A Real Life Fairytale Blast with tourwide Giveaway

Cinderella: a REAL life fairytale If a dream is a wish your heart makes then Cindee Ellis is in major trouble. There’s no way Henry Christensen will ever notice her under all those oil stains and brake fluid splattered across her shirt. Unless—she’s dead wrong about him. Join her with this real life fairytale set in the small town of Silver Creek to find out how she’ll work her guts out to make her own happily ever after.

Beauty and the Beast: a REAL life fairytale There’s a tale as old as time of two people falling in love, but what happens when Belle won’t have anything to do with it. Join her with this real life fairytale set in the small town of Silver Creek to find out how she’ll transform the town’s beast into a handsome prince with her heart, not her beautician skills.

The Frogg Princess: a REAL life fairytale Taya is almost there. Join her in this real-life fairytale, set in the small town of Silver Creek, as she plans to start a new life by opening a little restaurant. Only to find a few rude people that don’t seem to welcome her. But that doesn’t seem to bother Felix Frogg, a local police officer, and the love-at–first-sight reactions he keeps tossing her way. If Taya isn’t careful with the way her heart is softening towards Felix, she could be walking into a lifetime commitment of happily ever after that wasn’t in her plans.

Excerpts 
Cinderella: a REAL life fairytale
“Hey, Cindee, before I forget. You have a real nice day.”
I nod with about the blankest expression I’ve ever felt, and then he winks. HE LITERALLY WINKS!
My eyes are as big as I can stretch them.
Either Henry Christensen just did that on purpose, or he has something irritating his eye. I want to go with my first choice, but the second one seems more accurate. I’m the girl with no name, until just now, standing in a huge coat, so it’s gotta be the second choice, right?
“Henry? Is that you?” Priscilla’s sticky-sweet voice interrupts.
He doesn’t speak a word as he presses on the gas to slowly start backing up.
“I’ll stop by the station to pick up the trucks in a while. Make sure you’re there,” he says before quickly pulling onto Main Street where everything disappears, except for the faint glow of his brake lights that blink three times.
Is he saying goodbye? I know other girls back in high school had boys do this to them, but not me. NOT EVER. Not once did a boy tap his brake lights to me. I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.


Beauty and the Beast: a REAL life fairytale
“Thank you for this.” I whisper into Adam’s ear.
“For what?” He grins.
“For being the kind of man that makes a woman believe there’s a God in heaven.” I nuzzle into his shoulder and close my eyes as the preacher asks us to pray.
Once we finish, the rows of people begin to stand. I wipe under my eyes one more time just to make sure I don’t have mascara running down my face.

The Frogg Princess: a REAL life fairytale
“You probably shouldn’t be with a girl like me. I could corrupt a boy like yourself,” I tease, trying to ease the heat flooding my face. How could I push myself on him? I’m cringing inside at being so stupid.
“Nah, I’d happily go as far as you’d allow me,” he softly chuckles. “I just have a promise I made with my brother.”
“A promise?” I narrow my eyes.
“Yeah, we both agreed to wait for marriage.”
I stifle a gasp. Is he for real?


Praise for the Book 

Five Stars: Couldn’t put this book down! This book has a way of not only making you feel what the characters are feeling, but it sucks you in where you don’t want to put it down, Not only have I read this book once, but I read it all over a second time. If you want to get lost for a few hours then I would highly recommend you read this book!!

Five Stars: Sooooo Good! I really enjoyed this novella. I was so happy with the ending. It was well written and kept my attention even when my Grandson interrupted for help on his homework. So happy he left the math worksheet at school. I will be looking for more of this author’s work. Hope you enjoy this novella.

Five Stars: A clean romance book! Jamie Brook Thompson has got some mad writing skills! She has talent that can take you to another world for a few hours! I recommend this book to anyone who needs a good chic book (like a chic flick but in book form :)  ) to escape the real world for a bit! And who doesn’t love cowboys?!

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A Viscount's Proposal (The Regency Spies of London Book 2) by Melanie Dickerson

A Viscount's Proposal (The Regency Spies of London Book 2)
by Melanie Dickerson
Length: 290 pages
File Size: 3480 KB
ASIN: B01L1CEZ8I
Pub Date: February 7, 2017
by Waterfall Press
Current ebook price: $4.99
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Leorah Langdon has no patience for Regency society’s shallow hypocrisy and unnecessary rules, especially for women. She’s determined to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for a loveless union like her parents—or wedding a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance meeting in the countryside leads to Leorah and Withinghall being discovered in his overturned carriage—alone and after dark—the ensuing gossip may force them together.

Withinghall has his reasons for clinging to propriety; his father perished in a duel with his mistress’s husband, and Edward must avoid scandal himself if he wants to become prime minister. He certainly has no time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two discover that Withinghall’s coach “accident” was no such thing: the vehicle was sabotaged.

Can the culprit be brought to justice? Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her reputation, his political career—and his life.

My Thoughts:

I have been a fan of Melanie Dickerson for a while now. I have read almost all of her medieval fairy tale retellings and was excited to find that she had written a Regency. Actually two; as this is book two, I can't wait to read book one! (It's no secret that I love a good Regency romance, I may be slightly obsessed with them, maybe...)  

The story has a similar story line to Pride and Prejudice (of which I am a big fan). Our hero and heroine meet and clash from day one. Leorah is determined to dislike the stuffy viscount; Edward couldn't imagine any positive traits in the flighty miss Langdon. However, circumstances throw the two together often, and even place them in a compromising situation. They begin to see beyond the surface and realize that they may have been wrong about each other.

The added mystery element helps keep the story moving forward, and the dialog is fantastic. This is a great, light Regency for fans of Historical Romance.

Rating: 4 and 1/2 stars

Content: Clean

*I borrowed this book as a part of my Kindle Unlimited Subscription, opinions are my own

Hearts in Peril: Destination Billionaire Romance by Kaylee Baldwin

Hearts in Peril: Destination Billionaire Romance
by Kaylee Baldwin
Length: 180 pages
ASIN: B06Y18547C
Pub Date: April 2, 2017
by Gelato Publishing LLC
Current ebook price: $2.99
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Synopsis (from Goodreads): The last person Dr. Riley Rogers wants to meet is her absentee boss, Mr. Bachelor of the Year Dean Matthias. If his notorious reputation is close to true, his visit will only disrupt the peace she’s found caring for people at the humanitarian clinic. With every word, Dean confirms that his head is as big as his billboard. It will take all the manners of her Midwestern upbringing to play nice to the man who controls her contract.

After losing nearly everything to his backstabbing ex-fiance, Dean needs the Worldwide Care project to be a success to prove to the Matthias Foundation that he's not the irresponsible mess the media portrays him as. But from the moment the beautiful, headstrong Riley Rogers appears in his life, nothing goes as planned.

When Dean’s presence, and the lure of his wealth, draws out a local terrorist group, Dean and Riley are forced to flee into the wild Filipino jungle. Sparks of attraction fly between them, but if they don’t learn to trust each other—and themselves—they’ll never survive long enough to know if it’s love.

My Thoughts:

This is one of those books I like to call a great date night book. It has something for just about everyone. Action, romance, and a little comedy (although not much, just an episode where Dean takes some painkillers...you've seen someone on painkillers, I'll let your imagination paint the picture for you.)

This Destination Billionaire Romance did feel a little heavier than some of the other books in this series (the characters do not always intersect in this series, it is just a group of authors that release at least one book a month with the same theme: a romance involving a rich young man in an exotic locale). Our hero is shot early on in the story and has to try to escape through the jungles of the Philippines, in an attempt to escape terrorists who are after his family's money.

The romance begins in the classic guy meets girl, guy acts like a jerk, girl hates guy, but then along the way things change. Forced to rely on one another, they both come to see that there is more than meets the eye about the other, and sparks begin to fly (helped a little at times by the aforementioned painkillers).

This ebook will take you for a romantic adventure through the Philippines, one where you are not sure how Dean and Riley are going to make it out alive.

A great, weekend read.

Rating: 4 stars

Content: Some violence (there are terrorists), no profanity or sexual content

*I borrowed this book as a part of my Kindle Unlimited Subscription, opinions are my own

Hearts On Fire: Park City Firefighter Romance by Christine Kersey

Hearts on Fire: Park City Firefighter Romance
by Christine Kersey
Length: 165 pages
File Size: 1048 KB
ASIN: B01N3BJVVH
Pub date: Feb 3, 2017
by Sapphire Creek Press
Current ebook price: $2.99
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Arwen Butler has no time for love—she’s too busy focusing on her new career as a therapist. But when she joins a gym and hot firefighter Tyler Reed becomes her personal trainer, she may have to rethink her priorities.

After losing the woman he loves, Tyler is determined to protect his crushed heart by never falling in love again. Then he meets beautiful and confident Arwen. Though drawn to her, he desperately fights his attraction.

When Arwen is thrust into a deadly situation, Tyler will have to choose—overcome his resistance to love or keep his heart locked up for good.

My Thoughts:

This quick read romance has a great deal of depth for such a short book. Arwen and Tyler are both trying to avoid a relationship. Arwen is focused on her career and Tyler is determined to avoid the heartache of losing a loved one by pre-emptively cutting off all possibilities. As often is the case in life and literature, fate has a different plan for our heroes. However; just when you think a catalyst has been enough to send them into each other's arms for good, someone gets cold feet.

I really enjoyed the fact that the story continued beyond the first chance at happily ever after. Real life is full of challenges to relationships, and this story has the main characters pushed and pulled apart several times before the happily every after that we all desire comes to fruition.

Hearts on Fire is the second in a multi author series of books set in Park City, Utah. I truly enjoy what I have read so far in this series, and others that the authors have combined to create. Look for more reviews going forward from this and other series like them.

Rating: 4 stars

Content: There is some violence in one scene, but over all a clean read with no profanity or sexual content.

*I borrowed this book as a part of my Kindle Unlimited Subscription, opinions are my own.

A Fine Gentleman by Sarah M Eden

A Fine Gentleman
by Sarah M. Eden
Length: 256 pages
File Size: 1757 KB
ASIN: B01MUZV24T
Pub Date: March 1, 2017
by Covenant Communications
Current ebook price: $9.99
Source: Won a print copy from the author

Synopsis (from Goodreads): London barrister Jason Jonquil has spent his entire life working to establish his identity as a gentleman, a man of refinement like his father and brothers. But when fiery Spanish beauty Mariposa Thornton walks into his office, he finds himself losing his grasp on his dignified character. The woman is infuriating, pushing him to the limit of his legendary patience. However, her case seems simple enough—a small matter of inheritance. Or so he believes.

Once a well-born lady, Mariposa fought to survive the brutalities of Napoleon’s war on Spain. She braved horrific perils and undertook dangerous missions on behalf of those fighting against the invading French army. But her greatest battle still lies ahead: after being separated from her family, Mariposa sets in motion a plan to reunite with her loved ones in England. To avoid drawing the attention of the French, Mariposa dons a carefully crafted persona to conceal her true purpose. As Jason and Mariposa are drawn together by the case, they come to know the people beneath the masks they both wear.

When the truth of Mariposa’s quest is revealed, the couple is pulled into a mystery that will test the limits of their courage—and expose the true desire of their hearts.

My Thoughts:

Ah, Sarah Eden, thank you for taking us back into the world of the Jonquil brothers. The more I get to know these brothers, the more I come to love them. In A Fine Gentleman we get to know Jason Jonquil. We start to see cracks in the outer shell that he has worked so hard to erect; and better come to understand what made him feel the need to build it.

The best part about each of the Jonquil books, and more particularly  this one, is the relationships we see develop and strengthen between the characters. There is so much more to this story than a simple love story between a seemingly flighty Mariposa (who is much wiser than she at first may seem) and the stuffy barrister. We see brothers struggle to understand one another; learn of relationships forged in the hardships of war; a young woman's devotion to her brother; the devotion between grandmother and grand daughter; and of course romance.

Dialogue is one of Eden's strengths and A Fine Gentleman doesn't disappoint in this arena either. The way Mariposa talks Jason in circles makes me want to cheer at her wit.

There is no denying that I am an Eden fan, and more particularly a fan of Eden's Regency books. This one is worth the $9.99 price point!

Rating: 5 stars

Content: clean

*I won my copy of this book with no stipulation that I provide a review

Kindle Unlimited...aka How I Keep Up With My Reading Habits Without Going Broke

If you are anything like me, you love to read...and you plow through reading material like a teenage boy through the contents of a refrigerator. If I had to purchase every book that I read at full price, I would be in debt up to my ears. The library is a great resource, however, I truly love reading on my phone because I have my book in my pocket at all times. Most library systems do offer an ebook borrowing program, however the books available are often limited.

Enter Kindle Unlimited. Kindle unlimited is a book subscription program similar to what Netflix is for TV and Movies. You pay a monthly fee of $9.99 and you can borrow as many books (that are part of the Kindle Unlimited Library) as you can read during each month. You can have up to ten books on your account at one time, and simply have to return a book to download another once you have hit your limit of ten. I don't have to feel guilty about reading a new book, because I click on that little tab that says "read for free with Kindle Unlimited." Guilt free book buying, I'll take it!

Many of the books that I will review over the next few weeks will be a part of the Kindle Unlimited program. So to read them without buying each, click on the banner below for a free trial!

Look for more reviews coming soon

I have been silent as of late, life as a full time working mom to children who are not so young anymore has been very busy. However, I miss reviewing books. I plan to review the ebooks that I read for my own enjoyment and share them occasionally here on this blog. So if you happen to stop by, I would love it if you shared your thoughts as well. Here's to more book reviews in 2017.

First Light by Michele Paige Holmes

First Light by Michele Paige Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was originally intrigued by the cover and the small snippet, but I was a bit unsure what to expect. The fractured fairy tale concept really works in this story. I noticed elements of Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and the three wishes concept. I am sure I missed many others(I am going to have to go back and read it again to see what else pops out!).

Adrielle is the youngest of many children and lives with her aging parents. They live on the edge of starvation and Adrielle's main concern is how she can continue to help plant and harvest what little she can in the drought stricken land. Little does she know what it ahead of her. What ensues is an adventure of fairy tale proportions. She will discover powers she didn't realize she had, both magical and non. Her world will be flipped upside down and backwards, but she somehow seems to land on her feet.

For those who are worried that I have not yet mentioned a romance, worry not there is plenty of that to be had in this fairy tale. (Really, what is a fairy tale without romance?)

*I received a free ecopy of this book in order to share my honest opinion

View all my reviews

Summer Book Trek

I know that I have disappeared as of late, but I saw this great challenge and decided to hop onboard. If you are reading, check it out for yourself. You simply read great fiction written by LDS authors (you don't have to be LDS to enter, just read books by authors who are :) ) in the month of July, then follow the directions found here to enter to win book prizes.


The new books that I plan to read in July are (list may be added to as the month progresses):

Mansfield Ranch (The Jane Austen Diaries)
What is Hidden
The Complete Aliso Creek Series
Old West Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology)

I also plan to revisit books I have read in the past (maybe other as well):

Goose Girl
THe 4th of July
Kissing Cousins

South Carolina Brides by Vickie McDonough

South Carolina Brides: 3-in-1 Historical Collection (Romancing America)
by Vickie McDonough
length: 352 pages
file size: 729 KB
ASIN: B00HZ9JXAM
pub date: Feb 1, 2014
by Barbour Publishing
current ebook price: $6.39
source: Netgalley

Synopsis (from Netgalley)

Visit historic South Carolina where secrets disrupt the lives of three women. A cousin’s quest takes a drastic turn when she falls for the man she thought she despised. A young woman’s sheltered world crumbles after she finds a badly beaten stranger on a nearby plantation. And a sister’s heart is torn when the neighbor who killed her brother in a duel returns home a changed man. Between betrayal and lies, is there room for love?

My Thoughts

This was a very enjoyable collection of sweet, Christian romances. I am never sure what I will think when I grab a Christian romance. They have a tendency to get a bit preachy and Christian historicals can often feel forced. They often give historical characters religious views that are not consistent with those of the times in which they lived. This book did a little of this, but the stories were sweet and entertaining. I really like that they follow the same family through multiple generations on the same land.

Each story takes an unlikely couple and throws them together and love blossoms where it is least expected. Amidst the challenges of life during different eras in South Carolina history, these stories show that love can bloom and grow through it all.

Rating: 4 stars

Content: clean

Ebook steal

Are you looking for a great read at an even better price? I was scanning through Amazon, looking for deals and found this one for you. I am a huge Sarah M. Eden fan and I absolutely love everything that she has written. The first book I ever read by Eden was The Kiss of a Stranger: A Regency Romance. I was instantly drawn in and couldn't wait to get my hands on more of Eden's books. You can read this fantastic ebook for only $2.99. This is a steal for a fantastic book by an established author (her other full length ebooks run around $10).

The Kiss of a Stranger: A Regency Romance

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent 
by Veronica Roth
length: 501 pages
file size:706 KB
ASIN: B004CFA9RS
Pub Date: May 3, 2011
by Katherine Tegen Books (Harper Collins)
current ebook price: $4.66
source: won a paper copy 

Synopsis (from Goodreads)


In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

My Thoughts

I have had this book for over a year now and began reading it shortly after receiving it, but another book I had been wanting to read became available and I never returned to Divergent. At my son's soccer practice last week I was chatting with another mom about books and she mentioned that she had enjoyed Divergent and I remembered my copy sitting on my bookshelf at home, collecting dust. I grabbed my copy to read this weekend as we went out of town for a soccer tournament.

I tried reading some other ebooks first, but struggled to get into them, so I grabbed my copy of Divergent and began reading Friday morning. By Friday night I had read all 501 pages and couldn't wait to download a Kindle copy of book two! 

I don't always enjoy the dystopian genre. I have read a few and enjoyed some of them (like Hunger Games), but I have found that the genre has been a bit overdone lately so I usually find my self avoiding them. This one grabbed me pretty quickly and I was sucked in to the story. Tris is a bit of a classic character in the genre: a strong female lead that is not like the others around her. I like the romance angle added to the story (I am a sucker for a romance, a book without one is lacking, to my way of thinking). The faction concept is an interesting one. Breaking down human strengths and weaknesses and emphasizing one at the exclusion of others is intriguing.

All in all, an enjoyable book, that while long, is an easy, fairly quick read!

Rating: 4.5 stars

Content: Mostly clean, there is mention of young people consuming alcohol, as with most dystopian, there is definitely violence, and some mention of sex but no descriptive scenes.

Tale Spins blog tour

 

Tour Schedule

 
Tale Spins A trilogy of alternative fairytales and retellings. Discover the real Snow White story through the eyes of Creepy, the unknown 8th dwarf! Meet a teen princess who hires "The Frog Prince" witch to get revenge on a Mean Girl at school! And learn how the giant, boy thief and magic beans tale truly went down!  

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

  Praise for Tale Spins

" Not usually enamoured of either re-tellings or poetry I was totally taken aback by just how much I relished this trilogy of alternative fairytales and re-tellings aimed at the Young Adult market." ~Tracy (Goodreads)
"TaleSpins was like walking into a vintage store and finding a true treasure. This book takes the fairytales we all grew up on and gives them an interesting and modernized version that I enjoyed". ~Rose (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I found these twisted versions of classic fairy tales funny and enjoyable. A little on the darker side (but then again, most fairy tales started out pretty dark, we have just lightened them up since their original tellings), these tales tell another side of some of our most beloved fairy tales.

 Author Michael Mullin Michael Mullin is a native New Englander living in Pasadena. He is the author of TaleSpins, a trilogy of alternative fairy tales and retellings for YA readers. TaleSpins stories (in the 1-book collection) are "8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf"; "The Plight and Plot of Princess Penny"; and "Jack'd". Michael is also the co-author of the successful "Larry Gets Lost" children's book series. His screenplay "Zooing Time" was recognized by the WGA's Written By magazine. Before all this writing, he taught preschool and college, two positions he found disconcertingly similar.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

  Tour Giveaways Giveaway #1 - Open to US only

  a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Giveaway #2 $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/21/14 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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Inn the Doghouse by Heather Horrocks

Inn the Doghouse (Who-Dun-Him Inn Cozy Mystery #2)
by Heather Horrocks
length: 242 pages
file size: 544 KB
ASIN: B00H3J4L4M
Pub Date: November 30, 2013
by Word Garden Press
current ebook price: $3.99
source: purchased

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

When single mom and mystery buff Vicki Butler pays a visit to her husband’s grave, she stumbles across the body of her twin sister Liz’s estranged husband—the same brother-in-law she argued with just yesterday.

Since Vicki is caught standing next to the body and her sister stands to inherit millions in her dead husband’s will, the twins suddenly find themselves “persons of interest.”

Will they identify the real murderer in time to avoid the slammer? Or are they about to learn firsthand just how many innocent people one doghouse can hold?

My Thoughts
This is a fun cozy mystery. It is the second in a series and I definitely recommend reading the first book (Snowed Inn which is available for only $.99 right now!) before starting this book. You would miss quite a bit of background information that plays into this story. Having said that, I do believe you could jump in here in book #2 and still catch yourself up as you read, it would simply make more sense quickly if you were already familiar with the characters.

There is a hint of romance mixed in (which always makes a cozy mystery better, in my opinion), which helps drive the story forward in places. There are additional side stories scattered throughout the book that will easily carry into additional books, so I definitely want to read the next in the series.

The characters are likeable (except those who aren't supposed to be) and have great quirks (I love a quirky character!). I especially love Liz and Vicky's grandmother. In the opening scene she is causing a disturbance at an anniversary party by loudly demonstrating her Karate skills (and that is just the beginning, this unique lady has her part to play in solving the whodunnit).

I highly recommend this and Heather's other fantastic ebooks. You can find them on her Amazon Page or read more on her website.

Content: Clean

Rating: 4 stars

Mile 21 by Sarah Dunster

Mile 21
by Sarah Dunster
length: 336 pages
file size: 3581 KB
ASIN:  B00FL24F1W
Pub Date: October 1, 2013
by Cedar Fort, Inc
current ebook price: $7.99
source: Won a paper copy on facebook

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

The singles ward is the last place Abish wants to be. But after the unexpected death of her husband (and after being kicked out of her mom’s place), she has to move into single-student housing to finish up her schooling. Maybe training for a marathon and winning the heart of the handsome executive secretary are exactly what Abish needs to get a personal best.

My Thoughts

What I like most about this book is Abish. She feels like a real person dealing with real issues and feelings. Her pain is so achingly real and her stuttering attempts to deal with it fill me with the desire to reach out and try to help along with her boss/bishop. But, then I realize she is just a character in a book and I must simply read and hope that she will find the help she needs to move on as best she can, in her own way.

While the title and cover image make you believe the book will center around running, the running takes back stage to the development of Abish as a character and her growth and emergence from her pain. Runners and non-runners alike will enjoy this book for it's story.

Content Clean

Rating 5 stars

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

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.

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.

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

Studio C Blog Tour with Tour Wide Gift Card Giveaway

Tour Schedule

 

 

Website * Facebook

 

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.  

Purchase Amazon * Deseret Book

 



     

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