Sunday, December 29, 2013

A Good Lookin' Man by Marcia Lynn McClure


A Good-Lookin' Man
by Marcia Lynn McClure
length: 127 pages
file size: 492kb
ASIN: B00ENSM9Z4
Pub Date: August 19, 2013
by Distractions Ink
current ebook price: $7.95
source: purchased


Excerpt
However, in an instant—in less than a breath or the bat of an eyelid—the elusive pepper spray hiding somewhere in her purse was all but forgotten. For standing before her—right there before her, not three feet away—was the best-looking, most gorgeous, handsomest man she had ever seen in all her life!

“No, seriously,” she thought out loud with lingering bewilderment at how perfectly stunning the man standing before her was, wearing a worn pair of Levi’s, dusty cowboy boots, and a short-sleeved, plaid-print, snap-up shirt that hung open, revealing a bronzed, perfectly sculpted torso that was simply a mass of muscles. She was so unsettled by the man’s appearance that she wasn’t sure whether she was whispering aloud to herself or her car.

Either way, the man asked, “Beg your pardon, ma’am?”

“Oh…oh, nothing,” Fairlee said as she began rummaging in her purse again. But the man’s presence and appearance had entirely rattled her. As her awe-inspired brain obviously quit sending out instructions to the rest of her body, Fairlee felt her purse slip from her hands—watched in humiliated dismay as its contents tumbled out and scattered over the shoulder of the road

My Thoughts

This novella length romance from Marcia Lynn McClure is short and sweet...and fun. I used to be a bit hesitant about reading Marcia's modern tales as I am so attached to her cowboy tales ( I think I just love cowboy stories), but they have really grown on me and I now love them. This story is really cute and has a heroine that I totally identify with! (She tends to talk on and on and on without stopping for breath...I really have no idea why that seems so familiar...hmmm...ok friends, kindly giggle and don't say anything). The characters meet and realize they care for each other quickly, as do most of Marcia's characters. They don't really have a ton of obstacles in their way, but their story is enjoyable all the same. 

Don't forget the Author's Note and Snippits in this book, they will make you giggle.

Content: Clean, lots of kissing

Rating: 4.5 stars


Saturday, December 28, 2013

Midnight Masquerade by Marcia Lynn McClure


Midnight Masquerade
by Marcia Lynn McClure
length: 235 pages
file size: 648 kb
ASIN: B00ECFFM1G
Pub Date: August 4, 2013
by Distractions Ink
current ebook price: $8.95
source: purchased


Synopsis (from Goodreads)
Stavos Voronin was not as blind-eyed as many nobles and royals. Evony’s physical gestures—even the simplest movement of her hands—revealed that she had not always been destitute. The same was true of the children—of their polished manners and the boy’s knowledge of horses and tendency to be bold and fearless of strangers.

Ah yes, Stavos enjoyed a good mystery. After all, interest in the inexplicable circumstances surrounding the royals of Abawyth was the very thing that had lured him to the kingdom—the enigma of Abawyth’s twelve sleepy princesses. And yet now—now his mind was all the more intrigued. Not only was the obscurity of what had caused the profound and baffling torpidity of Abawyth’s princesses laid out before him, but also he found his curiosity intensely piqued over the riddle surrounding the very lovely Evony and her siblings.

As Stavos strode through the village resting on the outskirts of Abawyth Castle, his mind reeled with possibilities. His musings were drawn back to why he had come to Abawyth at all—to solve the conundrum surrounding the twelve beautiful princesses of Abawyth kingdom—to solve the seemingly impenetrable crux and thereby win the hand of one of Abawyth’s princesses, as his father, King Letholdus of Ethiarien, had commanded.

My Thoughts

As I mentioned in my contest post back last week, reading has been hard for me lately. I have been so exhausted that I can't seem to focus on a book long enough to really get into it. I picked up a couple of books by Marcia Lynn McClure yesterday  and started reading, and guess what? I read them both! Yep, I started last night and have since read through two books.  I should have known that Marcia would get me out of my exhausted reading funk (it also helped to have an extra day off work to relax). Look for a second review coming tomorrow.

I have been wondering when Marcia would finally attempt a take on The 12 Dancing Princesses. Years ago I was part of a fan group where we occasionally had chat room sessions with Marcia, and she mentioned in one of these chats that one of her favorite fairytales was that of The 12 Dancing Princesses. Since that chat I have enjoyed her other fairytale retellings, but continued to look for this book. And finally, this summer, it was available. Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to read it until today, and I am happy to report that it was worth the many years wait.

Midnight Masquerade has everything that you would expect from McClure: great characters with fantastic names, a handsome hero, and best of all great kissing. Marcia does a great job of making a fairytale feel real, and very romantic. Our lovers recognize that they care for each other quickly but have to overcome many obstacles before they can find their own Happily Ever After. The secondary and other minor characters help to move the story forward without distracting the reader from the main characters and their tale.

One of my favorite things about Marcia's books, are the Author's notes. The author's note in this book is a bit different than some of the others, as she opens up about some of her personal struggles and how she overcame them. Don't skip the author's notes, you will enjoy them, and they can often make you giggle (especially the Snippits).

Content: Kissing is as far as these characters go, although they do refer to stronger feelings/desires.

Rating: 5 stars

Learn more about Marcia Lynn McClure and her books by visiting her website.



Saturday, December 21, 2013

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Widwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop, hosted by Bookhounds and I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.

So, I have made a discovery. Working as a retail supervisor at the holidays is not helping my reading one bit. I have been trying to read through some great ebooks to review here, and I just can't seem to make it happen. I am exhausted all the time and just fall right to sleep when I try to start into reading something after the kids are all tucked into bed.  I can't wait for life to slow down a bit after the holidays are done and I can get back to reading again! (This is why I haven't posted any reviews in the past several weeks, I haven't finished the books to review!) But, the new year should bring a bit more calm and peace for me to get back to the books I love, and thereby more reviews for you, dear readers.

To help you get back to reading in the new year, I am offering a $10 Amazon gift code (sent via eail to the winner, so if you can us one, you can enter) to one lucky reader here as part of the Midwinter's Eve Hop. Simply enter using the Rafflecopter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hop along to the more than 150 stops along the way and enjoy some more fantastic reading related prizes.


Sunday, December 8, 2013

A Cold Creek Christmas Surprise by RaeAnne Thayne


A Cold Creek Christmas Surprise
by RaeAnne Thayne
length: 224 pages
file size: 361 KB
ASIN: B00DPANPTA
Pub Date: Dec 1, 2013
by Harlequin Special Edition
current ebook price: $3.82
source: purchased


Synopsis (from Goodreads):

USA TODAY bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne brings readers back to the ranch for an emotional holiday visit with The Cowboys of Cold Creek!

Hardened rancher Ridge Bowman has long told himself he has no need for love—just work and his little girl are enough to get him through. But when his "cleaning lady," Sarah Whitmore, gets injured on his staircase, well, of course he has to invite her to spend the holidays with him. It's only the responsible thing to do.

Only, Sarah isn't really there to work on his house. She came bearing precious artwork belonging to Ridge's late mother, and possibly a secret that could devastate them both. But as Christmas draws closer, so does Ridge—and Sarah convinces herself that she will tell him what she knows as soon as the holiday is over. She might be the key to his past—if only he could be a part of her future…

My Thoughts:
I discovered the Author RaeAnne Thayne earlier this year and I am so happy that I did. After reading book two in the Cowboys of Cold Creek Series (which was and still is being offered free on Amazon, find it here ) I found myself seeking out more, and have since read each of the books in the Cold Creek series as well as her Hope's Crossing series. You can find out more about her books by visiting her website at RaeAnneThayne.com.

You could pick up this book and read it out of order, without knowing any of the history of the family, and still enjoy the book on it's own, but this is definitely a book that is enhanced with a bit of background knowledge.

I love the holiday season and the coziness of the setting (a nice, warm ranch house in the middle of a snow storm). The love story is sweet and develops quickly, but not without several bumps in the road. Thayne makes you believe that the characters really could fall in love in the course of a week. (And really, when it's right, it's right, who needs tons of time?)

This book is perfect for cozying up by a warm fire with a cup of cocoa on a cold winter's night.

Content: Some mostly mild language, and some mention of lovemaking but no descriptions and
there is no insinuations that the characters sleep together at any point in the book.

My rating: 4.5 stars

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Studio C Blog Tour with Tour Wide Gift Card Giveaway

studio c tour
 
Studio C DVD
 
 

I know this is an ebook blog and this is completely a different direction today, but I was so excited when I found out about this blog tour that I had to sign up so I could share! We are fairly new to Studio C, having been introduced to it this summer by my Sister-In-Law. We have always been fans of comedy in our home, but most of what you find these days isn't family friendly. Comedy can often be so crass and I don't want my children to be exposed to inappropriate humor (nor do I want to watch it!). So, when we were introduced to Studio C, I knew that we had found the perfect show for our family. My oldest son absolutely loves to laugh and I love to listen to him laugh. He seriously has an infectious laugh, so anything that makes him laugh brings a smile to my face.

Up until now we have relied on YouTube videos to watch Studio C, but we don't have to anymore (and neither do you!). Studio C has released Season's One and Two in DVD form, so now you can watch family friendly comedy sketches anytime you want! I can tell you our family will be enjoying these hilarious comedy sketches for years to come (and I will enjoy knowing that I won't be embarrassed when my kids start quoting their favorite lines from the show).

Read more about this fabulous DVD and Studio C below (and check out a couple of their hilarious sketches):

 
Seasons 1 and 2 of the hilarious BYUtv sketch comedy series, Studio C, featuring Whitney, Mallory, Jason, Matt, and the rest of the cast pulling out all the stops with two full seasons of enough rip-roaring hilarity to make you spit milk out of your nose. Travel back to the moment it all began and watch some of the very first Studio C sketches, plus two never-before-seen features! Includes popular episodes featuring
  • Presidential Shoulder Angel
  • Facebook Friends Song
  • Flirting Academy
  • Captain Literally
  • The Center for People That YouTube Made Infamous
  • Candy Land Character Conference
  • Bollyside
  • Dana’s Dead
  • And many more!
Special Features
  • Exclusive Feature: “Just Jeremy Date”
  • Exclusive Sketch: “Substitute Miss Frizzle”
  • Season 2 Outtakes
Studio C is a hit sketch comedy series that the whole family can enjoy. Like the popular TV show Saturday Night Live, the cast performs original sketches that parody American culture and the hilariously awkward moments of everyday life; but with a refreshingly wholesome yet hilarious spin. With their huge fan-base and increasing popularity, Studio C aims to produce clean, family-oriented comedy for a national audience.  
Studio CPurchase Amazon * Deseret Book
 

     

Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/31/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Working it Out by Rachael Anderson


Working It Out
by Rachael Anderson
length: 262 pages
file size: 823 KB
ASIN: B00DYFWZQ0
Pub date: Nov 18, 2013
by HEA Publishing
current ebook price: $3.99
source: Purchased


Synopsis (from Goodreads):

A chance encounter . . .
Grace Warren's life is safe and predictable—exactly the way she likes it. But when she gets roped into going to an auction to help out a friend, everything changes. She meets Seth Tuttle—a guy who unexpectedly kisses her then disappears, leaving her flustered and upset. If she never sees him again, it will be too soon.
A chance for love . . .
Weeks later, when Seth limps into Grace's rehab clinic post surgery, he's every bit as frustrating and annoying as she remembered. Yet there's something about him that makes her second-guess her carefully placed boundaries even though he's everything she's sure she doesn't want in a man. But maybe Seth is exactly what Grace has needed all along—assuming she's willing to risk safe and predictable for a chance at love.

My Thoughts:

I was a bit confused at the beginning of the book. I felt like the main characters were all introduced too suddenly and I couldn't grasp who was who until I had read several chapters. After those first several chapters, the book really hit it's stride and I enjoyed this tale of cat and mouse love. Grace doesn't think that Seth is what she wants, and Seth is sure that Grace is what he needs. So the chase is on, but as soon as Grace is ready to be caught, Seth seems to slow down the chase. It all seems to be hopeless, but love just might win in the end.

All in all a good read.

My Rating: 3.75 stars

Content: Clean

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Sorry for the drop off

I work retail and last week was nightmarish in preparation for the big Black Friday/Thanksgiving day sale. To add to the mess I got a terrible cold that completely wiped my energy. I was so exhausted by the time I got off work, I couldn't even focus to read (and that is saying something, I can't ever remember being so tired I couldn't read even a bit). But, I am back and ready to review some great ebooks! Look for more new posts starting tomorrow.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Holiday Kindle Fire HDX giveaway hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

If you are looking to win yourself a fantastic eReader, here is your chance. I am not a sponsor, simply sharing this giveaway with you (I do gain entry into a giveaway for sharing this with you, fingers crossed for us).

Holiday Kindle Fire Giveaway   Just in time for the HOLIDAYS - Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)   This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".
The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)
  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)
  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)
      Holiday Kindle Fire Giveaway #1 Sponsors:
  1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
  2. Feed Your Reader
  3. Allergic to Life by Kathryn Chastain Treat
  4. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
  5. Living, Learning, and Loving Life
  6. Confessions of a Librarian in Training...
  7. Bea's Book Nook
  8. Author Kary Rader
  9. Author Jennie Sherwin
  10. A Book Lover's Retreat
  11. These are but Shadows
  12. Tressa's Wishful Endings
  13. Author Lia Fairchild
  14. Author Helen Smith
  15. Buku-Buku Didi
  16. Truth Seekers Dare to Enter
  17. The Reporter and the Girl
  18. Author Terah Edun
  19. Young Adult Book Deals
  20. Diva Booknerd
  21. Jessica Loves Books
  22. Homebound Unlimited
  23. Author L.A. Matthies
  24. Author Janeal Falor
  25. Like a Broken Vessel
  26. Author Bonnie Blythe
  27. Author Bella Street
  28. Candlelight Reads
  29. Author Louise Caiola
  30. Kelly's Lucky You
  31. Author Elizabeth Isaacs
  32. Word to Dreams
  33. Kimber Leigh Writes
  34. Author Wendi Sotis
  35. ~Owl Always Be Reading~
  36. Fairie Chick's Fantasy Book Reader
  37. Author Talia Jager
  38. MichaelSciFan
  39. Author Charlene A. Wilson
  40. Every Free Chance Book Reviews
  41. MyLadyWeb: Women's History and Women Authors
  42. Darkmotive's Books and More
  43. Ketch's Book Nook
  44. Blogging the Beloved
  45. Book Lover's Life
  46. Kelly P's Blog
  47. Fae Books
  48. Lori's Reading Corner
  49. Author Kay Kenyon
  50. A Bookish Escape
  51. Christine's Blog
  Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Fire Giveaway: http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups

 Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7". Ends 12/18/13 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, Not A Writer and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

My Own Mr. Darcy by Karey White

My Own Mr. Darcy
by Karey White
length: 289 pages
file size: 821 KB
ASIN: B00DY6QP3I
Pub date: Nov 15, 2013
by Orange Door Press
Current ebook price: $0.99
Source: Amazon (purchased)



Synopsis (from Goodreads)

After being dragged to the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice by her mother, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth’s life changes when Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy appears on the screen. Lizzie falls hard and makes a promise to herself that she will settle for nothing less than her own Mr. Darcy. This ill-advised pledge threatens to ruin any chance of finding true love. During the six intervening years, she has refused to give any interested suitors a chance. They weren’t Mr. Darcy enough. Coerced by her roommate, Elizabeth agrees to give the next interested guy ten dates before she dumps him. That guy is Chad, a kind and thoughtful science teacher and swim coach. While she’s dating Chad, her dream comes true in the form of a wealthy bookstore owner named Matt Dawson, who looks and acts like her Mr. Darcy. Of course she has to follow her dream. But as Elizabeth simultaneously dates a regular guy and the dazzling Mr. Dawson, she’s forced to re-evaluate what it was she loved about Mr. Darcy in the first place

My Thoughts

As I stated in my previous review found here, I love pretty much all things Austen, so this book has been on my mental Want to Read list for a while. The concept of a girl holding out for her own Mr Darcy is a fun one and I enjoyed the conflict it created for Lizzy. To be honest I was really enjoying this book all the way to almost the end. The ending result is exactly what I would want to happen but it felt very abrupt. There was a great deal of build up and then it just ends. There was also a very awkward scene transition that made me feel as if a small chunk of the book was missing.

The characters in this book are fun. Our Lizzy is a bit more like Jane in the classic story than the original Lizzy, so it makes sense that her ideal Mr Darcy might not be ideal in the end. Mr  Darcy, aka Matt Dawson, plays a pretty good Darcy character, but in the end he is more shallow than the original. There is even a Caroline Bingley character to add some interesting conflict.

So all in all this is an enjoyable book, especially at the bargain price of $.99, but the ending makes it fall  little short of great.

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Content: Clean

Monday, November 18, 2013

Emma, Mr. Knightley, and Chili-Slaw Dogs by Mary Jane Hathaway

Emma, Mr. Knightley, and Chili-Slaw Dogs
By Mary Jane Hathaway
length: 254 pages
file size: 447 KB
ASIN: B00D1I3GC2
Pub date: May 24, 2013
by Gumbo Books
Current eBook price: $0.99
Source: Amazon, I grabbed it while it was free



Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Caroline Ashley is a journalist on the rise at the Washington Post until the sudden death of her father brings her back to Thorny Hollow to care for her mentally fragile mother. The only respite from the eternal rotation of bridge club meetings and garden parties is her longtime friend, Brooks Elliott. A professor of journalism, Brooks is the voice of sanity and reason in the land of pink lemonade and triple layer coconut cakes. But when she meets a fascinating, charismatic young man on the cusp of a brand new industry, she ignores Brooks’ misgivings and throws herself into the project.

Brooks struggles to reconcile his parents’ very bitter marriage with his father’s devastating grief at the recent loss of his wife. Caroline is the only bright spot in the emotional wreckage of his family life. She’s a friend and he’s perfectly happy to keep her safely in that category. Marriage isn’t for men like Brooks and they both know it… until a handsome newcomer wins her heart. Brooks discovers Caroline is much more than a friend, and always has been, but is it too late to win her back?

My Thoughts

I have to admit upfront, I love anything Austen. I like to see how a modern author tries to spin these classic tales, even if they take liberties in doing so. This really testifies to the long lasting appeal of these classic romances; authors today trying to capture and personalize the characters Austen created two centuries ago. I do not expect complete fidelity to the original characters and actually enjoy when authors deviate and let the characters take on a life of their own.

This retelling, set in the South, does a great job of capturing the essence of Emma. I think the setting has to be my favorite part of the book. It is the perfect place to remake Austen's England. The characters are similar to their Austen counterparts, but have enough of their own appeal that they do not feel simply like a carbon copy. I don't believe that you actually have to have read the original to enjoy this book. The story is darling and an enjoyable weekend read. At its current low price of $0.99, you can't really go wrong. I also suggest reading the first book in the series, called Pride, Prejudice, and Cheese Grits . Each book can be read as a stand alone, but characters from the first book make their way into the second.

My Rating: 4 Stars

Content: Clean

Thursday, November 14, 2013

The Princess Sisters (Princess Sisters #1) by Stacy Lynn Carroll

The Princess Sisters (The Princess Sisters Series)
by Stacy Lynn Carroll
length: 296 pages
file size: 1001 KB
ASIN: B005D5J3I2
Pub date (2nd edition): July 14, 2013
by Pink Frog Press
Current Ebook Price: $2.99
Source: Amazon (I grabbed it during a free promo)



Synopsis (from Goodreads)

The only thing she stands to lose are her shoes. Cinderella is an ordinary teenage girl, with an extraordinary name. But because of that name, she and her cousins, Belle, Aurora, Ariel, and Snow White suffer years of torment from their peers. Then as the girls enter high school and the enticing world of dating, a life-altering decision must be made. Is it finally time to stop fighting, and surrender to the fairy tale clichĂ©s that have been holding them back? By embracing their names, the girls discover an inner-strength they never knew existed. And by putting everything they have on the line, maybe, just maybe they will discover there really is such a thing as ‘happily ever after’.

My Thoughts

The concept for this Young Adult book intrigued me. Cousins all named after classic princesses and the challenges that their names present as they grow into young women. While parts of the book worked well, other parts didn't work for me. The story slowed a bit in the middle. I felt like it lost focus for a little while. Then it picked up pace at the end just to stop a bit abruptly. I am sure that my teenage daughter will enjoy the book when she reads it (although I was not happy about a couple of the words used in an other wise clean book), and as this book was written with her age as the intended audience, it has done its job.

My Rating: 3 stars

Content: Clean aside from a few expletives that I felt were out of place.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Accidental Cowgirl by Maggie McGinnis

Accidental Cowgirl
by Maggie McGinnis
Length: 303 pages
File size: 1738 KB
ASIN: B00CK8CKZS
Pub Date: October 8, 2013
by Loveswept/Random House
Current ebook price: $2.99
Source: NetGalley



Synopsis (from NetGalley)

In her Loveswept debut, Maggie McGinnis tells the tale of a city girl who’s running on fumes—and the cowboy who shows her all the good things she’s been missing.

After being betrayed by her con man ex-fiancĂ©, Kyla Bennett nurses a broken heart. But Kyla’s friends have other ideas and when they whisk her off to Whisper Creek, a dude ranch staffed by cowboys so hot they dim the Montana sunset, all Kyla wants to do is hide under a quilt. Then in rides Decker Driscoll. He’s hauling about as much emotional baggage as Kyla, but when he stands close by, both of them want to stay close—and begin to succumb to an undeniable attraction.

After experiencing personal tragedy, Decker never thought he’d see Big Sky country again. But now that his family's Whisper Creek property is in deep with a Vegas gambler, Decker’s back for the summer—and spending all his time running from “cowgirls” who come to the dude ranch to score some dudes. Then he meets Kyla, a kindred spirit who brings on a stampede of protective feelings . . . and a powerful hankering to sear her with a new brand of love.

My Thoughts

The book starts off fun with Kyla having car trouble and the first person who stops by is an old cop who thinks he is still on duty. He puts her through a battery of crazy sobriety tests until she is finally saved by a cowboy.

Kyla is a fun character with a hard past. She carries a great deal of pain and regret on her shoulders. Decker has is own issues and neither character is in a good place for starting a relationship, but when love hits you, you better get yourself ready. They both seem to put on the breaks many times in the progress of the book.

I found this to be an enjoyable romance book. The characters were fun to get to know, and a few supporting characters had some depth. I do wish that some of the other supporting characters (ie Kyla's friends and  couple of the other ranchers, guests etc) had been a little more developed. They felt a little more like scenery. I really prefer a book where the town and supporting characters feel more rounded, in this book they fell a little flat for me.

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Content: This is another adults only read. There is one bedroom scene and language sprinkled throughout.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Staying Warm or Keeping Cold Giveaway Hop

To kick off my new blog, I have decided to participate in the Staying Warm or Keeping Cold Giveaway Hop hosted by Reading in Twilight and I Am A Reader Not a Writer. As part of the hop I get to share a book I either want to read by the fireplace on a cold day or in my air conditioned house if it is still hot out (we had snow last week, so you probably can guess which option I am going with), and I can't think of a better book to read by the fire than The Visions of Ransom Lake by Marcia Lynn McClure!


(description from Goodreads)
Youthful beauty, naive innocence, a romantic imagination thirsting for adventure-an apt description of Vaden Valmont, who would soon find the adventure and mystery she had always longed to experience-in the form of a man.

A somber recluse, Ransom Lake descended from his solitary concealment in the mountains, wholly disinterested in people and their trivial affairs. And somehow, young Vaden managed to be ever in his way-either by accident or because of her own unique ability to stumble into a quandary.Yet the enigmatic Ransom Lake would involuntarily become Vaden's unwitting tutor.

Through him, she would experience joy and passion the like even Vaden had never imagined. Yes, Vaden Valmont stepped innocently, yet irrevocably, into love with the secretive, seemingly callous man-Ransom Lake.But there were other life's lessons Ransom Lake would inadvertently convey to her as well. The darker side of life-despair, guilt, heartache. Would Ransom Lake be the means of Vaden's dreams come true? Or the cause of her complete desolation?

 This is one of my favorite books by Marcia Lynn McClure. One of my favorite scenes takes place in the middle of a blizzard. Vaden and Ransom end up having to stop for the night in an old abandoned house and what ensues is a night of kissing and deep conversation. It is the perfect Fall/Winter read. So cozy up by the fireplace with your eReader and a cup of cocoa and enjoy The Visions of Ransom Lake. At just $2.99 for the ebook copy it is a bargain!

One lucky reader will win their own Kindle Copy of The Visions of Ransom Lake and The Haunting of Autumn Lake (yep, Autumn is Vaden and Ransom's daughter.) Just fill out the form below to enter! a Rafflecopter giveaway When you are done here, hop along to the rest of the blogs participating in the hop! Keep Warm or Stay Cold (whichever you need today!)

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Christmas in Snowflake Canyon by RaeAnne Thayne


Christmas in Snowflake Canyon
by RaeAnne Thayne
Length:  363 pages
File Size: 516 KB
ISBN: 0373778155
Pub Date: October 29, 2013
Current ebook price:  $6.15
Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

No one has ever felt sorry for Genevieve Beaumont. After all, she has everything money can buy. That is, until she discovers her fiancé has been two-timing her and she's left with two choices: marry the philanderer to please her controlling father or be disinherited and find a means to support herself.

Genevieve's salvation appears in the most unlikely of prospects: Dylan Caine, a sexy, wounded war vet whose life is as messy as hers. Dylan's struggling to adjust after his time in Afghanistan, and the last thing he needs is a spoiled socialite learning about the real world for the first time. True, she may have unexpected depths and beauty to match. But he knows he could never be the man she needs…and she knows he could never be the man she thinks she wants. So why are they each hoping that a Christmas miracle willl prove them both wrong?

My Thoughts

 RaeAnne Thayne has created such a fantastic cast of small town characters in her Hope's Crossing series. Christmas in Snowflake Canyon is the sixth book in this series (I do recommend starting with the first book- Blackberry Summer, only because they are all so good, but you can read this book as a stand alone and not feel lost. Enough background is given on back stories for a smooth read.), and if you haven't discovered them yet, I hope that you will start reading them now.

Our heroine in Christmas in Snowflake Canyon is not well liked in her hometown of Hope's Crossing, and she is struggling to overcome her own poor choices. In this story Thayne reminds us that  we are all redeemable. Our past may be filled with bad choices, but we can change and do our best to make amends.

The love story is an unlikely one, but that is what makes it so great! Spoiled little rich girl and depressed, injured soldier couldn't be a more unlikely match, but when they get together the sparks fly. They constantly struggle with overcoming the idea that they are not good enough for the other, and they almost miss their chance.

My Rating: 5 Stars

Content: Mostly clean (not necessarily the case with all of the books in this series, some seem to have more than others as far as adult content). Mild language and innuendo plus pretty heavy kissing. I would still recommend for an adult audience.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Love on Main Street: A Snow Creek Christmas

Love on Main Street: A Snow Creek Christmas
by Juliette Blackwell, Rachael Herron, Lisa Hughey, Ruby Laska, Cecilia Gray, Adrienne Belle and L.G.C. Smith
Length: 410 pages
File Size: 2350 KB
ISBN: 9781940785028
Pub Date: Oct 16, 2013
Current ebook price: $0.99 




Synopsis (from NetGalley)
  Where love begins on Main Street and ends happily ever after....

Christmas, the most magical season, is almost upon the small mountain town of Snow Creek. For seven couples, holiday wishes mean more than just gifts or parties. Can Snow Creek pull off its annual holiday miracle of bringing love to town?

Seven original romances from sweet to sinfully sexy by New York Times and bestselling authors as well as promising new talent.

QUEEN OF HEARTS BY JULIET BLACKWELL
Serafina Rogers is not an impulsive person, but lately something’s gotten into her. She walked away from warm San Diego, her scumbag ex-fiance, and her teaching job in order to come to Snow Creek and take over her deceased aunt’s witchy supply store. Unfortunately, her hunky cowboy landlord, Joe, has other plans for the space, which hasn’t turned a profit in years. Neither Joe nor Serafina believe in magic, much less romance. But when a Yule log is tossed on the fire, Serafina begins seeing things in her aunt’s deck of cards, and Joe’s niece goes missing…they might just have to change their minds.

THE HOLIDAY SHOW BY LGC SMITH
Christy Monroe hates Christmas. The excess, the inevitable disappointments--bah. Dan Rose loves Christmas. The fun, the way his bakery smells—it’s all a little magical, especially in Snow Creek. When their first-grade daughters decide they want to be sisters, Christy and Dan had better watch out. The girls maneuver their parents into organizing the elementary school holiday show together. It doesn’t take long for Dan to make it his goal to change Christy’s mind about Christmas—and taking a chance again on love.

LET IT SNOW BY CECILIA GRAY
After losing her parents, Jessica can't bear to lose her childhood home and family bookstore, too. When they're taken from her, she has nowhere to go…except the arms of Daniel, Snow Creek's resident hero paramedic. It's not be the Christmas miracle Jessica wanted, but it might the one she needs….

SECOND CHANCES BY ADRIENNE BELL
There’s no doubt in Eileen Ledger’s mind that the last time she saw hockey superstar Paul McAlester she made the biggest mistake of her life. Only, she’s never been sure if the mistake was in kissing him, or in running away. But ten years later, Paul is back in town for Christmas, and Eileen has a second chance to make things right…as long as she can keep herself from falling in love again.

A CHRISTMAS YARN BY RACHAEL HERRON
Knitting has always served as a distraction, something that Clara can hide behind. After a significant weight loss, though, she's still not sure if she wants to be noticed. When sexy Lincoln ends up on the front porch of her yarn store, he seems to seeeverything clear as day. Will Clara finally be seen for her true self?

MISS BONNY'S BURIED TREASURE BY RUBY LASKA
Caroline Bonny has always known about her family curse: no Bonny daughter will ever marry until her great-great-great-grandfather's buried treasure is found. Caroline has made her peace with her life as a spinster-turned-cosmetologist, until easy-on-the-eyes schoolteacher Lance Carter comes to town determined to drown his recent breakup in holiday festivities.

ONE SILENT NIGHT BY LISA HUGHEY
Nick and Ally Carpenter split up months ago after years of infertility treatments crushed their marriage and their dreams of children. When the couple reunites for the holidays to make a dying woman happy, can an unexpected miracle show them the way back to love or is it too late?

My thoughts

This was a pretty fun anthology. The stories blended together quite well, even though they were written by different authors. There was a bit of confusion for me with the bakery (all of the other authors called it Rosie's, but in the one story it is run by the main male lead) but other than that, the story lines were well co-ordinated to go together. The small town of Snow Creek is cute and cozied up in the Sierra Nevada mountains (an area that I am quite familiar with, having grown up at the base of these mountains).

While I read romances, I really prefer my romance novels to leave the bedroom activity behind closed doors, and all but the last story did so. I had hoped that it would be this way all the way through the anthology, and was a bit disappointed that it didn't continue. I enjoyed the storyline of One Silent Night, but wish the author had left out the descriptive scene. It would have fit better with the rest of the tone of the anthology (it really felt like a sweet romance book until then).

Aside from my above preference, I really enjoyed the feel of this anthology. Having multiple authors write novellas that encompass one town with characters that cross over from one story to the next really showcased the abilities of the authors selected. Each did well and it was fun to encounter the town from a slightly different perspective each time.

My Rating: 4 stars

Content: For Adults. Very mild language. Sexual content, fairly descriptive in the last of the stories.

I was able to read this ebook for free from NetGalley. This does not have an effect on my opinion.

Friday, November 1, 2013

The Perfect Match (Blue Heron #2) by Kristan Higgins

The Perfect Match (The Blue Heron Series)
by Kristan Higgins
Published by Harlequin
Length:442 pages
File Size: 640 KB
ISBN: 0373778198
Pub Date: October 29, 2013
Current Amazon ebook price: $3.99 


Synopsis (from Goodreads)
What if the perfect match is a perfect surprise? Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now—a mere three weeks later—Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out there…or she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn't easier said than done.

Charming, handsome British professor Tom Barlow just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson, Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States—and leave Charlie behind.

In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience—and make her ex jealous in the process. But juggling a fiancĂ©, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn't easy. And as sparks start to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love…

My Thoughts

I discovered Kristan Higgins about six months ago from a status update of a book blogger that I follow fairly regularly. She was excited about the release of the first in the Blue Heron Series ( The Best Man ) and posted about the book. Intrigued, and always looking for something new to read, I hopped on to the library website and placed a hold on the book. I was hooked, and since then have read each of Higgins' titles. So, when the second of the Blue Heron books was set to release this month, I was counting down the days until October 29th (the release date).

I read the book in about one day and loved it just as much as the rest. Higgins has such fantastic, fun characters. Her style is a bit snarky, but the stories really are sweet, and heartwarming. Her heroes...um, yeah they are fantastic. And in The Perfect Match you will love our Tom from across the pond. Really, who can resist the accent?

But this and other books by Higgins are more than just the two central characters. It really has a wonderful supporting cast of characters. The whole Holland family will have you laughing at their antics. The supporting characters really help to drive the story along and keep you interested in more than just what happens to Honor and Tom. Your heart will ache for Charlie and you want to smack Dana a few times for how she treats Honor.

My rating: 5 stars!

Content: This book is definitely for adults. It has a bit of language here and there and has bedroom scenes and other suggestive topics of discussion in the book.

Image and synopsis from Goodreads. I purchased my own copy of this ebook.
Welcome to My Portable Library, where I will share ebook reviews. I will always include a starred rating and content detail (clean, steamy, etc).

My star rating system is as follows (and I reserve the right to add halves, quarters, etc. After all, this is my blog :) )

1 star- I probably didn't even finish this book (which really takes a lot for me)
2 star- I read it all the way through but really didn't care for it
3 star- I read it, liked it alright, but wouldn't likely read it again
4 star- This is a really good book, I enjoyed it, would read it again, and recommend it to my friends.
5 star- I WILL read this book again, probably multiple times. I honestly LOVE it.


So there you go. If I happen to get a freebie copy of an ebook, I will let you know at the bottom of my review. If you decide that you want to purchase a copy of an ebook that I review, I would love it if you would buy it through my link to Amazon. This will help to fund my ebook obsession, and thereby provide you with more reviews, it's a win-win situation here :)