Thursday, October 31, 2019

Book Review - Keeping Her Close: A Clean Romance by Carol Ross

Photo Credit - Amazon

Former Navy Seal Kyle Frasier is hired to keep a businessman's daughter safe by teaching her self defense skills to protect herself. Harper Jansen is also his late best friend's fiancée. His loyalty towards his best friend is guiding him to ensure Harper is safe.  As the two become closer but, Kyle knows Harper is off-limits. However, will he follow his heart and be with Harper?

The book was an enjoyable read for fans who like clean cozy romances. I like how each character viewed loyalty differently. It was a nice story of finding someone who knows your true worth without taking you for granted.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**


BOOK SUMMARY:

Hired to protect her

…unable to resist her

The job sounds simple: teach a businessman’s daughter how to stay safe. But former navy SEAL turned bodyguard Kyle Frasier has a personal motive, too. Harper Jansen is his late best friend’s fiancée. Loyalty demands he protect her, not that Harper looks in need of rescuing. In fact, it’s Kyle who needs help—balancing duty with his desire to build a life with the one woman he shouldn’t want…

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Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Book Review - The Art of Rivers (Coastal Hearts #3) by Janet W. Ferguson + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Rivers Sullivan has both visible and invisible scars, such as the bullet wound from the attack that killed her fiancé. After losing her faith in humanity, she decides to travel to  St. Simons Island to see the cottage and art gallery she inherited from her late fiancé. When Rivers discovers that recovering addicts are running her gallery, she is forced to confront her feelings from the attack.

After the devastating drowning of his cousin, James Cooper Knight spends his days and nights trying to redeem himself for his past mistakes. He spends his counseling and coaching people who are looking for help and he searches for others who are caught in the quickly rising tides of St. Simmons.  When Cooper rescues Rivers from the tides and delivers her to his grandmother's cottage; he knows his life will be changed forever.

While their tragic circumstances bring Cooper and Rivers closer, they fight their growing feelings for each other. Cooper has been sober for years but, Rivers has a tough time trusting her heart to a recovering addict. He knows a relationship with Rivers will rip the fragile bond he has with his family. Will Rivers and Cooper be able to get over their insecurities and take a chance on themselves and each other?

The novel was an inspirational read about people who are trying to conquer their struggles. It gives a realistic view of people who struggle when their faith is broken. I found the mystery a bit predictable but, overall the novel was a good read.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

 

On Tour with Prism Book Tours
The Art of Rivers (Coastal Hearts #3) By Janet W. Ferguson Christian 
Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 299 Pages June 30th 2019 by Southern Sun Press LLC
​Rivers Sullivan bears both visible and invisible scars—those on her shoulder from a bullet wound and those on her heart from the loss of her fiancé during the same brutal attack. Not even her background as an art therapist can help her regain her faith in humanity. Still, she scrapes together the courage to travel to St. Simons Island to see the beach cottage and art gallery she’s inherited from her fiancé. When she stumbles upon recovering addicts running her gallery, she’s forced to reckon with her own healing.

After the tragic drowning of his cousin, James Cooper Knight spends his days trying to make up for his past mistakes. He not only dedicates his life to addiction counseling, but guilt drives him to the water, searching for others who’ve been caught unaware of the quickly rising tides of St. Simons. When he rescues a peculiar blond woman and her sketch pad from a sandbar, then delivers this same woman to his deceased grandmother’s properties, he knows things are about to get even more complicated.

Tragic circumstances draw Cooper and Rivers closer, but they fight their growing feelings. Though Cooper’s been sober for years, Rivers can’t imagine trusting her heart to someone in recovery, and he knows a relationship with her will only rip his family further apart. Distrust and guilt are only the first roadblocks they must overcome if they take a chance on love.
(Affiliate links included.) GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleBook Depository Also available through KindleUnlimited.

About the Author
Janet W. Ferguson grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served as a children’s minister and a church youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. She writes humorous inspirational fiction for people with real lives and real problems. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space.
Tour Schedule
Tour Giveaway
One winner will receive a $10 Chick-fil-A gift card and signed copies of the first two books in the series, Magnolia Storms and Falling for Grace US only Ends November 6, 2019

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Book Review - Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart + Giveaway



Ava Lee has lost her parents, her home, her best friend, and even her face in a moment's notice. She doesn't need to look in a mirror to know how she looks like because she sees it in the eyes of everyone around her. After nearly a year after the fire,  her aunt and uncle decide that she should go back to high school. They want her to have a "normal" life being surrounded by other people instead of feeling isolated. 

However, Ava feels that life will never feel normal for her again. And she could forget about making friends because no one wants to be seen with the Burned Girl. Things change when Ava meets another survivor named Piper. She begins to feel that she doesn't have to face the nightmare alone anymore. Piper likes to push Ava outside of her comfort zone and even introduces her to Asad, a boy who loves the theater just as much as she does. Slowly, Ava starts to feel connected to life again but, when Piper starts to struggle, will Ava be able to step up to the challenge?

 I thought this novel was a great and a emotional read. The characters were all well developed and likable. I love how each of the characters helped each other grow and become better versions of themselves.  The novel is an endearing read of someone facing psychological issues after a traumatizing event while finding herself again.

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

 
About the Book

Title: SCARS LIKE WINGS
Author: Erin Stewart
Pub. Date: October 1, 2019
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 352

Relatable, heartbreaking, and real, this is a story of resilience--the perfect novel for readers of powerful contemporary fiction like Girl in Pieces and Every Last Word.

Before, I was a million things. Now I'm only one. The Burned Girl.

Ava Lee has lost everything there is to lose: Her parents. Her best friend. Her home. Even her face. She doesn't need a mirror to know what she looks like--she can see her reflection in the eyes of everyone around her.

A year after the fire that destroyed her world, her aunt and uncle have decided she should go back to high school. Be "normal" again. Whatever that is. Ava knows better. There is no normal for someone like her. And forget making friends--no one wants to be seen with the Burned Girl, now or ever.

But when Ava meets a fellow survivor named Piper, she begins to feel like maybe she doesn't have to face the nightmare alone. Sarcastic and blunt, Piper isn't afraid to push Ava out of her comfort zone. Piper introduces Ava to Asad, a boy who loves theater just as much as she does, and slowly, Ava tries to create a life again. Yet Piper is fighting her own battle, and soon Ava must decide if she's going to fade back into her scars . . . or let the people by her side help her fly.

"A heartfelt and unflinching look at the reality of being a burn survivor and at the scars we all carry. This book is for everyone, burned or not, who has ever searched for a light in the darkness." --Stephanie Nielson, New York Times bestselling author of Heaven Is Here and a burn survivor

About Erin:
Erin Stewart is the author of SCARS LIKE WINGS, her debut novel. Erin is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern and a BYU undergraduate who works as a freelance writer and editor, as well as a weekly columnist in Salt Lake City.
Erin lives in Utah with her husband and three children. She is represented by the amazing Brianne Johnson of Writers House.


Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive a finished copy of SCARS LIKE WINGS, US Only.


Rafflecopter link:


Tour Schedule:
Week One:
10/1/2019- Feed Your Fiction Addiction- Review
10/2/2019- BookHounds YA- Review
10/3/2019- Lifestyle of Me- Review
10/4/2019- Fictitious Fox- Review

Week Two:
10/7/2019-  Fire and Ice - Review
10/8/2019- Moonlight Rendezvous- Review
10/9/2019- Fictitiouswonderland- Review
10/11/2019- Here's to Happy Endings- Review

Week Three:
10/14/2019- Treestand Book Reviews- Review
10/15/2019- Smada's Book Smack- Review
10/16/2019- Riddle’s Reviews- Review
10/17/2019- Jena Brown Writes- Review
10/18/2019- Book-Keeping- Review

Week Four:
10/21/2019- A Bookish Dream- Review
10/22/2019- Life Within The Pages- Review
10/23/2019- Portrait of a Book- Review
10/24/2019- The Pages In-Between- Review
10/25/2019- Paper Reader- Review

Week Five:
10/28/2019- Southern Girl Bookaholic- Review
10/29/2019- Do You Dog-ear?- Review
10/30/2019- Novel Novice- Excerpt
10/31/2019- Two points of interest- Review
 

Monday, October 28, 2019

Book Review - Elizabeth Webster and the Uncommon Pleas by William Lashner + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon
Elizabeth Webster prefers to stay under the radar and away from the spotlight in middle school. However, when the popular all-star swimmer Henry Harrison asks Elizabeth to tutor him in math, her invisible days are long gone. When Elizabeth arrives to tutor Henry, she realizes he has an ulterior motive. Henry's house is being haunted by a ghost calling Elizabeth's name. As Elizabeth investigates Henry's ghost, she makes a few startling discoveries and realizes is Henry really the one who needs saving?

I thought the book was a very fun and laugh-out-loud read. The cast of characters were all lovable and helped our novice lawyer heroine along the way. It was fun seeing how each character grew and helped each other along. A must-read for any mystery fan!

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**



About the Book
Title: ELIZABETH WEBSTER AND THE COURT OF UNCOMMON PLEAS
Author: William Lashner
Pub. Date: October 15, 2019
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 320

Welcome to Elizabeth Webster's world, where the common laws of middle school torment her days . . . and the uncommon laws of an even weirder realm govern her nights.

Elizabeth Webster is happy to stay under the radar (and under her bangs) until middle school is dead and gone. But when star swimmer Henry Harrison asks Elizabeth to tutor him in math, it's not linear equations Henry really needs help with-it's a flower-scented, poodle-skirt-wearing, head-tossing ghost who's calling out Elizabeth's name.

But why Elizabeth? Could it have something to do with her missing lawyer father? Maybe. Probably. If only she could find him. In her search, Elizabeth discovers more than she is looking for: a grandfather she never knew, a startling legacy, and the secret family law firm, Webster & Son, Attorneys for the Damned.


Elizabeth and her friends soon land in court, where demons and ghosts take the witness stand and a red-eyed judge with a ratty white wig hands out sentences like sandwiches. Will Elizabeth's father arrive in time to save Henry Harrison-and is Henry the one who really needs saving?


Set in the historic streets of Philadelphia, this riveting middle-grade mystery from New York Times best-selling author William Lashner will have readers banging their gavels and calling for more from the incomparable Elizabeth Webster.

 

About William:
William Lashner is the New York Times Bestselling creator of Victor Carl, who has been called by Booklist one of the mystery novel’s “most compelling, most morally ambiguous characters.”  The Victor Carl novels, which have been translated into more than a dozen foreign languages and have been sold all across the globe, include BAGMEN, KILLER’S KISS, FALLS THE SHADOW, FATAL FLAW, and HOSTILE WITNESS.  He is also the author of GUARANTEED HEROES, THE BARKEEP, which was an Edgar Award nominee and a Digital Book World Number One Bestseller, THE ACCOUNTING, and BLOOD AND BONE.

Writing under the pseudonym of Tyler Knox, Lashner is also the author of KOCKROACH, described as “roaringly entertaining,” by Publisher’s Weekly, and “an energetic tour de force,” by USA Today.  As Tyler Knox he has written a number of book reviews for the Washington Post Book World.

Lashner was a criminal prosecutor with the Department of Justice in Washington D.C. before quitting the law to write fulltime.  A graduate of the New York University School of Law, as well as the Iowa Writers' Workshop, he lives with his wife and three children outside Philadelphia.
William Lashner Photo © Sigrid Estrada

Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive a finished copy of ELIZABETH WEBSTER AND THE COURT OF UNCOMMON PLEAS, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:


Tour Schedule:
Week One:
10/1/2019- Pandora's Books- Excerpt
10/2/2019- Southern Girl Bookaholic- Review
10/3/2019- Shelf-Rated- Review
10/4/2019- BookHounds YA- Excerpt

Week Two:
10/7/2019- Odd and Bookish- Review
10/8/2019- EatingbetweenthelinesINC- Review
10/9/2019- Little Red Reads- Review

Week Three:
10/14/2019- Books_andPoetrii- Excerpt
10/15/2019- Jena Brown Writes- Review
10/16/2019- Nerdophiles- Review
10/17/2019- Savings in Seconds- Review
10/18/2019- The Reading Corner for All- Review

Week Four:
10/21/2019- Books a Plenty Book Reviews- Review
10/22/2019- Wonder Struck- Review
10/23/2019- Smada's Book Smack- Review
10/24/2019- Novel Novice- Excerpt
10/25/2019- fictitious.fox- Review

Week Five:
10/28/2019- Fyrekatz Blog- Review
10/29/2019- Two points of interest- Review
10/30/2019- Fictitiouswonderland- Review
10/31/2019- PopTheButterfly Reads- Review

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Book Spotlight - Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (Tristan Strong Novel, A Book 1) by Kwame Mbalia + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

About the Book
Title: TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY
Author: Kwame Mbalia
Pub. Date: October 1, 2019
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion, Rick Riordan Presents
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 496

Seventh-grader Tristan Strong feels anything but strong ever since he failed to save his best friend when they were in a bus accident together. All he has left of Eddie is the journal his friend wrote stories in. Tristan is dreading the month he’s going to spend on his grandparents’ farm in Alabama, where he’s being sent to heal from the tragedy. But on his first night there, a sticky creature shows up in his bedroom and steals Eddie’s journal. Tristan chases after it-–is that a doll?-–and a tug-of-war ensues between them underneath a Bottle Tree. In a last attempt to wrestle the journal out of the creature’s hands, Tristan punches the tree, accidentally ripping open a chasm into the MidPass, a volatile place with a burning sea, haunted bone ships, and iron monsters that are hunting the inhabitants of this world. Tristan finds himself in the middle of a battle that has left black American gods John Henry and Brer Rabbit exhausted. In order to get back home, Tristan and these new allies will need to entice the god Anansi, the Weaver, to come out of hiding and seal the hole in the sky. But bartering with the trickster Anansi always comes at a price. Can Tristan save this world before he loses more of the things he loves?



About Kwame:
Kwame is a husband, father, writer, and pharmaceutical metrologist in that order.  His debut middle-grade novel, TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY (October 15, 2019) is published by Rick Riordan Presents/Disney-Hyperion.  A Howard University graduate and a Midwesterner now in North Carolina, he enjoys impromptu dance sessions and Cheezits.

Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive a finished copy of TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY, US Only.

 
Rafflecopter link:

 
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
10/1/2019- BookHounds YA- Excerpt
10/2/2019- Little Red Reads- Excerpt
10/3/2019- Spoiled Girl- Review
10/4/2019- A Backwards Story- Review

Week Two:
10/7/2019- Lifestyle of Me- Review
10/8/2019- Sometimes Leelynn Reads- Excerpt
10/9/2019- Books a Plenty Book Reviews- Review
10/10/2019- Kait Plus Books- Excerpt
10/11/2019- Kyera's Library- Review

Week Three:
10/14/2019- The Reading Corner for All- Review
10/15/2019- Feed Your Fiction Addiction- Review
10/16/2019- Eli to the nth- Review
10/17/2019- Feed Your Fiction Addiction- Review
10/18/2019- PopTheButterfly Reads- Review

Week Four:
10/21/2019- Savings in Seconds- Review
10/22/2019- Always Me - Review
10/23/2019- Fictitiouswonderland- Review
10/24/2019- Nerdophiles- Review
10/25/2019- Confessions of a YA Reader- Review

Week Five:
10/28/2019- Two points of interest- Review
10/29/2019- fictitious.fox- Review
10/30/2019- Jena Brown Writes- Review
10/31/2019- Fyrekatz Blog- Review