Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Review: The Paradox of Love by Teri Harman


https://amzn.to/2VBtie8

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

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Synopsis

In 1889 in Paradox Valley, Colorado, Oakley Hallowell dresses like a boy, taking on the role left empty by her six dead brothers. Better than any cowboy, her hard work and mystic gifts are the reason Hallowell Ranch thrives—but her prideful, abusive father, Gideon, will never admit it. Despite his insults and beatings, Oakley refuses to abandon her grief-broken mother and beautiful home.

The Army killed Antero’s parents and the government forcibly removed his tribe of Utes from their beloved valley. His quest for revenge sent him down a dark path and into hiding. When he witnesses Oakley quietly, miraculously save a cow from a mud-bogged death he steps out of isolation to meet her.

Antero knows Gideon Hallowell will shoot him on sight, but this fascinating woman revives his bitter soul. How can he fight a world that despises him to keep Oakley by his side?

Oakley senses goodness and loyalty in Antero, unlike the other men in her life. But she’s afraid to get close, to trust. How can she open her heart to love, forgive her father, and forge a path to happiness?


My Review

I don't quite know what to make of this story. Oakley is a complex character- abused by her father, yet tries her hardest to be the son he never had. Cherishes her mother, but resents that she doesn't stand up for herself or her daughter. Has no interest in a relationship, but is inexplicably drawn toward a drifting Indian. The circumstances she cannot escape are difficult and trying, and there doesn't seem to be any hope or love there, until Antero shows her kindness and gentleness. I enjoyed their interactions, even though there are few before they become devoted to each other. They are each a rescuer of sorts to the other- he rescues her from harm, she rescues him from loneliness. They both struggle with the trauma they have experienced, and wonder together if forgiveness is possible. I liked the way they lifted each other, bringing light and even faith to their dark worlds. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, they do... and the ending was both messy and wrapped up a little too nicely. Overall, I found it interesting and was compelled to keep reading to see how everything would turn out.

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


Review: Daisies and Devotion by Josi S. Kilpack




https://amzn.to/2HjZz0v

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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

Synopsis

Timothy Mayfield is ready to marry for love, but, since his personal finances are thinner than he’d like, he knows he’ll also need to find a wife with wealth. After receiving an unexpected inheritance, Timothy’s circumstances change, and he is free to pursue his “perfect woman”—one with blonde hair, blue eyes, a light laugh, arched eyebrows, elegant fingers, and a dazzling smile, among nearly twenty other characteristics.

Maryann Morrington doesn’t match anything on Timothy’s list—except for wealth. An heiress in her own right, she is tired of men pursuing her only for her money. But at nearly twenty-two years old, and not a particularly stunning beauty, she can’t be as picky as her friend Timothy is.

The two friends end up playing matchmaker for each other. Timothy will find a decent gentleman for Maryann, and Maryann will prove to Timothy that his “perfect woman” doesn’t exist.

Until Miss Shaw comes to London.

Now, with Timothy’s heart captivated by the blonde, blue-eyed beauty, Maryann must decide if she should risk her heart and reveal her true feelings for her friend, or if she should settle for someone else. It’s an up-and-down game of “he loves me, he loves me not” with both hearts and friendship on the line.


My Review

I didn't quite know what to think about Maryann and Timothy at first- she seemed without personality and he appeared to be a light headed dandy. It made me curious, and I absolutely loved getting to know them as aspects of their personalities unfolded and characteristics were revealed. Their friendship is unique in that they are completely upfront with each other- blunt almost to a fault. They appreciate the honesty in each other... until feelings get hurt. Unrequited love is one of my favorite tropes because it has such a strong element of longing. Maryann is a lovely friend and does want Timothy's happiness, even at the expense of her own. He had to experience for himself the value of her devotion in contrast to the empty fantasy, and the final scenes in the book are oh-so-sweet and a wonderful give and take in their complex relationship. Highly recommend!!!

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


Guest Post & Giveaway: Hers to Protect by Catherine Lanigan

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

https://amzn.to/2LHawNFHers to Protect
(Shores of Indian Lake #11)
By Catherine Lanigan
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
April 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

She’s sworn to protect…

But does that include a speeding celebrity?

Violet Hawks is a by-the-books police officer—so when she catches a man speeding, she arrests him. Only, the man is famous race car driver Josh Stevens. To make amends, Josh launches a charm campaign, and it works on the small town…and on Violet. But when Josh is connected to an investigation, Violet begins to wonder—can she trust her instincts when her heart is involved?



Guest Post by Author Catherine Lanigan


I have always been fascinated by cars. A great deal of that interest, delight and awe, comes from the fact that I AM from Indiana. Historically, Indiana was the birthplace of many of the first automobiles being manufactured in the United States. Long before there was The Motor City of Detroit, there was Studebaker in South Bend and the Duesenberg in Indianapolis. The Austin. The Cord. These were history makers.

In my hometown, La Porte, Indiana, in early June we have “Cruise Night”.  There are so many antique car owners around here that they traditionally, parade up and down the Main Street in town for several hours. The side streets are blocked off and we all stand around and see the refurbished old cars and trucks, which have been warehoused all winter; cleaned, waxed and lovingly restored some more. It’s so fun to see cars from the 1920’s to the muscle cars of the early 70’s and the drag racing cars of the 1950’s.

And from the early days, the cars were tested on the race track. That race track is the Indianapolis 500. My editor and publisher wouldn’t let me “say” Indianapolis 500, we had to use “the race”, but I am assuming everyone will get the idea.

I first introduced this world of antique cars and their collectors in KATIA’S PROMISE. I brought Austin McCreary back in HERS TO PROTECT as Josh Stevens’ friend. Josh is an international Formula One driver. He’s famous, rich and a bit arrogant when the story begins.
Josh has everything, it appears, except happiness. Though it’s been decades, he’s still grieving over his parents’ death.  When Violet Hawks, young rookie cop with her heart set on becoming detective, pulls him over in his ultra expensive and luxurious Bugatti Chiron, for speeding, neither of them are prepared for the antagonism they create in each other. As career focused at Violet is on the drug lord her detective team is hoping to bring down, she finds that Josh’s charming smile and enthusiasm for her town, is a cover for the lonely man he really is.

Violet is blessed with a large, loving family who care about each other and their community. When Josh spends time with her, his heart learns to trust.  But love is another issue all together.




Other Books in the Series


About the Author

Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of over forty-five published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into over twenty-four languages. Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid foundation to pen a collection of compelling and informative true stories of teen addicts. Ms. Lanigan’s SHORES OF INDIAN LAKE series for HARLEQUIN HEARTWARMING includes LOVE SHADOWS, HEART’S DESIRE , A FINE YEAR FOR LOVE, KATIA’S PROMISE, FEAR OF FALLING, SOPHIE’S PATH, PROTECTING THE SINGLE MOM, FAMILY OF HIS OWN, HIS BABY DILEMMA, RESCUED BY THE FIREFIGHTER and HER TO PROTECT (2019).

Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs. She writes a monthly blog for Heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com.

Tour Giveaway


1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
Ends May 29, 2019

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Monday, May 13, 2019

Review & Giveaway: A Welcome At Our Door by Amy Clipston

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for A Welcome At Our Door by Amy Clipston with JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
 
https://amzn.to/2YnJZ9OTitle: A Welcome At Our Door  
Series: Amish Homestead, Book 4  
Author: Amy Clipston  
Publisher: Zondervan  
Release Date: May 7, 2018
Genre: Amish Fiction

After a devastating loss, Cindy Riehl is still searching for peace. Will she find it in the community she calls home—or will love send her down a new path?

Over the last few years, Cindy Riehl—the youngest of the Riehl children—has watched her siblings find love and happiness in Lancaster County. But as her family has settled down and grown, Cindy has continued to grieve her mother, whose death left an enormous hole in her heart. Since that haunting day, Cindy has struggled to find peace and wonders if the community is the place for her—and if her faith in God will ever feel the same as it once did.

When a handsome and kind Englisher named Drew crosses Cindy’s path one surprising day, the two of them become fast and easy friends. Drew dreams of starting a family after some losses of his own, and before long, he and Cindy discover that their feelings for each other are romantic. As they spend more time together—often in secret—Cindy is drawn further and further away from the Amish community and the family she loves. In time, she is faced with a difficult choice that threatens to upend her world.

Will Cindy find contentment and love, and will she ever find restored comfort in God and her beloved community? In this final installment of the Amish Homestead series, we return to the charming town of Bird-in-Hand for a story of healing, family, and God’s perfect provision.


MY REVIEW

3 stars / I liked it

This is a sweet story of friendship, healing, and discovering one's path. Cindy has contrasting emotions about her life- she acts as though she is content, but is stuck in her grief and feels like no one can understand. Even though she is sweet and helpful, she also comes across as a bit immature and self-centered. Her quick friendship with Drew fills the void in her life, and they are very sweet together. The narrative is repetitious and the entire plot focuses on the dilemma of their relationship- they are forbidden to be friends because it would prevent Cindy from staying Amish... even though she still had not committed to baptism. The family members are two-dimensional and I wished there had been more depth explored, their feelings shown rather than told. The last part of the book was more interesting and I was curious to see how the author would choose to wrap everything up. I felt like it was overly simple and even though I enjoyed the happy ending, there were issues that I thought were not addressed.

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



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery, Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel, Amish Heirloom, and Amish Homestead series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats.  

CONNECT WITH AMY: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
 



TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a print copy of A Welcome At Our Door.  

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight May 13, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm May 20, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.



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Saturday, May 11, 2019

Review: The Waves by Amy Matayo


https://amzn.to/2GGAr2o

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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

Synopsis

Dillon Hayes is twenty-eight and single, an unfortunate status her overbearing family is determined to fix. So when she’s stuck on a cruise ship for a seven-day reunion with the lot of them, she's desperate for any escape she can find, even if it means partnering with a sketchy stranger for an off-the-beaten-path snorkeling excursion. After her mother's last matchmaking attempt, Dillon is more than willing to trade all her good sense for a few hours of solace.

Liam Gamble is stuck in the middle of family vacation hell. The worst part: it's not even his family. This will be the last time he ever accepts a free-vacation invitation from his best friend. At this point, he'd be willing to hand over his life savings to get off this crazy ship. So when he catches one of his friend's cousins sneaking off board, he decides to join her, hijacking her private excursion and nearly blowing her cover. If she gets to leave, so does he.

But what starts off as a secret escape turns into a very real nightmare when their shady tour guide leaves them stranded on an uninhabited island with nothing but the clothes on their backs and no idea how to keep themselves alive.

As hours turn into days, and the weather proves as threatening as their need for food and water, Dillon and Liam must join forces and rely on each other if they have any hope of seeing their families again. Funny thing: sometimes in life, the end of the rope is when you discover everything you value has been in front of you all along.


My Review

Entertaining nightmare! I can't imagine being stranded on an island- it seems like it would be an adventure, but the author did a great job of portraying the realities of such a dangerous situation. The complex dynamics of Dillon and Liam's tenuous relationship are explored as they fight for survival... and often with each other. The narrative of their thoughts was a bit edgy at times, but realistic for the lifestyle and values of the characters. They have a great give and take as they learn to communicate and deal with the frustrations they experience. I enjoyed reading about the transformation they undergo through their shared experience and the aftermath of their connection. I don't want to give anything away, but it was an entertaining read and unlike anything I've read lately! I think fans of contemporary romance will love it.

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


Friday, May 10, 2019

Guest Post & Giveaway: Cathy McDavid, author of The Cowboy's Perfect Match

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

https://amzn.to/2VEsvs5The Cowboy's Perfect Match
(The Sweetheart Ranch #2)
By Cathy McDavid
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
May 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming

He may not be perfect…

But he’s perfect for her!

Ryan DeMere is definitely enjoying the perks of being Sweetheart Ranch’s new wrangler—the best is working with head chef Bridget O’Malley. He’s fallen head over spurs for the talented and determined beauty. There’s just one hiccup. Bridget is holding out for Mr. Right—and Ryan doesn’t quite meet her requirements. But he’s determined to win Bridget over, because Ryan may not be perfect…but maybe their love could be.



Guest Post from Author Cathy McDavid


What Makes Sweetheart Ranch Special?

THE COWBOY’S PERFECT MATCH is book two in my series, The Sweetheart Ranch (two more books are for sure following and possibly more).  I personally have never been to a place like it. Right now, the ranch only exists in my head and on the pages of my books :)

But, seriously, wouldn’t it be nice to visit a western-themed wedding venue and B&B? Yeah, I agree. Let me take you on an imaginary tour.

Picture a sprawling, country ranch house with a veranda that runs the entire length of the house. Don’t forget the charming porch swing for whiling away a lazy spring afternoon.

Through the front door is the foyer where an antique desk serves as a registration counter. To the left is the parlor where receptions are held and beyond that, the kitchen. Also off the parlor is the library which, in book four, has been converted into a wedding boutique.

To the right of the foyer is the wedding chapel, complete with an altar and pews. During the holidays, the chapel, along with the entire ranch, inside and out, is decorated from top to bottom.

Behind the main house is the clubhouse and pool. Beside the pool is a Jacuzzi.  Inside the clubhouse visitors will find a ping pong table, dart board, shuffleboard table, and card table. Pool party anyone?

Take a walk up the dirt road behind the clubhouse and pool to the six honeymoon cabins, each built to resemble the main house. Each cabin has a walkway leading up to it, a private patio outback, and a small front porch with comfortable chairs for taking in the beautiful Arizona sunsets.

The cabins’ interiors are a honeymooning couple’s dream. First is the quaint front room with a fieldstone fireplace and cozy couch for snuggling. The two-person dinette set in the small kitchen is the perfect place to linger over a specialty honeymoon breakfast prepared by the head chef. Of course, the bedroom has a king-size bed and every cabin bathroom comes equipped with a spa-tub big enough for two!

Except during the summer months when it’s too hot, the ranch hosts monthly hayrides followed by a cookout dinner, and square dance. But Sweetheart Ranch’s signature amenity is their carriage ride for honeymooning couples the day after the wedding. The white Cinderella-style carriage is drawn by two horses and travels through town, taking in the local sights as well as the spectacular mountain views.

Nothing could be more romantic. But, then, what else would you expect from a stay at place called Sweetheart Ranch?




Other Books in the Series

https://amzn.to/2V3HdEoA Cowboy's Christmas Proposal
(The Sweetheart Ranch #1)
By Cathy McDavid
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
November 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming

At a magical time of year…

Can a cowboy help falling in love?

For single dad Owen Caufield, living and working at Sweetheart Ranch for a month is the perfect change of pace. While the cowboy turned wedding officiant can now spend more time with his children, Molly O’Malley, his new boss, is less thrilled. A wedding ranch isn’t the best place for three rambunctious youngsters. But amid the chaos—and the coming holidays—it may be the best place to fall in love…


About the Author

As a sophomore in high school, NY TimesUSA Today, and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid won a local writing competition with her self-illustrated children’s book. Who knew that small triumph would eventually lead to a career writing contemporary romances with over 1.3 million books sold? With forty-seven titles to date, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins recently married her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world four years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking men who ride the range or fight fires or hunt creatures all while sweeping the girl off her feet. It’s a tough job but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive:
  • $10 Amazon gift card
  • Author swag
  • A Cowboy’s Christmas Proposal and The Bull Rider’s Valentine (print to US winner only, Kindle copies to US or international)
Ends May 22, 2019

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