckstrand

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

In the first in an engaging new series, an Amish quiltmaker moves from Pennsylvania to a new settlement in Colorado, where adventure, challenges, and love are waiting . . .

Esther Zook is starting over after her father’s death, piecing together a new life with as much as care as she puts into her intricate quilts. When her wayward sister abandons her baby, it throws all those plans for a fresh start asunder. Esther had accepted her status as an old maid—but a mother? And a single one, at that? Not that she hasn’t noticed Levi Kiem, the eligible young man who’s making repairs in her house. Yet he surely has no interest in Esther as anything other than a friend . . .

It’s true that Levi has plenty of marriage prospects. His dat has even offered to send him to Ohio to find a wife. Yet the more time he spends with Esther, the more intrigued he becomes. Feisty and independent, he’s nothing like the wife he once imagined for himself. Yet just as a quilt is crafted from contrasting cloth, they might find that together, they can create a family to cherish . . .

My Review

I love how absolutely vibrant this author's characters are! Esther is strong and independent, but the new challenge of caring for her sister's baby brings all her frustrations and insecurities to the surface. Levi was in the right place at the right time to come to her aid, and I loved seeing his friendship with Esther develop and how his opinion of her shifted. I think my favorite mannerism of Esther's was her tendency to throw and attack things in order to work out her rage and anger. It's definitely not what a person thinks a typical Amish reaction would be! The situation she finds herself in is very realistic, with conflicting emotions of love and resentment for her sister. Her quilting friends are full of personality and an important source of support for Esther. I was glued to the pages as Esther's life and future takes a complete 180 and Levi get taken along for the ride. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

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 next book in The Amish Quiltmaker series releases June 29th and is available for preorder!

 

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Earl's Lady Geologist by Alissa Baxter

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Earl's Lady Geologist by Alissa Baxter, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: The Earl's Lady Geologist
Series: The Linfield Ladies Series
Author: Alissa Baxter
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing
Release Date: February 28, 2021
Genre: Clean Regency Romance

Cassandra Linfield is a lady fossil collector who declares she will never marry as no man will ever take her studies seriously. When circumstances force her to travel to Town for the Season, Cassy infiltrates the hallowed portals of the Geological Society from which she has been banned. She is horrified when she comes face to face with her nemesis, the infuriating Earl of Rothbury. 

Lord Rothbury is a gentleman-geologist with a turbulent romantic past. After a youthful disappointment, he vows never to fall in love again and makes the decision, instead, to seek out a convenient wife when he returns to England from his geological travels abroad. 

Brought together by their close family ties, Cassy and Rothbury collaborate on a geological paper and discover a powerful attraction. Marriage, however, is the one subject they cannot agree upon. But when Cassy’s life is threatened, the two realize that love matters more than their objections.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | BookBub

 

EXCERPT

Lord Rothbury’s silence unnerved her, and she peeked at him. His grim profile said more than words. They walked on, and she racked her brain for a suitable topic to deflect attention from her controversial hobby.

She’d never been good at making polite conversation. She preferred to discuss interesting subjects in depth rather than flitting from one shallow topic to the next. No wonder Cousin Agnes despaired of her.

The silence stretched between them until her taut nerves insisted she break it. “Is Aunt Ella well?”

He came to an abrupt halt, and Cassy along with him. He frowned, and she released his arm as if it were a snake. Why did he have to glower so?

“My mother is concerned about your well-being. Your cousin wrote her a fine tale about your unorthodox activities here in Lyme. My mother asked me to ascertain whether Mrs. Linfield’s letters were in any way exaggerated. I see now they were not.”

She drew in a sharp breath. Cousin Agnes frequently threatened to write to Aunt Ella about her activities, but it was a shock to discover she had done so. How unfortunate that Lord Rothbury had discovered her on the beach today—muddy, untidy and much the worse for wear. She could not appear more unladylike if she had tried.

She eyed him doubtfully. “It…it may be slightly unorthodox for a lady to hunt for fossils, but I assure you I am not the only female in Lyme who does so. Mary and Miss Philpot are often here as well. Cousin Agnes fusses so.”

“And yet…” His grey eyes narrowed. “My mother is no fusspot, and she is as concerned about your activities as Mrs. Linfield is.”

Her brow creased. “She is? Cousin James spent many weeks over the last few summers hunting along the beach with Papa and me. Your mama made no objection then.”

“My mother’s concern is not for my brother.”

“Only for me?”

“Indeed.”

“But why? It puts me out of all patience. I dislike being cooped up indoors, and fossil hunting is a hobby I enjoy.”

“Surely you must see why it is inadvisable, ma’am.” Impatience edged his tone. “When you were a child, it did not matter. But now you are an unmarried lady, and you have yet to make your come-out in London. Collecting fossils is an eccentric activity for a young lady on the lookout for a suitable husband.”

Her hands clenched into fists. “I see no difficulty then, my lord, as I am not on the lookout for a suitable husband.”

“Come now, ma’am. Surely you must see the lack of sense in that statement.”

Her eyes glittered. “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single lady in possession of a good fortune must be in no want of a husband.”

“And it is also a truth universally acknowledged that a single lady with a penchant for novel reading is not always wise.”

She gritted her teeth. He was impossible. She longed to give him a heated dressing-down, but it would do her no good.  

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

Alissa Baxter wrote her first Regency romance, The Dashing Debutante, during her long university holidays. After traveling the world, she settled down to write her second Regency romance, Lord Fenmore's Wager, which was inspired by her time living on a country estate in England.

Alissa then published two chick-lit novels, The Truth About Clicking Send and Receive (previously published as Send and Receive) and The Truth About Cats and Bees (previously published as The Blog Affair). 

Many years later, Alissa returned to her favorite time period and signed a three-book contract with Vinspire Publishing for her Linfield Ladies Series, a trio of Regency romances that feature women in trend-setting roles who fall in love with men who embrace their trailblazing ways... at least eventually. 

Alissa currently lives in Johannesburg with her husband and two sons. She is a member of The Beau Monde - Regency Fiction Writers.

CONNECT WITH ALISSA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 2, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 9, 2021. 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 the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Review: Fortune Favors the Sparrow by Rebecca Connolly

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Mischief is as mischief does... 

Clara Harlow is perfectly content with her life as a teacher of art and French at the Miss Masters Finishing School, so nothing startles her more than to discover that the school is far more than it seems, and its purposes more complicated than anything she could have imagined. She finds herself accepting an assignment from the highest powers in England to use her talents for a particular mission: to impersonate the ward of the late Duke of Kirklin, gain access to the estate, and to discern how a strip of the Kent coastline there is being used against the security of England.

The present Duke of Kirklin, George Russell, better known as Hawk, does not know what to make of the appearance of the former ward of his late uncle, but he is captivated by her. Her skills in art are unlike anything he has ever seen, and her company grows more agreeable with every passing day. His boring, bachelor life grows less and less appealing, and the company within his walls more perfectly suited for the place than he ever dreamed.

What could possibly go wrong?

My Review

I'm so excited for another series with undercover agents in London! This first book introduces us through Clara to some of the major players in the underground spy network. The variety of people helping her is fun and I especially enjoyed Phoebe, who plays Clara's aunt on their assignment. Clara is naturally overwhelmed, but her mentors have faith in her, and she doesn't want to let them down. I loved how quickly she grew dedicated to her task and the risks she was willing to take the deeper she became invested. Wonderful romantic chemistry mixed with adventure and suspense gave this series a strong beginning! I can't wait to continue with 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.