Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Review: On Love's Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson


Book Three in the Prince Edward Island series

Heidi Reads... On Love's Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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

Synopsis

Fifteen years after she left Prince Edward Island, Natalie O'Ryan had no plans to return. But when her fiancé, music producer Russell Jacobs, books their wedding in her hometown and schedules a summer at Rose's Red Door Inn, she sets out to put the finishing touches on the perfect wedding. But she can't possibly prepare for a run-in with Justin Kane--the best friend she left behind all those years ago after promising to stay.

Justin's never forgotten Natalie or the music career he always dreamed of pursuing. He'd been prepared to follow her off the island until his dad died and he was left to run the family dairy farm. He's done the best he can with the life that was thrust upon him--but with Natalie back in the picture, he begins to realize just how much joy he's been missing.

After Natalie's reception venue falls through, she must scramble to find an alternative, and the only option seems to be a barn on Justin's property. As they work together to get the dilapidated building ready for the party, Natalie and Justin discover the groundwork for forgiveness--and that there may be more than an old friendship between them.

My Review

This book was oh-so-angsty and I loved it! Natalie is in some serious denial through most of the book which frustrated me, but in a good way- I was totally consumed by the need for her to open her eyes and see how much better the alternate path would be. I loved seeing her process all the hard stuff as she reconciled with Justin and realized how much their separation devastated him too. Renewing her friendship with him also woke up a dormant part of her personality that she had suppressed, and it was interesting to see the clash between the submissive fiancé Russell knows versus the vibrant, funny, passionate woman Justin sees. I loved reading from Justin's perspective and how deep his feeling run, even though he attempts to be the strong and silent type. The amazing setting of the island and the Red Door Inn was a huge part of the book and I loved that the characters from the previous books played important roles in this book as well. One of my favorite scenes was the "kitchen party" where Justin and other musicians came together to play and we see how he puts his feelings about Natalie into his songs. A wonderful conclusion to the series and I highly recommend reading them all!

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



Check out the other books in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series...

Book One
http://amzn.to/2pZmGW2

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

Synopsis

Marie Carrington is running from a host of bad memories. Broke and desperate, she's hoping to find safety and sanctuary on Prince Edward Island, where she reluctantly agrees to help decorate a renovated bed-and-breakfast before it opens for prime tourist season.

Seth Sloane didn't move three thousand miles to work on his uncle's B&B so he could babysit a woman with a taste for expensive antiques and a bewildering habit of jumping every time he brushes past her. He came to help restore the old Victorian--and to forget about the fiancée who broke his heart.
The only thing Marie and Seth agree on is that getting the Red Door Inn ready to open in just three months will take everything they've got. Can these two wounded souls find hope, healing, and perhaps a bit of romance on this beautiful island?

Step into the Red Door Inn, a lovely home away from home tucked along the north shore of fabled Prince Edward Island. It's a place where the wounded come to heal, the broken find forgiveness, and the lonely find a family. Won't you stay for the season?

 
Book Two
Heidi Reads... Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson


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

Synopsis

Evocative Contemporary Romance Set in a Charming Inn on Beautiful Prince Edward Island 

In her kitchen at the Red Door Inn, executive chef Caden Holt is calm, collected, and competent. But when her boss asks her to show off their beautiful island to impress a visiting travel writer and save the inn, Caden is forced to face a world much bigger than her kitchen--and a man who makes her wish she was beautiful. 

Journalist Adam Jacobs is on a forced sabbatical on Prince Edward Island. He's also on assignment to uncover a story. Instead he's falling in love with the island's red shores and Caden's sweets.
When Caden discovers Adam isn't who she thought he was, she realizes that the article he's writing could do more than ruin the inn's chances for survival--it might also break her heart. 

Readers will discover hope for the hurting, joy for the broken, and romance for the lonely at the enchanting Red Door Inn.






Monday, March 19, 2018

Review: Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson


Heidi Reads... Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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

Synopsis

Evocative Contemporary Romance Set in a Charming Inn on Beautiful Prince Edward Island 

In her kitchen at the Red Door Inn, executive chef Caden Holt is calm, collected, and competent. But when her boss asks her to show off their beautiful island to impress a visiting travel writer and save the inn, Caden is forced to face a world much bigger than her kitchen--and a man who makes her wish she was beautiful. 


Journalist Adam Jacobs is on a forced sabbatical on Prince Edward Island. He's also on assignment to uncover a story. Instead he's falling in love with the island's red shores and Caden's sweets.
When Caden discovers Adam isn't who she thought he was, she realizes that the article he's writing could do more than ruin the inn's chances for survival--it might also break her heart. 


Readers will discover hope for the hurting, joy for the broken, and romance for the lonely at the enchanting Red Door Inn.


My Review

So charming. I love the Red Door Inn and the great people in the community on PEI. We met Caden in the first book of the series as the bubbly and friendly baker that brightens Marie's day, so I was thrilled to see that the second book in the series featured her as the main character. There's a lot going on beneath that cheerful mask though- insecurity, vulnerability, and fear. I loved the layers to Caden's personality; even though she has struggles and often feels like a mess, she does have a quiet confidence and is accepting of herself and her flaws. Adam is dealing with some hard stuff, and in the Red Door Inn and Caden's friendship he finds a place to rest his spirit and a safe place to begin to sort things out. Adam is super friendly and appealing to Caden who has never really dated, but his charm didn't win her over so much as his persistence ;) There is great romantic tension that steadily builds and amazing special moments that Caden and Adam share. While this book can easily be read on its own, there is a subplot that is continued from the first book dealing with inn owner Marie and her father and their finances, and reading the books in order will give you a better sense of the history of the inn and Marie and Seth's characters.

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



Check out the other books in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series...

http://amzn.to/2pZmGW2

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

Synopsis

Marie Carrington is running from a host of bad memories. Broke and desperate, she's hoping to find safety and sanctuary on Prince Edward Island, where she reluctantly agrees to help decorate a renovated bed-and-breakfast before it opens for prime tourist season.

Seth Sloane didn't move three thousand miles to work on his uncle's B&B so he could babysit a woman with a taste for expensive antiques and a bewildering habit of jumping every time he brushes past her. He came to help restore the old Victorian--and to forget about the fiancée who broke his heart.
The only thing Marie and Seth agree on is that getting the Red Door Inn ready to open in just three months will take everything they've got. Can these two wounded souls find hope, healing, and perhaps a bit of romance on this beautiful island?

Step into the Red Door Inn, a lovely home away from home tucked along the north shore of fabled Prince Edward Island. It's a place where the wounded come to heal, the broken find forgiveness, and the lonely find a family. Won't you stay for the season?

http://amzn.to/2opD4zc

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

Synopsis
Fifteen years after she left Prince Edward Island, Natalie O'Ryan had no plans to return. But when her fiancé, music producer Russell Jacobs, books their wedding in her hometown and schedules a summer at Rose's Red Door Inn, she sets out to put the finishing touches on the perfect wedding. But she can't possibly prepare for a run-in with Justin Kane--the best friend she left behind all those years ago after promising to stay.

Justin's never forgotten Natalie or the music career he always dreamed of pursuing. He'd been prepared to follow her off the island until his dad died and he was left to run the family dairy farm. He's done the best he can with the life that was thrust upon him--but with Natalie back in the picture, he begins to realize just how much joy he's been missing.

After Natalie's reception venue falls through, she must scramble to find an alternative, and the only option seems to be a barn on Justin's property. As they work together to get the dilapidated building ready for the party, Natalie and Justin discover the groundwork for forgiveness--and that there may be more than an old friendship between them. 





Spotlight & Giveaway: The Start of Us by Rachel John

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Blitz for
The Start of Us
By Rachel John


http://amzn.to/2FWvvrDThe Start of Us
(A Change in Plans #1)
by Rachel John
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 156 pages
November 10th 2017

When Corrie Windsor's roommate dies in a car accident, she leaves behind her four-year-old daughter, Ella. Corrie loves the little girl and hopes to adopt her, but instead, she’ll have to stand by while Ella’s uncle steps in to take custody. If things aren’t awkward enough, there’s a chemistry between them that neither wants to acknowledge.

Preston Ford can’t imagine instant parenthood, especially considering he just chickened out of proposing to his girlfriend. However, once he meets Ella, there’s no other choice. The time he spends with her and Corrie solidifies an alliance between the three of them, a plan to give Ella the stability she needs. But reality can sometimes turn the best of plans upside down.

With more than one heart hanging in the balance, how long can their platonic teamwork really last? Romance has never been this complicated.


Excerpt

“Ask her to dance,” Ella prompted. Her big brown eyes, so much like April’s, shined up at him. Only her hair was different, a dark brown instead of April’s blonde.

“What?” Preston looked at the doll she was shaking in his face.

“Sprinkles wants to dance. You have to ask her to dance.”

Preston snuck a glance at Corrie, who was holding back silent laughter, and then in his best doll voice said, “Sprinkles, may I have this dance?”

The two dolls swayed together, and Preston felt like the world’s biggest idiot. But if this was what Ella wanted to do, that’s what they’d do. Whether he adopted her or not, he was still her uncle, and he wanted her to have good memories of him.

Loretta cleared her throat and stood up. “I’m going to go. Ya’ll keep getting acquainted. Preston, give me a call later and we’ll talk. Bye, Ella.”

Ella waved. “Bye, Miss Loretta.”

Corrie looked a little panicked to see the woman go. He couldn’t blame her. He’d been in the apartment for five minutes and now they were left alone together to figure things out. He needed to explain how long he was staying. When he’d thought about spending a week with Ella, taking the time to make a careful decision, he hadn’t even thought about the roommate tagging along. She was just this person offering temporary housing. Having met her, she seemed like someone a little more important to Ella than that.

He ran a hand through his hair. “Um, I can go whenever you need me to. I don’t want to make you feel like I won’t leave if you give me a gentle hint. Although I’m here for a week, and I’d like to come over every day. My flight is next Tuesday. I can change it though, if I need to.”

Corrie came over and sat on the couch next to where they were playing on the floor. He had to look away from her long legs perched at eye level. Corrie wasn’t model-gorgeous like Nicole, but she was pretty enough to make the room feel smaller when he looked at her. He liked the sprinkle of freckles across her little snub nose and her big green eyes. He mentally smacked himself. They had things to work out, and dumb guy hormones would only make that harder.

“Spend as much time with Ella as you need. Would you like to stay for dinner?”

“That would be great.” The thought of eating alone in a restaurant was not appealing.

Ella reached up and pulled on Corrie’s arm. “Play with us, Corrie. You can have Buttercup. She wants to dance with…um, what’s your name again?” Ella turned her questioning eyes to Preston.

“Preston,” he prompted.

“Dance with Preston,” Ella insisted.

Corrie sat next to them and gave Preston an amused look. “Okay, Ella, but only for a minute. Then maybe we should play something else.”

Preston bounced his doll back and forth next to Corrie’s, although his eyes were trained on the wall behind her. He could ham it up for Ella, but having Corrie playing along ramped up the embarrassment ten-fold. Somehow it reminded him of slow dancing with a girl for the first time at a seventh-grade dance. He hadn’t been able to make eye contact then either.

And just released & on SALE...

Better with You
(A Change in Plans #2)
by Rachel John
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 162 pages
March 11th 2018

Paige Parker has no time for romance. She’s too busy building up her house-flipping business. But when a charming guy comes between her and the house she wants, Paige is a little more torn than she expected. For a girl who’s always gone with her firm business sense, she’s not sure how to trust her heart.

When it comes to dating, Shaun Randall is not about to get serious with anyone. He has his mother to take care of and enough family secrets to keep him running from any girl who gets too close. Spending time with Paige starts out as a means to get the house he wants, but every time he thinks it’s time to bail, he finds himself drawn in a little more.

When is it worth taking a chance on love?

On SALE for 99¢ in ebook for a limited time!

About the Author


Rachel John is the author of books filled with awkward humor and sigh-inducing romance. When not burning dinner or chasing kids, Rachel can be found working on family history, writing, reading, or putting off writing by staring at Facebook. She lives in Arizona with her husband, four crazy kids, and her desert tortoise.

WebsiteGoodreadsFacebookTwitter

Blitz Giveaway


1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally
Ends March 23rd





Thursday, March 15, 2018

Movie Spotlight: PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST #PaulMovie #FlyBy







In PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST, Luke risks his life to visit Paul, who is held captive in a Roman prison under Nero’s rule. Together, they struggle against a determined emperor and the frailties of the human spirit in order to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ and spread their message to the world.



Paul’s letters and writings were vital to the spreading of Christianity, and became a large part of the New Testament.  Our story focuses on how, despite persecution and peril, they shared Jesus’ message of love, redemption and forgiveness with a small community of believers who in turn, took it to the whole world.



Great pains were taken to maintain biblical accuracy.  Using scripture as the only reference, director Andrew Hyatt recreated the story of Paul on film, including the close relationship with Luke, whom at the end of Paul’s life, at his own peril, traveled in and out of the prison carrying Paul’s writings to the community of believers


In Theaters Nationwide the Week Before Easter-  Friday, March 23, 2018.

BUY TICKETS HERE


Check out more videos and behind-the-scenes here




The MPAA has rated the film PG-13 for some violent content and disturbing images
Running time is 1:47 min

Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC, Collide Media Group and Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. for providing tickets to see this movie on its release in exchange for this promotional post.  Opinions are 100% my own and not influenced by monetary compensation.

Giveaway: VEINS OF GOLD by Charlie N. Holmberg




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

Synopsis

Desperate to save her siblings from poverty, a young woman discovers magic fueled by gold . . . and a love for the man who wields it.

Abandoned by their father for the gold rush, Gentry and her siblings labor to survive alone in the inhospitable west. When bizarre natural disasters begin wreaking havoc on the land, Gentry discovers a world of magic. Desperate for help, she accepts aid from a mysterious stranger.

Winn not only sees the magic, but controls its hunger by feeding it gold—the very thing Gentry’s father left to acquire. But the earth’s unrest only grows worse, and Gentry’s fear leads her to a terrible choice: marry a wealthy man she does not love, or trust in Winn’s unpredictable power to save her family.


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