Thursday, April 19, 2018

Book Review - Bachelor Remedy by Carol Ross + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon
Ally Mowak is the most unconventional woman Tag James has ever met. She is a former army medic with a training and a belief in using alternative medicine when possible. Tag James is a handsome transport pilot who is running for Senator with big goals to protect his city. However, the duo has conflicting ideas about medicine and love. Will Ally and Tag be able to put their differences aside?

I enjoyed the fact that this book had a character of Native American descent. However, I found myself rolling my eyes towards the end of the book. At first, I enjoyed that Ally was a confident, independent, and ambitious woman but with a gentle heart but I felt like the story made it seem that she could do no wrong and that she was always right. For example, she was acting forward with Tag during a portion of the book but that was acceptable but her rude behavior was quickly dismissed. I also didn't enjoy the fact that Tag had an issue about her age and her alternative medicine. Their fights seemed petty and didn't make much sense to me. At the end, I didn't like that Tag basically said nothing matters more than being with Ally. She mattered more than his friends and family or his ambitions even though Ally had taken a back seat to his life before. I feel that when a person gives up their entire self and only devotes themselves to one person is setting themselves up for disaster; regardless of how romantic it may sound to have someone be completely devoted to you. I did enjoy Carol's writing style and look forward to reading other books by her.


**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchanged for an honest opinion**


Bachelor Remedy
(Seasons of Alaska #5)
by Carol Ross
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
April 1st 2018 by Harlequin Superromance

She’s the most unconventional woman he’ll ever meet…

and the cure for a perennial bachelor?

Raised by her healer grandfather, former army medic Ally Mowak knows her alternative approach to traditional medicine puts her at odds with most of her Alaskan town. That includes Tag James, the rugged transport pilot with the sprawling family and political ambitions. Ally couldn’t be more wrong for the aspiring senator. Then why does everything feel so right when they’re together?

 

About the Author



USA Today bestselling author Carol Ross grew up in small town America right between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains, in a place where you can go deep sea fishing in the morning and then hit the ski slopes the same afternoon. The daughter of what is now known as free range parents, she developed a love of the outdoors at a very early age. As a writer, Carol loves to breathe the life she has lived into the characters she creates, grateful for the “research material” that every questionable decision, adrenaline-charged misstep, and near-death experience has provided.




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Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Book Review - Exhibit Alexandra by Natasha Bell

Photo Source - Amazon
Alexandra Southwood has the ideal life, she is married to her devoted husband, Marc and they have two beautiful daughters together. However, all that changes when Alexandra is being held in a room against her will. She is forced to view her family's suffering over her disappearance and how her family is coping with their loss. She is shown press briefings of Marc's appeal to the public for information about his missing wife but she can only think about her courtship and their marriage.

Marc refuses to think that his wife is dead even when they come across her bloody belongings near the river. Marc is desperate to find out what happened to his wife and he takes matters into his own hands. As he begins his search, he starts to uncover secrets about his wife and is confronted with how little he knows about her. 

The thrilling novel was an interesting read and perfect for a rainy day.  I was expecting the story have the clique murder-kidnap plot, but then slowly it became clear what the secret is since the author littered the story with clues. The book is predominately narrated by Alexandra after the events have already taken place and while it was interesting, I found the book to be a bit slow in the beginning but it did pick up towards the middle.  I am iffy on whether or not I like this book mostly because this was the first book  I couldn't really relate to the main character nor did I really care about her. However, I do believe that this book will leave readers with a lot of questions about identity, art, family roles, and self-happiness.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Book Review - Treacherous Trails by Dana Mentink + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon
Ella Cahill is working hard to support herself and her sister who is living with a disability. The last thing she needs is more drama in her life. When taking care of one her horses, she passes out and wakes up accused of murder. Her brother's best friend and former marine, Owen Thorn believe her but someone is trying to keep them both quiet. Who is trying to hurt Ella and Owen?

This book went right into the drama and the murder aspect. Some readers might prefer being eased into the storyline but I enjoyed that the novel started that way. I liked that the book was action packed but I wish the "murderer" was a bit more of a mystery. However, I enjoyed the book and I look forward to reading more from the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy in exchange for an honest opinion**


About the Book

Title: Treacherous Trails
Author: Dana Mentink
Genre: Inspy Romanctic Suspense
Release Date: March, 2018
Falsely accused…
Can she escape the real killer?
In this second installment in the Gold Country Cowboys series, farrier Ella Cahill is accused of murder—and only former marine Owen Thorn, her brother’s best friend, can help clear her name. Now with someone trying to kill Ella, Owen must protect her…despite his promise to her brother to stay away from her. But can they work together to find the true killer before she becomes the next to die?

About the Author

author pixDana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over thirty five titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Dana was thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the Jeanne Robertson Comedy With Class Competition. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)



Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, Cornbread Mix, and Cowboy Caviar Salsa!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/ca46

Monday, April 16, 2018

Book Review - Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff

Photo Source - Amazon

This book is the follow-up to Love Does, where Bob Goff takes readers through a journey where they can learn to love unconditionally. It will help readers live without fear, worry, care, and constraint while having a strong foundation in faith and friendships. Bob masterfully reveals lessons he learned and shares what it means to love without constraints and how it affected his life.

I am not usually a fan of "self - help/spirituality" books because they open my mind to different ways of thinking but I struggle with following through with it as time passes. When I first started reading the book, I had a lot of pent-up anger and after reading it I did feel a bit calm. I would have appreciated this book a bit more if they had exercises readers can use on a daily or weekly basis. I did find the "Love Everyone, Always" idea a bit hard especially taking NYC transit during rush hour but it did give me a bit more patience.


**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Thompson Amber Oud Candle








I came across this candle while at an outlet store near my apartment and thought it wasn't bad for $10. The musky scented candle smelled exactly like it's name and it is a soy wax blend with 100% cotton wick. It has around 60 - 80 burn time and the container makes a pretty catch up to store my brushes in the bathroom.